THURSDAY, FEB. 23, 2017  |  IN THIS ISSUE 
 
Head5Voxello's 'noddle' receives FDA clearance, closes Series A round   
 
Voxello, the producer of the noddle, a medical device that helps impaired patients communicate with nurses and caregivers, has received FDA clearance for the trademarked device, and recently closed a Series A funding round of more than $800,000.

The Coralville-based company estimates that each year 3.9 million patients are hospitalized who are unable to communicate through traditional means, which Voxello says results in billions of dollars in preventable adverse events.

"The FDA clearance of the noddle brings us one step closer to offering a solution for this urgent unmet need," CEO Rives Bird said.

The company was able to complete its FDA submission in October, following a 78-day clearance period.

The noddle provides patients who cannot communicate traditionally and who may have limited motor capabilities the ability to control up to three different devices with a single touch. By making a tongue-click motion, a patient can call a nurse and communicate with a speech-generating device. Phase I and II clinical trials were conducted and confirmed that the noddle improved patient satisfaction with statistical significance. 
Story2Raining Rose announces layoffs in Cedar Rapids 

Raining Rose, a promotional products company in Cedar Rapids, announced on Wednesday that it has laid off employees due to poor product sales in part of the company's portfolio.

According to President and CEO Chuck Hammond, the decision was prompted by poor performance last year from the largest of the company's five divisions, although the company did not detail what those divisions are.

The company's other four divisions are experiencing "strong growth," Mr. Hammond said.

"Our largest division was down approximately 25 percent in 2016, and the current forecast indicates continuing declines into 2017," Mr. Hammond said in a press release. "This has been an incredibly difficult process for the company, but one we feel is necessary to allow us the flexibility to continue to grow and invest in the four divisions that are performing well."

The company did not release the number of employees laid off, or respond to requests on Thursday for additional comment. 
 
IBM has partnered with IDx LLC of Iowa City and more than a dozen other organizations as part of an expanded technology collaborative aimed at improving medical imaging.

The Watson Health medical imaging collaborative includes health systems, academic medical centers, private radiology practices, ambulatory radiology providers and imaging technology companies. The group aims to find ways to use medical imaging to identify and predict the risk of diseases of the eye, as well as cancer, diabetes and other conditions.

By developing algorithms and better imaging technology, IDx strives to speed up the diagnostic process and give primary care physicians the ability to more easily check patients for those diseases.

"They see the work at IDx as being the absolute cutting edge," COO Benjamin Clark said at an event hosted by the Iowa City Area Development Group on Wednesday.

He said the company is presently on a 900-person FDA trial at sites around the country that strives to help "front-line" medical personnel at places like primary care offices or endocrinology clinics diagnose diabetic retinopathy, which can turn into preventable blindness.

"If we can deploy this technology on the front lines of health care, where diabetic patients are being seen today, then we can put a huge dent in preventable blindness across the United States [and] save the health care system on the order of $1.2 billion," Mr. Clark said.
Mayor Ron Corbett performs "Sweet Home Cedar Rapids" with backing band, Crankshaft, during his final state of the city address.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett handed off lessons of his seven-plus years in the office during his final state of the city speech on Feb. 22, leaving the questions of his future political goals for another day.

Mr. Corbett highlighted the results Cedar Rapids has achieved through focus, perseverance, community pride and being open for business in a way that he hopes will guide future leaders.

Many of the accomplishments reflected the city's successful recovery from the massive Cedar River flood of 2008, and its success in withstanding a near-record flood in September of 2016 through a combination of city and citizen resources. Others included the city-backed redevelopment of the Westdale Mall, redevelopment of the city's DoubleTree by Hilton, and the completed funding of the Highway 100 extension.

"As I look back over the past eight years, I think Cedar Rapids has learned some lessons," Mr. Corbett said. "I believe these lessons should become part of our community memory. As I look forward to the next five, 10 or 15 years, the challenge is to remember them."
 
Mr. Corbett had promised a surprise at the event, which many anticipated would be his announcement of a bid for the Republican nomination for governor. The surprise instead was a singing tribute to the citizens of Cedar Rapids, adapting the blues standard "Sweet Home Chicago" to replace Chicago with Cedar Rapids.
 
Afterward, Mr. Corbett explained to the CBJ that the League of Women Voters, which sponsors the State of the City speech, is a nonpartisan group, and he decided it would be wrong to use a nonpartisan event for a political announcement. He now expects to announce his decision in early April.
 
The event, available for viewing on the city's Facebook page, attracted record attendance to the city's convention center. Read more from the mayor's speech in Monday's edition of the CBJ.
Story1Cole, Vondra reach settlement, split Iowa City law office

Attorneys Rockne Cole (left) and Dan Vondra. PHOTO / COLE & VONDRA, PC 
Law partners Rockne Cole and Dan Vondra have announced plans to split their downtown Iowa City firm and operate separate offices, the attorneys announced Tuesday.

The decision to part ways is part of a settlement that follows a lawsuit filed by Mr. Vondra in January alleging that Mr. Cole had was overpaid for services provided with the firm between 2013-2016.

In a news release announcing the split, the attorneys say the decision will allow them to "move on to new chapters in their legal careers."

"While Dan and I were not able to identify an operating model that made sense for both of us, I have never doubted his skill and work ethic for his top-notch family-based immigration practice," said Mr. Cole, who also serves on the Iowa City Council.

Mr. Vondra shared similar feelings.

"I want to emphasize that while we, of course, had a robust disagreement about the future of our firm, I never doubted Rockne Cole's integrity or commitment to this firm," Mr. Vondra said. "With this change, we have both identified an operating model that will allow the flexibility Rockne to pursue his twin passions for social justice and public service.

"This will also allow me to pursue justice for my clients and allow me the hiring flexibility to run a large-scale family-based immigration and criminal law practice," Mr. Vondra added.
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EventHeadlinesShort-Term Event Planner

Feb. 27
Introduction to The Central Midwest Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, by the Iowa City Area Development Group and the University of Iowa Office of the Provost, 8-10 a.m., Kirkwood Regional Center at The University of Iowa, 2301 Oakdale Blvd, Coralville. This event will consist of a discussion about a recently launched regional network designed to assist employers in recruiting highly-trained, diverse applicant pools and to assist dual-career couples. Free. Register online at bit.ly/2m1MT53.
 
Coralville Roundtable - Texas Roadhouse, by the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., 2520 Corridor Way, Coralville. Roundtables are social lunches over the noon hour. All are invited to network, keep up to date with chamber and community events and frequent a member restaurant or business. For more information, call the chamber at (319) 337-9637.
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
A letter sent to nearly 2,500 University of Iowa students says that it has eliminated scholarships that they have already been awarded. The letter, written by UI President Bruce Harreld, said the cuts were made in part because of cuts in state funding. A budget bill signed by Gov. Terry Branstad cut $18 million from public university budgets. "It is with great disappointment that I share this news. Please know that the elimination of this program in no way diminishes your admirable academic accomplishments. Unfortunately, because of a shortfall in state revenues, the Iowa Legislature decreased funding to the University of Iowa by eight million dollars. This devastating cut has forced us to consider every expenditure and its contribution to our core educational mission of education, research and discovery," Mr. Harreld wrote. The cuts are projected to save the university $4.3 million in the 2017-18 school year.
 
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails'  Weather First Forecast
 
After a record-breaking day and week, changes are coming as colder weather and rain/snow return to the area from time to time over the next few days. High temperatures will be in the mid to upper 40s with low 50s in the southern part of the viewing area, which is about 20 degrees cooler than yesterday but still well above normal. A storm system will be moving in from southwest to northeast and that will lead to showers and even some thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Some storms could produce heavy rain at times, and even some hail in spots, especially south of Highway 20. To the north of Highway 20, the potential exists for a wintry mix and a transition to light snow into Friday.