Bothell-based Microvision Inc. has signed a licensing and product agreement with Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson &Johnson, that could be worth more than $6 million. Under the agreement, the two companies will collaborate to adapt Microvision’s augmented vision technology to medical products. In return, Ethicon is paying an undisclosed upfront fee and future payments.
Premera to donate to tsunami relief
Premera Blue Cross said Monday it is donating $25,000 to the American Red Cross, which is providing relief and support to tsunami survivors in Asia. The Mountlake Terrace-based insurer also will forward personal donations from its employees to the organization. Premera has about 2,000 workers at its headquarters.
NetMusic sees 30 percent sales jump
NetMusic Entertainment of Edmonds said online sales of music and related products jumped 30 percent from November to December, following a 320 percent increase from October to November. Chief executive Glen Starchman said the company’s Web sites attracted new users by selling music downloads at a discounted 89 cents per song through last week.
Delta simplifies, cuts its air fares
A simpler, cheaper air fare schedule is reportedly coming to Delta Air Lines Inc., a move that could lure back customers to an airline struggling to avoid bankruptcy. Delta is planning to replicate nationwide a fare-cutting plan called SimpliFares it has been testing since August in Cincinnati, leaving some flights 60 percent cheaper than before, according to a report in Time magazine. The Atlanta-based airline wouldn’t confirm or refute the report Monday.
Short-term T-bill rates mixed
Interest rates on short-term Treasury securities were mixed in Monday’s auction. The Treasury Department sold $19 billion in three-month bills at a discount rate of 2.275 percent, up from 2.225 percent last week. An additional $17 billion was sold in six-month bills at a rate of 2.560 percent, unchanged from last week’s auction. The three-month rate was the highest since Oct. 1, 2001. The new discount rates understate the actual return to investors – 2.320 percent for three-month bills with a $10,000 bill selling for $9,942.49 and 2.630 percent for a six-month bill selling for $9,870.58.
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