Imagine a skin care laboratory created by medical experts, ready to custom-formulate your new batch of skin care products at the time you place your online order. Not only do these products incorporate clinically effective levels of BioActives (naturally derived, active ingredients comprised of vitamins, peptides, proteins, enzymes and extracts), but products also arrive specially packaged in unique containers that preserve potency, with a customized label bearing your name, a complete inventory of ingredients, and an expiration date.

Tailor to your skin’s desire: Formulations can be enhanced with skin-boosting BioActives that moisturize, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, exfoliate, revitalize, soothe, and regenerate. Choose from 40 different BioActives, many of which are natural or organic, and select from 20 scents including Japanese cherry blossom, cassis, or glacier fresh (fragrance free available for sensitive types).

Developed in the Seattle area lab of its Swiss founders, Karin and Dr. Thomas Bombeli, the company was established in 2008 following the success of their existing cosmetics wholesale business, makingcosmetics.com (formerly Somerset, founded in 1997). A doctor specializing in medical research, Thomas Bombeli became increasingly interested in cosmetic chemistry as his wife, Karin, a former nurse, began course work and practice in cosmetic formulations in 1993.

“I was always very passionate about skin care ingredients, and after learning the basics of formulating, I developed my interest over the 15 years following,” Karin Bombeli said. “My goal was to develop formulas based on active, functional ingredients that had positive effects on the skin, and because skin care is so personal, it was of utmost importance to me to create products that were not only safe, pure and healthy, but also completely tailored to a user’s specific needs and preferences.”

The Bombelis devised Shenui knowing not only that its made-to-order concept would require expert, personalized service, but that it could also deliver results well beyond any mass market store line (whose BioActive effects often diminish before they ever reach the cash register). With Shenui, expert technicians create each product individually as they are ordered. Based on the user’s individual needs and preferences, fresh BioActives are incorporated into formulations to create highly effective products based on the consumer’s exact skin care needs.

As a means to promote education and integrity, Shenui subscribes to an ethical, “open label” practice that discloses the precise concentration of BioActives found in each formulation; traditional cosmetic companies avoid divulging this information because many use BioActive concentrations too insufficient to scientifically satisfy product claims. Customers will delight in Shenui’s personalized product labels that include the user’s name, modeled much like a pharmaceutical prescription label.

About Shenui

Breaking ground with exceptional freshness, potent ingredients, and advanced practices, Shenui – a brand new skin care line available exclusively online at Shenui.com – spares the empty promises and delivers results.

The Shenui name is a fusion of Feng Shui philosophy and an adaptation of root words, “Shen” meaning spirit and “Kui” meaning variety. Customers seeking completely personalized, effective skin care reap all of the benefits of Dr. Thomas and Karin Bombeli’s collective medical and cosmetic formulation expertise, including their commitment to providing fresh, advanced, customizable products.

Shenui skin care products are exclusively formulated-to-order and therefore not available in stores. Visit http://www.shenui.com to view the full range of products, ingredients and customizable possibilities. for more information, call 877-shenui0 (877-743-6840).

Patients who received urgently needed medication immediately after artery-opening surgery had fewer heart attacks and rehospitalizations following their surgeries, according to a new study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Study author Cynthia A. Jackevicius, PharmD, Western University of Health Sciences Associate Professor for Pharmacy Practice and Administration, said the study found that adopting less restrictive health insurance policies for clopidogrel (trade name: Plavix) resulted in improved cardiovascular outcomes. Clopidogrel helps prevent blood clots.

“The restrictive drug policy we assessed in this study is called prior authorization, which is a commonly used strategy in American and Canadian drug plans to prevent unwarranted and excessive use of medications,” Jackevicius said. “Our study provides some evidence for rethinking how medications are restricted in drug plans, suggesting that drug policies can impact patient outcomes.”

The study, “Cardiovascular Outcomes after a Change in Prescription Policy for Clopidogrel,” looks at the population-level effect of a change in a pharmacy benefits program in Ontario, Canada from a prior-authorization policy to a less restrictive, limited-use policy on access to clopidogrel among patients who underwent angioplasty with stenting after a heart attack.

Patients obtained their medication immediately upon hospital discharge with the less restrictive policy but waited an average of nine days to get their medication with the prior-authorization policy.

The rate of clopidogrel use within 30 days after hospital discharge following a heart attack increased from 35 percent in the prior-authorization period to 88 percent in the limited-use period.

The study looked at cardiovascular outcomes in 3,438 patients under the prior-authorization policy and 2,733 patients under the limited-use policy. The percentages of re-admission for heart attacks, additional surgery and death were reduced from 15 percent to 11 percent in changing to the limited-use policy. Re-admission for heart attacks within a year decreased from 5 percent to 3 percent.

“The methods for restricting urgently needed medications may need to be reconsidered in order to prevent unnecessary delays in receiving specific medications,” Jackevicius said. “Some options include online approval, prescribing according to specific criteria, use only by authorized prescribers, or approving a short-term temporary supply that could then be assessed for prolonged use.”

Cardiovascular Outcomes after a Change in Prescription Policy for Clopidogrel

Authors: Cynthia A. Jackevicius, Pharm.D., M.Sc., Jack V. Tu, M.D., Ph.D., Virginie Demers, M.D., Magda Melo, B.Sc.Phm., M.Sc., Jafna Cox, M.D., Stephane Rinfret, M.D., M.Sc., Dimitri Kalavrouziotis, M.D., M.Sc., Helen Johansen, Ph.D., Hassan Behlouli, Ph.D., Alice Newman, M.Sc., and Louise Pilote, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. New England Journal of Medicine. Volume 359:1802-1810. October 23, 2008. Number 13.

About Western University of Health Sciences

Western University of Health Sciences (www.westernu.edu), located in Pomona, Calif., is an independent nonprofit health professions university, conferring degrees in health sciences, nursing, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies and veterinary medicine.

 Contact: Rodney Tanaka Office: (909) 469-5402 Cell: (909) 762-1806 E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE: Western University of Health Sciences

Just in time for a new flu season, in which up to 20 percent of Americans may be affected, 3M is announcing nationwide availability of the 3M(TM) Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test, an innovation in the flu diagnostics market. The 3M Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test is the first rapid flu test to provide automated results. The automated technology helps reduce user interpretation errors, which can lead to both false negative or false positive results. The 3M Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test will be able to deliver hospital and physician office laboratories reliable and objective electronic results in 15 minutes.

“Bringing automation to the interpretation of influenza tests is a key factor for the next generation of rapid flu tests,” said Brian Anderson, marketing manager, 3M Health Care. “Automating and storing the objective result of a flu test will help increase laboratory productivity and minimize the potential for human error, which can contribute to improving patient outcomes.”

Requiring less than three minutes of prep time, the 3M Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test detects positive or negative results, and differentiates influenza A and influenza B with results clearly displayed on the 3M(TM) Rapid Detection Reader. In addition to providing automated results, the technology also enables labs to export data through laboratory information systems, further reducing the potential for reporting error by eliminating the need for manual recording and transferring of patient results. The test also reads and stores lab results, giving lab technicians more flexibility in time and test management.

“Properly interpreting test results is critical, especially considering that most flu antiviral medications have a 48-hour recommended therapeutic window for prescribing, so false-positives or even delayed test results may result in misapplication of therapy or may reduce its effectiveness,” said Christine Ginocchio, PhD., Director of Microbiology, Virology and Molecular Diagnostics at North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System. “Having an automated reader almost eliminates the potential for misinterpreting results, leading to a faster and more informed treatment decision, which results in better patient outcomes.”

A recent study evaluated the 3M Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test against the leading hospital brand and two conventional methods of diagnosing influenza A and B, direct fluorescent antibody staining (DFA) (1.5 to 3 hours for results) and rapid cell culture (R-Mix) (24 to 48 hours for results). Compared to the leading hospital brand, the 3M Rapid Detection Flu Test demonstrated superior analytical and clinical sensitivity for the detection of both influenza A and B. Further, the study concluded that the automated reading of test results eliminated the potential for user misreading or misinterpretation of test results.

Flu Prevalence

Influenza is a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening viral respiratory infection affecting millions of Americans annually. It is estimated that every year, up to 20 percent of the U.S. population becomes ill with “the flu”.(1) In many populations, flu can lead to severe complications and results in more than 200,000 hospitalizations and approximately 36,000 deaths each year.(2)

About 3M Health Care

Since inventing Ioban(TM) antimicrobial incise surgical drapes more than 30 years ago, 3M has been a worldwide leader in developing health care products and services that address infection control. 3M Health Care, one of 3M’s six major business segments, is dedicated to improving the practice, delivery and outcome of patient care and is a leading provider of solutions for medical, oral care, drug delivery and health information markets.

For more information on the 3M(TM) Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test, please visit www.howtocatchtheflu.com/19.

3M and Ioban are trademarks of 3M.

(1) CDC. Influenza: The Disease. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease.htm

(2) CDC. Influenza: The Disease. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease.htm

HOUSTON, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Almost everyone knows the devastation that cancer brings to families, workplaces and communities, and many Houstonians are aware of well-known local cancer treatment institutions. Few, however, may be familiar with the CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research, a nationally recognized leader in cancer research located in Houston, which recently achieved a milestone in their battle against cancer.

The CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation recently received word from the Food and Drug Administration that CZ48, a promising anticancer drug they discovered and developed, was approved to begin Phase I (human) clinical trials. This is a large step in the journey to offer this potentially lifesaving drug to people suffering from cancer.

This is a remarkable accomplishment, since past records show that for every 5,000 to 10,000 oncology compounds discovered, only 250 make it to pre-clinical phases, and only five (one-tenth of one percent) are approved by the FDA for these human studies.

CZ48 is a derivative of extracts from a Chinese tree, the Camptotheca Acuminata, which more than 45 years ago showed potent anticancer activity against a type of mouse leukemia. The Stehlin Foundation has been researching cancer treatment with the Camptothecin family of compounds since 1988, and as a pioneer in the development of the Camptothecin family of drugs, has synthesized and tested more than 200 Camptothecin derivatives. In fact, the New York Academy of Science wrote, “Camptothecins can be envisioned as the ultimate anticancer drugs when fully developed.”

The first phase of the trial has begun at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center in Albuquerque, N.M., and plans are also under way to offer the trial at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tenn. This phase of the clinical trial process is expected to last 12-15 months.

The CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation is hopeful about the results of these clinical trials, as CZ48 has been shown in pre-clinical studies to exhibit a broad spectrum of anticancer activity against a wide array of human cancers growing in nude mice with a striking lack of toxicity. CZ48 is also innovative in that it can be taken orally, and pre-clinical studies indicate that it has very few side effects. This makes its appeal even stronger for human cancer treatment.

“We have always felt that CZ48 holds tremendous promise as a cancer treatment, which is why we have worked so diligently to make it available,” said Dr. Beppino Giovanella, laboratory director at the CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research. “It is our hope that CZ48 will continue the legacy of the foundation and bring renewed hope and life to people around the world who suffer from cancer.”

About the CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research

The CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research has developed and supported many innovative and life-saving treatments for patients with cancer, including being some of the first to recommend a lumpectomy for women with breast cancer. The CHRISTUS Foundation also innovated the use of nude mice in cancer research. Nude mouse tests are now the final, non-human studies required by the National Cancer Institute for determining the effectiveness of potential anticancer agents. Many scientists around the world consider the nude mouse one of the 20th century’s most significant breakthroughs in cancer research.

The foundation was established by Dr. John S. Stehlin Jr., a cancer specialist and surgeon, with a specific and urgent mission: to find and develop the most effective treatments for the patient who suffered from cancer in the shortest period of time. In reaction to his mounting frustration with the traditional approach to cancer treatment, he developed a tripartnership concept between clinician, research scientist and patient, in which everyone works together to provide the best overall treatment. The CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation conducts research that can be applied directly to improving the treatment of the patient with cancer, and all research is clinically oriented. Visit them on the web at http://www.stehlin.org/.

About CHRISTUS Health

CHRISTUS Health, an international Catholic, faith-based, not-for-profit health system, is headquartered in Dallas and is comprised of almost 350 services and facilities, including more than 50 hospitals and long-term care facilities, 175 clinics and outpatient centers and dozens of other health ministries and ventures in more than 60 cities in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Georgia, Utah and Mexico. The system employs more than 28,000 Associates — including 8,000 physicians on facility medical staffs — that provide care and support for patients. CHRISTUS Health is listed among the top ten Catholic health systems in the U.S., and among the nation’s Top 100 integrated Healthcare Networks.

CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation

CONTACT: Karen Henry of The PR Boutique, +1-713-599-1271,[email protected], for CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation; or Abby Loweof CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation, +1-214-492-8513, [email protected]

Web site: http://www.stehlin.org/

Nanogen, Inc. (Nasdaq:NGEN), developer of molecular-biology and rapid diagnostic products, announced today that Celera Corporation has extended its license agreement of Nanogen’s patent portfolio in molecular biology to develop additional diagnostic products.

Celera Corporation will use Nanogen’s Minor Groove Binder (MGB) technology to develop in vitro diagnostic products for cardiovascular and oncological applications. This is an expansion of the original license agreement, signed in 2004, in which Celera licensed the technology for development of a hepatitis C genotyping products for individual patient management, monitoring and treatment. Under the Agreement, Celera Corporation will pay Nanogen an upfront license fee, milestone and anniversary fees throughout development, and a royalty on sales of the diagnostic products.

“The Celera license expands our current license into new and exciting molecular diagnostic applications,” said Howard Birnsdorf, Nanogen CEO. “Our MGB technology has been licensed to a number of companies and the expanded field for Celera strongly supports the value of our technology in real-time PCR.”

Nanogen’s MGB technology is licensed broadly in various fields and is now an integral component in thousands of PCR probe products. Nanogen has more than 35 reagent and kit products that are sold for clinical diagnostic use under the MGB Alert(R) and Q-PCR Alert(TM) brands.

About Nanogen, Inc.

Nanogen provides innovative, high-quality diagnostic products to clinicians, physicians and researchers worldwide, making it easier to predict, diagnose and, ultimately, help treat disease in a timely fashion. The company’s products include molecular diagnostic kits and reagents and kits for rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests. Nanogen has pioneered research in areas involving nanotechnology, biomarkers, and molecular biology to bring better results to diagnostics and healthcare. For additional information please visit Nanogen’s website at www.nanogen.com.

About Celera

Celera is a healthcare business delivering personalized disease management through a combination of products and services incorporating proprietary discoveries. Berkeley HeartLab, a subsidiary of Celera, offers services to predict cardiovascular disease risk and improve patient management. Celera also commercializes a wide range of molecular diagnostic products through its strategic alliance with Abbott and has licensed other relevant diagnostic technologies developed to provide personalized disease management in cancer and liver diseases. Information about Celera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at http://www.celera.com.

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Masimo, the inventor of Pulse CO-Oximetry(TM) and Measure-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, announced today that 13 new independent and objective clinical studies presented at the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla., October 19-21, 2008, found Masimo SET(R) and Masimo Rainbow SET(R) technologies to be crucial in providing clinicians with an early indication of their patients’ deteriorating health status in numerous clinical settings, which may allow earlier intervention and prevention of adverse clinical outcomes.

In addition, Masimo’s commercial exhibit attracted over 2,500 anesthesiologists from the U.S. and around the world. Anesthesiologists visiting the commercial exhibit marveled at Masimo noninvasive hemoglobin (SpHb(TM)), the first-and-only technology capable of continuously monitoring hemoglobin status. Continuous monitoring of anemic status with Masimo SpHb may allow clinicians to make earlier and better treatment decisions, such as detecting blood loss earlier to initiate more timely transfusions in some patients and avoiding unnecessary blood transfusions in others.

Select Clinical Study Highlights

Continuous Pulse Ox Impacts Early Detection of Physiological Abnormalities in Post-Surgical Patients(1), a clinical evaluation led by Dr. George Blike at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, compared clinical data, patient outcomes and nursing satisfaction before and after implementation of Masimo Patient SafetyNet(TM) — a remote monitoring and wireless clinician notification system — on a 36-bed post-surgical care unit. Findings during the three-month evaluation — covering 2,587 total patient days — showed an 80 percent decrease in distress codes and rescue activations, and a 50 percent decrease in ICU transfers for Masimo Patient SafetyNet system-monitored patients. Researchers concluded that, “the system supported the early identification of patients with sedation or analgesia-induced respiratory depression,” as well as the “early recognition of other patterns of deterioration, including: poor heart rate control, acute bradycardia needing atropine, new onset A-fib, unrecognized obstructive patterns of respiration like sleep apnea, and pulmonary complications such as fat emboli syndrome, pulmonary embolus and edema.” In addition, researchers also noted that the system rated high for up-time at 99.9995% and nursing satisfaction, as identified by ‘desire to keep vs. remove the system’, at 5.5 on a 6 point scale.

Do Pulse CO-Oximeter Measures of SpMet and SpO2 Correlate with Blood Gas CO-Oximetry in Neonates?(2), a clinical study led by Dr. Mitchell R. Goldstein at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital in Loma Linda, California, evaluated whether methemoglobin saturation (SpMet(TM)) could be successfully measured in neonates without compromise in oxygen saturation (SpO2) accuracy. Researchers compared noninvasive SpMet and SpO2 measurements obtained from neonates using the Masimo Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter and Rainbow R25-L disposable sensor with MetHb and SaO2 measurements obtained from blood gas analysis using a laboratory CO-oximeter and found that the accuracy of SpMet (with a Bias of 0.17, Standard Deviation of 0.92, and Average Root Mean Square of 0.93) and SpO2 (with a Bias of 1.4, Standard Deviation of 2.46, and Average Root Mean Square of 2.86) was maintained and correlated with blood gas measurements. Researchers concluded that Masimo’s multi-wavelength Pulse CO-Oximeter “can simultaneously measure SpMet and SpO2 in neonates,” and that “continuous monitoring of MetHb allows better assessment of toxicity and helps identify the need for ongoing treatment.”

Ability of Pleth Variability Index to Non Invasively Predict the Hemodynamic Effects of PEEP(3) — led by Dr. Olivier Desebbe at Louis Pradel Hospital in Lyon-Bron, France, studied the ability of PVI to predict the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on cardiac index (CI) in 21 mechanically-ventilated patients following cardiac surgery. The clinical team recorded mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac index (measured using pulmonary artery catheter), and PVI at three successive tidal volume settings (6, 8, and 10 ml/kg) under zero end-expiratory pressure and following adjunction of a PEEP, and found that successive zero end-expiratory pressure induced significant changes in PVI, but not CVP or MAP. Findings also showed that “PVI was able to predict the hemodynamic effect of PEEP with 73% sensibility and 80% specificity.” Researchers concluded that PVI could allow clinicians to “optimize fluid loading noninvasively before adding PEEP for pulmonary reasons.”

Pulse Oximeter Perfusion Index as a Predictor for the Effect of llio-Inguinal Block(4), a prospective clinical study led by Dr. AKI Uemura at the Tsukuba University Hospital in Ibaraki, Japan, examined whether changes in Perfusion Index (PI) reflect the effect of llio-inguinal block in 18 children (mean age 32 months) during inguinal herniorrhaphy. Patients receiving llio-inguinal blocks were divided into two groups according to the concentration of Ropivacaine received (0.25% or 0.5%), and monitored using electrocardiography, noninvasive blood pressure, and two Masimo SET Radical pulse oximeters placed on both the left and right side limb. The clinical team recorded PI, blood pressure, heart rate, end-tidal CO2, end-tidal Sevo%, and respiratory rate for all patients and found that PI on the block side was significantly elevated when compared to the non-block side. Researchers concluded that “PI value is a useful, objective, and noninvasive method to evaluate the effect of llio-inguinal block in pediatric patients.”

In addition, there were nine other clinical studies(5-13) presented validating the accuracy, reliability, and clinical value of Masimo SET Pulse Oximetry and Rainbow SET Pulse CO-Oximetry — the first-and-only technology platform to noninvasively measure blood constituents and fluid responsiveness that previously required invasive procedures, including: noninvasive & continuous total hemoglobin (SpHb), oxygen content (SpOC(TM)), carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO(R)), methemoglobin (SpMet(R)) and Pleth Variability Index (PVI), in addition to the ‘Gold Standard’ measure-through-motion-and-low-perfusion performance of Masimo SET Oxygen Saturation (SpO2), Pulse Rate (PR) and Perfusion Index (PI).

Michael O’Reilly, MD, Masimo Executive Vice President of Medical Affairs, stated; “The 13 new studies presented at ASA this year add to the growing body of evidence showing that the use of Masimo SET pulse oximetry and Masimo Rainbow SET Pulse CO-Oximetry improves patient safety and outcomes.”

About Masimo

Masimo develops innovative monitoring technologies that significantly improve patient care — helping solve “unsolvable” problems. In 1995, the company debuted Measure-Through-Motion-and-Low-Perfusion pulse oximetry, known as Masimo SET, which virtually eliminated false alarms and increased pulse oximetry’s ability to detect life-threatening events. More than 100 independent and objective studies demonstrate Masimo SET provides the most reliable SpO2 and pulse rate measurements even under the most challenging clinical conditions, including patient motion and low peripheral perfusion. In 2005, Masimo introduced Masimo Rainbow SET, a breakthrough noninvasive blood constituent monitoring platform that can measure many blood constituents that previously required invasive procedures. Masimo Rainbow SET continuously and noninvasively measures total hemoglobin (SpHb(TM)), oxygen content (SpOC(TM)), carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO(R)), methemoglobin (SpMet(R)), and PVI(TM), in addition to oxyhemoglobin (SpO2), pulse rate (PR), and perfusion index (PI), allowing early detection and treatment of potentially life-threatening conditions. Founded in 1989, Masimo has the mission of “Improving Patient Outcomes and Reducing Cost of Care by Taking Noninvasive Monitoring to New Sites and Applications.” Additional information about Masimo and its products may be found at http://www.masimo.com/.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in connection with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations about future events affecting us and are subject to risks and uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control and could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in our forward-looking statements as a result of various risk factors, including, but not limited to: risks related to our belief that the applications of Masimo Rainbow SET technologies described in the foregoing clinical studies will deliver a sufficient level of clinical improvement over alternative measurement capabilities to allow for rapid adoption of the technology, and risks related to our assumptions regarding the repeatability of clinical results at other hospitals and healthcare settings, and risks related to our assumptions regarding timing or commercial availability of SpHb, as well as other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 5, 2008, which may be obtained for free at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov/. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations will prove correct. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of today’s date. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these forward-looking statements or the “Risk Factors” contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2008, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under the applicable securities laws.

(1) Continuous Pulse Ox Impacts Early Detection of Physiological Abnormalities in Post-Surgical Patients. George Blike, M.D., Jean Avery, R.N., Melanie Mastanduno, R.N., Klaus Christoffersen, Ph.D., Susan McGrath, Ph.D. Quality & Patient Safety, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH.

(2) Do Pulse CO-Oximeter Measures of SpMet and SpO2 Correlate with Blood Gas CO-Oximetry in Neonates. Mitchell R. Goldstein, M.D., Daniel Saesim, M.D., Mark Macknet, M.D., Martin Allard, M.D., Ricardo Peverini, M.D. Neonatal Medicine, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, California.

(3) Ability of Pleth Variability Index to Non Invasively Predict the Hemodynamic Effects of PEEP. Olivier Desebbe, M.D., Cecile Boucau, R.D., Pascal Rosamel, M.D., Jean-Jacques Lehot, M.D., Ph.D., Maxime Cannesson, M.D. Department of Anesthesiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Lyon-Bron, France.

(4) Pulse Oximeter Perfusion Index as a Predictor for the Effect of llio-Inguinal Block. Aki Uemura, M.D., Ph.D., Masahiro Yagihara, M.D., Masayuki Miyabe, M.D., Ph.D. Anestheiology, Tsukuba University, Ibaraki, Japan.

(5) Ability of PVI to detect preload changes in ortho liver transplant. Christopher Wray, M.D., Jack Buckley, M.D., Derek Kwan, B.S., Tayeba Maktabi, Aman Mahajan, M.D., Ph.D. Anesthesiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California.

(6) PVI A non invasive device for fluid responsiveness. Olivier Desebbe, M.D., Cecile Boucau, R.D., Pascal Rosamel, M.D., Jean-Jacques Lehot, M.D., Ph.D., Maxime Cannesson, M.D. Department of Anesthesiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Lyon-Bron, France.

(7) Impact of PEEP on PI and PVI. Nitin K. Shah, M.D., Darin V. Allred, M.D., Laverne Estanol, M.S., Fine Brian, B.S., Ghandi Vipal, B.S. Anesthesiology, Long Beach VAHS, Long Beach, California.

(8) Impact of lower extreminity nerve blockade on PI and PVI. Darin V. Allred, M.D., Nitin K. Shah, M.D., Laverne Estanol, M.S. Anesthesiology, University of California Irvine, Orange, California.

(9) Perfusion Index via finger and toe. Hiroyuki Sumikura, M.D., Ph.D., Yayoi Ohashi, M.D., Ph.D., Yasuyuki Suzuki, M.D., Youichi Kondo, M.D., Hirokazu Sakai, M.D. Obstetric Anesthesia, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.

(10) Effect of Servoflurane on peripherial PI. Anne Laffargue, M.D., Bruno Marciniak, M.D., Anne Hebrard, M.D., Caroline Petyt, M.D., Renee Krivosic-Horber, M.D. Pole de’Anethesie Reanimation, Jeanne de Flandre, CHRU, Lille, France.

(11) Prolocaine induced Methemoglobinemia. Peter Soeding, M.D., Matthias Deppe, Hartmut Gehring, M.D., Ph.D. Anesthesiology, University of Luebeck, Lubeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

(12) Second hand smoke in children. Branden E. Yee, B.A., Iqbal M. Ahmed, M.D., Raghu Idupuganti, D.O., Douglas Brugge, Ph.D., M.S., Roman Schumann, M.D. Anesthesia, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA.

(13) Estimation of respiration dependent PaO2 Oscillations. Marc Bodenstein, M.D., Stephan Boehme, John Graybeal, M.D., Hemei Wang, Ph.D., Klaus Markstaller, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Anesthesiology, Johannes Gutenber-University, Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

    Contact:    Dana Banks    Masimo Corporation    949-297-7348   

Masimo, SET, Signal Extraction Technology, Improving Outcomes and Reducing Cost of Care by Taking Noninvasive Monitoring to New Sites and Applications, Rainbow, SpHb, SpOC, SpCO, SpMet, PVI, Radical-7, Rad-87, Rad-57, Rad-9, Rad-8, Rad-5, Pulse CO-Oximetry and Pulse CO-Oximeter are trademarks or registered trademarks of Masimo Corporation.

Masimo Corporation

CONTACT: Dana Banks of Masimo Corporation, +1-949-297-7348

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

DocuSys, the leading anesthesia information management system (AIMS), medication management, and presurgical care management system provider, today announced it has signed an agreement with The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) to take over the maintenance of their AIMS environment. HUP is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and is ranked as one of the best hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

“After careful evaluation, we elected to transfer our maintenance agreement to DocuSys,” said Chairman of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Dr. Lee Fleisher. “We will also be extending the DocuSys solution in 8 additional ORs at the new RUTH AND RAYMOND PERELMAN Center for Advanced Medicine.” The Perelman Center OPENING LATER THIS YEAR IS a state-of-the-art, 360,000+ square foot outpatient facility adjacent to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

“We are very excited to be partnering with HUP for both their existing AIMS environment and expansion at the new Center for Advanced Medicine,” stated DocuSys President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robert E. Watson. “The ability to boost their access to data for better internal and external reporting, employ smart messaging to improve compliance with national quality measures, and significantly enhance their preoperative process will complement their commitment to provide world class patient care.”

About PENN MEDICINE

PENN Medicine is a $3.5 billion enterprise dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. PENN Medicine consists of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Penn’s School of Medicine is currently ranked #4 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s survey of top research-oriented medical schools; and, according to most recent data from the National Institutes of Health, received over $379 million in NIH research funds in the 2006 fiscal year. Supporting 1,400 fulltime faculty and 700 students, the School of Medicine is recognized worldwide for its superior education and training of the next generation of physician-scientists and leaders of academic medicine.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System includes three hospitals — its flagship hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, rated one of the nation’s “Honor Roll” hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s first hospital; and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center — a faculty practice plan; a primary-care provider network; two multispecialty satellite facilities; and home care and hospice.

About DocuSys

DocuSys is the market-leading anesthesia information management system (AIMS), medication management system and presurgical care management system provider, maximizing both the quality of care and return on investment in surgery. The company provides solutions that address all stages of the anesthesia care delivery process, including the presurgical evaluation process. Additional benefits of the system include ease of use, billing and charge capture automation, and aligning such quality measures as CMS’ pay-for-performance (P4P) program with financial objectives. DocuSys’ modular design permits integration with existing hospital information systems, electronic medication dispensing cabinets, infusion pumps, physiologic monitors and other systems in those settings where intravenous drug delivery is key. The company has received 510(k) clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its technology and is a registered medical device manufacturer in accordance with FDA guidelines. For more information, visit www.docusys.net.

NEW YORK, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Dr. Howard Peiper, a Pulitzer prize nominated author, has written numerous books on nutrition and natural health including 12 best sellers. Dr. Peiper is recommending a brand new supplement from a nutraceutical company, ZEO Health Ltd., called Zeolite-AV and is the first all natural product ever created that has been a proven preventative and treatment for the Flu and other viruses.

Influenza is a serious virus, and people of any age can get it. In an average year, the flu causes 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States alone. The US government, which distributes the Flu vaccine through multiple pharmaceutical companies, continues to have issues every year. Many times they run out of the vaccine and are limiting it to only those that are at extreme risk from the virus, children and the elderly. Other years, they predict the wrong strains of the virus which will be prevalent that year, rendering the flu vaccine useless for that season.

With limitations in science, higher costs, and constant side effects with synthetic drugs, more people are turning to natural products for help. “People are starting to realize that many drugs are originally based on natural treatments that the drug companies recreated and modified synthetically to be able to control supply and protect intellectual property rights on the products,” states, Micah Portney, president of ZEO Health Ltd. As people become more educated, they are taking their health care back into their own hands and focusing on the resurgence of less expensive, effective natural solutions.

Zeolite-AV contains two natural minerals which are listed by the FDA as generally recognized as safe. Toxins and heavy metals, which we are constantly exposed to in our environment, depress normal immune functioning and put our bodies at risk for infection. The mineral ingredient Zeolite in Zeolite-AV removes these heavy metals and toxins from the body, which boosts the immune system. It also balances the pH in the body which doesn’t allow foreign cells to grow. The Humic Acid ingredient in Zeolite-AV coats and isolates the virus which doesn’t allow it to attach to a healthy cell or replicate. This now makes the virus vulnerable to attack from our immune cells which can kill the virus.

“Most of our health issues have doctors treating the symptoms instead of the underlying causes,” states Dr. Peiper. “There are a few major reasons why people have continuing health issues. We are constantly exposed to heavy metals and toxins which are absorbed into our body, thereby compromising our immune functioning. Our bodies are almost always in an acidic state where foreign cells (cancer) can thrive, and many of us have undetectable low level viruses in our body which wreak havoc with our system. Zeolite-AV addresses these main underlying causes which can have a dramatic positive effect on people’s lives. While the Flu is only one seasonal viral concern, people should really be taking this product along with their daily supplements,” commented Dr. Peiper

Based in West Nyack, NY, ZEO Health Ltd., a health and nutritional product development company, was founded by Micah Portney in 2001. In addition to Zeolite-AV, the company also manufactures and markets Esdifan, a natural product that stops diarrhea fast, as well as Destroxin and Zeolite Pure, which remove toxins and heavy metals from the body, boosting the immune system, and balancing the body’s pH, fighting various types of cancer.

For further information about Zeolite-AV, visit the product Website at http://www.zeoliteav.com/

For further information about ZEO Health Ltd., visit their website at http://www.zeohealth.com/

ZEO Health Ltd.

CONTACT: Micah Portney, +1-845-353-5185

Web Site: http://www.zeohealth.com/http://www.zeoliteav.com/

A cherry-enriched diet lowers weight, cholesterol and reduced inflammation — major risk factors for heart disease, U.S. researchers said.

Study co-author Dr. Steven F. Bolling of the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center said tart cherries — sold dried, frozen or juice, contain powerful antioxidants known as anthocyanins — which provide the bright, rich red color.

Rats, some obese, were fed a Western diet, characterized by high fat and moderate carbohydrate, in line with the typical American diet — with or without added whole tart cherry powder — as 1 percent of the diet.

The at-risk, obese rats fed the cherry-enriched diet saw significant decreases in body weight and fat while maintaining lean muscle mass. After twelve weeks, the cherry-fed rats had 14 percent lower body fat compared to the other rats who did not consume cherries.

Cherry-enriched diets also reduced total cholesterol levels by about 11 percent and two known markers of inflammation — commonly produced by abdominal fat and linked to increased risk for heart disease, Bolling said.

The findings were presented at the Experimental Biology annual meeting.

The study was funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute but it was not directly involved in the design, conduct or analysis of the project.

Erikson Institute’s Herr Research Center for Children and Social Policy this week will host leading child advocates, researchers, and state officials from Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin to discuss mental health services for children and infants. The day-long policy conference, “Building Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Systems: Financing, Workforce Development, and Service Delivery,” will be held on Friday, Oct. 24 at Erikson’s new River North campus in Chicago.

The conference will focus on funding, staffing and infrastructure needs to support mental health services, particularly for young children in high-risk families. Recent Herr Research projects will be discussed, including a presentation of early findings from the Center’s study on children’s mental health policy in the three-state region, and the recent evaluation of the Prevention Initiative Mental Health Consultation and Training Program in Illinois. The conference will conclude with a discussion of future steps.

Presentations will include:

Tammy Mann, deputy executive director of ZERO TO THREE (www.zerotothree.org) and Jennifer May, health policy specialist at the National Academy for State Health Policy (www.nashp.org), overview of ECMH national trends and funding issues.

Eboni Howard, director of the Herr Research Center, discussion of ECMH policies in the Great Lakes region.

Jon Korfmacher, Erikson associate professor and faculty associate of the Herr Research Center, report on issues in workforce development and systems building in early childhood mental health.

Samantha Wulfsohn, director of the Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Project and Linda Gilkerson, Erikson professor and director of the Irving B. Harris Infant Studies Program, discussion of a consultation model developed to build and sustain a statewide network of qualified infant mental health (IMH) consultants addressing the mental health needs of high-risk families.

About Erikson Institute and its Herr Research Center: Established in 2005, the Herr Research Center of Chicago’s Erikson Institute (http://erikson.edu/hrc.aspx) informs, supports and encourages effective early childhood policy in the Great Lakes Region. Erikson Institute (www.erikson.edu) is the nation’s only graduate school to focus exclusively on child development from birth to age eight. An independent institution of higher education, the Institute has prepared child development professionals for more than 40 years.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) has launched a comprehensive continuing medical education initiative for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care providers about chronic constipation (CC). Known as E-IMPACCT, which stands for Elderly IMProvements and Advances in Chronic Constipation Treatment, this program presents educational activities on evaluating and managing CC and offers a range of tools to help clinicians in everyday practice.

“Because of the cascade of complex health issues that can be triggered by chronic constipation, clinicians have expressed their need for targeted education about CC,” said ASCP Executive Director and CEO John Feather. “Clinicians need to identify, recognize, and differentiate CC and have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of each of the treatments and medications, the side effects, and administration and efficacy data.”

E-IMPACCT provides outcomes-based knowledge through an ongoing, thorough awareness campaign with educational components that will roll out over a 12-month period. Through this initiative, participants are presented with new information and certified continuing education (CE) activities, patient cases, and guidelines designed to help clinicians better manage CC and improve outcomes in today’s seniors. This knowledge will help practitioners individualize regimens for their patients and will improve the provider’s confidence in the course of action chosen.

“For all clinicians, the management strategies for treating chronic constipation in the elderly should include a combination of patient and caregiver education and communication, dietary modifications, and treatment options,” commented ASCP Director of Professional and Educational Affairs Trish D’Antonio Mazzuca. “Educational outcomes from E-IMPACCT will measure changes in clinician knowledge and behavior and improvements in patient care.”

Chronic constipation is a condition that impacts the lives of millions of older adults in the United States. It is the most common digestive complaint in the general population and is associated with substantial costs. In seniors, roughly 26% of men and 34% of women complain of constipation. Americans spend approximately $800 million per year on over-the-counter laxatives. Severe constipation can lead to serious medical problems that may even require surgery. Fecal impaction is a serious concern in particular for nursing facilities, and without adequate treatment, it may lead to significant complications.

Components of E-IMPACCT include live meetings and symposia, Web-based educational programs, audio conferences with live faculty question-and-answer sessions, and a dynamic Web page, http://www.elderlyconstipation.org/. Through the Web page and via opportunities at live meetings, health care practitioners may order free CC support tools, including clinician pocket guides, clinical reference cards, an in-service tool kit to train other health care providers, and patient information and education. An awareness campaign is designed to kick off the initiative so health care providers know these resources are available to them at no cost.

The ASCP E-IMPACCT initiative is supported by an educational grant from

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. and is sponsored through a collaboration of ASCP, AKH Inc., and Medical Communications Media, Inc. (MCM).

The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the recognized expert in geriatric pharmacotherapy, is the international professional association that provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to advance the practice of consultant and senior care pharmacy. ASCP’s 7,000 members manage and improve medication therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing and subacute care facilities, assisted living communities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and in home and community-based care. Visit ASCP’s Web site at http://www.ascp.com/.

   For more information contact:   Trish D'Antonio Mazzuca, RPh, MS, MBA, CGP   Director of Professional and Educational Affairs   American Society of Consultant Pharmacists   703-739-1316, ext. 105   [email protected]  

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists

CONTACT: Trish D’Antonio Mazzuca of the American Society of ConsultantPharmacists, +1-703-739-1314, ext. 105, [email protected]

Web Site: http://www.ascp.com/http://www.elderlyconstipation.org/

SKILLMAN, N.J., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ — ConvaTec, a world-leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, announced today the availability of the Flexi-Seal(R) Fecal Management System (FMS) Advanced Odor Control. The new Flexi-Seal FMS Advanced Odor Control is specifically designed to help manage odor* associated with fecal incontinence.

The new Flexi-Seal(R) FMS Advanced Odor Control manages odor in two distinct ways: first, the new nylon inner odor barrier HOLDS the odor molecules within the silicone catheter(1); second, the device contains a charcoal filter in the collection bag that deodorizes gas as it is released. In a comparative laboratory testing, Flexi-Seal(R) FMS Advanced Odor Control was shown to successfully eliminate* catheter odor permeation to levels below those that are humanly detectable. Parylene-coated silicone catheters do not effectively manage odor.(1)

“As the leader in helping clinicians manage acute fecal incontinence, ConvaTec is meeting an important unmet need in this vital area of critical care,” said Marcus Schabacker, Chief Scientific Officer, ConvaTec Inc. “In addition to promoting skin integrity and reducing the risk of infection spread, the new Flexi-Seal(R) FMS Advanced Odor Control is designed to provide a more pleasant environment for both patients and their caregivers.”

The innovative Flexi-Seal(R) FMS was designed to safely and effectively divert fecal matter, protect patients’ wounds from fecal contamination, and reduce the risk of both skin breakdown and spread of infection, such as Clostridium difficile (C difficile). Flexi-Seal(R) FMS Advanced Odor Control retains all of the original product benefits and is used exactly the same way as the current Flexi-Seal(R) FMS.

“The level of odor associated with fecal incontinence can vary considerably from patient to patient, with its cause often difficult to fully identify and manage,” said Mary Webb RN, BSN, MA, CIC, Infection Control Preventionist, San Mateo Medical Center, San Mateo, CA. “In these situations, the new Flexi-Seal(R) FMS Advanced Odor Control can be extremely beneficial to both clinicians and patients, providing a safe and effective option for containing and managing odor.”

* Eliminates perceptible naphthalenic (indole) and sulfide odors radiating from the catheter tube.

About Fecal Incontinence and Pressure Ulcers

As the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) institutes reimbursement reforms for hospital-acquired pressure ulcers this month, many U.S. hospitals are implementing pressure ulcer prevention guidelines and seeking systems and devices that can help prevent pressure ulcer development.(2) The management of fecal incontinence, a risk factor in the development of pressure ulcers and the transmission of nosocomial infections, is a priority in acute and critical care hospital settings.(3) Pressure ulcers, which are among the most prevalent forms of chronic wounds, were reported in approximately 10-18 percent of acute-care settings in the United States between 1990 and 2000.(4)

About Flexi-Seal(R) FMS

Flexi-Seal(R) FMS is a temporary containment device indicated for patients with little or no bowel control, and can be used for up to 29 consecutive days. Unique features of Flexi-Seal(R) FMS include:

   --  A soft, low-pressure balloon designed to aid easy insertion and       removal and minimize the chance of tissue necrosis.   --  A closed-end collection bag which may help reduce the spread of       infection.   --  A unique, patented finger pocket guides easy insertion.   --  An entirely latex-free design.    Clinical Evidence   

A prospective, 42-patient clinical study was conducted to evaluate the safety and performance of the Flexi-Seal(R) FMS in subjects with diarrhea and incontinence. Key findings include(5):

   --  Rectal mucosa was healthy after Flexi-Seal(R) FMS use for all patients       who had baseline and follow-up endoscopy.   --  92% of patients had their skin condition maintained or improved.   --  83% of caregivers reported that Flexi-Seal(R) FMS improved fecal       incontinence control, was efficacious, and time efficient.   

To date, Flexi-Seal(R) FMS is the number one brand in unit sales to distributors(6), and is being widely used at over 1,800 intensive care unit hospitals(7) in the United States. ConvaTec continues to support healthcare professionals with a dedicated on-call nurse specialist program. Over 110,000 nurses have been trained on Flexi-Seal(R) FMS(8).

About ConvaTec

ConvaTec is a leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies that have helped improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. With four key business divisions — Ostomy Care, Wound Therapeutics, Continence and Critical Care and Infusion Devices — ConvaTec products support health care professionals from the hospital to the community health setting. From its headquarters in Skillman, New Jersey, the company oversees more than 8,000 employees in over 90 countries serving consumers and their health care professionals on six continents. For more information, please visit http://www.convatec.com/.

   (C) 2008 ConvaTec Inc.   Flexi-Seal is a registered trademark of ConvaTec Inc.   Our world is what we make of it is a trademark of ConvaTec Inc.    AP-005973-US    References:  

(1) Odor Reduction in Fecal Management Devices. White Paper. Data on file, ConvaTec.

(2) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 42 CFR Parts 411, 412, 413, and 489. Medicare Program; Changes to the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems and Fiscal Year 2008 Rates. Federal Register. 2007;72(162):47130,47200.

(3) Wishin J, Gallagher TJ, McCann E. Emerging options for the management of fecal incontinence in hospitalized patients. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2008;35(1):104-110.

(4) Pressure ulcers in America: prevalence, incidence and implications for the future. An executive summary of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel monograph. Advances in Skin and Wound Care. 2001; 14:208-215.

(5) Padmanabhan A, Stern M, Wishin J, Mangino M, Richey K, DeSane M. Clinical evaluation of a flexible fecal incontinence management system. Am J Crit Care, July 2007;16:384-393.

(6) HPIS. Moving Annual Total (MAT) Fecal Control Category. Q1 2008 data. Data on file, ConvaTec.

(7) Cognos. Redistributed YTD Sales through May 2008. Data on file, ConvaTec.

(8) Inventiv. Monthly In-Service Report through June 2008. Data on file, ConvaTec.

   Contacts:   Punnie Donohue   Weber Shandwick   212-445-8163   [email protected]    Nimisha Savani   ConvaTec   908-904-2522   [email protected]  

ConvaTec Inc.

CONTACT: Punnie Donohue of Weber Shandwick for ConvaTec,+1-212-445-8163, [email protected]; or Nimisha Savani of ConvaTec,+1-908-904-2522, [email protected]

Web Site: http://www.convatec.com/

DEERFIELD, Ill., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Opponents of Michigan’s stem cell research initiative — Proposal 2 — launched an ad yesterday using the tragic and universally reprehensible Tuskegee Experiments as a basis for comparison to stem cell research. This ad is replete with myths and misinformation. Distortions about the nature and regulatory environment for stem cell research are many, and it is important to set the facts straight.

First, examine the Proposal 2 itself. The proposal explicitly states that “All stem cell research and all stem cell therapies and cures must be conducted and provided in accordance with state and local laws of general applicability, including but not limited to laws concerning scientific and medical practices and patient safety and privacy.” Thus, the proposal itself provides for state regulation of this area. Opponents of Proposal 2 appear to have intentionally ignored and under-played this fact in an attempt to scare people.

In addition to the potential for state regulation, there are also federal laws that would prevent unethical research in this potentially medically important arena.

First there is federal law that would prevent unethical stem cell experiments from being performed on human subjects. Under it, Institutional Review Boards must approve any stem cell research involving human subjects, including clinical trials as well as the donation of embryos for the derivation of new embryonic stem cell lines. These review boards must approve patient consent documents and the research methods, to ensure that the scientific goals are ethical and beneficial.

Secondly there are Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight (ESCRO) Committees that have been set up under guidance from the National Academy of Sciences to oversee all aspects of embryonic stem cell research. This includes research conducted in laboratory dishes, in patients, and in animals, as well as providing an additional layer of oversight over the derivation of new stem cell lines. ESCRO committee approval is therefore required for all experiments performed with embryonic stem cells. These oversight committees (IRB and ESCRO) are composed of scientists, physicians, ethicists, lawyers, and members of the community.

Next, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all research done at private companies toward the development and testing of any medical product, and imposes similar regulations to ensure that such research is performed ethically.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research, an organization of the world’s leading stem cell researchers, stands firmly for the belief that the use of stem cells will transform the lives of patients and offer new treatments for diseases that are currently incurable. Opponents of Proposal 2 have tainted that vision with claims that lead people to incorrectly conclude that such research is unregulated. This is simply not correct.

“It is preposterous that opponents of Proposal 2 have tried to link stem cell research with the Tuskegee Experiments, one of the most despicable episodes in American medical history,” said Dr. George Q. Daley, ISSCR past-president and associate director of the Stem Cell Program at Children’s Hospital Boston. “The ad distorts and misleads. The people of Michigan should reject this cynical misinformation. Michigan scientists have much to offer in this important area of biomedical research, and it is a shame that they would be kept out of the game if this proposal passes.”

Proposal 2 offers other protections to ensure the ethical conduct of regulated research by putting in place numerous restrictions of its own, including the following:

   -- Prevent stem cells from being taken from embryos more than 14 days      after cell division begins;   -- Prohibit the purchase or sale of human embryos, and;   -- Assurance that research conducted in Michigan follows all existing and      future federal laws.    

The proposal would involve only embryos that could not be used for fertility treatment, and that would otherwise be discarded if not donated for research. The embryos would also have to meet the following requirements:

   -- They were created for the purpose of fertility treatment;   -- They were not suitable for implantation or surplus to the clinical      need;   -- They were donated with the informed consent of the patient;   -- Planned to be discarded unless used for research.    

Proposal 2 is about one thing. It is about accelerating medical research in Michigan to develop new treatments for currently incurable diseases.

“People need accurate information to make responsible decisions,” said Dr. Daley. “Voting in favor of Proposal 2 is to vote for reasonable, regulated research in hopes of curing illness and alleviating human suffering.” The ISSCR believes that research must continue with all types of stem cells.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is an independent, nonprofit membership organization established to promote and foster the exchange and dissemination of information and ideas relating to stem cells, to encourage the general field of research involving stem cells and to promote professional and public education in all areas of stem cell research and application.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research

CONTACT: Meagan Comerford, Marketing Communications Manager of ISSCR,+1-847-509-1944, ext. 246, [email protected]; or Kate Morris Stanley ofFleishman-Hillard, +1-202-828-9763, [email protected], for ISSCR

Rural/Metro Corporation (NASDAQ: RURL), a leading provider of ambulance transportation and private fire protection services, announced today that it has been awarded the contract to become the exclusive private ambulance partner for 911 services in Littleton, Colorado.

The new contract was awarded on a unanimous vote this week of the Littleton City Council and begins November 1, 2008 for an initial term of one year, followed by a one-year renewal term. The contract is expected to generate annual net revenue of approximately $1.5 million and was won in a competitive bidding process that included the incumbent provider.

Jack Brucker, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We look forward to expanding our presence in the metropolitan-Denver market and further leveraging our base of ambulance operations in Colorado.”

Boo Heffner, President of the West Emergency Services Group, added, “We are very proud to be selected as the best-qualified private ambulance service for Littleton’s emergency needs and look forward to partnering with Littleton Fire Rescue to provide a coordinated response to emergency medical calls.”

The contracted service area is located approximately 10 miles southwest of Denver and includes the City of Littleton, Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District, a portion of the City of Centennial and unincorporated portions of Jefferson County.

Rural/Metro has been operating in the Denver metropolitan area since 1998 when it was awarded the exclusive contract to provide emergency ambulance services in the City of Aurora. The Company employs more than 175 ambulance professionals in the metropolitan Denver area, providing services to nearly 40,000 patients each year.

About Rural/Metro

Rural/Metro Corporation provides emergency and non-emergency ambulance services and private fire protection services in 22 states and approximately 400 communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit the Company’s web site at www.ruralmetro.com.

SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The foregoing reflects the Company’s views about its financial condition, performance and other matters that constitute “forward-looking” statements as such term is defined by the federal securities laws. Many of these statements are indicated by words such as “may,””will,””expect,””anticipate,””believe,””estimate,””should,””continue,””predict,””preliminary” and similar words used herein. The Company may also make forward-looking statements in its earnings reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), earnings calls and other investor communications. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor protection provided by federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those relating to the Company’s future business prospects, working capital, cash flow, EBITDA, capital expenditures, payroll expense, repayment of debt, insurance coverage and claim reserves, unexpected governmental investigations, capital needs, operating results and compliance with debt facilities. In addition, the Company may face risks and uncertainties related to uncompensated care and its ability to collect its accounts receivable and other factors that are listed in its periodic reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, because the statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, the Company can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained or that actual developments and results will not materially differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

(RURL/G)

 CONTACT: Liz Merritt Rural/Metro Corporation (480) 606-3337  Sharrifah Al-Salem FD Ashton Partners (415) 293-4414  

SOURCE: Rural/Metro Corporation

Glassybaby and the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research announced a partnership today to raise money for the Rivkin Center’s efforts to fund ovarian cancer research with the launch of a new gift set honoring a glassybaby family member’s battle with ovarian cancer.

The gift set is called “Marsha’s Hope” in memory of Marsha Rivkin, whose husband Saul Rivkin, M.D. founded the Rivkin Center where he is a renowned oncologist at the Swedish Cancer Institute. A glassybaby is a small colored, glass cup, candleholder, or vase hand-blown by glass artisans in Seattle. The gift set is a beautiful trio of Deep Sea, Pearl and Seafoam colors. For a limited time glassybaby will donate 10% from each set sold to the Rivkin Center.

“We are honored to be partnering with glassybaby,” says Saul Rivkin, MD, Founder and Chairman of the Marsha Rivkin Center. “To provide hope and support for the women who are battling ovarian cancer is one important part of our mission. Our focus is to fund the best scientists that are working tirelessly to fight this deadly disease.”

“We created this gift set in honor of Lisa Ryan Thompson, a member of our glassybaby family, who has inspired us with her strength and commitment toward fighting this dreadful disease and raising awareness about early detection,” notes Lee Rhodes, glassybaby founder and cancer survivor. “Our mission at glassybaby is to give to charities, like the Marsha Rivkin Center, that are making a difference in the fight against cancer. Our customers have come to appreciate that the beauty of glassybaby transcends beyond the glass vessel to the hope and joy that they can bring to others.”

“Marsha’s Hope” gift set is $120 and is available for purchase nationwide at www.glassybaby.com through April 30, 2009. In addition to the permanent glassybaby store in Madrona, temporary glassybaby stores in Bellevue Square and University Village will also carry the gift set for the holidays.

About glassybaby

glassybaby was founded in 2001 by Lee Rhodes, a three time cancer survivor. The glassybaby goodwill program donates 10% of sales from select colors to cancer related charities, and to date has donated over $350,000 through the program. glassybaby can be purchased at www.glassybaby.com.

About Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research

The Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research was founded in 1996 by Saul Rivkin, M.D., in memory of his wife who succumbed to ovarian cancer. The Center is dedicated to saving lives and reducing suffering through improved treatment, early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer. For more information, please visit www.marsharivkin.org.

NESHER, Israel, October 23 /PRNewswire/ — NanoVibronix, a medical device company, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510K clearance to market PainShield(TM) MD, a diathermy device used to treat pain. PainShield is the first hands-free, patch-based diathermy device, thus allowing for an entirely new dimension in ultrasound treatment of pain and soft tissue healing. The PainShield consists of a disposable patch connected to a portable reusable driver and generates ultrasound waves to the desired area of the body.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081023/325823 )

NanoVibronix President and CEO, Dr. Harold Jacob, stated, “PainShield MD, which implements our unique low frequency, low intensity ultrasound platform, is the first product from our pipeline to be cleared for marketing in the USA and represents a major milestone for NanoVibronix. NanoVibronix has created a platform that changes the way pain, the most common medical complaint, is managed. Our simple-to-use, portable device can treat pain locally including tendonitis, other musculoskeletal disorders, and post operative pain.”

Dr. HM Adahan, Head of Pain Rehabilitation Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital, Israel, commented, “The PainShield appears to present a simple, elegant, economical, and effective solution to many of the most painful and common ailments that I treat. It also encourages patient independence and reduces the costs of therapy by promoting clinician supervised home based care.”

Dr. Jonathan Rosenblum, Director, Diabetic Foot Service; Shaarei Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel said, “My experience with PainShield MD has shown that it is highly effective in treating painful foot disorders including heel spur syndrome, tendon disease and wound pain.” Dr. Rosenblum added “I am currently performing a clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of PainShield on patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers and initial results are very promising.””PainShield MD addresses many of the shortcomings of traditional therapeutic ultrasound and various other therapeutic modalities.”

About the Company

NanoVibronix, located in Nesher Israel, develops products that implement its proprietary surface ultrasound technology. The company has also developed a unique line of catheter based disposable ultrasound devices designed to treat catheter-associated injury including pain, discomfort and biofilm formation. The first two products in this category are the UroShield(TM) for in-dwelling urinary catheters and NG-Shield(TM) for in-dwelling Nasogastric tubes.

   For more information, please contact:   Amir Rippel, VP Marketing   NanoVibronix Ltd.   Tel: +972-4-820-0581   Fax: +972-4-820-2794   [email protected]     http://www.nanovibronix.com/  

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081023/325823

NanoVibronix Ltd.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact: Amir Rippel, VPMarketing, NanoVibronix Ltd., Tel: +972-4-820-0581, Fax: +972-4-820-2794,[email protected]

SEATTLE and GENEVA, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Researchers from Dendreon Corporation today presented preclinical data on its lead small molecule candidate, D-3263, which targets Trp-p8 (a transmembrane cation channel protein also known as Trp-M8), supporting Trp-p8 as a therapeutic cancer target.

The poster, titled, “Preclinical Validation of the TrpM8 Ion Channel as a Cancer/ Benign Prostate Hyperplasia Target,” was presented at the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, National Cancer Institute and American Association for Cancer Research Symposium on molecular targets and cancer therapeutics taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 23, 2008.

“These data provide us with additional evidence supporting the potential for D-3263 as an important new investigational therapy for cancer and also potentially for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH),” said David Urdal, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Dendreon.

Results showed that in vitro, D-3263 selectively increases the influx of calcium into Trp-p8 expressing cells leading to cell death. In in vivo animal models, D-3263 significantly inhibited the growth of Trp-p8 expressing tumors in both CHO/TRP-P8 expressing tumors as well as a human prostate cancer xenograft tumor models using the LuCaP 35 prostate cancer cell line. The mean tumor volume in the LuCaP 35 model in animals treated with D-3263 was 123.7 mm3 compared to 207.6 mm3 in the control arm (p=0.004) In addition, D-3263 significantly reduced (p=0.004) the effects of androgen-induced BPH in animal models.

“We previously reported that D-3263 can selectively kill cells that over-express Trp-p8, and these data further substantiate its attractiveness as a molecule for treating cancer and potentially BPH,” said Dr. Urdal. “We look forward to filing an investigational new drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration later this year to evaluate the compound in a Phase 1 dose escalation study in cancer.”

About Trp-p8

Trp-p8 (also known as Trp-M8) was identified through Dendreon’s in-house discovery efforts. It is an ion channel that is triggered by cold temperatures and small-molecule agonists. In normal human tissues Trp-p8 is expressed predominantly in the prostate where it is over-expressed in BPH and prostate cancer, as well as a range of other cancers including breast, lung and colon. Dendreon has synthesized bioavailable small molecule agonists that activate the Trp-p8 ion channel and induce cell death.

About Dendreon

Dendreon Corporation is a biotechnology company whose mission is to target cancer and transform lives through the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics. The Company applies its expertise in antigen identification, engineering and cell processing to produce active cellular immunotherapy product candidates designed to stimulate an immune response. Dendreon is also developing an orally-available small molecule that targets Trp-p8 that could be applicable to multiple types of cancer as well as benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Company has its headquarters in Seattle, Washington and is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol DNDN. For more information about the Company and its programs, visit http://www.dendreon.com/.

Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties surrounding the presentation of data to the FDA and approval of product applications by the FDA and risks and uncertainties inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics. Factors that may cause such differences include risks related to our limited operating history, risks associated with completing our clinical trials, the risk that the safety and/or efficacy results of existing clinical trials or from additional clinical trials will not support approval for a biologics license, the risk that the FDA may interpret data differently than we do or require more data or a more rigorous analysis of data than expected, the risk that the FDA will not approve a product for which a biologics license has been applied, the risk that the results of a clinical trial may not be indicative of results obtained in a later clinical trial, risks that we may lack the financial resources and access to capital to fund required clinical trials, our dependence on the efforts of third parties, and our dependence on intellectual property. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Dendreon’s business, financial condition and results of operations are contained in Dendreon’s public disclosure filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at http://www.sec.gov/.

Dendreon Corporation

CONTACT: Investors: Jennifer Williams, Investor Relations of DendreonCorporation, +1-206-829-1500, Media: Katherine Stueland of WeissComm Partnersfor Dendreon Corporation, +1-312-208-0320

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

By Mary Brophy Marcus

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — In the same way the wrinkles and stoop of an old gentleman can sometimes mask a feisty personality, the faded sign out front of the First Baptist Church here and its weathered exterior belie the vibrant doings within.

Pop your head inside the church’s foyer on any given day and you’ll hear 72-year-old trumpeter Frank Hart improvising Wilson Pickett’s In the Midnight Hour with a crew of other elderly musicians. Or swing around back and you’ll likely find the church’s head pastor, the Rev. James Brown, picking grapes in the organic orchard, laughing and talking with some of his congregants, in his deep, gravelly voice, about the importance of eating fresh foods to keep the mind and body strong. The church’s freshwater fish farm — teeming with tilapia — bubbles nearby. Later, some will be cooked up in a cornmeal batter for church suppers.

Brown waves to a group of elderly walkers passing briskly by who exercise regularly to improve their health. “I love you guys,” he calls out.

The music, agriculture, exercise, foreign language and horse-therapy programs, or “ministries” as Brown refers to them at First Baptist, are part of a multi-pronged effort he has developed in collaboration with researchers from Duke Medical Center’s Joseph and Kathleen Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center to help his church and surrounding community, especially the elderly, fend off cognitive decline and lead richer, more productive lives. Alzheimer’s experts believe that physical activity and engaging the mind can boost brain health.

Brown is motivated by his now-deceased mother’s long struggle with brain-degenerating Alzheimer’s disease, as well as statistics that indicate the incidence of Alzheimer’s is significantly higher among African Americans. The reason for this is not clear, but may be linked independently to the higher rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the population, says Kathleen Welsh-Bohmer, director of the Alzheimer’s research center at Duke.

The Duke researchers, Brown and his community say their efforts are a work in progress, but they’re beginning to see the first inklings of positive results.

Brown says all of the activities are designed for social and cognitive engagement, and to build confidence in the elderly. “We want to work the feet, the fingers, the brain — we want to get them thinking and gain a sense of well-being,” he says. “I see my mom in each one of those persons.”

Getting blacks to participate

The leader of his church for 26 years, Brown met Duke aging expert Welsh-Bohmer in 1995, when she and colleagues from the school’s Alzheimer’s disease center responded to a National Institute on Aging initiative that asked medical researchers to diversify the populations in their aging studies.

With the help of a grant from the institute, Welsh-Bohmer’s team connected with influential black leaders from across North Carolina, including Brown, and formed the African-American Community Outreach Program with the goal of educating people about Alzheimer’s disease and encouraging participation in medical care and studies.

Though Alzheimer’s disease incidence is higher among African Americans — ranging widely from 14% to 100% higher than among whites — much fewer blacks are involved in research studies than whites, says Peggye Dilworth-Anderson, professor of Health Policy & Management at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. “We know there are both genetic and environmental factors at play. We need more research,” she says, but researchers can’t get there without the study participants.

In the mid-1990s, only 11% of Duke’s Alzheimer’s study participants were African American, even though the African-American population in Duke’s hometown, Durham, N.C., is 38%, Welsh-Bohmer says. As a result of the partnership, that figure now tops 20%, she says. “To really understand Alzheimer’s disease, we want our research to be more representative of real life.”

Mistrust of the health care system plays a role in why historically fewer blacks than whites get involved in medical research, says Scott Turner, director of the Memory Disorders Program at Georgetown University Medical Center. “The specter of the Tuskegee experiment still lingers,” he says, referring to the unethical study conducted more than 40 years starting in 1932. In it, hundreds of African-American male participants were not told they had syphilis and were not given antibiotics.

“In Tuskegee, they were really used in a very brutal way,” says Sandra Weintraub, director of the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Northwestern University. She says part of her center’s work on the South Side of Chicago is reversing the misconceptions blacks have about research — that much of her research on aging has nothing to do with needles and medications, but simply listening to people’s stories.

Brown says the relationship is working between the Duke researchers and his community because instead of being studied, “We are active participants in the research. We are partners with the scientists.”

Hopeful that there will be more effective treatments for Alzheimer’s within his lifetime and that of his community, Brown spoke two years ago with Welsh-Bohmer about taking his church’s relationship with the Duke researchers to a higher level. They began holding an annual health fair together, where blood pressure screenings, memory tests and other health data are gathered. Brown also decided to ramp up his health-related ministries, assigning leaders to each program. Most are seniors.

Among them, William McCoy, 58, a retired marine and teacher, and James Wyatt, 58, run the agricultural program — the orchard, garden and aquaculture. Gwendolyn Shorter, 70, a retired schoolteacher whose husband had Alzheimer’s, heads up the fitness and walking ministry. Brown’s oldest son, Vick, leads the music program.

Back in the saddle, years later

And Brown himself is enamored with First Baptist’s horse barn about 5 miles outside town, where he encourages older folks (and youngsters) to climb up on a horse and forget the outside world for a while.

“Henry Moss is 88. He hadn’t been up on a horse in 60 years. He got on — we have a ramp for getting the elderly on the horses — and he acts like he’s never been off a horse,” Brown says.

To date, there have been two health fairs at the church. The second one was last month. “That we had so many attending the health fairs and signing up for our research study was remarkable,” Welsh-Bohmer says.

In its first year, the health fair brought in 127 people, and the researchers conducted 80 memory screenings. Twenty-three seniors from the Jacksonville community agreed to participate in Duke’s larger aging and Alzheimer’s study. This September, 61 memory screenings were performed, and 14 new seniors enrolled in the Duke research.

Across the board, blood pressure readings dropped significantly since last year’s health fair, Welsh-Bohmer says. She believes the church’s focus on health is probably having an effect.

More and more, other Alzheimer’s researchers around the country are also partnering with local African-American institutions and leaders to clarify perceptions of Alzheimer’s disease and help minorities seek earlier treatment.

Northwestern Medical Center health experts visit the Francis J. Atlas Regional Senior Center on Chicago’s South Side once a month to conduct Alzheimer’s education and health and memory screenings for interested seniors, says Northwestern’s Weintraub.

Dilworth-Anderson says working at the family and community level is a start, but there’s a whole mountain to climb to erase health disparities, including revamping the health-care system, insurance and access to care for minorities.

“Health disparities are structural in both a macro sense, at the health care system level, and at the micro, family level,” she says.

For now, Brown and his community are committed to working in their hometown to fight Alzheimer’s, but they hope their efforts will influence others.

“What we are doing is meaningful,” he says. “And it can be replicated in any community. We want to say to others in our shoes, ‘We did, and you can.'” (c) Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. <>

DUBLIN, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — SuperGen, Inc. , a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel cancer therapies, today presented data on MP-470, its lead product candidate, and four additional posters, at the 20th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on “Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics” in Geneva, Switzerland. MP-470, an orally bio-available multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, showed encouraging tumor regression results in the first two arms (paclitaxel/carboplatin and carboplatin/etoposide) of its current Phase 1b clinical trial examining MP-470 combined with five standard of care (SOC) anticancer treatments.

“We are extremely pleased to report a series of important clinical and scientific advances achieved by our Company,” said James S. Manuso, Ph.D., SuperGen’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “In addition to MP-470’s progress in the clinic, before year-end, we expect to enter SGI-1776, our PIM kinase inhibitor, into Phase 1 clinical trials. This will be our second novel drug in clinical development.”

In a poster presentation (Abstract #403) entitled, “Clinical responses of highly refractory solid tumor patients to oral MP-470, a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in combination with standard of care chemotherapy regimens. Preliminary report from a multi-institutional phase 1b clinical trial,” Dr. A. Tolcher, Director of Clinical Research at START (South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics) in San Antonio, Texas, highlighted data showing tumor regression in four patients in the two arms, indicating that MP-470 may sensitize/re-sensitize tumors to the anticancer effects of SOC regimens of DNA-damaging agents. Of note, MP-470 did not increase the types or severity of adverse events. However, a primary endpoint of the trial – determining the maximum tolerated dose of MP-470 co-administered with SOC regimens – has not been reached and dose escalation continues.

“These compelling results strengthen the rationale for combining MP-470 with DNA-damaging agents due to MP-470’s purported ability to suppress the Rad51 DNA repair mechanism, which is important in various malignancies,” said Dr. Gregory Berk, SuperGen’s Chief Medical Officer. “We look forward to presenting updated results on MP-470 in combination with these platinum doublets, as well as the other three standard of care arms of the trial in the future.”

Earlier this year, U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted orphan drug designation for MP-470 in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) after non-clinical studies showed more than two-fold effect of increased cell death when used synergistically with ionizing radiation. Orphan drug designation for GBM, an often fatal form of brain cancer, can entitle SuperGen to seven years of market exclusivity. SuperGen’s lead product candidate has also shown promise in preclinical testing across a wide spectrum of cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer.

Furthermore, SuperGen presented four additional posters at the Symposium that reviewed clinical and non-clinical advances of the compounds MP-470, SGI-1776 and SGI-1252. These include:

   Abstract 332: In vivo activity of SGI-1776, an orally active PIM kinase   inhibitor    Abstract 426: Effects of food on the single-dose pharmacokinetics of oral   MP-470 capsules    Abstract 480: MP-470, a novel multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor   targeting Rad51 is not toxic to human primary marrow stem cells at   clinically relevant concentrations    Abstract 571: Modulation of JAK2 signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo   

Copies of the 20th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium poster presentations will be available in the pipeline section of SuperGen’s Web site http://www.supergen.com/.

About SuperGen

Based in Dublin, Calif., SuperGen, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel cancer therapies. SuperGen is developing a number of therapeutic anticancer products focused on kinase and cell signaling inhibitors and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors. For more information about SuperGen, please visit http://www.supergen.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are typically preceded by words such as “believes,””expects,””anticipate,””intends,””will,””may,””should,” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in these statements. Factors that might cause the company’s results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the ability to discover, develop and move target compounds into clinical development and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its most recently filed Form 10-Q and 10-K. SuperGen, Inc. undertakes no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements to conform them to actual results.

    Contacts:    SuperGen, Inc.                     Dorland Global Public Relations    Timothy L. Enns                    Michael Beckerich (Media)    SVP, Corporate Communications      Tel:  (212) 677-7632    & Business Development             [email protected]    Tel: (925) 560-0100    Email: [email protected]     Mary M. Vegh    Manager, Investor Relations    Tel: (925) 560-2845    E-mail:  [email protected]  

SuperGen, Inc.

CONTACT: Timothy L. Enns, SVP, Corporate Communications & BusinessDevelopment, +1-925-560-0100, [email protected], or Mary M. Vegh, Manager,Investor Relations, +1-925-560-2845, [email protected], both of SuperGen,Inc.; or Media, Michael Beckerich of Dorland Global Public Relations forSuperGen, Inc., +1-212-677-7632, [email protected]

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

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Dynamic Alert Limited (BULLETIN BOARD: DYMC) (the “Company”) is an emerging biotechnology leader specializing in the commercialization of medical cannabis-based pharmaceutical products. Today the Company is pleased to announce it has signed an agreement to acquire all of the assets of Cannex, a privately owned California group operated by Medical Cannabis pioneer and political activist Steven W. Kubby (http://www.kubby.com/). The asset purchase agreement includes all intellectual property rights, formulas, patents, trademarks, client base, hardware and software, etc… pertaining to Cannex’s pharmaceutical cannabis research & development business. Dynamic Alert anticipates closing this transaction upon completion of a 90-day due diligence period.

Richard Cowan, Dynamic President & CEO, stated, “Mr. Kubby’s background in the medical cannabis arena is simply put, the living proof that it works. Mr. Kubby, the founder of Cannex, is a long-term cancer survivor. Mr. Kubby is an entrepreneur with a wide range of experience and success in businesses ranging from property management to publishing to political fundraising. He received his BA in Psychobiology from California State University. Kubby is a survivor, for more than three decades, of a rare form of adrenal cancer with a mortality prognosis of 6-12 months. Leading specialists in the US and Canada have attributed his survival to medical cannabis. Mr. Kubby is a director of the American Medical Marijuana Association, an internationally recognized organization comprised of doctors, lawyers, nurses and patients working for the rights of medical cannabis patients primarily in the United States. Having been a leader in the passing of California’s medical cannabis initiative (Proposition 215) in 1996, Kubby is intimately familiar with the legal and regulatory problems involved in developing and marketing cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals.”

As well, Dynamic Alert has just appointed world-renowned Medical Cannabis Research expert Dr. Robert Melamede as its newest Director and Chief Science Officer. Dr. Melamede has a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the City University of New York. He retired as Chairman of the Biology Department at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in 2005, where he continues to teach and research cannabinoids, cancer, and DNA repair. Dr. Melamede is recognized as a leading authority on the therapeutic uses of cannabis, and has authored or co-authored dozens of papers on a wide variety of scientific subjects. Dr. Melamede also serves on the Advisory Board of The Journal of the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine, and the Scientific Advisory Board Medical of the Marijuana Policy Advocacy Project, as well as the Scientific Advisory Board of Americans for Safe Access. Please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n31Nuj_AvTg to view one of many video speeches by Dr. Robert Melamede speaking on the effectiveness of Medical Cannabinoids.

Dynamic Alert President & CEO, Richard Cowan added, “This is truly a great step for Dynamic Alert, because this transaction and the addition of Dr. Melamede to our team will certainly expedite our plans to bring critical pharmaceutical cannabis products to market. Cannex has several innovative formulations in various stages development, including a lozenge that has just gone through informal human trials by a Canadian Compassion Society with outstanding results. We have updated our website, http://www.dynamicalertlimited.com/ to keep our shareholders informed as we progress through our plans to become a leader in pharmaceutical cannabis products.”

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this press release. This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as “will”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “goal”, “expects”, “future”, “intends” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks we face as described in this press release.

Dynamic Alert Limited

CONTACT: Richard Cowan, President & CEO of Dynamic Alert Limited,1-888-889-0888, [email protected]

Web Site: http://www.dynamicalertlimited.com/

CHICAGO, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ — In what is gaining national recognition as a model for citywide collaboration to address racial health care disparities, The Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force delivered its first report to the community, one year after releasing a major report that outlined more than 30 recommendations for action.

Attended by Chicago’s most prominent public health leaders, representatives from leading national cancer foundations, cancer experts, African-American community advocates and breast cancer survivors, the event was held at St. Paul Church of God in Christ, a prominent African-American church on Chicago’s South Side.

“The Task Force, which now consists of 74 health care organizations and over 100 breast cancer physicians, researchers and advocates, has made good progress since releasing its recommendations a year ago,” said Dr. David Ansell, chair of the Board of the Task Force and Chief Medical Officer, Rush University Medical Center. “Thanks to grants from Komen and Avon, we are awarding significant funding for community education and outreach, tackling the issue of mammography quality measurement and reporting, driving legislation to increase access to early diagnosis and treatment and dedicating the necessary resources to sustain the work of the Task Force for at least three years.”

The Task Force also introduced its new Executive Director, Marie Rule Gilliam, MHSA, an experienced health care executive with more than 15 years of healthcare management experience at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Chicago Hospitals, the Chicago Asthma Consortium and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Breast Cancer Mortality Disparity Continued to Grow through 2005

New breast cancer mortality data from 2004 and 2005 provided a sobering backdrop for the Task Force’s report. Director of the Sinai Urban Health Institute, Steve Whitman, Ph.D., released the new data, which showed that the black-white disparity in breast cancer mortality rates in Chicago continued to grow. Through 2005, the last year for which mortality data are available for Chicago, the breast cancer mortality rate for African-American women in the city was 116% higher than that of white women, a huge increase from the 68% disparity in 2003.

While advances in mammography screening and breast cancer treatment in Chicago have benefited white women over the last 25 years, these advances have not helped reduce breast cancer mortality for African-American women. The mortality rate from breast cancer of African-American women in Chicago in 2005 was even higher than that of white women in 1980. The lack of progress for African-American women is compounded by the fact that white women have a higher incidence of breast cancer. Thus, although white women get breast cancer at a rate that is 18% higher, African-American women die from it far more often.

“These latest mortality figures support the need for immediate action, as a medical community and as a city, to reverse this unconscionable trend,” said Steve Whitman, Ph.D., Director of the Sinai Urban Health Institute, Sinai Health System. “We know for a fact that genetics and biological differences alone would only account for, at most, a small percentage of difference, so if we act on the recommendations of the Task Force, we can improve access to high quality breast cancer detection and treatment for African-American women in Chicago, and decrease, if not eliminate, this disparity.”

Grants Awarded to Community-Based Organizations for Education and Outreach

The Task Force announced two large grants to breast cancer advocacy organizations in African-American communities to conduct grassroots outreach and education efforts through funding provided by the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade, part of a total of $400,000 in grants to be awarded over the next three years. A $49,500 grant was awarded to The Amani-Trinity United Community Health Corporation, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Trinity United Church of Christ, dedicated to helping people achieve wellness, healing and peace. Amani peer health educators will canvas communities on the South Side, providing information on breast cancer health. “Mammogram navigators” will work to identify women in need of mammograms and help navigate them through the complete process of breast cancer screening.

A $50,000 grant was awarded to Sisters Embracing Life, a non-profit, volunteer cancer awareness organization founded by cancer survivors and friends in Austin in 2001 and dedicated to helping African-American women and their families obtain the latest medical information and supporting them through breast cancer treatment. With the support of this grant SEL will expand its outreach to the West Garfield Park community, holding support group meetings, providing counseling and referral services, holding monthly community workshops on breast cancer detection and treatment, conducting mammogram and screening education and delivering mammography reminders.

Breast Cancer Quality Consortium Created

The Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force announced the creation of a Breast Cancer Quality Consortium, funded through a $1 million grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The Consortium, which will be made up of representatives from Chicago health care organizations, will be dedicated to improving the quality of mammography screening and breast cancer treatment across Metropolitan Chicago. Analysts will work to identify, measure and share quality measures of mammography screening centers across Chicago. These are measures established by the American College of Radiology that have been shown to be impact breast cancer screening and treatment. A quality initiative will provide free consultations to institutions to improve breast cancer outcomes. The Task Force is inviting all metropolitan Chicago hospitals that provide breast cancer screening and treatment to voluntarily participate.

Differences in mammography quality, differences in access to timely screenings and treatment and differences in the quality of breast cancer treatment were all identified by the Task Force as important factors contributing to African-American breast cancer mortality rates in Chicago.

Task Force Advocates for the Reducing Breast Cancer Disparities Act

For the past year, the Task Force and the Chicagoland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure have been working with Illinois lawmakers to draft and advocate for the passage of the “The Reducing Breast Cancer Disparities Act”, Illinois House Bill 5192. Recently passed by the Illinois Senate, the bill is currently under consideration by the Rules Committee until the House reconvenes for the next veto session in November.

   This legislation would:   --  Eliminate co-pays and deductibles for mammography screening,   --  Require a patient navigation program to help women in state programs       such as FamilyCare and Medicaid access breast cancer treatment in a       more timely manner,   --  Establish a patient reminder system for women receiving state       coverage,   --  Establish quality incentive reimbursements for facilities that meet       quality standards for mammography and increase the number of       mammography providers for underserved communities, and more.    

State Representative Greg Harris and House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie were the first House sponsors. State Senators Jacqueline Collins, Iris Martinez, Heather Steans, Mattie Hunter and David Koehler are the lead supporters of the bill in the Senate.

“The study released in 2006 by Sinai’s research team was called by many a wake-up call to the medical community,” said Marie Rule Gilliam, Executive Director of the Task Force. “Today’s progress report demonstrates that we have woken up, and we will not rest until African-American women in Chicago are receiving the same quality breast cancer screening and treatment as white women.”

Background:

In October 2006, the Sinai Urban Health Institute released a groundbreaking study on alarming disparities in breast cancer mortality rates between African-American and white women in Chicago. The study found that the breast cancer mortality rate for African-American women in Chicago is 68% higher than that of white women, a disparity that cannot be explained by genetics alone. The report dramatically illustrated that while advances in mammography screening and breast cancer treatment in Chicago have benefited white women over the last 23 years, these advances have not helped reduce breast cancer mortality for African-American women. The report was a wake-up call to the entire medical community that more needs to be done to improve breast cancer awareness, access, screening and treatment. The findings were published in the October 2006 National Health Journal and the March issue of the Cancer Causes and Control.

In response to the study, on March 23, 2007, an unprecedented number of local and national cancer experts, health care providers, public health leaders and prominent breast cancer activists gathered at a historic summit to begin work on reducing the large disparity in breast cancer mortality between African-American and white women in Chicago. The event marked a turning point in broad collaboration among leaders in the health care industry in addressing health crises, nationally and locally. Today, 74 organizations and more than 100 breast cancer experts make up the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force.

Over the last two years, the Task Force has held town hall meetings and released 37 recommendations for addressing racial disparities in breast cancer mortality in a major report “Improving Quality and Reducing Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality in Metropolitan Chicago”. The Task Force report analyzed the causes underlying three major hypotheses for explaining the breast cancer disparities in Chicago: 1) African American women receive fewer mammograms; 2) African American women receive mammograms of inferior quality; and 3) African American women have inadequate access to quality treatment once breast cancer is diagnosed. Additional outreach efforts have been conducted to improve breast health for all women in Chicago while striving to eliminate intolerable differences in breast cancer mortality rates for minority women who are losing the battle and dying at high rates — some of the highest breast cancer mortality rates across the country.

The Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force

CONTACT: Melanie Scofield or Vanessa Figueroa, both of The ScofieldCompany, +1-312-280-7702, for The Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer TaskForce

Sermo (http://www.sermo.com), the largest physician-only online community, today released survey results of a collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that offers candid feedback from physicians regarding recent headline-grabbing news, including toxins in plastic products and post-surgical metal remnant leftovers.

Sermo collaborated with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a successful six-month evaluation by the Center for Devices and Radiologic Health (CDRH). The recently concluded FDA/CDRH relationship included both observational monitoring of physician discussions on Sermo, as well as proactive engagement of physicians to gain insights and observations on clinical practices involving medical device safety and efficacy.

The FDA typically relies on reporters such as physicians, medical manufacturers, hospital risk managers, pharmacists and patients to relay information surrounding adverse events. The accurate collection of adverse event data is an important way for FDA to monitor for any potential problems related to a drug or device. Due to the time and paperwork required, physicians are less likely to report these events to FDA. Accordingly, physicians submit about 3% of adverse event reports to FDA. Sermo helps solves this by providing a platform where physicians anonymously exchange observations with their peers, often in minutes. This real-time interaction means that observations and consensus around important medical topics and trends can be formed quickly by large numbers of physicians. For FDA, this means that thousands of physicians can respond directly to their inquiries in a matter of hours.

One study on Sermo was prompted by numerous healthcare groups–including the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association–calling for FDA to act on a 2002 warning about widespread presence of a toxic chemical in medical devices made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The groups called for mandatory labeling of such devices, and FDA turned to the Sermo physician community for feedback. The chemical in question, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is used as a plasticizer of PVC in numerous products including IV bags and tubing for medical procedures. Without DEHP in the plastic, these devices would be hard and brittle, and therefore useless for medical purposes.

The overwhelming response from physicians on Sermo was that more data was needed to show evidence that potential harm outweighs the benefits doctors receive from these products. Physicians on Sermo also pointed out that these plastics often come into contact with patients for only a very short time, and until an alternate product–and an affordable one at that–becomes available, physicians should continue their use of these products without fear of potential harm. Not to mention, merely labeling the products achieves very little since doctors are not typically the ones deciding what hospitals purchase.

— Within days of posting on Sermo, over 1,000 physicians responded with comments related to their experiences with PVC-plastizers in their own practice

— Of the physicians responding to the related question, 85% stated they were previously aware of the 2002 FDA Public Health Notification concerning PVC devices containing the plasticizer DEHP

— Of the physicians responding to the related question, 10% stated that their practice or hospital monitors and/or tracks the amount of DEHP a patient is exposed to and have established a “safe” DEHP limit

— Of the physicians responding to the related question, 10% stated that their practice or hospital has established a “safe” DEHP limit

Another standout finding ended with FDA/CDRH issuing a public health notice earlier this year regarding failures to retrieve medical device fragments. FDA advised healthcare practitioners on associated adverse events, and provided recommendations to mitigate them. According to CDRH, nearly 1,000 adverse events are reported each year related to unretrieved post-surgical device fragments.

To inform its position, FDA/CDRH turned to Sermo’s community to learn more about how often patients are told about retained metal devices/fragments, particularly when it may be important for the patient to inform future practitioners of the presence of the device, such as during an MRI procedure. From its survey to the Sermo community, FDA/CDRH was able to determine that of the nearly 300 physicians polled:

— 38% were not aware of all the risks associated with unretrieved medical device fragments

— 61% say they always tell patients when they think fragments may have been left behind

— Just over 50% of physicians say they explain to patients their need to report the possible fragment leftovers during other medical exams

— 63% of physicians document information about fragments in patient medical records

“Sermo’s unique platform brings 90,000 physicians together to exchange the latest in medical thinking anonymously, and represents a new and intriguing model for FDA,” said Daniel Palestrant, CEO and Founder, Sermo. “For the first time, FDA can access physicians’ perspective on critical medical issues and collect data in hours–not days or months–that help shape public guidance on important healthcare issues.”

About Sermo

Sermo is where 90,000 US physicians collaborate on difficult cases, share clinical observations and work together to achieve far more than they could individually. Sermo’s technology harnesses this collective insight for healthcare institutions, financial services firms and government agencies. This creates a two-sided marketplace for information exchange. Physicians on Sermo gain a unified voice that allows them to influence healthcare policy. Sermo’s clients gain direct access to a fresh stream of actionable information on emerging medical trends–to physicians on the frontlines who put drugs, devices and treatments to the test every day. For more information, visit http://www.sermo.com.

Syntiron announced today that it was notified of a pending contract from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to adapt Syntiron’s licensed, patented vaccine technology to combat three major bioterrorism agents; Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, and Burkholderia pseudomallei. The amount of the contract is $3.8 million dollars.

 Bacillus anthracis: A non-contagious, potentially fatal disease, commonly referred to as anthrax, caused by breathing, eating, or absorbing through cuts in the skin, the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. ----------------------------------------------------------- Yersinia pestis: A Gram-negative bacterium, of the genus Yersinia. Yersinia pestis is the etiological agent of plague. ----------------------------------------------------------- Burkholderia pseudomallei: This is the causative agent of melioidosis. These bacteria are spread to humans and animals through direct contact with contaminated water and soil. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) considers Burkholderia pseudomallei to be a potential biological warfare and biological terrorism agent. Even with treatment, the mortality of this disease is 20 to 50%. ----------------------------------------------------------- 

Syntiron’s patented SRP(R) technology is already in extensive commercial use by its veterinary partner, Epitopix, situated in Willmar, Minnesota. These vaccines have proven safe and effective against a variety of animal bacterial infections, and are in widespread use in cattle and poultry. (Syntiron holds an exclusive license for the human application of the SRP technology from Willmar Poultry Corporation and their subsidiary Epitopix.)

Syntiron is the recipient of a number of grants from the National Institutes of Health for the development of vaccines to prevent infections by Yersinia, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus bacteria (including MRSA).

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to develop vaccines that will increase the safety of our troops and has the potential to protect the general population,” said Joseph Shaw, Syntiron’s CEO. “This award will expand and accelerate our program of adapting the Epitopix technology to human vaccines and demonstrates synergy between veterinary and human biotech co-operation in the State of Minnesota. This award is just a precursor of the potential of our vaccines to prevent disease in not only against bioterrorism agents, but also preventing devastating bacterial infections in both the developed and developing worlds, in the face of increasing antibiotic resistance and the increasing spread of diseases.”

“We would like to express our appreciation to Congresswoman Betty McCollum for her assistance in helping us secure this contract, and to our senior scientists, Dr. Drew Catron and Dr. Lisa Herron-Olson, who will be spearheading this important program.”

Disclaimer

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic and market conditions in the geographic areas and industries that are or will be major markets for Syntiron’s vaccines. Although Syntiron believes that its expectations and the information in this press release were based upon reasonable assumptions at the time when they were made, it can give no assurance that those expectations will be achieved or that the actual results will be as stated in this press release. Syntiron undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information or statements in the press release.

About Syntiron

Syntiron LLC is a vaccine development company situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In 2004, Epitopix LLC, in conjunction with Willmar Poultry Corporation, incorporated Syntiron to adapt the Epitopix SRP(R) technology from animal to human vaccines. This unique, patented, and innovative technology is being modified to antibacterial vaccines for multiple human infections such as MRSA (caused by Staphylococcus aureus), typhoid fever, food poisoning (caused by Salmonella spp.), bioterrorism agents, nosocomial (hospital-acquired infections), and other bacterial diseases.

MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ — StemCor Systems, Inc., a medical device company developing systems for Enabling Regenerative Medicine(TM), announced today that it has signed an agreement with Hospira, Inc. to develop and commercialize StemCor’s proprietary System for the harvest of bone marrow.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071030/STEMCORSYSTEMSLOGO)

StemCor will develop the System for Hospira, and Hospira will manage the clinical trial program, leading to commercialization. The System has 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and CE Mark in Europe, and Hospira plans to initiate post-approval clinical use studies in early 2009 to support product launch thereafter. Under the agreement, Hospira will market the device to Oncologists, Hematologists and other physicians specializing in bone marrow transplantation.

“We are excited to develop this System’s potential in collaboration with Hospira, a leading global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company,” said Vartan Ghazarossian, Ph.D., President and CEO of StemCor. “This is a specialized market that varies from country to country, and we are pleased to have a strong distribution partner in both the U.S. and around the world.”

Andrew Robbins, Director of Strategy and Ventures at Hospira, said, “This agreement is a step forward as Hospira seeks to provide innovative products for the oncology market. Hospira is excited to provide a new device to facilitate bone marrow harvest, with the goal of improving the donor experience.”

About StemCor’s Product

StemCor’s proprietary System is designed to rapidly and easily harvest bone marrow in a minimally invasive manner, in the outpatient setting, and without general anesthesia. The System consists of an access guide, a powered handle that drives a flexible atraumatic shaft through which marrow is aspirated, and an integrated marrow collection container. The shaft gains access to the bone marrow cavity through the access guide to allow the removal of bone marrow through a single entry site. This is in contrast to the current practice of bone marrow aspiration through the repeated insertion of a needle into multiple sites in the iliac crest of the hip, which usually requires general anesthesia, an operating room, and multiple clinical personnel. Preclinical studies demonstrated the ability of the System to safely harvest large volumes of marrow with greater stem cell activity than is contained in standard needle aspirates.

About StemCor Systems

StemCor Systems is a privately held medical device company located in the San Francisco Bay Area. The company’s initial product is a proprietary, minimally-invasive bone marrow collection system. The technology was licensed exclusively from Stanford University.

About Hospira

Hospira, Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company dedicated to Advancing Wellness(TM). As the world leader in specialty generic injectable pharmaceuticals, Hospira offers one of the broadest portfolios of generic acute-care and oncology injectables, as well as integrated infusion therapy and medication management solutions. Through its products, Hospira helps improve the safety, cost and productivity of patient care. The company is headquarted in Lake Forest, Ill., and has more than 14,000 employees. Learn more at http://www.hospira.com/.

    Contact:  Vartan Ghazarossian, Ph.D.              President and CEO              StemCor Systems, Inc.              650-321-6884              [email protected]  

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071030/STEMCORSYSTEMSLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk [email protected]

StemCor Systems, Inc.

CONTACT: Vartan Ghazarossian, Ph.D., President and CEO of StemCorSystems, Inc., +1-650-321-6884, [email protected]

Web site: http://www.stemcorsystems.com/http://www.hospira.com/

GHX, a provider of software that enhance the business performance of healthcare companies, and Lawson Software have entered into a new agreement that will provide Lawson healthcare customers with access during the procurement process to the healthcare industry’s repository of data on products and contract pricing as provided by suppliers and group purchasing organizations.

According to GHX, the agreement will enable Lawson’s customers, which include eight of the 10 integrated health networks and more than 500 healthcare organizations, to improve purchasing efficiency and contract compliance. With the partnership, customers can utilize Lawson’s Procurement Punchout application to access item information and contract prices, ensuring they’re ordering the right product at the right price.

Using Lawson’s Procurement Punchout application to access GHX’s internet-enabled information repository, customers ensure contract compliance, minimize time spent on item file maintenance, and improve efficiencies by reducing or eliminating manual processes. Without integrated, accurate and contract-compliant data at the time of order entry, up to 40% of products purchased by hospitals are not in their item master and/or not on contract, said GHX.

Keith Lohkamp, product strategist of supply chain management at Lawson Software, said: “Purchasing products on contract is critical if healthcare providers are going to ensure quality care while controlling costs. This partnership will make it easier for our mutual customers to reduce the number of off-contract purchases by utilizing their standard requisitioning processes to access items not set up in their item master, helping to maximize the value of their purchasing contracts.”

Vangent, Inc., a leading global provider of information management and strategic business process outsourcing solutions, today announced the appointment of Dr. Gary Klein as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Klein draws from more than 20 years of notable achievements throughout the healthcare industry, including senior positions at the U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Defense, Kaiser Permanente, and Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In his new role, Dr. Klein is responsible for directing innovative health information management and technology solutions for Vangent’s healthcare customers.

“Dr. Gary Klein provides a unique blend of strategic leadership and real-world insight to deliver new levels of healthcare service to customers,” said Mac Curtis, president and CEO of Vangent, Inc. “His extensive background in government and commercial healthcare provides an exciting addition to our Health Solutions team.”

Previously, Dr. Klein served as Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) in the DHS Division of Immigration Health Services (DIHS). Dr. Klein was responsible for initiation of an enterprise Electronic Health Record (EHR) system that ultimately will centralize records from 23 nationwide clinics and manage health data for several thousands of patients. Dr. Klein worked with many clinicians from the clinic sites to formulate a common clinical pathway to increase the patient safety for all clinical encounters.

“As we look at the increasingly complex changes ahead in the healthcare industry, Dr. Klein’s extensive knowledge in patient safety, clinical informatics and communications will set Vangent apart as an innovative leader,” stated Mike Plymack, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Vangent’s Health Solutions division. In addition, Dr. Klein will continue as a practicing physician to provide pro-bono services for patients at Walter Reed Medical Center, in Washington D.C.

At DHS, Dr. Klein also directed increased integration of national biological, chemical, and infectious disease surveillance monitoring systems to accelerate the identification and coordinated response of potential public health emergencies. Dr. Klein is Board Certified in both Disaster Medicine and Urgent Care Medicine, and is a nationally renowned thought leader in these areas including national preparedness and disaster response. Dr. Klein was recently named to the faculty of the International Center for Pre-Hospital and Disaster Medicine. Prior to working with the DHS, Dr. Klein served as a Senior Medical Officer at the Department of Defense (DoD) Bio-Security, Threat Analysis and Telemedicine Program, and worked with military and civilian researchers, physicians, and personnel to support biological threat research to protect U.S. soldiers. Dr. Klein is an active member of The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), and serves on their Global Electronic Health Record Task Force, as well as their First Responder Task Force. In addition, Dr. Klein served as a contributing author on “Guide to the Electronic Medical Practice: Strategies to Succeed, Pitfalls to Avoid,” a clear and concise step-by-step guide on planning, choosing, and implementing electronic prescribing for practicing physicians and their office staff.

“I am honored to be part of the Vangent team and working with such a talented group of professionals. I look forward to assisting our nation’s leaders in both the government and commercial healthcare sectors as we begin to solve some of our toughest healthcare problems,” said Dr. Klein of his new appointment.

Academic Background

Dr. Klein holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Georgia, School of Medicine; a Masters in Public Health from the Emory University School of Medicine; a Masters of Business Administration degree from the State University System of Georgia; and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis. Dr. Klein completed his residency training at the University of Arizona School of Medicine Phoenix campus and Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Klein is also Level V Certified in Homeland Security, American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI).

Dr. Klein currently serves as the President of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine, and was the former Chairman of the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine.

About Vangent, Inc.

Vangent, Inc. is a global provider of consulting, systems integration, human capital management, and business process outsourcing services to the U.S. federal and international governments, higher education institutions, and corporations. Vangent is the sole provider of 1-800-MEDICARE which provides critical health information to more than 43 million seniors and manages the 1-800-CDC-INFO system for clinicians and the public to facilitate rapid dissemination of bioterrorism information, natural disaster updates, and the latest on emerging diseases. Vangent also supports multiple military health system programs including 24×7 infrastructure operations for the Defense Health Services System (DHSS), DoD Force Health Protection & Readiness Program Office (FHP&R), and the TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) E-Commerce System. Vangent is #5 on Washington Technology’s 2008 list of companies in the IT Services industry sector and is ranked #57 on Washington Technology’s list of Top 100 Federal Government Prime Contactors. Vangent is ranked #15 on Federal Times’ list of Top 100 Professional Services Contractors.

Vangent’s 6,000 employees support clients including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the U.S. Departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, and Labor; and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, as well as Fortune 500 companies. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the company has offices throughout the U.S. and in the U.K., Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, and Argentina. For more information, visit www.vangent.com.

 Contact: Eileen Rivera Vangent, Inc. (703) 284-5674 Email Contact

SOURCE: Vangent

LYNX Medical Systems, Inc., a Picis company, today announced an agreement with Essent Healthcare to install LYNX E/Point(TM), the industry’s leading emergency department (ED) facility charging tool, across all of the organization’s five hospitals. E/Point will promote compliant charging for what is currently 105,000 annual ED visits. Additionally, by using E/Point’s acuity-based methodology, Essent Healthcare will see a more accurate picture of the resources used and services provided in its EDs.

“We chose E/Point to help us enhance our overall ED compliance at our acute care facilities,” stated Miro Boyanov, director of financial operations for Essent Healthcare. “The fact that more than 16 percent of ED visits in the United States are processed through E/Point speaks volumes to the proven performance and reliability of the product, giving us the confidence to implement it system-wide.”

E/Point is a software solution that assists in the ED facility charging process. Its acuity-based methodology produces a consistent, compliant facility visit level charge assignment, reflecting patient acuity, services provided and resources used. Additionally, E/Point establishes an audit trail for each charge assigned.

“The application of E/Point will align Essent’s resource use with the services provided in its EDs, making for not only a more compliant charge capture process, but also increasing the opportunity to realize all appropriate revenue,” said Mike DeTolla, senior vice president for LYNX Medical Systems.

To learn more about E/Point, visit www.lynxmed.com/software/epoint.html or download a free E/Point online trial at www.lynxmed.com/software/epoint/free-online-trial.html.

About Essent Healthcare

Essent Healthcare owns and operates hospitals that are essential parts of their communities. From Haverhill and Ayer, Massachusetts and Waynesburg, Pennsylvania to Paris, Texas and Sharon, Connecticut, each community we serve is unique. We work with local physicians, healthcare professionals and civic leaders to determine the hospital services most needed in that community. By working together, we provide extraordinary care and great patient service in a hospital that the community can be proud to call its own.

About LYNX Medical Systems, Inc.

LYNX Medical Systems, Inc., a Picis company, drives value in emergency medicine through industry leading revenue management solutions that promote financial health and compliance. LYNX software and services help health systems and hospitals improve emergency department (ED) clinical documentation, improve coding compliance, and promote accurate and consistent code assignment for appropriate reimbursement. LYNX clients maintain a consistent, documented and repeatable return on investment. Currently, LYNX serves more than 400 healthcare organizations, representing more than 18 million annual ED encounters.

(C) LYNX Medical Systems, Inc. 2008. All rights reserved. “LYNX”, the LYNX logo, LYNX Medical Systems and E/Point may be trademarks or registered trademarks of LYNX Medical Systems, Inc. in the United States.

ANDOVER, Mass., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ — The healthcare industry’s overwhelming demand for Sentillion’s Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions continues to increase as evident by the Company’s record Q3 performance. Sentillion, whose IAM solutions are the most widely implemented in healthcare, added 11 new customers representing over 200,000 new user licenses across its suite of IAM products for single sign-on, clinical workstations, user provisioning and desktop virtualization.

In Q3, leading healthcare organizations, ranging from single facilities to large, complex, multi-site health systems, selected Sentillion’s IAM solutions for enterprise-wide implementations, including:

   -- Adena Health System (Chillicothe, OH)   -- All Children's Hospital (St. Petersburg, FL)   -- Aspirus Hospital and Health System (Wausau, WI)   -- CaroMont Health (Gastonia, NC)   -- CentraCare (St. Cloud, MN)   -- Kadlec Medical Center (Richland, WA)    

“Our Q3 performance underscores the importance that the healthcare industry places on healthcare-centric IAM solutions,” said Paul Roscoe, president of Sentillion. “The needs of the healthcare industry are unique — not only in comparison to other industries — but even within the healthcare community. Our Q3 customers represent a wide array of charters and specialties, such as large, multi-state IDN’s, academic and children’s hospitals. What sets Sentillion apart from other IAM vendors is not only that we serve the needs of the healthcare market, but that we are able to meet the specific and diverse needs of individual healthcare delivery organization.”

Bolstering the momentum in its business, Sentillion also achieved several other key milestones in Q3, including:

   -- The successful go lives at leading healthcare organizations, including:      Baptist Health System-Birmingham, Center for Addiction and Mental      Health, and Scripps Health, among others.   -- After intense competitive evaluations, the selection of expreSSO,      Sentillion's next generation SSO solution, by five healthcare      organizations for enterprise deployments.   -- Being positioned in the 2008 Gartner Magic Quadrant for User      Provisioning and Enterprise Single Sign-On.  In recognition of the      innovation and market leadership Sentillion has consistently      demonstrated in the healthcare industry, Sentillion is the only      "vertical specific" vendor to be included in the Gartner Magic      Quadrants.    

Sentillion’s IAM solutions are the most widely deployed in healthcare and are used daily by more than 350,000 caregivers in 644 unique hospitals across North America and the United Kingdom, including Great Ormond Street Hospital, INTEGRIS Health, Sisters of Mercy Health System, Sharp HealthCare and Texas Children’s Hospital. Sentillion is responsible for the largest SSO deployment in healthcare and is the only vendor that has worked with over 600 business and clinical applications, including those from Cerner, Eclipsys, Epic, McKesson, MEDITECH, Microsoft, Lawson, Oracle and Siemens.

About Sentillion

Since 1998, Sentillion has been revolutionizing healthcare IT with award winning, industry recognized identity and access management technology. Sentillion has successfully combined patented technology with a deep understanding of the healthcare industry to deliver the most comprehensive set of solutions for single sign-on, user provisioning, clinical workstations and desktop virtualization. Recognized as the number one single sign-on (SSO) vendor in the KLAS Top 20: 2007 Year-End Report, Sentillion is the only identity and access management company whose solutions are used daily by over 350,000 caregivers in leading healthcare organizations across North America and Europe. Sentillion is a privately held company headquartered in Andover, Mass. For more information, visit Sentillion at http://www.sentillion.com/.

   Contact:   Jennifer Haas   Sentillion   (978) 689-9095 x262   [email protected]  

Sentillion

CONTACT: Jennifer Haas of Sentillion, +1-978-689-9095, ext. 262,[email protected]

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

SEATTLE, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Getting ready for a spook-tacular Halloween this year? It’s estimated that more than 70 million adults, more than one third of the U.S. adult population, will dress in costumes and celebrate in scary style.

The folks at FAT bastard wine approve highly of this unpretentious and happy-go-lucky holiday. Never among those who might look down on dressing up in silly garb, they’ve asked 100 of America’s biggest costume rental companies to reveal the most popular outfits adults will don this October 31st. In the hope this will offer everyone a little pre-Halloween inspiration, here’s their list of the most in-demand attire for 2008:

1. Pirates — The most called-for costume, named by 38 percent of the experts, is the swashbuckling look inspired by the incredible popularity of Johnny Depp’s character in Pirates of the Caribbean. Of course few will actually achieve that sexy, smoldering, somewhat inebriated air, but all can dream.

2. Super heroes — The number two pick reinforces the notion that motion pictures influence consumer taste in almost everything, as another 31 percent said super heroes are superior looks this year. Death-defying disguises include Batman (19 percent), Spiderman (6 percent) and other unspecified super do-gooders (6 percent).

3. Need more proof of the persuasive nature of movies? “Ordinary” movie characters — that is, those without super powers — are third on the list with 24 percent. Top billing goes to The Joker (6 percent), Indiana Jones (4 percent), and various individuals from Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Shrek.

4. Dreaming of being placed on a pedestal? Nineteen percent will reach that elevated status with royal garb coming in fourth. From Marie Antoinette, Queen Elizabeth and various unspecified princesses to Medieval and Renaissance personages, crowns will weigh heavy on many Halloween goers heads.

5. What was it about the 1970’s? Fourteen percent will opt for looks from the disco era when big shoulders and John Travolta’s white polyester suit held sway with the fashion-forward.

6. Count on sexy women. Another 14 percent will venture out dressed as every guy’s fantasy: nurses, Barbie doll or a French maid. In fact, according to the costumers, there’s a whole line of Playboy looks to be had including sexy versions of Little Bo Peep, Snow White, Marian the Librarian and the like.

7. Everyone knows 1920s America was populated entirely by gangsters, flappers and oddly dressed swimmers. Twelve percent of Halloween revelers will bring back the good old days of bathtub gin and the Charleston this year.

8. Whether they’re being patriotic or playful, 8 percent will choose military garb this year.

9. Think it’s all happening at the zoo? Seven percent will choose an animal for their trick-or-treat look. FAT bastard has it on expert authority that apes are the most au courant.

10. Just the facts, ma’am. Six percent will choose to come to the Halloween party dressed as cops.

When it’s time to make that Halloween toast, whatever Americans are wearing, FAT bastard wants to be there. Enjoy FAT bastard by the glass or mix up some ghoulishly delicious Halloween cocktails with this high quality wine. Here are recipes for a super spooky quaff that will make any party petrifying and perfect:

   The Great Pumpkin   2 oz Fat bastard Chardonnay   1 oz cognac   .5 oz simple syrup   .5 oz apple cider   1 heaping teaspoon of spiced pumpkin pie mix  

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake hard and fine strain into a cocktail glass

   Haunted Hippo   3 parts Pinot Noir   3 parts FAT bastard Chardonnay   2 parts Cognac   2 parts maraschino liqueur   4 parts ginger ale  

Place all into a punch bowl. Add a large block of ice. Garnish with slices of blood orange

Click Wine Group

CONTACT: Bridget DiMartino, ext. 17, or Leslee Borger, ext. 11, both ofTruth Be Told PR, +1-212-477-8090, for Click Wine Group

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

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare has reached an agreement with Laclede, a privately held company, to purchase the dry mouth brand Biotene for $170 million.

The transaction is subject to regulatory review by competition authorities in the US and Europe, and is expected to complete by early 2009.

John Clarke, president of GlaxoSmithKline consumer healthcare, said: “The acquisition of Biotene extends our portfolio in therapeutic oral healthcare to include a proven treatment for dry mouth.

“This opportunity leverages our global capability with dental and medical professionals and is a further step towards our goal in GlaxoSmithKline of building and growing a diversified healthcare business.”

CHICAGO and LYNCHBURG, Va., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Allscripts announced today that Centra has selected Allscripts ED(TM) (formerly HealthMatics(R) ED) Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) to automate emergency operations and improve access to clinical information.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081013/AQM041LOGO)

Nonprofit Centra has two main hospitals: Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg, a 358-bed critical care facility that is the area’s regional center for emergency medicine, with 88,000 annual Emergency Department visits; and Virginia Baptist Hospital, a 160-bed facility that has received Press Ganey’s prestigious Summit Award for achievement in patient satisfaction. In January 2006, Southside Community Hospital in Farmville joined Centra as an affiliate.

Centra will initially implement Allscripts in the ED at Lynchburg General Hospital, and in the process replace its existing electronic patient tracking board.

“At Centra, we believe technology is essential to the delivery of excellent patient care, and Allscripts is clearly a technology leader,” said E.W. Tibbs, Senior Vice President of Operations for Centra Health. “A basic tracking board is a short-term solution to the long-term challenges facing most emergency departments. Allscripts ED is the solution that will help us gain efficiency, improve outcomes and, we believe, ultimately contribute to the bottom line.”

Allscripts ED electronically streamlines processes for the entire Emergency Department, including tracking, triage, nurse and physician charting, disposition and reporting. Integrated features include “one-click” access to individual patient charts, the ability to view multiple charts simultaneously, to track the entire patient treatment experience at a single glance, and alerts that notify the clinician of overdue treatment times, medication conflicts and conflicting orders.

The Allscripts solution also features remote chart access for community caregivers and hospital staff, so they can securely access an ED patient’s chart via the Web without logging into the ED solution. Additionally, its sophisticated analytics identifies workflow bottlenecks that slow care delivery, and monitors quality outcomes to ensure better care.

“Emergency Automation makes nurses and physicians more efficient while improving patient care, and our ability to track quality outcomes,” said Peggy Pollard, R.N., Director of Clinical Informatics. “The new forms library will make it easier for physicians and nurses to document care.”

The Allscripts ED Forms Library provides pre-built clinical decision support guides that enable physicians to quickly and accurately document and manage the most common types of patient encounters. Additionally, Form Builder enables caregivers to create new forms within the EDIS or transfer existing paper forms into the system, making it easier for physicians to transition from paper to electronic recordkeeping.

“Physicians and caregivers inside the Emergency Department not only need instant access to the right information at the right time, they need an EDIS solution that’s makes the process of managing and caring for patients safer, faster, and easier,” said Allscripts Chief Executive Officer Glen Tullman. “We’re pleased that Centra Health has chosen Allscripts ED to help fulfill their vision of leveraging technology to provide superior patient care to their community.”

Centra will integrate Allscripts ED with its McKesson Horizon Clinicals hospital inpatient information system, enabling interoperability of all clinical and financial information between the Emergency Department and the hospital.

About Centra

Centra, a nonprofit healthcare system, was founded in December 1986 with the merger of Centra Lynchburg General Hospital and Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital. In January 2006, Southside Community Hospital in Farmville joined Centra as an affiliate. With more than 5,000 skilled health care professionals, Centra provides comprehensive medical care in a variety of settings. For more information, visit http://www.centrahealth.com/.

About Allscripts

Allscripts uses innovation technology to bring health to healthcare. More than 150,000 physicians, 700 hospitals and nearly 7,000 post-acute and homecare organizations utilize Allscripts to improve the health of their patients and their bottom line. The company’s award-winning solutions include electronic health records, electronic prescribing, revenue cycle management, practice management, document management, medication services, hospital care management, emergency department information systems and homecare automation. Allscripts is the brand name of AllscriptsMisys Healthcare Solutions, Inc. To learn more, visit http://www.allscripts.com/.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding future events, developments, the Company’s future performance, as well as management’s expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are outlined below. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: the volume and timing of systems sales and installations; length of sales cycles and the installation process; the possibility that products will not achieve or sustain market acceptance; the timing, cost and success or failure of new product and service introductions, development and product upgrade releases; competitive pressures including product offerings, pricing and promotional activities; our ability to establish and maintain strategic relationships; undetected errors or similar problems in our software products; compliance with existing laws, regulations and industry initiatives and future changes in laws or regulations in the healthcare industry; possible regulation of the Company’s software by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; the possibility of product-related liabilities; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our ability to identify and complete acquisitions, manage our growth and integrate acquisitions; the ability to recognize the benefits of the merger with Misys Healthcare Systems, LLC (“MHS”); the integration of MHS with the Company and the possible disruption of current plans and operations as a result thereof; maintaining our intellectual property rights and litigation involving intellectual property rights; risks related to third- party suppliers; our ability to obtain, use or successfully integrate third- party licensed technology; breach of our security by third parties; and the risk factors detailed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K available through the Web site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov/. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081013/AQM041LOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, [email protected]

Allscripts

CONTACT: Dan Michelson, Chief Marketing Officer, +1-312-506-1217,[email protected], or Todd Stein, Senior Manager-Public Relations,+1-312-506-1216, [email protected], both of Allscripts

Web site: http://www.allscripts.com/http://www.centrahealth.com/

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, a biotechnology company, has received two separate US patents relating to the company’s monoclonal antibody therapeutics.

The inventions cover methods for the detection of certain specific epitopes in the small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patient and for treating those patients with the company’s monoclonal antibodies in a targeted manner.

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics’s (IMUC’s) lead monoclonal antibody product candidate, ICT-109, which has demonstrated encouraging preliminary data in preclinical studies, is projected to enter clinical trials in 2010 for SCLC and pancreatic cancer indications.

Manish Singh, president and CEO of IMUC, said: “These two patents strengthen our patent protection around our lead antibody program and make this a very attractive asset for potential partnering with larger companies looking to fill their product portfolios.

“SCLC and pancreatic cancer are terrible diseases with very limited therapeutic options. Our antibodies have the potential to detect these cancers early and treat them in a targeted manner, opening potential new avenues for treatments.”

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Karen Walton-Bowen, M.Sc., C.Stat, a biostatistician with more than 20 years experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, has joined Abt Bio-Pharma Solutions, Inc. (ABS), as Senior Director, Biometrics. An expert in clinical trials and regulatory submissions in all phases of clinical development across multiple therapeutic areas, Ms. Walton-Bowen’s experience encompasses clinical operations, data management, programming, statistical support, and medical writing, both in the U.S. and in Europe. In addition to leading ABS’ full service Biometrics team, she will work one-on-one with sponsors to provide sophisticated biostatistics and medical writing consulting services for registries and late-phase clinical trials.

“Karen’s strong technical and project management skills will make her a ‘go to’ resource for our small- to medium-size clients who wish to extend their capabilities with direct access to an hands-on expert with broad and deep therapeutic area experience,” said Dr. Kay Larholt, Vice President of Biometrics & Clinical Operations. “We also expect Karen to add value and strengthen our already accomplished Biometrics team as it continues to support all our clinical projects, including clinical trials and registries.”

Prior to joining ABS, Ms. Walton-Bowen was most recently Senior Director of Clinical Operations, Biostatistical Analysis, and Reporting at Critical Therapeutics, Inc. Previously, she spent four years at Genzyme Corporation, where she led the Biometrics team in a successful BLA submission and FDA Advisory Panel approval of a drug for a rare life-threatening disease in children. Ms. Walton-Bowen also spent many years at Astra (in the US and Sweden) as a biostatistician working on different compounds in the respiratory business unit. During that time she submitted numerous NDAs and represented the company at FDA meetings and Advisory Panels.

Ms. Walton-Bowen was awarded her M.Sc. in Medical Statistics by the University of London and earned her B.S. degree with honors in Mathematics & Computing from South Bank University, London, England. She is a member of the Royal Statistical Society, American Statistical Association, Drug Information Association, and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. Ms. Walton-Bowen’s work has been published in leading journals including Statistics In Medicine, The Journal of Pediatrics, and Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. She was also a contributor to Biopharmaceutical Sequential Statistical Applications, an important textbook on interim analyses with contributions from industry leaders.

The ABS team has provided integrated strategic, research, and commercialization services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and diagnostics industries for more than 20 years. The company specializes in demonstrating the value, safety, and efficacy of health technologies through prospective studies such as registries as well as through retrospective data analyses, models, and quantitative and qualitative research. ABS teams of senior, seasoned staff help sponsors develop their research agendas, successfully conduct their research programs, and communicate the results to internal and external audiences. Primary service offerings include biometrics, clinical trials, registries and other late-phase clinical studies, health economics and outcomes research, pricing and reimbursement, and strategic commercialization services. Previously known as Abt Associates Clinical Trials, the company was renamed Abt Bio-Pharma Solutions and established as a wholly owned subsidiary of Abt Associates in April 2008.

Abt Bio-Pharma Solutions, Inc.

CONTACT: Julia Altman, Director, Marketing of Abt Bio-Pharma Solutions,Inc., +1-781-372-6658, [email protected]

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

Imaging Therapeutics, Inc has received marketing clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration to market its OsDx(TM) Hip Bone Mineral Density (BMD) system. OsDx Hip BMD is a stand-alone x-ray image-processing software system intended to provide an estimate of BMD of the proximal femur using standard antero-posterior hip or pelvis radiographic images. This information may be used by physicians in the assessment of osteoporosis.

According to the 2004 Surgeon General Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis, an estimated 10 million Americans suffer osteoporosis while another 34 million Americans are at risk of disease. There are more osteoporosis-related bone fractures in the United States than heart attacks, symptomatic strokes, or new diagnosis of all forms of cancers. Osteoporosis-related fractures often lead to deterioration in physical and mental health. For hip fractures, the impact is especially problematic as the mortality rate approaches 25% within the first year of fracture.

At the present time, bone mineral density testing is most commonly estimated using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. However, limited instrument availability, decreasing reimbursement, and other factors all act to limit testing for many patients. This results in a majority of people at risk and in need of treatment not being identified.

Imaging Therapeutics’ technology permits BMD testing to be performed using any conventional x-ray system. Because there are far more conventional systems than dual energy x-ray absorptiometers. OsDx software will help make BMD testing more convenient and readily available. Increased early detection will allow for early drug intervention and lifestyle modifications reducing fractures and their associated morbidity and mortality.

Dr. Patrick Hess, Imaging Therapeutics’ President and CEO comments “I am very pleased with achieving this important milestone. It represents the first of several important products that will collectively act to increase capacity for screening osteoporosis as well as significantly improve the ability to assess an individual’s risk for osteoporosis-related bone fracture. It is our vision to reduce the enormous societal burden that osteoporosis has become by helping to reduce individual pain, suffering, and cost.”

About Imaging Therapeutics, Inc.

Imaging Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately held advanced medical technology company that develops novel, proprietary image processing technology for advancing the treatment and management of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. A pipeline of software products is being developed to advance the ability of clinicians to screen for, diagnose, monitor, and predict disease.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Monogram Biosciences, Inc. today announced that Monogram scientists have made presentations related to its expanding set of VeraTag assays at the 20th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Geneva, Switzerland.

The first presentation, entitled “Development of proximity-based immunoassays for activated HER1, HER2, and HER1:2 heterodimers in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cells”, outlines the development of sensitive and specific assays in fixed tumor cell lines. The second presentation, entitled “Development of highly quantitative, sensitive and reproducible assays for the detection of HER1 and HER3 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue”, describes the validation of these assays as providing quantitative and accurate measurements in human tumor tissue.

“EGFR/HER receptors are known to be significant to the proliferation of many different cancers,” said William Young, Monogram chief executive officer. “HERmark(TM), our recently launched breast cancer assay, is bringing new options to breast cancer patients with quantitative measurements of HER2 total protein and HER2:HER2 homodimer. This week’s presentations in Geneva evidence Monogram’s expanding portfolio of assays and the growing reach of the VeraTag(TM) technology.”

“With our VeraTag platform, we can make precise and quantitative measurements of protein complexes that have not previously been possible,” said Gordon Parry, Ph.D., Monogram vice president of research & development, oncology. “The data presented this week, on the HER1 and HER3 total protein assays, the HER1:HER1 homodimer assay and the activated HER1:HER2 heterodimer assay, provide support for the use of these assays in drug development programs not only in breast cancer, our current focus, but also in other cancer types.”

In addition to the assays featured in this week’s presentations, Monogram has assays in advanced development for quantifying HER2:HER3 heterodimers, HER3:PI3K complex, a key downstream signaling complex in the Akt pathway, and p95, a truncated form of HER2, for use in formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tumors. Measurements of these proteins or protein complexes in a patient’s tumor may provide valuable information on the key signaling pathways driving tumor growth as well as potential mechanisms of drug resistance. “This information is expected to inform the rational design of combination therapies in a very wide range of cancers,” added Parry. “In breast cancer for example, expression of certain of these protein markers may predict resistance to Herceptin(R) and indicate the potential need for additional drugs that act by different mechanisms in these patients.”

Several additional presentations related to Monogram’s VeraTag assays will be made in 2008. Data on the HER2:HER3 heterodimer assay and the HER3:PI3K complex assay will be presented at the AACR “Targeting the PI3-Kinase Pathway in Cancer” meeting in Cambridge, MA in November. Clinical data on HERmark, Monogram’s commercially available HER2 and HER2:HER2 homodimer assay, will be presented at the Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium in New York in November and at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December.

About HERmark

HERmark is a proprietary diagnostic that accurately quantifies HER2 expression and HER2:HER2 dimerization in patients with breast cancer. Preliminary data from three cohorts of Herceptin-treated patients with metastatic breast cancer who were identified as “HER2 positive” by conventional assays suggest that HERmark can identify patients who are likely to respond to Herceptin with greater precision than currently available tests, permitting stratification of patients according to their degree of clinical benefit from the drug. Additional studies of HERmark for breast cancer in both the metastatic and adjuvant settings are in progress.

About VeraTag

VeraTag is a proximity-based assay technology platform that accurately quantifies proteins and functional protein complexes. This platform provides a researcher or clinician a more thorough understanding of protein-protein interactions or signaling pathway activity allowing for disease characterization at the molecular level. VeraTag is designed to run on standard formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) patient samples.

About Monogram

Monogram is advancing individualized medicine by discovering, developing and marketing innovative products to guide and improve treatment of serious infectious diseases and cancer. The Company’s products are designed to help doctors optimize treatment regimens for their patients that lead to better outcomes and reduced costs. The Company’s technology is also being used by numerous biopharmaceutical companies to develop new and improved anti-viral therapeutics and vaccines as well as targeted cancer therapeutics. More information about the Company and its technology can be found on its web site at http://www.monogrambio.com/.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking, including statements regarding the demand for and performance of our products, including our HERmark and VeraTag assays, the potential for enhancements to our HERmark assay, the development of additional assays based on the VeraTag platform, the results and timing of clinical studies on our products and the presentation or publication of data from such studies. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks and uncertainties relating to the performance and acceptance of our products; the risk that our VeraTag assays, including HERmark, may not predict response to particular therapeutic agents; the risk that we may not be able to obtain additional cohorts of patient samples for additional VeraTag studies, the risk that our VeraTag technology may not accurately measure other proteins or protein complexes, our ability to successfully conduct clinical studies and the results obtained from those studies; whether larger confirmatory clinical studies will confirm the results of initial studies; our ability to establish reliable, high-volume operations at commercially reasonable costs; expected reliance on a few customers for the majority of our revenues; actual market acceptance of our products and adoption of our technological approach and products by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; our estimate of the size of our markets; our estimates of the levels of demand for our products; the impact of competition; the timing and ultimate size of pharmaceutical company clinical trials; whether payers will authorize reimbursement for our products and services and the amount of such reimbursement that may be allowed; whether the FDA or any other agency will decide to further regulate our products or services, including HERmark; whether the draft guidance on Multivariate Index Assays issued by the FDA will be subsequently determined to apply to our current or planned products; whether we will encounter problems or delays in automating our processes; the ultimate validity and enforceability of our patent applications and patents; the possible infringement of the intellectual property of others; whether licenses to third party technology will be available; whether we are able to build brand loyalty and expand revenues; restrictions on the conduct of our business imposed by the Pfizer, G.E. and other debt agreements; potential Nasdaq proceedings to delist our common stock, our ability to regain compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements, the impact of a possible reverse split of the shares of our common stock, the impact of additional dilution if our convertible debt is converted to equity; and whether we will be able to raise sufficient capital in the future, if required. For a discussion of other factors that may cause actual events to differ from those projected, please refer to our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake, and specifically disclaim any obligation, to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

VeraTag and HERmark are trademarks of Monogram Biosciences, Inc. Herceptin is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.

   Contacts:  Alfred G. Merriweather    Jeremiah Hall              Chief Financial Officer   Feinstein Kean Healthcare              Tel: 650 624-4576         Tel: 415 677-2700              amerriweather@            jeremiah.hall@              monogrambio.com           fkhealth.com  

Monogram Biosciences, Inc.

CONTACT: Alfred G. Merriweather, Chief Financial Officer of MonogramBiosciences, Inc., +1-650-624-4576, [email protected], or JeremiahHall of Feinstein Kean Healthcare, +1-415-677-2700,[email protected]

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

VALHALLA, N.Y., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center is the first children’s hospital in New York State to provide pediatric specialists with an additional resource in diagnosing complex conditions, further enhancing the outstanding care the hospital provides to its pediatric patients.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061003/LATU006LOGO )

The Web-based tool, from Isabel Healthcare Inc., (Falls Church, VA), enables physicians handling some of the nation’s toughest cases to interact real-time with a massive medical knowledge database, providing immediate reference materials based on a patient’s symptoms and clinical issues.

According to Dr. Robert Weiss, Director of Pediatric Nephrology at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, “As a major tertiary care academic medical center, our staff is regularly presented with complex diagnostic cases. The Isabel system complements the knowledge and experience of our physicians to provide the most accurate and fastest diagnoses at the point of care. Also, as part of our mission to train new pediatricians, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center is dedicated to using the most sophisticated tools to educate trainees.”

Today, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center provides care to nearly 13,000 children annually in its pediatric emergency department, and approximately 6000 inpatients and those undergoing surgical procedures. The hospital is the advanced care pediatric facility for New York’s Hudson Valley with more than 300 providers devoted to children’s healthcare. As such, the hospital sees and treats the region’s most unique cases.

Isabel’s medical knowledge library contains 11,000 potential diagnoses, 4,200 drug suggestions and 100,000 articles from medical journals. Isabel enables physicians to scan dozens of potential diagnoses and treatments with just a few clicks. Nearly two dozen published research studies have shown Isabel to be fast, easy to use and 95% accurate in suggesting diagnoses. In addition, the system has been validated by more than 35,000 healthcare providers worldwide in live clinical settings.

The Isabel system is now in use at the leading hospitals which form the Child Health Corporation of America, as well as major U.S. medical centers, including Kaiser Permanente, Loma Linda Medical Center, University of Virginia Health System and the Washington University School of Medicine. The software can be interfaced with many leading electronic medical records systems.

With hundreds of clinical and surgical specialists in every medical field, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center is dedicated to the health and well-being of children — treating more than 30,000 patients each year. From pediatric trauma and intensive care, to cancer and heart disease and complex gastrointestinal disorders including liver transplantation, this clinical expertise is provided in a state of-the-art building that was designed from the point of view of children and their families, not just from the perspective of doctors and nurses. This concept is the cornerstone of the approach in providing healthcare for children called “family-centered care” — involving parents, siblings and family members in a child’s treatment, every step of the way. This specially created environment enables medical specialists to provide the most advanced care to patients. For more information, see http://www.worldclassmedicine.com/MFCH

Isabel Healthcare, based in Falls Church, VA, was founded in 2000 by Jason Maude and Joseph Britto, M.D. The company is named after Maude’s young daughter, who almost died in 1999 after a potentially fatal illness was not recognized by family and ER physicians. For company background, see http://www.isabelhealthcare.com/home/faq

   Contacts:   Andrew LaGuardia, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical   Center, [email protected], Tel: 914-493-6532    James Harris, Westside Public Relations [email protected], Tel:   310-398-5565    Dr. Joseph Britto, CEO, Isabel Healthcare,   [email protected], Tel: 703-289-8855  

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061003/LATU006LOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, [email protected]

Isabel Healthcare

CONTACT: Andrew LaGuardia, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital atWestchester Medical Center, +1-914-493-6532, [email protected], JamesHarris, Westside Public Relations, +1-310-398-5565, [email protected]; orDr. Joseph Britto, CEO, Isabel Healthcare, +1-703-289-8855,[email protected]

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

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Genzyme Corporation has announced findings from an independent study which investigated effectiveness and patient satisfaction following viscosupplementation treatments with Synvisc and Hyalgan in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. This landmark study demonstrated that Synvisc provided longer knee pain relief and a higher rate of patient satisfaction. This study was led by orthopaedic surgeon Raghu Raman and a team of doctors from the Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics at Hull Royal Infirmary.

Synvisc is injected into the knee joint. It provides a cushioning and lubricating effect, and relieves knee pain associated with osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of arthritis.

The study showed Synvisc had significantly better knee pain relief which began earlier and lasted for longer than the Hyalgan group. Additionally, in measuring patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life, only Synvisc showed statistically significant improvement over the long term for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Patient satisfaction was consistently higher for Synvisc, particularly at three months and beyond. Overall study results identified that clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction are superior with Synvisc over Hyalgan.

About Synvisc

Synvisc is the top selling viscosupplementation treatment on the market. It received FDA approval in 1997 and has been used to treat over 5 million knees in the U.S. Synvisc is indicated for the treatment of pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative nonpharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics, for example, acetaminophen. It may provide relief from pain for up to six months. This treatment is injected directly into the knee joint over the course of three visits, each one week apart.

About Genzyme

One of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with more than 9,000 employees in locations spanning the globe and 2006 revenues of $3.2 billion. Genzyme has been selected by FORTUNE as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work for” in the United States.

With many established products and services helping patients in nearly 90 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company’s products and services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopedics, cancer, transplant, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme’s commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial development program focused on these fields, as well as immune disease, infectious disease, and other areas of unmet medical need.

Important Safety Information

SYNVISC is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis (OA). It is for patients who do not get enough relief from simple painkillers such as acetaminophen, or from exercise and physical therapy.

SYNVISC is generally well tolerated. However, it may not work for everyone. The side effects most commonly seen when SYNVISC is injected into the knee were pain, swelling and/or fluid buildup around the knee. Cases where the swelling is extensive or painful should be discussed with your doctor. Other side effects such as rash have been reported rarely. Before trying SYNVISC, tell your doctor if you are allergic to products from birds – such as feathers, eggs or poultry – or if your leg is swollen or infected. Talk to your doctor before resuming strenuous weight-bearing activities after treatment. SYNVISC has not been tested in children, pregnant women or women who are nursing. You should tell your doctor if you think you are pregnant or if you are nursing a child.

   SYNVISC and GENZYME are registered trademarks of Genzyme Corporation.   Hyalgan is a registered trademark of Fidia Farmaceutical S.p.A.     CONTACT:    Sarah Faith               The Castle Group, Inc.               (617) 337-9518               [email protected]  

Genzyme Corporation

CONTACT: Sarah Faith of The Castle Group, Inc., +1-617-337-9518,[email protected]

MethylGene Inc. (TSX: MYG) today disclosed preclinical biomarker data for its kinase inhibitor, MGCD265, in a poster session at the 20th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Geneva.

MGCD265 is an oral, small molecule, multi-targeted kinase inhibitor that targets c-Met, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGFR3, Tie-2 and Ron receptor tyrosine kinases. These kinases play key roles in tumor development, tumor survival and angiogenesis. MGCD265 is currently in two Phase I clinical trials in solid tumor cancers. To monitor MGCD265’s biological activity in Phase I clinical trials, pharmacodynamic markers were determined from plasma samples and tumor tissue in mice bearing human xenograft tumors.

In a poster entitled “Preclinical Pharmacodynamic Markers of MGCD265, a Potent Orally Active c-Met / VEGFR Multi-targeted Kinase Inhibitor in Phase I Clinical Trials,” (poster #81) results demonstrated that MGCD265 has anti-tumor activity not only in c-Met driven human xenograft models, but also in non c-Met driven models.

In c-Met driven cancers, MGCD265 showed activity in a gastric model with an amplified c-Met gene and in a glioblastoma model that is autocrine for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), the growth factor that binds to and activates c-Met. In non c-Met-driven xenograft models, including breast, lung and colorectal cancers, MGCD265’s anti-tumor activity suggests that this multi-targeted compound is also capable of inhibiting tumor growth through the inhibition of its VEGFR and Tie-2 targets. This broad activity may allow for MGCD265 to be developed against c-Met driven and/or VEGFR-driven tumor types.

MGCD265 inhibited c-Met phosphorylation in vivo as well as the activation of Erk and Akt downstream signaling pathways. This inhibition correlated with potent in vivo MGCD265-mediated inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis. In addition, MGCD265 downregulated genes involved in angiogenesis. Moreover, results demonstrated that MGCD265 decreased the levels of the tumor-derived angiogenic factors, VEGF and HGF, in the plasma. MGCD265 was also shown to inhibit the circulating level of tumor-derived shed-c-Met (c-Met ectodomain), which has been associated with increased malignancy. Therefore, the concentrations of VEGF, HGF and shed-c-Met in plasma may be novel biomarkers for MGCD265 clinical activity in patients with solid tumor cancers. These pharmacodynamic parameters are being collected and analyzed in the ongoing MGCD265 Phase I clinical trials.

About MethylGene

MethylGene Inc. (TSX: MYG) is a publicly-traded, clinical stage, biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for cancer. The Company’s product candidates include: MGCD265, an oral, multi-targeted kinase inhibitor targeting the c-Met, Tie-2, Ron and VEGF receptor tyrosine kinases which is in Phase I clinical trials for solid tumor cancers; MGCD290, a fungal Hos2 (HDAC) inhibitor used in combination with azoles for fungal infections which is also in a Phase I clinical trial; and MGCD0103, an oral, isoform-selective HDAC inhibitor which has been in multiple clinical trials for solid tumors and hematological malignancies and is licensed to Celgene Corporation and Taiho Pharmaceutical. In addition, MethylGene’s preclinical programs include: a kinase inhibitor program for ocular diseases and a sirtuin inhibitor program for cancer. MethylGene’s development and commercialization partners include Celgene Corporation, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and EnVivo Pharmaceuticals. Please visit our website at www.methylgene.com.

Certain statements contained in this news release, other than statements of fact that are independently verifiable at the date hereof, may constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements, based as they are on the current expectations of management of MethylGene, inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, many of which are beyond MethylGene’s control. These risks and uncertainties could cause future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such results, performance or achievements include, but are not limited to, the timing and effects of regulatory action; the continuation of collaborations; the results of clinical trials; the timing of enrollment or completion of clinical trials; the success, efficacy or safety of MGCD0103, MGCD265 or MGCD290; the ability to scale up, formulate and manufacture sufficient GMP, clinical or commercialization quantities of MGCD0103, MGCD265 or MGCD290, and the relative success or the lack of success in developing and gaining regulatory approval and/or market acceptance for any compound or new product including MGCD0103, MGCD265 or MGCD290. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the impact of general

economic conditions, economic conditions in the pharmaceutical industry, changes in the regulatory environment in the jurisdictions in which MethylGene does business, stock market volatility, fluctuations in costs, expectations with respect to our intellectual property position and our ability to protect our intellectual property and operate our business without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others, changes in the competitive landscape including changes in the standard of care for the various indications in which MethylGene is involved, and changes to the competitive environment due to consolidation, as well as other risks, which you are urged to read, as described in MethylGene’s Annual Information Form for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007, under the heading ‘risk factors,’, and all other documents filed by the Company that can be found at www.sedar.com. Consequently, actual future results may differ materially from the anticipated results expressed in the forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this presentation. These statements speak only as an update on the date they are made and MethylGene is under no obligation to revise such statements as a result of any event, circumstance or otherwise except in accordance with law.

 Contacts: Rx Communications Group, LLC Rhonda Chiger 917-322-2569 [email protected]  MethylGene Inc. Donald F. Corcoran President & CEO 514-337-3333 ext. 373 [email protected]

SOURCE: MethylGene Inc.

Pfizer announced today that it has named Mace L. Rothenberg, M.D. as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs for its Oncology Business Unit. Dr. Rothenberg comes to Pfizer from Vanderbilt where he was Professor of Medicine at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Ingram Professor of Cancer Research at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

In his new role, Dr. Rothenberg will be responsible for overseeing clinical research and development activities as well as post-marketing evaluation and monitoring for all oncology products. He will also coordinate evaluation of anticancer compounds that emerge from Pfizer’s new Biotechnology and Bioinnovation Center as well as evaluate potential in-licensed products from outside sources.

“We are delighted that Dr. Rothenberg will be joining Pfizer’s Oncology Business Unit and are confident that his unique background and experience will play a pivotal role in the development of more innovative drugs,” said Garry Nicholson, senior vice president, general manager of the Oncology Business Unit. “As we continue to progress in oncology, our primary focus is on advancing science so that we can address the unmet medical needs and bring medicines to patients faster.”

Dr. Rothenberg has been active in clinical-translational research in oncology for more than 20 years. He has been the recipient of several research grants from the National Cancer Institute and has served as a reviewer on several NIH study sections. He has published more than 150 articles and book chapters, primarily in the areas of early stage drug development, gastrointestinal malignancies and ovarian cancer. He has served on the editorial boards of several leading medical journals, including the Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Clinical Cancer Research. Dr. Rothenberg’s work was critical to the development and eventual FDA approval of irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar(R)) in 1996 and oxaliplatin (Eloxatin(R)) in 2002 for colorectal cancer and gemcitabine (Gemzar(R)) in 1996 for pancreatic cancer. In addition to his clinical research accomplishments, Dr. Rothenberg has also been recognized for his compassionate care of cancer patients. In 2008, Dr. Rothenberg received the Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award from the American Cancer Society, honoring him as one of the nation’s top cancer caregivers.

“My entire career has been devoted to developing new and better cancer therapies on a patient by patient, study by study basis. With this opportunity at Pfizer, I will have the chance to oversee development of new therapies on a worldwide scale with a family of compounds that is one of the best in the industry. This is not only a great opportunity but also a great responsibility. To help accomplish this, I will work to forge collaborations between Pfizer and the best cancer research centers in the world to develop new, more effective therapies for patients with cancer,” Dr. Rothenberg said.

Dr. Rothenberg received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania magna cum laude in 1978, his M.D. from the New York University School of Medicine in 1982, and trained as an Intern and Resident in Internal Medicine at Vanderbilt University from 1982 to 1985. He obtained his medical oncology training at the National Cancer Institute from 1985 to 1988 and served as Special Assistant to the Director, Division of Cancer Treatment from 1988 to 1991. In 1991, he moved to San Antonio where he was appointed Assistant, then Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and Executive Officer of the Southwest Oncology Group. In 1998, Dr. Rothenberg returned to Vanderbilt where he is currently Professor of Medicine, Ingram Professor of Cancer Research, Director of Phase I Drug Development, Co-Leader of the Experimental Therapeutics Program, and Co-Principal Investigator of the Vanderbilt SPORE in Gastrointestinal Cancer.

About Pfizer Oncology

Pfizer Oncology is committed to the discovery, investigation and development of treatments and currently has 47 innovative compounds in development across four platforms. These agents target more than 20 different cancer-related pathways. By leveraging the strength of our resources and scientific talent, Pfizer Oncology strives to discover and develop novel treatment options to improve the outlook for oncology patients. Pfizer currently devotes more than 22 percent of their total R&D budget to the field of oncology, investing $1.67 billion annually in worldwide research initiatives. We also partner with healthcare providers, governments and local communities around the world to provide better quality healthcare and health system support.

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ — HealthYes!(TM), based in Austin, is a premier provider of mobile preventive medical screenings which can help detect “silent killers” such as heart disease, stroke, arterial disease, and osteoporosis long before any symptoms are present — possibly saving lives. HealthYes! is expanding its service area and, as of November 1, 2008, will be holding preventive screening events four days a week in San Antonio and surrounding communities.

“Adding a second major metropolitan area to our service area within only eight months of our inception is a key milestone for HealthYes!” said Dale Wood, Co-Founder of HealthYes! who hails from San Antonio. “Our success in Austin — where we have held more than 100 screening events since launching in April 2008 — has allowed us to move forward with our plans to expand into the San Antonio market right on schedule.”

In order to service San Antonio’s large Spanish-speaking population, HealthYes! has specifically sought-out and hired bilingual staff. The company now has Spanish-speaking team members in both the newest Mobile Medical Unit and the resource call center, where people can schedule screenings and ask questions by phone.

In either language, HealthYes! provides potentially lifesaving information about personal health through the use of advanced screening technology, including Color Doppler ultrasound, automated oscillometry, and bone densitometry. “The process is painless, the technology is accurate, and all images and information are provided in an easy to understand packet,” said Wood.

HealthYes! set out to make preventive screenings easy, affordable and non-invasive. Clients receive their test results for heart disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and osteoporosis within just four business days, significantly faster than the typical 21-day turnaround from other preventive screening providers.

“We strongly encourage people to take proactive, personal responsibility for their health by undergoing preventive screenings that can provide potentially life-saving information,” said Craig Lindley, the other Co-Founder of HealthYes! “Our screenings establish a critical baseline against which doctors can measure future readings, adjusting recommendations and treatment accordingly. What distinguishes HealthYes! is the easy-to-understand, detailed, clinically relevant information and ultrasound images we give our clients,” he said. “And, perhaps most importantly, the results have been proven to help identify underlying disease in seemingly healthy people.”

Skilled HealthYes! medical technicians use state-of-the-art, FDA-approved technology to generate actual images and specific numeric data. Screenings include:

— Stroke Screening — Multiple ultrasound images of the right and left carotid arteries can help identify conditions affecting blood flow, blood flow velocities, and plaque build-up. Eighty-seven percent of all strokes occur due to clots that block arteries in the brain. Carotid Artery Disease is a leading cause of these clots. Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States. Ultrasound scanning of the carotid arteries is the single best predictor of stroke and heart disease.

— Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening — Multiple ultrasound images and measurements at various points along the aorta, the largest blood vessel carrying oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body, indicate any abnormal enlargement. An aortic aneurysm can occur anywhere along the aorta, but a large majority of these types of aneurysms occur in the belly area. An undetected and untreated AAA can have lethal consequences. Three out of four aneurysms are found by chance when a diagnostic test, such as an X-ray or ultrasound, is performed for a different reason. About 15,000 Americans die each year from ruptured aortic aneurysms — the 10th leading cause of death in men over age 50 in the United States.

— Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Screening — An oscillometry machine detects plaque build-up which occurs as the arteries in the legs narrow and harden (atherosclerosis). This serious disease can restrict blood flow and cause pain when walking. PAD is considered a leading indicator for those at risk of stroke and heart disease. One in every 20 Americans over the age of 50 has PAD. The two leading causes of death in the developed world are heart disease and stroke — both of which are direct consequences of atherosclerosis. PAD is a major public health threat, affecting 10-12 million Americans, and requires greater screening through the use of the Ankle- Brachial Index.

— Arterial Stiffness Index (ASI) Screening — Also measured through automated oscillometry, ASI screening results provide specific data regarding arterial hardening, missed heartbeats, arrhythmias, blood pressure, and pulse patterns. ASI has been shown in studies to correlate with coronary artery disease. Currently, HealthYes! is the only local screening company offering the Arterial Stiffness Index.

— Osteoporosis Screening — A bone densitometer provides a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) measurement, expressed as a “T Score,” as well as fracture risk and skeletal strength. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If undetected and left untreated, osteoporosis will typically progress, painlessly, until a bone breaks — often in the hip, spine, or wrist. Statistically, life-expectancy decreases dramatically following such a break. Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for 44 million Americans. While osteoporosis is most commonly associated with women, it is estimated that one in every four men over 50 will have an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime.

HealthYes! screening events are already being scheduled throughout San Antonio beginning November 1 at community centers, fitness centers, churches, schools and other suitable facilities.

For more information on HealthYes!, health screenings, or health and wellness education, visit http://www.healthyes.com/ or call 1-888-802-3125 (toll-free).

About HealthYes!

HealthYes! is an Austin-based preventive screening provider whose mission is to extend and enhance lives through education and the early identification of underlying disease, while providing friendly, caring, and professional service. HealthYes! is setting a new standard in the industry: our results packet includes all quantitative measurements and images, results are returned to clients in four business days, and all results are reviewed by local, Board Certified radiologists. By offering access to vital health screenings aimed at preventing devastating diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis, HealthYes! empowers individuals to take control of their well- being. For more information, visit http://www.healthyes.com/ or call toll-free 1-888-802-3125.

About Our Teams

HealthYes! employs teams of highly-trained ultrasound technologists and experienced medical assistants. All have completed the formal training and rotations, in hospitals and/or other clinical practices, necessary to meet our company’s demanding standards. They are expected not only to perform screenings accurately and efficiently, but also to be patient and knowledgeable in handling any client questions or concerns. Once a screening is complete, HealthYes! sends the results to local partner-physicians for review. Interpreting physicians include local radiologists and vascular specialists trained at identifying underlying disease.

About Our Technology

Color Doppler Ultrasound is the same technology used in prenatal monitoring. This technology is totally non-invasive, completely safe, and currently the best tool available for vascular and bone density screening in a mobile environment. HealthYes! also uses advanced computer oscillometry capable of measuring the stiffness of one’s arteries (Arterial Stiffness Index or ASI), a very accurate predictor of heart disease. Use of these state-of- the-art, FDA approved screening technologies has been shown in studies to consistently correlate with the identification of cardiovascular diseases and is being adopted across the board by most hospitals and other clinical practices.

                       HealthYes! BIOS - CO-FOUNDERS    DALE W. WOOD   Co-Founder and President  

Dale W. Wood, raised in the Park Forest neighborhood in San Antonio, co-founded HealthYes!(TM) with Craig S. Lindley in April 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. Dale happily returned to the Lone Star State when he and co-founder Craig Lindley moved the company to Austin, Texas early in 2007.

Prior to starting the company, Dale amassed a wealth of professional and executive experience. From managing a sales group for Romac International to serving as a marketing coordinator for Texas Industries, Dale has always been focused on connecting with the customer. Ultimately, managing operations for an international call-center led to several successful entrepreneurial ventures and an executive position with a multi-national organization spanning the Atlantic. He has always had a particular passion for serving as a consultant to startup companies, mentoring entrepreneurs and teaching gifted businesspeople to step outside their 9-to-5 jobs.

After graduating from Tom C. Clark High School in San Antonio, Dale earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing & Management from Texas A&M University, and a Masters in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University, with an emphasis in International Business.

Dale’s motivations for starting HealthYes! include having two family members pass away within one-year’s time, including his 68-year-old father dying in a car wreck in 2005 in San Antonio while having a massive heart attack. Dale saw an opportunity to start a company that would provide a valuable service. He also saw the opportunity to work with a team of life-long friends. He has known Medical Director Dr. Charles Burch for more than 25 years, Director of Operations Aimee Whitfill for more than 15 years, and Co-Founder and Vice President Craig Lindley for more than 10 years.

On the lighter side, Dale is a season ticket holder of the San Antonio Spurs. He notes that in his youth he worked at The Alamo Cafe and served thousands of chicken fried steaks — and hopes that with HealthYes! he can get a reprieve for his behavior.

An avid scuba diver, snow skier, water skier, and traveler, he enjoys spending time with friends, family and his lovely wife Allison. When not in Austin, he will likely be found with his wife in the Caribbean, Central or South America enjoying life outside normality.

   CRAIG S. LINDLEY   Co-Founder and Vice President  

Craig Lindley co-founded HealthYes!(TM) with Dale Wood in April of 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. As Co-Founder and Vice-President, Craig brings a unique blend of eleven years of business development, marketing, and process improvement experience to the company. Prior to founding HealthYes!, Craig held various positions, including Area Development Manager with First Magnus Financial Corp and Account Executive with Romac International. Additional experience in real-estate development, project management, and web-based marketing strategies taught Craig to think big and execute at the ground level. He has a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management and Process Improvement from Arizona State University.

With a family history of heart disease and diabetes, and personal battles with melanoma skin cancer and high-cholesterol, Craig is passionate about the services offered by HealthYes! and actively carries forth the message of proactive personal wellness. “I believe we all have a point in our lives when we truly recognize our own mortality. It is often at this point that we reassess our values and beliefs, our lifestyle, and our impact on society at large. For me, this was the basis for founding HealthYes! The positive impact we have on people’s lives gives me unparalleled personal reward.”

Craig’s current goals for HealthYes! include continuing to revolutionize the health screening industry by giving more people access to the highest quality screenings available and continuing to create awareness about vascular disease through free educational workshops. Above all, he is dedicated to helping people understand the benefits of taking a proactive approach to their health.

In his free time, Craig enjoys spending time with his wife Allison (a broadcast news anchor) and their chocolate lab Tico. Always up for a new adventure, he enjoys most things outdoors and his latest list of activities includes hiking, skiing, biking, jogging, and traveling. On the to-do list: kayaking, learning to fly, and developing his Spanish language skills.

HealthYes!

CONTACT: Meredith Michelson, [email protected], or Peggy Hubble,[email protected], both of Vollmer Public Relations, +1-512-472-3515, forHealthYes!; or Elijah May of HealthYes!, +1-512-807-1907,[email protected]

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

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA) announced today that it will release its third quarter 2008 financial results on Thursday, November 6, 2008.

Teva will host a conference call and live webcast on the same day, at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss its third quarter 2008 results and overall business environment. A Question & Answer session will follow this discussion. The earnings release will be available on Teva’s web site at www.tevapharm.com prior to the call.

Investors and other interested parties may access a live webcast through Teva’s website at www.tevapharm.com. Please log in at least 10 minutes prior to the conference call in order to download the applicable audio software. Following the conclusion of the call, a replay of the webcast will be available within 24 hours on the Company’s website. Alternatively, a replay of the call can be accessed until November 13, 2008, at 11:59 p.m. ET, by calling (201) 612-7415 outside the U.S. or (877) 660-6853 in the U.S. The Pass Code to access the replay: account #3055 and conference ID #300283.

About Teva

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., headquartered in Israel, is among the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world and is the leading generic pharmaceutical company. The company develops, manufactures and markets generic and innovative pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Over 80 percent of Teva’s sales are in North America and Western Europe.

Humana Active Outlook, a life enrichment program for Humana Medicare members, will hold a health education seminar in Mesa on Thursday, Oct. 23. The seminar will focus on “Let’s Talk About Women’s Health” and all Valley residents will be offered preventative health screenings, fitness classes and educational sessions on health and wellness, during the event.

Sponsored by Humana, the Health Education Seminar will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 23 at The Arizona Golf Resort Hotel and Conference Center, 425 S. Power Road in Mesa.

This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. The event will feature expert speakers, fitness classes and healthy eating demonstrations. During the event, participants will be offered complimentary food samples and guidance on setting goals for improving their health.

Participants will also be offered various health screenings, including bone density screenings for osteoporosis. Additionally, participants can benefit from interactive information booths on topics such as wellness, fitness and pharmaceuticals.

“This educational event is a great chance for all residents to take charge of their health,” said Debbie Smith, president of Senior Products for Humana’s Western Region. “In addition to helping residents learn about women’s health, we are offering a great day for fun. All participants will walk away with motivation and encouragement to make health a top priority.”

To learn more about the Humana Active Outlook health seminars or to R.S.V.P. for the event, please call 1-888-445-8692.

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 11.5 million medical members. Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health insurance products and related services – through traditional and consumer-choice plans – to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals.

Over its 46-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s web site at http://www.humana.com, including copies of:

— Annual reports to stockholders;

— Securities and Exchange Commission filings;

— Most recent investor conference presentations;

— Quarterly earnings news releases;

— Replays of most recent earnings release conference calls;

— Calendar of events (includes upcoming earnings conference call dates and times, as well as planned interaction with research analysts and institutional investors);

— Corporate Governance Information.

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Valensa International (Orlando, USA) and Parry Nutraceuticals (Chennai, India) are jointly introducing a new organic dietary supplement called SpiruZan(TM) — a synergistic complex of organic spirulina and astaxanthin in a single tablet presentation. SpiruZan combines the remarkable nutritional properties of organic spirulina with the superior antioxidant properties of astaxanthin to deliver a ‘brain+body’ supplement that offers protection from the stresses placed on people by dietary and environmental conditions. SpiruZan will be initially available as a 500 mg caplet providing 1.0 mg astaxanthin in a 3.0 g organic spirulina serving. SpiruZan is ideally suited for dieters, baby-boomers, vegetarians and people who live fast-paced, stressful lifestyles. It can also serve as the ‘supplement of choice’ for consumers who want to keep their supplement programs simple yet effective. This 100% natural and vegetarian supplement made from organic microalgae is a ‘green food’ that offers the added benefit of being ‘sustainable nutrition.’ Parry Nutraceuticals is the world’s leading producer of certified organic spirulina. Valensa’s astaxanthin was the first astaxanthin product approved as a Novel Food in Europe. The synergistic spirulina/astaxanthin formulation is under patent by Valensa. It will be marketed by both companies. The new product will be unveiled for the first time at the Supply Side West show in Las Vegas, NV.

According to Dr. Rudi E. Moerck, President of Valensa, SpiruZan is an excellent dietary supplement for helping people with lifestyles that are not always the most conducive to optimal health. “The nutrition+antioxidant package offered by SpiruZan is unique in the supplement industry — because both ingredients are effective in supporting human health. It is a great product for vegetarians because it offers higher levels of complete protein than soy or red meat and good levels of vitamin B12. For dieters, SpiruZan offers more vitamin A than carrots, more iron than meat as well as essential fatty acids like GLA and minerals like potassium and calcium,” he said. “Beyond these nutritional advantages, SpiruZan can help support eye health, cardiovascular health and central nervous system health because of the complete xanthophyll carotenoid package. It offers support to the immune system and provides anti-inflammatory support — both of which are critical to overall general health, particularly in people who are getting older or who ‘burn the candle at both ends.’ SpiruZan is an excellent product to help people face the stresses of the modern world,” he added.

Two Leaders Working Together

SpiruZan represents the first time that Parry Nutraceuticals and Valensa International will be working together on a product for the human health & nutrition market. The new product combines Parry’s expertise in microalgae with Valensa’s extraction, formulation and product development expertise. Parry Nutraceuticals produces an organic spirulina that is free from pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizers. Valensa’s astaxanthin ingredients are manufactured using the company’s DeepExtract(TM) Ultra-High Pressure Supercritical CO2 Extraction and O2B(TM) Peroxidation Blocker technology. According to Sebastian Thomas, Chief Executive of Parry Nutraceuticals, the companies have similar philosophies on the issues of quality, natural ingredients made using the best technology. “Valensa International shares Parry Nutraceuticals’ commitment to creating the highest quality products based on the best available science for the human health and nutrition market,” Mr. Thomas said. “We believe that consumers will always select an ingredient they know they can trust when they are given the choice,” Mr. Thomas added.

   For information, contact:   Sid Hulse, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Valensa   [email protected]    

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.

Valensa International

CONTACT: Sid Hulse, Vice President, Marketing & Sales of Valensa,[email protected]

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBST) continues to leverage its powerful CUBICIN patient registry and experience database known by the acronym CORE. In September, the database registered its 5,000th patient entry.

Researchers are presenting four posters at this year’s ICAAC/IDSA joint conference based on data derived from the CORE database.

1. D. P. Levine, H. Hoffman-Roberts , J. Brown , K. C. Lamp. Outcomes with Daptomycin (DAP) for Infective Endocarditis (IE). Summary: This poster describes endocarditis patients from CORE 2007; 41 were evaluable for outcome. Valve involvement; aortic n=20 (multiple valves involved n=5); tricuspid only n=9; mitral only n=8, nonvalvular n=3, unreported n=1. A prosthetic valve was present in 6 pts (aortic n=4, mitral n=1, aortic and/or mitral n=1). The success rates by valve were: aortic (85%), tricuspid only (89%), mitral only (63%) and nonvalvular or unreported (100%). Surgery was associated with higher success for native and prosthetic valves. These data support that surgical intervention optimizes IE outcomes. Daptomycin appears effective against a variety of clinical presentations of IE. Further clinical studies on left-sided IE are warranted. (Session Number: 127. Treatment of Endovascular Infections. Sunday, Oct. 26th, 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Hall C, L-1518.)

2. G. Forrest, D. Culshaw , B. Donovan , K. C. Lamp. Daptomycin (DAP) for the Treatment of Documented Gram-positive (GP) Catheter-Related Bacteremia (CRB). Summary: This poster describes catheter-related bacteremia patients from CORE 2007; 90 were evaluable for outcome. The success rate was 93% (84/90). The success rate for S. aureus, CoNS and enterococci were 93%, 97% and 92%, respectively. The success rate for those patients with and without surgical removal or replacement was 95% (38/40) and 92% (46/50), respectively. Daptomycin appears to be effective in treating catheter-related bacteremia caused by S. aureus, CoNS and enterococci. Further studies are warranted. (Session Number: 127. Treatment of Endovascular Infections. Sunday, Oct. 26th, 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Hall C, L-1519.)

3. J. Mohr, D. North , L. Friedrich , K. C. Lamp, B. E. Murray. Clinical Experience with Daptomycin (DAP) for the Treatment of Enterococcal Bacteremia (EB). Summary: Eighty-seven evaluable enterococcal bacteremia patients from CORE 2007 are described in this poster. Thirty-one percent had an ANC (less than)1000 cells/mm3. Successful outcomes were reported in 76% (66/87); 75% (41/55) E. faecium, 76% (19/25) E. faecalis, and 86% (6/7) non-speciated. If VR was present, success rate was 71% (39/55). In this population, daptomycin appears to be a useful agent for enterococcal bacteremia due to either E. faecium or E. faecalis. Further studies are warranted. (Session Number: 127. Treatment of Endovascular Infections. Sunday, Oct. 26th, 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Hall C, L-1520.)

4. P. A. Moise, E. Hershberger, M. I. Amodio-Groton, K. C. Lamp. Safety and Clinical Outcomes of High-Dose Daptomycin (DAP) ((greater than or equal to) 8 mg/kg). Summary: Ninety-four patients in the CORE 2005 to 2007 program received (greater than or equal to) 8 mg/kg of daptomycin and were assessed for safety and efficacy. Six (6.4%) of the 94 pts experienced 1 or more adverse events (AE) or abnormal laboratory changes possibly related to daptomycin; in 2 (2.1%) of the 94 pts daptomycin was discontinued due to treatment related AE. The overall clinical success rate was 89% (47% cure, 42% improved). Daptomycin was well tolerated and effective at doses of (greater than or equal to)8 mg/kg in pts with clinically significant Gram-positive infections. Further studies of daptomycin at doses above 6 mg/kg are warranted. (Session Number: 126. New Treatment Options in Skin and Soft Tissue Infections. Sunday, Oct. 26th, 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Hall C, L-1511.)

Overall, at this year’s ICAAC/IDSA joint conference, 105 presentations mention daptomycin, including 53 that mention daptomycin in the title. Cubist’s researchers were contributing authors on 15 presentations, and Cubist sponsored approximately 35 presentations, which means that we provided financial or other support to the researchers.

About CUBICIN

CUBICIN is approved in the U.S. and many other markets as therapy for serious skin and bloodstream infections caused by certain Gram-positive bacteria. CUBICIN is currently the only once-daily bactericidal antibiotic approved in the U.S. for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible strains of the following Gram-positive microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant and methicillin susceptible strains), Streptococcus pyogenes, S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis and Enterococcus faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible strains only). CUBICIN is also approved in the U.S. as therapy for bloodstream infections (bacteremia), including right-sided endocarditis, caused by S. aureus. CUBICIN is not indicated for the treatment of pneumonia. Most adverse events reported in clinical trials were mild to moderate in intensity. The most common were anemia, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, injection site reactions, and headache. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of CUBICIN, CUBICIN should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria susceptible to CUBICIN. For full prescribing information, visit www.cubicin.com.

About Cubist

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products that address unmet medical needs in the acute care environment. In the U.S., Cubist markets CUBICIN(R) (daptomycin for injection), the first antibiotic in a new class of anti-infectives called lipopeptides. The Cubist product pipeline includes ecallantide, a recombinant human protein in Phase 2 clinical trials for the prevention of blood loss during cardiothoracic surgery, and pre-clinical programs that address unmet medical needs in Gram-negative infections, CDAD (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea), and HCV (Hepatitis C infections). Cubist is headquartered in Lexington, MA. Additional information can be found at Cubist’s web site at www.cubist.com.

Cubist and CUBICIN are registered trademarks of Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Dr. J. Francois Eid, M.D., is a respected specialist who has performed more penile implant surgeries than anyone to date worldwide. He averages 300 per year and has performed more than 3,000 over the last 20 years. The Center for Advanced Urological Care in New York City is the only practice entirely dedicated to urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) treatments.

Dr. Eid’s new website, www.urologicalcare.com, is replete with extensive patient education material on erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence and penile implant procedures. The site is chock-full of articles and educational videos that demonstrate penile implant surgery and use, along with explaining the causes of erectile dysfunction and treatment options. Dr. Eid says that the site is “designed to be patient-friendly and educational for urologists as well.” The website is innovative in the healthcare profession in that it skillfully combines unbiased scientific and clinical information.

It is Dr. Eid’s intention that the plethora of educational features will serve to educate the patient community and their families about the benefits of his proven surgical expertise and techniques, many of which have been awarded international patents.

For example, one of the greatest concerns and patient fears about penile implant or prosthetic surgery is post-operative infection of the prosthesis. Should infection occur, the prosthesis has to be completely removed and replaced. Dr. Eid developed a sterile procedure, now patented, to prevent infection called the “No-Touch Technique.” Since studies show that most infections of implanted devices derive from organisms on the patient’s skin, Dr. Eid created a system that eliminates any contact between the device to be implanted and patient skin flora. The novel procedure is thoroughly explained with text and photographs on urologicalcare.com.

About Dr. J. Francois Eid, M.D. and UrologicalCare.com

Dr. Eid completed his urological training at the New York Presbyterian Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and has received much recognition as one of America’s top doctors by Men’s Health Magazine and Castle Connolly Medical LTD, to name a few. Prior to founding Advanced Urological Care in 2001, Dr. Eid was Associate Professor in the Departments of Urology at both Weill-Cornell and Sloan Kettering. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Bio-Engineering from Brown University and a M.D. from The Medical College of Cornell University.

If you would like more information about Dr. Eid’s state-of-the-art treatment options, including the No-Touch Technique, Advance(TM) Male Bladder Sling and Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) for the remedy of male urinary incontinence, and penile implant and cosmetic surgery, please don’t hesitate to call his office at 212-535-6690, or visit him on the web at http://www.urologicalcare.com

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=858376

Video-Link Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=858408

 Contact: Dr. J. Francois Eid, M.D. 212-535-6690 http://www.urologicalcare.com

SOURCE: Advanced Urological Care, PC

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Omnicell, Inc., a leading provider of system solutions to acute healthcare facilities, today announced that Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), a 550-bed Buffalo, NY-based facility, has installed Omnicell’s Anesthesia Workstations in each of its ten Operating Rooms (OR). The automated system addresses the unique medication workflows and storage requirements for anesthesia providers and assists hospitals in complying with rigorous patient safety guidelines and regulations. The Anesthesia Workstations also help maintain low inventory levels and maximize medication revenue capture.

“The implementation of Omnicell Anesthesia Workstations has been a really nice feather in everyone’s cap,” said Randy Gerwitz, R.Ph., Department of Pharmaceutical Services, ECMC. “We’ve been able to bring charge capture rates up to 90 percent or greater for OR medications and supplies. The impact has been dramatic.”

Prior to removal, all medications stored in the Omnicell Anesthesia Workstations are associated to a patient. Controlled substances, locked within unit-dose bins, may be accessed through a touch screen. Other medications and supplies may be withdrawn and scanned from drawers that unlock upon login. All charges are sent automatically from the workstation to the ECMC’s Meditech billing system.

“Hospital ORs often lack automated secured storage at the point-of-care, which leads to a breakdown in charge capture,” said Kathryn Sullivan, product manager, Omnicell. “Our customers recognize the benefits to bottom line revenue after implementing Anesthesia Workstations. In addition to managing inventory and costs, the product offers anesthesia providers the convenience of medications and supplies reliably stocked in each OR suite.”

Accurate documentation of anesthesia medication use is particularly valued due to ECMC’s 340B Drug Program eligibility. This federal program provides discounted pharmaceuticals for use in outpatient procedures to hospitals that offer care to the medically underserved. As nearly half of its OR activity is outpatient, ECMC is pleased with the assistance in realizing 340B savings.

Omnicell Anesthesia Workstations have brought another benefit to ECMC’s OR — a decrease in surgical case turnaround time. The in-suite cabinet has eliminated mid-case calls as well as trips by the OR staff to the Pharmacy to stock additional items between surgical cases. In addition, the unique Anesthesia Work Drawer allows secure preparation prior to cases, a favorite time-saving feature of the anesthesia providers. Medications and supplies are now easily accessible — literally at their fingertips — and paper charge documentation is a thing of the past. In turn, the Pharmacy staff spends less time reconciling controlled substances.

About Omnicell

Omnicell, Inc. is a leading provider of systems targeting patient safety and operational efficiency in healthcare facilities. Since 1992, Omnicell has worked to enhance patient safety and allow clinicians to spend more time with their patients.

Omnicell’s medication-use product line includes solutions for the central pharmacy, nursing unit, OR, and patient bedside. Solutions range from complete automation systems for the central pharmacy to nursing unit and bedside dispensing cabinet systems. From the point at which a medication arrives at the receiving dock to the time it is administered, Omnicell systems store it, package it, bar code it, order it, issue it, and provide information and controls on its use and reorder.

Our supply product lines provide a healthcare institution with fast, effective control of costs, capture of charges for payer reimbursement, and timely reorder of supplies. Products range from high-security closed-cabinet systems and software to open-shelf and combination solutions in the nursing unit, cath lab and operating room. For more information, visit http://www.omnicell.com/.

Omnicell, Inc.

CONTACT: Deborah Reinert of Omnicell, Inc., +1-650-251-6403,[email protected]; or Linda Capcara of LVA Communications,+1-480-229-7090, [email protected], for Omnicell, Inc.

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

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Omnicell, Inc., a leading provider of system solutions to acute healthcare facilities, and Patewood Memorial Hospital, a part of the Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS), today announced that Patewood has installed Omnicell OptiFlex(TM) SS systems for use in the hospital’s state-of-the-art digital surgical suites. With use of this automated physician preference card and perpetual inventory management system, Patewood Memorial is maximizing workflow efficiency, increasing productivity for both materials management and staff, plus decreasing inventory carrying costs.

“Thanks to the new Omnicell OptiFlex SS system, with the single swipe of a barcoded physician preference card we are able to track materials used in the surgeries themselves, automatically pull just-in-time replacement materials from our distribution center and track costs so that each case is appropriately charged,” said Geoff Hibbert, OR manager at Patewood Memorial Hospital. “Prior to installing the Omnicell system, inventory wasn’t readily available as a result of inconsistent replenishing processes.”

Patewood Memorial chose to have a hybrid system of open shelving and closed secure cabinets for added flexibility and to bolster the automation process for improved overall inventory accuracy. The hospital uses closed cabinets in the actual OR suites providing additional security of inventory high-dollar items such as consigned implants. Materials management also picks supplies from open shelving in their supply area, giving them quick access to materials. Whether pulling items from open shelves or closed cabinets, OptiFlex SS barcoded preference cards drive the process and accurately track the utilization and charges it to a specific patient case.

“One of the key benefits to Omnicell OptiFlex SS is that the physician preference card system becomes completely automated and can be electronically viewed in the OR suite,” said Suzanne Alexander-Vaughn, product manager, Omnicell Supply. “Items can be easily taken or added from either open or closed cabinets with a simple barcode scan or by the touch of a screen. Not only are the supplies automatically accounted for and re-ordered if necessary, they are tracked back to a specific patient case. What our customers like most is that they rarely run out of anything.”

Another significant improvement for Patewood Memorial was realized in knowing exactly what costs were being incurred in each OR case. By recording supply usage based on each patient case and by interfacing directly with the billing system, OptiFlex SS enables Patewood Memorial to consistently, effectively and accurately charge for product usage. Accuracy of this system is contingent upon a strong and enforced vendor policy, which imposes a logical, well-defined process that controls vendor access and introduction of new products.

About Omnicell

Omnicell, Inc. is a leading provider of systems targeting patient safety and operational efficiency in healthcare facilities. Since 1992, Omnicell has worked to enhance patient safety and allow clinicians to spend more time with their patients.

Omnicell’s medication-use product line includes solutions for the central pharmacy, nursing unit, OR, and patient bedside. Solutions range from complete automation systems for the central pharmacy to nursing unit and bedside dispensing cabinet systems. From the point at which a medication arrives at the receiving dock to the time it is administered, Omnicell systems store it, package it, bar code it, order it, issue it, and provide information and controls on its use and reorder.

Our supply product lines provide a healthcare institution with fast, effective control of costs, capture of charges for payer reimbursement, and timely reorder of supplies. Products range from high-security closed-cabinet systems and software to open-shelf and combination solutions in the nursing unit, cath lab and operating room. For more information, visit http://www.omnicell.com/.

About GHS

Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS) is a not-for-profit academic health organization committed to medical excellence through research and education and is accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO). Its five campuses provide integrated healthcare to communities across Greenville County and beyond through a tertiary referral and education center, community hospitals, a long term acute care hospital, nursing home, outpatient facilities and wellness centers.

Omnicell, Inc.

CONTACT: Deborah Reinert of Omnicell, Inc., +1-650-251-6403,[email protected]; or Linda Capcara of LVA Communications,+1-480-229-7090, [email protected], for Omnicell, Inc.

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