Adventist Health/Home Care Services, part of Glendale Adventist Medical Center, was named to the 2006 HomeCare Elite list, a ranking of the top 25 percent in home care services. The ranking was determined by quality of care, improvement and financial performance of the facilities. The list was compiled by Outcome Concept Systems Inc., a Seattle company that provides data products and benchmark services for home health, hospice and private duty agencies. Eight other Adventist facilities also made the list.

Simulations Plus Inc., a Lancaster pharmaceutical modeling software developer, has released a new version modeling product for drug makers. ClassPharmer 4.2 features new technical features, easier navigation and integration of other industry software.

Countrywide Financial Corp. has launched its auto insurance in four states. Calabasas-based Countrywide is offering auto insurance in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, and Colorado. Countrywide said that it plans to offer auto insurance in 25 new state markets by the end of next year.

The Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce holds its membership committee meeting. 11:45 a.m. Sisley Italian Kitchen 15300 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks (818) 906-1951 shermanoakschamber.org

The Valencia drug maker MannKind Corp. said it plans to offer 17.5 million shares of stock and $100 million in senior convertible notes in separate public offerings. MannKind plans to provide underwriters with a 30-day option to buy up to 2.6 million more shares to cover over-allotments for its stock offer. On the notes earning side, the company plans to give underwriters a 13-day option to purchase up to $15 million in additional notes to cover over-allotments, the company said. Underwriters include Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan Securities, which has reserved up to 8.8 million shares and $50 million in notes for sale to MannKind CEO Aldred Mann.

The percentage of first-time buyers who can afford a home in Los Angeles County has fallen again. According to statistics released by the California Association of Realtors, 19 percent of first-time buyers could afford a median-priced home in the county in the third quarter of 2006, down from 23 percent a year ago. The same pattern held true for the state, where 24 percent of first-time buyers can afford a home, down from 28 percent a year ago. The county median for single-family homes, $494,690, is higher than the state median of $478,710. In the San Fernando Valley, the median home price has risen to over $625,000. C.A.R. said that the minimum household income to buy a $478,710 home was $98,890, based on an adjustable interest rate of 6.58 and assuming a 10 percent down payment. First time home buyers typically purchase a home equal to 85 percent of the prevailing median price, the agency said.

The Food and Drug Administration has allowed Valencia drug maker MannKind Corp. to begin human testing on a cancer treatment it is developing. Enrollment in clinical trials on the experimental cancer drug MKC1106-PP will begin before the end of the year, the company said. The test will examine the effects on patients with solid tumors.

The Encino Chamber of Commerce holds its education committee meeting. 1 p.m. Buca Di Beppo Restaurant 17500 Ventura Blvd., Encino (818) 789-4711 encinochamber.org

The Federal Trade Commission has given the green light to the acquisition of Trammell Crow by CB Richard Ellis Group Inc., Trammell Crow Co. said today. The FTC approved a shortened waiting period required under antitrust law. The deal, for about $1.8 billion, is expected to close next month. It is subject to the approval of Trammell Crow shareholders. CB announced in October that it planned to acquire the Dallas-based real estate company.

Video game publisher THQ, Inc. received a letter from Nasdaq that it is not in compliance to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the company announced Wednesday. The Agoura Hills-based firm anticipated the letter because it was late in filing its financial results for the second quarter of 2007 fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the company said. THQ is requesting a hearing before a Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel, which will automatically stay delisting of the company’s common stock pending the panel’s review and determination. THQ intends to file its second quarter results as soon as possible following completion of a review of the company’s historical stock option grant practices by a special committee of the board. Preliminary financial numbers released by the company earlier in the month show a net income of $13 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, on revenues of $240 million for the second quarter. That is an increase over the net loss of $1.5 million, or a loss of $0.02 per diluted share, on revenues of $143 million for the same reporting period in 2005.