EIN Presswire: Health Live Feed Press Releases

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals to Present at the 14th Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals to Present at the 14th Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference

PR Newswire

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: LXRX) announced today that Arthur T. Sands, M.D., Ph.D., Lexicon's president and chief executive officer, will present at the 2012 BIO CEO & Investor Conference in New York on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. At the conference, which is hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Dr. Sands will provide an overview on Lexicon's clinical development programs and milestones.

A live webcast of the presentation will be available through Lexicon's corporate website at www.lexpharma.com. An archived version of the presentation will be available for 30 days after the event.

About BIO CEO & Investor Conference

The BIO CEO & Investor Conference is the largest independent investor conference focused on publicly-traded biotechnology companies. The conference provides a forum where institutional investors, industry analysts, and senior biotechnology executives have the opportunity to shape the future investment landscape of the biotechnology industry through issue-oriented plenary sessions, educational sessions focused on hot therapeutic areas and key business issues, company presentations, and one-on-one meetings.

About Lexicon

Lexicon is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering breakthrough treatments for human disease. Lexicon currently has four drug programs in mid-stage development for diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, carcinoid syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, all of which were discovered by Lexicon's research team. Lexicon has used its proprietary gene knockout technology to identify more than 100 promising drug targets. Lexicon has focused drug discovery efforts on these biologically-validated targets to create its extensive pipeline of clinical and preclinical programs. For additional information about Lexicon and its programs, please visit www.lexpharma.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including statements relating to Lexicon's growth and future operating results, discovery and development of products, strategic alliances and intellectual property, as well as other matters that are not historical facts or information. All forward-looking statements are based on management's current assumptions and expectations and involve risks, uncertainties and other important factors, specifically including those relating to Lexicon's ability to successfully conduct preclinical and clinical development of its potential drug candidates, advance additional candidates into preclinical and clinical development, obtain necessary regulatory approvals, achieve its operational objectives, obtain patent protection for its discoveries and establish strategic alliances, as well as additional factors relating to manufacturing, intellectual property rights, and the therapeutic or commercial value of its drug candidates, that may cause Lexicon's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Information identifying such important factors is contained under "Risk Factors" in Lexicon's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lexicon undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Medical Travelers Relax With Downtown Boston Hotel Specials in Copley Square

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:35:00 +0000

Historic Downtown Setting Surrounds Travelers With Comfort and Convenience at Courtyard Boston Copley Square

Boston medical travelers can rest easy while staying close to medical facilities with accommodations at stylish Boston hotels near Newbury Street, where comfort and value-added amenities top the list when welcoming guests.

Surrounding guests with a historic downtown setting, the Courtyard Boston Copley Square hotel is conveniently located less than 10 minutes from some of Boston's finest medical facilities including Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Medical Center, so travelers can rest comfortably whether visiting patients or traveling on medical business. Occupying a magnificently refurbished 1800s apartment building and situated for easy access among hotels near Boston Common and other popular districts, the Courtyard pampers guests with spacious guest rooms and well-appointed hotel suites. Additionally, guests are treated to room furnishings that include thick mattresses topped with luxurious cotton-rich linens, marble bathrooms, complimentary high speed Internet access, cable/satellite service with premium movie channels and pay-per-view movie options.

Along with inviting accommodations, the Courtyard welcomes travelers to take advantage of its downtown Boston hotel specials designed to help keep travel affordable. While the hotel always features Marriott Rewards promotions, other packages are aimed at helping travelers best meet their individual needs, whether traveling for business or leisure. The hotel's "Sunday Special" currently offers Sunday travelers significant savings with a low nightly rate of $99* now through April 8, 2012. This limited time deal is perfect for those traveling to see family or friends at any of the city's medical facilities or business travelers looking to get a head start on their weekly schedule.

Conveniently located among hotels near Newbury Street, the Boston Copley Square Courtyard also allows travelers easy access to some of the city's most exciting districts, filled with fine dining, fashion boutiques, specialty shops, antiques, spas, galleries and an amazing historic and architectural heritage.

Travelers wishing to book accommodations at the Courtyard Boston Copley Square utilizing the "Sunday Special" may do so online by using promotional code WJY at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bosdt-courtyard-boston-copley-square/.

*Offer not valid for groups of 10 or more rooms and may not be used in combination with any other discount or promotion. Please see hotel website for additional terms and conditions.

About the Courtyard Boston Copley Square
The Courtyard Boston Copley Square hotel sets the standard for hospitality among Boston hotels near Newbury Street, welcoming guests to its historic downtown location, refurbished to accentuate Boston's heritage while providing guests with modern day comforts and conveniences. In addition to a fabulous location, guests have access to a breakfast buffet served daily at the Courtyard Café and The Market is open 24/7 to provide snacks, drinks and necessities for the convenience of travelers. A fitness room is also available, equipped with cardiovascular equipment to help travelers maintain their exercise routine while traveling.

CONTACT:
Mike Givens
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
301-547-4761
Email Contact

Discover our Boston Copley Place hotel's quick access to many of the city's top attractions, like Fenway Park & the Museum of Fine Arts. For tips on the best area dining, shopping & entertainment, view our Copley Place hotel's Boston Visitor's Guide.

Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety to Launch CPPS Credential Exam During Patient Safety Awareness Week

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:33:14 +0000

Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety to Launch CPPS Credential Exam During Patient Safety Awareness Week

PR Newswire

BOSTON, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS) today announced the official launch date for the highly-anticipated Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) exam. This credentialing process is designed to establish patient safety competency standards and elevate the professional stature of health care professionals who meet knowledge requirements in safety science, human factors engineering, and the practice of safe care.

In recognition of the advancement of patient safety as an acknowledged and critical discipline across the care continuum, testing for the CPPS credential will be made available as Patient Safety Awareness Week kicks off globally on March 5, 2012.

Certification requires a combination of education and experience, as well as successful completion of the evidence-based certification exam, which tests candidates on six core patient safety domains: Culture, Leadership, Risk Identification and Analysis, Data Management System Design, Mitigating Risk through Systems Thinking and Design and Human Factors Analysis, and External Influences on Patient Safety.

"It is widely recognized that, in order to make our health care system safer and more effective, improve the patient experience, and lower the cost of care, we need to work differently than we have in the past and incorporate all that we have learned from safety science and human factors engineering into our process design and improvement work," said Diane Pinakiewicz, president of the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF). "The Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety has responded to this critical need by creating the benchmarking CPPS patient safety credential, formally validating skills and competencies, and encouraging health care professionals from all disciplines to become the standard bearers for patient safety excellence, advancing the shared body of knowledge and practice that will make the health care system safer for all."

The CPPS credential is recommended for nurses, physicians, pharmacists, other clinicians, health care leadership, patient safety professionals, risk/quality managers, nonclinical health care professionals, client-facing solutions providers, and all others committed to the delivery of safe patient care.

CBPPS has also developed an optional 50-question practice exam, which is parallel in content and difficulty to the actual Certified Professional in Patient Safety exam and is a diagnostic tool to assess candidates' strengths and weaknesses.

Additional information is available at www.cbpps.org.

Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety

The Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS) was established by, but is a separate organizational entity from, the National Patient Safety Foundation, and was created to advance, standardize, and promote patient safety knowledge competencies for health care professionals. To this end, successful completion of the rigorously-designed Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) exam attests to candidates' knowledge of essential patient safety competencies, upon which time the board confers the CPPS credential. Those attaining the CPPS designation represent a group of committed professionals from across health care who are determined to advance the patient safety field and make the health care system safer for all. To learn more, go to www.cbpps.org.

National Patient Safety Foundation

The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) has been pursuing one mission since its founding in 1997 – to improve the safety of care provided to patients. As a central voice for patient safety, NPSF is committed to a collaborative multi-stakeholder approach in all that it does. NPSF is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more about the work of the National Patient Safety Foundation visit: www.npsf.org.

SOURCE Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS)

Dr. Thomas Dowd Selected For Patients' Choice Award 2011

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:30:00 +0000

Dr. Thomas Dowd Selected For Patients' Choice Award 2011

PR Newswire

Dr. Thomas Dowd of Independence, MO has been ranked among the top physicians in the nation based on patient reviews.

INDEPENDENCE, Mo., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A select few physicians were honored with the prestigious 2011 Patients' Choice Award, and this year they include Dr. Thomas Dowd.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120207/DC49052)

Only doctors who have received top scores by their patients and pass other quality measures are awarded the Patients' Choice Award. In fact, of the nation's 720,000 active physicians, just 5 percent were accorded this honor in 2011.

Every month, millions of patients across the U.S. access websites like Vitals (http://www.vitals.com) to share feedback about their experiences with their doctors. Patients rate various components of the care they receive, such as the accuracy of their diagnosis, the amount of time they spent with the doctor, and the doctor's bedside manner and follow-up care. Patients' Choice ranks the top reviewed physicians and looks at other quality measures to compile its yearly list.

Dr. Thomas Dowd commented on the recognition: "This is quite an honor for me. I am very pleased to have been selected and grateful to my patients who went out of their way to rate me and give me positive reviews."

About Thomas Dowd:

After 15 years in private practice, I still feel blessed to have a job that I enjoy and look forward to each day. Obstetrics allows me to care for women at all stages in their life, including infertility, pregnancy and postmenopausal care. I am certified in minimally invasive surgery using the da Vinci robot mainly for hysterectomies. Sterilization, uterine ablation and other procedures can be done in the relaxed office setting.

For more information on this Patients' Choice Award winner, please visit Dr. Thomas Dowd's profile on PatientsChoice.org.

Following the publication of Dr. Thomas Dowd's selection for the Patients' Choice Award, American Registry seconded the honor and added Dr. Dowd to The Registry™ of Business Excellence. An exclusive recognition plaque has been designed to commemorate the honor. The doctor's custom wall plaque is shown here.

For more information on Dr. Thomas Dowd, located in Independence, MO please call 816-350-1200, or visit www.hbaHealthcareForWomen.com.

This press release was written by American Registry, LLC with approval by and/or contributions from Dr. Dowd and was distributed by PR Newswire, a subsidiary of UBM plc.

Patients' Choice provides in depth information on doctors in your area who have been recognized and awarded for outstanding patient care and expertise. The Patients' Choice Award is the honor roll of physicians who have received the highest ratings by their patients.

American Registry, LLC, recognizes excellence in top businesses and professionals. The Registry™ includes over 2 million significant business and professional recognitions. For more information, search The Registry at http://www.americanregistry.com.

Contact Info:
Dr. Thomas Dowd
Phone: 816-350-1200

SOURCE American Registry

Express Scripts Announces Fourth Quarter 2011 Earnings Conference Call

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:16:42 +0000

Express Scripts Announces Fourth Quarter 2011 Earnings Conference Call

PR Newswire

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Express Scripts (Nasdaq: ESRX), one of the largest pharmacy benefit management companies in North America, announced today its intention to release its fourth quarter earnings on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 after the market closes and will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss fourth quarter results on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Central Time).

This call is being webcast and can be accessed at Express Scripts Web site at www.express-scripts.com

Express Scripts, Inc., one of the largest pharmacy benefit management companies in North America, is leading the way toward creating better health and value for patients through Consumerology®, the advanced application of the behavioral sciences to healthcare. This approach is helping millions of members realize greater healthcare outcomes and lowering cost by assisting in influencing their behavior.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Express Scripts provides integrated PBM services including network-pharmacy claims processing, home delivery services, specialty benefit management, benefit-design consultation, drug-utilization review, formulary management, and medical and drug data analysis services. The company also distributes a full range of biopharmaceutical products and provides extensive cost-management and patient-care services. More information can be found at http://www.express-scripts.com/ and http://www.consumerology.com/.

SOURCE Express Scripts

Recondo Technology Announces Acquisition of Trilogi, Inc.

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:04:05 +0000

Recondo Technology Announces Acquisition of Trilogi, Inc.

- Uniting Industry Leaders in Hospital Revenue Cycle Technology and Revenue Recovery Services

PR Newswire

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Recondo Technology, a leading provider of revenue cycle solutions for the healthcare industry, announced today that Recondo has acquired Trilogi, Inc., a leading revenue cycle management and recovery firm with offices in Lakeland, Florida, and Dallas, Texas. Specific terms of the agreement were not announced.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110627/LA26547LOGO)

Recondo plans to integrate software services with Trilogi®workflow and processes to streamline the Trilogi best demonstrated practices of revenue recovery. The acquisition is accretive to Recondo by increasing the combined customer base and by creating two approaches to revenue recovery, one based on technology and one based on Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services, including:

Service Lines

Denial Management Program
Complex and Denied Claims Program
Commercial and Government Health Insurance Follow-up
Underpayment Recovery Program
A/R Cleanup and Customized Projects
Workers Compensation Program
System Conversion Services
Legal Services and Litigation Management
Motor Vehicle Accident programs

"We are very pleased to combine with Trilogi and be able to offer our client hospitals a broader array of products and services," said Rick Adam, Recondo Founder and CEO. "Trilogi is a leader and innovator in hospital revenue recovery services and Recondo likewise on the technology front. Together we offer our customers unrivaled value."

"Trilogi has long since been delivering unparalleled service solutions to our hospital clients, and I feel that combining the technology power of Recondo with our expertise will allow us to continue to lead the Healthcare Receivables industry. Recondo Technology has been a company I have admired over the years, and I'm thrilled that we are combining our forces in order to create innovative and cutting-edge solutions for our clients," said April Kooiman, Trilogi Co-Founder and President.

About Recondo Technology

Recondo Technology delivers powerful software services connecting patients, providers, and payers across the spectrum of US healthcare. Recondo services bring efficiencies and cost savings to healthcare payment processing, which currently costs US healthcare a staggering $425 billion in annual expense. Recondo services automate the revenue cycle and payment cycle, from pre-scheduling to adjudication, with virtually no manual intervention.

Recondo/Trilogi Revenue Recovery Services help hospitals recover lost revenue from payer denials, offering both a technology-based solution and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). Recondo/Trilogi delivers superior revenue recovery results to hospitals across the United States.

Authorization/Denial Prevention (Auth-DP™) increases cash flow by reducing a hospital's costly payer denials. Auth-DP identifies precertification requirements and authorization at the front of the revenue cycle, increasing authorization coverage and reducing denials by as much as 75 percent.

SurePayHealth®offers an accurate statement of patient financial responsibility at Point of Service, verifying patient identity, eligibility, and benefits, and accurately calculating the patient fee. After activating SurePayHealth, hospitals increase cash collections by tens of thousands of dollars every month.

EligibilityPlus™ gives hospitals the most complete view of government and commercial insurance benefits available in the industry. With a complete understanding of insurance benefits, hospitals immediately identify specific coverage, simplify patient registration workflows, reduce claim rework, and assess patient liability.

ClaimStatusPlus™ automates the process of retrieving the status of open claims, and allows hospital staff to segment claims conforming to the specific process adopted by each hospital, then work each claim by various priority standards. Claim Status significantly reduces the time and effort to identify, track, and process claims.

Recondo, SurePayHealth, ReconBot, Recondo Financial Medical Record, Trilogi, and Powered by Recondo are registered trademarks of Recondo Technology. EligibilityPlus, Auth-DP, ClaimStatusPlus, Omni278, Financial Assistance, AllPayHealth, and Patient Resource Management are trademarks of Recondo Technology. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of the respective trademark holders.

SOURCE Recondo Technology

A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts Raises $123,000+ for American Cancer Society® Via Its "Crafting a Better World" Program

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:33 +0000

A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts Raises $123,000+ for American Cancer Society® Via Its "Crafting a Better World" Program

A.C. Moore Associates and Customers Raise Funds at All Stores

PR Newswire

BERLIN, N.J., Feb, 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A.C. Moore Arts and Crafts has raised $123,340 for the American Cancer Society during a recent register campaign at all 133 A.C. Moore (www.acmoore.com) stores.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120207/CG49428)

The East coast retailer teamed with the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® program created to celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate people about how to reduce their breast cancer risk or find the disease early, and raise funds to end breast cancer. The fundraising program is part of A.C. Moore's "Crafting a Better World Program" which helps local communities. Since its launch in 2010, the program has raised more than $750,000 for not-for-profit organizations that provide services in the communities in which A.C. Moore stores operate.

"Our Crafting a Better World program underscores our commitment to improving the communities where our associates and customers live and work, and support of the American Cancer Society resonated strongly with our customer base, " says Pepe Piperno, Chairman of the Board of A.C. Moore. "We look forward to our 2012 campaign and to helping bring services to those with breast cancer and to helping save lives from the disease."

All 133 A.C. Moore stores participated in the campaign with the top contributions collected from stores in: Wilmington, DE, Lancaster, PA, Clifton, NJ, White Marsh, Md., Moorestown, NJ and Huntington, WV. As part of A.C. Moore's ongoing commitment to local customers, anyone who visited any A.C. Moore store during the campaign was able to donate to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program at check out. Special crafting events were also held during the campaign period.

"We are grateful for the efforts of A.C. Moore in the fight against breast cancer," said Terry Music, chief mission delivery officer for the American Cancer Society. "Making Strides enables the American Cancer Society to make strides to end breast cancer and save lives by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures and fighting back against the disease."

Funds raised through the Making Strides program help the American Cancer Society save lives and create more birthdays by helping people stay well by taking steps to reduce breast cancer risk or find it early; helping people get well by providing information and support during and after a breast cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking breast cancer research; and by fighting back by encouraging lawmakers to pass laws to help defeat breast cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.

About A.C. Moore
With 133 stores along the East Coast, A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. brings families together for fun through creativity. For more info visit http://www.acmoore.com/, www.facebook.com/acmoore, twitter.com/officialacmoore and www.youtube.com/user/officialacmoore.

SOURCE A.C. Moore

New England Biolabs Signs Agreement with Synthetic Genomics Inc. to Launch Gibson Assembly™ Master Mix for Molecular and Synthetic Biology Applications

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

New England Biolabs Signs Agreement with Synthetic Genomics Inc. to Launch Gibson Assembly™ Master Mix for Molecular and Synthetic Biology Applications

PR Newswire

IPSWICH, Mass. and LA JOLLA, Calif., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- New England Biolabs, Inc. (NEB) and Synthetic Genomics, Inc. (SGI) jointly announce that they have entered into a licensing agreement whereby NEB will introduce a master mix based on Gibson Assembly™, a revolutionary technology developed by Dr. Daniel Gibson and his colleagues at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) as part of a program sponsored by SGI. The financial details of this agreement were not disclosed.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090921/NE79207LOGO-b )

Gibson Assembly enables the rapid assembly of multiple DNA fragments using a one-step, isothermal approach. Since its introduction to the life science community in 2009, Gibson Assembly has become a mainstay in the laboratories of many synthetic biologists and is catching on in the wider life science community due to its ease-of-use, robustness and flexibility.

"New England Biolabs is delighted to work with SGI to introduce Gibson Assembly to our customers. As a leader in the discovery and development of cloning tools and technologies, NEB has embraced this approach for building DNA constructs, and believes that it will open new opportunities for the manipulation of complex DNAs," states Richard J. Roberts, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, NEB.

"The Gibson Assembly method is a powerful tool that we believe will enable synthetic biology researchers to make rapid advances leading to new discoveries and products," said J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, SGI. "SGI is pleased to work with industry leader NEB in commercializing this product."

The Gibson Assembly Master Mix includes protocols for primer design, and can be used for assembly of multiple DNA fragments, including linearized vector and insert. For more information about the Gibson Assembly Master Mix, visit www.neb.com/gibsonassembly

About New England Biolabs 
Established in the mid 1970's, New England Biolabs, Inc. is the industry leader in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications and now offers the largest selection of recombinant and native enzymes for genomic research. NEB continues to expand its product offerings into areas related to PCR, gene expression, sample preparation for next generation sequencing, cellular analysis, epigenetics and RNA analysis. Additionally, NEB is focused on strengthening alliances that enable new technologies to reach key market sectors. New England Biolabs is a privately held company, headquartered in Ipswich, MA and has extensive worldwide distribution through a network of exclusive distributors, agents and six subsidiaries located in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan and the UK. For more information about New England Biolabs visit www.neb.com 

About Synthetic Genomics
SGI, a privately held company founded in 2005, is dedicated to developing and commercializing genomic-driven solutions to address global energy and environment challenges. Advances in synthetic genomics present limitless applications in a variety of product areas, including: energy, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The company's main research and business programs are currently focused on the following major bioenergy areas: designing advanced biofuels with superior properties compared to ethanol and biodiesel; harnessing photosynthetic organisms to produce value added products directly from sunlight and carbon dioxide; developing new biological solutions to increase production and/or recovery rates of subsurface hydrocarbons and developing high-yielding, more disease resistant and economic feedstocks. For more information go to www.syntheticgenomics.com

Gibson Assembly is a trademark of Synthetic Genomics, Inc.

SOURCE New England Biolabs

Synthetic Genomics, Inc. Announces Agreement with New England Biolabs to Launch Gibson Assembly™ Master Mix Product for Synthetic and Molecular Biology Applications

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Synthetic Genomics, Inc. Announces Agreement with New England Biolabs to Launch Gibson Assembly™ Master Mix Product for Synthetic and Molecular Biology Applications

PR Newswire

LA JOLLA, Calif. and IPSWICH, Mass., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Synthetic Genomics, Inc. (SGI), a privately held company commercializing and developing genomic-driven solutions to solve a variety of global needs, and New England Biolabs, Inc. (NEB), today jointly announced that they have entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement whereby NEB will commercialize the Gibson Assembly™ Master Mix. This product is based on the Gibson Assembly™ method which was developed by Daniel Gibson, Ph.D., and colleagues at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) as part of a program sponsored by SGI. The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Gibson Assembly uses a one-step, isothermal approach to enable the rapid assembly of multiple DNA fragments. Since its introduction to the life science community in 2009, the Gibson Assembly method has become a mainstay in many synthetic biology laboratories and has attracted interest from both the academic and commercial life sciences community due to its ease-of-use, robustness and flexibility.

The Gibson Assembly Master Mix includes protocols for primer design, and can be used for assembly of multiple DNA fragments, including linearized vector and insert. NEB's Gibson Assembly™ Master Mix can be used by researchers to assemble such synthetic nucleic acids into larger genetic constructs. The Gibson Assembly Master Mix is available for order through the NEB website (www.neb.com).

SGI also recently signed an agreement with Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) to manufacture, market, and commercialize custom synthetic double-stranded nucleic acids of lengths up to 5 kb using SGI's proprietary technologies.

In May 2010 J. Craig Venter Institute researchers announced the successful construction of the first self-replicating synthetic bacterial cell, work that took years to complete and was enabled only through development of new tools and technologies. One such tool was Gibson Assembly. SGI sponsored this work at JCVI and controls the licensing of the technologies.

Gibson Assembly™ is a trademark of Synthetic Genomics, Inc.

About Synthetic Genomics, Inc.

SGI, a privately held company founded in 2005, is dedicated to developing and commercializing genomic-driven solutions to address a wide range of global challenges. The company is focused on several key research and business programs including: developing algae biofuels in alliance with Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering Company, microbial-enhanced hydrocarbon recovery and conversion through an agreement with BP, new and improved food and nutritional products, and clean water technologies. SGI is also involved in synthetically derived vaccine development through Synthetic Genomic Vaccines Inc. (SGVI), a company co-founded with the J. Craig Venter Institute; and to developing sustainable crops and agricultural products through Agradis Inc., a company co-founded with Plenus S.A. de C.V. For more information go to: www.syntheticgenomics.com.

About New England Biolabs

Established in the mid 1970's, New England Biolabs, Inc. is the industry leader in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications and now offers the largest selection of recombinant and native enzymes for genomic research. NEB continues to expand its product offerings into areas related to PCR, gene expression, sample preparation for next generation sequencing, cellular analysis, epigenetics and RNA analysis. Additionally, NEB is focused on strengthening alliances that enable new technologies to reach key market sectors. New England Biolabs is a privately held company, headquartered in Ipswich, MA and has extensive worldwide distribution through a network of exclusive distributors, agents and six subsidiaries located in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan and the UK. For more information about New England Biolabs visit www.neb.com.

SGI Media Contact:
Heather Kowalski, hkowalski@syntheticgenomics.com, 858-361-0466

NEB Media Contact:
Deana Martin, martin@neb.com, 978-380-7464

SOURCE Synthetic Genomics, Inc.

CCA Industries, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2012 First Quarter Dividend

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:52:03 +0000

CCA Industries, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2012 First Quarter Dividend

PR Newswire

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CCA Industries, Inc. (NYSE Amex: "CAW") announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a dividend of $0.07 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, payable to all shareholders of record as of February 21, 2012, and to be paid on March 21, 2012.

Final results for the year ended November 30, 2011 will be announced on or before February 28, 2012.

CCA Industries Inc. manufactures and markets health and beauty aids, each under its individual brand name. The products include, principally, "Plus+White" toothpastes and teeth whiteners, "Mega-T" Green Tea diet supplements, "Mega-T" Green Tea gum and mint products, "Bikini Zone" medicated topical and shave gels, "Nutra Nail" nail care treatments, "Scar Zone" scar treatment products, "Sudden Change" anti-aging skin care products, "Parfume de Vanille" fragrances, "Solar Sense" sun protection products, "Hair Off" hair removal and depilatory products, "Wash 'N Curl" shampoos and conditioners and "Pain Bust RII" an analgesic product.

Statements contained in the news release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which would cause actual results to differ materially form estimated results. Such risks and uncertainties are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. No assurance can be given that the results in any forward-looking statement will be achieved and actual results could be affected by one or more factors, which could cause them to differ materially. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.

SOURCE CCA Industries, Inc.

BIOCOM Launches 2012 Southern California Life Sciences Economic Impact Report

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:49:43 +0000

BIOCOM Launches 2012 Southern California Life Sciences Economic Impact Report

PR Newswire

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BIOCOM, the trade organization representing Southern California's life sciences industry, has released its first regional economic impact report showing conclusively that Southern California's life sciences cluster is one of the most vibrant, multi-faceted and innovative in the world.

The report, done by Hendershot Economics, breaks the life sciences industry into five sectors and analyzes each sector on a county-by-county basis. The report shows through transparent data how robust, vibrant and multi-faceted the life sciences are in Southern California.

In Southern California – Orange, San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties - 97,000 people are employed at 3,500 life science companies.
Those workers support an additional 151,000 jobs in the region.
About 31,000 of those jobs are in key support industries, such as real estate and financial services, which are essential for the life sciences to do business.
The total impact of the life sciences is 248,000 jobs, which pay a total of $17 billion in wages.
In the region, the industry generates a total of $57 billion in economic activity.

One of the region's unique characteristics is its high concentration of research institutes, giving it strong roots in innovation and fostering an especially collaborative environment. All of these factors contribute to the region's nimbleness to quickly adjust to the needs of the market as the industry continues to evolve and new sectors emerge, such as industrial biotechnology, wireless health and genetic sequencing.

The flexibility has allowed the cluster to create 7,500 jobs during an economic downturn when much of the country's workforce was contracting – the economies of three of the region's four counties grew faster than the national economy in the life sciences. In the next two years, the cluster is expected to create another 6,000 new jobs.

"Our analysis shows that the job creation in Southern California can be attributed to the region's unique characteristics, including its research base, its business climate, strong support services and the strength of the existing cluster," said Joe Panetta, BIOCOM President and CEO.

BIOCOM decided to undertake this project because no report has ever looked at the region as a whole. This report does that and more. It analyzes the collaboration and linkages that exist between the counties, the businesses, the workforce and the service providers throughout the region.

It shows the sheer density of research in the region makes it unique, and creates an atmosphere that makes it seem as though innovation is in the air. It shows the industry in the region was creating jobs throughout the economic downturn and it illustrates the many reasons why this industry is a key economic driver in the region.

Copies of the economic report are available on BIOCOM's website, http://biocom.org/home/econreport/ or by contacting Communication's Director Terri Somers, tsomers@biocom.org.

SOURCE BIOCOM

Collaborations Between Public and Private Sector Are Critical to Advance Alzheimer's Research

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:44:31 +0000

Collaborations Between Public and Private Sector Are Critical to Advance Alzheimer's Research

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) President and CEO John J. Castellani responded to new efforts unveiled today by the Administration to combat Alzheimer's Disease:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091027/PHRMALOGO)

"Alzheimer's disease is one of America's top health challenges. It ravages the minds of patients, seriously impacts entire families and currently costs the U.S. health care system $172 billion a year. According to the Alzheimer's Association, an American will develop the disease every 33 seconds in 2050, costing the U.S. health care system $1.1 trillion. These costs are simply unsustainable," said John J. Castellani, President and CEO, PhRMA.

"The outlook could change course, however, if a treatment were discovered that helps delay the onset of Alzheimer's. Biopharmaceutical research companies, recognizing the great health and economic need to help delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's, have invested heavily in this area and are currently researching and developing nearly 100 medicines to help address this public health priority."

"Discovering an Alzheimer's treatment is by no means an easy task; and it can certainly benefit from collaborations between industry, academia and federal research institutions. In addition to their individual efforts to discover and develop novel treatments for Alzheimer's, biopharmaceutical companies have partnered with each other and with academic and federal research institutions to help move forward the scientific understanding of this complex disease," said Castellani. "One remarkable example is provided by the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), a large five year research project to define the rate of progress of Alzheimer's disease, develop improved methods for clinical trials in this area, and to provide a large database which may improve development of innovative treatments."

"We look forward to continuing our engagement with the different stakeholders and constituents involved in this national charge to combat Alzheimer's," said Castellani.

Click here for more information about all of the incredible work that biopharmaceutical research companies are doing to help find a treatment for Alzheimer's.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country's leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $49.4 billion in 2010 in discovering and developing new medicines. Industry-wide research and investment reached a record $67.4 billion in 2010.

Find PhRMA Online:

Website – http://www.phrma.org
facebook – www.facebook.com/PhRMA
Blog – www.phrma.org/catalyst
Twitter – www.Twitter.com/PhRMA and www.Twitter.com/PhRMApress
YouTube – www.youtube.com/PhRMApress

For information on how innovative medicines save lives, visit: http://www.innovation.org

For information on the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, visit: http://www.pparx.org

For information on ensuring the flow of medicines during public health emergencies, visit http://www.rxresponse.org

SOURCE Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

Walk for Warmth - Warming Hearts and Homes in Michigan

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:31:55 +0000

Walk for Warmth - Warming Hearts and Homes in Michigan

PR Newswire

CAAs, Utilities, Neighbors Join in Energy Assistance Fund Raisers

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In late February, when most Michiganders prefer to stay indoors, you might notice large groups of young and not so young walkers, traipsing through the streets of your community. Chances are they are taking part in a "Walk for Warmth" fundraiser, sponsored by their local Community Action Agency to raise money to help low income neighbors keep the heat and lights on through our cold, dark winters.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120207/DC49390)

There are 30 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in Michigan, operating in each of the 83 counties. Many sponsor a "Walk for Warmth" or similar fundraiser to support their mission of helping low income families achieve higher levels of economic self-sufficiency. When a household has to spend 25-35 percent of its monthly income for energy, compared to less than 10 percent in more affluent homes, other needs are likely to go unmet. Or they are simply unable to pay their bills, risking dangerous shutoffs and driving them deeper into debt.

The need for help is greater than ever. In recent months, Michigan has seen state and federal support for heating assistance programs wane like a weak winter sun. The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is slated for a 50% cut in FY 2012, and the state's Low Income Energy Efficiency Fund has been replaced by the Vulnerable Household Warmth Fund at 65% of former funding levels. In 2010, 1.2 million Michigan households were eligible for LIHEAP assistance and it's unlikely that number has gone down.

CAAs have long been centers where folks facing hard times could go to get help paying their utility bills and making their homes more energy efficient through the Weatherization Assistance Program and other resources. About 20 years ago, agencies began to supplement the funds they received from state and federal sources with their own fundraising events, eventually creating today's "Walk for Warmth." With drastic cuts being made to LIHEAP and our state assistance programs, private funds to address the need are more important than ever.

That's where events like "Walk for Warmth" come in. The concept is much like other efforts to raise money for worthy causes: "Race for the Cure" for breast cancer awareness, Easter Seals' "Walk with Me" to combat birth defects, are two examples. Participants collect pledges for donations upon completion of the walk or simply make a donation in their own names.

CAAs also enlist corporate sponsors in the effort, many of which contribute cash and in kind donations. Among the leading supporters have been the state's utility companies. DTE, Consumers Energy, and others energy companies provide marketing support and employee volunteers. Working with its hometown CAA in Jackson, for example, Consumers Energy has vowed to match all employee and retiree contribution to any "Walk for Warmth" in the state.

The "Walks" themselves are designed to be fun and are combined with other activities to generate interest. EightCAP, the CAA serving Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, and Montcalm counties adds a chili cook-off competition to spice up its event. Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency in the UP offers up a Nordic twist with its cross-country themed "Ski for Warmth." Many agencies recruit local politicians and celebrities to participate—radio disc jockeys and television personalities are great at spreading the word and increasing awareness of the need for funding a vital program.

The number of participants and the amount of money raised by the "Walk for Warmth" events are impressive. Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency expects nearly 1500 residents and 30 sponsors to take part and to collect $180,000 in cash and in kind contributions through its two "Walk" events this year. Collections in the area of $50,000 are not uncommon even among the smaller CAAs. And, as each agency will tell you, the money raised stays in the community and is used only to pay utility bills or for deliverable fuels such as propone and fuel oil for neighbors in need. No "Walk for Warmth" money is used for administrative costs or other unrelated purposes.

Most "Walk for Warmth" events in Michigan are being held in February and March. A complete listing can be found at www.mcaaa.org/events page at MCAAA.org to find out who's holding a Walk in your area and contact your local CAA to find out how to get involved. Participating in a "Walk for Warmth" is like chopping your own firewood: you'll be warmed by it twice—once by the exercise and once more by the feeling in your heart when you've helped a neighbor in need.

Contact: Mike Shalley, +1-517-321-7500, mshalley@mcaaa.org

SOURCE Michigan Community Action Agency Association

OrthoSensor Presents at the Canaccord Genuity Musculoskeletal Conference

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:30:00 +0000

OrthoSensor, Inc., the leader in intelligent orthopedics, announced that management presented at the Canaccord Genuity Musculoskeletal Conference taking place today in San Francisco.

"OrthoSensor is leading the way in Intelligent Orthopedics, a new field that harnesses the latest innovations in sensors, microelectronics and wireless communications with the goal of improving healthcare outcomes and reducing the cost of treating musculoskeletal disease," said Jay Pierce, Chief Executive Officer of OrthoSensor. "We have launched our first product, the OrthoSensor Knee Balancer, and are developing a full portfolio of products to transform total joint and spine arthroplasty procedures through sensor enabled soft tissue balancing, mechanical alignment, intelligent implants and evidence based analytics. We are pleased to have the opportunity to discuss our progress and future opportunities at the Canaccord Genuity Musculoskeletal Conference."

To access a webcast replay of this presentation, visit www.orthosensor.com. Following the completion of the conference, the webcast will be available on the News & Events page for 90 days.

About OrthoSensor, Inc.
OrthoSensor, Inc. (www.orthosensor.com) is an innovative medical device company developing and commercializing intelligent orthopedic devices that provide real-time data to surgeons and hospitals during and after surgery. OrthoSensor's intelligent orthopedic devices utilize advanced sensor and wireless communication technology with the goal of improving healthcare outcomes and reducing the cost of treating musculoskeletal disease. The company's intelligent orthopedic instrumentation and implants are designed to enhance surgical implantation, as well as enable remote monitoring of implant function and overall musculoskeletal health.

Contact:
Stephanie Marks for OrthoSensor, Inc.
smarks@lazarpartners.com
212-843-0211

Rachel Kessler for OrthoSensor, Inc.
rkessler@lazarpartners.com
917-660-0608

Zimmer and ISTO Technologies Announce Phase III Clinical Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Engineered Juvenile Cartilage to Repair Damaged Knees

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:30:00 +0000

Zimmer and ISTO Technologies Announce Phase III Clinical Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Engineered Juvenile Cartilage to Repair Damaged Knees

Study to Evaluate Clinical Effectiveness of Engineered Juvenile Cartilage to Repair Articular Cartilage Defects

PR Newswire

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZMH), a global leader in musculoskeletal health, and ISTO Technologies, Inc., an orthobiologics company focused on developing breakthrough products to regenerate and restore function to damaged cartilage and bone, today announced a Phase III clinical study to evaluate DeNovo® ET Engineered Tissue Graft, an engineered cartilage implant intended to repair cartilage defects in the knee. DeNovo ET Graft is being developed under a collaborative relationship between ISTO and Zimmer.

"The DeNovo ET Graft program represents a natural extension to our early intervention and joint preservation portfolio," said Cheryl R. Blanchard, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Zimmer. "This Phase III study will generate meaningful data on the potential of this novel biological solution for treatment of cartilage lesions earlier in the continuum of care."

The Phase III study will comprise a randomized, controlled clinical trial involving 225 patients at up to 25 centers in the United States. The program is designed to demonstrate superiority of DeNovo ET Graft over the current standard of care (microfracture) for articular cartilage defects.

In preclinical studies, cartilage cells derived from juvenile tissue demonstrated a significantly greater capacity for regenerating cartilage compared to cells derived from adult cartilage. Recognizing and harnessing the significant regenerative capacity differences between adult and juvenile cells is an underlying principle of ISTO's platform for cartilage repair. In addition, through a proprietary scalable manufacturing process, ISTO has developed a platform technology for cartilage regeneration using juvenile cartilage cells.

"It is gratifying for our team to see our breakthrough cartilage repair technology advancing from research into a late stage clinical trial for what is clearly a large unmet medical need," said Mitchell Seyedin, Ph.D., President and CEO of ISTO.

More information about the Phase III clinical study is available at http://www.repairmyknee.com/.

About Zimmer
Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer designs, develops, manufactures and markets orthopaedic reconstructive, spinal and trauma devices, dental implants, and related surgical products. Zimmer has operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries. Zimmer's 2011 sales were approximately $4.5 billion. The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 8,500 employees worldwide. For more information about Zimmer, visit www.zimmer.com.

About ISTO

ISTO is a privately-held orthobiologics company dedicated to improving patient quality of life through the development of proprietary products for spinal therapies and sports medicine applications. ISTO's products are intended for the repair and regeneration of damaged or injured cartilage and bone. For additional information on ISTO, please visit our website at www.istotech.com.

Zimmer Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the orthopaedics industry, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "assumes," "guides," "targets," "forecasts," and "seeks" or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. For a list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see our periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be set forth in our periodic reports. Readers of this document are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, since, while we believe the assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.

SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.