Articulon News and Announcements

HPG Partner Joins SEBIO Board

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RALEIGH, N.C. (January 4, 2011)—Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (www.hpg.com), the largest CPA firm headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, announces today that firm partner and executive committee member Tim Gupton has joined the board of directors of Southeast BIO (www.sebio.org). SEBIO fosters the growth of the life sciences industry across the Southeastern United States.

Gupton will help drive venture capital investment and industry awareness during his three-year term with SEBIO. As part of his role on the board, he will join Larry Robbins from Wyrick Robbins Yates and Ponton, LLC and Rosina Pavia from Pappas Ventures as joint chairs of the SEBIO investor’s conference. The event will be held November 2-3, 2011 at the Washington-Duke Inn.

“I am looking forward to working with leaders who are dedicated to growing the life science industry in the Southeast,” says Gupton. “The SEBIO conference is a unique opportunity to showcase university, emerging and late stage companies and promote economic development of the Southeast economy.”

In addition to his work with HPG, Gupton is founder and general partner of Research Triangle Ventures, CFO of Colucid Pharmaceuticals Inc. and a NCBIO board member. With more than 35 years of public accounting experience, he has served as the start-up CFO for seven biopharmaceutical companies. Gupton is a retired partner with KPMG, former chairman of CED and co-author of FastTrac Tech, a business plan process sponsored by The Kaufman Foundation.

“Tim and HPG have had a long standing commitment to entrepreneurs and the financial health of the companies they lead,” says Ken Tindall, SEBIO board chair and senior vice president for science and business development at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. “SEBIO is fortunate to have the experience and insights of such a committed professional join its board.”

HPG has a long history of supporting companies in the bio, pharma and life science industries through its Knowledge Based Industries practice area. In addition to supporting SEBIO, the firm and its members are active with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, NCBIO and CED.

About Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (HPG): HPG is the largest CPA firm headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, as ranked by the Triangle Business Journal. More than just an accounting firm, HPG assists clients in looking beyond the bottom linesm by being the right people, right value and right firm to achieve each client’s definition of success. HPG is a member of CPAmerica International and affiliated with the Crowe Horwath International alliances of firms, with offices worldwide. The firm leverages this to provide national and global accounting resources to its clients. HPG offers a wide array of business accounting, auditing, corporate tax and management advisory services. Specialties include serving owner-managed, investor-backed technology and life science organizations, healthcare services, real estate development, manufacturing and distribution businesses, as well as providing ERISA audits, family wealthcare services and Sarbanes-Oxley internal audit services.

HPG has remained committed to advancing a thriving Triangle community since its founding in 1983. In recognition, the firm is the recipient of two Pinnacle Business Awards by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; the 2009 Large Entrepreneurial Business Award and the 2010 Integrity in Business Award. Additionally, HPG has been certified Green Plus by the Institute for Sustainable Development for integrating environmental sustainability efforts into company culture, and has been named one of the top 100 Best Accounting Firms to Work For in the country by Accounting Today. Visit www.hpg.com or follow HPG on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HPGcpas.

About SEBIO: Southeast BIO (SEBIO) is a regional nonprofit organization that fosters the growth of the life sciences industry in the Southeastern  United States through efforts that promote entrepreneurship and bring together companies, investors, universities, and support organizations active in the development of the industry. A public/private partnership formed in 1999, SEBIO is committed to conducting activities that create regional leverage and facilitate the common interests and goals of constituents in the life sciences industry. SEBIO’s geographic footprint presently includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Visit www.sebio.org for more information.

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HPG Helps Bring Millions in Federal Funding to N.C.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (December 17, 2010) — Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (www.hpg.com), the largest CPA firm headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, announces today it has assisted 24 North Carolina bio, pharma and life science companies in securing more than $6.3 million in Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project grants. The firm assisted four companies in other states securing an additional $2.2 million in grant monies. In total, North Carolina companies received more that $36 million from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act program. A list of all North Carolina grant recipients is available at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=229005,00.html.

In March, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law providing $1 billion in tax credits and grants for qualified therapeutic discovery projects in 2009 and/or 2010, and created a new Internal Revenue Code Section 48D. To apply, qualified investment applications needed to be submitted to the IRS and certified by the Department of Health and Human Services. This included demonstrating the potential to create and sustain high quality, high paying jobs in the U.S. and the advancement of American competitiveness in the fields of life, biological and medical sciences. Along with explanation of the science, detailed financial and economic impact information needed to be included in the application. The final guidelines were made public in May and all applications needed to be complete by July 21, 2010.

“With a small window of time to apply for these credits and grants, we wanted to inform North Carolina businesses about the opportunity and ensure that they completed the application process on time,” says Lance Hardin, senior tax manager for HPG. “We are thrilled with the results.”

To assist North Carolina companies in understanding the opportunity and application requirements, HPG senior tax accountants and advisers hosted an informational meeting attended by more than 40 industry executives in May, before the application process was finalized by DHHS. From this meeting, the firm worked with a total of 28 companies to submit 42 separate applications for funding. HPG assisted 12 clients in preparing 19 applications. The firm also provided support to 16 companies that submitted a total of 23 projects for consideration by answering questions, reviewing applications and providing the necessary economic impact statistics in partnership with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Of the 42 projects, 39 received funding, 32 receiving the maximum distribution of $244,479.

“The team at HPG did a great job partnering with us to successfully win the maximum award for all three of our QTDP submissions,” says Rob Middlebrook, CFO/COO of Envoy Therapeutics. “They helped us to repackage our responses in a way that far more effectively addressed all of the criteria requested by the reviewers.”

In total, 4,606 applications from 2,923 biotech and medical research companies across the U.S. were awarded funding. A complete list of recipients may be viewed here.

HPG has a long history of supporting companies in the bio, pharma and life science industries through its Knowledge Based Industries practice area. The firm and its members are active with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, NCBIO, SEBIO and CED.

About Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (HPG):
HPG is the largest CPA firm headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, as ranked by the Triangle Business Journal. More than just an accounting firm, HPG assists clients in looking beyond the bottom linesm by being the right people, right value and right firm to achieve each client’s definition of success. HPG is a member of CPAmerica International and affiliated with the Crowe Horwath International alliances of firms, with offices worldwide. The firm leverages this to provide national and global accounting resources to its clients. HPG offers a wide array of business accounting, auditing, corporate tax and management advisory services. Specialties include serving owner-managed, investor-backed technology and life science organizations, healthcare services, real estate development, manufacturing and distribution businesses, as well as providing ERISA audits, family wealthcare services and Sarbanes-Oxley internal audit services.

HPG has remained committed to advancing a thriving Triangle community since its founding in 1983. In recognition, the firm is the recipient of two Pinnacle Business Awards by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; the 2009 Large Entrepreneurial Business Award and the 2010 Integrity in Business Award. Additionally, HPG has been certified Green Plus by the Institute for Sustainable Development for integrating environmental sustainability efforts into company culture, and has been named one of the top 100 Best Accounting Firms to Work For in the country by Accounting Today. Visit www.hpg.com or follow HPG on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HPGcpas.

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Brady Provides $2.1 Million in Savings to North Carolina Museum of Art

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (December 10, 2010) — Brady (www.bradyservices.com), a company that provides energy systems and comprehensive building solutions for commercial and industrial facilities across North Carolina, announces today mechanical system improvements to the North Carolina Museum of Art East Building have allowed the Norman Rockwell exhibition to be displayed in Raleigh. The $5 million in upgrades were necessary to control humidity fluctuations to within five percent, which prevents deterioration of paintings and ancient artifacts. The up-fit has already produced $2.1 million in utility and maintenance savings during the past three years, exceeding performance contract projections.

“Without the upgrades to the East  Building, many traveling exhibits, including the American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell, Monet, and the Egyptian exhibitions, could not come to the state capital,” says Larry Wheeler, director for the North Carolina Museum of Art.

In April, Brady reported the independently audited, annual energy savings to the State of North Carolina. For the third year, actual energy savings have exceeded performance contract projections. The $50,000 per month average savings reflects a 60 percent reduction in utility expenses for the museum.

“We are very pleased with the results,” says Randy Katz, Raleigh general manager of Brady. “Breathing new life into the East Building means that the museum is able to offer North Carolina residents the opportunity to see some of the greatest masterpieces locally.”

This is the state’s first capital improvement project funded by guaranteed energy savings. Facility upgrades to the East Building began in 2005 and were completed in January 2007. The performance contract guarantee is for twelve-year savings totaling more than $6 million in utility and maintenance costs. The project’s success is receiving recognition in the HVAC industry. It has won a regional technology award and is nominated for national honors. 

About Brady: Brady is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina with offices in Raleigh, Fayetteville, Wilmington and Charlotte. Founded in 1962 by Chairman Don Brady, the company remains a family owned enterprise, today employing nearly 300 associates. The company works with building owners, facility managers, developers, architects, engineers and contractors providing sustainable, comprehensive building solutions for commercial and industrial facilities. Brady provides customers with a diverse range of solutions including building automation, energy conservation, green design, performance contracts, mechanical systems, parts and supplies, as well as responsible technical support. For more information, visit www.bradyservices.com or call (800) 849-1915.

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The Residences Highlight Downtown Raleigh Living

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RALEIGH, N.C. (December 6, 2010)—The Reynolds Companies announces today the launch of the new website for The Residences at Quorum Center (www.theresidencesatquorumcenter.com), the first mixed-use, high-rise building in downtown Raleigh. Visitors to the site will experience the building’s panoramic views, high-end amenities, designer interiors, and the one-of-a-kind rooftop terrace. Brand and communication firm Articulon (www.articulon.com) developed the site with the theme “Elevate your Lifestyle.”

“Our goal for the new website is to vividly demonstrate the downtown Raleigh condos, which are built to exceptionally high standards in a remarkable setting,” says Ted Reynolds, developer of The Quorum Center. “We offer magnificent city vistas, and our location is an incomparable place to take advantage of downtown Raleigh’s wonderful culture, cuisine and nightlife. Once REALTOR®s and their clients get a taste of The Residences on the website, we believe they’ll want to schedule a visit right away.”

The site provides vivid views of the Raleigh skyline and the green-roof terrace from the balconies and 10-foot window walls, as well as extensive interior lifestyle photographs. Renderings of the eight floor plans are available, as well as a virtual tour.

“Downtown Raleigh is full of surprises whether it’s to eat, shop, learn or to discover something new,” says Cindy Stranad, Articulon principal. “The intention of the site is to highlight the quality and luxury available with details about designer kitchens and baths that can be customized to meet individual tastes.”

About The Residences at Quorum Center: The Residences at Quorum Center is part of the first, mixed-use high-rise building in Raleigh. Built in 2002, the building also features the first landscaped Hydro-Tech green-roof terrace in the city. Developer Ted Reynolds worked closely with award winning Handel Architects, LLP of New York City and San Francisco to assure a timeless design including many of the features in premium Manhattan buildings. The Residences include 37 Manhattan-style luxury condominiums that feature 10-ft ceilings, expansive floor-to-ceiling window walls and sound deadening floor systems. Units range from the mid $300Ks to $1.2 million. Visit www.theresidencesatquorumcenter.com.

About Articulon: Articulon impacts the way our clients communicate their brands to build stronger relationships with existing and prospective customers, shareholders, employees and the community. We provide an integrated, customized approach that each campaign is commercially intelligent and measured by results. Work has been completed for emerging brands and Fortune 500 companies alike, including: Panera Bread, The American Kennel Club, The Better Business Bureau, Hughes Pittman & Gupton, Cranfill Sumner and Hartzog and Saks Fifth Avenue. Visit www.articulon.com or call 919.232.5008.

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12 Doughnuts, 4 Miles, 1 Hour; You Ready?

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RALEIGH, N.C. (December 8, 2010)—The 2011 Krispy Kreme Challenge (www.krispykremechallenge.com) will take place February 5, 2011. Organized by North Carolina State University students, the event is expected to draw 7,500 participants in its seventh year. Proceeds benefit the North Carolina Children’s Hospital.

To complete the Krispy Kreme Challenge, competitors begin at the N.C. State Bell Tower, run two miles to the Krispy Kreme store on Peace Street, eat a dozen glazed doughnuts, and then run two miles back to the Bell Tower—all in under one hour. Registration is now open online at https://krispykremechallenge.worldsecuresystems.com/2011_registration.

“We are amazed at the growth of the Krispy Kreme Challenge in its first six years,” says Rebekah Jewell, event organizer. “What started out as a dare has grown to include participants from 48 of the 50 United States.”

Beginning as a dare between 10 N.C. State students in 2004, the competition has grown exponentially. Last year, 6,000 people participated and $55,000 was raised in support of the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. The event attracts a wide range of runners and enthusiasts from beginners to seasoned competitors hailing from all corners of the country. It has also been listed as #85 on the “102 More Things you Gotta Do Before You Graduate” list by Sports Illustrated.

About the Krispy Kreme Challenge:
Now in its seventh year, the Krispy Kreme Challenge has grown to an astounding 7,500 participants and was listed as #85 on the “102 More Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate” list by Sports Illustrated. Organizers wanted the challenge to be a unique tradition, but saw the opportunity to use it as a means to give back to the local community as well. It was no surprise when organizers selected The N.C. Children’s Hospital as the beneficiary of this ultimate collegiate challenge. Visit www.krispykremechallenge.com for more information.

About the North Carolina Children’s Hospital:
The North Carolina Children’s Hospital is a specially designed hospital that caters to the needs of children that are sick or injured, and their families. The state-of-the art facility was designed with children in mind, and provides conveniences to the patients that help them to just be kids, such as a two-story play atrium designed to look like an outdoor park. In addition, the hospital has North Carolina’s only fully accredited hospital school, which keeps patients from kindergarten to 12th grade on top of their studies.