2007'02.10.Sat
SMIC and VeriSilicon Announced Release of a Standard Design Platform for SMIC's 0.13um Low Leakage Process
PR
September 06, 2006
Library Release is Highly Optimized for Low Power, Low Leakage Applications
SHANGHAI, China, Sept. 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
VeriSilicon Holdings Co., Ltd. (VeriSilicon), a leading
world class ASIC design foundry, semiconductor library and
IP provider focusing on design and manufacturing services
for customers worldwide, and Semiconductor Manufacturing
International Corporation (SMIC) (NYSE: SMI; SEHK:
0981.HK), one of the leading foundry in the world jointly
announced today the release of VeriSilicon's Standard
Design Platform (SDP) for SMIC's 0.13um Low Leakage
process. The SDP includes memory compilers for single port
and dual port SRAM, Diffusion programmable ROM, Two-port
Register File Compiler, standard cell library and I/O cell
library.
This new SDP was optimized specifically for low leakage
and low power, and has been proven in silicon through SMIC's
0.13um Low Leakage Silicon Shuttle Prototyping Service. In
addition, the SDP supports industry-leading EDA tools,
including Cadence, Synopsys, Magma and Mentor Graphics.
"Several hundred customers worldwide have used
VeriSilicon's Standard Design Platforms for their designs
and many complex, multi-million gates SoCs have achieved
first silicon success and started volume production,"
said Dr. Wayne Dai, chairman, President and CEO of
VeriSilicon. "We have developed low leakage and low
power technologies for this newly released SDP, optimized
specifically for SMIC 0.13um low leakage process; the
technology can significantly reduce IC power consumption
for optimal use in battery powered applications, such as
handheld devices."
"We thank VeriSilicon, one of our strategic
partners' continuous great support in the advancement of
technology portfolio to serve our customers in China as
well as in the world," said Richard Chang, President
and CEO of SMIC. "At the fast moving speed of the
technology development, SMIC aims to work closely with
VeriSilicon to deliver the excellence of the cooperation to
the forefront of technology."
About SMIC
SMIC (NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 981) is one of the leading
semiconductor foundries in the world and the largest and
most advanced foundry in Mainland China, providing
integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing service at 0.35mm to
90nm and finer line technologies. Headquartered in
Shanghai, China, SMIC operates three 200mm fabs in Shanghai
and one in Tianjin, and one 300mm fab in Beijing, the first
of its kind in Mainland China. SMIC has customer service
and marketing offices in the U.S., Italy, and Japan as well
as a representative office in Hong Kong. For additional
information, please visit http://www.smics.com .
About VeriSilicon
VeriSilicon Holdings Co., Ltd. is a leading world class
ASIC design foundry providing libraries, semiconductor IPs,
design and turnkey manufacturing services with multi-fab
capability and on process technologies down to 90nm.
VeriSilicon has achieved first silicon success and entered
volume production of many complex, multi-million gates SoCs
using the leading wafer foundries in APAC and China.
VeriSilicon has operations in US, China, Taiwan, Japan,
France, and Korea. Over 500 customers worldwide have
licensed VeriSilicon IPs and Standard Design Platforms. In
2005, VeriSilicon was ranked number three in Deloitte
Technology Fast 50 China, the top 50 fastest-growing
technology companies in China and number six in Deloitte
Fast 500 Asia Pacific, the top 500 fastest-growing
technology companies in Asia Pacific. VeriSilicon was also
named one of the Red Herring 100 Private Companies of Asia,
and selected as one of the EE Times 60 Emerging Startups.
For additional information, please visit
http://www.verisilicon.com .
Safe Harbor Statements
(Under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995)
Certain statements contained in this press release,
such as statements regarding the ongoing cooperation
between SMIC and VeriSilicon, may be viewed as
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors (including without limitation the actual results of
future cooperation between SMIC and VeriSilicon), which may
cause actual events, and/or the actual performance,
financial condition or results of operations of SMIC to be
materially different from any future performance, financial
condition or results of operations implied by such
forward-looking statements. Further information regarding
these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included in
the Company's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on
June 29, 2006 and such other documents that SMIC may file
with the SEC or The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
from time to time.
For more information, please contact:
SMIC Shanghai
Reiko Chang
SMIC Public Relations Department
Tel: +86-21-5080-2000 x10544
E-mail: PR@smics.com
SMIC Hong Kong
Calvin Lau
Tel: +852-9435-2603
Email: Calvin_Lau@smics.com
Mei Fung Hoo
Tel: +852-2537-8480
Email: MeiFung_Hoo@smics.com
VeriSilicon:
Federico Arcelli
Corporate VP, WW Marketing, VeriSilicon
Tel: +33 4 97 10 01 38
Email: federico.arcelli@verisilicon.com
SOURCE VeriSilicon Holdings Co., Ltd.
2007'02.10.Sat
TI Delivers Low-Power Stereo Audio Codecs with 7-mW Playback for Portable Consumer Applications
September 06, 2006
Devices Combine Low Noise, Integrated Class-D Audio Power Amplifier, and Programmable Notch Filters to Increase Performance and Maximize Battery Life
DALLAS, Sept. 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) today introduced two new stereo audio codecs for battery-operated applications, including digital still cameras and portable media players. Designed to extend battery life by lowering power consumption, the PCM3793 and PCM3794 audio codecs offer outstanding 7-milliwatt (mW) playback with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 93 dB. (For more information, please see http://www.ti.com/pcm379x ) The PCM3793 audio codec further increases power efficiency by integrating TI's leading Class-D amplifier technology which is capable of driving 700 mW of output power per channel into an 8-ohm load. To complement the PCM3793, the PCM3794 has no speaker outputs, providing manufacturers with the flexibility to use an external amplifier, if desired. "The efficiency of TI's Class-D amplifiers makes them critical to the success of any battery-powered audio system," said Susie Inouye, analyst, Databeans. "TI provides not only low power and noise, but also the value-added features manufacturers need to drive down system costs." Optimized for Low Power TI's PCM379x codecs offer key features that meet the specific needs of portable consumer audio OEMs, including: Notch filter with programmable center frequencies: Without a notch filter, digital camera manufacturers have had to disable zooming during video recording to prevent camera lens motor noise from disrupting the audio track. Tone control: OEMs can maximize audio performance for a particular application (i.e., jazz or classical) using bass, treble and mid-range equalization effects. 3-D enhancement: Speakers that are close together can be made to seem further apart for a richer, "wide stereo" effect. An on-chip, digital audio processor keeps signal processing in the digital domain, giving OEMs more control, lower noise and better power efficiency. The PCM379x codecs also can be operated with only one power supply, whereas other codecs require an additional power supply for analog and digital circuitry. An integrated cap-less headphone driver reduces external component count and increases bass frequency response. PCM379x audio codecs support standard interfaces for audio (I2S, L-R justified, DSP) and control (I2C, SPI), as well as multiple single-ended and differential inputs and outputs (six inputs for both, with five outputs for the PCM3793 and three for the PCM3794). Additionally, inputs are selectable, and outputs can be mixed, giving designers control over a wide range of applications. "With exceptionally low playback power and integrated features in the PCM379x codecs, TI has struck the optimal balance of power and performance that our customers require," said Greg Davis, high performance portable audio marketing manager, Texas Instruments. "For instance, it's exciting that we can help enable features, such as zooming while recording video on a digital still camera. Additionally, these devices integrate equalization and audio effects that can be helpful for portable media players." The PCM379x family of devices complements TI's portfolio of high-performance analog and DSP products for the portable audio signal chain, including the Digital Audio platform of DSPs, audio data converters, clocks, Class-D audio power amplifiers and cap-free headphone amplifiers. TI provides the silicon, software, systems expertise and support that enable customers to get to market quickly. For more information see the Audio Solutions Guide at ti.com/audio. In addition, see TI's power management products for portable consumer applications at power.ti.com. Availability, Packaging and Pricing The PCM3793 and PCM3794 stereo audio codecs are sampling now and is expected to be in production in September 2006. Both are packaged in a standard 32-pin 5x5 mm2 QFN package. Pricing for the PCM3793 is $4.50 and the PCM3794 is $4.25 each in quantities of 1,000 units. A turnkey evaluation module is expected to be available in October 2006 that includes a PC-based interface for easily programming PCM379x devices. Texas Instruments Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com . Trademarks All registered trademarks and other trademarks belong to their respective owners. For more information, please contact: Stephanie Groswirt Texas Instruments Tel: +1-214-480-2512 Email: s-groswirt@ti.com Wes Robinson GolinHarris Tel: +1-213-623-4200 Email: wrobinson@golinharris.com SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
2007'02.10.Sat
On the Road to Explore Silk Road Pearls
September 06, 2006
-- The Silk Road Provides the Backdrop for a Modern-day Caravan as a Government-Sponsored Convoy Set Off Today on a Promotional Tour to Revive the Ancient Trail's Spirit for the Benefit of Present Day Development
BEIJING, Sept. 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The Silk Road
Pearl City Road Show was launched in Beijing today, seeing
off a car team that will travel along the Chinese section
of the ancient route to promote Silk Road cities in China
and promote their further development. China International
Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), under
the Ministry of Commerce, has organized the three-week road
show in cooperation with UNDP's Silk Road Initiative to
encourage these cities to apply for the UN Silk Road City
Awards scheduled for the end of this year.
Visiting a range of cities along the way,
representatives from the Chinese Government, the media, the
private sector and the international community will travel
from Rizhao and Lianyungang in the east, to Urumqi in the
west on a quest to revive the concept of innovation and
cooperation which created the great Silk Road. Driving
along the Euro-Asian Continental Bridge, the publicizing
car team will cross 10,000 miles through eight provinces
and autonomous regions to reach Urumqi on 20 September.
"The Silk Road Pearl City Road Show together with
the UN Silk Road City Awards will bring out the
characteristics of each city, while encouraging them to
learn from each other in areas such as urban planning,
tourism development, social mobilization," said Wang
Yue, Director General of the CICETE. "Along the way we
hope to generate investment in lesser developed areas of
China, thus giving new life to these historic
places."
The Silk Road Initiative (SRI) is launching the UN Silk
Road City Awards as an incentive for Silk Road cities to
draw on their cultural heritage to develop sustainable
tourism infrastructure and urban planning. As a regional
UNDP program, the initiative is meant to enhance
cooperation and integration between China and the four
Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan, particularly in trade, investment and
tourism.
During the Road Show, city candidates will formally
lodge their application to participate in the contest. The
event will serve as a pre-selection stage of Chinese cities
to be presented for the award. Based on criteria such as
respect for tradition, openness, innovation and sustainable
strategies, a panel of international experts will select
four to five cities which demonstrate successful
implementation of these ideals and award them the title of
the 'UN Silk Road City'.
"The SRI uses the slogan Future built on
tradition. The Silk Road is a valuable tradition that can
inspire us today and help us build better societies,"
said Wojciech H¨¹bner, Chief Technical Advisor of the SRI.
"The Silk Road connected people across borders and
created a prosperous environment which thrived on a mix of
cultures, languages and religions. In today's complex
times with cultural and religious confrontations, this past
tradition becomes all the more relevant and provides a
foundation for cooperation on a local level as well as on
an international scale."
For more information on the SR Road Show, please visit:
http://sroad.sotrip.com/index.htm .
UNDP fosters human development to empower women and men
to build better lives in China. As the UN's development
network, UNDP draws on a world of experience to assist
China in developing its own solutions to the country's
development challenges. Through partnerships and
innovation, UNDP works to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals and an equitable Xiao Kang society by
reducing poverty, strengthening the rule of law, promoting
environmental sustainability, and fighting HIV/AIDS.
http://www.undp.org.cn
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Line Konstad
UNV PR Coordinator for Silk Road Initiative, UNDP
China
Tel: +86-10-6532-3892
Email: line.konstad @public.un.org.cn
Web: http://www.silkroad.undp.org.cn
SOURCE United Nations Development Programme
2007'02.10.Sat
Thomson Scientific Predicts Nobel Laureates
September 06, 2006
Twenty-seven `Thomson Scientific Laureates' Recognized for Their Contributions to the Advancement of Science
PHILADELPHIA, and LONDON, Sept. 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/
-- Thomson Scientific, part of The Thomson Corporation
(NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC) and leading provider of information
solutions to the worldwide research and business
communities, today announced its 2006 Thomson Scientific
Laureates - researchers likely to contend for Nobel honors
- in anticipation of this year's Nobel Prize winners to be
announced in October.
Each year, data from ISI Web of Knowledge(SM), a
Thomson Scientific research solution, is used to
quantitatively determine the most influential researchers
in the Nobel categories of chemistry, economics, physiology
or medicine, and physics. Because of the total citations to
their works, these high-impact researchers are named Thomson
Scientific Laureates and predicted to be Nobel Prize
winners, either this year or in the near future. Of the 27
Thomson Scientific Laureates named since 2002, four have
gone on to win Nobel honors -- an accurate-prediction
average of better than one in seven.
"Citations are an acknowledgement of intellectual
debt -- a direct demonstration of influence in a given
subject area," said Henry Small, chief scientist at
Thomson Scientific. "Over the past 30 years, our
studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between
journal article citations and peer esteem. Researchers who
have accumulated such credits from their peers are also
often nominated for prizes and other honors, such as the
Nobel Prize."
Thomson Scientific is the only organization to use
quantitative data to make annual predictions of Nobel Prize
winners. The Thomson Scientific Laureates typically rank
among the top one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of
researchers in their fields, based on citations of their
published papers over the last two decades.
To select the 2006 Thomson Scientific Laureates, total
citation counts and number of high-impact papers in the
Nobel science fields were examined. These data were
applied to categories within those scientific fields
considered worthy of special recognition by the Nobel
Committee: physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and
economics. Based on these criteria, possible winners --
leaders within a particularly noteworthy area of study
within each field -- were selected.
The 2006 Thomson Scientific Laureates in four Nobel
Prize categories are as follows:
Field Researcher Institution
Physics Emmanuel Desurvire Alcatel
Technical Academy
(France)
Albert Fert University of
Paris-Sud
(France)
Peter Gruenberg Julich Research
Center
(Germany)
Alan H. Guth Massachusetts
Inst. of Technology
Andrei Linde Stanford
University School of Med.
Masataka Nakazawa Tohoku
University (Japan)
David N. Payne University of
Southampton (U.K.)
Paul J. Steinhardt Princeton
University
Chemistry Gerald R. Crabtree Stanford
University
David A. Evans Harvard
University
Steven V. Ley University of
Cambridge (U.K.)
Tobin J. Marks Northwestern
University
Stuart L. Schreiber Harvard
University
Physiology or
Medicine Mario R. Capecchi University of
Utah
Pierre Chambon Universite Louis
Pasteur (France)
Sir Martin Evans Cardiff
University (U.K.)
Ronald M. Evans Salk Inst. for
Biological Studies
Elwood V. Jensen Univ. of
Cincinnati Medical Center
Sir Alec J. Jefferys University of
Leicester (U.K.)
Oliver Smithies Univ. North
Carolina School of Med.
Economics Jagdish N. Bhagwati Columbia
University
Avinash K. Dixit Princeton
University
Oliver D. Hart Harvard
University
Bengt R. Holmstrom Massachusetts
Inst. of Technology
Dale W. Jorgenson Harvard
University
Paul Krugman Princeton
University
Oliver E. Williamson University of
California, Berkeley
For detailed information about each of the Laureates,
including information about their areas of study, visit the
Thomson Scientific Laureates Website at
http://scientific.thomson.com/nobel . Visitors also may
make their own Nobel Prize predications, read about
previously name laureates, and learn more about the Thomson
Scientific selection process.
About The Thomson Corporation and Thomson Scientific
The Thomson Corporation ( http://www.thomson.com ),
with 2005 revenues of approximately US$8.40 billion, is a
global leader in providing integrated information solutions
to business and professional customers. Thomson provides
value-added information, software tools and applications to
more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax,
accounting, financial services, higher education, reference
information, corporate e-learning and assessment, scientific
research and healthcare. With operational headquarters in
Stamford, Conn., Thomson has approximately 40,500 employees
and provides services in approximately 130 countries. The
Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and
Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC).
Thomson Scientific is a business of The Thomson
Corporation. Its information solutions assist
professionals at every stage of research and development -
from discovery to analysis to product development and
distribution. Thomson scientific information solutions can
be found at http://www.scientific.thomson.com .
For more information, please contact:
Rodney Yancey,
Manager, Marketing Communications,
Thomson Scientific
Tel: +1-215-823-5397
Email: rodney.yancey@thomson.com
Chris Lukach,
Anne Klein & Associates
Tel: +1-856-988-6560 x15
Email: chris@mail.akleinpr.com
SOURCE Thomson Scientific
2007'02.10.Sat
TAXUS II Clinical Trial Follow-Up Data Demonstrates Excellent Long-Term Outcomes at Four Years
September 06, 2006
Overall Cardiac Death Rate for Combined Bare-Metal Control Group Equivalent to TAXUS Slow- and Moderate-Release Formulations
NATICK, Mass. and BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 6
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:
BSX) today announced four-year follow-up data from its TAXUS
II paclitaxel-eluting stent system clinical trial. The data
demonstrated that the safety and efficacy advantages
associated with the TAXUS(TM) stent system were maintained
at four years. The Company made the announcement at the
annual European Society of Cardiology/World Congress of
Cardiology 2006 in Barcelona, Spain.
"The long-term results from the TAXUS II study
speak to the remarkable effectiveness of paclitaxel-eluting
technology in the treatment of coronary artery
disease," said Professor Antonio Colombo, M.D.,
Columbus Hospital and San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, the
trial's Principal Investigator. "The TAXUS II study
data itself is outstanding with low target lesion
revascularization (TLR) rates, low cardiac death rates, and
no new stent thrombosis from three to four years. This
technology has truly changed the way physicians treat
coronary artery disease."
"We are extremely pleased with the TAXUS II
results, which represent an important milestone in the
evolving story of paclitaxel-eluting stent
technology," said Jeff Goodman, President Boston
Scientific International. "TAXUS II is the first
large-scale TAXUS clinical trial undertaken by Boston
Scientific and continues to break new ground at four years.
Backed by excellent long-term safety and efficacy results
from TAXUS II and other TAXUS clinical trials, the TAXUS
stent system continues to maintain its leadership position
in the markets we serve while offering physicians and their
patients a best-in-class treatment for coronary artery
disease."
Excellent efficacy results
The long-term TAXUS II results suggest that the TAXUS
stent system stably decreases restenosis rates as
demonstrated by significant reductions in TLR. TAXUS II
results reported a low overall TLR rate of 7.2 percent in
the slow-release formulation and 3.7 percent in the
moderate-release formulation, as compared to 15.7 percent
in the control group (P=0.0004), resulting in an absolute
reduction of 54 percent versus control for the slow-release
formulation and a 76 percent absolute reduction versus
control for the moderate-release formulation. The Company
has commercialized the slow-release formulation; the TAXUS
stent in a moderate-release formulation is not available
for commercial distribution.
Outstanding long-term safety results
TAXUS II, the first TAXUS clinical trial to evaluate
late clinical safety and efficacy outcomes of both the
slow- and moderate-release formulations, reported no stent
thrombosis from three to four years. The study also
reported a low overall cardiac death rate of 1.6 percent
for both the slow- and moderate-release formulations up to
four years, which showed no statistical difference when
compared to the combined bare-metal control overall cardiac
death rate of 1.5 percent. The overall myocardial infarction
rate was
4.7 percent in the slow-release formulation and 5.3 percent
in the moderate release formulation, as compared to 6.7
percent in the combined control.
The TAXUS II trial is a 536-patient, 15-country,
randomized, double-blind, controlled study of the safety
and efficacy of a TAXUS paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent,
in which two sequential cohorts of patients with standard
risk, de novo coronary artery lesions were treated with
different dose formulations.
Clinical follow-up at four years in TAXUS II included
96.3 percent of the patients initially enrolled (516/536).
Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer,
manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products
are used in a broad range of interventional medical
specialties. For more information, please visit
http://www.bostonscientific.com or
http://www.publicaster.com/info/bostonscientific/esc2006/
.
This press release contains forward-looking statements.
The Company wishes to caution the reader of this press
release that actual results may differ from those discussed
in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely
affected by, among other things, risks associated with the
commercialization of new technologies, competitive
offerings, intellectual property and other factors
described in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
For more information, please contact:
Geraldine Varoqui,
Boston Scientific PR Manager International
Tel: +49-2102-489-461
Email: varoquig@bsci.com
Tracy Paul,
BSC press office
Tel: +44-20-7413-3101
Email: tpaul@medicalknowledgegroup.com
SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation
2007'02.10.Sat
OLYMPIA Phase I Registry Confirms Safety and Performance of TAXUS(TM) Liberte(TM) Stent System in Complex Patients and Lesions
September 06, 2006
Initial Six-Month Results Show Positive Outcomes in Diabetic Patients; Safety Events for Diabetic Subset Lower Than Overall Patient Population
NATICK, Mass. and BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 6
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:
BSX) today announced six-month results from Phase I of its
global TAXUS OLYMPIA registry, supporting the safety and
performance of the TAXUS(TM) Liberte(TM) coronary stent
system in real-world patients. The results were announced
at the European Society of Cardiology/World Congress of
Cardiology 2006 in Barcelona, Spain. TAXUS Liberte is
currently pending approval by the US Food and Drug
Administration and is not for sale in the United States.
Phase I of the global OLYMPIA registry included 529
patients from seven countries in which TAXUS Liberte(1) has
been approved. The Phase I enrolment consisted of diverse
and high-risk populations, reflecting complex usage
patterns in "real world" clinical practices. A
majority of patients exhibited complex lesions or clinical
characteristics, including, multi-vessel disease (49.1 per
cent), prior myocardial infarction (45.9 per cent), left
anterior descending lesions (54.0 per cent), small vessels
(9.0 per cent), long lesions (18.9 per cent) and diabetes
(49.9 per cent).
"The OLYMPIA Phase I six-month data are very
impressive, especially considering the high degree of
patient and procedural complexity across a broad range of
real world cases," said Waqar H. Ahmed, M.D., M.S.,
FACC, at King Fahed Armed Forces Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia, and the Principal Investigator for the first phase
of the OLYMPIA registry. "The data show consistency
with results from other TAXUS clinical trials and
registries, further supporting the strong performance of
the TAXUS Liberte coronary stent system."
OLYMPIA Phase I six-month findings demonstrated an
overall TAXUS Liberte related cardiac event rate of 2.3 per
cent, including cardiac death (0.8 per cent), myocardial
infarction (1.3 per cent), and TAXUS Liberte related
re-intervention of the target vessel (1.3 per cent). The
OLYMPIA Phase I registry reported a stent thrombosis rate
of 1.5 per cent, including 1.1 per cent at 0-30 days and
0.4 per cent from 30-180 days. This low rate of thrombosis
is consistent with safety data from other drug-eluting sent
registries. Non-compliance with antiplatelet therapy was
found to be the strongest risk factor for thrombosis and
was observed for half of the total stent thrombosis cases
in the Olympia Phase I registry.
In the diabetic subset (261 patients), OLYMPIA reported
low rates of overall TAXUS Liberte related cardiac events
(1.5 per cent), cardiac death (0.4 per cent), myocardial
infarction (0.8 per cent), TAXUS Liberte related
re-interventions (1.1 per cent) and stent thrombosis (1.1
per cent). Each of these outcomes for the high-risk
diabetic patient group was lower than the rates for the
overall population.
"Phase I of OLYMPIA shows excellent outcomes with
TAXUS Liberte in patient subsets considered high risk for
bare metal stenting, including diabetics, small vessels,
long lesions and multiple stents," said Jeff Goodman,
President of Boston Scientific International. "The
results build on the impressive body of positive data from
the TAXUS clinical program, especially in complex diabetic
patients. Our second-generation platform - TAXUS Liberte -
offers exceptional deliverability backed by the confidence
of proven outcomes in complex lesions."
Phase I of the OLYMPIA registry met its primary
endpoint of TAXUS Liberte stent-related cardiac events at
30 days post implant. In addition, all secondary endpoints
were met including; stent-related cardiac events at six
months, target vessel-related cardiac events at 30 days and
six months, and angiographic and technical success.
The global, prospective OLYMPIA registry plans to enrol
up to 27,000 patients in multiple phases from more than 500
centres in 70 countries and is designed to analyse
real-world clinical outcomes data for Boston Scientific's
next-generation TAXUS Liberte paclitaxel-eluting stent
system in the treatment of patients with coronary artery
disease.
Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer,
manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products
are used in a broad range of interventional medical
specialties. For more information, please visit:
http://www.bostonscientific.com or
http://www.publicaster.com/info/bostonscientific/esc2006/ .
This press release contains forward-looking statements.
Boston Scientific wishes to caution the reader of this press
release that actual results may differ from those discussed
in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely
affected by, among other things, risks associated with new
product development and commercialisation, clinical trials,
intellectual property, regulatory approvals, competitive
offerings, Boston Scientific's overall business strategy,
and other factors described in Boston Scientific's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(1) TAXUS Liberte stent is not approved for use in the
European Economic Area in vessel diameter < 2.25 mm
For more information, please contact:
Geraldine Varoqui,
Boston Scientific PR Manager International
Tel: +49-2102-489-461
Email: varoquig@bsci.com
Tracy Paul,
BSC press office
Tel: +44-207-13-3101
Email: tpaul@medicalknowledgegroup.com
SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation
2007'02.10.Sat
SMIC Participates In 4th Annual IC China Exhibition And Conference
September 06, 2006
SUZHOU, China, Sept. 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation
(SMIC; NYSE: SMI and HKSE: 981) ("SMIC" or the
"Company"), one of the leading semiconductor
foundries in the world, is currently participating at the
4th annual IC China Exhibition & Conference (IC China)
in Suzhou. Targeting China's booming IC industry, IC China
is a three-day exhibition and conference, featuring global
semiconductor companies including design houses, foundries,
assembly and testing companies, equipment vendors, and other
industry providers.
For the fourth consecutive year, SMIC is showcasing its
latest technologies and product offerings at IC China. Some
items on display include 90nm masks, 90nm Logic and 90nm
DRAM wafers from SMIC's 300mm fabs, as well as 3G TD-SCDMA
chips, multimedia image enhancement and color adjustment
processors, and CMOS image sensor chips from SMIC's
customers. A wide range of innovative end products that
operate with chips manufactured by SMIC, including a MP4
player, hub with memory card reader, cell phones, and
fingerprint recognition reader, are also on display. In
addition to its booth exhibition, SMIC is sharing its
experience on sub-micron technology development at one of
IC China's technical seminars.
"IC China provides an ideal platform for SMIC to
showcase its latest technology offerings," said Ning
Hsieh, SMIC Vice President of Marketing and Sales, who is
speaking at the summit conference on the advancement of
China's IC Industry. "SMIC's participation in the
conference reinforces our commitment to establish and
strengthen our relationship with industry partners."
Visitors can find SMIC at booth B080 in the Suzhou
International Expo Center Hall 3A for the duration of IC
China 2006 from September 06-08.
About SMIC
SMIC (NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 981) is one of the leading
semiconductor foundries in the world and the largest and
most advanced foundry in Mainland China, providing
integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing service at 0.35mm to
90nm and finer line technologies. Headquartered in
Shanghai, China, SMIC operates three 200mm fabs in Shanghai
and one in Tianjin, and one 300mm fab in Beijing, the first
of its kind in Mainland China. SMIC has customer service
and marketing offices in the U.S., Italy, and Japan as well
as a representative office in Hong Kong. For additional
information, please visit http://www.smics.com.
For more information, please contact:
SMIC Shanghai
Reiko Chang
SMIC Public Relations Department
Tel: +86-21-5080-2000 x10544
Email: PR@smics.com
SMIC Hong Kong
Mei Fung Hoo
Tel: +852-2537-8480
Email: MeiFung_Hoo@smics.com
SOURCE Semiconductor Manufacturing International
Corporation
2007'02.10.Sat
Diamond Industry Launches Diamondfacts.org Web Site and Major Consumer and Trade Advertising as it Ramps Up Educational Campaign
September 06, 2006
NEW YORK, Sept. 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- As part of its recently announced campaign to educate both consumers and the trade about important diamond-related issues, the diamond industry announced today the launch of a new informational web site, http://www.diamondfacts.org , along with a major advertising effort that includes full-page print ads in ten major U.S. and international newspapers including The New York Times, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, The Times (UK), International Herald Tribune and Financial Times that will begin running tomorrow. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060905/NYTU106-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060905/NYTU106-b ) Diamondfacts.org offers a wealth of information about diamonds: from facts about the history of the trade and the social and economic benefits diamonds provide nations around the world, to reporting on how the industry is grappling with various challenges including conflict diamonds. "The primary goal of Diamondfacts.org is to offer people a wealth of factual, balanced information about diamonds," said Eli Izhakoff, Chairman of the World Diamond Council, which is leading the education campaign. "We want people to feel good about their diamond purchases, so we attempted to help eliminate some of the myths and misperceptions about the industry. We tapped countless academics, industry organizations, and other experts to ensure that the information we publish on the site is accurate and offers many perspectives and points of view." At the new web site, visitors can understand how diamonds are making a difference globally. From the countries where they are mined to the countries where they are sold and polished, diamonds create jobs and opportunities that support millions of people around the world. The web site also highlights the significant role diamonds are playing, particularly in southern Africa in contributing significantly to supporting healthcare, education and other infrastructure needs. Specifically, they are helping tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic, helping fund necessary counseling, testing, education, treatment programs, clinics and hospices, along with homes and care for orphans. In addition, the website features personal stories from people whose lives have been changed due to diamonds. Diamondfacts.org also offers information about the progress the industry has made in virtually eliminating the trade in conflict diamonds. Questions were first raised about the impact of diamonds in the late 1990s, when the world became aware that a number of rebel movements in Africa were smuggling and selling illegally obtained stones to fund conflicts against legitimate governments. At the beginning of this decade, the trade in these conflict diamonds represented approximately 4% of the world's rough diamond output. Since then, the trade in conflict diamonds has been significantly reduced to less than 1% of the world's rough diamond supply. In large part, this progress has been the result of a joint effort by the diamond industry, the United Nations, more than 45 individual governments, and several NGOs to develop a method of verification that would stop the sale of conflict diamonds and the atrocities and violence they supported. Known as the Kimberley Process, this system was endorsed by the UN in January 2003 and currently includes nearly 70 countries representing 99.8% of current world diamond production. Diamondfacts.org contains detailed explanations of how retailers and the jewelry trade can guarantee that the diamonds they sell are conflict-free and how consumers can buy diamonds with confidence. Visitors to the site can walk step-by-step through the Kimberley Process and System of Warranties; read what various experts have to say about conflict diamonds; and also keep abreast of the latest relevant news. A trade pack of materials were launched earlier this year, as part of the industry's educational initiative to raise awareness of the positive impact the diamond industry has on Africa, as well as its progress in virtually eliminating the trade in conflict diamonds. Along with the World Diamond Council, this industry-wide campaign includes the American Gem Society, Diamond Dealers Club, Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America, Jewelers of America, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Jewelry Information Center and the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America. For more information, please visit http://www.diamondfacts.org . About World Diamond Council Amid growing concern over human rights violations and atrocities committed against innocent victims in diamond producing countries of war-torn central and western Africa, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association passed a resolution at their Antwerp meeting in July 2000, creating the World Diamond Council. The resolution called for the newly formed WDC to include representation from the diamond industry itself and also from among countries where diamonds play a major economic role and from the international banking sector. The ultimate mandate for the World Diamond Council is the development, implementation and oversight of a tracking system for the export and import of rough diamonds to prevent the exploitation of diamonds for illicit purposes such as war and inhumane acts. The World Diamond Council represents over 50 industry organizations - from mining companies and trade associations to manufacturers and retailers - worldwide. Member organizations include: ABN Amro Bank International Division; Alrosa Company; American Gem Society; Antwerpse Diamantbank; Ascorp; Association of Diamond Manufacturers of Russia; Belgian Federation of Diamond Bourses; BHP Diamonds & Industrial Metals; Canadian Diamond Consultants Inc.; Cartier; Centre for Expertise, Valuation and Certification (Democratic Republic of Congo); CIBJO; Codiam; Damas; De Beers; De Beers LV; Debswana Diamond Co.; Diamond Chamber of Russia; Diamond Dealers Club New York; Diamond Federation of Hong Kong; Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association; Diamond Trading Company; Dubai Metals and Commodities Center; EGL USA; Eurostar Diamonds Ltd.; Gem and Jewelry Export and Promotion; Harry Winston, Inc.; International Diamond Manufacturers Association; International Gemological Institute; Israel Diamond Exchange; Israel Diamond Institute; Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association; Jewelers of America; Jewelers Vigilance Committee; Leviev Group of Companies; London Diamond Bourse; Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America; Ministry of Mines (Namibia); Namdeb Diamond Corporation; Rapaport Corporation; Rio Tinto Diamonds; Rosy Blue; Shanghai Diamond Exchange Co. Ltd.; South African Diamond Board; Sterling Jewelers, Inc.; Tacy Diamond Consultants; The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre; Tiffany & Co.; Union Bank of Israel; United Association of South Africa; World Federation of Diamond Bourses; Zale Corporation. For more information, please contact: US Contact: Carson Glover World Diamond Council Tel: +1-212-210-8706 Email: carson@worlddiamondcouncil.org Intl. Media Contact Tel: +44-207-878-3114 Email: media@diamondfacts.org SOURCE World Diamond Council
2007'02.10.Sat
SmartPay Partners With China Merchants Bank to Develop Nationwide Payment Services
September 05, 2006
SHANGHAI, China, Sept. 5 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Shanghai SmartPay Jieyin Ltd. ("SmartPay"), a
leader in Chinese consumer payment systems, announced a
nationwide partnership with China Merchants Bank
("CMB") today to jointly develop the mobile
payment market.
According to partnership agreement, CMB customers will
be able to enjoy convenient mobile payment services using
SmartPay's mobile and telephone payment platform. Services
include purchasing airline e-tickets, digital goods,
lottery tickets, payment of utility bills including pre-
and postpaid mobile usage and to participate SmartPay
promotional activities. A number of new initiatives are
planned to broaden and diversify offerings toward
consumers.
CMB and SmartPay believe that their increased
cooperation in nationwide payment services will demonstrate
continued leadership in making mobile and telephone payments
more attractive for consumers, as well as increasing
transaction volume and revenue.
About SmartPay Jieyin
SmartPay is a leader in developing mobile and
phone-based payments for Chinese consumers. SmartPay has
built a network of millions of users and key strategic
merchants including telecom operators, utilities, airline
ticketing agencies and lottery agencies, amongst others,
allowing convenient and effective peer to merchant and
peer-to-peer payments.
For more information, please contact:
Janet Yu
Tel: +86-21-5385-5299
Email: janet.yu@smartpay.com.cn
SOURCE Shanghai SmartPay Jieyin Ltd.
2007'02.10.Sat
Analysys International says China's Online Gaming Market Reached RMB 1.78 Billion in Q2 2006
September 05, 2006
BEIJING, Sept. 5 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Analysys
International, a leading Internet based provider of
business information about technology, media and telecom
industries in China, says China's online gaming market
reached RMB 1.78 billion in the second quarter of 2006,
representing an increase of 19.02% over the first quarter
of 2006, in its recently released report "China Online
Gaming Market Quarterly Tracker Q2 2006".
According to the report, in the second quarter of 2006,
Netease's gaming revenue growth slowed down to 8.7% quarter
over quarter. The company's market share decreased from
30.1% in the first quarter to 27.3% in the second quarter.
Tencent's growth also slowed down and achieved a growth of
5% quarter over quarter. Tencent's market share also
decreased from 10.7% in the first quarter to 9.4% in the
second quarter.
(
http://english.analysys.com.cn/admin/images/1475_1.jpg )
Market concentration declined slightly. Shanda's market
share reached 21% and The9's market share reached 15.12%.
Market share of the top 3 vendors including Netease, Shanda
and The9, decreased from 65.6% in the first quarter to 63.4%
in the second quarter.
Analysys International says China's online gaming
market size reached RMB 3.275 billion in the first half of
2006. Market share of the top 3 vendors reached 64.42%
comparing to 51% in the first half of 2005. In the first
half of 2006, Netease's online gaming market share exceeded
Shanda and reached 28.6%; Shanda's market share reached
20.9%; The9 accounted for 15% of the total market and
Tencent achieved 15% market share.
This subject is further discussed in Analysys
International's research report "China Online Gaming
Market Quarterly Tracker Q2 2006". For more
information, please check the website:
http://english.analysys.com.cn .
About Analysys International
Analysys International is the leading Internet based
provider of business information about technology, media
and telecom (TMT) industries in China with the mission to
help their clients make better business decisions. They
provide data, information and advice to 50,000 clients
worldwide, representing 1,500 distinct organizations; they
also deliver over 150 consulting engagements a year, and
hold more than 20 events that draw in over 8,000 attendees.
Their clients include executives from companies like
technology vendors, vertical information technology users,
as well as professionals from professional service
companies, the investment community and government
agencies. For more information, please visit the website at
http://english.analysys.com.cn .
For more information, please contact:
Jessica Wang
Overseas Media Manager
Analysys International
Tel: +86-10-6466-6565 x394
Fax: +86-10-6466-7102/7103
Email: jessica_wang@analysys.com.cn
SOURCE Analysys International
2007'02.10.Sat
SPIRIT II Results Highlight Strength of Boston Scientific Stent Portfolio
September 05, 2006
- International Data Suggests Low Revascularization Rates for Both TAXUS(TM) Stent and PROMUS(TM) (XIENCE(TM) V) Stent
NATICK, Mass. and BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 5
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:
BSX) today welcomed the results of Abbott's SPIRIT II
clinical trial, which reaffirmed the safety and efficacy of
the market-leading TAXUS(TM) stent, and provided promising
data on Abbott's XIENCE(TM) V everolimus-eluting coronary
stent system (which will be marketed by Boston Scientific
as the PROMUS(TM) stent[1]). Designed as a non-inferiority
trial, SPIRIT II is the first head-to-head randomized trial
of two different drug-eluting stents in which one company
will market both products. Results were presented at the
annual European Society of Cardiology/World Congress of
Cardiology 2006 in Barcelona, Spain.
"SPIRIT II adds to the extensive body of clinical
evidence from randomized trials that reinforce the
excellent safety and efficacy of the TAXUS stent system,
and provides solid traction for growth of the PROMUS
stent," said Jeff Goodman, President of Boston
Scientific International. "The TAXUS stent continues
to demonstrate exceptional deliverability and the proven
clinical outcomes that make it the leading drug-eluting
stent in virtually every market where we offer the
product."
After presenting the data, Prof. Patrick Serruys, the
principal investigator of the trial, stated, "While
PROMUS met the trial's primary non-inferiority endpoint of
in-stent late loss, larger confirmatory trials will be
required to validate the safety and effectiveness shown to
date."
SPIRIT II is a randomized, multi-center,
non-inferiority trial designed to evaluate the XIENCE V
everolimus-eluting coronary stent system, manufactured and
sold by Abbott, and marketed by Boston Scientific as the
PROMUS stent, against the TAXUS(TM) Express2(TM)
paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system in the treatment
of coronary artery disease. The primary endpoint was
in-stent late loss at six months. The study reported an
in-stent late loss of 0.11mm for the XIENCE V Stent, and
0.36mm for the TAXUS stent, which is consistent with TAXUS
stent results in previous trials. Secondary endpoints
included ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization
(TLR), which was 1.8% for the XIENCE V stent and 3.9% for
the TAXUS stent.
About Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer,
manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products
are used in a broad range of interventional medical
specialties. For more information, please visit:
http://www.bostonscientific.com or
http://www.publicaster.com/info/bostonscientific/esc2006/
.
This press release contains forward-looking statements.
The Company wishes to caution the reader of this press
release that actual results may differ from those discussed
in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely
affected by, among other things, operational improvements,
and other factors described in the Company's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
[1]PROMUS(TM) stent: CE Mark pending. Not available for
sale in the European Economic Area. Not for use or
distribution in the United States.
For more information, please contact:
Geraldine Varoqui
Boston Scientific PR Manager International
Tel: +49-2102-489-461
Email: varoquig@bsci.com
Tracy Paul
BSC press office
Tel: +44-20-7413-3101
Email: tpaul@medicalknowledgegroup.com
SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation
2007'02.10.Sat
European Chamber Launches 7th European Business in China Position Paper.
September 05, 2006
BEIJING, Sept. 5 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The European
Union Chamber of Commerce in China, the leading exponent of
European business interests in China and the Voice of
European Business in China, has today launched the seventh
edition of the European Business in China Position Paper.
An advance copy of the European Business in China
Position Paper 2006-2007, the premier annual publication of
the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China was
presented on Monday evening to Minister Bo Xilai of the
Ministry of Commerce during a dinner celebrating China's
five-year WTO Partnership.
The Position Paper is the most important communication
tool that the European Chamber utilizes to convey
operational business concerns of European companies to
policy makers in Chinese government and the European
authorities.
Serge Janssens de Varebeke, the President of the
European Chamber introduced the new edition of the Position
Paper to the press and outlined the key messages contained
within it. In his speech, Mr. Janssens de Varebeke stated
China has successfully implemented the majority of WTO
commitments on, or ahead, of schedule", nevertheless,
"European companies still face some obstacles in China:
"Transparency" and "Intellectual Property
Rights" remain the main concerns of doing business in
China and a large majority of the Chamber's members would
hope better enforcement of IPR law and regulations.
Throughout the past 6 years each of the European Chamber's
Working Groups have put together a paper that reflects the
current business situation in their specific field of
expertise. Each year the positions and recommendations of
the Working Groups have been further refined so that the
most pressing concerns and recommendations are clearly and
succinctly stated.
About the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China is the
voice of European Business in China. The European Chamber
was formed in October 2000 by 51 founding members, with the
support of the Delegation of the European Commission in
Beijing. Today the European Chamber is proud to represent
over 1000 European businesses, from leading European
multinationals to SMEs, in seven cities across China.
The Chamber is built around 25 industry-specific
related Working Groups and 6 horizontal Working Groups such
as Corporate Social Responsibility, Intellectual Property
Rights or Human Resources, which bring together senior
executives across every sector for strategic discussion
ranging from market access to the evolution of the business
environment in China. The Chamber actively focuses on
conveying the operational business concerns of European
companies to policy makers through dialogue.
For more information, please contact:
Grace Yao, Press Officer,
European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
Tel: +86-10-6462-2066 x30
Email: gyao@euccc.com.cn
SOURCE European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
2007'02.10.Sat
SPIRIVA(R) Significantly Improves Lung Function in Patients With Mild COPD
September 05, 2006
- First Prospective Study to Investigate the Effect of SPIRIVA(R) in Early Stage COPD, an Under-Diagnosed Condition Affecting Overall one in ten Adults Globally
MUNICH, Germany, Sept. 5 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Patients with mild(x) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) treated with SPIRIVA(R) (tiotropium) experienced
significantly improved lung function compared with patients
receiving placebo, according to the results of a study
presented today at the annual meeting of the European
Respiratory Society (ERS) congress.(1) This is the first
prospective study to focus only on patients with mild COPD,
confirming the efficacy of SPIRIVA(R) in this specific
subset of the wider COPD population.
SPIRIVA(R), a long-acting inhaled anticholinergic
medication, is the first inhaled treatment to provide
significant and sustained improvements in lung function
with once-daily dosing. SPIRIVA(R) positively impacts the
clinical course of COPD, helping to change the way patients
live with their disease.(2,3) It is the most prescribed
medication for the treatment of COPD in the world.
"Early diagnosis and effective treatment in the
milder stages of COPD is vital in preventing complications
and worsening of symptoms over time, ideally helping
patients to remain active," said Dr Gunnar Johansson,
general practitioner, Department of Public Health and
Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden, and lead study
investigator. "The results of this study show that
patients with mild COPD could benefit significantly from
treatment with SPIRIVA(R)."
The study was a 12-week, randomised, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial of 224 patients with mild COPD.(x)
Results showed significant improvement in all lung function
assessments with SPIRIVA(R) compared with placebo
(including FEV1 and FVC).(1) The extent of improvements
were similar to those observed in patients with
moderate-to-severe COPD.(1)
Results showed that compared with treatment with
placebo:
-- SPIRIVA(R) significantly improved FEV1 area under
the curve (AUC0-2h)
by 8.4%, p<0.0001
-- SPIRIVA(R) significantly improved trough FEV1 by 6%,
p<0.0001
Improvements were apparent 30 minutes after the first
dose of SPIRIVA(R), and were maintained over the 24 hour
period and for the 12 week study duration.(1)
COPD is a progressive respiratory illness that causes
significant deterioration of lung function and chronic
breathlessness.(4) COPD is often undiagnosed in its mild
and moderate stages, with many patients wrongly attributing
symptoms such as breathlessness to aging.(5) 600 million
people worldwide already live with COPD, with its
prevalence predicted to rise to become the world's third
leading cause of death by 2020.(6,7) A recent global
analysis revealed almost 1 in 10 people has mild COPD.(8)
It is estimated that up to 50% of Americans and 75% of
Europeans with COPD are undiagnosed.(9,10)
"COPD places a huge burden on society and the
individual, but the disease can be treated and managed if
it is caught early," said British Lung Foundation
spokesperson Dr Mike Morgan. "The results of this
study underline the importance of early diagnosis and
treatment for anyone with COPD. People affected by the
disease should be given every opportunity of maintaining
higher levels of activity and their quality of life."
Notes to Editors
The study was sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and
Pfizer Inc.
-- FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second) is the
volume of air that
can be forcefully and rapidly exhaled in the first
second from the
beginning of exhalation. FEV1 is reduced in patients
with COPD and is a
key measure of lung function used to confirm
diagnosis of COPD,
following identification of risk factors and
symptoms. It is measured
in clinical practice using spirometry.
-- FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) is the maximum volume of
air that can be
forcefully and rapidly expired after a maximal
inhalation.
-- The ratio of FEV1 to FVC is expressed in a
percentage and provides
clinicians with a useful index of airflow
limitation. It is decreased
in obstructed airways.
About SPIRIVA(R)
SPIRIVA(R), a long-acting inhaled anticholinergic
medication, is the first inhaled treatment to provide
significant and sustained improvements in lung function
with once-daily dosing. SPIRIVA(R) positively impacts the
clinical course of COPD, helping to change the way patients
live with their disease.(2,3) It is the most prescribed
medication for the treatment of COPD in the world.(11)
SPIRIVA(R) works through targeting of a dominant
reversible mechanism of COPD - cholinergic
bronchoconstriction. SPIRIVA(R) helps COPD patients breathe
easier by opening narrowed airways and helping to keep them
open for 24 hours.
The SPIRIVA(R) clinical trials programme has recruited
over 25,000 patients.(12) SPIRIVA(R) has demonstrated
significant and sustained bronchodilation (opening of the
airways) (3,13) and reduction in hyperinflation (air
trapping).(14,15) SPIRIVA(R) also demonstrated superior and
sustained improvements in lung function (FEV1) over
ipratropium bromide (ATROVENT(R)) Inhalation Aerosol, a
current first-line therapy for COPD, which were maintained
over one year(3) and has also demonstrated superior
improvement in key lung function parameters over
salmeterol.(16) In addition, in placebo-controlled studies,
patients treated with SPIRIVA(R) had less activity-induced
breathlessness and improved exercise endurance. They
required fewer doses of rescue medications, had fewer
exacerbations and COPD-related hospitalizations.(13) In
clinical trials, the most common adverse reaction reported
with SPIRIVA(R) was dry mouth, which was usually mild and
often resolved during treatment.(3,13)
Long-acting bronchodilators, including tiotropium, are
a preferred maintenance therapy for COPD from stage II
onwards according to the Global Initiative for Chronic
Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) treatment guidelines.(17)
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20
leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in
Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 143
affiliates in 47 countries and almost 37,500 employees.
Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has
been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing
and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for
human and veterinary medicine.
In 2005, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 9.5
billion euro while spending almost one fifth of net sales
in its largest business segment Prescription Medicines on
research and development.
For more information please visit
http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
About Pfizer Inc
Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and
markets leading prescription medicines for humans and
animals, and many of the world's best-known consumer
products.
For further information on Pfizer, please see
http://www.pfizer.com
Graphics, photos and data for feature articles are
available on request.
References
1. Johansson G, Lindberg A, Romberg K, et al.
Bronchodilator efficacy of
tiotropium (TIO) in patients with mild COPD. Poster
presented at ERS,
Tuesday 5 September 2006.
2. Casaburi R, Kukafka D, Cooper CB, et al.
Improvement in exercise
tolerance with the combination of tiotropium and
pulmonary
rehabilitation in patients with COPD. Chest 2005;
127:809-817.
3. Vincken W, van Noord JA, Greefhorst APM, et al.
Improved health
outcomes in patients with COPD during 1 year's
treatment with
tiotopium. Eur Respir J 2002; 19:209-216.
4. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung
Disease. Global
Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and
Prevention of Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Executive Summary.
GOLD website
( http://www.goldcopd.com ). Updated 2005.
5. Halpin DM. Chronic obstruction lung disease. 2001.
London: Mosby.
6. World Health Organization. World Health Report
2004. Statistical
Annex. Annex table 2 and 3: 120-131.
7. Murray CJL, Lopez AD. eds. The Global Burden of
Disease: a
comprehensive assessment of mortality and
disability from diseases,
injuries, and risk factors in 1990 and projected to
2020. Cambridge;
Harvard University Press; 1996.
8. Halbert RJ, Natoli JL, Gano A, et al. Global burden
of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review
and meta-analysis.
Eur Respir J 2006; 28:1-10
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Surveillance Summaries,
August 2, 2002. MMWR: 51 (No SS06).
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr
10. Rudolf M. The reality of drug use in COPD: The
European Perspective.
Chest 2000; 117(suppl): 29S-32S.
11. IMS Health, IMS MIDAS(tm), 2Q2005
12. Boehringer Ingelheim. Data on file.
13. Casaburi R, Mahler DA, Jones PW, et al. A long-term
evaluation of
once-daily inhaled tiotropium in chronic
obstructive pulmonary
disease. Eur Respir J. 2002; 1:217-224.
14. Celli B, ZuWallack R, Wang S, et al. Improvement in
resting
inspiratory capacity and hyperinflation with
tiotropium in COPD
patients with increased static lung volumes. Chest
2003; 124: 1743-
1748.
15. O'Donnell DE, Fluge T, Gerken F, et al. Effects of
tiotropium on lung
hyperinflation, dyspnoea and exercise tolerance in
COPD. Eur Respir J.
2004 23(6):832-48
16. Brusasco V, Hodder R, Miravitlles M, et al. Health
outcomes following
treatment for six months with once daily tiotropium
compared with
twice daily salmeterol in patients with COPD.
Thorax 2003; 58:
399-404.
17. Pocket Guide to COPD diagnosis, management, and
prevention -- A guide
for healthcare professionals. Global Initiative for
Chronic
Obstructive Lung Disease. Available at:
http://www.goldcopd.com
(x) Patients had mild COPD according to Swedish COPD
treatment
guidelines: FEV1/FVC <70%, post bronchodilator
FEV1 greater than or
equal to 60% predicted and Medical Research Council
(MRC) symptom
scores greater than or equal to 2
For more information, please contact:
Judith von Gordon
Corporate Division Communications
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH GERMANY
Tel: +49-6132-77-35-82
Francisco Gebauer
Corporate Media Relations
Pfizer Inc, USA
Tel: +1-212-733-5191
SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH; Pfizer Inc
2007'02.10.Sat
SMIC and Synopsys Deliver Reference Design Flow 3.0 For 90-Nanometer Designs
September 05, 2006
Reference Design Flow Features New Low Power and DFM Capabilities Based on Synopsys' Galaxy(TM) Design and Discovery Verification Platforms
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., and SHANGHAI, China, Sept. 5
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), a
world leader in semiconductor design software, and
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation
(SMIC; NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 0981.HK), the largest foundry in
China, today announced that the two companies have jointly
developed and deployed reference design flow 3.0. SMIC and
Synopsys Professional Services worked together closely on
the complete RTL-to-GDSII flow, which is based on the
Synopsys Galaxy(TM) Design and Discovery(TM) Verification
Platforms and SMIC's advanced 90-nanometer (nm) process.
The proven flow incorporates a broad range of automated
low-power and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) capabilities
to shorten time-to-market, reduce risk and ensure
predictable success for complex system-on-chip (SoC)
designs.
SMIC's low-power process and the reference design flow
were validated using SMIC's multiple voltage standard cell
libraries, low-power design kit, memory compiler and I/O.
The flow features Synopsys' Galaxy Design Platform
solutions for RTL synthesis and test, physical
implementation and signoff. Advanced closure features in
the flow target concurrent timing, power optimization and
signoff, including signal integrity (SI) prevention,
analysis and repair.
"SMIC's advanced 90-nm process demands a flow that
addresses critical timing, power and DFM issues to reduce
risk and shorten time to volume," said Paul Ouyang,
vice president of Design Services at SMIC. "We worked
closely with Synopsys and built on the success of our
previous two reference design flows to deliver a proven
path to silicon for our mutual customers. We look forward
to an ongoing relationship with Synopsys as we move toward
even more advanced process nodes."
The reference design flow 3.0 is derived from the
design flow in Synopsys' Pilot Design Environment and can
be extended and enhanced by designers to address
design-specific requirements. Advanced hierarchical
floor-planning capabilities in the flow support hard-macros
and soft-macros. Advanced low-power capabilities include
level shifter and isolation cell insertion, voltage area
creation, multiple voltage power mesh creation, level
shifter and isolation cell placement optimization, multiple
voltage-aware CTS and multiple voltage-aware physical
verification, which can reduce leakage power dissipation by
30 percent. All of these capabilities were validated using
SMIC's low-power design kit, which consists of a level
shifter, isolation cell and clock gating cell. DFM
features include via optimization, as well as filler cell
and filler cap insertion. Test capabilities in the flow
reduce test data volume and time.
"Our close collaboration with SMIC has resulted in
a flow that targets advanced deep-submicron process issues
for the burgeoning Chinese market," said Rich Goldman,
vice president of Strategic Market Development at Synopsys.
"We continue to work closely with SMIC to deliver a
fully validated flow that meets our end-customers'
demanding design needs and helps them achieve predictable
success for advanced SoCs."
Availability
Reference Design Flow 3.0 is available now. For more
information, please contact your SMIC account manager or
email: Design_Services@smics.com.
About SMIC
SMIC (NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 981) is one of the leading
semiconductor foundries in the world and the largest and
most advanced foundry in Mainland China, providing
integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing service at 0.35mm to
90nm and finer line technologies. Headquartered in
Shanghai, China, SMIC operates three 200mm fabs in Shanghai
and one in Tianjin, and one 300mm fab in Beijing, the first
of its kind in Mainland China. SMIC has customer service
and marketing offices in the U.S., Italy, and Japan as well
as a representative office in Hong Kong. For additional
information, please visit http://www.smics.com .
About Synopsys
Synopsys, Inc. is a world leader in EDA software for
semiconductor design. The company delivers
technology-leading semiconductor design and verification
platforms and IC manufacturing software products to the
global electronics market, enabling the development and
production of complex systems-on-chips (SoCs). Synopsys
also provides intellectual property and design services to
simplify the design process and accelerate time-to-market
for its customers. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain
View, California and has offices in more than 60 locations
throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. Visit
Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com .
Safe Harbor Statements(Under the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995)
Certain statements contained in this press release,
such as statements regarding the ongoing collaboration
between SMIC and Synopsys, may be viewed as
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors (including without limitation the actual results of
future collaboration between SMIC and Synopsys), which may
cause actual events, and/or the actual performance,
financial condition or results of operations of SMIC to be
materially different from any future performance, financial
condition or results of operations implied by such
forward-looking statements. Further information regarding
these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included in
the Company's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on
June 29, 2006 and such other documents that SMIC may file
with the SEC or The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
from time to time.
Galaxy and Discovery are trademarks of Synopsys, Inc.
All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in
this release are the intellectual property of their
respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
SMIC Press Contacts:
SMIC Shanghai
Reiko Chang
SMIC Public Relations Department
Tel: +86-21-5080-2000 x10544
Email: PR@smics.com
SMIC Hong Kong
Mei Fung Hoo
Tel: +852-2537-8480
Email: MeiFung_Hoo@smics.com
Synopsys Press Contacts:
Sheryl Gulizia
Synopsys, Inc.
Tel: +1-650-584-8635
Email: sgulizia@synopsys.com
Tara Yingst
A&R Edelman
Tel: +1-650-762-2942
Email: tyingst@ar-edelman.com
SOURCE Semiconductor Manufacturing International
Corporation
2007'02.10.Sat
Roche Requests Re-Examination of CHMP Opinion on Tarceva in Pancreatic Cancer at the European Medicines Agency
September 05, 2006
-- First Treatment for Years to Have Shown a Significant Survival Benefit for Patients
BASEL, Switzerland, Sept. 5 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Roche announced today that it has requested a
re-examination of the data supporting the filing of their
breakthrough cancer medicine, Tarceva, for the treatment of
pancreatic cancer following the recent negative opinion from
the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use
(CHMP).
The filing was specifically for the use of Tarceva
(erlotinib) in combination with gemcitabine chemotherapy
for the first line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of
cancer killing more people within the first year of
diagnosis than any other cancer.(1) People with pancreatic
cancer have limited treatment options and Tarceva is the
first treatment for many years to have shown a significant
survival benefit in patients with pancreatic cancer.
"People with pancreatic cancer need new treatment
options like Tarceva which has been proven in clinical
trials to significantly increase survival and has already
been approved for this indication in the US," said
Eduard Holdener, Head of Global Drug Development. "In
light of this, we are asking the CHMP to re-consider its
opinion."
Tarceva was granted a licence by the American FDA (Food
and Drug Administration) in November 2005 for the first-line
treatment of patients with locally advanced, unresectable or
metastatic pancreatic cancer in combination with gemcitabine
chemotherapy. Both the US and the EU license applications
are based on data from the Phase III study (PA3)(2) which
showed that treatment with Tarceva plus gemcitabine results
in significantly longer survival (22%) compared to
gemcitabine alone. 24% of patients receiving Tarceva plus
gemcitabine were alive after one year, compared to 19% on
gemcitabine alone.
Roche and its partners are committed to realising the
potential of Tarceva in treating pancreatic cancer through
its extensive clinical trial programme, including a
Roche-sponsored randomised, double blind, placebo
controlled study of gemcitabine and Tarceva +/- Avastin in
patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (AVITA or
BO17706). Tarceva is approved and marketed in the US and
across the European Union for patients with locally
advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen.
A variation application was submitted to the European
Health Authorities in October 2005 for Tarceva plus
gemcitabine chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of
patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. In April 2006,
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. filed a New Drug
Application (NDA) with the Japanese Ministry of Health,
Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for Tarceva in patients with
advanced or recurrent NSCLC.
About the PA3 study(2)
The pivotal Phase III randomised study (PA3)(2) of 569
patients was conducted by the National Cancer Institute of
Canada Clinical Trials Group based at Queen's University.
The double blind study evaluated Tarceva's efficacy in
patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic
cancer.
The results of PA3(2) demonstrated the following:
-- Treatment with Tarceva plus gemcitabine in patients
with advanced pancreatic cancer resulted in significantly
longer survival compared to gemcitabine alone (22%)
-- 24% of patients receiving Tarceva plus gemcitabine
were alive after one year, compared to 19% on gemcitabine
alone
-- Patients receiving Tarceva plus gemcitabine
experienced significantly longer progression-free survival
of 30%
-- Tarceva plus gemcitabine was well tolerated by
patients with no increase in haematological toxicity;
expected rash and diarrhoea were the principal
Tarceva-related side effects seen in the study and were
generally characterised as mild-to-moderate
-- Tarceva plus gemcitabine reported a safety profile
generally consistent with that seen in other studies both
monotherapy and combination settings
About pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the tenth most frequently
occurring cancer in Europe.(3) The main risk factors for
pancreatic cancer include advanced age, cigarette smoking,
a high-fat diet, diabetes mellitus, chronic inflammation of
the pancreas (pancreatitis), especially hereditary
pancreatitis, and a family history of pancreatic cancer.(4)
The symptoms vary depending upon where the tumour is in the
pancreas. The major symptoms are weight loss, abdominal
pain and jaundice. (1) The disease is rapidly fatal and
attempts to improve survival over the past 10 years have
been unsuccessful.
About Tarceva
Tarceva (erlotinib) is a small molecule that targets
the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1) pathway.
HER1, also known as EGFR, is a key component of this
signalling pathway, which plays a role in the formation and
growth of numerous cancers. Tarceva blocks tumour cell
growth by inhibiting the tyrosine kinase activity of the
HER1 signalling pathway inside the cell.
Taken as an oral, once-daily therapy, Tarceva is the
only EGFR-inhibitor to have demonstrated a survival benefit
in lung cancer -- a striking 42.5%. Currently most lung
cancer patients are treated with chemotherapy which can be
very debilitating due to its toxic nature. Tarceva works
differently to chemotherapy by specifically targeting
tumour cells, and avoids the typical side-effects of
chemotherapy.
Tarceva is approved in the US and across the EU for
patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell
lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of at least one prior
chemotherapy regimen.
Tarceva has been approved by the FDA since November 2,
2005 for the first-line treatment of locally advanced,
unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer in combination
with gemcitabine chemotherapy.
Tarceva is currently being evaluated in an extensive
clinical development programme by a global alliance among
OSI Pharmaceuticals, Genentech and Roche, focussing on
earlier stages of NSCLC. Additionally, Tarceva is being
studied in combination with Avastin in NSCLC. Trials are
also being conducted with Tarceva in other solid tumours,
such as ovarian, bronchioloalveolar (BAC), colorectal,
pancreatic, head and neck and glioma (brain).
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of
the world's leading research-focused healthcare groups in
the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a
supplier of innovative products and services for the early
detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease,
the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to
improving people's health and quality of life. Roche is a
world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of
medicines for cancer and transplantation and a market
leader in virology. In 2005 sales by the Pharmaceuticals
Division totalled 27.3 billion Swiss francs, and the
Diagnostics Division posted sales of 8.2 billion Swiss
francs. Roche employs roughly 70,000 people in 150
countries and has R&D agreements and strategic
alliances with numerous partners, including majority
ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. Additional
information about the Roche Group is available on the
Internet ( http://www.roche.com ).
All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are
protected by law.
For further information about:
- Cancer: http://www.health-kiosk.ch
- Roche in Oncology:
http://www.roche.com/pages/downloads/company/pdf/mboncology05e_b.pdf
- Genentech: http://www.gene.com
- OSI Pharmaceuticals: http:www.osip.com
References:
1. Steward, B W and Kleihues, P. 2003. World Cancer
Report. World Health Organisation and the International
Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC Press/Lyon, p248
2. Moore MJ, Goldstein D, Hamm J, et al. Erlotinib plus
gemcitabine compared to gemcitabine alone in patients with
advanced pancreatic cancer. A Phase III trial of the
National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group
[NCIC-CTG]. (Abstract #1, ASCO 2005)
3. De Braud F, Cascinu S, Gatta G. 2004, May. Cancer of
Pancreas. Critical reviews in oncology/hematology,
50(2):147-55
4. Truninger K (ed). 2002, Aug. Risk groups for
pancreatic and bile duct carcinomas. Schweizerische
Rundschau fur Medizin Praxis, 17;89 (33):1299-304
For more information, please contact:
Roche Group Media Office
Baschi Durr, Alexander Klauser or Martina Rupp, or
Daniel Piller, Head of Roche Group Media Office, or
Katja Prowald, Head of R&D Communications
Tel: +41-61-688-8888
Email: basel.mediaoffice@roche.com
SOURCE Roche
2007'02.10.Sat
RIVIERA Registry Identifies Modifiable Predictors of Clinical Outcome in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
September 05, 2006
BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 5 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Results of the multinational, prospective, observational
RIVIERA registry (Registry on IntraVenous anticoagulation
In the Elective and primary Real world of Angioplasty)
announced today at the World Congress of Cardiology 2006 --
joint meeting of the European Society of Cardiology &
World Heart Federation -- in Barcelona show that routine
PCI appears to be a safe revascularisation procedure with a
low rate of clinical complications -- death (0.3%),
myocardial infarction (1.0%) and bleeding episodes (3.4%).
The RIVIERA registry was performed between 2002 and 2005,
during which time many technical improvements occurred in
percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and adjunctive
medical therapy. RIVIERA identified several factors
associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical
outcomes: PCI of the left main trunk, PCI of coronary
bypass grafts, and the clinical features of the patients at
presentation. RIVIERA also identified several modifiable
factors that may lead to improved clinical outcome: the use
of thienopyridine treatment (mainly clopidogrel)
administered before PCI, and the use of statins, and
enoxaparin were associated with less ischemic events.
Radial access was also associated with less ischemic events
and bleeding. Use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors and the use of
both enoxaparin and UFH were associated with more bleeding
whereas enoxaparin alone was associated with less bleeding
compared to UFH.
The RIVIERA data were collected in 7962 patients in 144
hospitals in 23 countries across 4 continents in order to
characterise current practice patterns in a wide range of
clinical settings around the world. The aims of RIVIERA
were to characterise current practice patterns in modern
PCI with a wide representation of countries around the
world, to investigate the use of anticoagulation with
unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low molecular weight
heparin (LMWH) among patients undergoing elective or
primary PCI, and to identify independent predictors of
adverse clinical and angiographic complications following
the PCI procedure.
Patients in the RIVIERA registry were a high-risk
population with a history of myocardial infarction (30%), a
recent or ongoing ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
(STEMI) (21%) or a recent non-ST elevation-acute coronary
syndrome (NSTE-ACS) (36%). Ninety-two percent of the
population underwent elective PCI and 8% underwent primary
PCI. None of the patients were pre-treated with
antithrombotic therapy (UFH or LMWH) before undergoing PCI.
During the PCI procedure, most patients received either
enoxaparin alone (58%) or UFH alone (36%) and a few
patients (6%) received either both drugs and a different
drug. Other in-hospital treatments included aspirin in 95%
of the patients, clopidogrel in 89%, ticlopidine in 12% and
GP IIa/IIIb inhibitors in 18%.
"Our results confirm that the advent of new and
improved devices and techniques and the use of adjunctive
antithrombotic therapy have notably reduced the rates of
major complications of PCI in the routine clinical
setting," said Gilles Montalescot MD PhD, Professor of
Cardiology at the Institut du Coeur, Hopital de la
Pitie-Salpetriere in Paris and Principal Investigator for
the RIVIERA registry. "It is very encouraging to see
that many of the variables associated with an increased
risk of adverse cardiac outcomes following PCI in the
contemporary clinical setting are modifiable and confirm
the results of recent randomised trials; further
improvements in the clinical outcomes of PCI patients
should be forthcoming," Gilles Montalescot added.
The results of the RIVIERA registry not only provide
data from a real-world perspective but are also timely
given the increasing use of PCI in the treatment of acute
coronary syndromes. More than 1 million PCI procedures are
now performed worldwide each year. PCI is commonly referred
to as balloon angioplasty/coronary stent implementation.
The RIVIERA registry was funded by sanofi-aventis.
More about percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
PCI is a treatment procedure that unblocks coronary
arteries that have narrowed due to atherosclerosis or
atherothrombosis. The procedure is conducted to restore
coronary arterial vascularization (or coronary perfusion)
in an acutely or subacutely occluded artery during acute
myocardial infarction, unstable angina or stable angina.
PCI includes balloon angioplasty and most often
implantation of intracoronary stent. The main long-term
concern of PCI is re-stenosis. However, the use of coated
and drug-eluting stents have been shown to reduce this
risk.
Primary PCI is defined as intervention in the culprit
vessel within 12 hours after the onset of chest pain or
other symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. Elective PCI
is performed in all other less-urgent cases in patients with
coronary artery disease.
For more information, please contact:
Pr G. Montalescot
Professor of Universities, Secretariat
Tel: +33-1-42-16-30-07
Fax: +33-1-42-16-29-31
Email: gilles.montalescot@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
SOURCE Hospital Pitie Salpetriere-Institut du coeur
2007'02.10.Sat
Big Benefits for Obese Teenagers Who Lose Weight Early With Xenical(R)
September 05, 2006
SYDNEY, Australia, Sept. 5 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The
weight loss medication Xenical(R) (orlistat) can safely
help obese adolescents to lose excess weight, providing not
only a major health benefit but also considerable
improvements in self-esteem and quality of life.(1)
Furthermore, those teenagers who experienced a greater
weight loss during the first three months of treatment also
achieved an average weight loss over three times greater
than those with a slower response. These data were
presented at the International Congress on Obesity (ICO) in
Sydney, Australia.
Obesity is the most prevalent nutritional disorder
among children and adolescents in the majority of developed
countries.(2) It is associated with an increased risk of
health problems such as hyperlipidaemia (excess lipids or
fats in the blood) and type 2 diabetes, and can result in
decreased emotional and physical quality of life.(3-5)
Studies show that severely obese children and adolescents
have a similar quality of life as those diagnosed as having
cancer.(3) Childhood obesity also results in an increased
risk of health problems and mortality in adulthood.(6,7)
"The problem of adolescent obesity has reached
alarming levels, with dire health consequences," said
Professor Jean-Pierre Chanoine, Head of Endocrinology and
Diabetes Unit, British Columbia Children's Hospital,
Vancouver, Canada and lead study investigator. "It's
reassuring to know we have a safe and effective treatment
option with Xenical. The significant benefits seen in
adolescents who respond early also provide a useful
predictor for long-term treatment success."
The retrospective analysis looked at obese adolescents
aged 12-16 years treated for 1 year. Results showed:(1)
* Xenical produced significantly greater reductions in
weight vs. placebo (-2.4kg vs. -0.4kg)
* Adolescents who responded early to treatment showed
additional and substantial reductions in body weight with
Xenical (-7.6kg; BMI-3.7kg/m(2)). Early response was
independent of age, gender and ethnicity.
* Xenical was shown to significantly improve quality of
life vs. placebo with greater improvements in physical
appearance, social acceptance, athletic competence and
self-worth vs. placebo. Assessments were based on Harter's
self-perception profile.
Xenical is the only weight loss medication that has
safety and efficacy data on use in adolescents 12 years and
older included in its label.
Notes to Editors:
* Xenical is indicated for use in adolescents
(pharmacodynamic section) in the USA, EU (EMEA), Bahrain,
China, Cuba, Hong Kong, Mexico,Singapore, Switzerland and
Taiwan.
About Xenical(R) (orlistat)
Xenical is the only available weight loss medication
that works locally in the gut to prevent dietary fat
absorption by around 30% to effectively promote weight
loss. The efficacy and safety of Xenical has been proven in
an extensive clinical trials programme, with over 100 Phase
III/IV trials, in over 30,000 patients. Xenical is the most
extensively studied weight loss medication in the world, and
the only weight loss drug studied up to 4 years.(8) People
can lose up to twice as much weight with Xenical compared
to lifestyle changes alone.(9,10) Xenical also improves
cardiovascular risk factors, reduces the risk of developing
type 2 diabetes, and improves components of the metabolic
syndrome.(8,11) XENDOS was the first study to show that
treatment with a weight loss medication, Xenical, can
significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2
diabetes.(8) Xenical is well tolerated and unlike appetite
suppressants, it does not act on the brain. Xenical is
suitable for use in a broad range of patients, including
those with hypertension, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes and
multi-morbidities. Since Xenical was first marketed in 1998,
there have been more than 25 million patient treatments
world-wide. Xenical is licensed for use in 149 countries
around the world.
For further information please go to:
http://www.managingyourweight.com
About Xenical Weight Management Programmes
Roche has developed Xenical Weight Management
Programmes (WMPs) for healthcare professionals to use with
their patients. The programme aims to help patients set and
reach realistic weight goals while modifying their dietary
intake and behaviour in the long-term. The programmes are
individually tailored to help people achieve their weight
loss goals, and maintain weight loss, through healthy
eating, physical activity, behaviour modification and
pharmacotherapy.
Roche provides free patient support programmes in
around 50 countries worldwide to help people taking
Xenical. Recent data demonstrated that patients enrolled in
Xenical WMPs can significantly improve the levels of weight
loss achieved and can increase their overall satisfaction
and compliance with treatment.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of
the world's leading research-focused healthcare groups in
the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a
supplier of innovative products and services for the early
detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease,
the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to
improving people's health and quality of life. Roche is a
world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of
medicines for cancer and transplantation and a market
leader in virology. In 2005 sales by the Pharmaceuticals
Division totalled 27.3 billion Swiss francs, and the
Diagnostics Division posted sales of 8.2 billion Swiss
francs. Roche employs roughly 70,000 people in 150
countries and has R&D agreements and strategic
alliances with numerous partners, including majority
ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. Additional
information about the Roche Group is available on the
Internet ( http://www.roche.com ).
References:
(1) Chanoine J-P, Hauptman J, Boldrin M. Weight
reduction in obese adolescents achieving early response to
orlistat. Poster presented at the 10th International
Congress on Obesity, Sydney Australia.
(2) International Diabetes Federation. Diabetes and
Obesity: Time to Act. 2004. 26-27.
(3) Schwimmer JB, Burwinkle TM, Varni JW.
Health-related quality of life of severely obese children
and adolescents. JAMA. 2003;289:1813-1819.
(4) Williams J, Wake M, Hesketh K, Maher E, Waters E.
Health-related quality of life of overweight and obese
children. JAMA. 2005; 293:70-76.
(5) Goran MI, Ball GD, Cruz ML. Obesity and risk of
type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in children and
adolescents. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003; 88: 1417-1427.
(6) Must A, Jacques PF, Dallal GE, Bajema CJ, Dietz WH.
Long-term morbidity and mortality of adolescents: a
follow-up of the Harvard Growth Study of 1922 to 1935.
NEJM. 1992. 327 (19): 1350-5
(7) Must A. Morbidity and mortality associated with
elevated body weight in children and adolescents. Clin
Nutr. 1996;63 (suppl 3): S445-S447.
(8) Torgerson JS, et al. XENDOS: a randomised study of
orlistat as an adjunct to lifestyle changes for the
prevention of type 2 diabetes in obese patients. Diabetes
Care 2004;27(1):155-61
(9) Broom I, Wilding J, Stott P, et al. Randomised
trial of the effect of orlistat on body weight and
cardiovascular disease risk profile in obese patients: UK
Multimorbidity Study. Int J Clin Pract. 2002. 56(7):
494-9.
(10) Bakris G, Calhoun D, Egan B, et al. Orlistat
improves blood pressure control in obese subjects with
treated but inadequately controlled hypertension. J
Hypertens. 2002. 20 (11):2257-67.
(11) Holt R, et al. Orlistat reduces features of the
metabolic syndrome: the XENDOS study. Diabetes Obes Metab.
2003. 5(5):356.
For more information, please contact:
Liz Gofton
Shire Health International
Tel: +44-207-108-6518
Mobile: +44-798-082-4860
Email: liz.gofton@shirehealthinternational.com
Dr. Paul King
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
Mobile: +41-79-788-8270
SOURCE Roche
2007'02.10.Sat
Cormetech Holds Inaugural Cormetech Catalyst Management Institute
September 04, 2006
BEIJING, Sept. 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Cormetech Inc.,
a joint equity venture between Corning Incorporated and
Mitsubishi Heavy Industry (MHI) of Japan, today held the
inaugural session of the Cormetech Catalyst Management
Institute (CCMI).
Representatives from 52 companies involved in building
and utilizing air pollution control devices for the
reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx), a major contributor to
smog, attended a series of presentations highlighting the
function and design requirements of Selective Catalytic
Reduction (SCR) catalyst and systems.
The Cormetech Catalyst Management Institute is designed
to be an information- based series of programs to assist the
Chinese market to understand the concepts involved with the
process of SCR. Cormetech presented a series of talks over
two days that delved into the technical aspects of the
process that can reduce NOx emissions over 90%.
Cormetech's experts developed the curriculum and
presented information to the multiple companies involved in
developing the Chinese market for SCR air pollution control
devices. CCMI provided the venue to impart information
with appropriate facts to help architects/engineers,
constructors, system design companies and end-users make
informed decisions.
"China is determined to reduce air pollution in
the country by setting national and local emissions limits.
With the Olympics in 2008 and the World Expo in 2010 taking
place here, China has stepped up efforts to reduce the
emissions of fossil fuel based power plants," Reda
Iskandar, Senior Vice President of International Business
said. "Cormetech is keen to assist China in obtaining
a better understanding of the SCR process and to enable
Chinese companies make better informed decisions in regard
to air pollution, in particular, NOx reduction."
"The goal of CCMI is to educate the SCR market in
China, by presenting SCR in an unbiased, unfettered and
informative manner," said T. R. Stobert, Director of
CCMI and Engineering Manager at China Business Development.
"Cormetech has the expertise and experience that relate
to this burgeoning market. We feel it's our responsibility
to share this wealth of information so that China, the
environment and the world can benefit."
About Cormetech, Inc.
Cormetech was founded in 1989 as a joint equity venture
between Corning Incorporated and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
(MHI). At that time, both companies recognized a growing
need for nitrogen oxide (NOX) control in the United States.
Cormetech headquarters are located in Durham, North
Carolina, on the east coast of the United States. Our two
manufacturing facilities total 19,000 square meters and are
located in Durham, North Carolina and Cleveland, Tennessee.
The Durham facility also houses our state-of-the-art
catalyst laboratory which is utilized for catalyst testing,
development, and quality control. At present, Cormetech SCR
catalyst is functioning in over 879 units throughout the
world.
For more information, please contact:
George Wensell
Tel: +1-919-595-8721
Email: wensellg@cormetech.com
Angela Ao
Euan Barty Associates China
Tel: +86-10-6522-8081 x212
Email: angela@eba.com.cn
SOURCE Cormetech Inc.
2007'02.10.Sat
ZyXEL Communications Selects Texas Instruments Voice over IP Solutions for Next-Generation Access Devices and IP Phones
September 04, 2006
DALLAS, Sept. 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Texas
Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) announced today
that ZyXEL Communications Corp. (TSE:2391), the world's
largest residential gateway provider, has chosen TI's Voice
over Internet Protocol (VoIP) products for its voice-enabled
DSL access devices, VoIP gateways and IP phones. TI's
complete, integrated customer premises equipment (CPE)
silicon and software solutions are optimized for solution
density, and incorporate TI's programmable digital signal
processor (DSP)-based series of access communications
processors and field-proven Telogy Software(TM) for VoIP.
The first IP phones with TI's chipset, V501D-T1 and V300,
will be available at CeBIT 2007. Prior to that, ZyXEL will
roll out its high-port density VoIP gateway, P2024.
"TI's VoIP solutions are at the heart of ZyXEL's
next-generation voice enabled CPE and IP phone
products," said Dr. Albert Ju, assistant vice
president, Telco/VoIP product line, ZyXEL Communications.
"TI's technological skill, system stability and proven
track record in VoIP software and silicon for customer
premises equipment made them the clear choice for our
newest VoIP devices. Together, ZyXEL and TI are partnering
to offer customers the highest quality and most advanced and
VoIP premise products in the market."
The selection of TI's TNETV24xx and TNETV25xx series of
VoIP gateway technology will enable ZyXEL to deliver
high-performance voice processing and new feature-rich
access products to market rapidly and efficiently across a
broad range of CPE devices. TI's VoIP gateway product
suite combines hardware and software-based functionality on
an optimized architecture and co-defined features for a
broad range of voice over packet applications. TI's
TNETV105x family offers ZyXEL a highly integrated IP phone
solution and comprehensive feature set with one of the
industry's most robust acoustic echo cancellers. Using
TI's flexible silicon and software architecture, ZyXEL can
also develop add-on functionality into its IP phones as the
demand for a particular feature or application emerges down
the road.
"We have been working very closely with ZyXEL and
their decision to use TI's VoIP solution for their next
generation CPE devices and IP phones was truly driven by
the strategic partnership that exists between our two
companies," said Fred Zimmerman, executive director,
VoIP CPE products, TI's communications infrastructure and
voice business. "Leveraging our experience,
field-proven VoIP software and complete portfolio of
integrated solutions, we're working closely with ZyXEL to
simplify the process by which customers utilize Voice over
IP services in their businesses and homes."
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP
and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world
signal processing requirements. In addition to
Semiconductor, the company includes the Educational &
Productivity Solutions business. TI is headquartered in
Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales
operations in more than 25 countries.
Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com .
About ZyXEL Communications
ZyXEL Communications Corp. (TSE:2391), headquartered in
Hsinchu, Taiwan, is the world's largest residential gateway
provider (In-Stat, 2006). ZyXEL's broad line of Internet
Protocol-based (IP) networking solutions include access
multiplexors, customer premise equipment, Internet security
and Wireless LAN equipment, enabling high-performance
network services for SOHO, small to mid-sized businesses
and service providers. ZyXEL works closely with worldwide
network equipment vendors, telecommunications companies,
ISPs, and other major businesses. For more information,
visit the company's Website at http://www.zyxel.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
Statements contained in this press release regarding
the growth of the VoIP telecom market and other statements
of management's beliefs, goals and expectations may be
considered "forward-looking statements" as that
term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by these statements. The following
factors and the factors discussed in TI's most recent Form
10-K could cause actual results to differ materially from
the statements contained in this press release: actual
customer demand for VoIP devices and for ZyXEL and TI
products in particular. We disclaim any intention or
obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a
result of developments occurring after the date of this
press release.
Trademarks
Telogy Software is a trademark of Texas Instruments.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
Deborah Shemony
Texas Instruments
Tel: +1-301-515-6643
Email: dshemony@ti.com
Erin Arnold
GolinHarris
Tel: +1-972-341-2516
Email: earnold@golinharris.com
SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
2007'02.10.Sat
System General Corporation Launches Brand New High-Performance Forward ATX Power Total Solution
September 04, 2006
TAIPEI, Taiwan, Sept. 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- System
General Corporation -- the leader in Desktop PC power
supply controlling ICs -- today announced a complete
forward power solution for desktop power supplies and PC
servers. The major circuit of this solution consists of
System General products, including a PFC/PWM combo control
chip, a flyback PWM control chip, and a four channel
supervisor IC. Its simple design structure significantly
improves the conversion efficiency of power systems and
reduces power system cost. This excellent product
combination once again demonstrates SG's predominance in
R&D capability.
In consideration of the perpetual evolution of computer
CPUs, graphic cards, and other peripheral functions, power
supplies are trending toward high-wattage design. The
strict harmonics standards of the European Union and the
rising cost of raw materials have led to forward powers
system structures incorporating active PFC components that
take advantage of high efficiency and are gradually
becoming the optimal development choice for medium-high
power voltage supply design. With a record of experience
and strength, dominating over 40% of the global market in
Half-bridge ATX-Power, System General holds to the
innovative business philosophy and focus on power saving
that inspired the forward power solution, which integrated
internal power systems to achieve over 80% conversion
efficiency under various load conditions. This solution
has perfectly satisfied the needs of power supply system
designers in their development concepts for environmentally
friendly power supplies.
"System General has long devoted itself to
developing innovative power technology with low
power-consumption and high efficiency." said Gary Lin,
the senior Vice President of System General. "To help
customers develop new products and meet the future market
trends, we provide the ideal power solution that simplify
power system design circuits and reduce external component
costs, as well as enhance the price-to-performance ratio of
power supplies."
This leading solution highly integrates various
protection functions and high technology patents; its
optimal performance including complies with the EU harmonic
wave directive, has a power factor of over 98%, provides a
high power conversion efficiency of over 80%, and low
standby power consumption (under 1W). With the above
amazing performance, System General is predicted to hold
its leading position in the Desktop PC power supply
market.
Introduction of SG Power ICs in this Solution:
-- SG6931/2 -- The highly-integrated PFC/PWM combo-IC
for forward
topology of a power supply/adaptor is designed to
provide current
transfer operations in Continuous Conduction Mode
(CCM) for high
output power systems rated above 150W. Its main
features include:
built-in green-mode function, highly integrated
Over Temperature
Protection (OTP), Over Voltage Protection (OVP),
Under Voltage
Protection (UVP), Over Power Protection (OPP),
Short Circuit
Protection (SCP) and Brown-Out protection. Its
patent amplifier
technology also improves output dynamic response.
In addition,
SG6931/2 allow maximum PWM cycle adjustment.
-- SG6858 -- The low-watt fly-back PWM IC, its patent
Green Mode
technology, which realizes super-low standby power
and built-in
synchronized slope compensation, greatly improves
system stability.
In addition, it also features constant power output
limits,
programmable PWM frequency, Cycle-by-cycle Current
limiting, and many
other features.
-- SG6516 -- The highly-integrated supervisor IC has
overall supervising
and protecting functions that can provide complete
protection for
power systems. The SG6516 provides two 12V Over
Voltage Protection
(OVP), Under Voltage Protection (UVP), and Over
Current Protection
(OCP) functions. Furthermore, it also features
highly precise VRI &
VPGI, built-in 20mS OCP timing delay protection,
300mS power good
signal protection, and PSON controlling switch
signals.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Claire Cheng
Tel: +886-2-2917-3005 x539
Fax: +886-2-2911-1283
Email: claire.cheng@sg.com.tw
Web: http://www.sg.com.tw
SOURCE System General Corporation
2007'02.10.Sat
Shanghai TechnoProject Software Employees Join Achievo
September 04, 2006
Software and Logistics Expertise Further Strengthens China Outsourcing Support for Japanese Customers
SAN RAMON, Calif., Sept. 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Achievo(R) Corporation, the leading global software and
information technology outsourcing provider with a local
front-end and China back-end service model, today announced
that the staff of Shanghai TechnoProject Software Co., LTD.
has joined Achievo as full-time employees. Shanghai
TechnoProject is a software and IT firm that provides
application management to software and logistics companies
in Japan.
Shanghai TechnoProject's key customers include Fujitsu
Hyper Software Technologies (Fujitsu HST) and TDC Software
Engineering. Fujitsu HST provides Japanese enterprise
customers with software and professional services for their
system integration and customer support needs. TDC Software
Engineering develops, sells and services computer software,
and provides consultation, management and software
maintenance services. Both companies are located in Japan.
"Fujitsu is the world's third-largest IT services
provider and Japan's market leader," said Dr. Robert
P. Lee, Achievo's chairman and CEO. "By bringing
Shanghai TechnoProject's employees into the Achievo family,
and specifically into the Achievo Japan Business Group, we
can offer better service to customers of this size. Pooling
these resources helps us offer the highest level of quality
and service to our customers in Japan, including large
companies such as Fujitsu HST and TDC Software."
The Achievo Japan Business Group focuses on the
specific needs and requirements of customers in Japan. In
addition to Shanghai TechnoProject Software, Achievo BBX
(Beijing, China; Dalian, China and Tokyo, Japan); Achievo
ANS (Tokyo, Japan and Beijing, China) and Achievo Wintech
(Shanghai, China) make up the Japan Business Group.
Shanghai TechnoProject's 35 employees will remain in
Shanghai. Zhiqiang Li, the company's chief executive
officer, will report to Jun Ye, general manager of Achievo
Wintech, as vice general manager.
"Being part of the Achievo family gives us access
to resources around the world," said Mr. Li. "We
can now work with an expanded network of colleagues in
North America, Europe and Asia to offer our Japanese
customers an even higher degree of quality and affordable
solutions."
"Shanghai TechnoProject Software has a proven
track record over the last five years," said Dr. James
Li, general manger of the Japan Business Group. "The
addition of 35 skilled professionals means Achievo is now
in a stronger position to service companies in the
electronics, financial services, automotive, technology and
telecommunications industries, and be able to scale rapidly
along with those customers."
About Shanghai TechnoProject Software Co., LTD.
Shanghai TechnoProject was founded in 2001 and has
expertise in Oracle, SQL-Server, Symfoware Server
applications, and Win9x, Win2000, WinNT, UNIX (Solaris) and
Linux operating systems. Programming language expertise
includes Virtual Console, C/C++, Java, XML, XSLT and COBOL.
The company offers expertise in service oriented
architecture software including WebLogic, IIS, Apache and
WebSphere. Shanghai TechnoProject is located in Shanghai
and can be contacted at +86 21 6427 9757 or via e-mail at
lzq@chinatps.com. Shanghai TechnoProject's website is
http://www.chinatps.com.
About Achievo Corporation
Achievo is a global offshore software and information
technology outsourcing provider with a local front-end and
China back-end service model. With expertise in diverse
technologies including Java/J2EE, .NET and embedded
platforms, the CMM-certified company offers improved
efficiencies, scale, diversification, and a combined talent
pool to deliver cost-effective, quality-centric, and
scalable IT outsourcing services to customers and partners
worldwide. Customers include IBM, HP, Sun Microsystems,
NETGEAR, Cadence, Accela, China Academy of Sciences,
DaimlerChrysler, Ellie Mae, ESRI, Fujitsu, Mercedes Benz,
Siemens, United Way, Hitachi, NEC, Pioneer, NTT Data,
Toshiba and other Fortune 2000 companies. Headquartered in
the Silicon Valley, Achievo has offices in the United
States, Canada, Germany, China and Japan. For information
on the company and its services, visit
http://www.achievo.com
(C) 2006 Achievo Corporation. All rights reserved.
Achievo is a registered trademark of Achievo Corporation in
the United States and in other countries. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
Jayme Curtis
Public Relations
Achievo Corporation
Tel: +1-408-892-8661
Email: jayme.curtis@achievo.com
Alicia Wang
Marketing
Achievo, Shenzhen
Tel: +86-755-2603-0128 x220
Email: alicia.wang@achievo.com
SOURCE Achievo Corporation
2007'02.10.Sat
New Clinical Data Shows Enoxaparin Significantly Reduces the Risk of Repeat Heart Attacks and Stroke in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
September 04, 2006
-- Results of the PCI-ExTRACT Sub-Study
BARCELONA, Sept. 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Results of
the PCI-ExTRACT-TIMI 25 study announced today at the World
Congress of Cardiology-European Society of Cardiology 2006
in Barcelona, showed that among patients with ST-segment
elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who initially
received fibrinolytic therapy and adjunctive antithrombotic
therapy with either enoxaparin or unfractionated heparin and
subsequently underwent PCI, the enoxaparin strategy reduced
the risk of death or recurrent heart attacks during the
treatment phase before PCI and this benefit persisted after
PCI for up to 30 days. Fewer patients in the enoxaparin
group had to undergo PCI compared to those in the UFH
group.
These advantages of enoxaparin were observed without an
increase in the risk of major bleeding between the
enoxaparin and UFH groups (1.4% and 1.6% respectively).
The PCI-ExTRACT-TIMI 25 study was a pre-planned
prospective analysis of the subgroup of the 4,676 patients
in the ExTRACT-TIMI 25 (Enoxaparin and Thrombosis
Reperfusion for Acute Myocardial InfarCtion Treatment,
Thrombosis In Myocardial Infarction - Study 25) trial (1).
The ExTRACT-TIMI 25 trial was a randomized controlled
clinical study of 20,479 patients in 48 countries between
October 2002 and October 2005.
Patients in the PCI-ExTRACT-TIMI 25 study received
adjunctive anticoagulation therapy with either enoxaparin
or UFH in a blinded fashion during fibrinolysis and
underwent subsequent PCI. Anticoagulation treatment was
continued in those patients who had PCI. The aim of the
study was to determine whether enoxaparin was associated
with superior efficacy and safety compared to UFH in the
PCI setting. The main outcomes were death or repeat heart
attacks through 30 days (10.7% of the enoxaparin and 13.8%
of the UFH patients, 0.77 relative risk, 95% CI 10%-34%;
p=0.001). Secondary outcomes included stroke and bleeding
rates. There were fewer strokes both before and after PCI
among patients treated with enoxaparin compared with those
who received UHF (0.3% vs 0.9%, RR 0.30, p=0.006).
"We believe that these results are important
because they show that enoxaparin is a more effective
treatment for STEMI patients undergoing PCI compared to
UFH, the current standard treatment of care. These results
indicate that adding enoxaparin for anticoagulation
supports a practice pattern in which PCI is performed at
some time following fibrinolytic administration. As the use
of enoxaparin both delays the onset and reduces the
occurrence of repeat heart attacks, the window of
opportunity to perform PCI following fibrinolytic
administration is larger than that with UFH," said C.
Michael Gibson, MS, MD of the TIMI Study Group, Harvard
Medical School, Boston Massachusetts.
"Moreover, not only does enoxaparin provide a
seamless transition to the catheterisation laboratory
without the need for additional antithrombin inhibition, it
also removes the need for monitoring in the catheterisation
laboratory, thereby offering an attractive and more
practical alternative to the cumbersome and uncertain
administration requirements of UFH anticoagulation."
added Dr Gibson.
With more than 1 million PCI procedures now performed
worldwide each year(2), the PCI- ExTRACT-TIMI 25 results
are timely to address unmet needs in medical therapy in the
contemporary era of PCI. Unfractionated heparin has been the
mainstay anticoagulant during PCI procedures, despite its
limitations. The PCI-ExTRACT-TIMI 25 study confirms that
enoxaparin is an effective, safe, and easy to use
antithrombin in patients undergoing PCI for ST-elevation
heart attack.
These results, consistent with the results of the
STEEPLE(3) study showing the superior safety profile of
enoxaparin versus UFH in patients undergoing elective PCI,
contribute to building a more complete picture of the use
of enoxaparin in all thrombosis settings, and further add
to the 50,000 patients who have participated in
cardiovascular trials of enoxaparin to date.
The PCI-ExTRACT-TIMI 25 study was sponsored by
sanofi-aventis.
About percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
PCI is a treatment procedure that unblocks coronary
arteries that have narrowed due to atherosclerosis or
atherothrombosis. The procedure restores coronary arterial
flow (or coronary perfusion) in an acutely or sub-acutely
occluded artery during acute myocardial infarction or
unstable angina. PCI includes balloon angioplasty and
implantation of intracoronary stent. The main long-term
concern of PCI is re-stenosis. However, the use of coated
and drug-eluting stents has been shown to reduce this
risk.
Primary PCI is defined as intervention in the culprit
vessel within 12 hours after the onset of chest pain or
other symptoms of acute myocardial infarction, without
prior (full or concomitant) thrombolytic or other
clot-dissolving therapy. Elective PCI is performed in all
other less-urgent cases in patients with coronary artery
disease (CAD).
About PCI-EXTRACT TIMI 25 study
The PCI-ExTRACT-TIMI 25 study examined the use of
enoxaparin versus unfractionated heparin (UFH) among
patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
who had received fibrinolytic therapy and subsequently
underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Data on
the patients included in the PCI-ExTRACT-TIMI 25 subgroup
analysis were collected as part of the EXTRACT-TIMI 25
trial, which was a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy,
parallel group, clinical study conducted in more than
20,000 patients in 48 countries between October 2002 and
October 2005. It was the largest, well-controlled clinical
outcomes trial for enoxaparin, a low molecular weight
heparin, in patients with STEMI.
The aim of the PCI-ExTRACT-TIMI 25 study was to
determine whether enoxaparin is superior to UFH as
adjunctive therapy for fibrinolytic therapy among patients
with STEMI who subsequently undergo PCI.
A total of 20,479 subjects for whom fibrinolysis was
planned were randomised to a strategy of enoxaparin
throughout the index hospitalisation or UFH for 48 hours in
a double-blind manner. The blinded study drug was continued
in the patients who underwent PCI. The primary efficacy end
point of death or nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction
through 30 days was compared for enoxaparin vs UFH among
those patients who underwent PCI (n=4,676). Net clinical
benefit was evaluated by both the composite of all-cause
mortality or nonfatal recurrent MI or nonfatal stroke, and
death or nonfatal MI or nonfatal major bleed.
About enoxaparin
Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant of the low molecular
weight heparin (LMWH) class. Its clinical applications are
linked to its antithrombotic properties. It is used to
inhibit clot formation in venous or arterial vessels and to
avoid potential acute or chronic complications of venous or
arterial thrombosis such as pulmonary embolism, myocardial
infarction or death of cardiovascular origin. As with all
anticoagulants, the most frequently reported side effect
for enoxaparin is bleeding. Clinical indications for
enoxaparin may vary from one country to another.
About Sanofi-aventis
Sanofi-aventis (NYSE: SNY) is the world's third largest
pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed
by a world-class R&D organization, Sanofi-aventis is
developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic
areas:cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic
diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and
vaccines.
Statements on Cautionary Factors
This press release contains forward-looking statements
as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are
statements that are not historical facts. These statements
include financial projections and estimates and their
underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans,
objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to
future events, operations, products and services, and
statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking
statements are generally identified by the words
"expect," "anticipates,"
"believes," "intends,"
"estimates," "plans" and similar
expressions. Although Sanofi-aventis' management believes
that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that
forward-looking information and statements are subject to
various risks and uncertainties, many of which are
difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of
Sanofi-aventis, that could cause actual results and
developments to differ materially from those expressed in,
or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information
and statements. These risks and uncertainties include risks
that may arise from the Department of Justice's criminal
investigation on the Plavix(R) proposed settlement with
Apotex, the adverse impact of generic product distributed
into the market prior to the Court's injunction, the
outcome of sanofi-aventis' patent infringement litigation
against Apotex and other entities, the potential launch of
a generic clopidogrel bisulfate product by other entities,
as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed or
identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF
made by Sanofi-aventis, including those listed under
"Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement
Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in
Sanofi-aventis' annual report on Form 20-F for the year
ended December 31, 2005. Other than as required by
applicable law, Sanofi-aventis does not undertake any
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
information or statements.
For more information, please contact:
Salah Mahyaoui
Tel: +33-6-73-68-78-88
Email: salah.mahyaoui@sanofi-aventis.com
SOURCE Sanofi-aventis
2007'02.10.Sat
New Research Validates a Lower Dose of Ciclesonide is as Effective as Fluti-casone Propionate in Asthma Maintenance Therapy
September 04, 2006
-- Lower Dose of Ciclesonide Effectively Controls Asthma Symptoms and Maintains Lung Function
MUNICH, Germany, Sept. 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- New
efficacy data was presented for the first time at the 16th
Annual European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress
confirming that a lower dose, or "stepping-down"
to ciclesonide (Alvesco(R)), a once-daily, novel, inhaled
corticosteroid (ICS) therapy for the treatment of asthma,
is an equally effective maintenance treatment as
twice-daily fluticasone propionate, another available
asthma therapy. The goal, according to the Global
Initiative for Asthma (GINA) asthma treatment guidelines,
is to decrease treatment to the least medication necessary
to maintain control.(1)
"This study demonstrates that ciclesonide is as
effective in maintaining asthma symptom control as another
widely used therapy, and at a lower dose," said
Professor Martin Adler, Belmont Health Centre, Harrow, UK.
"In addition, because ciclesonide has once-daily
dosing convenience, we may increase patient compliance and
have a significant impact on quality of life."
Data from a clinical trial* included the following:
-- Succeeding a 2-week baseline period with ICS
pre-treated patients,
a 12-week randomized study was conducted. Findings
demonstrate
that CIC 160 micrograms once-daily is as effective
as FP 250
micrograms twice-daily in maintaining symptom
control in patients
with stable asthma.
-- The median percentage of days without asthma
symptoms was high and
comparable between groups (98% CIC and FP). Similar
results were
observed for the median percentages of days without
rescue medication
use (p=0.59) and days without nocturnal awakenings
(p=0.66). The
median percentage of days where patients neither
experienced asthma
symptoms nor needed rescue medications was high and
similar (97% CIC;
98% FP).
* Ciclesonide (CIC) 160 micrograms once-daily compared
with fluticasone propionate (FP) 250 micrograms twice-daily
in maintenance therapy of patients with stable asthma
Further Information About Ciclesonide
Ciclesonide is currently approved in 38 countries for
the treatment of persistent asthma in adults, and is
available in 20 countries, including Ger-many, UK,
Australia, Brazil and South Africa. Additional market
launches are planned for 2006. A New Drug Application
(NDA) for ciclesonide has been filed with the U.S. FDA.
Ciclesonide is an inhaled corticosteroid with novel
release and distribu-tion properties resulting in
lung-targeted anti-inflammatory effects. Inhaled
corticosteroids (ICS), considered to be the foundation of
asthma treatment, work by reducing inflammation -- the
underlying disease process -- in the lungs and airways.
Ciclesonide: A Broader Product Platform
In addition to ciclesonide, a newly launched orally
inhaled corticosteroid, the platform also includes
ciclesonide nasal spray OMNAIR(TM) (phase III) and
ciclesonide as a fixed combination product with formoterol
(phase II). ALTANA Pharma partners with Sanofi-Aventis in
the United States and with Teijin in Japan on various
ciclesonide-based products.
About Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease caused by airway
inflammation and results in airway constriction in response
to certain stimuli. It is characterized by a variety of
symptoms including wheezing, coughing and a tightening of
the airways, which causes shortness of breath and can be
life-threatening. Ac-cording to the Global Initiative for
Asthma (GINA), more than 300 million peo-ple worldwide
suffer from asthma; the prevalence varies from 0 to 30
percent in different populations. The prevalence of asthma
is increasing by approxi-mately 50 percent every decade and
worldwide deaths from asthma total more than 180,000
annually.
About ALTANA Pharma
ALTANA Pharma AG is the pharmaceutical division of
ALTANA AG (NYSE: AAA, FSE: ALT), headquartered in Konstanz,
Germany. ALTANA Pharma is an interna-tionally successful,
research-based company providing innovative
pharmaceuti-cals that create a higher quality of life for
patients, modern jobs for highly qualified employees and a
good return for shareholders.
The product range of ALTANA Pharma focuses on
therapeutics for the treat-ment of gastrointestinal and
respiratory diseases, which the company develops with
intense research commitment.
In 2005, ALTANA Pharma achieved sales of about euro 2.4
billion, up 12% from 2004. Investment in Research and
Development -- approximately one-fifth of therapeutics
sales revenues -- increased steadily and, in 2005, stood at
euro 418 million. ALTANA Pharma employs about 9,000 people
in over 30 coun-tries.
Further information is available on the Internet at
http://www.altanapharma.com .
(1) GINA "Pocket Guide for Asthma Management and
Prevention," 2005.
Available at:
http://www.ginasthma.org/Guidelineitem.asp??l1=2&l2=1&intId=37
Accessed on August 18, 2006.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Susanne Hof
Corporate Communications
ALTANA Pharma AG
Tel: +49-7531-84-3021
Fax: +49-7531-84-3065
Email: pr@altanapharma.com
Petra Sammer
Ketchum
Tel: +49-8912-4450
Fax: +49-8912-44-5114
Email: petra.sammer@ketchum.com
SOURCE ALTANA Pharma AG
2007'02.10.Sat
/C O R R E C T I O N -- 4stones Cross-cultural Consulting Group/
September 04, 2006
In the news release, "Cross Culture Management
Guru Asia Forum In 2006", issued earlier today by
4stones Cross-cultural Consulting Group over Xinhua PR
Newswire, readers are advised that the incorrect version of
the release has been distributed and incorrectly transmitted
by Xinhua PR Newswire. Complete corrected release follows:
4stones Cross-cultural Consulting Group Announces 2006
Cross Culture Management Guru Asia Forum
BEIJING, Sept. 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- 4stones
Cross-cultural Consulting Group announced today that it
will sponsor the 2006 Cross Culture Management Guru Asia
Forum, along with Golden Ideas, a training and conference
service provider. As the globalization of the world
economy picks up pace, the cultural environment of
corporations will also change, and this Forum will focus on
the series of difficulties in the cross culture management
of corporations, and will be held in Beijing and Shanghai
on September 20 and 22, respectively.
Cross-cultural management is the biggest challenge
faced by businesses intent on the localization and
globalization of their organizations in the 21st century.
A central part of the Cross Culture Management is to
effectively know how the cultural foundation is to be
managed, as well as the true living standard of the labors
fostered in different cultural backgrounds.
Mr. Richard D. Lewis, president of the Global Cross
Cultural Institute and author of the best selling book for
cross-cultural management, "When Culture
Collides," along with Mr. Donny Huang, founder and
managing director of 4stones Cross-cultural Consulting
Group, will be invited to speak at the forum. Discussions
will focus on topics including communications under
different cultural backgrounds, construction of teams, and
the how to motivate the local workforce.
A key speaker in the forum, Mr. Richard D. Lewis spent
five years in Japan working as a private tutor that was
responsible for instructing on foreign etiquette to Empress
Michiko and other members of the Japanese Imperial Family.
His knowledge and understanding of oriental culture is far
beyond other western experts in this field. His personal
and academic experiences on cross-cultural management
consulting and training for managers of the top 500 global
corporations in the past 40 years is deemed an invaluable
reference. Considered a local Chinese cross-cultural
expert, Mr. Donny Huang has plenty of on-hand experience,
having applied himself to the consulting and cross-cultural
management of the top 500 global corporations in China for a
number of years. This time the two experts will work
together, and the forum will combine the best minds of the
east and west on cross-cultural effects on businesses.
There will be over 500 first-rate corporate executives
taking part in the Forum from places including China, Hong
Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan and India. About 40% of
those attending will be foreign management staffs from
multinational corporations. Attending corporate executives
can expect to get the most advanced theories and practical
tools from the forum on cross-culture studying, which helps
international businesspeople to take a steady position in
the global business arena, such as cross-cultural
negotiations and in expanding overseas markets. The
corporate executives will also get several examples from
authorized cross-cultural models and classic cases, which
can help to improve the efficiency of teamwork, predict
precisely and understand the behaviors acted and reacted by
counterparts in a foreign environment, as well as the
philosophy of foreign cultures, avoiding making mistakes,
and making full use of the business opportunities generated
by the differences in cultures.
All attending guests can also join the buffet held by a
private coach, during which Mr. Richard D. Lewis and Mr.
Donny Huang will give essential introductions to
cross-cultural management and answer questions from
guests.
About 4stones Cross-cultural Consulting Group
4stones Cross-cultural Consulting Group is a leading
cross-cultural consulting firm in China with offices in
Hawaii and Beijing, as well as an extensive network of
distinguished worldwide associations. 4stones
Cross-cultural intensively focus on bridging the cultural
differences between China and the rest of world in business
areas through consulting, executive coaching, training,
teaching and publishing.
4stones Cross-cultural helps both international
executives/managers and Chinese national
executives/managers develop cross-cultural competence, and
contribute effectively to their organizations. 4stones'
affiliation with leading experts and organizations in the
field of cross-cultural management and training keeps its
clients on the cutting edge of international practices and
trends, enhancing their global prospects and
competitiveness.
4stones Cross-cultural has provided services to
worldwide organizations such as Motorola, the World Bank,
Lenovo, Philips, Huawei, Agilent and ZTE, etc.
About Golden Ideas
As a leading training and conference service provider
based in Shanghai, GI aims to provide top quality training
and conferences to senior executives within leading
companies based in China and the Asia-Pacific Region. GI
focuses on Supply Chain Management, 6 Sigma, 5S, TPM,
Direct Marketing and Sales Management, which are all
delivered by founders of overseas corporations or top
executives within MNCs.
Registration
Room 515, 517, Resource Plaza, No.151 North Street,
Zhong Guan Cun, Hai Dian District, Beijing, CHINA 100080
For more information, please contact:
Michael Jiang
Tel: +86-10-5887-6336/7
Mobile: +86-1358-190-2176
Fax: +86-10-5887-6338
Email: michael_jiang@4stones.net
SOURCE 4stones Cross-cultural Consulting Group
2007'02.10.Sat
Cross Culture Management Guru Asia Forum In 2006
September 04, 2006
BEIJING, Sep. 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Nowadays, the
globalization of the world Economy is growing faster and
faster. Under this circumstance, the cultural environment
of the corporation would change along with the way.
4stones Cross culture consulting group and Golden Ideas
training and conference service providing company will
sponsor 2006 Cross Culture Management Guru Asia Form,
focusing on a series of difficulties in the cross culture
management of the corporation. This Forum will be held
separately both in Beijing and Shanghai on September 20th
and September 22nd.
Cross cultural management is the biggest challenge
faced by localization and globalization of business
organization in 21 century. The central part of the Cross
Culture Management is to effectively know the cultural
foundation to be managed, as well as the true living
standard of the labours fostered in different cultural
background. Mr. Richard D. Lewis, President of Global
Cross Cultural institute and the author of the best selling
book for cross-cultural management "When culture
collides", and Mr. Donny Huang, founder and managing
director of 4stones Cross-Cultural Consulting Group will be
invited to the forum. The discussion will be focus on the
communication under different cultural background,
construction of the teams, and the how to motivate the
local foreign workers, etc.
As a key speaker in the forum, Mr. Richard D. Lewis had
spent 5 years in Japan where he worked as private tutor
who's responsible for instructing on foreign cultural
etiquettes to Empress Michiko and other members of the
Japanese Imperial Family. Thus the soul of the oriental
culture he possesses is far beyond other western experts in
field. His personal and academic experiences on
cross-culture management consulting and training for home
and abroad managers of the top 500 global corporations in
the past 40 years is deemed an invaluable reference. As the
local Chinese cross-cultural expert, Mr. Donny Huang has
plenty of on-hand experience because he applied himself to
the consulting and cross-culture management of the top 500
global corporations in China for years. This time the two
experts will work together, and the forum will surely be
combined with the best thoughts of the east and the west
for the topics of cross-cultural on business.
There will be over 500 top-notch corporate executives
taking part in the Forum, whom from Mainland China, Hong
Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan and India. And about 40% of
the audiences will be foreign management staffs in the
multinational corporations. Corporate executives will get
the most advanced theories and practical tools from the
forum on cross-culture studying, which helps international
businessmen to take a steady position in global business
competitions, such as cross-culture negotiation and
expanding the overseas markets. The corporate executives
will also get several enlightenments from the authorized
cross-culture mode and classical cases, which can help them
to improve the efficiency of the teamwork, predict precisely
and understand the behaviours acted and reacted by
counterparts in a foreign environment as well as the
philosophy of a foreign culture, avoid making mistakes and
make full use of the business opportunities generated by
the differences on cultures.
Besides, all guests attending of the forum can also
join the buffet held by private coach, during which Mr.
Richard D. Lewis and Mr. Donny Huang will give essential
introductions to the cross-culture management and answer
questions from the guests respectively and concretely.
About organizers
About 4stones Cross-cultural Consulting Group
4stones Cross-cultural Consulting Group is a leading
cross-cultural consulting firm in China with offices in
Hawaii and Beijing as well as an extensive network of
distinguished worldwide associations. 4 stones
Cross-cultural intensively focus on bridging the cultural
differences between China and the rest of world in business
areas through consulting, executive coaching, training,
teaching and publishing.
4stones Cross-cultural helps both international
executives/managers and Chinese national
executives/managers develop cross-cultural competence, and
contribute effectively to their organizations. 4stones'
affiliation with leading experts and organizations in the
field of cross-cultural management and training keeps its
clients on the cutting edge of international practices and
trends, enhancing their global prospects and
competitiveness.
4stones Cross-cultural has provided services to some of
the world and China most global organization such as
Motorola, World Bank, Lenovo, Philips, Huawei, Agilent,
ZTE, etc.
About Golden Ideas
As a leading training and conference service provider
based in Shanghai, GI aims to provide top quality training
and conferences to senior executives with leading companies
based in China and Asia-pacific. GI focus on Supply Chain
Management, 6 Sigma, 5S, TPM, Direct Marketing, Sales
Management, which are all delivered by Founder or Father of
overseas gurus in certain area throughout the world or top
executives with MNCs.
Registration
Room 515, 517, Resource Plaza, No.151 North Street,
Zhong Guan Cun, Hai Dian District, Beijing, CHINA 100080
For more information, please contact:
Michael Jiang
Tel: +86-10-5887-6336/7
Cell: +86-1358-190-2176
Fax: +86-10-5887-6338
Email: michael_jiang@4stones.net
SOURCE 4stones Cross-cultural Consulting Group
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