WRAL Tech Wire

 High-Speed Regional POP Debuts in Winston-Salem

 Ensuring the Future of North Carolina's Technology Economy

<b>Opinion:</b> Despite economic hard times, four university deans involved in management and business say General Assembly should extend state's Qualified Business Venture Tax Credit.

 Batanga, Kucera Pharmaceuticals Attract First Investments by Piedmont Angel Network

New angel fund in Greensboro area puts about $500,000 combined into an online radio network for Hispanics and a Wake Forest spinout developing treatments for AIDS and cancer.

 Batanga, Kucera Pharmaceuticals Get Piedmont Angel Funds

Network invests $280,000 in Hispanic-focused media company and $215,00 in Wake Forest spin-off. Deals are first ones for new VC group.

 New Biotech Fund Targets University Spin-offs in Southeast, Mid-Atlantic

D.C.-based University Biomedical Fund already has made its first investment in a UVa drug development concept. Medical faculty from UNC, Duke and Emory are on the $50M fund's advisory board.

 Physicians Laboratories Hopes To Fight Memory Loss With 'Medical Foods'

You may not be able to eat enough soy protein to get its medical benefits, but a Kernersville company is trying to change that. Wake Forest U.licenses soy technology to Physicians Laboratories, and clinical trials are underway.

 Wake Forest, Other Researchers Team To Use Monkey Cells in Stem Cell Development

Produced by a method called parthenogenesis, the embryonic monkey cells can't become a living fetus. Team hopes that fact will quiet ethical concerns.

 Romancing the Clone? Hype About Potential Benefits and Fears Cloud Real Issues in Cloning Research

The next episode in the 'Star Wars' movie saga introduces armies of killer clones. But journalists should report science about cloning, not science fiction, say NC experts.

 Elan To Triple Georgia Drug Plant's Size, Add 100 Workers

The Irish pharmaceutical firm now makes 2 will drugs at the plant and will make 2 more. <b>Other news:</b> Nobex working with Pharmacia, Hamner honored.

 Will Telecom Business Ring Up Deals in 2002? Signal Certainly Went Dead in 2001

The U.S. telecommunications industry crashed last year, and the shockwave rippled through the Triangle. The outlook for this year isn't much brighter, although Cisco has seen an up-tick in demand.

 Industry Leaders Challenge North Carolina To Improve Biotech Environment

State already has the elements necessary to keep it among leading biotechnology centers, but Cogent, Biogen execs point out weaknesses in education, financing, and transportation that could weaken NC's ability to compete.

 VC Profile: Academy Venture Funds Has Vision of Becoming Major Player in Southeast

John Ciannamea, Glenn Kline team up to build rapidly growing firm. Sweet spot: Life science, semi conductor and information technology companies

 Raleigh-Based Alcatel Executive Faces a Tough Challenge: Taking Over as Struggling Firm's CTO

Analyst says Niel Ransom will need to develop revised strategy for the company as the telecommunications sector continues to struggle. "What he needs to do is lay out a new vision for Alcatel -- and that will be difficult to do," analyst says.

 Cuts Continue at Alcatel; Raleigh Workforce Has Been Slashed by More than Half

Latest reductions leave 700 or so on payroll, down from a total of 1,600. After $4 billion loss in 2001, company CEO promised layoffs. Monday, he delivered.