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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, February 26, 2009

BUSINESS BRIEFS
Kaimuki dialysis clinic expands

Advertiser staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Liberty Dialysis now offers 24 dialysis stations in its Kaimuki facility, up from the previous 12.

Liberty Dialysis

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Liberty Dialysis has expanded its Hawai'i operations with a larger clinic in Kaimuki.

The 8,000-square-foot facility at 3625 Harding Ave. has expanded to 24 stations from 12 stations previously. In the past month, Liberty also opened clinics in Kona and Waipahu, resulting in the hiring of 53 new employees for the three clinics.

Liberty, based in Washington state, has 70 dialysis clinics nationwide, including more than a dozen on O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui, Moloka'i and the Big Island.


WEST NILE VIRUS VACCINE TRIAL A SUCCESS

Hawaii Biotech Inc. announced successful Phase 1 clinical trial results of its West Nile virus vaccine in healthy volunteers.

The firm is developing a West Nile recombinant sub-unit vaccine to induce protective immunity in recipients of the vaccine.

Hawaii Biotech said the results demonstrated a favorable safety profile in 24 subjects. The Phase 1 study was designed as an ascending dose study to assess the safety of Hawaii Biotech's West Nile virus vaccine among healthy adult volunteers who had not been exposed to West Nile or similar viruses.

The study also examined antibody development to the vaccine.

Based on the results, Hawaii Biotech said, it is preparing to proceed with additional safety studies in adults, as well as ultimately expanding studies into elderly, juvenile and immuno-compromised populations.

"We are extremely pleased with the safety results of our West Nile virus vaccine Phase 1 study and are encouraged by the presence of neutralizing antibodies in all individuals receiving the formulated vaccine," said Dr. Elliot Parks, CEO and president.

"Additionally, these results demonstrate the robustness of our protein production platform for the development of additional sub-unit vaccines in our product pipeline," he said.


SPORTS AUTHORITY KAPOLEI DUE MARCH 7

Sports Authority said it will celebrate the grand opening of its third O'ahu store at Kapolei Commons on March 7.

Former San Francisco 49er and University of Hawai'i lineman Jesse Sapolu will make an appearance, as will local comedian and fishing enthusiast Rodney Villanueva, who will talk about his fishing tips.

"Sports Authority couldn't be happier to open its third store on O'ahu and contribute to the new shopping center in a growing city like Kapolei," said Greg Waters, chief operating officer of the sporting goods retailer.

"We're proud to be part of this new retail center that is expected to provide over 1,000 jobs to the city, further stimulating Kapolei's local economy."