WRAL Tech Wire

 Drutz to chair Gentris board

The company said Dr. David J. Drutz has been elected chairman, and entrepreneur and accountant Tim Gupton has joined the board.

 Merck to close former Inspire HQ in Raleigh, cut 51 workers

The drug giant recently purchased Raleigh-based Inspire Pharmaceuticals. In a notice filed with the state, the expected closure of Inspire's offices is made official.

 Merck wraps up $430M Inspire deal, will close Raleigh HQ

Some company executives will be leaving the eye drug firm as it is absorbed by the pharmaceutical giant.

 Inspire reports $17.6M quarterly loss after restructuring

The Raleigh-based pharmaceutical firm, which is in the process of being acquired by drug giant Merck, says losses increased nearly $3 million from a year ago.

 Merck's $430M buy triggers Inspire stock frenzy

Merck will pay $5 a share for Inspire. Both boards and a major Inspire investor have already approved the deal. Inspire's shares collapsed in January after a failed drug trial.

 Tech briefs: Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Dex One, Nexxus Lighting, NC toll road devices

Inspire offers bonuses; Dex One seeks feedback on executive pay; Lowes to sell Nexxus LED lighting; NC toll roll RFID devices clear tests.

 Inspire drops lung drug, cuts 65 positions

Inspire Pharmaceuticals said Thursday that it is laying off 65 people, or 27 percent of its work force related to the drug's development.

 Analyst cuts Inspire after failed clinical trial

Shares in the Raleigh-based pharmaceutical firm plunged Monday on news of a failure for its drug targeting cystic fibrosis.

 Meltdown: Inspire Pharmaceutical shares down 59%

The company, which just moved to Raleigh, says its candidate for treatment of cystic fibrosis fails to meet efficacy goals in Phase III clinical trial.

 $1.25M payday for Inspire - Dry eye drug launches in Japan

The Durham-based pharmaceutical firm's partner in Japan receives approval to launch Diquas. That news triggers a milestone payment plus future royalties.

 Inspire cuts losses, beats Street expectations

The Durham-based pharmaceutical firm loses far less than forecast - 9 cents per share rather than 14 cents as expected.

 Inspire Pharmaceuticals names chief technical officer

 Inspire, Allergan revise licensing agreement for eye drugs

The Durham-based firm regains control of failed drug candidate Prolacria. Inspire also will receive smaller royalties from Allegran for sales of eye drug Restasis.

 Inspire Pharmaceuticals names chief medical officer

 Inspire Pharmaceuticals’ head of research and development is stepping down

 Inspire cuts losses, bettering Wall Street expectations

Durham-based pharmaceutical firm reduces losses by $4.6 million from a year ago as eye drug sales surge.

 Failed drug trial news sends Inspire shares down 6%

Shares at pharmaceutical firm stage a comeback from a 13 percent drop at the open. Inspire says it will continue researching possible use of its pink eye drug AzaSite to treat another eye condition.

 Revenue growth helps Inspire Pharmaceuticals beat Street expectations

Durham-based pharmaceutical firm reports a lower than expected quarterly loss.

 Tech Briefs: Inspire adds former Roche exec to board; USfalcon names group president; Charlotte-based Emporos launches SaaS pharmacy solution

 Inspire’s new CEO receives 1 million stock options in taking job

Adrian Adams receives 25% of the options immediately, including nearly 90,000 at $6.35 per share which was the closing price on his first day as the new boss. He replaced Christy Shaffer as of Monday.