EIN Presswire: Health Press Releases

PDI, Inc. Announces New Business Win Valued at $57 Million

Thu, 24 May 2012 23:38:00 +0000

PDI, Inc. Announces New Business Win Valued at $57 Million

PR Newswire

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PDI, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDII) today announced the signing of a contract with a new customer to provide promotional services across PDI's multiple communications channels that will target primary care physicians. The contract is subject to FDA product approval. The contract is expected to generate total revenue to PDI of approximately $57 million over the life of the two-year agreement, with $10-$12 million to be recorded over the second half of 2012.

Under the agreement, PDI will provide an array of promotional services, including but not limited to dedicated sales teams, as well as teledetailing and digital communications through PDI's Group DCA division.

"We are delighted to have been selected by this new client to provide a wide range of promotional support," said Nancy Lurker, Chief Executive Officer of PDI, Inc. "In applying our multi-channel promotional capabilities, PDI looks forward to demonstrating the value, strategic flexibility and high return on investment that we can provide through our outsourcing services."

About PDI, Inc.

PDI is a leading health care commercialization company providing superior insight-driven, integrated multi-channel message delivery to established and emerging health care companies. The company is dedicated to enhancing engagement with health care practitioners and optimizing commercial investments for its clients by providing strategic flexibility, full product commercialization services, innovative multi-channel promotional solutions, and sales and marketing expertise. For more information, please visit the company's website at http://www.pdi-inc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and financial performance. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions involving judgments about, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond PDI's control. These statements also involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause PDI's actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement.

For example, with respect to statements regarding projections of future revenues, growth and profitability, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release based on the loss, early termination or significant reduction of any of our existing service contracts, the failure to meet performance goals in PDI's incentive-based arrangements with customers or the inability to secure additional business. Additionally, all forward-looking statements are subject to the risk factors detailed from time to time in PDI's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, PDI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and PDI's subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Because of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date of this press release and, except as may be required by law, PDI undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

SOURCE PDI, Inc.

Rosetta Genomics to Raise $6.6 Million in Registered Direct Offering

Thu, 24 May 2012 23:36:00 +0000

Rosetta Genomics Ltd. ("Rosetta") (NASDAQ: ROSG), a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, today announced it has entered into definitive agreements with investors to purchase an aggregate of 570,755 ordinary shares at a price of $11.50 per share in a registered direct offering. The offering is expected to close on or about May 31, 2012, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Rosetta plans to use the net proceeds from the offering primarily to fund its operations and for other general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, repayment or refinancing of existing indebtedness or other corporate borrowings, working capital, intellectual property protection and enforcement, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions or collaborations, research and development and product development.

Aegis Capital Corp. acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.

A shelf registration statement relating to the securities offered and sold in the offering has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and has been declared effective. A final prospectus supplement relating to the offering will be filed by Rosetta with the SEC. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may be obtained directly from Rosetta by contacting Rosetta Genomics Ltd., 10 Plaut Street, Science Park, Rehovot 76706, Israel or via telephone at 215-382-9000 ext. 309 or via e-mail at investors@rosettagenomics.com or from Aegis Capital Corp. by request to Prospectus Department, 810 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY, 10019, telephone: 212-813-1010 or e-mail: prospectus@aegiscap.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

About Rosetta Genomics
Rosetta develops and commercializes a full range of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics. Founded in 2000, Rosetta's integrative research platform combining bioinformatics and state-of-the-art laboratory processes has led to the discovery of hundreds of biologically validated novel human microRNAs. Building on its strong patent position and proprietary platform technologies, Rosetta is working on the application of these technologies in the development and commercialization of a full range of microRNA-based diagnostic tools. Rosetta's miRview product line is commercially available through its Philadelphia-based CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified lab.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
Various statements in this release concerning Rosetta's future expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation, statements relating to the expected closing of the offering, constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including those risks more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Rosetta's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Rosetta's views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Rosetta does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law.

Company Contact:
Rosetta Genomics
Ken Berlin
President & CEO
(215) 382-9000 ext. 326
investors@rosettagenomics.com

Investor Contacts:
LHA
Anne Marie Fields
(212) 738-3777
afields@lhai.com
or
Bruce Voss
(310) 691-7100
bvoss@lhai.com

Royalty Pharma Raises $600 Million of Debt

Thu, 24 May 2012 23:02:00 +0000

Royalty Pharma, the industry leader in acquiring royalty interests in marketed and late stage biopharmaceutical products, announced that it has successfully issued $600 million of incremental Term Loan B debt through RPI Finance Trust ("RPIFT"), bringing total debt outstanding at RPIFT to approximately $3.4 billion. Proceeds will be used to fund future acquisitions.

The new $600 million tranche was priced at 98.5 with a borrowing spread of Libor + 3.00% and matures on November 9, 2018, but otherwise has the same terms and conditions as RPIFT's existing Term Loan B facilities, which consist of a $850 million tranche maturing on November 9, 2016 with a borrowing spread of Libor + 2.75%; and a $1.9 billion tranche maturing on May 9, 2018 with a borrowing spread of Libor + 3.00%. The new tranche was very well received, with strong demand resulting in the issue size being increased from $500 million to $600 million. Upon issuance of the new debt, RPIFT continues to have a conservative leverage ratio (measured as total debt to EBITDA) of 3.5x, compared to 2.9x prior to issuance. All three rating agencies, Moody's Investor Service, Standard & Poor's and Fitch have affirmed RPIFT's investment grade ratings.

Pablo Legorreta, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Overall, we are very pleased with the positive outcome of this transaction, especially in light of the current market conditions. We believe the robust execution and our ability to maintain the same borrowing spread underscores the strength of Royalty Pharma's reputation in the debt markets and the underlying high quality of our well diversified royalty portfolio. Despite the weak current market, from a long term perspective the overall cost of this debt financing is extremely attractive."

Susannah Gray, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, "We appreciate the continued support of our existing lenders and welcome the new lenders to our borrowing group. We believe our ability to place this additional debt demonstrates our lenders confidence in Royalty Pharma's credit profile."

Bank of America Merrill Lynch acted as lead book runner. Goldman Sachs and Citigroup acted as joint-book runners. Davis Polk & Wardwell acted as legal advisor to Royalty Pharma.

About Royalty Pharma

Royalty Pharma is the industry leader in acquiring royalty interests in marketed and late stage biopharmaceutical products. With over $7.5 billion in assets, including royalty assets of $7 billion, the company owns royalty interests in over 30 marketed and late stage biopharmaceutical products. Leading products in Royalty Pharma's portfolio include: Abbott's Humira®, Johnson and Johnson's Remicade® and Prezista®, Gilead's Atripla®, Truvada®, Complera® and Emtriva®, Pfizer's Lyrica®, Amgen's Neupogen® and Neulasta®, Genentech's Rituxan®, Forest's Savella®, Astella's Lexiscan®, Merck's Januvia/Janumet®, Roche and UCB's Cimzia® and Mircera®. The company has a fifteen year history of providing value to holders of royalty interests, including its $700 million acquisition of AstraZeneca's Humira® royalty, its $700 million purchase of a portion of Northwestern University's Lyrica® royalty, its $650 million purchase of New York University's Remicade® royalty, its joint $525 million acquisition with Gilead Sciences of Emory University's emtricitabine royalty interests, its $609 million acquisition of Astellas' DPP-IV patent estate and associated royalty interests, and its $761 million acquisition of an interest in the amounts payable to the former shareholders of Fumapharm on Biogen Idec's BG-12.

Royalty Pharma
RP Management LLC
Investor Relations
+ 1 (212) 883-0200
Email Contact

Rx Response Beefs Up Technology for 2012 Hurricane Season

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:47:00 +0000

Improvements Will Enhance Patient Access to Medicine in Major Disasters

The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season is set to officially begin and Rx Response has launched two technology enhancements to make the program an even more powerful resource in helping to ensure the continued flow of medicine to patients following a major hurricane or other disaster.

The technology enhancements launched for the start of the 2012 hurricane season include a smart phone-friendly version of the RxResponse.org website and important upgrades to the Pharmacy Status Reporting Tool (PSRT).

Rx Response, an initiative of America's biopharmaceutical supply system partners, helps ensure the continued flow of medicine following a large scale natural or manmade disaster. The program relies on a robust information sharing and problem-solving platform that provides a single point of contact for government officials to interact with the bio-pharmaceutical industry. This single point of contact also facilitates streamlined interaction between members of the bio-pharmaceutical supply chain.

The new smart phone-friendly website will provide access to critical online Rx Response resources including the PSRT, activation status for emergencies, emergency situation reports and the downloadable prescription medication wallet card. The card enables citizens to fill in the names of their medications and other key information online, including phone numbers for doctors and pharmacies, and then print out the card which can be kept in a person's wallet or purse.

"As more and more emergency managers and public health officials rely on smart phones, we want Rx Response's critical resources to be readily accessible whether someone is working in an emergency operations center or out in the field responding to a disaster," said Rx Response Director Erin Mullen.

Mullen urged her public health and emergency management community colleagues to encourage citizens to visit RxResponse.org and fill out the downloadable prescription medication wallet card before a disaster strikes. Often, people are forced to leave an area due to a disaster and fail to bring important medical information with them, including the names and dosages of critical medicines. Filling out the prescription medication card before a disaster strikes and carrying the card will help everyone to be better prepared if disaster forces them to refill prescriptions in an unfamiliar location where they are unknown by pharmacists.

Enhanced Pharmacy Status Reporting Tool Enables More Accurate Reporting of Open Pharmacies

This year's second Rx Response technology enhancement for the hurricane season is the beefed up Pharmacy Status Reporting Tool (PSRT), which displays on the RxResponse.org website pharmacies that have resumed serving the public following a major disaster. The PSRT works when pharmacies transmit billing data to national billing service providers thus indicating that a pharmacy is open and serving the public.

A key PRST enhancement is a new feedback tool that enables emergency managers, public health officials and pharmacy staff to provide status updates about open pharmacies in their location. The tool can also be used to submit questions to Rx Response staff. Since there could be instances in which pharmacies are transmitting billing data but have limited capabilities due to the impact of the disaster, the ability of personnel on the ground to provide first-hand information about a pharmacy's level of service will help Rx Response provide more accurate information about the status of individual pharmacies.

Rx Response has also modified the PSRT reporting function to provide additional information on overall pharmacy services in a disaster impacted area. This includes a county-by-county display of open pharmacies as well as individual pharmacy status. This enhancement arose following the extensive winter ice storms in 2011.

Rx Response Director Mullen also encouraged emergency managers and public health officials to familiarize themselves with the PRST before disaster strikes to be better prepared to use it in an emergency. Mullen called on pharmacy staff to use their new capabilities to communicate with Rx Response during a disaster to help enhance the accuracy of the information provided on the PRST. Pharmacists interested in learning about their pharmacy's participation in the PRST can email Rx Response at info@rxresponse.org.

Contact:
Mark Grayson
202-835-3460

Thermal-Aid Bears Make Their Way to Children at City of Hope

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:35:37 +0000

Thermal-Aid Bears Make Their Way to Children at City of Hope

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: PSHR) spokesman Andre Ethier, all-star right fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, announced today that the company will be donating Thermal-Aid Bears to the City of Hope in Duarte, California. "The City of Hope brings hope to many who are suffering and Thermal-Aid Bears bring smiles to those who might be suffering; it's an excellent match," states Ethier."

"As every sports fan knows, Andre Ethier and the Dodgers are in the middle of a hot streak and are leading the league. Him having time to think of others is astounding and is exactly what being a community leader is all about, we are very proud of his dedication," notes Matthew Mills, President/CEO of Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc.

The Thermal-Aid Bears are the children's version of the adult Thermal-Aid, which is a revolutionary, 100% natural therapeutic heating/cooling treatment pack specifically designed for the medical field, to reduce swelling and relieve pain. According to Mills, the creator of Thermal–Aid, "Our researchers worked closely with milling engineers from the largest agribusiness companies in the world to create a line of products, using a unique process, which allows a specialized corn to hold temperatures for long periods of time. This process removes the germ from the kernel, thus removing virtually all the moisture and preventing mold or fungi from forming. The entire process hardens the corn segments, causing an even temperature in each segment, and creating extended temperature retainment (hot and cold). This also extends the life of the corn beyond that of the material it's sewn into."

Recently, actress Tori Spelling was spotted in multiple celebrity magazines with her three year old daughter, Stella, who was embracing Tumble, one of the Thermal-Aid Bears. "She likes to carry it around everywhere," stated Spelling, "but I'm not complaining. It's cute and effective. For the first time I have an ice/heat pack Stella will actually use when she gets bumps and bruises!"

Thermal-Aid just wrapped up a ten city Mother's Day Gift media tour where national television audiences in places like Los Angeles, Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Orlando, San Diego and Sacramento learned all about the product line and were able to participate in a national Thermal-Aid Bear giveaway, via Thermal-Aid Facebook and Twitter pages.

Thermal-Aid can be purchased from the company's web site, www.thermal-aid.com, www.amazon.com, www.costco.com, www.walgreens.com.

For additional information, contact: Gary Stromberg, The BLACKBIRD Group (203) 221-8100 gary.stromberg@gmail.com

Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc. info@pac-sh.com (877) 248-0488.

SOURCE Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc.

Encore Capital Group Recognized as "San Diego's Healthiest Company" for 2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:21:38 +0000

Encore Capital Group Recognized as "San Diego's Healthiest Company" for 2012

PR Newswire

SAN DIEGO, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Encore Capital Group has been named – for the second year in a row – "San Diego's Healthiest Company" in the Large Company category. The 2012 recognition from the San Diego Business Journal was announced May 16th at the organization's annual awards ceremony. "This is a significant accomplishment for Encore and our employees," said Encore CEO Brandon Black. "We have successfully built on the achievements of 2011, and I am proud that our leadership and employees have continued to embrace our commitment to active, healthy lifestyles and healthy work-life decisions."

Encore has been a long-time leader in health and wellness programs. The company introduced consumer-directed health plans for its employees in 2005 and actively engages employees in the company's health programs and health care-related spending. Encore began offering no-cost preventive care and prescriptions to employees and their families long before law required it. In addition, the company provides incentives to employees to actively manage their personal and families' health. These include gym membership reimbursements, biometric health screenings, walking programs, a health-related lecture series, and weight-loss programs.

In 2009, Encore transitioned to 100% consumer-directed health plans for its employees, to ensure that employees and their families understand how their health care expenditures are used. The company's health and wellness programs have an important impact on reducing health care-related costs to the company and its employees.

About Encore Capital Group, Inc.

Encore Capital Group is a leading provider of debt management and recovery solutions for consumers and property owners across a broad range of assets. The company purchases portfolios of consumer receivables from major banks, credit unions, and utility providers, and partners with individuals as they repay their obligations and work toward financial recovery. Through its subsidiary, Propel Financial Services, the company assists property owners who are delinquent on their property taxes by structuring affordable monthly payment plans. Encore's success and future growth are driven by its sophisticated and widespread use of analytics, its broad investments in data and behavioral science, the significant cost advantages provided by its highly-efficient operating model and proven investment strategy, and the company's demonstrated commitment to conducting business ethically and in ways that support its consumers' financial recovery.

Headquartered in San Diego, Encore is a publicly traded NASDAQ Global Select company (ticker symbol: ECPG) and a component stock of the Russell 2000, the S&P SmallCap 600, and the Wilshire 4500. More information about the company can be found at www.encorecapital.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

George Durham, Encore Capital Group
george.durham@encorecapital.com
(858) 309-9491

Katie Lilley, Hillenby, for Encore Capital Group
katielilley@hillenby.com
(703) 889-8504, ext. 2

SOURCE Encore Capital Group, Inc.

Ted Pacha Joins Pinnaclife as President of its Healthcare Distribution Division

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:13:38 +0000

Ted Pacha Joins Pinnaclife as President of its Healthcare Distribution Division

PR Newswire

CORALVILLE, Iowa, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- McCord Research, the parent company of Pinnaclife, announced today that Ted Pacha has been named president of its healthcare distribution division. "We are very pleased to have Mr. Pacha join our growing company. He has years of healthcare distribution experience. His executive management skills will help our domestic and global operations," said Darlene McCord, Ph.D., the company's CEO.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120524/CG13716)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120510/CG05130LOGO)

Mr. Pacha is well known in Iowa City and around the United States for building one of the nations largest and most successful healthcare distribution companies. Hawkeye Medical grew from an idea to a company doing more than $75 million a year and employing better than 100 employees in Iowa City. His leadership as a business owner and a philanthropist has set the standard for all Iowa companies.

As owner of Hawkeye Medical, Mr. Pacha decided that the best way to grow his company in a world of industry giants was to work cooperatively with other distributors and to become part of a buying group. He not only participated in that group, that became National Distribution Company (NDC), he went on to serve for years as its Chairman of the Board. Today, NDC is that largest independent healthcare distribution company in the United States with sales exceeding 7-billion dollars.

Mr. Pacha will now build the business opportunity between Pinnaclife and NDC. The relationship is starting off with the launch of a line of pet care products that will be sold exclusively through veterinarians. The new line will be sold under the Pinnaclife brand and is endorsed by the two leading veterinary dermatologists. "The opportunities are endless when you bring together the largest healthcare distribution company with the creators of the nation's number one medical topical skin and wound care product line," said Pacha.

Pinnaclife expects the relationship with NDC to grow quickly and become its most important domestic partnership. With Mr. Pacha's guidance, Pinnaclife and NDC have already discovered additional opportunities for growth in supplements, oral care, topical medical products and animal health.

Pinnaclife is committed to good science that serves as the foundation for safe and effective topical and nutritional products.

For Further Information:
Darlene McCord, Ph.D.
CEO, CSO, McCord Research
319-351-3201

SOURCE McCord Research

Emeritus at Kingwood Invites Families Needing Assisted Living or Memory Care to "Grill'n and Chill'n" in the Summer on June 2

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:02:42 +0000

Emeritus at Kingwood Invites Families Needing Assisted Living or Memory Care to "Grill'n and Chill'n" in the Summer on June 2

PR Newswire

HOUSTON, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Emeritus at Kingwood invites Lake Houston-area families to its "Grill'n and Chill'n" event on Saturday, June 2 from 11 am - 2 pm, to celebrate summer at Houston's premier senior living community.

"Grill'n and Chill'n" Details!

Date: Saturday, June 2nd from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Location: Emeritus at Kingwood on 24025 Kingwood Place in Kingwood, TX 77339. Under the tent!

Menu: Grilled hotdogs, sweet lemonade, potato salad, ice cold beer and soda, fresh strawberry shortcake and juicy watermelon.

To RSVP: Space is limited so please R.S.V.P. at (281) 312-4400 or by email at Kingwood-ED@emeritus.com.

The first 15 families who attend this event will receive 2 complimentary Starplex matinee movie tickets.

About Emeritus at Kingwood
Emeritus at Kingwood is a newly constructed community that has been specifically designed for seniors whose needs range from assisted living and memory care, to short-term rehabilitation and long-term skilled nursing. Set to open this fall, the community features:

Private studios, one and two-bedroom apartments and friendship suites
All meals, utilities and housekeeping are included
Nurses on staff 24/7 to support the needs of our residents

Emeritus at Kingwood is now taking reservations. For more information, join us at the June 2 event, call us at 281-312-4400, or visit our website at www.emeritus.com/texas/houston/emeritus-kingwood.

About Emeritus Senior Living
Emeritus at Kingwood is part of Emeritus Senior Living, the nation's largest assisted living and memory care provider, with the ability to serve approximately 49,700 residents. More than 28,000 employees support 478 communities throughout 44 states coast to coast. Emeritus offers the spectrum of senior residential choices, care options and life enrichment programs that fulfill individual needs and promote purposeful living throughout the aging process. Its experts provide insights on senior living, care, wellness, brain health, caregiving and family topics at www.Emeritus.com, which also offers details on the organization's services. Emeritus' common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ESC.

Contact:
Diann DiFrancesco, Executive Director
kingwood-ed@emeritus.com
AnnMarie Handsel, Community Relations Director
kingwood-crd@emeritus.com
281-312-4400

SOURCE Emeritus Senior Living

UBM Canon Announces a Strategic Engagement with HCL Technologies

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

UBM Canon Announces a Strategic Engagement with HCL Technologies

Agreement will deliver advanced technologies for the rapid dissemination of content across all the various platforms for enhanced audience experience and engagement

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM Canon, the leading B2B media and communications group focused on the advanced manufacturing sector, today announced that it has signed an agreement with HCL Technologies (HCL), a leading global IT services provider to deliver advanced technologies for rapid and optimized content delivery for a best-in-class audience engagement experience spanning web, digital products, mobile and print environments. As part of the partnership, HCL Technologies will provide its latest Production and Content Management Service Platform called POMS (Production Operations as a Service) to enable establishment of a more dynamic and robust channel required for creating, producing and delivering content across UBM Canon's product portfolio.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101214/LA16070LOGO)

"As the leading global media group covering B2B industries such as MedTech, Plastics, Pharmaceuticals and Packaging, our content teams will have a transformational platform to shine even brighter across these industries. The trust and respect our brands have garnered will be enhanced by HCL Technologies' digital and operational excellence," stated Stephen Corrick, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, UBM Canon Media. "Together, this outstanding team will have access to a global platform to address local, regional and global needs. HCL has global clientele in each of our industry segments which is further testament to the quality and service we can expect from this relationship, and a strong benefit to be realized by our audience and advertising clients."

UBM Canon's brands are leaders in their respective markets, both regionally and internationally providing an unparalleled capability as the crucial source for industry news, information, and resources with brands like Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry (MD+DI), Qmed, MEDTEC, PlasticsToday, Pharmalive and Packaging Digest.

"To keep our customers ahead of the game, we are enabling them to support new business models, foster innovation and achieve content monetization," said Karan Puri, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Consumer Services, HCL Technologies. "We are proud to partner with UBM Canon and share their strategic vision to create highly valuable and original content for the media industry. "Collectively, our innovative technology, coupled with UBM Canon's editorial expertise, will ensure continued excellence in the content delivery while allowing new products to be rapidly developed to address market needs."

About UBM Canon
UBM Canon LLC, the leading B2B media company dedicated exclusively to the global $3.0 trillion advanced manufacturing sector, helps support the flow of information, commerce and innovation in such sophisticated segments as medical devices and pharmaceutical development. UBM Canon also addresses cutting-edge developments in broader areas of advanced engineering design and manufacturing, and manufacturing processes and packaging. UBM Canon is part of UBM plc (UBM.L) a global provider of media and information services for professional B2B communities and markets.

About HCL Technologies
HCL Technologies is a leading global IT services company, working with clients in the areas that impact and redefine the core of their businesses. Since its inception into the global landscape after its IPO in 1999, HCL focuses on 'transformational outsourcing', underlined by innovation and value creation, and offers integrated portfolio of services including software-led IT solutions, infrastructure management, engineering and R&D services and BPO. HCL leverages its extensive global offshore infrastructure and network of offices in 26 countries to provide holistic, multi-service delivery in key industry verticals including Financial Services, Manufacturing, Consumer Services, Public Services and Healthcare. HCL takes pride in its philosophy of 'Employee First, Customer Second' which empowers our 82,464 transformers to create a real value for the customers. HCL Technologies, along with its subsidiaries, has reported consolidated revenues of US$ 4.0 billion (` 19,412 crores), as on 31 March 2012 (on LTMbasis). For more information, please visit www.hcltech.com.

SOURCE UBM Canon

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Congratulates Helene Campbell On Her Organ And Tissue Donation Advocacy Efforts

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:54:09 +0000

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Congratulates Helene Campbell On Her Organ And Tissue Donation Advocacy Efforts

PR Newswire

Canadian Double-Lung Transplant Recipient Receives Diamond Jubilee Medal from Canadian Prime Minister Harper

CHICAGO, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In her first public appearance since her surgery, 21-year-old, double-lung transplant recipient Helene Campbell held a press conference today about her journey and work promoting organ donation. Yesterday the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper awarded Ms. Campbell with the Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work raising awareness about organ donation and her personal courage in her fight against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Ms. Campbell's social media campaign for organ donation advocacy gained international status when celebrities became engaged by her story. Through her work via the Twitter account @alungstory and her personal blog, Campbell garnered the attention of Justin Bieber and Ellen DeGeneres which led to a rapid and continued increase in her following. Now, with nearly 15,500 followers on Twitter and thousands of blog readers, Campbell is a renowned social media advocate promoting organ donation in her vital educational campaign.

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is particularly grateful for the awareness Ms. Campbell brings to organ and tissue donation and to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In July of 2011, Helene was diagnosed with IPF. With no FDA-approved treatment or cure for IPF, Helene's physician recommended a lung transplant.

Considering that IPF is a main reason for lung transplantation, and that the demand for lungs exceeds the supply, Helene's message is extremely important to the pulmonary fibrosis community.

The Foundation's spring/summer issue of the Breathe Bulletin features articles on organ donation and stories of lung transplantation that highlighted April's designation as Organ Donation Awareness Month. In the issue, the Foundation featured an interview with Illinois' Secretary of State, the Honorable Jesse White, who oversees the Illinois Organ and Tissue Donor Program and two stories on lung transplantation, including Ms. Campbell's.

Ms. Campbell's interview provided the Foundation with a moving testimonial about the importance of organ donation and awareness in the fight against pulmonary fibrosis. Helene expressed her hope for the future of organ donation saying, "If we can change not just the mindset, but the feeling towards organ donation of just one generation, it will follow us for years to come. Because we shouldn't see organ donation as a bad thing." Ms. Campbell is truly making a difference in her call to action. "I know it's facing [your own] mortality [to consider organ donation], and it's a tough time, and it's not easy. But we can talk about it once, not dwell on it, and close that door, because it is something that we can benefit from in the future." Wise beyond her years, she talks of her strength saying, "People are really stronger than they think they are. And they're put up to this, to face stuff like this, and we can do it, it's in us." To read the whole interview with Helene Campbell, please visit www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/breathebulletin.

About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

The mission of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is to help find a cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), advocate for the pulmonary fibrosis community, promote disease awareness, and provide a compassionate environment for patients and their families. The PFF collaborates with physicians, organizations, patients, and caregivers worldwide. December 1-3, 2011, the PFF hosted its first biennial international scientific conference, IPF Summit 2011: From Bench to Bedside, in Chicago; PFF Summit 2013 will be held December 5-7, 2013. For more information visit www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call 888.733.6741.

About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

According to the National Institutes of Health, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition in which over a period of time the lung tissue becomes thickened, stiff, and scarred. The development of the scar tissue is called fibrosis. As the lung tissue becomes scarred and thicker, the lungs lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. As a result, the brain and other organs don't receive the oxygen they need. In some cases, doctors can determine the cause of the fibrosis, but in most cases, there is not a known cause. When there is no known etiology for the fibrosis (and certain pathologic criteria are met) the disease is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF. IPF affects approximately 200,000 individuals in the U.S., and the annual mortality is estimated to be 40,000. At present there are no FDA-approved medical therapies.

Contacts:
Cara Schillinger
Associate Vice President, Communications and Marketing
312.265.2184
cschillinger@pulmonaryfibrosis.org

Jennifer Bulandr
Director, Community Affairs
888.733.6741
jennifer@pulmonaryfibrosis.org

SOURCE The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

Meridian Health Plan Career Fair to Hire 250 New Ohio Employees

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:52:54 +0000

Meridian Health Plan Career Fair to Hire 250 New Ohio Employees

PR Newswire

DETROIT, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Health Plan (MHP) will hold a Career Fair on Wednesday, June 13 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Embassy Suites, 5100 Upper Metro Place in Dublin, Ohio to help fill 250 job openings in the Columbus area.

Pre-registration for the Career Fair is required. Candidates can register online by sending their resume to resume.oh@mhplan.com. MHP will only schedule interviews with qualified candidates who submit their resume in advance. Interviews will be held for Columbus-area positions during the Career Fair in order to staff all positions by October 2012.

Specific job descriptions can be found at www.mhplan.com. Open positions range from clinical to non-clinical, management to non-management and technical. More positions across the state will be available in the future.

Meridian Health Plan is a physician-owned, physician-operated health plan with extensive experience in its operations across the Midwest Medicaid market. MHP has been selected by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to administer services to Medicaid enrollees beginning in 2013. For more information, visit www.mhplan.com.

SOURCE Meridian Health Plan

Pharmaceutical Industry Labor Management Association (PILMA) Applauds Senate's Passage of S.3187

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:37:15 +0000

Pharmaceutical Industry Labor Management Association (PILMA) Applauds Senate's Passage of S.3187

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The member companies and unions of the Pharmaceutical Industry Labor Management Association (PILMA) applaud the Senate's 96 to 1 vote today in favor of passage of S. 3187, the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act. Over the past 20 years, prescription drug user fees have been a key component in ensuring that the United States efficiently and safely brings new medicines to market, and extending the user-fees program will keep America at the forefront of new drug innovation and development well into the future. We congratulate Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Enzi for their hard work in developing this measure and their effort in seeing it through the process in a way that protects the integrity of the underlying legislation. PILMA will to continue to support this legislation as it moves to the House, and we urge members on both sides of the aisle to support the integrity of this bill in order to ensure its swift consideration and final approval.

SOURCE Pharmaceutical Industry Labor-Management Association

Mylan Announces Settlement Agreement in Patent Infringement Litigation Relating to Sunovion's Brovana® Product

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:33:56 +0000

Mylan Announces Settlement Agreement in Patent Infringement Litigation Relating to Sunovion's Brovana® Product

PR Newswire

PITTSBURGH, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL) today announced that Mylan Specialty L.P., f/k/a Dey Pharma, L.P., has entered into an agreement with Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., f/k/a Sepracor Inc., to resolve the parties' patent litigation relating to Sunovion's Brovana® product.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York's Final Judgment and Order notes that the parties have entered into a settlement and license agreement and that Sunovion has acknowledged that two Mylan patents are valid, enforceable and infringed by Sunovion's Brovana® product. These patents expire on June 22, 2021. The terms of the parties' agreement are confidential.

Mylan CEO Heather Bresch commented, "We are pleased with this settlement and remain confident in the intellectual property protecting Perforomist®, as well as our combination product for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), currently in development. We believe this settlement and judgment by the Court further strengthen the potential of our Specialty franchise and its portfolio of products."

Mylan intends to appeal the judgment concerning other Mylan patents that were litigated.

This press release includes statements that constitute "forward-looking statements," including with regard to the settlement of the litigation. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, actual future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: any legal or regulatory challenges to the settlement; strategies by competitors or other third parties to delay or prevent product sales; risks inherent in legal and regulatory processes; and the other risks detailed in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.

Mylan is a global pharmaceutical company committed to setting new standards in health care. Working together around the world to provide 7 billion people access to high quality medicine, we innovate to satisfy unmet needs; make reliability and service a habit, do what's right, not what's easy and impact the future through passionate global leadership. We offer a growing portfolio of more than 1,100 generic pharmaceuticals and several brand medications. In addition, we offer a wide range of antiretroviral therapies, upon which approximately one-third of HIV/AIDS patients in developing countries depend. We also operate one of the largest active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers and currently market products in approximately 150 countries and territories. Our workforce of more than 18,000 people is dedicated to improving the customer experience and increasing pharmaceutical access to consumers around the world. But don't take our word for it. See for yourself. See inside. mylan.com

SOURCE Mylan Inc.

Lifestyle Lift® Brings Affordable Facial Rejuvenating Procedures to Kentucky

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:25:03 +0000

Lifestyle Lift® Brings Affordable Facial Rejuvenating Procedures to Kentucky

PR Newswire

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifestyle Lift®, the largest practice of plastic, facial plastic and head and neck surgeons in the country, opened its second center in Kentucky earlier this month.

"Rejuvenating facial procedures were once available only to the wealthy. Lifestyle Lift and its Hopkinsville center now make surgical and non-surgical services affordable and accessible to most Kentuckians," said Dr. David Kent, founder and chief executive officer of Lifestyle Lift®.

Dr. Mitchell D. Kaye will serve as the lead practitioner at the center, which is located at 1011 South Main Street. Kaye earned his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, and trained at Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts General Hospital and the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He is double board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. He is a clinical surgery instructor and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kaye has performed thousands of head and neck procedures.

"Lifestyle Lift® makes it easy to provide a high standard of care and satisfaction to my patients," said Dr. Kaye. "I look forward to helping the men and women in our community look and feel younger."

Typically, doctors have to manage the business of a practice, taking time away from patient care. The Lifestyle Lift business model enables doctors to spend 100 percent of their time on patient care. Lifestyle Lift doctors only perform facial and neck procedures. This specialization makes Lifestyle Lift doctors unmatched in experience and expertise.

Lifestyle Lift® began with one doctor in one office and has blossomed into over 80 doctors working in offices spread across the U.S. Today, Lifestyle Lift® and its doctors have performed over 150,000 facial rejuvenation procedures. In 2011 Lifestyle Lift performed almost 22,000 procedures. Based in Troy, Michigan, Lifestyle Lift® operates and manages over 50 surgical, consult and affiliated offices with nearly 100 board-certified (or board-eligible) physicians who specialize in facial and neck procedures. To schedule a free consultation, call 1-800-940-9913.

SOURCE Lifestyle Lift

"Personality Genes" May Help Account for Longevity

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:21:44 +0000

"Personality Genes" May Help Account for Longevity

PR Newswire

BRONX, N.Y., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "It's in their genes" is a common refrain from scientists when asked about factors that allow centenarians to reach age 100 and beyond. Up until now, research has focused on genetic variations that offer a physiological advantage such as high levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol. But researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology of Yeshiva University have found that personality traits like being outgoing, optimistic, easygoing, and enjoying laughter as well as staying engaged in activities may also be part of the longevity genes mix.

The findings, published online May 21 in the journal Aging, come from Einstein's Longevity Genes Project, which includes over 500 Ashkenazi Jews over the age of 95 and 700 of their offspring. Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jews were selected because they are genetically homogeneous, making it easier to spot genetic differences within the study population.

Previous studies have indicated that personality arises from underlying genetic mechanisms that may directly affect health. The present study of 243 of the centenarians (average age 97.6 years, 75 percent women) was aimed at detecting genetically-based personality characteristics by developing a brief measure (the Personality Outlook Profile Scale, or POPS) of personality in centenarians.

"When I started working with centenarians, I thought we'd find that they survived so long in part because they were mean and ornery," said Nir Barzilai, M.D., the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research, director of Einstein's Institute for Aging Research and co-corresponding author of the study. "But when we assessed the personalities of these 243 centenarians, we found qualities that clearly reflect a positive attitude towards life. Most were outgoing, optimistic and easygoing. They considered laughter an important part of life and had a large social network. They expressed emotions openly rather than bottling them up." In addition, the centenarians had lower scores for displaying neurotic personality and higher scores for being conscientious compared with a representative sample of the U.S. population.

"Some evidence indicates that personality can change between the ages of 70 and 100, so we don't know whether our centenarians have maintained their personality traits across their entire lifespans," continued Dr. Barzilai. "Nevertheless, our findings suggest that centenarians share particular personality traits and that genetically-based aspects of personality may play an important role in achieving both good health and exceptional longevity."

The study is titled "Positive attitude towards life and emotional expression as personality phenotypes for centenarians." The POPS was developed by lead author Kaori Kato, Psy.D., now at Weill Cornell Medical College, who validated it through comparisons with two previously established measures of personality traits. Other authors of the study were Richard Zweig, Ph.D., assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Einstein and director of the Older Adult Program at Ferkauf, and Gil Atzmon, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine and of genetics at Einstein.

About Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University

Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University is one of the nation's premier centers for research, medical education and clinical investigation. During the 2011-2012 academic year, Einstein is home to 724 M.D. students, 248 Ph.D. students, 117 students in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program, and 368 postdoctoral research fellows. The College of Medicine has 2,522 full time faculty members located on the main campus and at its clinical affiliates. In 2011, Einstein received nearly $170 million in awards from the NIH. This includes the funding of major research centers at Einstein in diabetes, cancer, liver disease, and AIDS. Other areas where the College of Medicine is concentrating its efforts include developmental brain research, neuroscience, cardiac disease, and initiatives to reduce and eliminate ethnic and racial health disparities. Its partnership with Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital and academic medical center for Einstein, advances clinical and translational research to accelerate the pace at which new discoveries become the treatments and therapies that benefit patients. Through its extensive affiliation network involving Montefiore, Jacobi Medical Center –Einstein's founding hospital, and five other hospital systems in the Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island and Brooklyn, Einstein runs one of the largest post-graduate medical training programs in the United States, offering approximately 155 residency programs to more than 2,200 physicians in training. For more information, please visit www.einstein.yu.edu and follow us on Twitter @EinsteinMed.

SOURCE Albert Einstein College of Medicine