Boston Scientific Announces Five-Year, $150 Million Investment in China to Accelerate Commercial Expansion

NATICK, Mass., July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boston Scientific Corporation’s (NYSE: BSX) Board of Directors has approved a five-year, $150 million investment in China to expand its commercial presence in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing medical device markets. This new investment will support the establishment of a local, wholly owned manufacturing facility focused on serving Chinese market needs and developing a world-class training center for Chinese healthcare providers. The training facility will offer instruction on the latest medical device procedures, utilizing therapy-oriented education and a leading-edge, virtual learning, device simulation environment.

In addition to activities associated with this investment, the Company also expects to further invest in R&D and clinical studies while increasing its employee base in China from approximately 200 to more than 1,200 during the period. These initiatives are expected to drive an expansion of Boston Scientific’s current sales force to approximately 700 employees and the creation of a fully staffed manufacturing infrastructure, enabling Boston Scientific to better bring its innovative and life-saving technologies to Chinese physicians and their patients.

As a result of this increased investment, as well as current and anticipated initiatives, Boston Scientific now expects to increase its revenues in China to more than $500 million exiting 2016. The Company estimates that its target market in China currently exceeds $1 billion and is growing approximately 20 percent annually. This investment supports and is consistent with our strategic financial objectives communicated at the November 2010 Investor Day.

“The Chinese medical device market, while rapidly evolving and challenging, presents a significant growth opportunity for the Company,” said Ray Elliott, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Scientific. “By establishing a strong local manufacturing foundation and supporting infrastructure, we believe we will be better positioned to become a leading medical device company in China, serving the population’s burgeoning healthcare needs with innovative products and treatment options. Achieving that goal, however, requires expanding our commercial footprint in terms of size, scale and scope.”

Winning Global Market Share

Winning global market share represents the “W” of Boston Scientific’s POWER business strategy. This new investment, along with current investments of $30 to $40 million through 2011 in Emerging Markets such as China, Brazil and India, clearly reflect the POWER strategy in action. In China, the Company’s growth-acceleration strategy is evident in its current and planned business activities, which include:

  • Receipt of registration approval for the PROMUS Element(TM) Everolimus-Eluting Platinum Chromium Coronary Stent from the State Food and Drug Administration of the People’s Republic of China in May 2011 and an expected launch of the product in the fourth quarter of 2011.
  • Start of patient enrollment in January 2011 of the PLATINUM China clinical trial designed to evaluate the Company’s PROMUS Element(TM) Stent compared to the TAXUS® Liberte® Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent in the treatment of patients with a single de novo atherosclerotic lesion. The trial involves 500 local patients at 15 sites in China.
  • Launch of the ALTRUA(TM) pacemaker in April 2011, the first Boston Scientific-branded Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) device to be registered in China.
  • Introduction of the IVUS (Intravascular Ultrasound) Academy, a physician education program offering IVUS training across China, in May 2011.
  • Establishment of a Technology Center in Shanghai focused on developing products to meet the unique needs of emerging markets while partnering with local resources and expertise. Opened earlier this year, it is expected that the Center will continue to expand and complement sales growth in the region. The Company also expanded its sales offices in Shanghai and Beijing in the second quarter, and is planning four additional sales offices, extending the Company’s penetration into local geographies across the country.
  • Development of a Chinese Clinical Hub to initiate and support clinical trials in China for locally manufactured devices while providing a regional focus for the Company’s global clinical trial portfolio. The hub will coordinate initiatives aimed at optimizing clinical trial execution in China and other markets. Similar hubs are planned in India and Brazil, allowing clinical teams to have closer interaction with local patients, regulators and physicians.

“We believe there are significant opportunities to accelerate our growth in China, where our market share is a fraction of what it is in the U.S. and Europe,” said Larry Neumann, Senior Vice President and President, Emerging Markets at Boston Scientific. “Adding to the market potential is the growing affluence of the local population and the Chinese government’s commitment to spend $125 billion on its healthcare system in the next five years. We think the time is right to make additional investments to help fuel our growth, help us win global share, gain access to diverse talent and bring our less-invasive therapies to more patients in China.”

About Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: www.bostonscientific.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding our strategic initiatives, our business and investment plans in China, the market for our products in China and our share of that market, our financial performance in China and other emerging markets, new product launches and launch cadence, regulatory approvals, clinical trials (including clinical trial plans in emerging markets), product performance, training programs and competitive offerings. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.

Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, political, environmental, competitive, reimbursement, legal and regulatory conditions; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and future business decisions made by us and our competitors. All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control. For a further list and description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A — Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A — Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file hereafter. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.

    CONTACT:          Denise Kaigler
                      508-650-8330 (office)
                      Media Relations
                      Boston Scientific Corporation
                      [email protected]
                      Erik Kopp
                      508-650-8660 (office)
                      Media Relations
                      Boston Scientific Corporation
                      [email protected]
                      Sean Wirtjes
                      508-652-5305 (office)
                      Investor Relations
                      Boston Scientific Corporation
                      [email protected]

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation

Visionary Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Announces Initial Seed Round Investments and the Launch of TH17 Autoimmune Disease Research Activities

SAN DIEGO, July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Visionary Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced today that the company has raised seed round investments from a consortium of Angel Investors. The company is using the capital to develop novel small molecule retinoic acid related orphan receptor (ROR) modulators targeting TH17 T-lymphocytes for the treatment of various autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and COPD.

Visionary Pharmaceuticals has created BindingSIGHTs, a proprietary computational technology platform which encompasses an advanced suite of structural biology and chemical informatic tools. BindingSIGHTs enables sophisticated virtual screening and structure-based drug design for challenging molecular drug targets. Visionary Pharmaceuticals has also created the MANIFOLD virtual compound library of more than 22 million compounds, which have been screened against ROR BindingSIGHTs fingerprints. High-scoring drug-like hits have been docked to structural models of the ROR ligand binding site to yield focused compound sets. These compounds are synthesized and screened in cell-based assays providing novel highly ligand-efficient chemical matter to drive structure-based drug discovery.

Visionary Pharmaceuticals has created an innovative drug discovery engine utilizing novel proprietary technology to focus on nuclear hormone receptors. Nuclear hormone receptor modulators represent 15% of all drugs approved in the US and account for more than $27 billion in annual sales. “Our BindingSIGHTs technology and MANIFOLD library enables us to save both time and money in generating the best possible lead series. With the initial seed round investments we are now able to launch full-scale research activities in our state-of-the-art labs,” said Gordon Alton, Ph.D., President and CEO of Visionary Pharmaceuticals. “We have assembled a veteran leadership team with proven expertise in driving novel therapies to IND. Additionally, our Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board bring us a depth of industry experience in successfully driving high quality drug discovery and development programs and delivering high-value exits. Collectively this experience has resulted in more than a dozen novel drugs either marketed or in clinical trials.”

About Visionary Pharmaceuticals

Visionary Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately held drug discovery company focused on new small molecule therapies in inflammation and cancer. Visionary Pharmaceuticals’ computational BindingSIGHTs technology and MANIFOLD virtual compound library provides advanced structural biology capabilities to optimize the development of drug candidates. Visionary Pharmaceuticals is currently developing retinoic acid related orphan receptor (ROR) modulators targeting TH17 cells in a variety of diseases. To learn more about Visionary Pharmaceuticals, please visit www.visionarypharmaceuticals.com.

CONTACT: Gordon Alton, +1-858-335-8120, [email protected]

SOURCE Visionary Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Assured Pharmacy Signs Lease in Kansas City, Kansas for its Fifth Pharmacy Location

FRISCO, Texas, July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Assured Pharmacy, Inc. (Other OTC:APHY.PK), a leading specialty pharmacy group providing prescription medications to more than 3,000 sufferers of chronic pain, announced that it has signed a lease in Kansas City, Kansas for its fifth pharmacy location. Subject to regulatory approval, the Kansas City pharmacy is anticipated to open during the Fourth Quarter of 2011. It will join the Company’s existing four pharmacies in Santa Ana and Riverside, California; Kirkland, Washington; and Gresham, Oregon.

The Kansas City pharmacy will employ staff trained to work with physicians’ offices in the surrounding region to ensure that the prescription process for pain medications is handled in the ideal manner. The hallmark service of our staff is to reduce doctors’ exposure to liability triggered by fraudulent prescriptions of schedule II and III medications, while at the same time streamlining the prescription process.

Robert DelVecchio, CEO of Assured Pharmacy, said, “The opening of our fifth pharmacy later this year in Kansas City will represent a significant step forward in our natural growth as a company. As we expand our chain to offer services to physicians in new markets, we believe that the advantages of our business model will become more clear. The challenges associated with pain management can be found in every city and town in the country, and ultimately we hope to open pharmacies to serve patients and doctors in the top metropolitan regions across the country.”

About Assured Pharmacy, Inc.

Assured Pharmacy, Inc. is engaged in the business of operating specialty pharmacies that primarily dispense highly regulated pain medication. The Company derives its revenue primarily from the sale of prescription drugs and does not keep in inventory non-prescription drugs or health and beauty related products inventoried at traditional pharmacies. The majority of the Company’s business is derived from repeat business from its customers. “Walk-in” prescriptions from physicians are limited. The Company currently has four operating pharmacies. For more information, please visit the company’s website at http://www.assuredrxservices.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations or forecasts of future events, can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, and are subject to various business risks and known and unknown uncertainties, a number of which are beyond the control of management. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. A wide variety of factors that may cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the Company’s ability to increase revenue and profits in the current economic climate; the effect of changing economic conditions; lack of sufficient financing for opening new pharmacies; inability to manage growth; and changes in government regulations, controls and similar matters. These cautionary statements should not be construed as exhaustive or as any admission as to the adequacy of the Company’s disclosures. The Company cannot predict or determine after the fact what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements or other statements. The reader should consider statements that include the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans”, “projects”, “should”, or other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends, to be uncertain and forward-looking. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:

The Investor Relations Group
11 Stone St. 3rd Floor
New York, NY
212-825-3210
IR: Erika Moran/Adam Holdsworth
or
PR: Janet Vasquez/Laura Colontrelle

SOURCE Assured Pharmacy, Inc.

Mastech Holdings, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results

PITTSBURGH, July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Mastech Holdings, Inc. (NYSE Amex: MHH), a national provider of Information Technology and Specialized Healthcare staffing services, announced today its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100507/NE01385LOGO )

Second Quarter Results:

Revenues for the quarter were $22.1 million which represented a 31% increase over the corresponding quarter last year. Gross profit in the second quarter of 2011 totaled $4.4 million or approximately $1.1 million greater than those achieved during the second quarter of 2010. Gross margin for the second quarter of 2011 was 20.1%, slightly above the 19.9% generated during the second quarter of 2010. Consolidated net income for the second quarter of 2011 totaled $382,000 or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to $109,000 or $0.03 per diluted share, in the same period last year.

Demand for our IT staffing services increased during the second quarter of 2011 as we grew our billable consultant headcount by 12.3%. Market conditions in healthcare continue to show some signs of improvement and we were able to achieve sequential revenue growth for the fourth consecutive quarter.

Thomas Moran, Chief Executive Officer of Mastech stated, “I’m pleased to report that during the quarter we grew total revenues by 11% sequentially over first quarter and by 31% on a year- over-year basis, while materially improving our earnings per share performance from both first quarter 2011 as well as from the second quarter of 2010. This solid performance reflects investments that we have made in our operating structure over the past several quarters. While we will continue to invest in our organization to support our organic growth objectives, we would expect the rate of investment to decline from previous quarters.”

Commenting on the Company’s financial position, Jack Cronin, Chief Financial Officer, stated, “Our balance sheet remains strong with $5.3 million of cash on hand, no outstanding bank debt and access to $9.3 million of credit under our existing revolving credit facility. During the quarter our accounts receivable balance increased in support of our revenue growth. However, this increase was mitigated by an improvement of 2-days to our accounts receivable days sales outstanding measurement (DSO).”

In conjunction with its second quarter earnings release, Mastech will host a conference call at 9:00 A. M. EDT on July 27, 2011 to discuss these results and to answer questions. A live webcast of this conference call will be available on the company’s website, www.mastech.com. Simply click on the Investor Relations section and follow the links to the live webcast. The webcast will remain available for replay through August 3, 2011.

About Mastech Holdings, Inc.:

Leveraging the power of over 20 years of IT experience, Mastech (NYSE Amex: MHH) provides Information Technology Staffing services in the disciplines which drive today’s business operations and Specialized Healthcare Staffing services to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. More information about Mastech can be found at Mastech’s website: www.mastech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements based on management’s expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “scheduled,” “estimates” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which include but are not limited to projections of revenues, earnings, and cash flow. These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and it assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements as circumstances change. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the level of market demand for its services, the highly competitive market for the types of services offered by the company, the impact of competitive factors on profit margins, market conditions that could cause the Company’s customers to reduce their spending for its services, and the company’s ability to create, acquire and build new lines of business, to attract and retain qualified personnel, reduce costs and conserve cash, and other risks that are described in more detail in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

                       MASTECH HOLDINGS, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (Amounts in thousands)
                             (unaudited)
                                                           June    December
                                                            30,       31,
                                                             2011      2010
                                                             ----      ----
                            ASSETS
    Current assets:
         Cash and cash equivalents                         $5,333    $6,334
         Accounts receivable, net                          11,702     9,721
         Prepaid and other current assets                     564     1,395
         Deferred income taxes                                220       177
                                                              ---       ---
               Total current assets                        17,819    17,627
    Equipment, enterprise software and
     leasehold improvements, net                              187       185
    Goodwill and intangible assets, net                       478       498
    Investment in unconsolidated affiliate                      3         5
    Deferred income taxes                                     115        82
                                                              ---       ---
               Total  assets                              $18,602   $18,397
                                                          =======   =======
             LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
         Accounts payable                                  $2,202    $2,695
         Accrued payroll and related costs                  3,328     3,024
         Deferred revenue and other liabilities               274       330
                                                              ---       ---
               Total current liabilities                    5,804     6,049
               Total liabilities                            5,804     6,049
    Shareholders' equity:
         Common stock, par value $0.01 per share               37        37
         Additional paid-in capital                        10,123     9,962
         Retained earnings                                  2,768     2,349
         Treasury stock, at cost                             (130)        -
                                                             ----       ---
              Total shareholders' equity                   12,798    12,348
                                                           ------    ------
               Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $18,602   $18,397
                                                          =======   =======

                          MASTECH HOLDINGS, INC.
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                (unaudited)
                               Three Months ended         Six Months ended
                                    June 30,                  June 30,
                               ------------------     ----------------
                               2011           2010     2011          2010
                               ----           ----     ----          ----
    Revenues                $22,115        $16,920  $42,016       $32,637
    Cost of revenues         17,677         13,556   33,734        26,198
                             ------         ------   ------        ------
    Gross profit              4,438          3,364    8,282         6,439
    Selling, general and
     administrative           3,817          3,175    7,595         6,137
    Income from operations      621            189      687           302
    Other income/
     (expense), net              (7)            (8)     (14)          (14)
    Income before income
     taxes                      614            181      673           288
    Income tax expense          232             72      254           116
                                ---            ---      ---           ---
    Net income                 $382           $109     $419          $172
                               ====           ====     ====          ====
    Earnings per share:
    Basic                     $0.10          $0.03    $0.11         $0.05
                              =====          =====    =====         =====
    Diluted                   $0.10          $0.03    $0.11         $0.05
                              =====          =====    =====         =====
    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding:
    Basic                     3,673          3,676    3,682         3,655
                              =====          =====    =====         =====
    Diluted                   3,755          3,749    3,777         3,739
                              =====          =====    =====         =====

SOURCE Mastech Holdings, Inc.

Afghanistan’s Healthcare System Improves

(Ivanhoe Newswire) — After a basic package of health services was introduced by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health, the development and performance of Afghanistan’s health care services improved dramatically in many areas between 2004 and 2008, particularly in health service capacity and delivery of care. However, researchers warn of the dangers of security issues for health staff and patients, which is seriously hampering progress, and argue that the likelihood of Afghanistan emerging from its fragile status is far from certain.

A study led by Anbrasi Edward from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, USA, shows thorough implementation of a balanced scorecard system””an integrated tool used to measure and manage the performance of health systems and services use””that over the five year period there was a progressive improvement in national average scores (scored 0-100) in six areas: patient and community satisfaction with services; provider satisfaction; capacity for service provision; quality of services; overall vision for pro-poor and pro-female health services; and financial systems.

In each year of the study, the authors selected a random sample of up to 25 health facilities. At each facility, 5 consultations involving children aged 5 and under, and 5 consultations involving patients older than 5, were observed, resulting in 5000 patient observations, 5000 interviews with patients or their caregivers on discharge, and 1500 health provider interviews over 5 years. The authors used this information to evaluate the key performance indicators in the balanced scorecard. By 2008, all provinces achieved the upper range of national average set in 2004. The authors used this information to evaluate the key performance indicators in the balanced scorecard. By 2008, all provinces achieved the upper range of national average set in 2004.

The authors found that use of the balanced scorecard helped to show the effects of investments, facilitate policy change, and create a more evidence-based decision-making culture in Afghanistan’s primary healthcare system. However, the authors warn that the continuing success of the balanced scorecard in Afghanistan will depend on the ability of this tool to be revised to accommodate changes in health systems policy.

“Emerging from decades of war and continued insecurity, Afghanistan has successfully pioneered the integration of the [balanced scorecard] BSC at the national and provincial levels, to improve the delivery of basic health services,” the authors were quoted as saying. “Despite the promising results so far, the successful execution of the [balanced scorecard] will depend on its adaptive ability and sustained efforts of the [Ministry of Public Health] leadership to accommodate dynamic and complex changes in the health care environment.”

SOURCE: PLoS, published online July 26, 2011

France, US Have Highest Rates Of Depression

People in wealthy nations have higher rates of depression than those living in lower-income countries, according to new study sponsored by the U.N. World Health Organization.

The researchers interviewed more than 89,000 people in 18 countries, and found that 15 percent of those living in high-income countries reported having an episode of depression, compared with 11 percent of those living in low-income nations.

France and the United States had the highest reported depression rates anywhere in the world, with 21 percent of French respondents and 19.2 percent of U.S. respondents reporting extended periods of depression within their lifetimes.

The researchers also assessed the frequency of Major Depressive Episodes (MDEs), in which a person suffers five out of the following nine criteria: sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy and poor concentration.  They found that MDEs were elevated in high-income countries (28 percent compared with 20 percent), and were particularly high (over 30 percent) in France, the Netherlands, and the United States.  The country with the lowest incidence was China, at 12 percent.  However, MDEs were particularly high in India, at nearly 36 percent.

Some aspects of depression were cross-cultural, the study found.  For instance, women were twice as likely to suffer depression as men, and the loss of a partner, whether from death, divorce or separation, was a major contributing factor.

The contribution of age varied from country to country, with age of onset almost two years earlier in low-income countries.

“This is the first study which uses a standardized method to compare depression and MDE across countries and cultures,” said Professor Evelyn Bromet from State University of New York at Stony Brook, one of the study’s leaders.

“We have shown that depression is a significant public-health concern across all regions of the world and is strongly linked to social conditions.”

“Understanding the patterns and causes of depression can help global initiatives in reducing the impact of depression on individual lives and in reducing the burden to society.”

The study was published July 25 in the journal BMC Medicine. 

On the Net:

Single-Dose H1N1 Vaccine Not Reliable Protection For Pediatric Liver-Transplant Patients

Follow-up dose recommended to defend children against pandemic virus outbreak

Researchers from Australia determined that pediatric liver transplant patients who received a single-dose of the H1N1 vaccine were not adequately protected against the virus compared to healthy children. This study appearing in the August issue of Liver Transplantation, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, found that a second vaccination was needed to elicit an effective immune response in children 10 and older who had recently received a liver transplant.

In April 2009 a novel strain of H1N1 influenza virus (swine flu) was identified and its rapid spread led to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a pandemic in June 2009. Epidemiologists quickly determined that children and immunosuppressed patients were particularly susceptible to the virus, with studies finding higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared to seasonal flu. Following positive trial, a single dose of H1N1/09 vaccine was recommended for healthy children (10 and older) and adults. However, medical evidence has shown immunocompromised patients to have lower immune response rates to routine vaccinations.

Given the lack of data pertaining to immune response in liver transplant patients, a research team led by Dr. Wolfram Haller with the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, recruited 21 pediatric patients (aged 10 and older) who underwent liver transplantation at the facility. The observational study was conducted from November 2009 through October 2010. Participants were given a single dose (15ÃŽ¼g) of the H1N1/09 vaccine, with a second dose administered to those children who did not display adequate concentrations of the vaccine to protect against the virus. Blood samples were taken before and >6 weeks following vaccination to measure antibody levels.

Results showed that 62% of subjects produced an adequate increase in antibody titres against the H1N1 virus after the first vaccine dose with the seroconversion rate increasing to 90% with a second follow-up dose. Roughly, 33% of patients had antibodies against the virus (seropositive) at baseline, that is before the vaccination. Out of these, 86% developed antibodies after the initial vaccination. Of the patients without H1N1 antibodies (seronegative) at baseline only half had an immune response after the first vaccination. Researchers determined that increasing time since transplant correlated with successful immune response.

“Our research provides the first evidence of immunogenicity of the H1N1/09 vaccine in pediatric liver transplant patients,” said Dr. Haller. Study results showed that the recommended single dose of the H1N1/09 vaccine for children 10 years of age and older did not provide protection for similar aged children who underwent liver transplantation. “Immune response to the H1N1 vaccine in a non-pandemic situation should be investigated and further research is urgently needed to develop new vaccine strategies that protect high-risk patient groups from the H1N1 influenza,” Haller concluded.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 43 million to 89 million Americans were infected with H1N1 between April 2009 and April 10, 2010, with approximately 14 million to 28 million of those cases in children 17 years of age and younger. On August 10, 2010 the WHO International Health Regulations Emergency Committee officially declared an end to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

On the Net:

Watson Enters into Agreement to Acquire Products Related to Perrigo’s Acquisition of Paddock Laboratories

PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire a portfolio of generic pharmaceutical products that are being divested as a result of the merger between Perrigo Company and Paddock Laboratories. The portfolio consists of six products, including four FDA-approved products and two undisclosed development-stage products. Commercialized products in the portfolio include:

Ciclopirox shampoo 1%
Ammonium Lactate Cream 12%
Ammonium Lactate Lotion 12%
Promethazine HCl Suppositories 12.5 and 25 mg

Perrigo will supply the products to Watson under a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement until manufacturing is transferred to Watson or a third party. Additional details, including financial terms, have not been disclosed.

About Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an integrated global specialty pharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of generic pharmaceuticals and specialized branded pharmaceutical products focused on Urology and Women’s Health. Watson has operations in many of the world’s established and growing international markets.

For press release and other company information, visit Watson Pharmaceuticals’ Web site at http://www.watson.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Watson’s current perspective of existing information as of the date of this release. It is important to note that Watson’s goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from Watson’s current expectations depending upon a number of factors, risks and uncertainties affecting Watson’s business. These factors include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of product development efforts, including FDA and other regulatory agency approvals and actions, if any; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of potential patent litigation concerning the acquired products and potential damages related thereto; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the timing and success of product launches; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the availability and pricing of third party sourced products and materials; successful compliance with FDA and other governmental regulations applicable to Watson and its third party manufacturers’ facilities, products and/or businesses; changes in the laws and regulations, including Medicare and Medicaid, affecting among other things, pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products; and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Watson’s periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Watson’s quarterly report on form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 and Watson’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100121/LA41294LOGO )


    CONTACTS:    Investors:
                 Patty Eisenhaur
                 (862) 261-8141

                 Media:
                 Charlie Mayr
                 (862) 261-8030

SOURCE Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Symmetry Medical to Report Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results on August 4, 2011

WARSAW, Ind., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Symmetry Medical Inc. (NYSE: SMA), a leading independent provider of products to the global orthopaedic device industry and other medical markets, announced today that it will release second quarter 2011 financial results for the period ending July 2, 2011 before the market opens on Thursday, August 4, 2011. Symmetry Medical will host an accompanying conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, August 4, 2011.

A live Web cast of the conference call will be available online from the investor relations page of the Company’s corporate Web site at www.symmetrymedical.com. The dial-in numbers are (866) 825-3209 for domestic callers and (617) 213-8061 for international. The reservation number for both is 36436342. After the live Web cast, the call will remain available on Symmetry Medical’s Web site through November 4, 2011. In addition, a telephonic replay of the call will be available until August 11, 2011. The replay numbers are (888) 286-8010 for domestic callers and (617) 801-6888 for international callers. Please use reservation code 65124571.

About Symmetry Medical Inc.

Symmetry Medical Inc. is a leading independent provider of implants and related instruments and cases to the orthopaedic device industry. The Company also designs, develops and produces these products for companies in other segments of the medical device market, including arthroscopy, dental, laparoscopy, osteobiologic and endoscopy sectors and provides limited specialized products and services to non-healthcare markets, such as the aerospace market.

    Contact:                              Investors:
    Symmetry Medical Inc.                 The Ruth Group
    Fred L. Hite                          Zack Kubow
    Senior Vice President                 (646) 536-7020
    Chief Financial Officer               [email protected]
    (574) 371-2218

SOURCE Symmetry Medical Inc.

Questcor Reports Record Second Quarter Net Sales

ANAHEIM, Calif., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOR) today reported record net sales for its second quarter ended June 30, 2011 of $46.0 million, up 62% compared to $28.3 million for the year ago quarter. Net income for the quarter rose 49% from the same period one year ago to $13.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted share.

A 147% year-over-year increase in the number of paid H.P. Acthar® Gel (Acthar) prescriptions for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbations led to increased shipments of Acthar vials. Paid Acthar prescriptions for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome (NS) also increased sharply in the quarter. In addition, paid Acthar prescriptions for the treatment of infantile spasms (IS) were at the highest quarterly level since the third quarter of 2008.

“Clearly, Questcor had a terrific quarter,” said Don M. Bailey, President and CEO of Questcor. “Our focus on expanding the use of Acthar in the treatment of MS exacerbations drove our record second quarter financial performance. Importantly, in spite of the rapid expansion in the use of Acthar for MS exacerbations, we believe that the prescriber base can continue to grow. Accordingly, growing MS sales remains our number one priority. Also, following our early success in nephrotic syndrome, we are immediately and substantially expanding our nephrology selling effort.”

“To generate data in support of the expanded nephrology selling effort, we recently initiated a company-sponsored Phase IV trial to study Acthar in the treatment of NS associated with idiopathic membranous nephropathy,” continued Mr. Bailey. “And, today, we are announcing our fourth on-label target market for Acthar, systemic lupus erythematosus. We believe that this market has many of the same characteristics as our other three vertical markets for Acthar–MS, NS and IS.”

“In the second quarter, our Specialty Sales Force of 77 representatives continued to achieve increased acceptance of Acthar among neurologists as a second-line therapy for MS exacerbations, resulting in a significant increase in Acthar prescriptions,” commented Steve Cartt, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer. “Furthermore, in March 2011, our separate five-person Nephrology Sales Force began promoting Acthar to nephrologists. Based on the encouraging growth in Acthar prescribing by nephrologists in the second quarter, we are immediately expanding this sales team from 5 to 28 representatives. All sales managers in this expanded Nephrology Sales Force have been hired, and the filling of new sales positions is underway. We expect the entire Nephrology Sales Force to be trained and actively promoting Acthar to nephrologists by the end of the third quarter of 2011.”

“Importantly, the primary focus for the 77 representatives in our Specialty Sales Force will continue to be MS. However, since Acthar is already considered by most child neurologists to be the treatment of choice for IS, we now feel comfortable significantly reducing the number of sales calls to child neurologists. This reduction will make time available for our Specialty Sales Force to also call on some nephrologists. Through the planned sales call activity of our two sales forces, we expect the total number of target nephrologists that we call on to increase from less than 400 currently to over 3,000 by the end of the third quarter,” concluded Mr. Cartt.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Questcor announced today that the Company has identified systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as the fourth on-label disease state that it believes has strong therapeutic and commercial potential. Questcor’s effort to conduct an in-depth exploration of the use of Acthar to treat SLE is underway. Acthar currently has three FDA-approved, on-label indications associated with SLE:

  • First, as with MS, Acthar is indicated for use during exacerbations associated with SLE;
  • Second, unlike in MS, Acthar is also approved as a maintenance therapy in SLE; and
  • Third, Acthar has a kidney related indication for lupus–specifically, for the remission of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome associated with lupus erythematosus.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks the body’s own cells and tissue. This can result in swollen, painful joints, skin rash, extreme fatigue, unexplained fever, kidney damage, central nervous system effects and other symptoms. Lupus can lead to arthritis, kidney damage, heart and lung inflammation, central nervous system abnormalities, inflammation of the blood vessels and blood disorders. The course of the disease is unpredictable and, not unlike MS, is often referred to as having a relapsing-remitting character, with periods of disease exacerbation alternating with periods of disease remission.

Unfortunately, SLE treatment options are limited. Oral steroids, often used chronically and at high doses, are the most commonly employed therapeutic approach. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans have lupus, with SLE accounting for approximately 70% of all cases. Questcor is in the process of estimating the subset of this total patient population likely to be appropriate for possible Acthar use.

Importantly, the Company selected SLE as the next target therapeutic and commercial market for Acthar because of the high unmet need for additional treatments in this disease, the serious and difficult-to-treat nature of SLE, the existence of multiple on-label SLE-related Acthar indications, and the relatively large SLE patient population. In addition, there appear to be distinct parallels between the autoimmune disease processes involved with SLE and the emerging understanding of the multiple mechanisms of action associated with Acthar.

Non-GAAP and GAAP Net Income

Non-GAAP net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 was $15.2 million, or $0.23 per diluted common share. Non-GAAP net income for the year ago quarter was $9.9 million, or $0.15 per diluted common share.

On a GAAP basis, net income for the second quarter of 2011 was $13.9 million or $0.21 per diluted common share, including non-cash expenses totaling $1.3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. Net income for the second quarter of 2010 was $9.3 million, or $0.14 per diluted common share.

The Company believes it is important to share these non-GAAP financial measures with shareholders as they may better represent the ongoing economics of the business and reflect how we manage the business. Accordingly, management believes investors’ understanding of the Company’s financial performance is enhanced as a result of our disclosing these non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP net income should not be viewed in isolation, or as a substitute for, or as superior to, reported GAAP net income. The reconciliation between GAAP and Non-GAAP net income is provided with the financial tables included with this release.

Prescription Trend Information for MS, IS and NS

During the second quarter of 2011, Questcor shipped 2,430 vials of Acthar, up 45% compared to 1,680 vials in the year ago quarter, and up 21% compared to 2,010 vials in the first quarter of 2011. The Company’s quarterly vial shipments continue to be subject to significant variation due to the size and timing of individual orders from Questcor’s distributor, and the timing of these orders can significantly affect net sales and net income in any particular quarter. For this reason, as well as other factors causing quarter-to-quarter variability in Questcor’s operating results, the Company believes that investors should consider the Company’s results over several quarters when analyzing the Company’s performance.

Because Acthar prescriptions are filled at specialty pharmacies, the Company does not receive complete information regarding either the number of prescriptions or the number of vials by therapeutic area for all of the patients being treated with Acthar. However, Questcor is able to monitor trends in payer mix and areas of therapeutic use for new Acthar prescriptions based on data it receives from its reimbursement support center. Questcor estimates that over 90% of new Acthar prescriptions are processed by this support center, but believes that very few refill prescriptions are processed there.

In an effort to help investors better understand historical trends in sales of Acthar for each of its current three key therapeutic uses, acute exacerbations of MS, NS, and IS, Questcor has grouped new prescriptions processed by its reimbursement center into two groups — “Paid” and “Fully Rebated.” “Paid” prescriptions include those prescriptions for which Questcor retains the full selling price for Acthar, as well as Tricare prescriptions that receive a 24% rebate. “Fully Rebated” prescriptions are those for which Questcor can identify that it has recorded a rebate liability approximately equal to or, for periods prior to the second quarter of 2010, greater than the price charged to its distributor. From time to time during the past two years, the rebate liability for some government insurance programs has shifted between these two categories. Therefore, the prescriptions that fall into the “Paid” and “Fully Rebated” categories have also shifted over time as follows:

“Paid” prescriptions (Rxs) include all prescriptions in the following payer categories:

  • Commercial–For all time periods.
  • Tricare–For 2008, 2010 and 2011, but not 2009.
  • Medicaid Managed Care–For all time periods through March 22, 2010 (see Note 1 below the tables).

“Fully Rebated” prescriptions (Rxs) include:

  • Those reimbursed by fee-for-service Medicaid insurance and other state programs eligible for full rebates as Medicaid Waivers Programs for all time periods.
  • Tricare–For 2009.
  • Medicaid Managed Care–For all time periods beginning March 23, 2010 (see Note 1 below the tables).

The following tables show, for each of the three key Acthar therapeutic uses, the number of new prescriptions shipped grouped into “Paid” and “Fully Rebated”:

    Multiple Sclerosis (and related conditions) New Rxs
                                          Sequential
                                 Year-        Growth
                                 Over-       in Paid      Fully
                      Paid        Year            Rx    Rebated    Total
                             Growth in
                      ----     Paid Rx   -----------   --------    -----
                              ---------
    2008
    ----
    Q1-08               24                                    5       29
    -----              ---                                  ---      ---
    Q2-08               35                        46%         1       36
    -----              ---                       ---        ---      ---
    Q3-08               51                        46%         5       56
    -----              ---                       ---        ---      ---
    Q4-08               69                        35%         4       73
    -----              ---                       ---        ---      ---
        Total 2008     179                                   15      194
        ----------     ---                                  ---      ---
    2009
    ----
        Q1-09           78         225%           13%         8       86
        -----          ---         ---           ---        ---      ---
        Q2-09          124         254%           59%        17      141
        -----          ---         ---           ---        ---      ---
        Q3-09          141         176%           14%        20      161
        -----          ---         ---           ---        ---      ---
        Q4-09          213         209%           51%        15      228
        -----          ---         ---           ---        ---      ---
        Total 2009     556         211%                      60      616
        ----------     ---         ---                      ---      ---
    2010
    ----
        Q1-10          231         196%            8%        12      243
        -----          ---         ---           ---        ---      ---
        Q2-10          304         145%           32%        24      328
        -----          ---         ---           ---        ---      ---
        Q3-10          323         129%            6%        19      342
        -----          ---         ---           ---        ---      ---
        Q4-10          354          66%           10%        24      378
        -----          ---         ---           ---        ---      ---
        Total 2010   1,212         118%                      79    1,291
        ----------   -----         ---                      ---    -----
    2011
    ----
        Q1-11          508         120%           44%        49      557
        -----          ---         ---           ---        ---      ---
        Q2-11          751         147%           48%        58      809
        -----          ---         ---           ---        ---      ---
    1/1 to 6/30
     2011            1,259         135%                     107    1,366
    -----------      -----         ---                      ---    -----


    Nephrotic Syndrome (and related conditions) New Rxs
                         Paid   Fully Rebated           Total
    2010
        Q1-10              11               0              11
        Q2-10               4               1               5
        Q3-10               8               0               8
        Q4-10               7               0               7
        Total 2010         30               1              31
    2011
        Q1-11              18               1              19
        Q2-11              45               4              49
        -----             ---             ---             ---
    1/1 to 6/30 2011       63               5              68
    ----------------      ---             ---             ---


    Infantile Spasms (and related conditions) New Rxs
                          Paid   Fully Rebated           Total
    2009
        Q1-09              104              75             179
        Q2-09               91              68             159
        Q3-09               60              58             118
        Q4-09               94              45             139
        Total 2009         349             246             595
    2010
        Q1-10               89              48             137
        Q2-10               95              66             161
        Q3-10               92              78             170
        Q4-10               91              68             159
        Total 2010         367             260             627
    2011
        Q1-11               89              71             160
        Q2-11              106              79             185
        -----              ---             ---             ---
    1/1 to 6/30 2011       195             150             345
    ----------------       ---             ---             ---


Notes:

(1) Because the March 2010 health care legislation made Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) prescriptions rebate eligible effective March 23, 2010, a rebate liability for the MCO prescriptions estimated to be filled on or after March 23, 2010 has been accrued. The Company does not have the ability to accurately identify every Medicaid Managed Care prescription so it is possible that some prescriptions identified as “Paid” in the tables may subsequently be reclassified as “Fully Rebated.”

(2) “Related Conditions” includes diagnoses that are either alternative descriptions of the medical condition or are closely related to the medical condition which is the focus of the table. For example, a prescription for “demyelinating disease of the central nervous system” would be included as an MS-related condition for purpose of this table. About 5% of the prescriptions in the tables are for related conditions.

(3) A new prescription may or may not represent a new patient or a new therapy for the patient receiving the prescription. Questcor uses business rules to determine whether a prescription should be classified as new for inclusion in this table. From time to time the Company may modify these rules which could cause some changes to the historic numbers in the tables above.

(4) Historical trend information is not necessarily indicative of future results. Additionally, paid prescriptions should not be viewed as predictive of Questcor’s net sales due to a variety of factors, including changes in the number of vials used in connection with each prescription.

Cash and Share Repurchase Program

As of July 15, 2011, Questcor’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $144 million.

The Company did not repurchase any shares during the second quarter. As of June 30, 2011, Questcor had 62.3 million shares of common stock outstanding, with 4.3 million shares remaining under its common stock repurchase program.

Sales Reserves

Questcor’s sales reserves during the quarter ended June 30, 2011, including the Company’s reserves for Medicaid rebates, represented 23.5% of Gross Sales of $60.1 million.

As required by federal regulations, Questcor provides rebates to state Medicaid programs for Acthar dispensed to Medicaid patients covered under Medicaid rebate-eligible insurance plans. Since the Company does not receive rebate claims from the various state Medicaid agencies until well after the close of the quarter in which the underlying sales took place, the Company establishes reserves for expected rebate claims on a quarterly basis. As a result of the adoption of health care reform, for periods after March 23, 2010, the Company has also included in this reserve an estimate for the liability due to states related to prescriptions of Acthar for patients covered under state Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (Medicaid MCO), which prescriptions were not previously rebate eligible.

Conference Call Details

The Company will host a conference call and slide presentation via webcast today, July 26, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. ET/ 1:30 p.m. PT, to discuss second quarter 2011 results. Don Bailey, President and Chief Executive Officer, and other members of the management team will host the call.

To participate in the live call by telephone, please dial 877-941-8609 for domestic participants and 480-629-9818 for international participants. Participants are asked to call the above numbers 5-10 minutes prior to the starting time. A real-time listen-only webcast of the conference call including the presentation slides will be accessible at www.questcor.com, in the “Investor Relations” section under “Events & Presentations.” If listening via telephone, to view the accompanying presentation slides, navigate to the live webcast as noted above and choose the “No Audio – Slides Only” option to view the slides in conjunction with the live conference call. Listeners should go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the live conference call to install any necessary audio software.

An audio replay of the call will be available for 7 days following the call. This replay can be accessed by dialing 800-406-7325 for domestic callers and 303-590-3030 for international callers, both using passcode 4455547#. An archived webcast will also be available at www.questcor.com.

About Questcor

Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company whose primary product helps patients with serious, difficult-to-treat medical conditions. Questcor’s primary product is H.P. Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection), an injectable drug that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of 19 indications. Of these 19 indications, Questcor currently generates substantially all of its net sales from three indications: the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis in adults, the treatment of nephrotic syndrome, and the treatment of infantile spasms in children under two years of age. With respect to nephrotic syndrome, the FDA has approved Acthar to “induce a diuresis or a remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome without uremia of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus.” Questcor is also exploring the use of Acthar to treat systemic lupus erythematosus, for which Acthar is approved as both a maintenance therapy and to treat exacerbations. Questcor is also exploring the possibility of developing markets for other on-label indications and the possibility of pursuing FDA approval of additional indications not currently on the Acthar label where there is high unmet medical need. For more information, please visit www.questcor.com.

Note: Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that have been made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “believes,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “growth,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “should,” “substantial” or “will” or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Our reliance on Acthar for substantially all of our net sales and profits;
  • Reductions in vials used per prescription resulting from changes in treatment regimens by physicians or patient compliance with physician recommendations;
  • The complex nature of our manufacturing process and the potential for supply disruptions or other business disruptions;
  • The lack of patent protection for Acthar; and the possible FDA approval and market introduction of competitive products;
  • Our ability to generate revenue from sales of Acthar to treat on-label indications associated with NS, and our ability to develop other therapeutic uses for Acthar including SLE;
  • Research and development risks, including risks associated with Questcor’s work in the area of nephrotic syndrome and potential work in the area of SLE, and our reliance on third-parties to conduct research and development and the ability of research and development to generate successful results;
  • Regulatory changes or other policy actions by governmental authorities and other third parties in connection with U.S. health care reform or efforts to reduce federal and state government deficits;
  • Our ability to receive high reimbursement levels from third party payers;
  • An increase in the proportion of our Acthar unit sales comprised of Medicaid-eligible patients and government entities;
  • Our ability to estimate reserves required for Acthar used by government entities and Medicaid-eligible patients and the impact that unforeseen invoicing of historical Medicaid prescriptions may have upon our results;
  • Our ability to operate within an industry that is highly regulated at both the Federal and state level;
  • Our ability to effectively manage our growth, including the expansion of our NS selling effort, and our reliance on key personnel;
  • The impact to our business caused by economic conditions;
  • Our ability to protect our proprietary rights;
  • Our ability to maintain effective controls over financial reporting;
  • The risk of product liability lawsuits;
  • Unforeseen business interruptions;
  • Volatility in Questcor’s monthly and quarterly Acthar shipments and end-user demand, as well as volatility in our stock price; and
  • Other risks discussed in Questcor’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The risk factors and other information contained in these documents should be considered in evaluating Questcor’s prospects and future financial performance.

Questcor undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

For more information, please visit www.questcor.com or www.acthar.com.

                              Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
                             Consolidated Statements of Income
                         (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                               Three Months
                                                                   Ended
                                                                June 30,
                                                                --------


                                                              2011      2010
                                                                --        --


    Revenue
    -------
        Net sales                                          $45,980   $28,316
             Cost of sales (exclusive of amortization of
              purchased technology)                          2,856     2,000
                                                             -----     -----

        Gross profit                                        43,124    26,316
        Operating expenses:
                  Selling and marketing                     14,746     6,028
                  General and administrative                 3,791     2,943
                  Research and development                   3,891     2,943
                  Depreciation and amortization                273       130
                  Impairment of goodwill                         -         -
                                                                 -         -

                    Total operating expenses                22,701    12,044
                                                              ----      ----

    Income from operations                                  20,423    14,272
    Interest and other income, net                             120       119
                                                                 -         -

    Income before income taxes                              20,543    14,391
    Income tax expense                                       6,669     5,109
                                                               ---       ---

    Net income                                             $13,874    $9,282
                                                           =======    ======

    Net income per share:
            Basic                                            $0.22     $0.15
                                                             =====     =====

            Diluted                                          $0.21     $0.14
                                                             =====     =====

    Shares used in computing net income per share:
            Basic                                           62,034    62,022
                                                              ====      ====

            Diluted                                         65,464    64,543
                                                              ====      ====

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Financial
     Disclosure
    ---------------------------------------------
    Adjusted net income applicable to common
     shareholders                                          $15,216    $9,933
    Share-based compensation expense                        (1,158)     (567)
    Depreciation and amortization expense                     (184)      (84)
    Impairment of goodwill                                       -         -
                                                                 -         -
    Net income applicable to common shareholders -
     GAAP                                                  $13,874    $9,282
                                                           =======    ======

    Adjusted net income per share applicable to
     common shareholders -basic                              $0.25     $0.16
    Share-based compensation expense                         (0.02)    (0.01)
    Depreciation and amortization expense                    (0.00)    (0.00)
    Impairment of goodwill                                   (0.00)    (0.00)
                                                             -----     -----
    Net income per share applicable to common
     shareholders - basic                                    $0.22     $0.15
                                                             =====     =====

    Adjusted net income per share applicable to
     common shareholders - diluted                           $0.23     $0.15
    Share-based compensation expense                         (0.02)    (0.01)
    Depreciation and amortization expense                    (0.00)    (0.00)
    Impairment of goodwill                                   (0.00)    (0.00)
                                                             -----     -----
    Net income per share applicable to common
     shareholders - diluted                                  $0.21     $0.14
                                                             =====     =====


                                                          Six Months Ended
                                                             June 30,
                                                             --------


                                                            2011       2010
                                                              --         --


    Revenue
    -------
        Net sales                                        $82,813    $54,560
             Cost of sales (exclusive of amortization of
              purchased technology)                        4,728      3,998
                                                           -----      -----

        Gross profit                                      78,085     50,562
        Operating expenses:
                  Selling and marketing                   25,998     12,678
                  General and administrative               7,663      5,669
                  Research and development                 6,872      5,690
                  Depreciation and amortization              471        255
                  Impairment of goodwill                     299          -
                                                               -          -

                    Total operating expenses              41,303     24,292
                                                            ----       ----

    Income from operations                                36,782     26,270
    Interest and other income, net                           384        215
                                                               -          -

    Income before income taxes                            37,166     26,485
    Income tax expense                                    12,068      9,351
                                                            ----        ---

    Net income                                           $25,098    $17,134
                                                         =======    =======

    Net income per share:
            Basic                                          $0.40      $0.28
                                                           =====      =====

            Diluted                                        $0.38      $0.27
                                                           =====      =====

    Shares used in computing net income per share:
            Basic                                         62,126     61,957
                                                            ====       ====

            Diluted                                       65,483     64,057
                                                            ====       ====

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Financial
     Disclosure
    ---------------------------------------------
    Adjusted net income applicable to common
     shareholders                                        $27,999    $18,533
    Share-based compensation expense                      (2,381)    (1,234)
    Depreciation and amortization expense                   (318)      (165)
    Impairment of goodwill                                  (202)         -
                                                            ----          -
    Net income applicable to common shareholders -
     GAAP                                                $25,098    $17,134
                                                         =======    =======

    Adjusted net income per share applicable to
     common shareholders -basic                            $0.45      $0.30
    Share-based compensation expense                       (0.04)     (0.02)
    Depreciation and amortization expense                  (0.01)     (0.00)
    Impairment of goodwill                                 (0.00)     (0.00)
                                                           -----      -----
    Net income per share applicable to common
     shareholders - basic                                  $0.40      $0.28
                                                           =====      =====

    Adjusted net income per share applicable to
     common shareholders - diluted                         $0.43      $0.29
    Share-based compensation expense                       (0.04)     (0.02)
    Depreciation and amortization expense                  (0.00)     (0.00)
    Impairment of goodwill                                 (0.00)     (0.00)
                                                           -----      -----
    Net income per share applicable to common
     shareholders - diluted                                $0.38      $0.27
                                                           =====      =====

Net income per share applicable to common shareholders – basic and diluted may not foot due to rounding.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Our “non-GAAP adjusted net income” excludes the following items from GAAP net income:

  1. Share-based compensation expense.
  2. Depreciation and amortization expense
  3. Impairment of goodwill related to the write-off of goodwill associated with an acquisition transaction completed in 1999.

                              Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
                               Consolidated Balance Sheets
                           (In thousands, except share amounts)

                                                       June 30, December 31,
                                                             2011        2010
                                                             ----        ----


                            ASSETS
    Current assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents                         $65,277     $41,508
        Short-term investments                             63,849      73,324
                                                             ----        ----

            Total cash, cash equivalents and short-
             term investments                             129,126     114,832
        Accounts receivable, net of allowances of
         $22 and $25 at June 30, 2011 and December
         31, 2010, respectively                            23,714      11,128
        Inventories, net of allowances of $160 and
         $158 at June 30, 2011 and December 31,
         2010, respectively                                 3,998       3,726
        Prepaid income taxes                                4,532       3,532
        Prepaid expenses and other current assets           1,492       1,864
        Deferred tax assets                                 8,237       8,417
                                                              ---         ---

            Total current assets                          171,099     143,499
    Property and equipment, net                             1,930         872
    Purchased technology, net                               2,927       3,074
    Goodwill                                                    -         299
    Deposits and other assets                                  59          65
    Deferred tax assets                                     4,184       4,184
                                                              ---         ---

            Total assets                                 $180,199    $151,993
                                                         ========    ========

             LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
        Accounts payable                                   $2,780      $3,869
        Accrued compensation                                5,270       4,158
        Sales-related reserves                             27,066      21,511
        Other accrued liabilities                           1,586       1,973
                                                              ---         ---

            Total current liabilities                      36,702      31,511
    Lease termination, deferred rent and other
     non-current liabilities                                  192         355
                                                              ---         ---

            Total liabilities                              36,894      31,866
                                                             ----        ----


    Shareholders' equity:
        Preferred stock, no par value, 7,500,000
         shares authorized; none outstanding                    -           -
        Common stock, no par value, 105,000,000
         shares authorized, 62,317,624 and
         62,418,464 shares issued and outstanding
         at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010,
         respectively                                      72,887      74,809
        Retained earnings                                  70,393      45,295
        Accumulated other comprehensive income                 25          23
                                                                -           -

            Total shareholders' equity                    143,305     120,127
                                                            -----       -----

            Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $180,199    $151,993
                                                         ========    ========



          Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                  (In thousands)

                                                        Six Months
                                                           Ended
                                                        June 30,
                                                        --------


                                                       2011       2010
                                                         --         --


    OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    Net income                                      $25,098    $17,134
    Adjustments to reconcile net
     income to net cash provided
     by operating activities:
            Share-based compensation
             expense                                  3,528      1,908
            Deferred income taxes                       180         41
            Amortization of investments                 376        329
            Depreciation and amortization               471        255
            Impairment of goodwill                      299          -
            Loss on disposal of property
             and equipment                               11          -
            Changes in operating assets
             and liabilities:
                Accounts receivable                 (12,586)     2,904
                Inventories                            (272)        70
                Prepaid income taxes                 (1,000)         -
                Prepaid expenses and other
                 current assets                         372         (4)
                Accounts payable                     (1,089)    (9,448)
                Accrued compensation                  1,112        665
                Sales-related reserves                5,555      2,237
                Income taxes payable                      -        590
                Other accrued liabilities              (387)      (265)
                Other non-current
                 liabilities                           (163)      (171)
                                                       ----       ----

                    Net cash flows provided by
                     operating activities            21,505     16,245
                                                     ------     ------


    INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    Purchase of property and
     equipment                                       (1,393)      (208)
    Purchase of short-term
     investments                                    (53,859)   (54,065)
    Proceeds from maturities of
     short-term investments                          62,960     14,880
    Deposits and other assets                             6          -
                                                          -          -

                    Net cash flows provided by /
                     (used in) investing
                     activities                       7,714    (39,393)
                                                      -----    -------


    FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    Income tax benefit realized
     from share-based
     compensation plans                               3,735        320
    Issuance of common stock, net                     2,268        823
    Repurchase of common stock                      (11,453)         -
                                                    -------          -

                    Net cash flows (used in) /
                     provided by financing
                     activities                      (5,450)     1,143
                                                     ------      -----

    Increase (decrease) in cash
     and cash equivalents                            23,769    (22,005)
    Cash and cash equivalents at
     beginning of period                             41,508     45,829
                                                     ------     ------

    Cash and cash equivalents at
     end of period                                  $65,277    $23,824
                                                    =======    =======


        Supplemental Disclosures of
         Cash Flow Information:
        Cash paid for interest                           $7         $2
                                                        ===        ===

        Cash paid for income taxes                   $3,120     $8,400
                                                     ======     ======



SOURCE Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Mission-Driven Bond Portfolio Invests Over $10 Million to Finance Programs that Improve the Lives of Vulnerable Children and Families

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — On behalf of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s mission-driven investment portfolio, Community Capital Management today announced it has invested over $10 million in vital community development initiatives. This includes its most recent investment, a Build America Bond financing the University of New Mexico’s Sandoval Regional Medical Center which will be a new 200,000 square foot, 68 public bed, not-for-profit, state-of-the-art community teaching hospital. Construction of the new hospital will provide much needed access to health care for the residents of Sandoval County and surrounding areas that are currently underserved in health care services.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090915/FL72153LOGO )

The community teaching hospital will serve as a training ground for medical professionals, including those in nursing studies at the nearby University of New Mexico West and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) campuses. In fact, students who graduate from CNM with a two-year degree gain automatic acceptance into the University. This is particularly important for the county’s Native American residents who look to a career in medical services.

In 2007, the Foundation earmarked $75 million of its total investment portfolio toward mission-driven investing in the United States. The portfolio strategically aligns its investments to advance the Foundation’s mission of supporting children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. The Foundation concentrates the majority of its place-based work in three priority states in the country: Michigan, Mississippi and New Mexico.

In 2009, the Foundation engaged Community Capital Management to create a portfolio of high credit quality, fixed income securities that would finance initiatives to further its mission in its targeted geographies. Other securities purchased to date on behalf of the Foundation finance mission-driven initiatives that support education, literacy, healthy foods and communities, sustainability, and affordable housing. For example, one Small Business Administration loan finances a restaurant in Milwaukee that uses eggs and milk from local farms employing organic farming techniques to ensure that the food produced is wholesome, nutritious and without any added antibiotics and synthetic chemicals.

“Just as the Foundation awards grants to advance its mission of helping vulnerable children, our mission-driven investing portfolio uses investments to reinforce that same goal,” said Tony Berkley, director of mission-driven investments at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. “Our mission-driven investments are rigorously screened for their financial and social impact to ensure they meet our mission while earning a competitive financial return.”

“As a leader in the mission-driven investing space, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is laying the groundwork for foundations of all sizes to take part in this critical work by dedicating not only their grant dollars but also their endowments toward mission-driven causes,” said Barbara VanScoy, senior portfolio manager at Community Capital Management. “Projects in the Foundation’s portfolio, like the New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center, are critical in helping to improve opportunities for children, families and communities.”

About Community Capital Management

Community Capital Management, Inc. is a Fort Lauderdale-based SEC-registered investment advisor that manages fixed income, impact investing portfolio. The firm was founded in 1998 by Barbara VanScoy and Todd Cohen and its primary goal is to provide above-average, risk-adjusted returns while providing added diversification and simultaneously having a positive impact on the community and the environment. Community Capital Management manages over $1 billion in assets and offers investors its investment strategy via a separate account or a mutual fund. For additional information, please contact Jamie Horwitz at 877.272.1977 or visit www.ccmfixedincome.com.

Community Capital Management, Inc. is a Florida-based investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Bond and bond funds are subject to interest rate risk and will decline in value as interest rates rise. Current and future holdings are subject to risk. The securities identified and described are current holdings and are for illustrative purposes and their selection was based upon non-performance criteria, such as the security’s social and/or environmental attributes. The securities identified and described do not represent all of the securities purchased, sold or recommended for client accounts. The reader should not assume that an investment in the security identified was or will be profitable. The information provided herein represents the views and opinions of the individual(s) interviewed and are not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice.

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Established in 1930, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. Grants are concentrated in the United States, southern Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Foundation’s mission-driven investing program is designed to help maximize the Foundation’s efforts to realize its mission. The approach goes beyond traditional grantmaking efforts to invest endowment dollars in enterprises that both realize market rates of return and improve the lives of vulnerable children. For further information, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.wkkf.org and its mission-driven investing website at http://mdi.wkkf.org.

SOURCE Community Capital Management

High-Throughput Screen Finds Compounds That Regulate Cancer Cell Invasion

Study uncovers several compounds that inhibit cancer cell invasion, but also reveals that cancer drug paclitaxel does the opposite””it promotes cancer metastasis.

Metastasis””the spread of cancer from the place where it first started to another place in the body””is the most common reason that cancer treatments fail. To metastasize, some types of cancer cells rely on invadopodia, cellular membrane projections that act like feet, helping them “walk” away from the primary tumor and invade surrounding tissues. To determine how cells control invadopodia formation, scientists at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) screened a collection of pharmacologically active compounds to identify those that either promote or inhibit the process. The study, led by Sara Courtneidge, Ph.D. and postdoctoral researcher Manuela Quintavalle, Ph.D. in collaboration with scientists in Sanford-Burnham’s Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics (Prebys Center), revealed compounds that inhibit invadopodia formation without causing toxicity. The search also turned up several other compounds that increased the number of invadopodia.

Two major findings came out of this research. First, several of the newly identified invadopodia inhibitors targeted a family of enzymes called cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), revealing a previously unrecognized role for Cdks in invadopodia formation. Secondly, one of the pro-invadopodia compounds was the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel””a finding that might have implications for the drug’s current use in treating cancer. These findings will appear online July 26 in Science Signaling.

“Previous studies by our group and others have demonstrated that we might be able to target invadopodia to prevent cancer cell invasiveness,” said Dr. Courtneidge, professor and director of the Tumor Microenvironment Program in Sanford-Burnham’s NCI-Designated Cancer Center. “In this study, we established a cell-based screening assay to help us identify regulators of invadopodia formation.”

Dr. Courtneidge’s group has been studying invadopodia for a number of years with the goal of unraveling how they regulate tumor cell invasion. Sanford-Burnham’s Prebys Center provided them with expertise in chemical genomics, the robotic technology necessary to rapidly and reproducibly screen more than 1,000 compounds with known pharmacological activity in cell-based assays, and automated microscopy capable of detecting and measuring invadopodia formation.

This screening study identified several compounds that block invadopodia, and therefore cancer cell invasion. The team was surprised to find that many of these compounds targeted Cdks, a family of enzymes that were not previously associated with invadopodia. In follow-up experiments, the researchers demonstrated that one of these enzymes, Cdk5, is required for the formation and function of invadopodia and for cellular invasion, important steps in cancer metastasis. Cdk5 is highly expressed in neurons, where it’s involved in neuronal migration and outgrowth, but this is the first time the enzyme has been implicated in invadopodia formation.

Taking the study a step further, Drs. Courtneidge and Quintavalle and the team also worked out how Cdk5 promotes invadopodia formation. Cdk5’s action leads to the degradation of another protein called caldesmon. Caldesmon was previously shown to negatively regulate invadopodia, so Cdk5 essentially removes that brake. That’s why the Cdk inhibitors identified in the screening study also inhibited invadopodia.

Another pharmacologically active compound shown by the screen to regulate invadopodia was paclitaxel, a drug currently used to treat patients with many forms of cancer. Paclitaxel’s anti-tumor activity is based on its ability to bind and stabilize microtubules, one component of the cellular cytoskeleton, thereby halting cell division and inducing cellular suicide. In this study, paclitaxel promoted invadopodia formation and cancer cell invasion. This makes sense because invadopodia formation also depends on microtubules, which are stabilized by paclitaxel. These results raise the concern that continued treatment with paclitaxel might be counterproductive in cancer patients who aren’t responding well to the drug or in cases where the tumor has not yet been removed. Moreover, paclitaxel could actually provoke cancer metastasis in these patients.

“Although our results suggest paclitaxel might increase metastasis, we also observed that the drug did not promote invasive behavior in cells treated with an invadopodia inhibitor,” said Dr. Courtneidge. “This defines a potential clinical path for testing inhibitors in the context of paclitaxel treatment. In other words, a patient could still benefit from paclitaxel’s cancer cell-killing effect if physicians also have the ability to add a therapeutic invadopodia inhibitor when resistance develops.”

This study provides the proof-of-concept that the identification of invadopodia regulators might also lead to new strategies for controlling metastatic cancer growth.

This research was funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Co-authors of this study include Jeffrey H. Price and Susanne Heynen-Genel, also from Sanford-Burnham, and Leonardo Elia from the University of California, San Diego. For more information about Sanford-Burnham research, visit our blog at http://beaker.sanfordburnham.org.

On the Net:

D3 Oncology Solutions Launches SABRE(TM) Program for Accelerating SRS/SBRT Implementations

PITTSBURGH, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — D3 Oncology Solutions today announced that it will begin offering a comprehensive product to radiation oncologists and surgeons to rapidly but safely implement a successful SRS/SBRT program. The product is called SABRE(TM) based on the more accurate description of SBRT as stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR). D3’s SABRE(TM) program brings together essential components of a successful implementation of radiosurgery, including clinical training for surgeons and radiation oncology teams, accurate small-field dosimetry, peer-to-peer consultations, go-live support, reimbursement guidance, follow-up reviews of quality assurance and claims accuracy with the experience of one of the nation’s most experienced clinical and technical teams.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110726/NE41665LOGO )

Despite the published patient benefits of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), many cancer programs across the United States have not yet implemented this service line, even though most modern linear accelerators have capabilities to deliver radiosurgery. “Engagement of surgeons in SRS/SBRT delivery is critical to program success but availability of training and certification is often limited. Additionally, the targeted nature of SRS/SBRT can be daunting for many physicians, especially in light of recent high-profile errors that resulted in patient injuries,” said Ron LaLonde, Ph.D.,D.A.B.R., chief scientific officer for D3 Oncology Solutions.

Building on its existing core capabilities in clinical training, commissioning, advanced treatment planning and clinical pathways, D3 is collaborating with the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), UPMC Cancer Centers and Revenue Cycle Inc. to provide best practices and peer-to-peer support for cancer centers and surgeons.

“Our success with SRS/SBRT at UPMC Cancer Centers has been centered around the close collaboration between surgeons and radiation oncologists in the patient identification and care delivery process, providing options to patients who were not otherwise candidates for other treatment strategies,” added Dwight Heron, M.D., professor of radiation oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and vice chairman of radiation oncology at UPCI. “SABRE(TM) brings together the necessary knowledge and precise tools essential to replicate UPMC’s SRS/SBRT success for cancer programs in other markets.”

Finally, as part of a broader strategic collaboration, D3 Oncology Solutions has partnered with Revenue Cycle Inc., a recognized leader in radiation and medical oncology consulting, to bring critical programs for billing and coding training, claims accuracy review, verification of payment coverage by the top payors in each market and ongoing support for an extended period. “We’re very excited to be able to leverage the success of both D3 and Revenue Cycle to help cancer programs ensure that the launch of SRS/SBRT will be clinically and economically robust,” said Ron DiGiaimo, CEO of Revenue Cycle.

About D3 Oncology Solutions

The mission of D3 Oncology Solutions is to develop and deliver leading edge solutions that accelerate the quality, safety, efficiency and outcomes of cancer patients’ care at radiation and medical oncology centers around the world.

With unmatched expertise for more than a decade, D3 has assisted hundreds of cancer centers in the United States and internationally. D3’s solutions are guided by close collaboration with leading radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and medical physicists at UPMC Cancer Centers and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

From flexible options for linear accelerator commissioning, clinical training and radiation treatment planning to tools and programs that support clinical quality such as Via Oncology Pathways, D3’s suite of solutions accelerates excellence in the delivery of cancer care.

D3 is an affiliate of UPMC, an integrated global health enterprise headquartered in Pittsburgh and one of the leading health systems in the United States. For more information, visit www.d3onc.com or call (412) 365-0710.

About Revenue Cycle Inc.

Revenue Cycle Inc. is a medical and radiation oncology consulting resource for the oncology industry. Our consultants and affiliated companies provide comprehensive services to healthcare providers including consulting, auditing, training, billing and coding, electronic medical record compliance, corporate vendor relations, cancer center development and practice management. We can help identify practical ways to streamline financial record-keeping, cut operational costs, maintain compliance with federal regulations, and improve profitability. For more information about Revenue Cycle Inc. and its affiliated companies, please visit our website at www.revenuecycleinc.com or call us at 512.583.2000.

SOURCE D3 Oncology Solutions

Researchers Claim Interrupted Sleep Affects Memory

A new study by researchers at Stanford University, using a technique that manipulates light to control brain cells, has shown that broken sleep causes memory impairment in mice.

Until recently scientists have been unable to separate the effects on the brain of different sleep patterns. But in the newest study, they were able to overcome that problem using the new method, known as optogenetics.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the study could help explain memory problems linked to conditions including Alzheimer’s and sleep apnea.

The new study looked at sleep that was fragmented, but not shorter or less intense than normal for the mice. They targeted a type of brain cell that plays a vital role in switching between the states of being asleep and being awake.

Once they had targeted the proper brain cells, the team of researchers sent pulses of light directly into the brains of mice while they slept. This meant they could disrupt their sleep without affecting total sleep time or the equality of composition of sleep.

They then placed the mice in a box with two objects, one of which they had encountered before. Mice would naturally spend more time examining the newer object, and those who had been allowed uninterrupted sleep did just that.

However, the mice with sleep disruptions were equally interested in both objects, suggesting their memories had been affected.

The study shows that “regardless of the total amount of sleep, a minimal unit of uninterrupted sleep is crucial for memory consolidation,” the authors wrote.

Study co-leaders Luis de Lecea, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and H. Craig Heller, PhD, professor of biology, said: “Sleep continuity is one of the main factors affected in various pathological conditions that impact memory, including Alzheimer’s and other age-related cognitive deficits.”

Experts have long conjectured that sleep is important for memory, but this has been a difficult area to study in the past, mainly because of the sleep-deprivation techniques used in research. Gentle handling is one way to keep animal subjects from sleeping but, as de Lecea explained, “Rodents are very sensitive to physical awakenings. If you wake an animal up it’s going to be up for awhile, and it will experience stress.” And stress itself can affect memory.

The researchers noted that fragmented sleep is also attributed to people who abuse alcohol and those with sleep apnea. But the researchers added there was no evidence of a causal link between sleep disruption and any of these conditions.

“We conclude that regardless of the total amount of sleep or sleep intensity, a minimal unit of uninterrupted sleep is crucial for memory consolidation,” the team added.

The challenge for the researchers was this: “How could they fragment sleep into shorter episodes without affecting sleep intensity or duration and without invoking a stress response, so they could see its effects on memory?”

Knowing that traditional methods of sleep deprivation wouldn’t allow them to do what they needed, the team turned to optogenetics.

De Lecea said the technique represented “a very fine, very subtle way of sleep fragmentation.”

The findings “point to a specific characteristic of sleep “” continuity “” as being critical for memory,” explained Heller.

While the study did not reach any conclusions about the amount of sleep needed to avoid memory impairment in humans, it did suggest that memory difficulties in people with apnea and other sleep disorders are likely connected to compromised continuity of sleep caused by such conditions.

Asya Rolls, PhD, one of the study’s authors, noted that this was just the “first step in looking at one aspect of sleep,” and she and her colleagues plan to further their research into sleep mechanisms used to preserve memory. The team expects other research groups to use optogenetics in animals to manipulate and study different features of sleep.

The researchers also noted that optogenetics cannot be used in humans at this time as it requires still-experimental genetic modifications to brain cells.

Sleep expert Dr. Neil Stanley, a former chairman of the British Sleep Society, told BBC News that during that day people accumulate lots of new memories.

“At some point we have to sort through what’s happened during the day,” he explained, adding that there are “some things that we need to ‘lock down’ as a permanent hard memory.”

“That process occurs in deep sleep. So anything that affects sleep will have an effect on that process to a greater or a lesser extent,” he told BBC News.

Stanley said there was particularly striking evidence that people with sleep apnea had particular problems “locking down” memories.

And people with Alzheimer’s often had trouble sleeping, although, he noted: “There is something there. But whether it’s the degeneration of the brain that causes poor sleep, or poor sleep that aids the degeneration of the brain has not been determined.”

“For patients with the dangerous sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, this study will come as no surprise,” added Miranda Watson, director of communications at the British Lung Foundation.

“Patients regularly stop breathing during the night when their airways become blocked depriving them of a full night’s rest,” she told BBC News. “This interrupted sleep can cause extreme day time tiredness and memory loss.”

On the Net:

Cranberry Treatment For UTIs Not As Effective As Antibiotics

Cranberries have long been used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections (UTI), but a recent study indicates it may not be as potent as using antibiotics, according to various media reports.

Dr. Marielle A. J. Beerepoot and her colleagues concluded in a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine that cranberry supplements do however have benefits, they are less likely to have side effects and do not encourage the growth of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.

For women who are concerned about drug-resistant bacteria, the use of cranberry for the prevention of urinary tract infections may be the best approach.

“Women with recurrent UTIs do not like taking antibiotics for a long period because they know (about) the resistance problem. I think that doctors have to discuss the results of this study with the individual patients to make the best choice,” Dr. Suzanne Geerlings, an infectious diseases expert at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, told BBC News.

Two-hundred twenty-one women who had at least three recurrent UTIs in the previous year were randomly selected for a 12-month course of the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) (Bactrim, Bethaprim, Cotrim, Septra), taken once daily with two placebo pills, or one cranberry capsule with 500 mgs of cranberry extract taken twice a day with one placebo pill.

Women who took cranberry capsules were more likely to develop at least one symptomatic UTI compared with their counterparts who received the antibiotic, 4 versus 1.8, respectively.

On average, women in the cranberry group developed a new UTI after four months, while recurrence occurred within eight months among those who received the antibiotic, the study showed.

“It’s no surprise that cranberry isn’t as effective as antibiotics, but they still may hold more appeal for many patients”, Dr. Megan Schimpf, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, told MSBNC’s Linda Carroll.

“There are women who would prefer to take something natural with a lower risk of side effects, even if they know that they’ll have slightly increased risk of a urinary tract infection,” Schimpf added.

Studies like this might tempt women to treat themselves rather than seeing a doctor first. This is not recommended, Schimpf explains.

“We know that women can sometimes mix up urinary tract infections with vaginal infections with yeast or bacteria,” she explained. “And there is a concern that the urinary tract infection is already severe enough to have generated a kidney infection. Those usually come with fever and back pain.”

Dr. Carolyn Dean, a naturopathic physician in Maui, Hawaii told Denise Mann from HealthDay that there is still a role for cranberry juice and/or extract in preventing UTIs. “Sexually active women whose bladder feels irritated after sex should take cranberry capsules after intercourse as a preventative,” she said.

“If you do develop a UTI, you can increase the amount of cranberry extract you are taking or consider antibiotics.”

On the Net:

LifeCare Holdings, Inc. Moves Forward with Amended Agreement to Acquire HealthSouth Corporation’s Long Term Acute Care Hospitals

PLANO, Texas, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — LifeCare Holdings, Inc. has entered into an amendment to its agreement to acquire the long term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) of HealthSouth Corporation (NYSE: HLS). The primary purpose of the amendment is to remove HealthSouth Hospital of Houston (HHH) from the proposed transaction.

HHH recently received notice of an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. Given the investigation as well as the highly competitive nature of the Houston LTACH market, both parties have agreed that removing the Houston hospital from the transaction provides the best opportunity to move forward with the transaction in a timely and efficient manner.

The amended transaction now includes all of HealthSouth’s LTACHs, excluding Houston, totaling 335 licensed beds. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval and third party consents, and is expected to close in the third quarter.

The facilities included in the amended agreement are located in Sarasota, FL; the Louisiana communities of Farmerville, Homer, and Ruston; Las Vegas, NV; and Mechanicsburg and Monroeville, PA. LifeCare currently has operations in three of the four states, providing opportunities to increase market share and strengthen referral and payor relationships. Upon completion of this transaction, LifeCare will operate 27 LTACHs in ten states.

“We are pleased to reach this agreement with HealthSouth, and we feel the transaction remains fair and attractive to both companies,” said LifeCare Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Phillip B. Douglas. “Our Company remains committed to completing the transaction and looks forward to working with the medical staffs, clinical teams and administrative leadership in each of these markets.”

LifeCare does not plan to eliminate any services at the hospitals, and has committed to hiring all employees in good standing at the time the transaction is complete.

The total consideration that HealthSouth will receive at closing will be $117.5 million, which includes the value of any working capital not being acquired by LifeCare. The transaction is expected to be financed by additional drawings under LifeCare’s senior secured credit facility and by proceeds generated from the anticipated sale of the real estate assets associated with four of the acquired hospitals. The transaction is expected to be immediately deleveraging to LifeCare Holdings’ balance sheet on a pro forma basis.

About LifeCare Holdings, Inc.

LifeCare, based in Plano, Texas, operates 20 long term acute care hospitals located in nine states. Long-term acute care hospitals specialize in the treatment of medically complex patients who typically require extended hospitalization. For more information on LifeCare, visit our website at www.lifecare-hospitals.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding, among other items, the proposed acquisition of long term acute care hospitals from HealthSouth Corporation, the proposed financing for such acquisition as well operational and regulatory matters. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and relate to, among other things, future events, the likelihood and timing of the closing of this sale transaction, LifeCare’s business strategy, its financial plans, its future financial performance, or its projected business results, or its projected capital expenditures. Actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. Factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks relating to our ability to complete the proposed acquisition, regulatory delay in closing the proposed acquisition, termination fees that we could become obligated to pay under the terms of the definitive agreement in the event that we are unable to complete the acquisition on the terms contemplated by such agreement, operating in a regulated environment, implementing our business plan, maintaining relationships with physicians in our markets, availability of sufficient nurses and therapists, competition, retaining key management, ability to service our debt requirements, litigation matters and availability of insurance, and such other factors that may be identified from time to time in LifeCare’s SEC filings and other public announcements, including in our Form 10-K as filed on March 30, 2011, which can be viewed on the SEC’s website. Many of the factors that will determine the Company’s future results are beyond the ability of management to control or predict. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views only as the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


    Media Contact:               Investor Contact:
                                  Chris A. Walker, Chief
    Rosemary Plorin               Financial Officer
                                  chris.walker@lifecare-
    [email protected]           hospitals.com
    615-297-7766                 469-241-2116

SOURCE LifeCare Holdings, Inc.

‘Build Smart, Breathe Easier’ Program Dedicates First House with Asthma-Healthy Features with Detroit Family

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The first Habitat for Humanity house built as part of the Build Smart, Breathe Easier national asthma education program will be dedicated in partnership with the Dunmore family in Detroit on Friday, July 29, 2011. Program partners Merck, Habitat for Humanity Detroit, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and HGTV’s Carter Oosterhouse will host a dedication ceremony where Betty Dunmore and her three daughters will receive keys and walk through their completed home with asthma-healthy features for the first time.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/49320-Merck-Asthma-Awareness

The Dunmores are one of four families identified by Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country as being in need of simple, decent, affordable housing and are affected by asthma. Betty Dunmore is a single mother with three daughters, Androni (12), who has asthma, Amyre (5 1/2) and Cameron (4), who also experiences asthma-like symptoms. In the past, they have coped with living in an apartment in disrepair with no outside area for the daughters to play. Their new house will help provide a better living environment for the entire family, which is particularly important for Androni and Cameron.

“I am excited to become a homeowner for the first time with the help of Habitat for Humanity Detroit,” said Betty Dunmore. “When I learned our new house was being built with asthma-healthy features, I felt extreme gratitude in knowing my family will now have a healthy place to call home.”

Based on principles from AAFA’s asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program, the house incorporates healthy features using specific building techniques, materials and ventilation systems. Some of these elements include:

  • Wood vinyl floors that do not require adhesive (except at the seams), thus reducing the overall level of VOCs in the house
  • Paint with a volatile organic compound (VOC)-free, antimicrobial finish, which helps prevent the adherence of mold or bacteria and has no lingering odor
  • Plywood cabinets in place of the standard particle board cabinets, which emit lower levels of VOCs and require less VOC-emitting adhesive
  • Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) filters with high Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings, which capture more and smaller-sized air particles than filters with lower MERV ratings
  • A bath fan and kitchen stove range hood that vent to the exterior of the house to remove excess moisture and indoor air pollution that may impact someone with asthma
  • Advanced framing techniques that allow for heavy insulation of the exterior walls and reduce the amount of air and moisture infiltration. Expanding foam is also used around the exterior doors, windows and foundation wall to help reduce moisture flow and outside air that may contain additional asthma triggers from entering the house

Merck is also donating modest, AAFA-certified furnishings to the family to help them maintain an asthma-healthy home. These include: asthma-healthy bedding for everyone in the home and asthma-healthy toys for the children; a vacuum with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter suitable for cleaning hard-surface flooring and area rugs; and a washer and dryer that reach the necessary temperature to kill dust mites and their eggs.

As part of Build Smart, Breathe Easier, three additional houses with asthma-healthy features are currently under construction in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Los Angeles with the help of volunteers and the partner families. These houses will be dedicated in November and December this year.

Learn More and Get Involved

If you, a family member or a friend is suffering from asthma, please visit Build Smart, Breathe Easier at www.buildsmartbreatheeasier.com to learn how to reduce exposure to asthma triggers in the home and access tools that can help manage the disease. There, you can also stay up-to-date on the home builds, including information about the families, volunteer opportunities and progress on each of the houses.

About Asthma

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2011 Asthma Capitals report, Detroit is ranked 23 out of 100 large cities that are challenging for individuals with asthma. In Detroit alone, 13.7 percent of adults suffer from asthma, which is 50 percent higher than the state of Michigan as a whole. Rates of asthma hospitalization in Detroit are also three times higher than that of Michigan as a whole.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation of the air passages, resulting in the episodic narrowing of the airways. Asthma symptoms can be triggered by allergens or irritants and symptoms can include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. With more than 24 million people living with asthma in the United States, it is one of the most common and costly chronic diseases. Annually, this disease leads to almost two million asthma-related emergency room visits and close to 4,000 asthma-related deaths in the United States.

Build Smart, Breathe Easier Partners

Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit Habitat.org.

Habitat for Humanity Detroit

Habitat for Humanity Detroit (Habitat Detroit) is striving to help strengthen local neighborhoods by developing local revitalization plans to transform targeted neighborhoods through the elimination of substandard housing and its causes. In the fall of 2005, Habitat for Humanity Detroit and U-SNAP-BAC Non-profit Housing entered into a unique partnership to revitalize the 16-block Morningside Commons neighborhood on Detroit’s east side. The house sponsored by Build Smart, Breathe Easier is one of many being built in the Morningside Commons neighborhood and is part of Habitat Detroit’s 25th anniversary celebration. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit HabitatDetroit.org.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1953, is the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, and the oldest asthma and allergy patient group in the world. AAFA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma and allergic diseases through education, advocacy and research. AAFA provides practical information, community based services and support to people through a network of regional chapters, support groups and other local partners around the United States. For more information, visit www.aafa.org.

Carter Oosterhouse

Carter Oosterhouse is an authority in eco-living and one of America’s most recognized lifestyle experts. As host of HGTV’s “Carter Can” and “Red, Hot & Green,” Carter uses his design and carpentry expertise to help homeowners improve their surroundings, often incorporating green building solutions as well as design alternatives that promote healthier living.

The youngest of four children, Carter was born and raised in Traverse City, MI, where he started acquiring his carpentry skills and respect for the environment at an early age. From Carter’s first television appearance on TLC’s “Trading Spaces,” audiences have adored his down-to-earth personality and craftsman skills. He was voted People magazine’s “Sexiest Man on TV” in 2003 and has also become a go-to home improvement expert for many national media, including Rachael Ray, The Today Show, Oprah and The View.

Carter is also the founder of Carter’s Kids, an organization dedicated to building and developing community parks and playgrounds in low-income areas in an effort to promote healthy living. For more information about Carter, visit www.carteroosterhouse.com.

About Merck

Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com.

CONTACT:

Tara Camp (Merck)
908-423-7425
[email protected]

Angel Waldron (AAFA)
202-466-7643 ex. 248
[email protected]

Tami Griffin (Habitat for Humanity International)
303-332-8446
[email protected]

Tara Franey (Habitat for Humanity Detroit)
313-485-0429
[email protected]

Jennifer Semetulskis (Edelman)
312-240-2994
[email protected]

SOURCE Merck

Qforma Appoints Joe Amoroso as Director, Client Services

SANTA FE, N.M., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Qforma, the leading provider of advanced analytics and predictive modeling technologies for the health sciences industry, today announced the appointment of Joe Amoroso as Director, Client Services. The appointment is the latest milestone in a year marked by consistent company growth and diversification.

“Joe is a welcome addition to the Qforma team, which is steadily expanding to meet the evolving needs of our clients,” said Roger D. Jones, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Qforma. “With more than two decades of experience in high-level analytical and strategic planning across multiple business functions, Joe has a clear understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities currently facing the healthcare industry.”

Prior to joining Qforma, Joe worked for UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company. He led field sales teams throughout the Eastern U.S. Joe successfully developed strong relationships with top healthcare providers and major industry co-promotion partners. He earned a BBA in Accounting from Saint Bonaventure University and an MBA in Finance from Rochester Institute of Technology. Joe will provide Qforma clients with data expertise and facilitate collaboration between development, production and sales teams.

About Qforma

Qforma is the leading provider of advanced analytics and predictive modeling for the health sciences industry. The company leverages the talents of health sciences executives, physicists, mathematicians and programmers, to deliver actionable insights from large disparate data. Qforma provides powerful sales, marketing and managed care contracting tools, including physician social network solutions, to help its clients realize significant resource efficiencies.

Qforma is headquartered in Santa Fe, NM, with offices in Princeton, NJ. More information is available at http://www.Qforma.com.

Media Contacts:
Lisa Haley, Qforma
(505) 603-7596
[email protected]

Lauren Abel, MCS Healthcare Public Relations
(908) 477-9626, ext. 324
[email protected]

SOURCE Qforma

Don’t Turn Your Dog Into A Couch Potato

SPRINGFIELD, Va., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Olde Towne Pet Resort (OTPR) — a “Day Spa and Hotel” for dogs and cats providing numerous boarding services and amenities — has been providing local canines with multiple health and fitness activities since it first opened nine years ago.

“By nature, dogs and cats are social creatures with an eagerness to explore, interact, and play,” says Brian Dove, OTPR Pet Care Director. As a long-time dog owner and pet enthusiast, Dove knows the value of exercise and play for home-based pets. “Both dogs and cats benefit greatly from recreation and socialization. Some breeds require more exercise than others. The age of your pet will also affect required exercise levels.”

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Dove is not alone in the belief that pets, as a whole, need more interaction and activity.

Specifically as it relates to dogs, ASPCA believes the primary activity mode for most modern dogs today is “couch potato.” Dogs no longer have to earn their keep as they once did. Instead, ASPCA proclaims, dogs have been forced to adjust to our more sedentary lifestyles. “They get their food for free in a bowl and are often confined, alone and inactive, for most of the day. This lack of purpose leaves dogs no outlet for their naturally active tendencies — physical and mental — and it contributes to the development of behavior problems,” ASPCA states in its Virtual Pet Behaviorist column. Surely, some of the same can be said for domesticated cats as well.

The professional staff at the Springfield and Dulles Olde Towne Pet Resort locations agree that pets do need a daily regimen of interaction and physical activity.

“Just as with humans, exercise and fitness for dogs brings about many benefits,” says Dove.

Daily exercise and socialization provide:

  • Reduction of anxiety-based bad behaviors
  • Healthier digestion
  • Increase confidence
  • Weight loss or weight maintenance
  • Peace and happiness for dogs and owners

For its dog guests, OTPR’s “Doggie Day Camp” provides an enjoyable and healthy option to crating or having a dog walker come in during the day. Various OTPR clients bring their dogs to day care five or seven days a week, while others come only occasionally. Some choose Doggie Day Camp as a viable alternative to kenneling. Others bring their dogs only on weekends while they run errands. Whatever the need for boarding or Doggie Day Camp may be, OTPR ensures that its dog guests receive plenty of physical activity during their stay.

Dog owners can choose from a variety of exercise and fitness choices, including:

  • Water work-out & lap swimming for movement therapy, exercise and fun
  • Agility field play on outdoor, professional grade agility equipment
  • Cardio jog for dogs with a need to shed a few pounds or excess energy
  • Circuit fitness training for continuous high-energy movement
  • Doggie Day Camp for pet owners who want their canine family members to interact with other dog friends rather than be left home alone
  • Boarder day camp for individual play time or group play sessions

Area felines who board at OTPR’s “cattery” enjoy play times as well.

For all inquiries pertaining to boarding reservations at Olde Towne Pet Resort’s Springfield and Dulles facilities, please call 703.455.9000 or 571.434.3300.

About Olde Towne Pet Resort

For 9 years, the Olde Towne Pet Resort (OTPR) has provided quality boarding and spa services for dogs and cats in Fairfax County. Based in Springfield, Virginia, OTPR is known to spare no detail to ensure the utmost of comfort, safety and joy for its customers’ pets. OTPR’s upcoming Dulles, Virginia pet resort facility is presently scheduled to open to the public by October 1, 2011. For more information about OTPR, please visit http://www.oldetownepetresort.com.

SOURCE Olde Towne Pet Resort

Anavex presents data on neuroprotective evidence for ANAVEX 2-73, lead compound for Alzheimer’s disease

HOBOKEN, NJ, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (“Anavex”)
(OTCBB: AVXL) is pleased to provide a summary of its second poster
presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference
(AAIC) held in Paris, entitled “Preclinical development of new
tetrahydrofuran derivatives targeting the sigma-1 chaperone protein as
neuroprotectants in Alzheimer’s disease.”

Neuroprotective, anti-amnesic, anti-depressive and anti-convulsive
effects have previously been described with a new class of a wholly
owned family of compounds, the aminotetrahydrofurans. In this study,
two of the leads from this family, ANAVEX 2-73 and ANAVEX 1-41, were
studied for their anti-amnesic and neuroprotective effects. These
compounds are mixed sigma-1 agonists and also have cholinergic effects.

In some respects, the authors claim, these compounds could be compared
to donepezil, which is the market leader in Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
medication.  Donepezil also happens to be a partial sigma-1 agonist as
well as exerting its well-known cholinergic effects.  In addition, the
metabolites for both ANAVEX 2-73 and 1-41 were identified and also
studied for any effect.

Utilizing a well-known model that mimics AD by injecting oligomeric
amyloid 25-35 fragments into the brain of rodents, the researchers
found that:

        --  ANAVEX 2-73 showed prevention and reversal biochemically,
            histologically and behaviorally.
        --  ANAVEX 2-73 reverses amyloid 25-35-induced amnesia in mice.
        --  ANAVEX 2-73, when administered prior to amyloid 25-35, protects
            against amyloid 25-35-induced amnesia in mice.
        --  ANAVEX 2-73 protects against amyloid 25-35-induced oxidative
            stress, measured by lipid peroxidation in hippocampal cells, a
            key area of the brain associated with learning and memory.
        --  ANAVEX 2-73 protects against amyloid 15-35-induced hippocampal
            cell loss.
        --  ANAVEX 1-41 also demonstrates similar effects, but is not as
            selective for sigma receptors as ANAVEX 2-73.
        --  ANAVEX 2-73 is not only active in and of itself, but is also a
            pro-drug. Its only metabolite, ANAVEX 19-144, is also active in
            these animal models. The metabolite of ANAVEX 1-41, ANAVEX
            2-140, does not display such activity.
        --  ANAVEX 19-144, when administered prior to amyloid 25-35,
            protects against amyloid 25-35-induced amnesia in mice.
        --  ANAVEX 19-144 protects against amyloid 25-35-induced oxidative
            stress, measured by lipid peroxidation in hippocampal cells.

“It is hypothesized that cholinomimetic-only compounds would not have as
much benefit as the mixed mechanism of the aminotetrahydrofurans, which
may be potentiating. Interestingly, the pro drug and active drug effect
of ANAVEX 2-73, which has ANAVEX 19-144 ’embedded’ in it, may offer a
longer duration of action,” said Dr. Tangui Maurice, PhD, CNRS Research
Director, Team II Endogenous Neuroprotection in Neurodegenerative
Diseases INSERM, University of Montpellier, one of the poster authors
and a member of the Anavex Scientific Advisory Board.  “Histological
evidence is powerful visible evidence of neuroprotection and this study
also reinforces the anti-amnesic effects already described in this
animal model of amyloid toxicity benefit with aminotetrahydrofurans.”

“We are excited to have had this, as well as a poster on ANAVEX 2-73 and
a potential dual role in amyloid and tau, accepted at such a
prestigious event as AAIC,” said Dr. Cameron Durrant, Executive
Chairman of Anavex. “These neuroprotection data may translate into
clinical studies as we continue to explore disease-modifying approaches
with our novel family of compounds and the lead small molecule, ANAVEX
2-73.  It may be potentially beneficial to have a further positive
effect on top of ANAVEX 2-73 in the form of its active metabolite
ANAVEX 19-144. We eagerly await results from the ANAVEX 2-73 Phase I
clinical trial, which is scheduled for completion soon.”

The posters are available on the Anavex web site:
http://www.anavex.com/files/AAIC_Poster_Tangui_July_2011.pdf and http://www.anavex.com/files/AAIC_Poster_Tangui_tau_July_2011.pdf.

About the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC)

AAIC (formerly ICAD, the International Conference on Alzheimer’s
Disease) is the largest gathering of researchers, clinicians and other
stakeholders in Alzheimer’s disease. This year, the conference drew a
record-breaking number of dementia scientists to Paris to share the
latest ideas, thoughts and theories in the field. Breaking studies
captured global media attention as the world’s leading experts explored
innovative ways to further Alzheimer’s research. For more information,
please visit www.alz.org/aaic.

About the ANAVEX 2-73 Phase I Clinical Trial

This Phase I clinical trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled study to
initially test ANAVEX 2-73 as a single, ascending oral dose in healthy
male volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55. The trial seeks to
determine the maximum tolerated single dose, safety and
pharmacokinetics.  The primary objective of this trial is to evaluate
the safety and tolerability of ANAVEX 2-73 in humans for the first
time. The secondary objective is to determine the pharmacokinetic
profile of single oral ascending doses of ANAVEX 2-73.

The Phase I clinical trial is being conducted in Germany in
collaboration with ABX-CRO, a clinical research organization that has
conducted several Alzheimer’s disease studies, and the Technical
University of Dresden.

About Alzheimer’s Disease

While Alzheimer’s disease is most common in people over the age of 65,
it can strike adults of any age irrespective of their gender,
background or socioeconomic status.  According to the Alzheimer’s
Association, an estimated 5.4 million Americans are currently living
with Alzheimer’s disease. The number of Americans aged 65 and over with
Alzheimer’s is estimated to reach 7.7 million in 2030. This represents
a 50 percent increase from the 5.2 million Americans aged 65 and older
who are currently affected.  The Alzheimer’s Association further
projects that the number of Americans aged 65 and older who are
affected by Alzheimer’s disease may double or triple to between 11 and
16 million by 2050 unless there are developments to prevent or more
effectively treat the disease.

About ANAVEX 2-73

ANAVEX 2-73 is the first of a new class of oral drugs being studied to
potentially treat Alzheimer’s through disease modification versus only
treating its symptoms.

About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and
development of novel drug candidates for the treatment of neurological
diseases and cancer.  The Anavex proprietary SIGMACEPTOR(TM) Discovery
Platform involves the rational design of drug compounds targeted to
specific receptors involved in the modulation of multiple cellular
biochemical signaling pathways.

The SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-N program involves the development of novel drug
candidates that target neurological and neurodegenerative diseases
(Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, depression, pain). The company’s lead
drug candidates exhibit high affinity for sigma receptors, which have
been extensively documented as potentially valuable drug targets and
have demonstrated anti-amnesic and neuroprotective properties. A
portfolio of back-up compounds to ANAVEX 2-73 are also in development.

Anavex is a publicly traded company under the symbol AVXL.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in
nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only
predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a
number of risks and uncertainties.  Actual events or results may differ
materially from those projected in any of such statements due to
various factors, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug
discovery and development, which include, without limitation, the
potential failure of development candidates to advance through
preclinical studies or demonstrate safety and efficacy in clinical
testing and the ability to pass clinical trials so as to move on to the
next phase, our ability to retain key employees and our ability to
finance development or satisfy the rigorous regulatory requirements for
new drugs. Competitors may develop better or cheaper alternatives to
our products. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
hereof.  All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety
by this cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes
no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events
or circumstances after the date hereof.

Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Research & Business Development
Email: [email protected]

Shareholder & Media Relations
Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895
Outside North America: +1 (416) 489-0092
Email: [email protected]
www.anavex.com

SOURCE Anavex Life Sciences Corp.

Elite Depot and EliteDepot.com Summer Sale Starts Today

GRANDVILLE, Mich., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Elite Depot’s annual summer sale starts today. Save up to 45% on all of your favorite skincare brands.

Elite Depot and the EliteDepot.com global sales executive, Lucy McDonald, said in a statement, “Each year our loyal customers look forward to our annual sale. It is such a great way for them to save as much as they can on their favorite brands but also a nice way to try some of our new organic, gluten free and health and wellness products at a fraction on the price. Within this next year we will continue to add the most highly demanded product lines to EliteDepot.com, making it a one stop shopping destination. Why shop at a retail store when you can buy online from us, get your order shipped to your door for free, while paying the lowest prices on the Web.”

Use coupon code, july at checkout to save now.

About EliteDepot.com

Elite Depot is the new and improved online source for premium skincare products sent directly from the manufacturer. The company offers competitive prices, free shipping, and loyalty gift cards for every order. Customers receive additional savings on purchases when they redeem loyalty gift cards. Elite Depot guarantees a shelf life of one to three years for skin-care products with an expiration date.

Complete skincare lines available from Elite Depot include SkinCeuticals, Lancome, La Mer, 100% Pure, Obagi and the full Obagi Nu-Derm Line, Skinmedica, Dermalogica, La Roach Posay, Revitalash, Jan Marini, Vivite, Tan Towel, Nu-Hair, as well an many organic and gluten-free health and wellness products.

http://www.EliteDepot.com

Contact:
Lucy McDonald
1-877-354-8316
2885 Sanford Ave SW, #13194
Grandville, MI 49418

This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Elite Depot

New Vegetarian Enzyme Supplement May Help Improve Your Health, According to Dr. Edward Group III

HOUSTON, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Every year the American public spends billions of dollars on food and beverages that are toxic to the body and devoid of natural enzymes. These may include processed, microwaved or cooked food, meat, cereal grains, milk, gluten, soy, refined sugar, and more. But are they really getting their money’s worth? Not without a little extra help, says Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, a world-renowned authority on natural medicine and digestive health.

“As we age, the enzymes produced by our body and digestive system are reduced, hampering our ability to break down the foods we eat, prevent oxidation and inflammation in the body, and extract the vital nutrients we need.” Dr. Group explains

Enzyme deficiencies have been linked to many digestive problems such as gas, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, heartburn and bloating. When digestive issues arise, it is common for consumers to reach for antacids, laxatives or other medications. This may provide temporarily relief, but is not a solution to the root cause of the problem.

Scientists have long known that bioavailability – the ease and efficiency with which nutrients are broken down and absorbed by the digestive system – is the weakest link in the chain that connects a healthy diet to a healthy body. “We’re not just missing out on essential vitamins and minerals–we’re putting a tremendous toxic burden on our bodies,” says Group.

As an experienced supplement formulator, Dr. Edward Group believes that the best way to maximize the bioavailability of foods and reduce our toxic burden is with a systemic and digestive enzyme supplement — specialized protein-based molecules that act as biological catalysts, regulating virtually all internal processes of living matter.

Group, the developer behind numerous highly respected organic natural health supplements, has created a new enzyme supplement called VeganZyme(TM) containing only GMO-Free, kosher-certified and vegetarian-based digestive enzymes that may aid in reducing digestive discomfort and symptoms. This new enzyme supplement also includes a systemic enzyme blend to help break down excess mucus, fibrin, allergens, and other toxins in the body.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for more than two decades. He is the founder and head researcher at Global Healing Center, Inc., the makers of the popular colon cleanser Oxy-Powder, and one of the largest online organic and natural health resources in the world.

SOURCE Global Healing Center, Inc.

SIV, Inc. introduces its New Magnetic Gel Insoles

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — SIV, Inc. has introduced Magnetic Gel Insoles, the first in a line of Vitality Brand of Products to be offered by the company. The Magnetic Gel Insoles are unlike any other Footcare Product on the market because the insoles are based the latest Magnetic Technology and the principals of Reflexology, method of massaging pressure points in the hands and feet.

The Vitality Brand of Magnetic Gel Insoles works by combining the massaging free flowing gel with the Magnetic Technology of the magnetic capsule. This combination stimulates pressure points in the feet which correspond to the glands and internal organs of the body. Each human cell contains magnetic properties which naturally pass through all organs. The magnetic capsules assist that energy flow by enhancing the amount of circulation and energy that passes throughout the body.

This increase of magnetic flow coupled with stimulation of pressure points from the free flowing gel, helps restore the balance and harmony of the whole body. As a result, our customers experience Pain Relief, Increased Circulation and Enhanced Energy!

The Company also plans to introduce the following line of Vitality Brand of Products in the coming months:

  • Vitality Heart Insoles
  • Vitality Infrared Micro-Magnetic Insoles
  • Vitality Magnetic Gel insoles made specifically for Sandals
  • Vitality Ballerina Slippers, featuring our Magnetic Gel insoles

Like all Vitality Brand of Products, our Magnetic Gel Insoles are washable, non-toxic, hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial.

To learn more about SIV, Inc. and the Magnetic Gel Insoles, please visit www.stepintovitality.com.

SIV, Inc., based in Newport Beach, California was founded in 2009. The company provides health related Footcare products designed to promote active and healthy lives. The Step Into Vitality brand of reflexology-based Magnetic Gel Insoles is the first in a line of products designed to improve overall health and to leave a legacy of helping others prosper.

Check us out online! www.stepintovitality.com

Contact:
Tiffany Kobashigawa
818.471.3623

SOURCE SIV, Inc.

LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh Announces New 40-Bed Transitional Care Center at its Suburban Campus

PITTSBURGH, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh will soon begin caring for patients requiring skilled nursing care after a stay in an acute care hospital. The new LifeCare Transitional Care Center will be located on the fourth floor of the Allegheny General Hospital Suburban Campus at 100 South Jackson Avenue, and is expected to open August 1.

The Transitional Care Center treatment team will provide daily oversight by physicians, nurses, and therapists and will offer a full complement of specialized on-site medical and diagnostic services including dialysis, laboratory services, radiology services, wound care and physical and occupational therapies. LifeCare clinicians will focus on caring for medically complex patients who have been hospitalized for pulmonary, cardiac or neurological illness or injury, or may be recovering from significant health episodes such as heart attack, stroke, joint replacement or other major surgery.

Because the unit is located within the same facility that houses a hospital, LifeCare’s Long Term Acute Hospital (LTACH), the highly trained LifeCare staff is able to care for high-acuity medically complex patients requiring specialized treatment, such as bariatric patients, individuals with tracheostomies or who require monitoring by a respiratory therapist, patients with complex wounds and those with multiple diagnoses. Physicians providing professional services at the LTACH will be available to serve patients in the Transitional Care Unit, ensuring quality care and availability of medical supervision.

“A hospital-based transitional care setting offers an optimal environment in which a patient can receive the specialized care and rehabilitation they require before returning home or to another care setting,” said LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh Chief Executive Officer Rick Pletz. “The addition of this new Transitional Care Center builds on other recent changes we’ve made to our hospital, and helps us better meet the needs of medically complex patients throughout the region.

“We believe this enhancement to the continuum of care available in our community will be welcomed by patients, families and physicians alike.”

Later this summer, the parent company of LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh is expected to complete the acquisition of HealthSouth Hospital of Pittsburgh. The four facilities will collectively offer 283 long term acute care beds and 40 transitional skilled nursing beds in private and semi-private room settings.

LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh is part of the LifeCare family of hospitals, which includes 20 specialty acute care hospitals in nine states. To learn more about our facilities, visit us on the Web at www.lifecare-hospitals.com. Contact 412-247-2365 for intake and admissions information.

Media Contact:
Vanessa Nelson
Director of Business Development
412-247-2424
[email protected]

SOURCE LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler’s Innovative Holcomb C3-R® Procedure Corrects Keratoconus in Patients With Down Syndrome

LOS ANGELES, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Renowned Beverly Hills ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler performed his revolutionary non-invasive Holcomb C3-R® procedure on John Allen, a 31-year old from Shawnee, Oklahoma. Born partially deaf and with Down syndrome, Allen’s vision was failing due to the degenerative eye disease Keratoconus. Though surgical options do exist to correct the disorder, surgeons had been reluctant to operate on Allen due to his pre-existing chromosomal and developmental condition. With Dr. Boxer Wachler’s procedure, Allen’s Keratoconus will be stopped in its tracks. His story raises awareness for others like him, as a recent study shows the prevalence of Keratoconus in those with Down syndrome to be exponentially higher (5%-15%) than the general population (.05%).

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110725/LA40912)

“The world needs to know that people with Down syndrome afflicted with Keratoconus can be treated and now have hope,” said Dr. Boxer Wachler. “Due to the disproportionally high number of cases like John’s, we hope to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

The Holcomb C3-R® procedure is a 30-minute outpatient procedure that is designed specifically to treat Keratoconus. During the treatment, custom-made riboflavin eye drops are applied to the cornea, which are then activated by a special light, ultimately strengthening the weakened cornea. The technique, which Dr. Boxer Wachler has been performing since 2003, was renamed in honor of Olympic four-man bobsledder Steve Holcomb, who had retired from the sport in 2007 when Keratoconus had rendered him legally blind and unable to steer his sled. After Dr. Boxer Wachler’s C3-R® procedure restored his sight, Holcomb led his four-man team to a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and Dr. Boxer Wachler added Holcomb’s name to the procedure as a tribute.

The Holcomb C3-R® method works by aiding collagen cross-linking, which increases the cornea’s mechanical strength, thus preventing the cornea from bulging out and becoming steep and irregular, which is caused by Keratoconus. When indicated patients can elect to combine the Holcomb C3-R® treatment with permanent contact lenses called Intacs that help flatten the Keratoconus cone even more, a technique also pioneered by Dr. Boxer Wachler in 1999. In these cases, the Intacs help reverse pre-existent Keratoconus steepening prior to the treatment.

With today’s procedure, John Allen is on the road to improved overall quality of life. Allen’s mother warmly stated “Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler is an angel sent to help our angel.”

To learn more about Keratoconus, Dr. Boxer Wachler or the Holcomb C3-R®, please visit www.KeratoconusInserts.com.

SOURCE Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler

Children With ADHD At Increased Risk When Crossing Street

According to new research, children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk of being hit by a car when crossing the street.

University of Alabama researchers found that children with ADHD do not process information as well as non-ADHD children, and tend to make incorrect decisions on when to begin crossing a street.

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, one of the leading causes of unintentional injury in middle childhood is pedestrian injury.

“The kids with ADHD in our study displayed the behaviors parents want to see ““ they stopped at the street and looked both ways. But that doesn’t mean they are ready to cross a street by themselves,” Despina Stavrinos, assistant professor in the UAB Injury Control Research Center and the study’s lead author, said in a statement.

The researchers said that parents of children with ADHD may want to delay the time they allow their children to cross a street by themselves.

The study involved 78 children between the ages 7 and 10, 39 of which had ADHD and 39 who did not.  The participants completed 10 simulated street crossings in UAB’s Youth Safety Laboratory.

The simulation shows a typical street scene, with vehicles approaching on monitors from both left and right.  The children are asked to gauge the proper moment to safely cross the street and then step off the curb.

Stavrinos said the children with ADHD took the right steps when approaching a street, similar to the non-ADHD control children.

“However, at some point in the decision-making process, things appear to go awry, resulting in a dangerous crossing environment,” Stavrinos said in a press release. “It seems children with ADHD are attempting to properly assess the environment’s safety, but are failing to process the information in a manner that enables them to cross safely.”

The children who had ADHD picked shorter gaps between oncoming traffic, had more “close-calls” with traffic and a shorter amount of time left to space before reaching the other end of the crosswalk.

Stavrinos says that the cause may be executive functioning, a term that describes the processes by which the brain controls behavior.

“Proper executive functioning would entail recognizing the speed of the oncoming vehicle, the interval between vehicles and the speed of the walker as they cross the street,” Stavrinos said in the press release. “Children with ADHD seem to be behind their typically developing peers in these sorts of computing skills.”

She said continued practice might be valuable in teaching the child with ADHD how to recognize a safe gap in traffic.
 
The study was published on July 25 in the journal Pediatrics.

On the Net:

CPF Announces 2011 Awards for Distinguished Service

Awards Given for Research, Humanitarian and Advocacy Efforts

CULVER CITY, Calif., July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) proudly announces the winners of its three annual awards for distinguished service. Each honoree has contributed in a significant way to the effort to fight Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) – in research, humanitarian and advocacy efforts. This year’s recipients are renowned PF researcher Kevin Flaherty, MD, CPF Board of Directors Member, advocate and fundraiser Deirdre Roney, Esq., and James “J.P.” Paluskiewicz, a Capitol Hill advocacy expert.

Dr. Flaherty is being awarded the Marvin I. Schwarz Research Award which recognizes a researcher’s commitment to improve the quality of life of those living with PF through compassionate patient care, education and support, while leading research efforts to find a cure. “Dr. Flaherty is working diligently to find treatments and a cure for PF,” said Miska Michon, CEO of the CPF. “His efforts have made a significant difference in the battle to fight the disease.” Dr. Flaherty is Associate Professor, Pulmonary Diseases at University of Michigan Health System. As part of the award, the CPF will make a $15,000 grant to Dr. Flaherty’s PF research lab. “Our efforts in research are driven by the day to day struggles of our patients as they fight to survive Idiopathic PF. I appreciate the efforts of the CPF and all involved to raise awareness and advocate for the resources needed to treat and eventually cure IPF. The generous funds associated with this award are appreciated and will certainly help us move forward to identify and test novel treatments and find an eventual cure,” said Dr. Flaherty.

Deirdre Roney, Esquire, will receive the Francis Cabral Humanitarian Award for her efforts to raise awareness and funding for PF. The award recognizes a patient or caregiver who significantly improves awareness of PF in their community and nationwide, who selflessly furthers the mission of the CPF, and who shines as a beacon of hope and inspiration to all those suffering from the disease. Roney, who serves on the CPF Board of Directors, has generously taken on myriad tasks on behalf of the CPF, has held annual fundraising efforts, and has raised more than a half million dollars to date for PF. “Deirdre is a tireless champion in the struggle to fight PF,” said Mishka Michon, CEO of the CPF. “Her personal perspective on the disease added to her passion and determination are unstoppable.” For the past nine years, Roney, who has lost eight family members to PF, has given generously of her time, her energy to the work of the organization.” “This award means so much to me and I am grateful for the progress we’ve made,” said Roney. “No one person in the history of the organization has done more to alter the course of the disease or to make certain that the funds needed to provide services to patients and families were available at all times,” said Michon.

James “J.P.” Paluskiewicz will receive the Charles G. Norwood Memorial Advocate of the Year Award. The award recognizes an individual’s outstanding commitment to improving awareness of PF in their community and furthering the mission of the CPF. Paluskiewicz is the current Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Michael C. Burgess, MD, and former Legislative Director to the late Congressman Norwood, DDS, who died as a result of illness resulting from a single lung transplant for PF. “Losing Congressman Norwood to this horrible lung disease really opened my eyes to the human suffering it causes,” said Paluskiewicz. “I am dedicated to working with doctors, patients, and the CPF to change public policy for the benefit of all PF patients.” He has been instrumental in the CPF’s advocacy efforts since Rep. Norwood joined the cause in 2005. Since the Congressman’s death in 2007, Paluskiewicz has maintained a strong advocacy relationship with the CPF and has helped behind the scenes with legislative guidance and has helped train CPF advocacy teams during National PF Awareness Week for years. “J.P. is dedicated to the cause, has promised to assist PF efforts in the future and does so in memory of his past boss and friend as well as in honor of patients who suffer today. His leadership skills, his knowledge and experience on Capitol Hill and his passion for PF patients make him a deserving recipient of the CPF’s Advocacy Award,” said Michon.

About Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is a lung disorder characterized by a progressive scarring – known as fibrosis – and deterioration of the lungs, which slowly robs its victims of their ability to breathe. Approximately 128,000 Americans suffer from PF, and there is currently no known cause or cure. An estimated 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. PF is difficult to diagnose and an estimated two-thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis. Sometimes PF can be linked to a particular cause, such as certain environmental exposures, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, residual infection, or autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis. However, in many instances, no known cause can be established. When this is the case, it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

About the CPF

The CPF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF), while educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families, and medical professionals fighting this disease. The CPF funds promising research into new approaches to treat and cure PF; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of PF issues; and works to improve awareness of PF in the medical community as well as the general public. The CPF’s nonprofit partners include many of the most respected medical centers and healthcare organizations in the U.S. With more than 24,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with PF. For more information please visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.

SOURCE Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Foodborne Outbreak Potentially Associated With Papaya Distributed by Agromod Produce, Inc.

The papaya may contain Salmonella

SILVER SPRING, Md., July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following is being issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090824/FDALOGO)

Fast Facts

  • The FDA is warning consumers not to eat papayas from Agromod Produce, Inc., a distributor in McAllen, Texas.
  • FDA and CDC are investigating 97 reported cases of Salmonella Agona, including 10 hospitalizations, in 23 states related to the consumption of papayas.
  • Agromod Produce, Inc. voluntarily recalled the papayas after FDA detected Salmonella matching the outbreak strain.
  • The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness from Salmonella infection.
  • Consumers, retailers and others who have papayas from Agromod Produce, Inc. should discard them in a sealed container so people and animals, including wild animals, cannot eat them.
  • FDA and CDC investigations are ongoing.

What is the Problem?

The FDA is taking steps to protect the public following the identification of Salmonella Agona in Agromod Produce, Inc.’s supply of fresh papayas. The FDA is advising consumers not to eat papayas from Agromod Produce, Inc. The company is voluntarily recalling the product. The papayas were imported from Mexico, and may be linked to the reported cases of Salmonella Agona. Recent sampling by the FDA found the outbreak strain in two papaya samples: one collected at the Agromod Produce, Inc. location in McAllen, Texas, and one collected at the U.S. border destined for Agromod Produce, Inc. The shipments that tested positive with the outbreak strain were not distributed in the U.S.

The FDA is working with Agromod Produce, Inc. to determine if previous shipments of potentially contaminated papaya could still be in U.S. commerce.

Agromod Produce, Inc. is voluntarily recalling all papayas sold prior to July 23, 2011.

What are the Symptoms of Illness/Injury?

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, some individuals may require hospitalization from severe diarrhea. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites. It can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to become severely ill from Salmonella infection.

Who is at Risk?

The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to become severely ill from Salmonella infection. The bacterium can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in these vulnerable populations. Most healthy individuals recover from Salmonella infections within four to seven days without treatment.

What Do Consumers and Healthcare Providers Need To Do?

Consumers should examine fresh papayas for Agromod brand stickers identified below and in the firm’s press release. Consumers who have purchased papayas are also advised to check with the retailer to see if the papayas they purchased are among those affected, or throw the product away. Consumers, retailers and others who have papayas from Agromod Produce, Inc. should throw them away in a sealed container so people and animals, including wild animals, cannot eat them.

Consumers who think they may have become ill from eating possibly contaminated papaya should consult their health care providers.

What Does the Product Look Like?

Agromod Produce, Inc. distributes the four brands of papayas whole and unprocessed: Yaya, Blondie, Mananita and Tastylicious. Receiving retailers or others may have further processed the papaya. It is recommended that consumers check with the retailer to see if any papaya available for purchase was distributed by Agromod Produce, Inc. Individual papayas at retail stores will bear specific Agromod stickers provided in the link below.

Where is it Distributed?

The products may have been distributed nationwide to wholesalers and retail stores in the U.S. and Canada.

What is Being Done about the Problem?

FDA is investigating the problem in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health agencies in those states where illnesses have occurred. The investigation is ongoing.

The FDA is also working with state authorities to take appropriate action to make sure all recalled papaya is out of commerce. FDA is also working with Agromod Produce Inc. and with officials in Mexico to determine how the papayas may have become contaminated.

As part of this investigation, the FDA is taking regulatory action to prevent potentially contaminated papaya from entering the United States, including increasing its sampling of imported papaya. In addition to the two samples that tested positive for the outbreak strain, ten other papaya samples from Mexico have also tested positive with different strains of Salmonella; none of those sampled lots entered the United States.

What is latest information on the Illnesses?

A total of 97 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Agona have been reported from 23 states between January 1 and July 18, 2011. The number of ill persons identified in each state with the outbreak strain is as follows: Arkansas (1), Arizona (3), California (7), Colorado (1), Georgia (8), Illinois (17), Louisiana (2), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (3), Missouri (3), Nebraska (2), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (3), New York (6), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (25), Virginia (2), Washington (5), and Wisconsin (2).

The CDC and the FDA are collaborating with public health officials in many states to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Agona infections. Public health investigators are using DNA analysis of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.

Among persons for whom information is available, illnesses began on or after January 17, 2011. Ill persons range in age from less than 1 year old to 91 years old, and the median age is 20 years old. Forty-one percent of patients are younger than 5 years old. Sixty-three percent are female. Ten patients were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. For persons who have been interviewed, 57% report consuming papaya. Epidemiologic, laboratory and traceback information identifies papayas from Mexico imported through Agromod Produce, Inc. as a likely source of infection.

Who Should be Contacted?

Consumers with questions about the recalled papayas should call Agromod Produce, Inc. at (800) 385-7658.

Consumers with questions about produce safety should contact 1-800-SAFEFOOD.

The information in this press release reflects the FDA’s best efforts to communicate what it has learned from the manufacturer and the state and local public health agencies involved in the investigation. The agency will update this page as more information becomes available.

For more information:

Agromod Produce, Inc.’s Press Release

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm264854.htm

Photo: Product Labels

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm264855.htm

Salmonella (CDC)

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/general/

Salmonella (FoodSafety.gov)

http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/salmonella/

Tips for Fresh Produce Safety

http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/types/fruits/tipsfreshprodsafety.html

Media Inquiries: Tamara Ward, 301-796-7567, [email protected]
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration

New Data from SANBS Reinforces 5 Years of Success Preventing HIV and Hepatitis Transmission from Donated Blood

JOHANNESBURG, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) presented new data which demonstrated that its use of Novartis nucleic acid testing (NAT) products to screen donated blood for HIV and Hepatitis has resulted in a significant increase in the safety of the South African blood supply. The data underscores SANBS’ recent celebration of five years of successful effort to prevent the spread of HIV and Hepatitis from transfusion of infected blood.

In addition to reinforcing a remarkable public health story, the data provides further evidence that nucleic acid testing of each unit of blood individually (called individual donor testing, or ID-NAT) – rather than in pools of multiple donors – is the most sensitive method available for detecting HIV type 1 (the virus type responsible for 99.6% of all HIV infections), Hepatitis C virus, and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in donated blood.

“Prior to NAT testing, transmission of HIV and Hepatitis infections from donated blood were not uncommon in South Africa,” said Mr. Ravi Reddy, chief operations officer at SANBS. “Since we started performing ID-NAT, we have virtually eliminated the risk, with no reports of HIV-1 infections from transfused blood or blood products. This represents a significant increase in patient safety in South Africa, and I hope this serves as a model for other countries.”

Since 2005, SANBS has screened 3.8 million blood donations for HIV-1 RNA, HCV RNA, and HBV DNA using the Novartis Diagnostics Procleix Ultrio assay on the Procleix Tigris NAT blood screening platform. Because NAT provides highly sensitive detection of the genetic material of the virus itself (RNA and DNA), it can detect active infections that traditional serology testing can miss, shortening the time between infection and when detection of that infection is possible and also enabling detection of very low-level chronic infections. The full integration and automation of all steps of the NAT process, which are possible only with the Procleix TIGRIS system, enables efficient workflow for the laboratories performing the testing of large numbers of specimens daily. SANBS also conducts serology testing, which detects evidence of the body’s immune response to infection (anti-HIV, anti-HCV, and HBsAg), on all samples.

The SANBS results showed that the Novartis Diagnostics Procleix Ultrio assay identified 6,487 HIV-1-positive units of donated blood, 96 of which were not detected by serology and HIV p24 antigen testing alone.(1) In addition, there were 3,007 Hepatitis B-positive units of which 346 were not detected with serology testing alone, and 250 Hepatitis C-positive units of which 5 were not detected with serology testing alone. These units of infected blood would have tested negative and been made available for transfusion to patients if not removed from the blood supply following NAT testing.

According to UN AIDS, in 2007 there were 5.3 million HIV-infected people in South Africa, representing an overall national HIV prevalence rate of 11 percent. This creates a greater risk of HIV-infected blood entering the blood supply, with some estimates showing that in South Africa there are as many as one HIV-1 infected unit of donated blood per 600 blood donations.

“As in any country, not all of those infected with HIV or Hepatitis are aware of their infection or of the dangers of having HIV and hepatitis enter the blood supply. This makes it essential that our blood screening programs employ a testing method that will help us deliver the safest possible blood,” said Mr. Reddy. “The data shows that NAT in IDT has achieved that result in South Africa.”

Notes to Editors

About HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects cells of the human immune system, destroying or impairing their function. The most common type of HIV is known as HIV-1, which is easily transmitted.

HIV-1 has caused the majority of AIDS cases(2) and represents 99.6% of all HIV infections.(3,4) In addition, according to The World Health Organization (WHO), 5-10% of all HIV infections worldwide have been acquired through transfusions of infected blood and blood products.(5)

An estimated 5.6 million people were living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa in 2009, more than in any other country.(6) It is believed that in 2009, an estimated 310,000 South Africans died of AIDS.(6) Prevalence is 17.8 percent among those aged 15-49, with some age groups being particularly affected.(6) Almost one-in-three women aged 25-29, and over a quarter of men aged 30-34, are living with HIV.(7)

About Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

HCV infection is a viral disease that leads to inflammation of the liver and may cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, and liver cancer.(8,9) An estimated 170 million people worldwide (3 percent) are chronically infected with HCV.(9) An estimated 3 to 4 million people are newly infected each year.(9) Most people who have been recently infected with HCV do not have symptoms, and in many cases, there may be no symptoms of the disease until cirrhosis has developed.(8) The prevalence of HCV infection in South Africa is not known but has been estimated to be between 0.1 (2) and 1.7 %.(10) HCV infection is more serious in persons with HIV, and leads to liver damage more quickly.(11) Coinfection with HCV may also affect the treatment of HIV infection.(11)

About Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

HBV infection is a major cause of acute and chronic liver disease. About one-third of the world’s population has been infected with HBV.(12) Most of the serious consequences occur among people who develop chronic hepatitis B infection. About a million people with chronic hepatitis B die each year from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.(12) HBV is second only to tobacco as the leading cause of cancer in humans.(12) It is estimated that over 50% of South Africans have been infected by the virus and at least 3 million people are chronic hepatitis B carriers.(12)

About SANBS

SANBS is a non-profit organisation, which provides a vein to vein blood transfusion service in 8 of the 9 provinces in SA. SANBS collects 780,000 units of blood annually (100% voluntary), and has two testing centres (Johannesburg and Durban), seven blood processing centres, and 79 blood banks serving over 1,000 hospitals and clinics. SANBS is accredited with the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS).

References

1. Vermeulen, M., Reddy, R., Sensitivity of NAT Options: The SANBS Experience, South African National Blood Service (SANBS). (2011, June). Symposium conducted at the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Congress, Lisbon, Portugal.

2. World Health Organization – About HIV page http://www.who.int/hiv/abouthiv/en/

3. Kandathil AJ et al. 2005. Molecular epidemiology of HIV. Indian J Med Res. 121:333-344.

4. Buonaguro L et al. 2007. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtype Distribution in the Worldwide Epidemic: Pathogenic and Therapeutic Implications. J. Virol. 81(19):10209-10219.

5. World Health Organization http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section980/Section1162/Section1167/Section1171_4810.htm

6. UNAIDS (2010) ‘UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic’

7. Human Sciences Research Council (2009), ‘South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey, 2008: A Turning Tide Among Teenagers?’

8. PubMed Health http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001329/

9. World Health Organization – Hepatitis C page http://www.who.int/csr/disease/hepatitis/Hepc.pdf

10. WHO Weekly Epidemiologic Record. 1999;74:412-28

11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/coinfection.htm

12. South African Vaccine and Immunisation Centre http://www.savic.ac.za/disease.php?sub3=88

SOURCE South African National Blood Service

Lanx, Inc. Announces Aspen(TM) Spinous Process Fixation System Clinical Data at IMAST

BROOMFIELD, Colo., July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Lanx®, Inc., a privately held medical device company focused on developing and commercializing innovative devices for spinal surgery, announced its Aspen(TM) Spinous Process Fixation System (Aspen) was featured in two poster presentations at The 18th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST) in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 13th to 16th.

Dan Gladney, Chief Executive Officer, Lanx, commented, “These scientific sessions at IMAST add to our growing body of data that continue to validate the versatility and efficacy of the Aspen system as a viable alternative to pedicle screw-rod fixation, as well as an effective adjunct to fusion. We see great opportunity in the spinous process fixation market and plan to leverage our leadership position to expand our platform with this proven, proprietary technology.”

At the meeting, Dr. Mitchell Hardenbrook of The Boston Spine Group in collaboration with Colorado State University presented “Rigid Spinous Process System Fixation vs. Pedicle Screw Fixation in a Posterolateral Lumbar Arthrodesis Construct – Comparison of Fusion Rates.” In this study, 24 sheep underwent a posterolateral fusion procedure at L5-L6, with autograft placed between the transverse processes. Twelve received the Aspen device and 12 received a bilateral pedicle screw-rod construct. Within 6 months following surgery CT analysis showed 12 of 12 sheep in the Aspen device group with robust bridging bone on at least one side, whereas only 7 of 12 in the pedicle screw group showed the same degree of bridging bone on at least one side.

Also at the meeting, Dr. Dean G. Karahalios of North Shore University Health System in collaboration with Barrow Neurological Institute presented “Biomechanics of Lumbar Facet Screws and Interspinous Anchor.” The study compared the biomechanics of five different constructs combining facet screws, pedicle screws and the Aspen device, evaluating flexion-extension, lateral bending and axial rotation. In the combined average range of motion, both the Aspen device with bilateral facet screws and bilateral pedicle screws provided statistically superior stability.

To date, over 800 spine surgeons have used the Aspen system in nearly 20,000 implantations to achieve lumbar fusion in a less invasive manner than pedicle screws. The system includes a proprietary spiked fixation plate designed to be rigidly affixed to the spinous processes with the use of specialized surgical instrumentation. The unique central barrel allows the device to share the weight found in the lumbar and thoracic spine, while its hollow and fenestrated design serves as a bone graft containment chamber to facilitate fusion.

The Aspen system is intended for single level use in the thoracic or lumbar spine (T1-S1) for the treatment of degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal trauma or spinal tumor. The Aspen system is currently being used in a wide range of surgical applications including posterior fusions and interbody fusions.

Lanx markets a full line of spine stabilization technologies. For more information about the Aspen system or Lanx, please visit www.lanx.com.

About Lanx, Inc.

Lanx is one of the largest and fastest growing privately held global spine companies. The Company was founded by a team of experienced medical device professionals and engineers in 2003 to improve the quality of spine care and provide surgeons with innovative products. Lanx develops and markets a full line of fusion technologies with a focus on minimally invasive and biologics products. The Company is headquartered in Broomfield, CO. More information on Lanx and its spinal surgery products can be found at www.lanx.com.


    Company Contact:                  Media / Investors:
    ----------------                  ------------------
    Steve Deitsch                     Kim Muscara / Nick Laudico
    Chief Financial Officer                        (646) 536-7011/ 7030
    (303) 443-7500                    [email protected]
    [email protected]            [email protected]

SOURCE Lanx, Inc.

Neogen Corporation Announces Year-End Results Conference Call

LANSING, Mich., July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ: NEOG) announces the following Webcast:

                Neogen Corporation Year-End Results
    What:       Webcast
    When:      Tuesday, July 26, 2011 @ 11:00 ET
                http://www.videonewswire.com/
    Where:      event.asp?id=80894
                Live over the Internet --Simply log on
    How:        to the web at the address above.
                Terry Maynard of Neogen Corporation,
    Contact:    +1-800-234-5333

If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived on the Web site www.neogen.com.

Neogen Corporation develops and markets products and services dedicated to food and animal safety. The company’s Food Safety Division markets dehydrated culture media, and diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, genetic modifications, food allergens, unique proteins, drug residues, plant diseases and sanitation concerns. Neogen’s Animal Safety Division markets a complete line of diagnostics, veterinary instruments, veterinary pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, disinfectants, and rodenticides.

Web site: http://www.neogen.com

Audio: http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=80894

SOURCE Neogen Corporation

Concentric Medical Launches DAC® 070, A New Distal Access Catheter

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Concentric Medical, Inc., the global leader in devices for clot removal in ischemic stroke patients and distal access solutions, today announced the launch of the DAC® 070 Catheter. The DAC 070 Catheter is the fourth and largest diameter addition to the DAC family, making it the most complete family of distal access catheters commercially available.

The DAC Catheter was the first in a new class of catheters known as distal access catheters. The DAC Catheter was designed to help physicians navigate challenging anatomy in the brain and provide stability during neurovascular procedures. Stability and ease of navigation are important to keeping interventional procedures both safe and short.

Concentric Medical pioneered this new class of catheters with the introduction of the first DAC, the DAC 044, in August 2008. The DAC 044 was originally designed to provide distal navigation and neurovascular stability during clot retrieval procedures in patients experiencing ischemic stroke. With the launch of two additional sizes in 2009, the DAC 038 and the DAC 057, the DAC Catheters quickly proved themselves as an invaluable tool in making many interventional neurovascular procedures easier. With the launch of the DAC 070, Concentric Medical now offers the broadest selection of sizes to support a wide variety of neurovascular procedures. The DAC 070 offers the stability of the original DAC Catheters with the added benefit of a larger lumen through which physicians can deliver multiple therapeutic devices.

After his initial experience with the new DAC 070, Dr. Adnan Siddiqui, Director of Neurosurgical Research and Stroke Services at the University of Buffalo in Buffalo, New York said, “The DAC 070 is a nice addition to the family. Not only does it provide the key design benefits of a smaller DAC, but the larger lumen allows for the introduction of multiple devices while maintaining good lumen integrity. The balance of stability and flexibility make this catheter uniquely helpful in a variety of cases including some in the venous vasculature.”

Maria Sainz, President and CEO of Concentric Medical, said, “The feedback and experience with the DAC family of Catheters in Europe and North America is extremely positive. DAC has become an important segment of our business. This technology is truly in a class of its own. Concentric is proud to be leading the way with this unique catheter and offering a broad selection of lengths and diameters to meet most case needs. We are committed to bringing innovative neurovascular tools to clinicians globally.”

Following his initial cases with the DAC 070, Dr. J. Mocco, a neurointerventionalist at Shands Hospital in Gainsville, Florida said, “The DAC family of catheters represents a unique and powerful tool for neurovascular procedures. The full array of sizes and lengths make this technology helpful in many clinical situations. In my experience, DACs provide the critical stability and support needed to make previously challenging cases easier and improve patient outcomes.”

About Concentric Medical

Concentric Medical is located in Mountain View, California, and was founded in August 1999. The company manufactures and markets the Merci Retrieval System®, which is a minimally invasive device delivered by a neurointerventionalist into the brain to restore blood flow by removing blood clots that cause ischemic stroke. The Merci Retrieval System is available in over 250 leading stroke centers around the world, and has been the subject of two successful clinical trials, MERCI and Multi MERCI. Concentric Medical estimates that over 15,000 patients have been treated with its devices. For more information about Concentric Medical, please visit www.concentric-medical.com.

About the DAC Catheters

The DAC family of catheters is the only complete line of catheters specifically designed to provide distal navigation and stability in interventional neurovascular procedures. Commercially available for over three years, the DAC Catheters have been widely used worldwide in procedures, including AVM embolization, aneurysm coiling, intracranial stent delivery and as a support device in acute ischemic stroke procedures that are performed with the Merci Retrieval Device.

Media Contact:
+1 650-938-2100
[email protected]

SOURCE Concentric Medical, Inc.

Genetic Testing Can Help the US Cut Costs and Improve Health Care

Better Targeting of Pharmaceuticals to Patient’s Genetic Profile Could Save $30B – $110B Annually

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Genetic testing made possible by the mapping of the human genome can help the US cut costs and create jobs while at the same time improving survival rates for such diseases as cancer, HIV, and heart disease.

This according to Alan Mertz, president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA): “Genetic testing is going to be a powerful and increasingly important tool in helping public and private payers get control of over-utilization and inappropriate utilization of health care resources,” said Mertz in a recent presentation to the Marwood Group, a health care advisory and financial services company.

“An estimated $30 billion – $110 billion every year could be saved by using genetic tests to select the drug that precisely matches the genetic fingerprint of the patient,” said Mertz.

Every year, the US spends about $300 billion on pharmaceuticals, he explained. But studies show that anywhere from 20% to 75% of patients do not respond to drug therapy, often due to drug interactions or incorrect dosing. Roughly half of the time, it is due to a molecular mismatch between the patient and the pharmaceutical, said Mertz.

“But if we provide patients with more targeted therapy — based upon their own, unique genomic profile — we have clear potential to address some of this inappropriate care,” he added.

Mertz cited examples where genetic tests both improve health outcomes and health economics: In breast cancer, 30% of women have an overabundance of the HER2 protein. Regular chemotherapy will not help them, but a drug called Herceptin does. Genetic testing lets doctors know which patients will respond to the drug, which has been shown to reduce the risk of death by 33% and the risk of recurrence by 52%. The resulting cost savings is $24,000 per patient.

Similarly, genetic tests help physicians select the right drug for patients with metastatic colon cancer, thus avoiding ineffective treatment and reducing adverse events. “According to one estimate, the US health care system could save $700 million annually if test were done before prescribing the drug,” said Mertz.

Using genetic tests to select the right dose of the most common blood thinner, warfarin, could save a whopping $1.1 billion annually, according to a 2006 Brookings/AEI estimate, Mertz said. A study from June 2010 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reported that use of the test could reduce hospitalizations from inaccurate dosing by 31%.

Mertz also cited a recently released Battelle report that found that between 1988 and 2010, human genome sequencing projects — which includes genetic testing — generated $796 billion in US economic output, $244 billion in personal income for Americans, and 3.8 million job-years of employment.

“Genetic testing offers new tools to help us manage disease and use our health care resources wisely,” said Mertz. “It also opens a world of economic potential in jobs, growth, and output.”

The American Clinical Laboratory Association represents the nation’s clinical reference laboratories. For more information go to: www.clinical-labs.org/

SOURCE American Clinical Laboratory Association

Study: Nearly 1 In 4 Americans Are Binge Drinkers

More than one-fifth of all Americans are binge drinkers, regularly consuming more than five alcoholic beverages a day, according to the results of a new Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released Thursday.

Twenty-three percent of the population reported participating in binge drinking, according to Daniel Bates of the Daily Mail. Furthermore, approximately 8-percent of underage drinkers surveyed said that they would get drunk on a weekly basis, despite being prohibited by law from consuming wine, beer, and hard liquor, Bates reported.

“Experts have repeatedly warned about the dangers that binge drinking can have, especially on teenagers,” the Daily Mail reporter noted. “Research out this week showed binge drinking can harm teens’ ability to perceive their environment at a time when their brains are still developing.”

In addition, Jonathan Shorman of USA Today, points out that 8.4-percent of those who participated in the SAMHSA study reported using an illicit drug within the past month. Shorman also notes that 6.4-percent said that they had smoked marijuana within the past month, and more than one in ten had used pot within the past year’s time.

According to a SAMHSA press release, “The report”¦ provides valuable insight to state public health authorities and service providers on the scope and nature of behavioral health issues affecting their states. The report is part of SAMHSA’s strategic initiative on data, outcomes, and quality–an effort to provide the best available information to everyone involved in the behavioral health field.”

The study found that the highest percentage of binge drinking, by state, was in North Dakota, where nearly 30-percent of those over the age of 12 reported consuming a minimum of five qualifying alcoholic drinks, according to USA Today. Utah, at 14.1-percent, was the lowest.

Bates reports that illegal drug usage was highest in Alaska (13.5-percent) and lowest in Iowa (5.29-percent). However, in their press release, SAMHSA pointed out that “current illicit drug use dropped among adolescents aged 12 to 17 in 17 states between 2002-2003 and 2008-2009,” and that there were “no increases in current illicit drug use occurred in any state in this age group over this time period.”

“The report is based on the combined 2008 and 2009 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Using data drawn from interviews with 137,436 persons from throughout the country the report provides a state-by-state breakdown along 25 different measures of substance abuse and mental health problems including illicit drug use, binge drinking, alcohol and illicit drug dependence, tobacco use, serious mental illness, and major depressive episode,” the organization said.

The complete report is available through SAMHSA’s official website.

On the Net:

CERN Officials May Have Witnessed ‘God Particle’

Scientists working at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) may have gotten their first look at the so-called “God particle” — the fabled massive elementary particle known as the Higgs boson — according to BBC News reports published Friday.

According to BBC Science Correspondent Ian Sample, officials at the Geneva-based particle physics laboratory announced the possible discovery during the 2011 Europhysics Conference on High-Energy Physics (HEP 2011), which opened Thursday in Grenoble, France.

“Speaking at the meeting, teams working on two of the collider’s huge detectors, Atlas and CMS, independently reported unusual bumps in their data that could be the first hints of the particle,” Sample reported.

“Physicists stressed that it was too early to know whether the signals were due to the missing particle,” he added. “Bumps that look like new discoveries can be caused by statistical fluctuations in data, flaws in computer models and other glitches, they said.”

“We cannot say anything today, but clearly it’s intriguing,” Fabiola Gianotti, spokeswoman for the 3,000-strong Atlas team, told BBC News, adding that they would know more after CERN personnel from both the Atlas and CMS teams were able to obtain more information and compare their results.

According to a press release, officials working on the LHC have scheduled a press release for Monday, July 25. Representatives from all CERN teams involved on the project are expected to present data at that conference, the research organization announced on Thursday.

“Discovery or exclusion of the Higgs particle, as predicted by the Standard Model, is getting ever closer,” CERN Director for Research and Scientific Computing, Sergio Bertolucci, said in a statement. “Both occurrences will be great news for physics, the former allowing us to start the detailed study of the Higgs particle, the latter being the first proof of the incompleteness of the Standard Model, requiring new phenomena to be happening within the reach of the LHC.”

“We’re taking our first steps in this new physics landscape,” added CMS experiment spokesman Guido Tonelli, “and it is great to see how fast we are producing new results. I am confident that soon there will be only a few regions left where the Higgs boson, as postulated by the Standard Model, might still be hiding.”

CERN was founded in 1954, and according to the organization’s official website, it is among the largest and most esteemed research centers on the planet. Through the use of particle accelerators and decelerators, they observe and record the results of collisions. The experiments using the LHC are not only seeking for the Higgs boson particle, but also searching for dark matter and hoping to gain a greater understanding of anti-matter.

On the Net:

Huge Water Reservoir Found In Space

A team of astronomers have discovered the largest and farthest reservoir of water ever detected in the universe.

The researchers found a mass of water vapor that is at least 140 trillion times that of all water in the world’s oceans combined, and 100,000 times more massive than the sun.

The team said the light has taken 12 billion years to reach Earth, and the astronomers were observing the light when the universe was just 1.6 billion years old.

“The environment around this quasar is unique in that it’s producing this huge mass of water,” Matt Bradford, a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and a visiting associate at Caltech, said in a statement.

“It’s another demonstration that water is pervasive throughout the universe, even at the very earliest times.”

Fueled by a Black Hole

The quasar is powered by an enormous black hole that is steadily consuming a surrounding disk of gas and dust.

The astronomers studied a particular quasar that harbors a black hole 20 billion times more massive than the sun and produces as much energy as a thousand trillion suns.

Bradford said that since astronomers expected water vapor to be present even in the early universe, the discovery of water itself is not a surprise.

The researchers said that the water vapor is distributed around the black hole in a gaseous region spanning hundreds of light years, and its presence indicates that the gas is unusually warm and dense by astronomical standards.

The water vapor is just one of many kinds of gas that surround the quasar.  The interaction between the radiation and water vapor reveals properties of the gas and how the quasar influences it.

Bradford’s team made their discovery in 2008 by using an instrument called Z-Spect at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO).   This instrument measures light in a region of the electromagnetic spectrum called the millimeter band, which lies between the infrared and microwave wavelengths.

The astronomers say that this discovery highlights the benefits of observing in the millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths.

The second group of astronomers used the Plateau de Bure Interferometer in the French Alps to find water.  The team was looking for traces of hydrogen fluoride in the spectrum of the same quasar, but ended up detecting a signal in the quasar’s spectrum that indicated the presence of water.

Bradford’s team will have their papers published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Image Caption: This artist’s concept illustrates a quasar, or feeding black hole, similar to APM 08279+5255, where astronomers discovered huge amounts of water vapor. Gas and dust likely form a torus around the black hole, with clouds of charged gas above and below. X-rays emerge from the center, while dust throughout the torus emits infrared radiation. While this figure shows the quasar’s torus approximately edge-on, the torus around APM 08279+5255 is likely positioned face-on from our point of view. Credit: NASA/ESA

Chance Favors The Concentration Of Wealth

New model isolates the effects of chance in an investment-based economy

Most of our society’s wealth is invested in businesses or other ventures that may or may not pan out. Thus, chance plays a role in where the wealth of a society will end up.

But does chance favor the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, or does it tend to level the playing field? Three University of Minnesota researchers have built a simplified model that isolates the effects of chance and found that it consistently pushes wealth into the hands of a few, ever-richer people.

The study, “Entrepreneurs, chance, and the deterministic concentration of wealth,” is published in the July 20 issue of the journal PLoS ONE.

The researchers simulated the performance of a large number of investors who started out with equal amounts of capital and who realized returns annually over a number of years. But wealth did not remain equal, because each year an entrepreneur’s return was a random draw taken from a pool of possible return rates. Thus, a high return did not guarantee continuing high returns, nor did early low returns mean continuing bad luck.

Even though all investors had an equal chance of success, the simulations consistently resulted in dramatic concentration of wealth over time. The reason: With compounding capital returns, some individuals will have a string of high returns and, given enough time, will accumulate an overwhelming share of the wealth.

This appears to be a fundamental feature of economies where wealth is primarily generated from returns on investment (for example, through business ownership and growth), the researchers said.

“Predictions from this model about how wealth is distributed were more accurate than predictions from classic economic models,” said first author Joseph Fargione, an adjunct professor of ecology, evolution and behavior in the university’s College of Biological Sciences.

The model predicts that the rate at which wealth concentrates depends on the variation among individual return rates. For example, when variation is high, it would take only 100 years for the top 1 percent to increase their share of total wealth from 40 percent””a recent level in the United States””to 90 percent.

Healthy economies support diverse entrepreneurial efforts, leading to high economic growth. But concentration of wealth reduces diversity, and with it the most likely growth rate for a country’s economy, according to the researchers.

“The implication is that nations with diverse economies should tend to outcompete on the world stage those with large concentrations of wealth, such as monarchies, or established democracies that have allowed their wealth to concentrate,” said author Clarence Lehman, associate dean for research in the College of Biological Sciences.

But while the rate of wealth concentration was increased by high variation among individual investors’ returns, it bore no relation to the average economic growth.

“This leads to the surprising finding that wealth will concentrate due to chance alone in growing, stagnant or shrinking economies,” said author Steve Polasky, professor of applied economics in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.

The simulation results showed wealth concentrating regardless of economic cycles of growth and recession and regardless of whether wealth is split between two offspring every generation. As wealth concentrates with a few individuals, the growth of the economy will depend more and more on the returns of those few, making the economy less resilient to disruptions in their investments, the researchers said.

“The irony is that the economic diversity that helps ensure the presence of some successful enterprises and spurs economic growth could be lost if the success of these enterprises undermines economic diversity,” said Fargione. “To retain the benefits of a diverse capitalist economy, we need economic policies that counter what seems to be the innate tendency for economies to concentrate wealth and become less diverse.”

The simulations showed that a tax (or other mandatory donation to the public good) on the largest inherited fortunes would short-circuit the over-concentration of wealth. But the researchers stress that their point is to advocate not a particular policy, but a policy that accomplishes the goal of protecting long-term economic stability.

On the Net:

Urine Is Not The Best Treatment For Jellyfish Stings

It has long been believed that applying urine to jellyfish stings is the best quick treatment for painful jellyfish stings. However, according to the British Red Cross, this may not be the case.

The group said the myth of urine being the best immediate way to treat a jellyfish sting is just that — a myth. It advises anyone who has been stung by a jellyfish to use a much simpler method of combating the painful stings.

“A sting from a jellyfish can be extremely painful, but trying to treat it with urine isn’t going to make your day any better,” Joe Mulligan, the British Red Cross’s head of first aid, told British news sources. “Urine just doesn’t have the right chemical make-up to solve the problem.”

“If people have been stung, they need to get out of the water to avoid getting stung again. Once out, slowly pouring seawater over the sting will help ease the pain,” Mulligan told the Daily Mail. “Doing the same thing with vinegar can be even more effective as the acid helps neutralize the jellyfish sting. But unless you’re near a chip shop, seawater will probably be easier to find.”

The British Red Cross issued the advice after conservationists claimed that jellyfish numbers are on the rise off the British coast, posing greater risk of stings to beachgoers.

Just last month, closure of the Torness nuclear power plant in Scotland occurred after numerous moon jellyfish clogged water intake cooling systems along the coast.

The Marine Conservation Society is asking beachgoers to take part in its crowd-sourced survey of jellyfish numbers when they go to the beach this upcoming weekend to learn more about the marine creature.

Jellyfish are the staple diet of leatherback sea turtles, which migrate to the British waters to feed on the jellyfish blooms. By studying distribution of jellyfish along with environmental factors such as sea temperature, plankton production and current flow, scientists hope to understand what influences the seasonal migration of jellyfish and leatherbacks to British waters.

Those that do get brave enough to get close to the jellyfish are urged to “look but not touch.” Although most species of jellyfish have only a mild sting, some, like the lion’s mane have a strong – but not fatal – sting.

Although described by some as an “old wives’ tale,” the misbelief that urinating on a jellyfish sting will lessen pain became more widespread after it was featured on an episode of TV sitcom Friends. 

On the Net:

Merz Pharmaceuticals Commends The Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation On 30 Years Of Community Support

GREENSBORO, N.C., July 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC, commends the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation (BEBRF) for 30 years of dedication to increasing awareness of blepharospasm, a neurological disorder that causes abnormal, involuntary spasms of the muscles around the eye, and raising funds for research. Founded on July 23, 1981, BEBRF has grown to be an invaluable resource for the blepharospasm community.

Many people living with blepharospasm have spent months or even years experiencing the symptoms of uncontrollable eyelid blinking before receiving an accurate diagnosis. It was a similar delay in diagnosis and an overall lack of awareness among both physicians and the public that motivated Mattie Lou Koster to form BEBRF 30 years ago. Today, her daughter Mary Lou Thompson continues to lead the organization, which aims to undertake, promote, develop and carry on the search for the cause and a cure for blepharospasm.

“I’m so pleased to celebrate how far BEBRF has come in the past 30 years,” said Mary Lou, President of BEBRF. “It’s been such an honor for me to continue my mother’s goal of creating a foundation that addresses the needs of patients while raising awareness of blepharospasm so it becomes more easily recognized. I thank the remarkable members of the blepharospasm community and our supportive partners for all of their hard work over the years.”

Through a network of local support groups, educational activities and collaboration with other organizations that have similar goals, BEBRF has had a significant impact on the blepharospasm community. The symposiums, newsletters, website, pamphlets and other materials provided by the organization have been influential in helping people better understand their diagnosis while raising awareness of the condition.

“BEBRF has bettered the lives of blepharospasm sufferers and their families worldwide in the last 30 years,” said Richard L. Anderson, M.D., F.A.C.S., Center for Facial Appearances, Salt Lake City, Utah. “I look forward to seeing the advances made by BEBRF in the next three decades and I am very proud to be on the Board of this foundation.”

In an effort to continue bringing resources to people with blepharospasm across the U.S., Merz Pharmaceuticals will expand its support of BEBRF beyond the national level by providing assistance to local BEBRF support groups. For more information about how Merz can assist your local blepharospasm support group, please contact Merz Professional Services at 1-800-334-0514.

“When I was first diagnosed with blepharospasm nearly 25 years ago, I didn’t know where to go for more information,” said Anita Croce, BEBRF North Central District Director. “My doctor referred me to BEBRF and since then, I’ve been working closely with the Foundation to ensure others living with this condition know they’re not alone. I’m proud to have seen BEBRF mature from the beginning years to where we are today, with undaunted dedication to empowering patients and providing opportunities to share experiences, encouragement, hope and knowledge.”

Although there is no cure for blepharospasm at this time, there are treatments available, including botulinum toxin injections, drug therapy and surgery.

“On this occasion of the 30th anniversary of BEBRF, I wish the foundation continued success in its pursuit of the primary mission to improve the quality of life of each and every person living with blepharospasm through support of research, education and services,” said Joseph Jankovic, M.D., Director of the Parkinson’s Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. “For me, being a founding member and the first Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the BEBRF, and having the privilege to know Mattie Lou and Mary Lou, have been among the most rewarding experiences in my personal and professional life, for which I will always be grateful.”

For more information about BEBRF, including local support group meetings, visit www.blepharospasm.org.

About Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm is a rare neurological disorder that affects the muscles around the eye that are used to blink. It can result in involuntary contractions in the eyelids which can vary from an increased blink rate and intermittent eyelid spasm to eyelid closing for most of the day. Blepharospasm usually begins in the fifth to sixth decade of life and is more common in women than in men.

According to an epidemiology study conducted in Rochester, Minn. focal dystonia (which includes cervical dystonia and blepharospasm) is estimated to affect 295 per million people in the U.S.

About Merz

Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC is a part of the Merz Group of companies and was established in 1995 to develop and commercialize products for the Merz Group. Areas of therapeutic focus include Neurology, Physiatry, Dermatology, and Podiatry.

With over a century of heritage, the Merz Group is known worldwide for its development of original compounds and formulations for medical professionals and consumers in 90 countries. Globally, Merz is a leader in the development of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of neurological and psychological disorders as well as for aesthetic medicine. Global research is concentrated in fields that have a strong need for therapeutic innovation such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, tinnitus, chronic pain conditions, addictions, and neuromuscular disturbances.

SOURCE Merz Pharmaceuticals

Compassion Comes Home: World Travelers Return and Open New Acti-Kare Branch to Serve Florida Seniors

WINTER GARDEN, Fla., July 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Compassionate care for seniors is a worldwide need – a fact well understood by new Acti-Kare franchise owners Molly and Kevin Heinz. Missionaries in Central Asia for the past decade, the Heinzes realized that they enjoyed working with the elderly and wanted to continue this service upon their return to the US. Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care, a well-respected nationwide company that focuses on providing non-medical assistive care, allowed them just the right opportunity – and their love of the Central Florida area provided just the right community.

“We had spent furloughs in the Windermere area since 2002, and both of our daughters went to college here in Central Florida,” says Molly. A former health care professional, she will contribute her experience and insight to the operations of the new Acti-Kare branch. Kevin, an MBA and former IT professional, will lend further business expertise to the endeavor. Both of the Heinzes are looking forward to continuing their tradition of caring and service.

In fact, the Heinzes’ own goals are a perfect match with Acti-Kare’s company ideals. The franchise focuses on helping seniors to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own home environments for as long as possible, providing professional yet highly individualized assistance that helps each client to maintain their activity level, independence, and dignity while still receiving any and all assistance they may require. Highly trained caregivers can provide companionship, transportation and mobility assistance, help with errands, bill-paying, shopping, and nutritional aid, perform light housekeeping duties, and more. Many caregivers have prior experience and/or training in caring for those with Alzheimer’s or other special needs.

Acti-Kare’s clients appreciate the flexibility of the care options available, and the fact that clients can easily obtain as many hours of support as desired or needed, even if those needs change over time. This makes the service ideal in many circumstances, whether to provide short breaks for family caregivers or more regular and constant assistance.

Molly and Kevin Heinz are thrilled to be back in the US and contributing to their local community. “Our three children also live in Central Florida, and my mother Lois, now in her eighties, worked in a local hospital here for forty years,” comments Molly. “And after living overseas for so long, we understand more fully what a great country we live in!” Active members of their church, the Heinzes put a high priority on their faith, love of country, and compassionate work.

Photo of Molly and Kevin Heinz:
http://www.ereleases.com/pic/Acti-Kare-Heinz.jpg

The Heinzes’ new Acti-Kare branch will serve Winter Garden and surrounding areas of Central Florida. For more information about Acti-Kare locations and caregiver services, please call 407-654-5273 or visit http://www.actikare.com or http://www.Facebook.com/ActiKareLOCFL. Florida License # HCS 232223

SOURCE Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care

Dr. Shawn Stevenson Joins True Results Weight Loss Team

PHOENIX, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — True Results, the nation’s most experienced Lap Band provider, recently announced that Dr. Shawn Stevenson has joined its Phoenix team.

“Being a part of the True Results team allows me to help people who are ready to make a positive life change,” said Dr. Stevenson. “One of my greatest joys is seeing the amazing results achieved by my gastric banding patients. When they lose their excess weight, they improve their appearance, health and confidence.”

“Dr. Stevenson’s specialized training and surgical skills make him a valuable addition to our outstanding team,” added Geoff Wayne, President and Chief Operating Officer of True Results. “Our team of leading surgeons is the nation’s most experienced having completed more than 20,000 lap band procedures. Dr. Stevenson is committed to providing the comprehensive treatment and renowned Aftercare that has long been associated with the True Results Program.”

After completing his medical training at Midwest University, Dr. Stevenson completed his residency at University of Arizona College of Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the Arizona College of Surgeons. He also has extensive experience performing hundreds of advanced laparoscopic surgeries and is a certified surgeon in the Lap Band system and Realize Gastric Banding.

If you are interested in achieving weight loss for good, please schedule your free individual consultation by calling (800) 411-0513 or visiting www.trueresults.com.

About True Results

True Results, is America’s #1 Lap Band provider, having completed more than 20,000 procedures. With an industry-leading network of physicians, healthcare professionals, surgical centers and aftercare specialists, True Results is dedicated to the comprehensive treatment and care of gastric banding patients. True Results’ Aftercare program, led by renowned national medical director, Dr. Paul O’Brien, is one of the most thorough and successful programs in the nation. With outpatient surgery centers in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Phoenix, True Results is committed to delivering the highest quality Lap Band surgery and aftercare directly to patients to improve their health and quality of life.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Paul O’Brien, MD, FRACS

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=95663

SOURCE True Results

Genethon and Children’s Hospital Boston Get FDA approval for a Wiskott Aldrich Gene Therapy Trial

BOSTON, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the launching in the U.S. of a clinical trial for gene therapy for a rare immunodeficiency, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS). After its implementation in Paris and London, this trial based on preclinical research performed at Genethon (Evry, France) which also manufactures the GMP gene therapy product, is now going to be launched in Boston. It’s one of the first international clinical trials using a gene therapy treatment for a rare disease.

Earlier this year, Genethon, the not-for-profit biotherapy laboratory funded by the French Muscular Dystrophy Association (AFM) thanks to the donations collected during the French Telethon, and Children’s Hospital Boston announced that they have initiated a partnership to conduct a gene therapy clinical trial for Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS), a severe immunodeficiency disease leading to death before adulthood. Genethon is sponsoring parallel trials at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and Hopital Necker-Enfants Malades in Paris and is supplying the vector for all clinical sites. In total, this trial will involve fifteen patients, five for each site, who will be treated by 2013-2014. The sites in London and Paris have already started treating patients under this protocol. Altogether, the WAS gene therapy trials in London, Paris and Boston will constitute a unique multicenter collaboration to accelerate the testing of new advanced therapies for rare conditions.

The Boston trial will be funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) through its Gene Therapy Resource Program (GTRP). Principal investigators at Children’s are Sung-Yun Pai, MD, Division of Hematology/Oncology, and Luigi Notarangelo, MD, director, Research and Molecular Diagnosis Program on Primary Immunodeficiencies, Division of Immunology. David A. Williams, MD, chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology and director of Translational Research for Children’s Hospital Boston, will serve as sponsor-investigator. The gene insertion of patient cells will be accomplished in the Connell O’Reilly Family Good Manufacturing facility at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in collaboration with the Center for Human Cell Therapy at Harvard Medical School.

Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) is a rare primary immune deficiency disease causing significant bleeding due to low platelet count and increased incidence of serious infections. Most patients have mild to severe eczema and are also at a higher risk of developing autoimmune disorders and malignancies such as lymphoma. The forthcoming clinical trial results from a research program initiated in 2002 by the group of Anne Galy at Genethon (Inserm UMR951/Genethon, Universite d’Evry Val d’Essonne, EPHE), which has developed an ex vivo approach that uses an HIV-derived lentiviral vector to transfer genes into autologous CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells from WAS patients.

“This authorization constitutes a new key stage for the project WAS initiated in 2002 by Anne Galy and her team at the Genethon. It is also an international recognition of the quality of the work of Genethon. Without the donations collected during the French Telethon, this international gene therapy trial could not exist,” states Laurence Tiennot-Herment, Chairperson, AFM and Genethon.

“We are very happy with the approval given by the FDA for the extension of the WAS clinical trial by the group headed by Prof. Williams. It demonstrates again the ability of Genethon to bring its research projects to the clinic in collaboration with the best clinical teams worldwide, for the benefit of patients. It reflects our cutting edge expertise in the field of translational research, bioproduction and preparation and implementation of clinical trials,” emphasizes Frederic Revah, CEO Genethon.

“At Children’s Hospital Boston, we are committed to utilizing state-of-the-art cell and molecular therapies to treat devastating pediatric diseases. The trial in WAS is particularly noteworthy as it represents a continuing transatlantic scientific and clinical research collaborative effort in gene therapy and huge multi-disciplinary team effort at Children’s,” comments Dr. David A. Williams, Sponsor-Investigator of study.

About Genethon

Genethon is a not-for-profit research centre that was created by the French Muscular Dystrophy Association (AFM) and funded almost exclusively by donations from France’s annual Telethon. Its goal is to deliver gene therapies to patients with rare diseases. With over 200 scientists, physicians, engineers and regulatory affairs specialists, Genethon is one of the world’s leading centers for preclinical and clinical research and development in the field of gene therapy. Genethon also has a biomanufacturing platform for clinical-grade vectors and is involved in building the world’s largest facility for pre-industrial pilot production (Genethon BioProd), which will open in Evry in 2012.

www.genethon.fr

About the AFM

The French Muscular Dystrophy Association (AFM) federates patients with neuromuscular diseases (genetic diseases that kill, muscle after muscle) and their parents. Thanks in great part to donations from France’s annual Telethon (90 million euros in 2010), the AFM has become a major player in biomedical research into rare diseases in France and worldwide. It is currently funding 36 clinical trials on 30 different genetic diseases affecting the eyes, the blood, the brain, the immune system, the muscle… Thanks to its Genethon research lab, the AFM stands out through its unique ability to produce and test its own gene-based medicines.

More information at www.afm-telethon.fr

About Children’s Hospital Boston

Children’s Division of Hematology/Oncology is internationally-known for treating young children and adolescents with all types of cancer and blood disorders. Its services are offered through two distinct services, Hematology and Oncology. The Hematology service treats children with all types of non-malignant blood disorders. The Oncology service, provided via the Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center treats patients with cancer as well as those requiring stem cell transplantation. The Division of Immunology at Children’s Hospital Boston is a leading center worldwide for the diagnosis and treatment of patients affected with immune deficiency diseases and for the identification of the underlying genetic defects. Children’s Hospital Boston is home to the world’s largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 1,100 scientists, including 9 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 9 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children’s research community. Children’s Hospital Boston has been ranked as one of the nation’s best pediatric hospitals by U.S.News & World Report for the past 21 years. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Children’s Hospital Boston today is a 396 bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in the values of excellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex needs and diversity of children and families. Children’s also is the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information about research and clinical innovation at Children’s, visit: http://vectorblog.org

Press contacts
AFM/Genethon:
Anne-Sophie Midol/Stephanie Bardon/Geraldine Broudin – Tel.: +33 169 472 828 – [email protected]

ALIZE RP
Caroline Carmagnol – Mobile: +33 664 189 959 / Tel.: +33 142 688 643 [email protected]
Anne-Sophie Cosqueric – Tel. : +33 142 688 641 – [email protected]

Children’s Hospital Boston
Rob Graham – Tel.: +011 617 919 3111
[email protected]

SOURCE Children’s Hospital Boston

Quanterix Digital Immunoassay for Prostate Specific Antigen Improves Analytical Performance

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Quanterix Corporation, an in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) company providing life science researchers and IVD labs single molecule technology with unprecedented sensitivity and precision, announced that the analytical performance of AccuPSA(TM), a fifth-generation digital immunoassay for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), demonstrated a robust 2-log improvement in sensitivity over today’s ultrasensitive third-generation assays for measuring PSA in patients following radical prostatectomy. The company’s proprietary Single Molecule Array (SiMoA(TM)) technology platform combines both digital and analog detection in one straightforward measurement, thereby broadening the range of protein detection that can be acquired from a small sample size. Data will be presented at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) 2011 Annual Meeting held July 24-28 in Atlanta, GA.

“Because a radical prostatectomy removes the tissue responsible for producing PSA, measuring this protein in patients following surgery is very difficult with the assays available today,” explains David Wilson Ph.D., Senior Director, Product Development at Quanterix and lead author of the study. “The 1000-fold improvement in sensitivity from SiMoA enables us to accurately measure PSA levels in all post radical prostatectomy patients tested. AccuPSA has the potential to provide precise and reliable measurements of a patients’ PSA levels post surgery, which could enable risk stratification for cancer recurrence based on a single blood test. This test could be a significant advance for physicians to determine the right treatment and monitoring plan going forward.”

These data are part of a follow-up retrospective pilot study conducted by Quanterix that was designed to determine the ability of the test to predict 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival following radical prostatectomy. Data presented at the AACC will focus on the analytical performance of the AccuPSA test. Clinical utility was also demonstrated and these results will be published later this year in a prominent peer-reviewed journal.

Poster Presentation Information:
Abstract # A-47
Analytical Performance of AccuPSA(TM), a Fifth-generation Digital Immunoassay for Prostate Specific Antigen
Session: 02/Cancer/Tumor Markers
Date/Time: 7/26/2011 10:00:00 AM

About Quanterix

Quanterix Corporation is developing its proprietary Single Molecule Array (SiMoA(TM)) technology for the in vitro diagnostics and life science research markets. The digital nature of SiMoA yields unprecedented assay performance, stemming from a 1,000-fold improvement in sensitivity compared with today’s analog only technology. SiMoA will enable researchers in life science to validate novel, low abundance biomolecules from a single droplet of blood, leading to greater insight into disease detection, diagnosis, therapy selection and disease monitoring. Automated systems based on SiMoA will provide diagnostic test information to healthcare practitioners faster, with greater reliability, unprecedented range and increased cost effectiveness. Founded in 2007, the privately held Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company is backed by leading life science investors including ARCH Venture Partners, Bain Capital Ventures, and Flagship Ventures. For additional information, please visit www.quanterix.com.

SOURCE Quanterix Corporation

Scientists Construct World’s Most Detailed Genetic Map

Scientists at the University of Oxford and Harvard Medical School have constructed the world’s most detailed genetic map.

The map specifies the precise areas in the genetic material of a sperm or egg, where the DNA from the mother and father has been reshuffled in order to produce this single reproductive cell.

The biological process in which this reshuffling occurs is known as “recombination.”

Although most genetic maps have been developed from people of European ancestry, this new map offers the first construction from African American recombination genomic data.

“This is the world’s most accurate genetic map,” David Reich, professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, who co-led the study, said in a statement.

The researchers found that positions where recombination occurs in African Americans are significantly different from non-African populations.

“The landscape of recombination has shifted in African Americans compared with Europeans,” Anjali Hinch, first author and a post-graduate student at Oxford University’s Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, said in a press release.

Simon Myers, a lecturer in the Department of Statistics at the University of Oxford, added, “More than half of African Americans carry a version of the biological machinery for recombination that is different than Europeans. As a result, African Americans experience recombination where it almost never occurs in Europeans.”

The team said scientists have just recently started to explore the genetic differences between individuals and populations. 

The new genetic map pinpoints genome locations where people splice together DNA form their mothers and fathers to produce sperm or eggs.

Dr. James Wilson, UMMC professor of medicine and the study’s coordinator, believes the map holds promise for genome-wide applications and single-disease research.

“The map will be helpful in finding the genetic roots of any disease that’s affected by inheritance ““ which is virtually every disease,” he said in a statement.

The findings are published in the July 21 edition of Nature.

On the Net:

Medco Delivers Second-Quarter 2011 GAAP Diluted EPS of $0.85, Up 10.4 Percent; Diluted EPS Excluding All Intangible Amortization of $0.96, Up 10.3 Percent

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —

Second-Quarter 2011 Highlights:

  • GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased 10.4 percent to $0.85 from $0.77 in second-quarter 2010
  • Diluted EPS, excluding all intangible amortization, increased 10.3 percent to $0.96 from $0.87 in second-quarter 2010
  • Total net revenues increased 4.1 percent to a record of $17.1 billion
  • Gross margin increased 4.1 percent to over $1.1 billion, representing a gross margin percentage of 6.5 percent, consistent with second-quarter 2010
  • EBITDA increased 0.8 percent to $736.1 million, and EBITDA per adjusted prescription increased slightly to $3.07
  • Mail-order prescriptions increased 0.7 percent to 27.7 million, including generic mail-order prescriptions, which increased 6.0 percent to a record 17.8 million
  • Overall generic dispensing rate increased 2.8 percentage points to a record 73.4 percent; mail-order generic dispensing rate increased 3.1 percentage points to a record 64.3 percent
  • Specialty pharmacy revenues increased 13.2 percent to a record $3.2 billion; specialty operating income increased 20.8 percent to a record $132.8 million

2011 Guidance Reaffirmed:

  • Full-year 2011 GAAP diluted EPS expected in the range of $3.59 to $3.69, representing growth of 14 to 17 percent over 2010
  • Full-year 2011 guidance for diluted EPS, excluding all intangible amortization, expected in the range of $4.02 to $4.12, representing growth of 13 to 16 percent over the 2010 full-year equivalent of $3.55 (please see Table 9)

Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) today reported second-quarter 2011 GAAP diluted EPS of $0.85, up 10.4 percent compared to $0.77 for the second quarter of 2010. Adjusting for all amortization of intangible assets, second-quarter 2011 diluted earnings per share increased 10.3 percent to $0.96, up from $0.87 in the second quarter of 2010. When excluding the second-quarter 2010 benefit from a settlement award in a class action antitrust lawsuit brought by direct purchasers of a brand-name medication, second-quarter 2011 diluted EPS, excluding all intangible amortization, increased 14.3 percent from second-quarter 2010.

(LOGO: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100609/MEDCOLOGO )

“Medco’s second-quarter results are characterized by strong performance across the enterprise. We generated record revenues that include a 43.3 percent increase in service revenues driven primarily by UnitedBioSource Corp (UBC) and growth across our portfolio of service offerings. Record specialty operating income, continued strong performance in Medicare, and record generic mail-order volume and generic dispensing rates also contributed to our earnings per share growth this quarter. Importantly, our margin percentage profile is stable and expected to grow in the future,” said David B. Snow Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Medco.

For 2011, annualized new-named sales total nearly $3.0 billion, up from our previously reported $1.7 billion and net-new sales for 2011 are $2.1 billion, up from our previously reported $1.5 billion. Our 2011 client retention rate remains at over 99 percent.

“With the 2012 selling season still in progress, our annualized new-named sales for 2012 stand at more than $800 million. Net-new sales are currently negative for 2012 due to the previously announced transitions of the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and CalPERS, and Universal American/Member Health and Bravo Health due to the previously announced acquisitions of these businesses. Due to trends in the industry from the expected growth in generics, specialty pharmacy, and personalized medicine, combined with UBC and our unique clinical model that reduces the total cost of healthcare for our clients, we are confident that we can drive meaningful long-term earnings growth,” concluded Snow.

Second-Quarter Financial and Operational Results

Medco reported record second-quarter 2011 net revenues of $17.1 billion, representing a 4.1 percent increase over second-quarter 2010 — primarily the result of contributions from new client wins and higher prices charged by brand-name pharmaceutical manufacturers, partially offset by higher volumes of lower-priced generic drugs. This performance includes service revenue growth of 43.3 percent, reflecting the UBC acquisition and growth in Medco’s client service offerings across the company.

Medco’s generic dispensing rate increased 2.8 percentage points from second-quarter 2010 to a record 73.4 percent. The mail-order generic dispensing rate increased 3.1 percentage points to a record 64.3 percent, while the retail generic dispensing rate increased 2.7 percentage points to a record 75.0 percent. The year-over-year improvement in the overall generic dispensing rate drove incremental savings of approximately $900 million for Medco’s clients and members in the quarter.

Total prescription volume, adjusting for the difference in days supply between mail-order and retail amounted to 239.7 million, an increase of 0.5 percent over second-quarter 2010. Mail-order prescription volume increased 0.7 percent to 27.7 million. Importantly, generic mail-order prescription volumes increased 6.0 percent to a record 17.8 million, while brand-name mail-order prescription volumes decreased 7.5 percent to 9.9 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Retail prescription volumes increased 0.4 percent over second-quarter 2010, reaching 157.4 million. The second-quarter 2011 adjusted mail-order penetration rate of 34.3 percent was consistent with the second quarter of 2010.

Total gross margin for second-quarter 2011 exceeded $1.1 billion, representing a 4.1 percent increase over second-quarter 2010. The total gross margin percentage of 6.5 percent was consistent with second-quarter 2010. When excluding the benefit from the settlement award in the second quarter of 2010, the gross margin percentage for second-quarter 2011 reflects an increase of approximately 20 basis points, primarily reflecting the strong second-quarter 2011 generic mail-order prescription volume and growth in service margin.

Total selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses of $420.3 million increased 11.7 percent, or $43.9 million, from second-quarter 2010, largely reflecting increased expenses associated with the recently-acquired UBC business, as well as higher professional fees and technology-related expenses associated with strategic initiatives. When excluding the effect of the September 2010 UBC acquisition, SG&A expenses increased less than 6 percent over second-quarter 2010.

Earnings Before Interest and Other Income/Expense, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) for the quarter reached $736.1 million, an increase of 0.8 percent, or $5.9 million, over the same period last year. EBITDA per adjusted prescription for second-quarter 2011 reached $3.07, up 0.3 percent from $3.06 in the second quarter of 2010 (please see Table 6). When excluding the second-quarter 2010 settlement award, EBITDA increased 4.7 percent and EBITDA per adjusted prescription increased 4.1 percent from second-quarter 2010.

Total interest and other (income) expense, net, of $54.2 million in second-quarter 2011 increased $21.7 million compared to the same period in 2010, reflecting higher debt levels from the $1.0 billion senior notes issuance in September 2010 associated with the acquisition of UBC.

Income before the provision for income taxes for the second quarter decreased 4.2 percent to $557.6 million, compared to $582.1 million for the second quarter of 2010. When excluding the second-quarter 2010 settlement award, income before the provision for income taxes for second-quarter 2011 increased 0.5 percent from second-quarter 2010.

The second-quarter 2011 effective tax rate was 38.5 percent compared to 38.7 percent in second-quarter 2010.

Net income decreased 4.0 percent over the same quarter last year to $342.8 million. When excluding the previously mentioned second-quarter 2010 settlement award, net income for second-quarter 2011 increased 0.7 percent from second-quarter 2010.

Specialty Pharmacy

For second-quarter 2011, revenues for Accredo Health Group grew 13.2 percent to a record $3.2 billion. This strong performance primarily reflects growth in prescription volumes, increases in manufacturer brand pricing, broader utilization of specialty products, and the impact of recently introduced drugs.

The Accredo second-quarter 2011 gross margin percentage of 6.7 percent compares to 7.0 percent for second-quarter 2010, reflecting changes in product and channel mix. Accredo’s operating income for second-quarter 2011 grew 20.8 percent to a record $132.8 million.

Share Repurchase Programs

During the second quarter of 2011, Medco repurchased 9.6 million shares at a cost of $600 million, representing an average per-share cost of $62.44 through a pre-authorized trading plan. For the month of July 2011 to-date, Medco repurchased 6.3 million shares at a cost of $350 million, representing an average per-share cost of $55.89. For July 2011 year-to-date, Medco repurchased 29.3 million shares at a cost of $1,786.6 million, representing an average per-share cost of $60.93.

2011 Guidance Reaffirmed

Medco continues to expect to achieve full-year 2011 GAAP diluted EPS in the range of $3.59 to $3.69, representing growth of 14 to 17 percent over 2010. Diluted EPS, excluding all intangible amortization, is expected in the range of $4.02 to $4.12, representing growth of 13 to 16 percent over the 2010 full-year equivalent of $3.55 (please see Table 9).

Richard Rubino, chief financial officer noted, “We are pleased to deliver strong EPS that are even more impressive when the second-quarter 2010 benefit from the settlement award is excluded, resulting in a second-quarter 2011 diluted EPS increase of 14.3 percent over second-quarter 2010, excluding all intangible amortization. We have entered the second half of the year in a strong financial position with a healthy balance sheet, including record low inventory levels of $833 million – – the lowest level since 2001, and a continued strong return on invested capital of over 30 percent. We remain confident in our expected GAAP diluted earnings per share growth of 14 to 17 percent for the full year.”

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Medco calculates and uses EBITDA and EBITDA per adjusted prescription as indicators of its ability to generate cash from its reported operating results. These measurements are used in concert with net income and cash flows from operations, which measure actual cash generated in the period. In addition, Medco believes that EBITDA and EBITDA per adjusted prescription are supplemental measurement tools used by analysts and investors to help evaluate overall operating performance and the ability to incur and service debt and make capital expenditures. EBITDA does not represent funds available for Medco’s discretionary use and is not intended to represent or to be used as a substitute for net income or cash flows from operations data, as measured under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The items excluded from EBITDA, but included in the calculation of reported net income, are significant components of the consolidated statements of income and must be considered in performing a comprehensive assessment of overall financial performance. EBITDA, and the associated year-to-year trends, should not be considered in isolation. Medco’s calculation of EBITDA may not be consistent with calculations of EBITDA used by other companies.

EBITDA per adjusted prescription is calculated by dividing EBITDA by the adjusted prescription volume for the period. This measure is used as an indicator of EBITDA performance on a per-unit basis, providing insight into the cash-generating ability of each prescription. EBITDA, and as a result, EBITDA per adjusted prescription, are affected by the changes in prescription volumes between retail and mail order, the relative representation of brand-name, generic and specialty pharmacy drugs, as well as the level of efficiency in the business. Adjusted prescription volume equals substantially all mail-order prescriptions multiplied by three, plus retail prescriptions. These mail-order prescriptions are multiplied by three to adjust for the fact that they include approximately three times the amount of product days supplied compared with retail prescriptions.

Medco uses diluted earnings per share, excluding all intangible amortization, as a supplemental measure of operating performance. Medco believes that diluted earnings per share, excluding all intangible amortization, is a valuable supplemental measurement tool used by analysts and investors to compare our overall operating performance with our industry peers.

About Medco

Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) is pioneering the world’s most advanced pharmacy(®) and its clinical research and innovations are part of Medco making medicine smarter(TM) for more than 65 million members.

With more than 20,000 employees dedicated to improving patient health and reducing costs for a wide range of public and private sector clients, and 2010 revenues of $66 billion, Medco ranks 34(th) on the 2011 Fortune 500 list and is named among the world’s most innovative, most admired and most trustworthy companies.

For more information, go to http://www.medcohealth.com.

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about the business and future financial results of the pharmacy benefit management (“PBM”) and specialty pharmacy industries, and other legal, regulatory and economic developments. We use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “projects,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “guidance” and similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements. Medco’s actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth below.

  • Competition in the PBM, specialty pharmacy and broader healthcare industry is intense and could impair our ability to attract and retain clients;
  • Failure to retain key clients and their members, either as a result of economic conditions, increased competition or other factors, could result in significantly decreased revenues, harm to our reputation and decreased profitability;
  • Government efforts to reduce healthcare costs and alter healthcare financing practices could lead to a decreased demand for our services or to reduced profitability;
  • Failure in continued execution of our retiree strategy, including the potential loss of Medicare Part D-eligible members, could adversely impact our business and financial results;
  • If we or our suppliers fail to comply with complex and evolving laws and regulations domestically and internationally, we could suffer penalties, be required to pay substantial damages and/or make significant changes to our operations;
  • If we do not continue to earn and retain purchase discounts, rebates and service fees from manufacturers at current levels, our gross margins may decline;
  • From time to time we engage in transactions to acquire other companies or businesses and if we are unable to effectively integrate acquired businesses into ours, our operating results may be adversely affected. Even if we are successful, the integration of these businesses has required, and will likely continue to require, significant resources and management attention;
  • New legislative or regulatory initiatives that restrict or prohibit the PBM industry’s ability to use patient identifiable information could limit our ability to use information critical to the operation of our business;
  • Our Specialty Pharmacy business is dependent on our relationships with a limited number of suppliers and our clinical research services are dependent on our relationships with a limited number of clients. As such, the loss of one or more of these relationships, or limitations on our ability to provide services to these suppliers or clients, could significantly impact our ability to sustain and/or improve our financial performance;
  • Our ability to grow our Specialty Pharmacy business could be limited if we do not expand our existing base of drugs or if we lose patients;
  • Our Specialty Pharmacy business, certain revenues from diabetes testing supplies and our Medicare Part D offerings expose us to increased billing, cash application and credit risks. Additionally, current economic conditions may expose us to increased credit risk;
  • Changes in reimbursement, including reimbursement for durable medical equipment, could negatively affect our revenues and profits;
  • Prescription volumes may decline, and our net revenues and profitability may be negatively impacted, if the safety risk profiles of drugs increase or if drugs are withdrawn from the market, including as a result of manufacturing issues, or if prescription drugs transition to over-the-counter products;
  • Demand for our clinical research services depends on the willingness of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to continue to outsource clinical development and on our reputation for independent, high-quality scientific research and evidence development;
  • PBMs could be subject to claims under ERISA if they are found to be a fiduciary of a health benefit plan governed by ERISA;
  • Pending litigation could adversely impact our business practices and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and operating results;
  • Changes in industry pricing benchmarks could adversely affect our financial performance;
  • We are subject to a corporate integrity agreement and noncompliance may impede our ability to conduct business with the federal government;
  • The terms and covenants relating to our existing indebtedness could adversely impact our financial performance and liquidity;
  • We may be subject to liability claims for damages and other expenses not covered by insurance;
  • The success of our business depends on maintaining a well-secured pharmacy operation and technology infrastructure. Additionally, significant disruptions to our infrastructure or any of our facilities due to failure to execute security measures or failure to execute business continuity plans in the event of an epidemic or pandemic or some other catastrophic event could adversely impact our business;
  • Business process and technology infrastructure improvements associated with our agile enterprise initiative may not be successfully or timely implemented or may fail to operate as designed and intended, causing the Company’s performance to suffer;
  • We may be required to record a material non-cash charge to income if our recorded intangible assets or goodwill are impaired, or if we shorten intangible asset useful lives;
  • We are subject to certain risks associated with our international operations; and
  • Anti-takeover provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws could delay or deter a change in control and make it more difficult to remove incumbent officers and directors.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect our business described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                      Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
                              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                                              (Unaudited)
                                (In millions, except for per share data)
    Table 1.
                                                      Quarters Ended
                                                      --------------
                                                June 25,         June 26,
                                                     2011             2010
                                                     ----             ----

      Product net revenues (Includes retail     $16,724.1        $16,163.3
        co-payments of $2,255 and $2,279 in
        the second quarters of 2011 and 2010,
        and $4,768 and $4,750 in the six months
        of 2011 and 2010)
      Service revenues                              349.9            244.2
                                                    -----            -----
        Total net revenues                       17,074.0         16,407.5
                                                 --------         --------

      Cost of operations:
        Cost of product net revenues (Includes
         retail
        copayments of $2,255 and $2,279 in the
         second
        quarters of 2011 and 2010, and $4,768
         and $4,750
        in the six months of 2011 and 2010)      15,846.0         15,284.5
        Cost of service revenues                    122.6             61.3
                                                    -----             ----
          Total cost of revenues                 15,968.6         15,345.8
        Selling, general and administrative
         expenses                                   420.3            376.4
        Amortization of intangibles                  73.3             70.7
        Interest expense                             52.3             38.8
        Interest (income) and other (income)
         expense, net                                 1.9             (6.3)
                                                      ---             ----
          Total costs and expenses               16,516.4         15,825.4
                                                 --------         --------

      Income before provision for income
       taxes                                        557.6            582.1
      Provision for income taxes                    214.8            225.2
                                                    -----            -----

      Net income                                   $342.8           $356.9
                                                   ======           ======

      Basic weighted average shares
       outstanding                                  397.6            453.0

      Basic earnings per share                      $0.86            $0.79
                                                    -----            -----

      Diluted weighted average shares
       outstanding                                  405.1            462.0

      Diluted earnings per share                    $0.85            $0.77
                                                    -----            -----


    Table 1.
                                                        Six Months Ended
                                                        ----------------
                                                   June 25,         June 26,
                                                        2011             2010
                                                        ----             ----

      Product net revenues (Includes retail        $33,385.8        $32,247.0
        co-payments of $2,255 and $2,279 in
        the second quarters of 2011 and 2010,
        and $4,768 and $4,750 in the six months
        of 2011 and 2010)
      Service revenues                                 707.7            471.4
                                                       -----            -----
        Total net revenues                          34,093.5         32,718.4
                                                    --------         --------

      Cost of operations:
        Cost of product net revenues (Includes
         retail
        copayments of $2,255 and $2,279 in the
         second
        quarters of 2011 and 2010, and $4,768
         and $4,750
        in the six months of 2011 and 2010)         31,674.8         30,538.1
        Cost of service revenues                       243.0            125.8
                                                       -----            -----
          Total cost of revenues                    31,917.8         30,663.9
        Selling, general and administrative
         expenses                                      807.4            727.0
        Amortization of intangibles                    146.4            141.2
        Interest expense                               104.2             79.5
        Interest (income) and other (income)
         expense, net                                    4.3             (7.7)
                                                         ---             ----
          Total costs and expenses                  32,980.1         31,603.9
                                                    --------         --------

      Income before provision for income
       taxes                                         1,113.4          1,114.5
      Provision for income taxes                       437.5            437.1
                                                       -----            -----

      Net income                                      $675.9           $677.4
                                                      ======           ======

      Basic weighted average shares
       outstanding                                     401.6            460.4

      Basic earnings per share                         $1.68            $1.47
                                                       -----            -----

      Diluted weighted average shares
       outstanding                                     409.6            470.1

      Diluted earnings per share                       $1.65            $1.44
                                                       -----            -----

                        Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
                    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 (Unaudited)
                                (In millions)
    Table 2.

                                                  June 25,  December 25,
                                                       2011         2010
                                                       ----         ----
      ASSETS
      Current assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents                     $92.4       $853.4
        Short-term investments                          8.2         56.7
        Manufacturer accounts receivable, net       1,911.9      1,895.1
        Client accounts receivable, net             2,483.5      2,553.1
        Inventories, net                              833.0      1,013.2
        Prepaid expenses and other current assets      83.6         75.8
        Deferred tax assets                           248.3        238.4
                                                      -----        -----
          Total current assets                      5,660.9      6,685.7
      Property and equipment, net                   1,001.9        993.6
      Goodwill                                      6,956.6      6,939.5
      Intangible assets, net                        2,285.6      2,409.8
      Other noncurrent assets                          85.8         68.7
                                                       ----         ----
          Total assets                            $15,990.8    $17,097.3
                                                  =========    =========

      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
      Current liabilities:
        Claims and other accounts payable          $3,384.8     $3,495.4
        Client rebates and guarantees payable       2,260.3      2,453.2
        Accrued expenses and other current
         liabilities                                  683.6        910.2
        Short-term debt                                31.9         23.6
        Current portion of long-term debt           2,000.0            -
                                                    -------          ---
          Total current liabilities                 8,360.6      6,882.4
      Long-term debt, net                           3,004.2      5,003.6
      Deferred tax liabilities                        980.6        985.1
      Other noncurrent liabilities                    201.2        239.4
                                                      -----        -----
          Total liabilities                        12,546.6     13,110.5

      Total stockholders' equity                    3,444.2      3,986.8
      Total liabilities and stockholders'
       equity                                     $15,990.8    $17,097.3
                                                  =========    =========




                                                  June 25,  December 25,
                                                       2011         2010
                                                       ----         ----
      Balance Sheet Debt
      ------------------
      Accounts receivable financing facility             $-           $-
      Other short-term debt                            31.9         23.6
      Senior unsecured revolving credit
       facility                                     1,000.0      1,000.0
      Senior unsecured term loan                    1,000.0      1,000.0
      7.25% senior notes due 2013, net of
       unamortized discount                           498.9        498.7
      6.125% senior notes due 2013, net of
       unamortized discount                           299.3        299.2
      2.75% senior notes due 2015, net of
       unamortized discount                           499.9        499.8
      7.125% senior notes due 2018, net of
       unamortized discount                         1,190.6      1,190.1
      4.125% senior notes due 2020, net of
       unamortized discount                           499.0        498.9
      Fair value of interest rate swap
       agreements                                      16.5         16.9
                                                       ----         ----
      Total debt                                   $5,036.1     $5,027.2
                                                   ========     ========

                            Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
                  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                    (Unaudited)
                                   (In millions)
    Table 3.

                                                     Six Months Ended
                                                     ----------------
                                                 June 25,        June 26,
                                                      2011            2010
                                                      ----            ----

      Cash flows from operating activities:
        Net income                                  $675.9          $677.4
        Adjustments to reconcile net income to
         net cash provided by operating
         activities:
          Depreciation                               102.0            89.2
          Amortization of intangibles                146.4           141.2
          Deferred income taxes                      (66.8)          (91.0)
          Stock-based compensation on employee
           stock plans                                83.8            77.8
          Tax benefit on employee stock plans         62.5            63.4
          Excess tax benefits from stock-based
           compensation arrangements                 (27.9)          (34.1)
          Other                                       40.3            49.1
        Net changes in assets and liabilities
         (net of acquisition effects):
          Manufacturer accounts receivable, net      (14.2)          (30.9)
          Client accounts receivable, net              5.7           (80.3)
          Income taxes receivable                     (2.0)          174.6
          Inventories, net                           181.1           121.8
          Prepaid expenses and other current
           assets                                     (6.1)           (9.9)
          Other noncurrent assets                    (16.0)          (11.2)
          Claims and other accounts payable         (110.6)         (345.3)
          Client rebates and guarantees payable     (192.9)          348.0
          Accrued expenses and other current and
           noncurrent liabilities                   (220.8)         (149.0)
                                                    ------          ------
      Net cash provided by operating
       activities                                    640.4           990.8
                                                     -----           -----

      Cash flows from investing activities:
        Capital expenditures                        (111.1)         (100.4)
        Purchases of securities and other
         assets                                      (14.1)          (23.2)
        Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash
         acquired                                     (3.4)          (33.8)
        Proceeds from sale of securities and
         other investments                            48.5            18.5
                                                      ----            ----
      Net cash used by investing activities          (80.1)         (138.9)
                                                     -----          ------

      Cash flows from financing activities:
        Proceeds from revolving credit facility    7,242.2           200.0
        Repayments on revolving credit facility   (7,242.2)         (200.0)
        Proceeds from accounts receivable
         financing facility and other                546.3             3.3
        Repayments under accounts receivable
         financing facility                         (538.0)              -
        Purchases of treasury stock               (1,436.6)       (2,257.9)
        Excess tax benefits from stock-based
         compensation arrangements                    27.9            34.1
        Net proceeds from employee stock plans        79.1            24.1
                                                      ----            ----
      Net cash used by financing activities       (1,321.3)       (2,196.4)
                                                  --------        --------
      Net decrease in cash and cash
       equivalents                                  (761.0)       (1,344.5)
      Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
       of period                                     853.4         2,528.2
      Cash and cash equivalents at end of
       period                                        $92.4        $1,183.7
                                                     =====        ========

           Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
      Consolidated Income Statement Results
                   (Unaudited)
     (In millions, except for per share data)

    Table 4.
                                          Quarter
                                           Ended
                                         June 25,         Variance
                                          2011 (1)        --------
                                           -------
      Consolidated income statement
       results
      -----------------------------
      Retail product revenues (2)        $10,250.8  $235.6         2.4%
      Mail-order product revenues          6,473.3   325.2         5.3%
                                           -------   -----         ---
        Total product net revenues (2)    16,724.1   560.8         3.5%
                                          --------   -----         ---

      Client and other service revenues      221.1    18.2         9.0%
      Manufacturer service revenues          128.8    87.5        N/M*
                                             -----    ----        ----
        Total service revenues               349.9   105.7        43.3%
                                             -----   -----        ----

          Total net revenues (2)          17,074.0   666.5         4.1%
                                          --------   -----         ---

      Cost of product net revenues (2)    15,846.0   561.5         3.7%
      Cost of service revenues               122.6    61.3       100.0%
                                             -----    ----       -----
          Total cost of revenues (2)      15,968.6   622.8         4.1%

      Selling, general and
       administrative expenses               420.3    43.9        11.7%
      Amortization of intangibles             73.3     2.6         3.7%
      Interest expense                        52.3    13.5        34.8%
      Interest (income) and other
       (income) expense, net                   1.9     8.2        N/M*
                                               ---     ---        ----

      Income before provision for income
       taxes                                 557.6   (24.5)       -4.2%
      Provision for income taxes             214.8   (10.4)       -4.6%


      Net Income                            $342.8  $(14.1)       -4.0%
                                            ======  ======        ====


      Diluted earnings per share
      --------------------------
      Weighted average shares
       outstanding                           405.1   (56.9)      -12.3%

      Earnings per share                     $0.85   $0.08        10.4%
                                             =====   =====        ====
      Earnings per share, excluding
        all intangible amortization (3)      $0.96   $0.09        10.3%
                                             =====   =====        ====


      Gross margin (4)
      ----------------
      Product                               $878.1   $(0.7)       -0.1%
        Product gross margin percentage        5.3%   -0.1%
      Service                               $227.3   $44.4        24.3%
        Service gross margin percentage       65.0%   -9.9%
      Total                               $1,105.4   $43.7         4.1%
        Total gross margin percentage          6.5%    0.0%





    Table 4.
                                               Quarter
                                                Ended
                                              June 26,
                                                   2010
                                                   ----
      Consolidated income statement
       results
      -----------------------------
      Retail product revenues (2)             $10,015.2
      Mail-order product revenues               6,148.1
                                                -------
        Total product net revenues (2)         16,163.3
                                               --------

      Client and other service revenues           202.9
      Manufacturer service revenues                41.3
                                                   ----
        Total service revenues                    244.2
                                                  -----

          Total net revenues (2)               16,407.5
                                               --------

      Cost of product net revenues (2)         15,284.5
      Cost of service revenues                     61.3
                                                   ----
          Total cost of revenues (2)           15,345.8

      Selling, general and
       administrative expenses                    376.4
      Amortization of intangibles                  70.7
      Interest expense                             38.8
      Interest (income) and other
       (income) expense, net                       (6.3)
                                                   ----

      Income before provision for income
       taxes                                      582.1
      Provision for income taxes                  225.2


      Net Income                                 $356.9
                                                 ======


      Diluted earnings per share
      --------------------------
      Weighted average shares
       outstanding                                462.0

      Earnings per share                          $0.77
                                                  =====
      Earnings per share, excluding
        all intangible amortization (3)           $0.87
                                                  =====


      Gross margin (4)
      ----------------
      Product                                    $878.8
        Product gross margin percentage             5.4%
      Service                                    $182.9
        Service gross margin percentage            74.9%
      Total                                    $1,061.7
        Total gross margin percentage               6.5%





    Table 4.
                                             Six
                                           Months
                                           Ended
                                         June 25,        Variance
                                          2011 (1)       --------
                                           -------
      Consolidated income statement
       results
      -----------------------------
      Retail product revenues (2)        $20,548.5   $497.7         2.5%
      Mail-order product revenues         12,837.3    641.1         5.3%
                                          --------    -----         ---
        Total product net revenues (2)    33,385.8  1,138.8         3.5%
                                          --------  -------         ---

      Client and other service revenues      455.4     63.7        16.3%
      Manufacturer service revenues          252.3    172.6        N/M*
                                             -----    -----        ----
        Total service revenues               707.7    236.3        50.1%
                                             -----    -----        ----

          Total net revenues (2)          34,093.5  1,375.1         4.2%
                                          --------  -------         ---

      Cost of product net revenues (2)    31,674.8  1,136.7         3.7%
      Cost of service revenues               243.0    117.2        93.2%
                                             -----    -----        ----
          Total cost of revenues (2)      31,917.8  1,253.9         4.1%

      Selling, general and
       administrative expenses               807.4     80.4        11.1%
      Amortization of intangibles            146.4      5.2         3.7%
      Interest expense                       104.2     24.7        31.1%
      Interest (income) and other
       (income) expense, net                   4.3     12.0        N/M*
                                               ---     ----        ----

      Income before provision for income
       taxes                               1,113.4     (1.1)       -0.1%
      Provision for income taxes             437.5      0.4         0.1%


      Net Income                            $675.9    $(1.5)       -0.2%
                                            ======    =====        ====


      Diluted earnings per share
      --------------------------
      Weighted average shares
       outstanding                           409.6    (60.5)      -12.9%

      Earnings per share                     $1.65    $0.21        14.6%
                                             =====    =====        ====
      Earnings per share, excluding
        all intangible amortization (3)      $1.86    $0.24        14.8%
                                             =====    =====        ====


      Gross margin (4)
      ----------------
      Product                             $1,711.0     $2.1         0.1%
        Product gross margin percentage        5.1%    -0.2%
      Service                               $464.7   $119.1        34.5%
        Service gross margin percentage       65.7%    -7.6%
      Total                               $2,175.7   $121.2         5.9%
        Total gross margin percentage          6.4%     0.1%





    Table 4.
                                             Six Months
                                                Ended
                                              June 26,
                                                   2010
                                                   ----
      Consolidated income statement
       results
      -----------------------------
      Retail product revenues (2)             $20,050.8
      Mail-order product revenues              12,196.2
                                               --------
        Total product net revenues (2)         32,247.0
                                               --------

      Client and other service revenues           391.7
      Manufacturer service revenues                79.7
                                                   ----
        Total service revenues                    471.4
                                                  -----

          Total net revenues (2)               32,718.4
                                               --------

      Cost of product net revenues (2)         30,538.1
      Cost of service revenues                    125.8
                                                  -----
          Total cost of revenues (2)           30,663.9

      Selling, general and
       administrative expenses                    727.0
      Amortization of intangibles                 141.2
      Interest expense                             79.5
      Interest (income) and other
       (income) expense, net                       (7.7)
                                                   ----

      Income before provision for income
       taxes                                    1,114.5
      Provision for income taxes                  437.1


      Net Income                                 $677.4
                                                 ======


      Diluted earnings per share
      --------------------------
      Weighted average shares
       outstanding                                470.1

      Earnings per share                          $1.44
                                                  =====
      Earnings per share, excluding
        all intangible amortization (3)           $1.62
                                                  =====


      Gross margin (4)
      ----------------
      Product                                  $1,708.9
        Product gross margin percentage             5.3%
      Service                                    $345.6
        Service gross margin percentage            73.3%
      Total                                    $2,054.5
        Total gross margin percentage               6.3%



      (1) Includes UBC's operating results commencing on the September 16,
      2010 acquisition date.
      (2) Includes retail co-payments of $2,255 million and $2,279 million
      for the second quarters of 2011 and 2010, and $4,768 million and
      $4,750 million for the six months of 2011 and 2010.
      (3) Please refer to Table 8 for reconciliation of the earnings per
      share excluding all intangible amortization.
      (4) Represents total net revenues minus total cost of revenues.

      *Not meaningful

                                              Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
                                           Consolidated Selected Information
                                                      (Unaudited)
                                                     (In millions)

    Table 5.
                              Quarter                      Quarter
                               Ended                                Ended
                             June 25,        Variance     June 26,
                              2011 (1)       --------          2010
                               -------                         ----
      Volume Information
      ------------------
      Generic mail-order
       prescriptions              17.8    1.0        6.0%    16.8
      Brand mail-order
       prescriptions               9.9  (0.8)       -7.5%    10.7
                                   ---   ----       ----     ----
        Total mail-order
         prescriptions            27.7    0.2        0.7%    27.5
      Retail prescriptions       157.4    0.7        0.4%   156.7
                                 -----    ---        ---    -----
        Total prescriptions      185.1    0.9        0.5%   184.2
                                 =====    ===        ===    =====

      Adjusted prescriptions
       (2)                       239.7    1.3        0.5%   238.4
      Adjusted mail-order
       penetration (3)            34.3%   0.0%               34.3%


      Generic Dispensing
       Rate Information
      ------------------
      Retail generic
       dispensing rate            75.0%   2.7%               72.3%
      Mail-order generic
       dispensing rate            64.3%   3.1%               61.2%
      Overall generic
       dispensing rate            73.4%   2.8%               70.6%


      Manufacturer Rebate
       Information
      -------------------
      Rebates earned            $1,484    $55        3.8%  $1,429
      Percent of rebates
       retained                   12.2%   0.3%               11.9%


      Depreciation
       Information
      ------------
      Cost of revenues
       depreciation              $15.2   $3.0       24.6%   $12.2
      SG&A expenses
       depreciation               35.8    3.1        9.5%    32.7
      Total depreciation         $51.0   $6.1       13.6%   $44.9
                                 =====   ====       ====    =====





    Table 5.
                                        Six                        Six
                                      Months                     Months
                                       Ended                      Ended
                                     June 25,       Variance      June 26,
                                      2011 (1)      --------          2010
                                      -------                         ----
      Volume Information
      ------------------
      Generic mail-order
       prescriptions                     35.4    2.4        7.3%    33.0
      Brand mail-order
       prescriptions                     19.9  (1.8)       -8.3%    21.7
                                         ----   ----       ----     ----
        Total mail-order
         prescriptions                   55.3    0.6        1.1%    54.7
      Retail prescriptions              319.4    4.6        1.5%   314.8
                                        -----    ---        ---    -----
        Total prescriptions             374.7    5.2        1.4%   369.5
                                        =====    ===        ===    =====

      Adjusted prescriptions (2)        484.0    6.4        1.3%   477.6
      Adjusted mail-order
       penetration (3)                   34.0%  -0.1%               34.1%


      Generic Dispensing Rate
       Information
      -----------------------
      Retail generic dispensing rate     74.8%   3.0%               71.8%
      Mail-order generic dispensing
       rate                              64.1%   3.8%               60.3%
      Overall generic dispensing
       rate                              73.2%   3.1%               70.1%


      Manufacturer Rebate
       Information
      -------------------
      Rebates earned                   $2,986   $105        3.6%  $2,881
      Percent of rebates retained        11.9%  -0.1%               12.0%


      Depreciation Information
      ------------------------
      Cost of revenues depreciation     $31.9   $7.3       29.7%   $24.6
      SG&A expenses depreciation         70.1    5.5        8.5%    64.6
      Total depreciation               $102.0  $12.8       14.3%   $89.2
                                       ======  =====       ====    =====



      (1) Includes UBC's operating results commencing on the September 16,
      2010 acquisition date.
      (2) Adjusted prescription volume equals substantially all mail-order
      prescriptions multiplied by three, plus retail prescriptions. These
      mail-order prescriptions are multiplied
      by three to adjust for the fact that they include approximately three
      times the amount of product days supplied compared with retail
      prescriptions.
      (3) Represents the percentage of adjusted mail-order prescriptions
      to total adjusted prescriptions.

                                Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
                                    Consolidated EBITDA
                                        (Unaudited)
              (In millions, except for EBITDA per adjusted prescription data)

    Table 6.
                                                      Quarters Ended
                                                      --------------
                                                   June          June
                                                    25,           26,
                                                    2011          2010
                                                    ----          ----
      EBITDA Reconciliation:
      ----------------------
      Net income                                  $342.8        $356.9
      Add:
        Interest expense                            52.3          38.8
        Interest (income) and other (income)
         expense, net                                1.9          (6.3)
        Provision for income taxes                 214.8         225.2
        Depreciation expense                        51.0          44.9
        Amortization expense                        73.3          70.7
                                                    ----          ----
      EBITDA                                      $736.1        $730.2
                                                  ======        ======


      Adjusted prescriptions (1)                   239.7         238.4
                                                   -----         -----

      EBITDA per adjusted prescription             $3.07         $3.06
                                                   =====         =====





    Table 6.
                                                      Six Months Ended
                                                      ----------------
                                                 June 25,       June 26,
                                                     2011           2010
                                                     ----           ----
      EBITDA Reconciliation:
      ----------------------
      Net income                                   $675.9         $677.4
      Add:
        Interest expense                            104.2           79.5
        Interest (income) and other (income)
         expense, net                                 4.3           (7.7)
        Provision for income taxes                  437.5          437.1
        Depreciation expense                        102.0           89.2
        Amortization expense                        146.4          141.2
                                                    -----          -----
      EBITDA                                     $1,470.3       $1,416.7
                                                 ========       ========


      Adjusted prescriptions (1)                    484.0          477.6
                                                    -----          -----

      EBITDA per adjusted prescription              $3.04          $2.97
                                                    =====          =====



      (1)  Adjusted prescription volume equals substantially all mail-
      order prescriptions multiplied by three, plus retail prescriptions.
      These mail-order
        prescriptions are multiplied by three to adjust for the fact that
        they include approximately three times the amount of product days
        supplied
        compared with retail prescriptions.

                   Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
     Accredo Health Group (Specialty Pharmacy) Segment Results
                            (Unaudited)
                           (In millions)

    Table 7.
                            Quarter                          Quarter
                             Ended                                      Ended
                           June 25,          Variance       June 26,
                                 2011        --------             2010
                                 ----                             ----
      Specialty Pharmacy:
      -------------------
      Product net
       revenues              $3,164.8  $376.3         13.5%   $2,788.5
      Service revenues           20.7    (5.7)       -21.6%       26.4
                                 ----    ----        -----        ----
        Total net revenues    3,185.5   370.6         13.2%    2,814.9
      Total cost of
       revenues               2,973.5   356.6         13.6%    2,616.9
      Selling, general
       and administrative
       expenses                  68.7    (8.7)       -11.2%       77.4
      Amortization of
       intangibles               10.5    (0.2)        -1.9%       10.7


      Operating Income         $132.8   $22.9         20.8%     $109.9
                               ======   =====         ====      ======


      Gross Margin (1)         $212.0   $14.0          7.1%     $198.0
        Gross margin
         percentage               6.7%   -0.3%                     7.0%





    Table 7.
                               Six                             Six
                             Months                                   Months
                              Ended                                    Ended
                           June 25,         Variance       June 26,
                                2011        --------            2010
                                ----                            ----
      Specialty Pharmacy:
      -------------------
      Product net revenues  $6,221.5  $779.7         14.3%  $5,441.8
      Service revenues          38.5  (10.9)        -22.1%      49.4
                                ----   -----        -----       ----
        Total net revenues   6,260.0   768.8         14.0%   5,491.2
      Total cost of
       revenues              5,846.5   742.4         14.5%   5,104.1
      Selling, general and
       administrative
       expenses                139.1  (10.1)         -6.8%     149.2
      Amortization of
       intangibles              21.0    (0.4)        -1.9%      21.4


      Operating Income        $253.4   $36.9         17.0%    $216.5
                              ======   =====         ====     ======


      Gross Margin (1)        $413.5   $26.4          6.8%    $387.1
        Gross margin
         percentage              6.6%   -0.4%                    7.0%



      (1)  Represents total net revenues minus total cost of revenues.

                                Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
                              Earnings Per Share Reconciliation
                                         (Unaudited)


    Table 8.
                                       Quarters Ended      Six Months Ended
                                       --------------      ----------------
                                     June        June   June        June
                                      25,         26,    25,         26,
                                      2011        2010   2011        2010
                                      ----        ----   ----        ----
      Earnings Per Share
       Reconciliation:
      ------------------
      GAAP diluted earnings per
       share                         $0.85       $0.77  $1.65       $1.44

      Adjustment for the
       amortization of intangible
       assets (1)                     0.11        0.10   0.21        0.18


      Diluted earnings per share,
       excluding all intangible
       amortization                  $0.96       $0.87  $1.86       $1.62
                                     -----       -----  -----       -----

      Adjustment for the second-
       quarter 2010 settlement
       benefit (2)                       -       (0.03)


      Diluted earnings per share,
       excluding all intangible
       amortization and              $0.96       $0.84
                                     -----       -----
        the 2010 settlement benefit

      Diluted earnings per share
       growth over prior year,
       excluding all                              14.3%
        intangible amortization and
         the 2010 settlement benefit


      (1)  This adjustment represents the per-share effect of all
      intangible amortization.
      (2)  This adjustment represents the per-share effect of the second-
      quarter 2010 benefit from a settlement award in a
        class action antitrust lawsuit brought by direct purchasers of a
        brand-name medication.

                                 Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
                                     Guidance Information
                                         (Unaudited)


    Table 9.
                                 Full Year Ended      Full Year Ended
                                   December 25,         December 31,
                                             2010                   2011
                                             ----                   ----
                                      Actual      Low End       High End
                                      ------      -------       --------
      Earnings Per Share
       Guidance Reconciliation:
      -------------------------
      GAAP diluted earnings per
       share                                $3.16    $3.59         $3.69

      Adjustment for the
       amortization of
       intangible assets (1)                 0.39     0.43          0.43


      Diluted earnings per
       share, excluding all
       intangible amortization              $3.55    $4.02         $4.12


      Diluted earnings per share
       growth over prior year                           14%           17%
      Diluted earnings per share
       growth over prior year,
       excluding all intangible
       amortization                                     13%           16%


      (1) This adjustment represents the per-share effect of all
      intangible amortization.

SOURCE Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

FDA Approves New Medicine BRILINTA(TM) (Ticagrelor) for Use in the US

WILMINGTON, Del., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved BRILINTA(TM) (ticagrelor) tablets to reduce the rate of heart attack (myocardial infarction [MI]) and cardiovascular (CV) death in adult patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), compared to clopidogrel.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/astrazeneca/50355/

BRILINTA, a new oral antiplatelet medicine, is indicated to reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with ACS (unstable angina [UA] non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI], or ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]). BRILINTA has been shown to reduce the rate of a combined endpoint of CV death, MI or stroke compared to clopidogrel. The difference between treatments was driven by CV death and MI with no difference in stroke. In patients treated with an artery-opening procedure known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), BRILINTA reduces the rate of stent thrombosis. BRILINTA has been studied in ACS in combination with aspirin. Maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg decreased the effectiveness of BRILINTA. Avoid maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg daily.

David Brennan, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca said: “The FDA approval of BRILINTA is good news for patients in the United States and represents a significant milestone as we seek to help ensure ACS patients around the world have access to this innovative medicine. With over one million people affected by ACS in the US each year, the fact that physicians have a new and more effective treatment option than clopidogrel to help reduce the rate of heart attack and cardiovascular death in these patients is an important advance.”

Now that BRILINTA is approved in the US, AstraZeneca will begin the process of working with hospital formularies, protocol committees, government and managed care reimbursement bodies to bring this medicine to patients. Navigating these steps, which are necessary before BRILINTA will be available to a substantial number of incident ACS patients, will be a key focus for the next 12 months.

The FDA approval is based upon data from the landmark PLATO (A Study of PLATelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes) study, a superiority trial that compared treatment with BRILINTA to clopidogrel in 18,624 ACS patients worldwide.

BRILINTA, like other antiplatelet agents, can cause significant, sometimes fatal, bleeding. In PLATO, there was no statistical difference in patients treated with BRILINTA compared to patients treated with clopidogrel in total major bleeding events (11.6% vs. 11.2%), including fatal and fatal/life-threatening bleeding events.(2) Non-CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) major + minor bleeding events (8.7% vs. 7%) were more common with BRILINTA versus clopidogrel.

The most commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of BRILINTA vs. clopidogrel were bleeding (11.6% vs.11.2%) and a feeling of breathlessness called dyspnea (14% vs. 8%).

As with all AstraZeneca products, the company will work to ensure that physicians and patients understand both the benefits and risks associated with BRILINTA. For BRILINTA, one of the ways AstraZeneca will help ensure physicians and patients are appropriately informed about bleeding risk and the impact of aspirin dose on the effectiveness of BRILINTA is through a Risk Evaluation Mitigation Strategy (REMS).

According to the American Heart Association, over one million Americans are hospitalized with ACS every year. It is estimated that up to one in three patients could have a recurrent heart attack, or die within one year of their first CV event.(1)

BRILINTA is now approved in 39 countries, including the US, Brazil, Australia, and Canada under the trade name BRILINTA and in the European Union under the trade name BRILIQUE(TM). BRILINTA is currently under regulatory review in an additional 45 countries, including Russia, India and China. BRILINTA is currently reimbursed in 7 countries.

ABOUT PLATO

PLATO was a large (18,624 patients in 43 countries) head-to-head patient outcomes study of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel, both given in combination with aspirin and other standard therapy, designed to establish whether ticagrelor could achieve a clinically meaningful reduction in cardiovascular end points in ACS patients, above and beyond those afforded by clopidogrel.

The study demonstrated that treatment with BRILINTA led to a greater reduction in the primary end point – a composite of CV death, MI, or stroke – compared to patients who received clopidogrel (9.8% vs. 11.7% at 12 months; 1.9% absolute risk reduction [ARR]; 16% relative risk reduction [RRR]; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.92; P<0.001). The difference in treatments was driven by CV death and MI with no difference in stroke. In PLATO, the absolute difference in treatment benefit versus clopidogrel was seen at 30 days and the Kaplan-Meier survival curves continue to diverge throughout the 12 month treatment period.

The study also demonstrated that treatment with BRILINTA for 12 months was associated with a 21 percent RRR in CV death (4% vs. 5.1%; 1.1% ARR; P=0.001) and a 16 percent RRR in MI compared to clopidogrel at 12 months (5.8% vs. 6.9%; 1.1% ARR; P<0.005).

In a post hoc analysis of PLATO, it was determined that more than 80 percent of patients worldwide, including more than 40 percent of patients in the US, received low maintenance doses of aspirin (100 mg or less). Results for US and non-US patients taking BRILINTA with these low maintenance doses of aspirin were similar. Maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg reduced the effectiveness of BRILINTA, and should be avoided. After any initial dose, BRILINTA should be used with maintenance aspirin doses of 75-100 mg per day. As with any unplanned subset analysis, the post hoc analysis should be treated with caution.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT BRILINTA (TICAGRELOR) TABLETS

BLEEDING RISK

BRILINTA, like other antiplatelet agents, can cause significant, sometimes fatal, bleeding.

Do not use BRILINTA in patients with active pathological bleeding or a history of intracranial hemorrhage.

Do not start BRILINTA in patients planned to undergo urgent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). When possible, discontinue BRILINTA at least 5 days prior to any surgery.

Suspect bleeding in any patient who is hypotensive and has recently undergone coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), CABG, or other surgical procedures in the setting of BRILINTA.

If possible, manage bleeding without discontinuing BRILINTA. Stopping BRILINTA increases the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events.

ASPIRIN DOSE AND BRILINTA EFFECTIVENESS

Maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg reduce the effectiveness of BRILINTA and should be avoided. After any initial dose, use with aspirin 75-100 mg per day.

Risk factors for bleeding include older age, a history of bleeding disorders, performance of percutaneous invasive procedures and concomitant use of medications that increase the risk of bleeding.

If BRILINTA must be temporarily discontinued, it should be restarted as soon as possible.

The use of BRILINTA is also contraindicated in severe hepatic impairment. BRILINTA has not been studied in patients with moderate hepatic impairment. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment, noting the probable increase in exposure to ticagrelor.

Dyspnea was reported in 14% of patients treated with BRILINTA and in 8% of patients treated with clopidogrel. If dyspnea is determined to be related to BRILINTA, no specific treatment is required; continue BRILINTA without interruption.

BRILINTA is metabolized by CYP3A4/5. Avoid use with strong CYP3A inhibitors and potent CYP3A inducers.

Avoid simvastatin and lovastatin doses greater than 40 mg. BRILINTA will result in higher serum concentrations of simvastatin and lovastatin because these drugs are metabolized by CYP3A4.

Monitor digoxin levels with initiation of or any change in BRILINTA therapy, because of inhibition of the P-glycoprotein transporter.

There is limited clinical experience in patients at increased risk of symptomatic bradycardic events. In PLATO, syncope, pre-syncope and loss of consciousness were reported by 1.7% and 1.5% of BRILINTA and clopidogrel patients, respectively. In a Holter substudy of about 3,000 patients in PLATO, more patients had ventricular pauses with BRILINTA (6%) than with clopidogrel (3.5%), in the acute phase; rates were 2.2% and 1.6% respectively after one month.

The most commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of BRILINTA vs. clopidogrel were bleeding (11.6% vs.11.2%) and dyspnea (14% vs. 8%).

Please see full US Full Prescribing Information including BOXED WARNINGS and Medication Guide at www1.astrazeneca-us.com/pi/brilinta.pdf.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About BRILINTA (ticagrelor)

BRILINTA is an oral antiplatelet treatment for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in a new chemical class called cyclopentyltriazolopyrimidines (CPTPs). BRILINTA works by preventing the formation of new blood clots and maintaining blood flow in the body to help reduce a patient’s risk of another cardiovascular event (called atherothrombotic events) such as a heart attack or cardiovascular death. BRILINTA is a reversibly-binding oral adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor antagonist.

BRILINTA will be available in 90 mg tablets to be administered with a single 180 mg oral loading dose (two 90 mg tablets) followed by a twice daily, 90 mg maintenance dose. Following an initial loading dose of aspirin, BRILINTA should be used with a maintenance dose of 75-100 mg aspirin once daily; for most patients an 81 mg aspirin dose is likely to be used.

BRILINTA and BRILIQUE are trademarks of the AstraZeneca group of companies.

About Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

ACS is an umbrella term for conditions that result from insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle. These conditions range from unstable angina (unremitting chest pain that threatens a heart attack) to heart attack.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

For more information about AstraZeneca in the US or our AZ&Me(TM) Prescription Savings programs, please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com or call 1-800-AZandMe (292-6363).


    References
    1.  Roger, Go, Lloyd-Jones, et al.  Heart Disease and Stroke
     Statistics2011 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association.
     Circulation 2011;123;e18-e209.

    2.  Wallentin, Becker, Budaj, et al Ticagrelor versus Clopidogrel in
     Patients with Acute Coronary
     Syndromes. N Engl J Med 2009;361:1045-57.


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SOURCE AstraZeneca

Ophthalmologist Joins Great River Health Systems

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa , July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Ophthalmologist Norah Khangura, M.D., will begin seeing patients Monday, July 25, at Great River Eye Specialists, a new clinic for the treatment of diseases and other conditions of the eyes. Great River Eye Clinics is in suite 309 in the Eastman Plaza, 1223 S. Gear Ave., West Burlington, Iowa.

Dr. Khangura received her medical degree from the Government Medical College in Punjab, India. She completed her residency at the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Dr. Khangura will provide care to patients of all ages. The conditions she will treat include:

  • Cataracts
  • Functional blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
  • Glaucoma
  • Retina conditions including diabetes and macular degeneration
  • Strabismus (crossed eyes)

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 319-768-4500.

Press Release Contact Information:
Craig Borchard
Director, Marketing and Public Relations
Great River Health Systems
319-768-3302
[email protected]

This release was issued through WebWire(R). For more information visit http://www.webwire.com.

SOURCE Great River Health Systems

Nutrition Researchers Examine Restaurants’ Calorie Counts

New study suggests lower calorie foods purchased in restaurants contain more calories than listed

Disclosing the calories in restaurant foods to customers holds promise as a strategy to lower the nation’s obesity rate. However, a new study of food items from national chain restaurants found that while stated calories on restaurant menus and websites were accurate on average, 19% of individual samples differed from laboratory measurements by more than 100 calories and lower calorie foods tended to contain more than listed.

Published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the study from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University compares laboratory measurements of calories in 269 food items with the restaurants’ stated calories. Researchers randomly collected their samples from national fast-food restaurants and sit-down chain restaurants in Boston, Indianapolis and Little Rock, AR.

“On average, the food items measured ten calories higher than the restaurants’ stated calories. That’s essentially accurate,” says senior author Susan B. Roberts, PhD, director of the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the USDA HNRCA. “However, 19% of food items contained at least 100 calories more than listed, which suggests calories for individual foods can be unreliable. One item contained 1000 calories more than listed.”

The authors’ laboratory measurements also indicated that lower calorie food items purchased in sit-down restaurants tended to have more calories than listed. For example, based on the data, the researchers were able to predict a sit-down restaurant item listed as approximately 300 calories, and therefore potentially suitable for weight loss or prevention of weight gain, could contain approximately 90 calories more than listed.

Additionally, items often viewed as healthier from both sit-down and fast food restaurants, such as salads and soups, tended to have more unreliable calorie listings.

“We were pleased to see that average calorie listings are accurate,” says Roberts, “but we think it is very important that lower calorie foods not contain more calories than listed because such foods are purchased by people trying to control their weight. They will find that harder to do if they are eating more than they think.”

Roberts and colleagues also report the stated calories listed for fast food tended to be closer to laboratory measurements than the stated calories of items purchased in sit-down restaurants. “Our data suggests the difference may be related to quality control in the kitchen,” says Roberts, who is also a professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. “Sit-down restaurants typically rely on workers to prepare food on-site, whereas most fast food is portioned out by factory machinery.”

“Restaurants can play a powerful role in anti-obesity efforts if stated calories are accurate,” Roberts continues, “because food purchased in restaurants accounts for one-third of the average American’s daily food intake. Examples of ways restaurants could help would be to increase the number of foods that calorie listings are provided for, make sure that lower calorie foods do not contain more calories than stated, and offer a wider selection of lower calorie items.”

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GE Healthcare Studies Report Results Of [18F]Flutemetamol Research

3 flutemetamol abstracts to be featured at the 2011 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease

Recent clinical research data reported that the investigational amyloid imaging agent [18F]Flutemetamol showed highly consistent image interpretation1 and showed comparable in vitro binding to the Pittsburgh Compound-B ([C-11]PiB)) investigational imaging agent3. Flutemetamol is a GE Healthcare Positron Emission Tomography (PET) investigational imaging agent currently in phase III development being studied for the detection of beta amyloid using PET brain scans.

The buildup of beta amyloid in the brain can lead to the degeneration of neurons and is one of several markers implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Currently, AD is typically confirmed by identifying the presence of tissue markers, including beta amyloid plaques, in post-mortem brain samples. Use of targeted imaging agents may help physicians detect amyloid deposition in live humans.

“These results should provide encouragement for patients and clinicians about the value of amyloid imaging in diagnosing AD,” said Jonathan Allis, MI PET Segment Leader, GE Healthcare Medical Diagnostics. “Use of PET imaging scans to detect AD pathology may enable physicians to make a more accurate and earlier diagnosis of the disease.”

Data highlights from three clinical abstracts to be featured at the 2011 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD) in Paris suggest that:

    * Flutemetamol reader training provided a highly consistent method for interpreting PET images. Readers blinded to clinical information demonstrated high inter- and intra-reader agreement rates when interpreting the brain distribution of Flutemetamol as normal and abnormal images.
    * Flutemetamol imaging was consistent with the understanding that normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a progressive condition associated with dementia, gait abnormalities and urinary incontinence, represents a heterogeneous population with evidence of AD pathology.
    * 6-CN-Flutemetamol is comparable to 6-CN-Pittsburgh Compound-B (PiB) in its ability to bind to beta amyloid in vitro.

“At GE Healthcare, we are fully committed to developing products and tools that enable physicians to make confident medical decisions, allowing patients to get accurate diagnosis earlier in the process,” said Pascale Witz, CEO, GE Healthcare Medical Diagnostics.

[18F]Flutemetamol is one part of a broad portfolio of diagnostic solutions that GE Healthcare is currently developing in the Alzheimer’s field. The company is taking a comprehensive approach to understanding AD through its ongoing research to uncover the causes, risks and physical effects of the disease. GE Healthcare’s global commitment to advance clinical knowledge and provide a variety of technologies to aid the fight in this epidemic may assist physicians in the acceleration of diagnosis and improvement of treatment decisions in all stages of the disease. The company already offers a range of imaging modalities used by physicians to assist in the detection of AD and dementia (CT, MRI, PET, SPECT) and has been a key contributor to the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative since its inception. GE Healthcare also plays a key role in PredictAD, an EU-funded research project to develop solutions to enable earlier diagnosis of AD.

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Judith F. Baumhauer, MD, MPH Installed as President of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society

Rochester Orthopaedic Surgeon to Lead National Medical Society

KEYSTONE, Colo., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Rochester orthopaedic surgeon, Judith F. Baumhauer, MD, MPH was installed as President of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society during the Society’s 27(th) Annual Meeting in Keystone, Colorado. In this position, Baumhauer will also serve on the Board of Directors of the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Outreach & Education Fund (OEF). She is the first woman to be elected president of the AOFAS.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100920/DC67758LOGO)

“The AOFAS membership is dedicated to advancing patient care of the foot and ankle through research, education and humanitarian efforts. I am honored to lead such a dedicated, vibrant, committed group of orthopaedic surgeons,” said Baumhauer.

Dr. Baumhauer is Professor of Orthopaedics and Associate Chair of Academic Affairs, University of Rochester, Department of Orthopaedics. She earned her medical degree from University of Vermont College of Medicine, completed her residency at Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, and fellowship in foot and ankle at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Baumhauer also received a Masters in Public Health from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

In addition to serving on the AOFAS Board of Directors, Dr. Baumhauer sits on the Board of Directors of the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Education Foundation (OEF); is a member of the AOFAS Finance Committee and a reviewer for the scientific journal, Foot & Ankle International (FAI). She served as AOFAS Board Vice President and Secretary, and Editor of the AOFAS member newsletter, In-Stride. In 2010 she traveled on the AOFAS Overseas Outreach Project to Vietnam as a surgical volunteer and is the recipient of both the prestigious Roger Mann Award and J. Leonard Goldner Awards.

Active in several professional societies, Dr. Baumhauer sits on the boards of the Orthopaedic Research Education Foundation (OREF), the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ABOS), American Board of Medical Specialties and is Past-President of the Eastern Orthopaedic Association. In the past, she has served on the board of the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA).

Dr. Baumhauer served as course faculty for more than 30 national, international and regional courses. She is a reviewer for several scientific journals including Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Journal of Orthopaedic Research, Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery and American Journal of Orthopaedics. Dr. Baumhauer is the recipient of numerous research grants and author of many articles in the scientific literature.

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society is a professional society of more than 1,800 orthopaedic surgeons specializing in diagnosis, care and treatment of patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal system of the foot and ankle.

About the AOFAS

http://www.aofas.org/about/Pages/about.aspx

About Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons

http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/find-a-member/Pages/find-a-member.aspx

SOURCE American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society