MediQuest Therapeutics Inc. of Bothell is enrolling 200 patients for a late-stage test of its treatment of Raynaud’s phenomenon. Raynaud’s, which may affect 6 million or more people in the U.S., constricts blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears and nose and is often triggered by cold temperatures. MediQuest’s MQX-503, a gel formulation of nitroglycerin, has been shown in tests to help enhance blood flow to the affected areas.
SonoSite signs up new partner
SonoSite Inc. has signed an agreement with Medtronic Navigation, which will distribute the Bothell company’s hand-carried ultrasound systems in conjunction with Medtronic’s own imaging system, which is used to guide neurosurgery. The agreement covers the U.S., Canada and 13 countries in Europe and the Middle East. SonoSite’s stock closed trading Thursday at $37.59, a little more than $1 off its all-time high.
Vietnam Air gets 10th 777-200ER
Vietnam Airlines took delivery of its 10th 777-200ER on Thursday. The plane, which leaves Paine Field for Hanoi today, has been loaded with textbooks collected by Seattle University students and faculty. They will be used in English-language technical degree programs at Vietnam National University. The 777 is one of six that Vietnam Airlines is leasing from International Lease Finance Corp. It also bought four outright from Boeing.
Doughnut giant on bidding block
Two groups of private equity firms plan to submit bids to buy Dunkin’ Donuts, the nation’s biggest doughnut chain, from the French company that acquired it as part of a bigger deal in the summer, two people familiar with the groups’ plans said. Thursday was the deadline to submit bids to buy Dunkin’ Brands Inc., which was purchased by France’s Pernod Ricard SA in July as part of its $13 billion acquisition of Britain’s Allied Domecq Plc. In addition to Dunkin’ Donuts, Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin’ Brands owns the Baskin-Robbins ice cream and Togo’s restaurant chains.
Home builder’s profits up 72%
Toll Brothers Inc., a leading builder of luxury homes, said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit rose a record 72 percent, but cautioned that next year’s profits could fall short of Wall Street’s expectations as the housing market slows. Shares of Toll Brothers rose $1.25, or 3.6 percent, to close at $35.55 Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange.
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