Briefs: Celera Genomics names new president+

Daily Record, The (Baltimore), Apr 22, 2002 by Staff

Ordonez new Celera president, company shifts gene data business

Kathy Ordonez was named president of the Celera Genomics Group this morning, replacing founder J. Craig Venter as head of the company best known for mapping the human genome. Ordonez was previously president of Celera Diagnostics, one of three operating groups, including the Celera Genomics Group, run by Norwalk, Conn.- based Applera. Venter resigned in January but retained a position as scientific adviser. Ordonez will keep her responsibilities as president of Celera Diagnostics. Venter stepped aside as the company began a shift toward drug development. Applera also said it will shift control of its signature online genetic data business, the Celera Discovery System, from Celera to another operating unit, Applied Biosystems. Celera sells access to its library of genetic information to universities, drug companies and researchers.

------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------- West Nile virus alert County health departments statewide are revving up for mosquito season this summer, preparing to fend off bugs carrying the deadly West Nile virus. Their first task is to spread the word that mosquitoes carrying the virus will not be deterred by the dry winter; a fact proven by the infected dead bird found recently in Virginia. Department of Agriculture spokesman Don Vandrey said the virus is endemic to this region.

Congressional race

Del. Mark Kennedy Shriver, D-Montgomery, has raised more than $1.6 million in his race for Maryland's 8th congressional district, more than all other Democratic candidates combined, and more than double the roughly $721,400 raised to date by Rep. Connie Morella, according to Federal Election Commission data. Morella, a Republican from Bethesda, won re-election in 2000 to her eighth term with 52 percent of the vote.

Ficca named

The Baltimore Life Companies has named David Ficca chief financial officer. Before joining Baltimore Life, Ficca was employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Free movies, popcorn

On May 3, Boston-based Hoyt Cinemas Corp. is opening a state-of- the-art 14-screen stadium megaplex in Germantown Town Center. It includes a game room and food section. On May 2, Hoyts will open the theater to the public for a day of free popcorn and free movies.

Click on cruising

Baltimore-based Travel Selections Inc., a travel agency specializing in group Caribbean cruises and other venues, has joined online booking service www.baltimoreflights.com so clients can participate in online price shopping and booking.

Long Branch reopens

Following extensive renovations, the Long Branch Library will reopen at noon on May 4 with special opening ceremonies including entertainment, light refreshments and family activities. The library is located in Silver Spring at 8800 Garland Ave.

Johns Hopkins chosen

The Johns Hopkins Hospital is one of eight worldwide sites chosen to conduct a phase 3 clinical trial on the treatment of uterine fibroids using magnetic resonance imaging-guided high intensity focused ultrasound.

Streak continues

For the fourth consecutive year, the Community College of Baltimore County received national recognition for excellence in the area of financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.

Coventry presents

Bethesda-based Coventry Health Care Inc. said Dale B. Wolf, the company's chief financial officer, is scheduled to present at the Deutsche Bank Securities 27th Annual Health Care 2002 Conference in Baltimore, at 9:30 a.m. on May 8. The public may access a live audio Webcast of the presentation and the slide materials at www.db.com/ conferences.

'AAA' from Fitch

Fitch Ratings has assigned its 'AAA' rating to the Washington Suburban Sanitary District's approximately $46,265,000 general construction refunding bonds of 2002, which are scheduled for competitive bids on April 23. Fitch also affirmed its 'AAA' rating on the district's $1.6 billion of outstanding parity debt. The district, which is governed by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), provides water and sewer services for a service area with 1.7 million residents in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

Hanger names Hugill

Bethesda-based Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc. has named Kent Hugill vice president of marketing and business development for the Orthopedic and Prosthetics Division. He reports to Richmond L. Taylor, the division's president and chief operating officer.

IT Guru's 'IT"

OPNET Technologies Inc., the Bethesda-based provider of intelligent network management software, said IT Guru has earned the "IT Product of the Year" award from Technology Council of Maryland. IT Guru was recognized as the "IT Product of the Year" for its best- in-class capabilities and compelling ROI. OPNET's software enables IT professionals to optimize the performance and maximize the availability of networks and networked applications.

Panacea collaborates

Rockville-based Panacea Pharmaceuticals Inc. has signed a collaboration and license agreement with Gaithersburg-based MedImmune Inc. to develop and commercialize drugs based on Panacea's HAAH Oncology Program, which targets the enzyme Human Aspartyl (Asparaginyl) Beta-Hydroxylase.