JA Solar Announces 2011 Solar Cell Supply Agreements Totaling 500MW

JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO), a leading manufacturer of high-performance solar power products, today announced that it has signed multiple supply agreements with several customers to provide over 500MW of mono-crystalline and multi-crystalline solar cells for 2011 delivery.

Under the terms of the agreements, JA Solar will supply these customers with solar cells beginning in January 2011 through December 2011. These supply agreements come with prepayments for committed solar cell delivery in 2011.

"We are seeing very strong demand for our technologically advanced, high-quality products from our diverse global customer base," said Dr. Peng Fang, CEO of JA Solar. "Our customers view JA Solar as a reliable supplier partner, and rely on JA to provide them with their 2011 product requirements.

Zoran Corporation to Acquire Microtune, Inc.

Microtune's Industry-Leading Silicon Tuner Technologies for the Set-Top-Box and DTV Markets Expand Zoran's Product Portfolio to Provide Complete End-to-End Solutions

Zoran Corporation (NASDAQ:ZRAN ) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Microtune®, Inc. (NASDAQ:TUNE ). Under the agreement, Zoran will pay $2.92 in cash for each share of Microtune's common stock, resulting in a transaction price of approximately $166 million, or $84 million net of cash acquired. Both boards of directors have approved the transaction, which is expected to close after Microtune shareholder approval, regulatory clearance and satisfaction of customary conditions specified in the agreement. Zoran expects the acquisition to be accretive immediately following the close of the deal, which is expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Bristol-Myers Squibb to Acquire ZymoGenetics

    * Builds on Long-standing Commitment to Virology     * Gains Full Rights to Promising Phase II Hepatitis C Biologic, Pegylated-Interferon Lambda     * Obtains FDA-Approved Specialty Surgical Biologic, RECOTHROM®     * Attains Early Clinical and Pre-clinical Programs in Oncology and Immunoscience

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY - News) and ZymoGenetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGEN - News) announced today that the companies have signed a definitive agreement providing for the acquisition of ZymoGenetics by Bristol-Myers Squibb, for $9.75 per share in cash. The transaction, with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $885 million, or approximately $735 million net of cash acquired, has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

Casey's Board Unanimously Recommends Shareholders NOT Tender into Couche-Tard's $38.50 Per Share Offer

Casey’s Receives Preliminary Proposal from Strategic Third Party for Consensual Transaction at $40 Per Share In Cash; While the Board Firmly Believes $40 Per Share Substantially Undervalues Casey’s, It Has Authorized Discussions With the Third Party To Explore Whether a Transaction Can Be Reached That Reflects Casey’s True Value and Is In the Best Interests of Casey’s, Its Shareholders and Other Constituencies

Casey’s Reports Majority of Post-Recapitalization Shareholders Did Not Tender into Casey’s Self-Tender Even at $40 Per Share

Casey’s Reports Solid First Quarter Fiscal 2011 Results and Signs Commitments to Acquire 52 Stores By End of Calendar Year

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 Financial Results

Q3 Non-GAAP EPS of $0.28 Exceeds Guidance Guidance Raised for Fiscal 2010; Company Expects to Report Non-GAAP EPS of $0.60 to $0.70 per Diluted Share for this Fiscal Year

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) today announced financial results for its third quarter ended July 31, 201Net revenue for the third fiscal quarter was $354.1 million, a sharp increase compared to $94.9 million reported for the same quarter of fiscal 2009.

Take-Two attributed its significantly better-than-expected results for the fiscal 2010 third quarter primarily to the strong performance of Red Dead Redemption, which has sold in more than 6.9 million units worldwide since its launch in May 2010.

Finisar Corporation Announces Another Record Quarter

Fifth Consecutive Quarter of Double-Digit Growth Drives Record Revenues of $207.9 Million

Revenues Up 10.3% From Prior Quarter and 61.5% From Prior Year Net Income From Continuing Operations Sets a New Record

Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ:FNSR), a global technology leader for subsystems and components for fiber optics communications, today announced financial results for its first quarter ended August 1, 2010. Total revenues and income from continuing operations for the quarter were new records for the Company.

COMMENTARY "In our just completed first quarter, we reached our previous target financial model earlier than we had predicted," said Jerry Rawls, Finisar's executive Chairman of the Board.

Oncolytics Biotech(R) Inc. Announces Randomized Phase II Ovarian Cancer Study to be Conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group and Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics") (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) announced today that the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) intends to conduct a randomized Phase II trial of weekly paclitaxel versus weekly paclitaxel with REOLYSIN(R) in patients with persistent or recurrent, ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer (GOG186H). The study has been approved and will be sponsored by the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health, under its Clinical Trials Agreement with Oncolytics. Oncolytics will provide clinical supplies of REOLYSIN for this study. The Study Chair will be Dr. David E. Cohn of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

Sycamore Networks, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Results

Sycamore Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCMR), today reported its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended July 31, 2010. Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 was $22.2 million, compared with $17.2 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. Revenue for fiscal 2010 was $68.6 million compared to $67.4 million in fiscal 2009.

Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, on a generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) basis, was $0.5 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared with a GAAP net loss of $34.9 million, or $1.23 per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. Net loss for fiscal 2010, on a GAAP basis, was $14.8 million, or $0.52 per share, compared with a GAAP net loss of $53.6 million, or $1.89 per share for fiscal 2009.

Orexigen® Therapeutics and Takeda Enter Into Partnership to Commercialize Contrave® in North America

Orexigen® Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:OREX ) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited , today announced that they have entered into an exclusive partnership to develop and commercialize Contrave® (naltrexone SR/bupropion SR), Orexigen's investigational drug for the treatment of obesity, in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Contrave is a combination therapy believed to address both biological and behavioral drivers of obesity. The central pathways targeted by this treatment are involved in controlling the balance of food intake and metabolism, and regulating reward-based eating behavior.  Orexigen submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Contrave on March 31, 2010 and the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date has been set for January 31, 2011.

ProAssurance to Acquire American Physicians Service Group

ProAssurance Corporation (NYSE: PRA) and American Physicians Service Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMPH) today announced they have entered into an agreement which calls for ProAssurance to acquire all the outstanding shares of American Physicians Service Group, Inc. (APS) in an all-cash transaction for $32.50 per share. The transaction is expected to close by year-end.

"This is an attractive strategic and financial acquisition for ProAssurance," said ProAssurance's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, W. Stancil Starnes. "APS is the second largest writer of medical professional liability (MPL) insurance in Texas, so we expect this transaction to give ProAssurance a strong market presence in a state that has one of the most stable medical/legal environments in the country. In addition, APS' growth in Oklahoma and Arkansas complements our long-term commitment to those two markets. Financially, we anticipate this transaction will be accretive to our 2011 earnings, before one-time transaction and any restructuring costs."

Kenexa Announces Agreement to Acquire Salary.com

Kenexa Corporation (Nasdaq: KNXA) and Salary.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLRY) today announced that they have entered into an agreement for Kenexa’s acquisition of Salary.com in an all cash tender offer and merger for $4.07 per share, or approximately $80 million. Kenexa, a global provider of business solutions for human resources, expects to complete the cash tender offer and close the transaction during the fourth quarter of 2010. The completion of the transaction is subject to a majority of the outstanding Salary.com shares being tendered, as well as satisfactory completion of other customary closing conditions, including certain regulatory approvals.

Kenexa expects to finance the deal through a combination of its cash balances and borrowings against its credit facility, which was recently put in place. The agreement has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of both companies, and Salary.com’s board intends to recommend that the Salary.com stockholders tender their shares in the offer.

3M to Acquire Cogent Inc.

Acquisition Broadens Biometric Security Solutions

3M (NYSE:MMM), and Cogent Inc. (NASDAQ:COGT ) announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement for 3M’s acquisition of Cogent Inc. for $10.50 per share. The proposed transaction has an aggregate value of approximately $943 million, or approximately $430 million net of cash acquired. Cogent Inc., commonly referred to as Cogent Systems, provides finger, palm, face and iris biometric systems for governments, law enforcement agencies, and commercial enterprises.

The agreement provides for a subsidiary of 3M to commence a tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of Cogent Systems within ten business days.

Ebix to Acquire Atlanta Based, Leading Health Technology Services Company A.D.A.M.

Combined Company will have a Powerful Health Information and Services Exchange for Employers, Benefits Brokers, Hospitals, Healthcare Organizations and Consumers

--Ebix Expects the Merger to be Immediately Accretive and Generate 15 cents of Additional Diluted EPS in Year One

Ebix, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBIX), a leading international supplier of On-Demand software and E-commerce services to the insurance industry, today announced that it has signed a merger agreement with Atlanta based A.D.A.M., Inc. (NASDAQ: ADAM), a leading provider of health information and benefits technology solutions in the United States. Ebix will acquire A.D.A.M. on a debt-free basis for aggregate merger consideration of $66 million.

Peerless Systems Corporation Announces Self Tender of up to $45 Million of Its Outstanding Shares at $3.25 Per Share

Peerless Systems Corporation (Nasdaq: PRLS), a provider of imaging and networking technologies to the digital document market, announced today that it intends to commence a public tender offer to repurchase from its stockholders up to $45 million (or approximately 13.85 million shares) of its common stock at a price of $3.25 per share in cash.

Two years ago, the Company's Board of Directors was reconstituted in order to ensure that Peerless was focused on enhancing stockholder value. At that time, Peerless' common stock was trading at approximately $1.80 per share and the then current CEO presented the Board with a proposed budget that projected an operating LOSS in fiscal year 2009 of approximately $9 million.

Alexza's Staccato® Nicotine Licensed to Cypress Bioscience

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXA) announced today that it has licensed its Staccato nicotine technology to Cypress Bioscience, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYPB). The Staccato nicotine technology is a novel electronic multidose delivery system designed to help people stop smoking. The Staccato nicotine technology is intended to improve on a well-validated smoking cessation approach by delivering nicotine via inhalation, mimicking the nicotine effects of smoking without the harmful side effects associated with cigarettes.

"The Staccato system is a broad technology platform and Alexza has more Staccato-based product candidates than we can currently afford to develop on our own. In early July, we outlined our strategy to advance Staccato-based product candidates into development through self-funding and through collaborations," said Thomas B. King, Alexza President and CEO. "Today's announcement of the licensing of our Staccato nicotine technology to Cypress, along with our recently announced plans to advance AZ-007 (Staccato zaleplon) into Phase 2 clinical development, are examples of our execution of this dual-tracked development strategy."

Cereplast, Inc. Strikes Deal with RI.ME. Masterbatch to Supply Bioplastics Resins for European Market

Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP) (“Cereplast,” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, compostable and sustainable plastics, announced today that it has entered into a multi-million dollar contract with RI.ME. Masterbatch S.r.l., (“RI.ME.”) based in Mozzate (CO), Italy, to supply bioplastic resins for use in its masterbatch process for adding colorant to bulk, uncolored resins. The new agreement supports RI.ME.’s commitment to offering its customers sustainable, environmental solutions in the design and production of masterbatches.

“We are excited that RI.ME. has chosen Cereplast to provide bioplastic resins for use in its masterbatching process for its clients throughout Europe,” said Mr. Frederic Scheer, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. “This was made possible by RI.ME.’s success in using our materials in its masterbatching process, and by the excellent performance of Cereplast resins on extrusion lines designed for HDPE, LDPE or PVC without any kind of technical investments.

Coldwater Creek Announces Second Quarter 2010 Results

Coldwater Creek Inc. (Nasdaq:CWTR ) today reported financial results for the three- and six-month periods ended July 31, 2010.

Second Quarter 2010 Operating Results

Net sales were $253.5 million, compared with $225.2 million in the fiscal 2009 second quarter. Sales from the retail segment, which includes the Company's premium retail stores, outlet stores and day spa locations, were $195.4 million versus $183.4 million in the fiscal 2009 second quarter. Comparable premium store sales increased 4.8 percent in the second quarter versus the second quarter of fiscal 2009.  Direct sales (internet and phone) increased 39.0% to $58.1 million from $41.8 million in the same period last year. Gross profit for the fiscal 2010 second quarter was $84.7 million, or 33.4 percent of net sales, compared with $75.7 million, or 33.6 percent of net sales, for the fiscal 2009 second quarter. The 20 basis point decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to increased promotional activity as compared to last year, which was partially offset by improvements in IMU and occupancy leverage.

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals Announces Silenor® Co-Promotion Agreement with Procter & Gamble

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SOMX) today announced that Somaxon and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) have entered into a co-promotion agreement for Silenor® (doxepin), a newly-approved treatment for insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep maintenance.

Under the terms of the agreement, Somaxon and Procter & Gamble will co-promote Silenor with a combined 215 sales representatives in the U.S. market. Procter & Gamble’s professional health care sales force will promote Silenor to targeted primary care and other high-prescribing physicians. Somaxon’s focus will be on specialists and other top-decile physicians who treat insomnia. In addition, Procter & Gamble will promote Silenor to targeted pharmacies and will provide supplemental managed care support services for Silenor. Somaxon has also granted Procter & Gamble a right of first negotiation relating to rights to develop and market Silenor as an over-the-counter medication in the U.S.

PROLOR Biotech Receives FDA Clearance for a Phase II Trial of Its Long-Acting Human Growth Hormone in the U.S.

PROLOR Biotech, Inc. (NYSE Amex: PBTH), a company developing next generation biobetter therapeutic proteins, today announced that it has received regulatory clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a Phase II clinical trial in the U.S. of its longer-acting version of human growth hormone, hGH-CTP. The regulatory clearance followed PROLOR's submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for hGH-CTP that included preclinical and Phase I clinical data, as well as plans for additional animal studies that the company intends to complete prior to initiation of Phase III trials. The hGH-CTP Phase II clinical program is currently ongoing in various clinical centers in Europe.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to Acquire Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc. for $378 Million

Diamond Stockholders to Receive $12.50 per Share in Cash

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc. (Nasdaq:DTPI - News), a strategic management consulting firm, today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Diamond for $12.50 per share in cash. The transaction represents a premium of 31% to Diamond's closing stock price of $9.54 on August 23, 2010, and values Diamond at $378 million. Diamond will join the PwC Advisory practice, which ranks among the largest providers of consulting services globally.