82.1 F
San Fernando
Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Fiberspace Inc. Acquires Altadena-Based Optics Firm

Fiberspace Inc. Acquires Altadena-Based Optics Firm Media & Technology by Carlos Martinez Laser communications equipment maker Fiberspace Inc. of Woodland Hills has acquired Tunable Photonics Corp. of Altadena as part of an effort to strengthen its position in the optics market. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dr. Leonardo Berezovsky, Fiberspace’s CEO and its co-founder, said the company hopes to benefit from the wide range of products and the technology developed at Tunable Photonics. “We are confident that our range of solutions for cost-effective, next-generation tunable networks will continue to gain customer traction,” Berezovsky said. Tunable Photonics makes so-called “wavelength lockers” which allow for more stabilized laser and improved data transmission efficiency, Berezovsky said. By improving the efficiency of communications lasers, network carriers are able to reduce their costs of building more infrastructure to correct inefficiencies, he added. As part of the deal, Fiberspace will acquire a number of patents that were originally developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. Fiberspace makes laser communications equipment such as its patented Optical Phase Locked Loop, a new technology that improves the overall performance and efficiency of lasers used in communications equipment. 3D Systems Builds British Facility Digital model-maker 3D Systems Inc. of Valencia has agreed to build an Advanced Digital Manufacturing Center in partnership with Renault F1 Team in Enstone, England. Mike Kelly, 3D Systems director of European sales and marketing, said the company plans to design and develop parts for Formula 1 race cars driven by the Renault racing team. “We’ve had a partnership with the Renault F1 Team since 2000 and have been impressed with the integration of our solid imaging systems into their design and manufacturing processes,” Kelly said. Cost of the project was not disclosed. 3D Systems builds models and prototypes of everything from toys and furniture to auto and aircraft parts, using its stereolithography scanners and equipment to make three-dimensional models. Construction on the facility is scheduled to begin in December. It will be equipped with four stereolithography devices along with supporting equipment. Startup Dune Networks Raises $24M Dune Networks Inc., an Agoura Hills-based chipmaker, has raised $24 million in first-round funding. Eyal Dagan, company CEO, said the investment round was led by Aurum-SBC Ventures, Jerusalem Venture Partners and Pitango Venture Capital. Dagan said the company is developing a number of products for the networking market. Dune, was founded in October 2000 by Dagan, co-founder and CEO of Charlotte’s Web Networks; Ofer Iny, who now serves as its chief technical officer; and Moti Weizman, now its chief operating officer. Iny and Weizman co-founded West Hills-based Zuma Networks, a networking equipment maker. DIC Acquires ‘Speed Racer’ Rights Burbank-based animation house DIC Entertainment Inc. has acquired the worldwide TV distribution, merchandising and licensing rights to the 1960s-era Japanese cartoon series, “Speed Racer.” Andrew Heyward, DIC CEO, said the agreement gives DIC the rights to all 65 half-hour shows produced from 1966 to 1968, along with 34 new shows produced during the 1990s for the Japanese market. The shows are scheduled to air this fall on Nickelodeon. The acquisition, whose terms were not disclosed, is the latest in a series of licensing, rights acquisitions and deals by the animation studio. Last month, the company signed a contract with Toys R Us Inc., giving the retailer the right to develop and market toys and apparel based on DIC’s “Liberty’s Kids” cartoon series set to air on PBS in October. In April, the company acquired the rights to the “Mommy and Me” line of videos and products for preschool. Heyward has been moving the company toward merchandising and licensing its properties as a hedge against the volatile nature of the animation industry. About 70 percent of its revenue comes from animation while the remainder comes from licensing and merchandising, said DIC President Brad Brooks. FDA OKs Name for Plasma Therapy The Food and Drug Administration has approved a name change for Glendale-based biotech ZLB Bioplasma Inc.’s intravenous blood product, Intravenous immunoglobulin Pete DeHart, ZLB president, said the company agreed to change the name of IVIG to Carimmune Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) in order to better reflect the company’s focus on caring for patients and medical professionals. “We try to demonstrate daily that we care about the health care community,” DeHart said. “We do everything we can to assist our customers, from ensuring product availability for patients to assisting doctors with reimbursement issues.” Carimmune, pronounced “care immune,” is a freeze-dried product made from human blood plasma taken from U.S. donors. The plasma is particularly enriched with antibodies that are therapeutic for patients suffering from immune deficiency disorders and diseases. The company said it plans to begin distributing Carimmune immediately to hospitals, clinics and physicians. By law, the FDA must approve any changes in names or packaging of any previously approved products. ZLB is a U.S. subsidiary of CSL Limited of Australia. Business Journal reporter Carlos Martinez may be reached at (818) 676-1750 ext. 17 or by e-mail at [email protected]

Featured Articles

Related Articles