THURSDAY, NOV. 1, 2018  |  IN THIS ISSUE  
Story3Licensing deal positions KemPharm's Apadaz for launch 
 
Coralville-based KemPharm this week announced it has entered into a license agreement with KVK Tech Inc. for U.S. commercial rights to its FDA-approved prodrug, Apadaz.
 
Under the deal terms, KemPharm is eligible to receive up to an estimated $3.4 million in pre-launch payments and certain cost reimbursements. They include $2 million upon achievement of a specified milestone related to the initial formulary adoption of Apadaz, and up to $53 million in milestone payments tied to specific net sales levels. In addition, net profits will be shared between KemPharm and KVK up to 50 percent, based on achieving certain sales levels. 
 
KVK has the exclusive right to all commercial, manufacturing, packaging and distribution activities for Apadaz in the United States and will be responsible for all regulatory and commercialization-related expenses. In addition, certain pre-launch expenses, including the costs of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other materials for manufacturing, validation batches, inventory investments and other launch costs, will be shifted from KemPharm to KVK.  
 
KemPharm and KVK will continue to collaborate on pre-launch activities, including outreach and plan adoption by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and managed care organizations (MCOs) for the exclusive use of Apadaz as an alternative to existing hydrocodone/acetaminophen products.
 
As one of the largest controlled substance manufacturers in the United States, KVK Tech has the capacity to produce more than 3.5 billion tablets annually, and a plan for expansion that would boost its capacity to more than 15 billion tablets by 2020. The hydrocodone/acetaminophen market currently represents nearly 5 billion tablets dispensed annually in the U.S.
 
"Securing this agreement with KVK is an important step forward toward the commercial launch of Apadaz, a product which we believe offers a differentiated treatment option for the short-term management of acute pain," KemPharm President and CEO Travis Mickle said in a news release. "We believe Apadaz is now well-positioned for commercial launch since this agreement puts significant manufacturing and distribution capabilities in place and opens the door to further discussions with payers regarding the utilization of Apadaz in their health plans."
 
UIUI plans accelerated 16-month Executive MBA program
       
 
Sarah Gardial
The University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business has announced it will enhance its Executive MBA program with an accelerated 16-month graduation plan to be offered beginning in August 2019.
 
Program enhancements will include the addition of online courses and personalized executive coaching, as well as a shorter graduation timeline.  
The changes are part of a re-envisioning of the UI's MBA offerings amid rapidly changing student and employer needs. It follows announcements that the college is adding an online option to its part-time MBA program, along with specialized master's programs in finance and business analytics .
 
"There are societal shifts impacting all business education, and executive programs are no exception," Sarah Gardial, dean of the Tippie College of Business, said in a news release. "With continued improvements to our program, we are delivering on our promise to have one of the top executive programs in the country."
 
The changes will not impact tuition or have any effect on current students, according to the college. 
 
Iowa's Executive MBA Program has been educating business leaders since the 1970s and expanded to Des Moines in recent years. Executive programs typically serve mid-to-senior level professionals who are in leadership positions or moving upward in their organizations. Tippie currently has 83 students enrolled in the program, with prominent alumni including Kent Statler, executive vice president and COO at Rockwell Collins; Mary Sellers, U.S president of United Way; Jeff Lorenger, CEO of HNI Corporation; and Sue Taylor, CIO at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
BBRAVO Awards winners to be honored at annual breakfast
 
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance's annual breakfast gathering celebrating locally-owned businesses and community organizations, Good Morning, Cedar Rapids!, will be return for its 26th year on Nov. 8 at the Cedar Rapids Marriott. 
 
The program honors the role small businesses play in the local economy by bestowing three BRAVO Awards each year to unique, home-grown businesses in the Cedar Rapids metro area. 
 
This year's winners include:
  • Genova Technologies, a software development company based in Cedar Rapids
  • Jet There, the only private jet charter based at the Eastern Iowa Airport
  • McGrath Family of Dealerships, a community fixture for more than 60 years
Three Community Spotlights will also highlight organizations or initiatives making a positive impact on our community. This year's Community Spotlights include Kids First Law, Junior League of Cedar Rapids and the Economic Alliance's Buy Here, Give Here, Grow Here initiative.
 
Doors will open for the event at 7 a.m., with the program starting promptly at 7:30 a.m. Registration can be found here.

Bruegger's Bagels  has upgraded its coffee offerings  in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Coralville with Caribou Coffee, a premium coffer retailer.
 
The Corridor's five area Bruegger's locations will exclusively serve Caribou coffees that are craft roasted, Rainforest Alliance certified and chosen specifically to complement Bruegger's menu offerings. The bakery at 708 S. Riverside Drive in Iowa City will also carry a lineup of Caribou's handcrafted espresso beverages.  
 
The two brands, which are both part of the Coffee & Bagels Brands family, launched the partnership in Minneapolis in October, and will roll it out to all 220-plus Bruegger's Bagels locations across the country by next fall. 
 
To celebrate locally, Bruegger's will host a launch party on Friday at its Riverside Drive location. The first 50 people in line when the bakery opens at 6 a.m. will have a chance to win free coffee and bagels for a year. Throughout the day, from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. each guest will receive a free medium espresso specialty beverage.
 
For more information, go to brueggers.com

The Federal Reserve Board of Governors will hold a public town hall from 1-4 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the DoubeTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Center to allow for public input on actions the Fed could take to facilitate real-time interbank settlement of faster payments.

The board of governors published a federal register notice on Oct. 3 requesting public comment on potential actions. Town hall attendees will learn about and have the chance to ask questions and share views about the potential actions the Fed is considering.

As part of its overall mission, the Federal Reserve has a interest in ensuring there is a safe and robust settlement infrastructure on which the private sector can provide innovative payment services that serve the broad public interest. The settlement infrastructure concepts outlined in the Federal Register notice are intended to advance public policy goals for faster payments and to help support the modernization of the payment system. 
 
Ohnward Bank & Trust president and CEO Abram Tubbs will introduce speakers at the event.

To learn more about the Federal Register Notice announcing the inquiry and the opportunity to submit comments, visit FedPaymentsImprovement.org 
   
Nov. 4
Ribbon Cutting: Terrace Glen Village, by Marion Chamber of Commerce, noon, Terrace Glen Village, 3400 Alburnett Road, Marion. Join Terrace Glen Village to celebrate its grand opening. Free. For more information visit  http://bit.ly/2RTjnL8.
 
Nov. 5
Coralville Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 1220 First Ave., Coralville. Roundtables are social lunches over the noon hour. All are invited to network, keep up-to-date with Chamber and community events and frequent a member restaurant or business. Free. For more information visit   bit.ly/2yv8mHQ .

Ribbon Cutting: Sugar Salon, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 5 p.m., Sugar Salon, 85 Sugar Creek Lane, North Liberty. Help welcome Sugar Salon to the North Liberty business community. Free.
 
Nov. 6
Hack Your Productivity and Get More Done, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 8- 9 a.m., Economic Alliance, 501 First St., SE, Cedar Rapids. This program will review task systems that work best and provide tips for making the most of precious time. Free. For more information visit  bit.ly/2yxOyns.
 
Iowa City Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Big Grove Brewery & Taproom, 1225 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Roundtables are social lunches over the noon hour. All are invited to network, keep up-to-date with chamber and community events and frequent a member restaurant or business. Free. For more information, visit  bit.ly/2O0LXHp.
 
Nov. 7
C-Suite Awards, by Corridor Business Journal, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Cedar Rapids Marriott, 1200 Collins Road NE, Cedar Rapids. The C-Suite Awards recognize C-level executives who have made an outstanding contribution to their company's performance and leadership over the past year. Honorees will be recognized at the awards luncheon and profiled in the Nov. 12 edition of the CBJ. Tickets: $60, or $600 for a table of 10. To register, contact Ashley Levitt at  ashley@corridorbusiness.com or (319) 665-6397 ext. 311, or visit  corridorbusiness.com/events.
 
Make Your Mark, by ImpactCR, 5-7 p.m., Eastbank Venue & Lounge, 97 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Join ImpactCR for a special November Siren Wednesday that will celebrate 2018 and preview the new things to come in 2019. Free. To register, visit  bit.ly/2IDz6Kq.
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
There will soon be more opportunities for residents in Coralville to enjoy the outdoors with a new green space. On Thursday, the city will move forward with plans to redevelop the former Hawkeye Ready-Mix plant on First Avenue. The city's purchase of the former concrete plant is a part of the $37 million Riverfront Master Plan from 2012. City leaders said turning this into green space will improve safety and offer visitors more access to the Iowa River. "When this was the Ready Mix plant, it had large pieces of equipment going in and out on this busy street so, with the removal of this and turning it into green space, it'll make the traffic flow go a lot smoother and much more safely," said Coralville Mayor John Lundell. He said it could take about a month before the plant is taken down. Work on the green space will begin in the spring.
 
Linn County homelessness prevention experts say the homeless population is declining, but people are still living without a place to stay. A new exhibit put on by local high school students is aiming to shed light on the severity of the issue.  "Homeless people are not lazy. They're not disgusting," said Sophia Lange, the Resiliency Warrior team leader. She says many people in Linn County perceive people who are homeless to be that way. It's something she and several other high school students want to change, which is part of the reason for "Homeless in a New Light: Stories of Resilience Gallery." "We started interviewing them and we photographed those who are willing to start understanding their stories and understanding their backgrounds and how they got there," said Ms. Lange.  A year-and-a-half later, the gallery was unveiled at the downtown library, covered in quotes and images and the overall goal of empowering the homeless population. The students also aim for the gallery to educate others on the progress and work needing to be done in Linn County. To view the full story on KGAN/CBS2, click here.
 
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast

There will be a mix of sun and clouds today and it will be cool and comfortable. Temperatures will climb into the 50s this afternoon. Clouds will start to gradually move in tonight ahead of a weak storm system. Clouds will blanket the skies on Friday and it will be cool with temperatures in the upper 40s to low 50s. An isolated shower is possible Friday afternoon, but would be very light. Rain chances will be higher this weekend, but it won't be a washout. Clouds will be overhead Saturday and showers won't move in until the evening.