The latest technology and life sciences news in WRALTechWire’s Bulldog Bulletin roundup:

  • Obama: I care deeply about ‘net neutrality’

WASHINGTON –President Barack Obama says the government is exploring options for keeping the Internet free and open after a federal court set aside rules designed to do just that.

A three-judge panel earlier this month set aside rules intended to ensure that the transmission of Internet content be treated equally, without priority given to some types of traffic over others. Obama says it’s an issue he cares deeply about, partly because his campaign was powered by an Internet that was free of commercial barriers.

He says a court’s decision must be respected, at least initially, but that the Federal Communications Commission is examining its options. Those options include appealing the court’s decision or coming up with a new set of rules.

Obama commented Friday during a chat on Google Plus Hangout.

  • Precision BioSciences, Cellectis settle patent litigation

DURHAM –Precision BioSciences has settled a patent dispute with France-based Cellectis.

The litigation involved engineered I-Crel meganuclease technology. Engineered meganucleases are one of the preferred genome engineering technologies for most high-value applications. As part of the settlement, the companies will cross-license certain genome engineering patents and drop their on-going lawsuits and patent challenges. Durham-based Cellectis said this agreement provides clear freedom to operate for both companies in the engineered I-CreI meganuclease genome engineering field.

  • Chelsea Therapeutics names chief commercial officer

CHARLOTTE – Chelsea Therapeutics has named Keith Schmidt chief commercial officer.

The Charlotte company is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for its first product, Northera. The drug was developed to treat symptomatic nOH, a disorder in patients who have Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy or pure autonomic failure. It is characterized by dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, fatigue and fainting when a person assumes a standing position. An FDA advisory panel recommended approval for the drug in early January. An FDA decision is expected by Feb. 14.

Schmidt’s appointment was effective Jan. 28. He had previously served as vice president, marketing and sales for Chelsea, a position he had held since joining the company in 2006.

  • ChannelAdvisor expands webstores with BigCommerce

MORRISVILLE – ChannelAdvisor (NYSE:ECOM) is expanding its webstores presence with support for Bigcommerce, an e-commerce website platform that enables small and medium businesses to quickly set up online stores.

“It provides a flexible and user-friendly e-commerce storefront that can be launched in hours instead of months, enabling retailers to spend more time selling instead of waiting for their site to be finished,” Marc Sebes, senior product manager at ChannelAdvisor said in a statement.

With the addition of Bigcommerce, ChannelAdvisor’s Webstores Amplifier supports industry-leading webstore platforms, including Amazon Webstores, Shopify and Yahoo! Stores.