HollisterStier plans to expand
Spokane-based HollisterStier Laboratories has signed a contract to build a new compounding suite for products being developed by MGI Pharma, Inc.
MGI Pharma, based in Minneapolis, develops an assortment of acute-care pharmaceutical products, include several targeting cancer. It’s worked in the past with HollisterStier, said Janelle Jovick, spokeswoman for the Spokane company.
Terms of the contract will not be disclosed, said Jovick.
The agreement calls for HollisterStier to build a 1,000-square-foot compounding suite at its north Spokane manufacturing facility.
The facility will be used to produce ZYC101a, an investigational drug that tries to enhance the body’s defensive response to human papillomavirus (HPV).
Construction is expected to be finished by May, with testing of the compounding suite taking the rest of the year.
Valley Chamber announces award finalists
The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce announced nominees for its awards of excellence and citizen of the year. Awards will be presented at a chamber ceremony on Jan. 20 at the Mirabeau Park Hotel. Nominees are:
Small Business Award: Beal Digital Media, Andre-Romberg Insurance, A Step in Time, Screen Tek Inc. Cami Sends Cards and The BrickHouse Massage and Coffee Bar.
Medium Size Business Award: Staples, Rosauers Supermarkets, InCyte Pathology, Inland Empire Distribution Systems and Sterling Hospitality.
Large Business Award: KXLY, Mirabeau Park Hotel, F & M Bank, State National Bank and Wal-Mart.
Community Caring Award: Randy Johnson of ACTNOW, Inc., Debi Gallagher of American Cancer Society, Susan Delano of Transitions and Vicki Frucci of Spokane Valley Kiwanis.
Chamber Member Volunteer Award — Connie Wagner of Quality Inn Valley Suites, Debbie Navin of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Susan Cerutti-Jensen of Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Debi Gallagher of American Cancer Society and Mike Rolli, formerly with Sterling Savings.
Nonprofit Organization Award: Transitions, Hospice of Spokane, Inland Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society.
Harry E. Nelson Citizen of the Year Award: Julie Prafke, founder and president of Humanix.
Tickets to the awards ceremony cost $40 and are available through the chamber, 9507 E. Sprague. For information, call 924-4994.
Alaska Airlines to drop two Seattle flights
Alaska Airlines will drop two daily roundtrip flights between Spokane and Seattle, starting Feb. 12.
The same two flights will be handed over to Horizon Airlines, Alaska’s sister company, said Alaska spokeswoman Amanda Tobin.
The changes will allow Alaska to move two aircraft so that it can add additional flights from Seattle to San Jose and Palm Springs, in California, Tobin said.
The two round-trip flights leave Spokane at 6 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., returning from Seattle at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Horizon’s two flights hold around 70 passengers. The Alaska flights, using Boeing 737s, typically hold more than 140 passengers.
Horizon spokeswoman Jen McSkimming said the flights will revert to operation by Alaska in May, when travel levels pick up again.