A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
US firm buys Cork-based ProsCon
Cork-based systems integration firm ProsCon has been acquired by US company Rockwell Automation for an undisclosed sum.
Bob Honor, vice-president of life sciences at Rockwell, confirmed that ProsCon's 160-strong workforce would be retained. ProsCon's experience in the process industries, and in particular the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, was the key attraction, he said.
Beamish invests €5m in new plant
Beamish & Crawford has announced a €5 million investment in a new draught packaging plant at its Cork brewery, which will double its existing capacity.
As well as providing a platform for developing its own brands, it will enable Beamish to tender competitively for brewing and kegging contracts.
Trinity Biotech in HIV test deal
Trinity Biotech has announced a strategic partnership with Community Healthcare Network, which provides primary care to communities in New York.
The partnership will see the Dublin-based diagnostics company roll out its rapid HIV test, Uni-Gold, in the boroughs of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.
Pharos Performance opens Irish office
International leadership development company Pharos Performance has launched in Ireland, with former FAI chief executive Bernard O'Byrne at the helm. The other members of the team at Pharos Performance Ireland have all held senior management positions in a range of areas such as advertising, financial services and sales.
"We are looking forward to introducing the Pharos ethos into more Irish businesses," said Mr O'Byrne.
Glencar drilling results 'promising'
Glencar Mining said the results from its latest drilling programme at the Sankarani gold project in southern Mali were very promising, with the discovery of significant mineralised zones.
It also released details of drilling at its Farasaba target, stating that further drilling was required in the southern and western sites to determine their potential.
In the southern area no significant mineralisation was encountered.
Anglo share issue 'oversubscribed'
Anglo Irish Bank's new issue of 35.7 million shares was heavily oversubscribed, according to organisers Davy Stockbrokers.
The shares, which were placed at a price of €15.20 each, will raise €542 million for the bank. The new shares, equal to 5 per cent of the current issued share capital, will start trading on February 8th.
AGI completes drug product tests
AGI Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical group focused on gastrointestinal drug products, yesterday announced the completion of preliminary tests on two products - mecamylamine and arbaclofen - saying they showed some potential, though the primary end points in the specific patient populations were not met.
Further clinical trials will now be carried out.
AIB to cut mortgage rates
AIB has become the latest lender to cut mortgage rates. It will drop its tracker mortgage rates on February 12th and will also expand its range of tracker rates.
AIB's lowest tracker rate will fall to 4.10 per cent. This will be available to borrowers whose mortgage does not exceed 50 per cent of the value of their house.
Meanwhile, Barclays Bank has warned that interest rate increases pose the greatest threat to the economy in 2007.
