HEALTHCARE
Salaam Heisman Fetches Nearly $400K
Rashaan Salaam’s Heisman Trophy attracted nearly $400,000 in an auction run by Laguna Niguel-based SCP Auctions.
Providence St. Joseph’s Wexler Fills Out Team
Providence St. Joseph Health Southern California Chief Executive Erik Wexler named most of an executive team to oversee 14 hospitals in Orange County, and Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.
Botox Competitor Files for IPO
Evolus Inc. plans an IPO of up to $75 million, according to documents filed with the SEC Tuesday.
Peregrine Changes Name
Tustin-based Peregrine Pharmaceutical Inc. changed its name to Avid Bioservices Inc., now that it’s a dedicated contract development and manufacturing organization.
Bren was Pitch Perfect
The Business Journal has selected Irvine Company Chairman Donald Bren as its Business Person of the Year.
Peregrine Names CEO, to Change Name
Tustin’s Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPHM), a drug manufacturer that’s been in a proxy battle, said Roger J. Lias is the company’s new chief executive and president.
Sonendo Gets CFO
Sonendo Inc. appointed Michael Watts chief financial officer.
Presbia Cuts Back; Execs Resign
Presbia PLC’s executive chairman and chief executive have resigned and the eye care device maker said it would cut expenses as it considers a $5 million investment from an affiliate of its majority shareholder.
Another Top Executive Leaves Allergan
Allergan PLC (NYSE: AGN) Chief Operating Officer Robert Stewart will resign to become president and chief executive officer of Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC starting January 25, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Aerie Gets Early FDA OK
Irvine-based Aerie Pharmaceuticals received Food and Drug Administration approval for its glaucoma eye drop Rhopressa two months ahead of an informal goal date in February.
MemorialCare in Imaging Center JV
MemorialCare in Fountain Valley formed a joint venture, to start Jan. 1, with L.A.-based Radnet Inc., an outpatient imaging center operator.
Spectrum Pharma Swaps Out CEO
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. said its board dismissed its Chief Executive Rajesh Shrotriya without cause in accordance with Shrotriya’s agreement with the company, effective immediately.
Providence St. Joe Might Merge
Providence St. Joseph Health and Ascension Health are discussing a merger that would create the largest hospital system in the U.S., news reports said.
Edwards Pays $100M for Mitral Device Maker
Edwards Lifesciences Corp. in Irvine bought Harpoon Medical Inc. in Baltimore on Dec. 1 for $100 million; milestone payments over the next decade could bring the total price to $250 million.
Avanir Restructures, Will Cut 11% of US Workforce
Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc. will lay off 73 employees by the end of January from its US work force as part of a restructuring. We’re told the majority will be outside of its Aliso Viejo headquarters.
