Averion announced quarterly earnings. Net service revenues held steady, at $15.7 million. The company swung from a $560,000 loss to a $650,000 profit during the period. Said CEO Markus Weissbach: "This operating income is a clear reflection of our ongoing efforts to improve efficiencies in both the United States and Europe. We are continuing to streamline our operations where possible without adversely affecting the quality services that our clients expect from us." Here's the release.

Everest Clinical Research chose Phase Forward as a long-term provider of electronic data capture. “EDC technology is a key enabler of our core clinical data management service,” said Everest president and CEO Irene Zhang. “Phase Forward’s Central Designer study design environment and InForm EDC products have proven an effective solution for providing our clients with the core components of this service: high quality and timely data collection, cleaning and database lock." Here's the release.

Nebraska uberinvestor Warren Buffett is adding to holdings of Johnson & Johnson and troubled bank Wells Fargo, according to this wire service article.

The New York Times has a Q&A with Microsoft's chief, Steve Ballmer. As a time-saving measure, he says he no longer permits subordinates to present their Powerpoints in full. Instead, he reviews a presentation before the meeting—and uses the face-to-face encounter to learn more. Separately, Time magazine leans heavily on the 24/7 Wall Street blog for a list of the biggest technology mistakes of the past decade; two belong to Microsoft.

Attorney Tom Lamb has a post on the merits of free drug samples.

Charles River Labs sold an Edinburgh, Scotland facility to Quotient Bioresearch. Terms were not disclosed in the news release. Quotient will launch a Phase I-IIa clinical division with 160 employees. In addition to first-in-man projects, the group will be one of a select number able to handle microdosing or so-called "Phase 0" trials. Said Paul Cowan, Quotient's chairman and CEO: “The creation of Quotient Clinical represents the next step in expanding the range of specialized services we offer pharmaceutical and biotech customers worldwide. With the Inveresk heritage, we are bringing a world-class facility and clinical experience to Quotient Clinical."

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