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SPAR Group (SGRP) Gets $ Contract with a Multi

SGRP, SPAR Group, Inc.

** SGRP reported that its Japanese subsidiary, SPAR FM Japan, has signed a $2.5 million annual contract with a multi-national consumer goods company. SPAR will provide in-store merchandising including stock replenishment and building displays, demonstrations, and auditing to this client in approximately 1,500 store locations throughout Japan.

SGRP is a diversified international merchandising and marketing services Company and provides a broad array of services worldwide to help companies improve their sales, operating efficiency and profits at retail locations.

More about SGRP at www.sparinc.com

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100K Pathogen Genome Project Selects Pacific Biosc

PACB, Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.

** PACB reported a partnership for the 100K Pathogen Genome Project. As part of the project, PACB 's Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT(R)) technology will be used to sequence the genomes from at least 1,000 foodborne pathogen samples to completion, and to elucidate their epigenomes.

These bacteria represent major illness-causing pathogens, including Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Vibrio, and Listeria.

The 100K Genome Project was founded by the FDA, Agilent Technologies, and the laboratory of Dr. Bart Weimer at UC Davis to create a consortium of partners from around the world that will sequence 100,000 foodborne pathogens using next-generation sequencing.

This initiative addresses a significant shortage of bacterial pathogen information for use in designing molecular diagnostics, creates a resource to expand our understanding of infection mechanisms, and constructs a public repository for new insights into bacterial evolution by using large-scale genomics.

PACB 's SMRT sequencing technology generates sequence reads an order of magnitude longer than other leading DNA sequencing technologies, thereby facilitating efficient de novo microbial genome assemblies. Long reads are critical for resolving genetic complexity in the assembly and finishing of genomes. The use of SMRT sequencing for the automated finishing of microbial genomes has been demonstrated in multiple recent publications, including for the genetic analysis of the Haitian cholera and German E. coli outbreaks.

PACB offers the PacBio(R)RS High Resolution Genetic Analyzer to help scientists solve genetically complex problems.

More about PACB at www.pacificbiosciences.com

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athenahealth (ATHN) to Acquire Mobile Health Leade

ATHN, athenahealth, Inc.

EPOC, Epocrates, Inc.

** ATHN reported that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire EPOC , a mobile health pioneer widely recognized for developing the most-widely adopted point-of-care medical application among U.S. physicians.

The board of directors of each of ATHN and EPOC has agreed to a price of $11.75 per share, in cash, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $293 million. The purchase price represents a 22 percent premium over the closing price per share of Epocrates on NASDAQ on Friday, January 4, 2013.

This is an all-cash offer for all outstanding shares of EPOC ’s common stock, and ATHN intends to finance this acquisition using available cash and funds available from its existing credit facility.

The closing of the transaction is subject to the approval of EPOC shareholders and other customary closing conditions and is currently expected to occur early in the second quarter of 2013. EPOC shareholders representing approximately 17.5% of the outstanding common stock have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the transaction.

EPOC is recognized for developing the #1 medical application among U.S. physicians for clinical content, practice tools, and health industry engagement at the point of care.

More about EPOC at www.epocrates.com/company .

ATHN is a leading provider of cloud-based Best in KLAS electronic health record (EHR), practice management, and care coordination services to medical groups and health systems.

More about ATHN at www.athenahealth.com

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Bonso Electronics International (BNSO) Half Year R

BNSO, Bonso Electronics International, Inc.

** For the six-month period ended September 30, 2012, BNSO posted net income of $0.13 million or $0.02 basic and diluted earnings per share, as compared to a net loss of $0.18 million or $0.03 basic and diluted loss per share in the same period the prior year, and net sales of $16.3 million, a 16.5% increase year over year.

BNSO designs, develops, manufactures, assembles and markets a comprehensive line of electronic scales, weighing instruments, and health care products.

More about BNSO at www.bonso.com .

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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) Sells OralDNA Labs to Acce

DGX, Quest Diagnostics Inc.

** DGX reported that it has sold substantially all of the assets of its OralDNA(R) Labs salivary-diagnostics business to Access Genetics, a leading clinical laboratory with advanced molecular diagnostics test development and information technology capabilities.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

DGX is the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions.

More about DGX at www.QuestDiagnostics.com .

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