In today’s Bulldog Update of technology news: SAS wins $79.1M verdict in lawsuit; four V Foundation Cancer Research grants go to Triangle institutions; Bayer Cropscience moves some marketing in-house; Biodelivery Sciences notes short-term supply constraints on its opium dependence treatment drug.

SAS wins lawsuit

SAS won a $79.1 verdict from a New Bern jury in the lawsuit against a UK-based software company, Wolrd Programming Ltd., that SAS said had fraudulently used its Learning Edition software to create a knock-off product.

SAS also accused the firm of copyright infringement

The jury found World Programming violated the license agreement for the Learning Edition software and had fraudulently contracted with SAS. It awarded the company $26.4 million on that claim.

It also accepted SAS’ claim that World Programming had violated North Carolina’s unfair trade and deceptive practices law, triggering automatic treble damages, to total $79.1 million.

Triangle Institutions receive V Foundation grants

The V Foundation for Cancer Research has awarded four of 79 grants to cancer centers in the Triangle. Two go to Duke University, one to the NC State University JImmy V Cancer Therapeutics Lab, and one to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The $20 million in total grants awarded this cycle is a record. The V Foundation awarded more than $150 million to national institutions.

For more see this story at the Triangle Business Journal: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2015/10/15/v-foundation-sets-record-with-20m-in-cancer.html

Bayer Cropscience changing marketing contract

The Triangle Business Journal reports that Bayer Cropscience, which is headquartered in the RTP, will move its marketing for ornamentals completely in-house by November next year.

In the process, Bayer will end its agreement with PA-based marketing firm OHP Inc., which has been the company’s exclusive marketer for Bayer ornamental nursery and greenhouse market for 26 years.

For the full story at TBJ see: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/techflash/2015/10/rtp-based-bayer-cropscience-to-bring-more.html

BioDelivery Sciences gets FDA approval to supply drug

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BDSI) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for a manufacturing specification change for BUNAVAIL® (buprenorphine and naloxone) buccal film (CIII).

The approval allows for the immediate release of BUNAVAIL inventory to wholesalers. BDSI will be shipping product to wholesalers this morning which should make product available in pharmacies as early as Friday.

For more information see: http://www.bdsi.com

Syngenta deal worth $200M

Swiss-based Syngenta, an agricultural biotech firm with a research arm in the Triangle, has inked a deal with French-based Vilmorin and Germany KWS SAAT for long term licensing agreements to use its genetically modified corn traits.

Syngenta receives $200 million in an upfront payment and will also get future royalty and milestone payments dependent on regulatory approvals – not always a done deal for GMOs.

The German and French firms will market Syngenta’s current and future GMO corn traits on a separate basis or via their joint ventures AgReliant, which sells seeds in North America.

Syngenta reported worse than expected third-quarter results.

For more see: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/15/vilmorin-kws-syngenta-idUSL8N12F1G020151015