WellPoint fires exec after Medicare woes
WellPoint Inc. finally canned the head of its consumer business after a string of disappointing results, and the move hasn’t further spooked the company’s jittery investors. Although that’s not saying much.
J.K. Wall
Articles
Extra money key to Mind Trust plan to transform IPS
The Mind Trust plan for transforming Indianapolis Public Schools calls for turning the district into a network of charter-like schools and giving them 15 percent to 25 percent more dollars to spend than Indianapolis charter schools currently enjoy.
BioCrossroads has stoked state’s life sciences industry, but challenges remain
In the 10 years BioCrossroads has been promoting life sciences in Indiana, the effort has netted more than 330 new companies, an infusion of more than $330 million in venture capital, a tripling of exports, and a growing number of mentions in national reports on life sciences.
Super Bowl draws record 111.3M viewers on NBC
For the third consecutive year, the Super Bowl set a record as the most-watched television show in U.S. history.
Roche sales rise 4 percent in 2011
Roche Diagnostics Corp.’s North American business, which is headquartered in Indianapolis, posted a 4-percent boost in sales last year on the strength of its fluid analyzer business unit, even though its diabetes sales fell.
Health care VC hits new Indiana low in 2011
Indiana companies landed just $14.1 million in venture funding last year, the lowest amount of capital flowing to the state’s health care sector since BioEnterprises began tracking such deals in 2005.
Super Bowl payoff substantial, but may fall short of hype
There’s no doubt the Super Bowl crowds showered Indianapolis with cash all week. The question is, how much of it will stick after the big game is over? And how much will it mean to Indianapolis’ economy?
Community agrees to absorb Howard Regional
Kokomo’s Howard Regional Health System has signed a letter of intent to join the Community Health Network less than four months after it broke off a merger deal with Indiana University Health.
Lilly’s quarterly profit tumbles, but tops Wall Street estimates
Patent expirations on Gemzar and Zyprexa contributed to the 27-percent earnings decline, but CEO John Lechleiter touted better-than-expected sales of other products.
Purdue hopes center simplifies commercialization
Purdue University’s new Innovation and Commercialization Center is supposed to be a one-stop shop for professors to get help developing their research into products and for outside investors to find out what research is taking place there.
Gallagher sees more broker mergers coming
The Carmel office of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. just made its sixth acquisition in five years, and it expects looming changes to tax and health laws to produce even more chances to snap up benefits brokers this year.
With Super Bowl, city seeks to distinguish itself
Like every host city, Indianapolis has tried to stand out with unusual features for the 10-day party it's hosting for the nation. But will any of those things become standard parts of future Super Bowl experiences?
ITT Educational’s profit plunges, but tops analyst expectations
The Carmel-based operator of for-profit colleges earned $76 million in the quarter compared with $97.5 million in the same quarter of 2010. Revenue fell 10 percent.
Report: Giving rose in state last year, but trailed nation
Nationwide, Americans gave $346 billion to charitable causes in 2011, an increase of 7.5 percent over the previous year. Hoosiers gave $6.4 billion last year, a bump of 6.4 percent from the previous year, according to Atlas of Giving.
Old National buying Indiana Community for $79M
Evansville-based Old National will absorb 20 Indiana Community branches, including three on the southern edge of Indianapolis. Indiana Community Bank & Trust has nearly $985 million in assets.
WellPoint earnings fall well short of analysts’ expectations
The Indianapolis-based health insurer reported earnings of $335.3 million, or 96 cents per share, down 39 percent from the same quarter a year ago.
State employers add 12,000 jobs, but jobless rate stays flat
Indiana added 12,000 private-sector jobs in December, but the state’s unemployment rate held steady at 9 percent as a huge wave of Hoosiers entered the labor force.
Poll: Anthem so-so in customer satisfaction
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield ranked No. 12 in a new national customer satisfaction survey, but the poor showing doesn’t appear to threaten the Indianapolis-based company’s business success.<
Professor sues IU medical school for gender discrimination
A physiology professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine filed a scathing gender-discrimination lawsuit this month, accusing the school of paying her significantly less than male counterparts with less experience.
Walgreen marks retailers’ push into health care
Health care reform is projected to cover 30 million more people with health insurance—and overwhelm the nation’s doctors. That’s why retailers like Walgreen and Wal-Mart are moving into the space in a big way.