BRIEFCASE ZLB MAKES DEAL TO SUPPLY PLASMA.

Byline: - From staff and wire reports

GLENDALE - ZLB Bioplasma Inc. has inked a deal with US Oncology Inc. to supply a form of blood plasma for cancer patients to more than 800 physicians nationwide.

Known generically as immune globulin intravenous, the blood plasma is used to fight off autoimmune infections that develop as a result of cancer treatments.

Glendale-based ZLB collects blood plasma through its laboratories in Switzerland, while Houston-based US Oncology provides cancer research services for medical centers and physicians.

Chatsworth firm completes tests

CHATSWORTH - North American Scientific Inc. has completed testing on its Apomate kit, a bundle of molecules that make it easier for clinicians to image abdominal cancer.

The Chatsworth-based company has submitted the findings to the Society of Nuclear Medicine.

Michael Curter, president and chief executive officer of North American Scientific, said the results from the testing will significantly strengthen the company's foundation.

Bad trades found at Global Crossing

BEVERLY HILLS - An internal study of troubled fiber optics firm Global Crossing revealed that many of the company's swaps of fiber capacity with other telecommunications companies were of little to no economic value, it was reported Tuesday.

The Wall Street Journal, citing two unnamed former company officials, said the three-month study found that less than 20 percent of the traded assets between companies could be added to Global Crossing's existing network in a cost-efficient manner.

Some of the deals placed assets hundreds of miles from the closest Global Crossing offices and left out some engineers from the consulting process because the trades were closed near the end of the quarter, the former employees told the newspaper.

Global Crossing spokesman Daniel Coulter said he wouldn't comment on the allegations but Chief Financial Officer Daniel Cohrs previously said that all of the company's transactions were properly accounted for.

Auction propels T-bill rates higher

WASHINGTON - Interest rates on short-term Treasury securities rose in Tuesday's auction.

The Treasury Department sold $16 billion in three-month bills at a discount rate of 1.730 percent, up from 1.715 percent last week. An additional $14 billion was sold in six-month bills at a rate of 1.830 percent, up from 1.810 percent.

The three-month rate was the highest since Feb. 4, when the bills sold for 1.735 percent. The six-month rate was the highest since Dec. 26, when the rate was 1.850 percent.

In a separate report, the Federal Reserve said Tuesday that the average yield for one-year constant maturity Treasury bills, the most popular index for making changes in adjustable rate mortgages, rose to 2.24 percent last week from 2.19 percent the previous week.

Honeywell names Cote as new CEO

NEWARK, N.J. - Honeywell International named David M. Cote its new chief executive officer Tuesday, replacing Lawrence A. Bossidy as head of the struggling aerospace technology company.

Bossidy, 66, said he will remain chairman and a member of the board of directors until June 30 and will then retire, keeping his promise to return for a year to turn around the maker of high-tech aerospace, automotive and security products.