January Business Bits

January
January 20, 2009 | Volume 17, Number 1

Business Bits

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

  • Roche Molecular Diagnostics

    The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved a new test from Hacienda's Roche Molecular Diagnostics which will help safeguard the supply of blood by detecting a variety of viruses in a single step. Roche's "cobas TaqScreen MPX Test" detects HIV-1 Group M RNA, HIV-1 Group O RNA, HIV-2 RNA, hepatitis C Virus RNA and hepatitis B Virus DNA in human plasma, allowing blood banks to identify infections earlier than traditional tests.

    "Roche is committed to meeting the needs of blood centers with tests and systems that ensure the highest blood safety," says Daniel O'Day, head of Roche Molecular Diagnostics. "Our multiplex test has been widely adopted and has demonstrated excellent performance in blood centers worldwide. We are pleased to introduce it in the U.S. as we continue to further invest in solutions for this critical industry."

    "The Roche MPX test raises the blood industry to a higher level with regard to overall blood safety, process simplification and process control," said Louis M. Katz MD, Executive VP, Medical Affairs at Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, one of the TaqScreen MPX clinical trials sites. "Our organization looks forward to using the MPX test."

  • TRIA Beauty

    Hacienda's TRIA Beauty has been awarded an additional patent for its TRIA Personal Laser Hair Removal System. The new patent was issued based on a design inherent in the product and is the second eye-safety patent issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the proprietary design of the TRIA laser. While most in-office professional lasers require both physician and patient to wear protective goggles to shield their eyes from the laser beam, the TRIA laser was designed with unique technology that enables the laser to deliver therapeutic levels of laser energy that will not harm the retina, a key element making the system suitable for home use.

    "What differentiates TRIA Laser Hair Removal System from other light-based hair removal devices is it uses a powerful laser to provide effective, lasting results," says Robert Grove, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer and founder of TRIA Beauty. "And by incorporating our patented eye-safety technology, consumers can feel more comfortable using TRIA Laser Hair Removal System at home."

  • Hacienda Companies Recognized by San Francisco Business Times

    Two Hacienda companies were recognized by the San Francisco Business Times as being among the top 25 East Bay companies in terms of new patents. Polycom was granted eight patents in 2007, more than all but seven other area companies, while Simpson Manufacturing registered six patents that year, good for number 15 on the list.

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