Corporate Report: UTEK expands network, partners with MEDEC, MedilinkUK

UTEK Corp., a Tampa-based intellectual property licensing and innovation services company, will showcase its growing network of registered companies and professionals to more companies searching for licensing and other business opportunities via a partnership with MEDEC and MedilinkUK and its online licensing marketplaces, Pharmalicensing and Medical Device Licensing.

MEDEC is the national association for the Canadian medical technology industry. MedilinkUK is a network of regional organizations associated with UK Life Sciences. Both will also be able to increase licensing exposure for their memberships through UTEK's Medical Device Licensing online marketplace.

“Our focus has been on ensuring access to proven, safe technology and innovative medical technology developed by our member companies,” Stephen Dibert, president and CEO of MEDEC, said in a press release. “Medical Device Licensing provides global resource access and exposure that could help them grow.”

RoadSafe Traffic Systems buys Trutwin Industries
Bensalem, Pa.-based RoadSafe Traffic Systems Inc., the nation's second-largest provider of traffic safety and pavement marking, has purchased Fort Myers-based Trutwin Industries Inc., with similar operations plus grinding and water-blasting removal services.

The acquisition is RoadSafe Traffic Systems' second this year; it obtained Denver-based CSW Safety Services Inc. in January.

RoadSafe officials say Trutwin Industries is key to expanding its Florida operations as Trutwin reaches the heavy highway industry, RoadSafe's primary customer base. Joseph Trutwin founded Trutwin Industries in 1978.

RoadSafe Traffic Systems has 27 branches nationwide. In October of 2007, private equity investors Aperion Management LLC and Falcon Investment Advisors LLC, acquired the NES Traffic Safety division from NES Rentals Holdings Inc., renaming it RoadSafe Traffic Systems Inc. The company operates under the holding company, RoadSafe Holdings Inc., which also includes 1stCall Studio Equipment Inc.

Adventure Energy Inc. buys Wilon Resources Inc.
St. Petersburg-based energy exploration company Adventure Energy Inc. plans to buy Wilon Resources Inc. with stock. The boards of directors of both companies have approved the terms, which would turn Wilon Resources into a wholly owned subsidiary of Adventure Energy.

As part of the deal, each shareholder of Wilon Resources Inc. will receive one share of common stock of Adventure Energy Inc. plus one warrant to purchase another share. The warrants are exercisable for five years at a price of 25 cents.

Wilon Resources Inc. currently maintains 12,000 acres of mineral rights leases in Wayne County, W.V.; 115 natural gas wells; and five oil wells. The combined entity will have 17,000 acres of mineral rights leases in Kentucky and West Virginia, 115 natural gas wells, and 30 oil wells.

Following completion of the acquisition, Adventure Energy will change its name to US Natural Gas Corp., and Wilon Resources Inc. will become US Natural Gas Corp WV.

TV Vision Network reaches call-for-pay deal
In a call-for-pay marketing agreement, Tampa-based bilingual TV station TV Vision Network LLC will receive a percentage when commercials and endorsements provided by SkyBridge Technology Group Inc.'s Shot in the Gas division that air in previously open time slots result in sales.

“It's a great deal for both [of us],” Mike Barbee, SkyBridge Technology Group's vice president of sales, said in a press release. “We get to advertise without the upfront costs and TV Vision has [the] opportunity for an uncapped commission.”

TV Vision Network LLC provides programming that airs on WTAM-TV, serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasota, Manatee, Citrus, Hardee, Hernando and Polk counties.

FDA approves production at GeoPharma manufacturing plant
GeoPharma Inc. reported that the FDA Office of Compliance, following the evaluation of its Largo manufacturing facility dedicated to the production of Cephalosporin antibiotics, has indicated that it approves the manufacturing of Cephalexin ANDA there.

FDA approval of Cephalexin ANDA is expected before the end of the company's current fiscal year on March 31, 2011.

GeoPharma Inc. is a bio/pharma company focused on pharmaceuticals, contract manufacturing, and medical devices.

Sunovia's LED Lighting Division awarded GSA Certification
EvoLucia Inc., the LED-lighting division of Sarasota-based Sunovia Energy Technologies, has secured a General Services Administration (GSA) contract award, which will allow government customers to buy its lighting products directly without having to obtain a competitive bid.

The GSA was established in 1949 to help manage and support the functioning of federal agencies, providing products and services to the U.S. government. The agency oversees $66 billion in procurements annually.

EvoLucia LED lighting products will be listed on the GSA Advantage! online shopping and ordering system, the portal for supplies and services for all federal agencies. Government buyers can make purchases through it knowing that all legal obligations have already been handled by the GSA.

Bankruptcy court okays CCS Medical's reorganization plan
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has confirmed the reorganization plan for CCS Medical Inc., a Clearwater provider of medical supplies. The plan to emerge from bankruptcy also has the support of a majority of the company's first and second lien lenders. The company expects to come out of Chapter 11 within the next several weeks.

Under the plan, the company will reduce its outstanding debt to $200 million from $522 million. First lien lenders will exchange their claims for the new equity in the company and new debt. Most of the company's trade vendors will continue to be paid in full.

CCS Medical sells supplies and drugs to patients with chronic illnesses, including diabetes.

Tampa's Nfinanse lowers ATM, bill-pay prepaid card fees
Tampa-based, reloadable, prepaid-card provider Nfinanse Inc. has reduced its fees to cardholders for ATM withdrawals and electronic bill-pay transactions.

Its fee for ATM withdrawals is now 99 cents, compared to the previous $1.50, regardless of location. The fee on electronic-bill payments is being dropped to 44 cents from $1 with no restrictions as to payee or number of transactions. The reductions apply to both existing and future cardholders.

Nfinanse's goals for the reductions are to encourage more consumers to try its Visa and Discover reloadable prepaid cards, increase retention, and maintain its status as a price leader in the general-purpose card market.

Agents' Umbrella founder is now Sunz Insurance president
St. Petersburg-based Sunz Insurance Co. has hired Scott Robertson, founder and former CEO of Agents' Umbrella Group/BenefitPort Southeast, as president.

Robertson grew his company from a startup to the largest independent general agency in the country for The Travelers, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna. After selling it to Benefitmall in 2006, he provided strategic and sales consulting services, assisting clients in turnarounds, significant restructuring or growth.

Robertson also served as president of the Florida Association of Health Underwriters.

“His hiring, in conjunction with our recent acquisition of Brentwood Insurance Services, puts us in an excellent position for the future,” Doug Lilak, Sunz CEO, said in a press release.

Rib City franchise to open in Tennessee this month
Rib City, the Fort Myers-based, southern-style barbecue restaurant chain, expects to open a franchise in Cookeville, Tennessee, approximately 80 miles east of Nashville'•its first-ever in the state'•this month. The restaurant chain currently has 12 corporate restaurants in Florida and 12 franchise restaurants in Washington, Utah, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio and Missouri.