In today’s Bulldog wrapup of technology and life science news:

  • Russia removes an Apple statue after Apple CEO comes ‘out;’
  • Micell finds partner for stents in Europe;
  • $89 billion forecast for ecommerce sales;
  • Salix launches new drug;
  • SciQuest updates its product suite

The details:

  • Russia Statue Dismantled After Apple CEO Comes Out

A two-meter (six-foot) statue of an iPhone on a university campus in St. Petersburg has been taken down in response to last week’s announcement by the CEO of Apple that he is gay.

In a statement, ZEFS, which according to its website owns construction, advertising, and finance enterprises in St. Petersburg, describes Tim Cook’s revelation “a public call to sodomy.”

ZEFS said Monday it was taking down the statue because it violated Russia’s controversial law protecting minors from homosexual propaganda. The law has been condemned by critics as a means of repressing sexual minorities in the country.

Apple declined to comment on the removal of the statue, which featured former CEO Steve Jobs.

  • Micell Finds Partner for Stents

Its stents have not be approved for use in the U.S., but Durham-based Micell Technologies has found a commercialization partner for its technology in Europe where they have been approved.

Micell says it will work with Stentys, a company based in New Jersey and France, as the exclusive distributor. Financial terms of the five-year deal were not disclosed.

Micell stents, called MiStent SES, are expected to begin being sold in the first half of 2015. The stents are coated with drugs to help patients recover from cardiology surgery.  

  • Analyst Expects $89B in Online Holiday Sales

This year more Americans than ever are expected to make their lists, check them twice, and then click the “add to cart” button.

Forrester Research said Monday that it expects U.S. consumers to spend $89 billion online in November and December. That’s up 13 percent, or about $10 billion, from a year ago.

Analyst Sucharita Mulpuru said she thinks online shopping will make up 14 percent of total retail spending over that period. She estimated that 3.4 million Americans will try holiday shopping online for the first time this year.

Forrester’s figures exclude spending on items such as gasoline, travel, restaurants and autos, except for replacement parts.

Mulpuru said her estimate would be higher if Thanksgiving were occurring earlier. The holiday always falls between Nov. 22 and 28, and it will be on Nov. 27 this year. That means the busy holiday shopping period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is shorter than in most years. In 2013, Thanksgiving was on Nov. 28.

Mulpuru said shipping networks could suffer from delays again because of the high volume of online sales. In 2013 UPS and FedEx both reported delays because of overloaded systems, poor weather and the shortened holiday period.

  • Salix New Drug Hits Markets

Salix, which is based in Raleigh, has launched sales of its newest drug, Ruconest, which targets patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE).

The FDA approved the drug in July. 

According to Salix: “HAE is a rare genetic condition that affects between 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000 people. It causes episodes of swelling in various parts of the body, including the hands, feet, abdomen and face. Patients with abdominal swelling often experience severe pain, nausea and vomiting. HAE attacks stem from a deficiency of the C1 inhibitor protein in the blood. The disease is often misdiagnosed, as the symptoms of an attack can mirror someone experiencing an allergic reaction. Severe, painful swelling can occur at any time, which means most people suffering from HAE deal with the constant fear of when their next attack might surface and how that might impair their lives and those around them.”

  • SciQuest Updates Eprocurement Suite

Morrisville-based Sciquest is updating its eprocurement services, including a new module in its suite called “Dynamic Qualification and Risk Compliance.” 

It’s part of SciQuest’s Total Supplier Manager solution. 

“This new module allows for a more thorough supplier vetting process, enabling customers to further qualify suppliers by collecting risk-based information and assess vendor status or compliance,” SciQuest reported.