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| PUBLISHED BY 2 A.M. | February 17, 2006 |
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SANDY HUFFAKER
Scientists Geeta Srivastava (left) and Christine Walker worked in the research laboratory of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, which is developing antibiotics and a cancer vaccine.
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TECHNOLOGY INC. | BIOTECHNOLOGY
Optimer's bug beater
Biotech's drug seems to be effective against infectious diarrhea
By Penni Crabtree
STAFF WRITER
Optimer Pharmaceuticals is taking aim at an impolite little bug that has become the scourge of hospitals and nursing homes. The bug – the clostridium difficile bacteria, in medical-speak – is responsible for as many as 3 million cases of infectious diarrhea each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Irvine Co. buys 2 more downtown office towers
Real estate giant pays record prices to boost S.D. holdings
By Mike Freeman
STAFF WRITER
The Irvine Co. has hardened its grip as downtown San Diego's dominant landlord, buying two marquee office towers this week at record prices. The privately held Orange County real estate giant gobbled up One America Plaza, the iconic downtown high rise, and the nearby Koll Center. The combined purchase price totaled $450 million, including the assumption of debt.
Carlsbad bank to be bought in stock deal
Placer Sierra gets bigger presence in the region
By Mike Freeman
STAFF WRITER
Southwest Community Bancorp has reached a deal to be acquired by Placer Sierra Bancshares of Sacramento in a stock deal valued at $175 million. The Carlsbad-based community bank, which has nine branches in Southern California and assets of $657 million, said yesterday that it agreed to be bought for the equivalent of $38.97 a share.
XM Satellite posts loss amid key resignation
On Wall Street, stock slides down the charts
By Seth Sutel
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK – As rapidly growing startup businesses, no one expects XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. to turn a profit right away. But as the arms race between these two bitter rivals drags on, investors' willingness to continue funding their massive losses could be wearing thin.
Westfield Group to buy 5 department store sites here
Deal considered part of Federated restructuring
By Bruce Bigelow and Frank Green
STAFF WRITERS
Australia's Westfield Group said yesterday it has agreed to buy 15 Federated Department Stores sites, including five in San Diego County. Westfield, the world's largest shopping mall owner by revenue, said it will buy a Robinsons-May and a Macy's location at its North County Fair mall in Escondido, a Robinsons-May outlet at its Plaza Camino Real in Carlsbad and a Robinsons-May and a Macy's site at its University Towne Center in San Diego.
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