WRAL Tech Wire

 Finding Value in Fat: Zen-Bio Plumps Profits With Fat Cell Line

Wanting to expand further, Zen-Bio Inc. seeks $3 million to fill out its research budget. RTP company is hunting targets for treating diabetes and obesity with strategic partners.

 EMD Pharmaceuticals Buys Durham Site for $60 Million Headquarters

Division of Germany-based Merck KGaA, which is developing treatments for cancer and diabetes, could start building the headquarters in three years, depending on reaching some milestones.

 Becton Dickinson BioVenture Center Gives Biotech Startups Room To Grow

RTP incubator counts Merix, Norak, StemCo, Serenex among its graduates. "They provided a very good setting for us to develop our company and get our feet under us," one former tenant says.

 Mary Walker's Money Touch Leads Her to Top of Struggling Telecom

<b>Breaking Glass:</b> After walking away last year from IBM spinoff Home Director, the networking company she helped bring to life, Walker takes charge of Equitel as it tries to stave off death with a venture deal.

 Triangle Company Provides Ready-Made Engineering Teams to Software Developers

TapRoot Systems matches its hand-picked teams to its big-time clients to provide outsourced development of embedded systems, knowledge and follow-up.

 Lancope System Stops New Worm

 Hannon Hill Signs Software License

 Venture Profile: Franklin Street Partners Strikes Out on Its Own

With $70 million under management, firm concentrates on IT and life science investments. Emphasis also placed on RTP startups.

 Biogen Names RTP Site Manager

 Wheeling and Dealing: VCs Pump $425 Million Into Tech Companies

Fifty-six IT and biotech companies from Georgia and the Carolinas have been funded so far this year.

 Georgia Closing in on $300 Million in VC

Twenty-eight tech companies in Georgia have tallied up about $284 million in venture capital through mid-May.

 Atlanta Telecom Software Firm Raises $8 Million

General Atlantic Partners leads round. Cisco also is an investor.

 Reuters Picks Red Hat

 Nobex Lines Up $12M from NY Investment Firm in Big $40M Round

AEA Investors, which has ties to the Rockefellers and corporate titans, is leading Nobex's big mezzanine round. The company, which is developing oral insulin and other medications, is geared for a 2003 IPO.

 Red Herring Puts Epic on Top 100 List