2007'02.11.Sun
Arrow Therapeutics HCV Compound Enters Phase I
November 27, 2006
LONDON, Nov. 27 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Arrow
Therapeutics, the London based antiviral drug discovery and
development company, has announced that it has initiated a
Phase I study of A-831, a small molecule antiviral
inhibitor of Hepatitis C infection. The study will evaluate
the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single
escalating doses of A-831 in healthy volunteers in the UK.
A-831 targets the NS5a protein, a novel mechanism of
action, and is the first NS5a inhibitor to enter the
clinic. Originating from Arrow's focused chemical library
and optimised in-house, A-831 showed good safety and
pharmacokinetics in preclinical studies and excellent
potency in the replicon assay. A-831 is the first compound
from Arrow's broad approach to the NS5a target. A further
Arrow compound, also targeting the NS5a protein but of a
completely different chemical structure, is expected to
enter preclinical development shortly.
The urgent need for novel Hepatitis C inhibitors has
been well documented, with an estimated 170 million
sufferers worldwide. The current Standard of Care treatment
(Pegylated Interferon + ribavirin) has a poor side effect
profile and is only effective in around 50% of patients. As
with HIV/AIDS, multiple drugs in combination therapy are
likely to be needed to overcome drug resistance. The value
of the Hepatitis C market was approximately $2.2 billion in
2005 and is forecast to grow substantially to $4.4 billion
in 2010 and $8.8 billion in 2015.
"The start of the first clinical trial for a
compound from our Hepatitis C programme is a significant
milestone for the company," said Ken Powell, CEO of
Arrow. "From the inception of Arrow we have been
committed to producing potent, innovative inhibitors of
Hepatitis C and believe that compounds such as A-831 will
bring us a step closer to successfully treating the huge
number of patients suffering from the virus worldwide.
Preclinical results for A-831 have been extremely
encouraging and we look forward to this next stage of
development for the compound, as well as the advancement of
other compounds within our Hepatitis C programmes."
Notes to Editors
Arrow Therapeutics
Arrow Therapeutics was founded in 1998, and is focused
exclusively on novel antiviral drug discovery and
development. Based in central London with around 55
employees, the product pipeline includes novel antiviral
lead and clinical compounds. Arrow's lead programme to
treat Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is in Phase lla
clinical studies and is partnered with Novartis. The
Hepatitis C programme consists of multiple series from
different chemical classes. The most advanced compounds
inhibit NS5a, a novel viral target. The lead compound,
A-831, has now entered Phase I trials (see above). A second
series, of completely different chemical structure but also
targeting NS5a, is at candidate selection stage. Arrow also
has a Hepatitis C polymerase programme in lead
optimisation.
Compounds will be licensed at stages between
preclinical and Phase IIb depending on the therapeutic
area.
Seed funding of GBP1.5 million was provided by Unibio
of London who also invested in the first major funding
round completed in July 2000 along with GIMV Belgium
(lead), Alta Partners USA, 3i Group London, TVM Munich, and
NVM Edinburgh which brought in GBP11.1 million. The same
group provided a further GBP7 million in January 2002. The
latest funding round was completed in early 2004 raising
over GBP23 million from the USA, Japan and Europe. Atlas
Venture is now the lead investor.
http://www.arrowt.co.uk
For more information, please contact:
Ken Powell, CEO,
Arrow Therapeutics Ltd
Tel: +44-20-7015-1002
Annie Clayton,
Investor Relations & Marketing,
Arrow Therapeutics Ltd
Tel: +44-20-7015-1004
SOURCE Arrow Therapeutics Ltd
PR
2007'02.11.Sun
Xinhua Finance/MNI China Business Survey: Conditions Improve
November 24, 2006
SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 24 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Xinhua
Finance (TSE Mothers: 9399) and Market News International
(MNI), a part of the news service line of Xinhua Finance,
today announced the November Xinhua Finance/MNI China
business sentiment survey. The results of the survey
suggest Chinese companies have weathered government-imposed
investment and credit controls and are now benefiting from
slowing input price rises and an improved bottom line.
(Logo:
http://www.xprn.com.cn:9080/xprn/sa/200611140926.gif )
The survey was carried out November 6-21 with 150
listed companies responding. A result greater than 50
implies growth or improving conditions (See accompanying
story for more on the survey methodology). The full survey
results can be found at
http://www.xinhuafinance.com/en/main/chinabizsurvey.html .
While the indexes for current conditions have mostly
improved and are well off their lows from the middle of the
year, some of the key indexes showing the outlook for
conditions in three months fell, most likely due to a
combination of seasonal factors and expectations of slower
growth next year.
"While the survey indicates conditions are
generally quite positive, it's clear from the results that
there are expectations of a general slowdown going into
next year," said Logan Wright, Beijing-based analyst
with Stone & McCarthy Research Associates, a sister
company of Market News International. The index for current
overall conditions hit 75.67 in November, up from 68.44 in
October and the second highest result for the index after
the first quarter of 2005, which was the first survey in
the series. "Business sentiment regarding current
economic conditions has recovered considerably since the
summer, when the government's macroeconomic controls began
to take effect," noted Wright.
With raw materials prices either falling or moderating
because of government measures amid a general global price
decline for things like oil and steel, the index for input
prices fell to 57.19 from 64.23 in October, the lowest ever
result.
At the same time, the index for prices received
suggests more companies were able to increase their prices.
That index rose to 57.43 from 55.80 in November.
According to the survey result, the index for
companies' current financial position hit the highest mark
ever, at 71.72 in November from 67.63 in October.
"With coal prices remaining stable, we were able
to increase profits, said one power producer. A maker of
metal products had a similar story, saying that the prices
of his products were increasing while prices of his main
raw material was falling "which contributed to an
increase in the company's gross profit."Companies also
continued drawing down inventories, with that index falling
to the lowest-ever level at 40.88, down from 42.80 in
October. The index for productive capacity increased to
71.38 in November, the first increase since the first
quarter of the year and up from 62.59 in October. The index
for production also rose, to 70.63 from 68.75 last month.On
one of the few negative notes for current conditions, the
survey suggested that companies were seeing the growth of
order backlogs slowing, with the index falling to 51.88 in
November from 55.08 in October.
There were more negatives seen in the indexes for
expectations of conditions in three months. Some of the
decreases in index levels matched results seen in the
expectation indexes for the fourth quarter last year,
suggesting that the results may be partially explained by a
seasonal slowdown in the first part of the year.
But at least some of the decline in sentiment must be
due to expectations that Chinese growth and business
activity will slow next year.
The index for new orders in three months fell to 69.72,
its lowest ever. The index for productive capacity growth
fell to 65.52, close to the lowest-ever mark for that
index.
"The results suggest that companies are preparing
for a slowdown next year from the very fast growth seen
this year," said Wright.
Xinhua Finance/MNI China Business Survey Methodology
The Xinhua Finance/MNI China Business Sentiment Survey
was conducted November 6-21 with 150 listed companies
taking part.
Survey questions were modeled on Japan's Tankan survey
and the U.S. Institute for Supply Management's Report on
Business.
Results were compiled for both current conditions
compared with a month ago and for expectations of
conditions one month ahead.
Indexes were compiled using the Institute for Supply
Management's example: adding half of the percentage saying
conditions were unchanged to the percentage of those saying
conditions had improved generated the index. Therefore, a
result higher than 50 indicates a net positive response.
Companies agreed to participate in the survey, and to
provide comments about business conditions, under the
assurance that individual survey responses would not be
divulged except as part of the overall results.
Companies surveyed were all listed on domestic stock
markets or in Hong Kong, although some also have foreign
listings. The companies chosen were a mix of manufacturers
and non-manufacturers with about 75% of the companies
responding to the survey in manufacturing.
About Xinhua Finance Limited
Xinhua Finance Limited is China's unchallenged leader
in financial information and media, and is listed on the
Mothers board of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (symbol: 9399)
(OTC ADRs: XHFNY). Bridging China's financial markets and
the world, Xinhua Finance serves financial institutions,
corporations and re-distributors through four focused and
complementary service lines: Indices, Ratings, Financial
News and Investor Relations. Founded in November 1999, the
Company is headquartered in Shanghai with 20 news bureaus
and offices in 19 locations across Asia, Australia, North
America and Europe.
For more information, please visit
http://www.xinhuafinance.com .
About Market News International
Market News International (MNI), a Xinhua Finance
company ( http://www.xinhuafinance.com ), is a financial
news and information company dedicated to the global fixed
income and foreign exchange markets. MNI joined the Xinhua
Finance family in March 2004, bringing its niche expertise
and extensive distribution network. Headquartered in New
York, MNI has news bureaus and offices throughout the US,
Europe and Asia.
With more than twenty years of history, MNI is a fully
accredited news agency providing focused, timely, relevant
and critical intelligence for market professionals. Its
press credentials are accepted by all operations of the
U.S. Government, including the White House, the Federal
Reserve, both houses of Congress, all major agencies and
cabinet departments, all similar government operations in
the G-7 countries, as well as by supranational
organizations such as the World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund.
For more Information, please contact:
Xinhua Finance
Hong Kong/Shanghai
Ms. Joy Tsang
Tel: +852-3196-3983
+852-9486-4364
+86-21-6113-5999
Email: joy.tsang@xinhuafinance.com
Japan
Mr. Sun Jiong
Tel: +81-3-3221-9500
Email: jsun@xinhuafinance.com
Taylor Rafferty (Media/IR Contact)
Japan
Mr. James Hawrylak
Tel: +81-3-5733-2621
Email: James.hawrylak@taylor-rafferty.com
United States
Ms. Ishviene Arora
Tel: +1-212-889-4350
Email: ishviene.arora@taylor-rafferty.com
Europe
Mr. John Dudzinsky
Tel: +44-20-7614-2900
Email: John.Dudzinsky@taylor-rafferty.co.uk
SOURCE Xinhua Finance Limited
2007'02.11.Sun
Saifun And SMIC To Collaborate On 8gb Data Flash Using SMIC's Advanced Process Technology
November 23, 2006
SMIC, a Leading Foundry to Manufacture 8Gb Flash on Advanced Process Based on Saifun Quad NROM Technology and Designs
NETANYA, Israel, Nov. 23 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation,
("SMIC", NYSE: SMI, HKSE: 0981.HK), one of the
leading semiconductor foundries in the world, and Saifun
Semiconductors Ltd. ("Saifun", NYSE: SFUN), a
leading provider of Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) technology,
jointly announced today that they will collaborate on
delivering 8Gb Data flash using SMIC's advanced process
technology. This unique product, expected to reach the
market in 2008, will be based on the Saifun Quad NROM
technology and designs.
(Logo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/sa/200611101605.jpg )
Saifun Quad NROM four-bit-per-cell technology
represents a breakthrough in existing NVM technology by
doubling the storage capacity of conventional memory cells
and providing a simpler architecture that requires fewer
manufacturing steps and reduces manufacturing costs. The
development of 8Gb Data flash on SMIC's advanced process
demonstrates the advantages of Quad NROM in enabling the
most cost-effective Flash manufacturing processes on the
market today. It will enable SMIC to enter the challenging
Flash market with reliable and high performance products.
SMIC aims to provide a comprehensive flash product
offering to tap into the emerging consumer electronics
market in China and throughout the world. SMIC has
delivered its first engineering samples of its advanced 2Gb
NAND flash product based on the Saifun NROM two-bit-per-cell
technology, and it continues to target mass production of
this product by the end of 2006.
"We are delighted to further our relationship with
SMIC in bringing the advanced Flash products to the
market," commented Dr. Boaz Eitan, Chairman and CEO of
Saifun, "We believe that the combination of the
innovation and dedication of SMIC with Saifun's unique NROM
technology positions both companies very well to become
significant players in the very lucrative Data
market."
"We are excited to further expand our partnership
with Saifun into more advanced flash technology. This again
demonstrates our mutual commitment in the advancement of
Flash products," said Dr. Richard Chang, President and
CEO of SMIC, "We believe Saifun's leading edge
technology development, combined with SMIC's reliable and
advanced manufacturing capabilities, will allow us to
further strengthen our position in flash market."
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 Saifun Semiconductors Ltd.
Saifun is a provider of intellectual property (IP)
solutions for the non-volatile memory (NVM) market. The
company's innovative Saifun NROM(R) technology allows
semiconductor manufacturers to deliver high performance,
reliable products at a lower cost per megabit, with greater
storage capacity, using a single process for all NVM
applications. Saifun licenses its IP to semiconductor
manufacturers who use this technology to develop and
manufacture a variety of stand-alone and embedded NVM
products. These include Flash memory for the
telecommunications, consumer electronic, networking and
automotive markets. Among the companies currently licensing
Saifun NROM technology are Qimonda AG, Macronix
International, NEC Electronics, Semiconductor Manufacturing
International Corporation, Sony Corporation, Spansion, and
Tower Semiconductor.
Safe Harbor Statements(Under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995)
This press release contains, in addition to historical
information, "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of
the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements, including statements
concerning the timing specified products will be available
to customers, the benefits of the collaboration to
customers and the continuing collaboration between SMIC and
Saifun, are based on SMIC's current assumptions,
expectations and projections about future events. SMIC uses
words like "believe," "anticipate,"
"intend," "estimate,"
"expect," "project" and similar
expressions to identify forward-looking statements,
although not all forward-looking statements contain these
words. These forward-looking statements involve significant
risks, both known and unknown, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause SMIC's actual performance, financial
condition or results of operations to be materially
different from those suggested by the forward-looking
statements.
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
Marsha Shalvi
Saifun Semiconductors Ltd.
Tel: +972-989-28450
Mobile: +972-544-942180
Email: marshas@saifun.com
SOURCE Semiconductor Manufacturing International
Corporation
2007'02.11.Sun
TI Delivers Precision 36-V Amplifiers with Low Power and Small Sizefor High-Voltage Industrial Market
November 22, 2006
Op Amps Developed Using TI's New 36-V Bipolar SiGe Process
DALLAS, Nov. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Texas
Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) today introduced
two new precision operational amplifiers that combine
ultra-low noise with lower power, smaller package size and
higher bandwidth than competitive 36-V amplifiers. The
OPA211 and OPA827 enable breakthrough performance for test
and measurement, instrumentation, imaging, medical, audio
and process control applications. These are the first
devices developed using TI's groundbreaking BiCom3HV
complementary bipolar 36-V silicon germanium (SiGe)
process. (See http://www.ti.com/sc06209 )
(Logo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/sa/20061107170439-20.jpg )
(Photo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/sa/200611221536.jpg )
(Photo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/sa/200611221537.jpg )
"The OPA211 and OPA827 represent a new class of
precision amplifiers and demonstrate TI's commitment to the
high-voltage industrial market," said Art George,
senior vice president of TI's high-performance analog
business. "These new amplifiers deliver extremely high
accuracy with significant improvements in power consumption,
bandwidth and package size characteristics, which will
enable next-generation performance in industrial
applications."
The OPA211 is a bipolar-input operational amplifier
that achieves 1.1 nV/rtHz voltage noise and 80 MHz gain
bandwidth product (GBW) with a supply current of only 3.6
mA. The device provides 100 ¦ÌV offset voltage, 0.2
¦ÌV/degC offset voltage drift and <1 ¦Ìs settling time
for driving precision analog-to-digital converters in data
acquisition systems. It also offers rail-to-rail output
swing, which enhances dynamic range.
The OPA211 operates over a ¡À2.25 V to ¡À18 V supply
range and is available in MSOP-8 or DFN-8 packages. The 3mm
x 3mm DFN package requires about 1/3 the area of a standard
SO-8 package. Bipolar op amps excel in limiting errors
related to offset voltage and are used in applications
where the source impedance is low.
The OPA827 is a JFET-input operational amplifier that
combines outstanding DC precision with excellent AC
performance. DC characteristics include 4.5 nV/rtHz voltage
noise, 250 ¦ÌV offset voltage, 1 ¦ÌV/degC offset voltage
drift and 400 nVpp frequency noise. AC specifications
include 18 MHz GBW, 22 V/¦Ìs slew rate and 0.0004 percent
total harmonic distortion (THD) at 1 kHz.
The OPA827 operates over a ¡À4 V to ¡À18 V supply range
with a supply current of only 4.5 mA. The MSOP-8 package
represents a 50 percent reduction compared to SO-8
packages. JFET op amps offer very low bias current and are
suited for applications where source impedance is high.
TI provides customers with a state-of-the-art signal
chain solution for precision applications:
analog-to-digital converters such as the ADS8505 and
digital-to-analog converters such as the DAC8811. The
OPA211 and OPA827 are optimized to work with TI's
TMS320(TM) high-performance DSP platforms and MSP430
ultra-low-power microcontroller family.
Industry's First Complementary Bipolar 36-V SiGe
Process
TI's BiCom3HV process focuses TI's state-of-the-art
manufacturing technology on the future needs of
high-voltage industrial applications. The process offers
high speeds with low noise, low power consumption and much
smaller packaging than previously available. The BiCom3HV
process is the first 36-V industrial process to utilize
SiGe, which leads to significantly faster transistors than
previously available. Excellent transistor matching along
with precision SiCr resistors delivers increased accuracy,
dynamic range and stability over the working temperature
range.
The reduction in transistor size is made possible by
using silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. The minimum
NPN transistor is up to 11 times smaller than those
available in the most advanced processes from the
competition. SOI also brings other advantages such as low
leakage currents and reduced interaction between
transistors.
The BiCom3HV process is ideal for the next generation
of industrial voltage operational amplifiers (bipolar-input
and FET-input), instrumentation amplifiers, programmable
gain amplifiers and precision references.
Availability and Packaging
The OPA211 is sampling now, with volume production
scheduled for 2Q 2007. The device is available in DFN-8,
MSOP-8 and SO-8 packages and is priced at $3.45 in
1,000-piece quantities (suggested resale pricing).
The OPA827 is sampling now, with volume production
scheduled for 2Q 2007. The device is available in MSOP-8
and SO-8 packages and is priced at $5.75 in 1,000-piece
quantities (suggested resale pricing).
All devices are specified for operation from -40C to
+125C. For more information on TI's complete analog design
support, and to download the latest Amplifier & Data
Converter Selection Guide, visit http://www.ti.com/analog .
About Texas Instruments Incorporated
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 .
Please refer all reader inquiries to: Texas
Instruments Incorporated
Semiconductor Group, SC-06209
Literature Response Center
14950 FAA Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76155
1-800-477-8924
Safe Harbor Statement
Statements contained in this news release regarding TI
product availability 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 news release: actual market demand for
amplifier products and TI products specifically, and actual
test results relating to TI products. TI disclaims any
intention or obligation to update any forward-looking
statements as a result of developments occurring after the
date of this news release.
Trademarks
All registered trademarks and other trademarks belong
to their respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
Brett Schroer
Tel: +1-520-746-7984
Email: schroer_brett@ti.com
Jacqi Moore
Tel: +1-972-341-2514
Email: jmoore@golinharris.com
SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
2007'02.11.Sun
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Clarifies Use of the Word `Mormon' in News Reports
November 22, 2006
SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes that
the prosecution of polygamist Warren Jeffs is generating
substantial media coverage and that Jeffs' group refers to
its members as fundamentalist Mormons. That is causing
problems for reporters trying to help their readers,
viewers and listeners distinguish between Jeffs' followers
and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In the public mind, the word "Mormon" has
come to mean something very specific. It conjures up
images of Mormon missionaries on bikes, the Mormon
Tabernacle Choir and Mormon temples. It has become a
synonym for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. Consequently, when "Mormon"
is used to describe polygamist groups, it causes great
confusion about our beliefs among the general public and
frustration to our members, which number over 12 million
worldwide.
The Associated Press Stylebook has recognized this
difficulty and specified that the term "Mormon"
is a nickname that should be applied exclusively to members
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that
it is not accurately applied to any other person or
organization (see entries on "Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, The" and "Reorganized
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints").
Polygamists and polygamist organizations that
occasionally make the news are not dissident wings of the
Church or fundamentalists. They have no affiliation
whatsoever with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. Most of their members have never had any
association with the Church either.
It follows that because Warren Jeffs is not affiliated
with the Mormon church, and since he is not Mormon,
reporters should look for more accurate and less misleading
descriptions of him in the media. For example, Court TV's
Web page never once used the word "Mormon" to
describe Warren Jeffs in its story entitled
"Prosecutors to present evidence against polygamist
leader Warren Jeffs in teen-bride case."
We sometimes hear the argument that because Jeffs and
his followers use the Book of Mormon they should be
considered Mormons. However, Catholics, Methodists,
Lutherans, evangelicals and a host of other faiths believe
in Jesus and claim the Bible as their own, yet all consider
themselves separate and distinct faiths.
The same is true for all religious groups who believe
in Joseph Smith's prophetic calling and use the Book of
Mormon. For example, the Community of Christ church claims
Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon but changed its name
from the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints to be recognized as a different faith.
Perhaps the following points will be helpful in your
media coverage:
-- Warren Jeffs has never been a member of The Church
of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, whose members are often
referred to as
"Mormons."
-- Polygamy was officially discontinued in The Church
of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints in 1890. Any Church member
adopting the
practice today is excommunicated. Those groups
which continue the
practice in Utah and elsewhere have no association
whatever with
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and
most of their
practitioners have never been among our members.
-- The Church has long been concerned about the
continued illegal
practice of polygamy, and in particular about
reports of child and
wife abuse emanating from polygamous communities
today.
-- Even in countries where civil or religious law
allows polygamy,
the Church teaches that marriage must be monogamous
and does not
accept into its membership those practicing plural
marriage.
Thank you for your time and attention in what we
consider a very serious matter for our faith. We hope that
both reporters and headline writers will be sensitive to
this information.
For more information, please contact:
Kim Farah
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Tel: +1-801-240-1977
SOURCE The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2007'02.11.Sun
Russia's nicka81 and Petr, China's PE Triumph at TopCoder Collegiate Challenge in San Diego
November 22, 2006
New York, Moscow and Zhejiang University Students Are TopCoder's World Champion Programmers
GLASTONBURY, Conn., Nov. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
TopCoder, Inc., the leader in online programming
competition, skills assessment and competitive software
development today announced Nikolay Archak of New York
University, Petr Mitrichev of Moscow State University and
Huang Ninghai of ZheJiang University as champions in their
respective tournaments for design, algorithms and
development at the 2006 TopCoder(R) Collegiate Challenge in
San Diego Friday night. Archak, known by his TopCoder handle
"nicka81" took $25,000 in prize money for his
victory with Mitrichev (aka "Petr") and Ninghai
("PE") earning $25,000 and $15,000 for their
first place finishes.
(Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061121/NYTU095 )
An onsite finalist in both the algorithm and component
tracks, nicka81 produced first place submissions for each
of three design components from a field of seven designers
who competed over the course of three days. Petr is a
back-to-back algorithm champion having won the 2006
TopCoder Open first prize in that category. This was the
first onsite appearance for PE who submitted two out of
three winning development challenges.
In an interesting side note, programmers from China --
"maone" (Mao Yiqiang), "ACRush"
(TianCheng Lou) and "magicpig" (Ronghui Zhu),
took second place in each of the three competition tracks.
Third places went to sql_lall (Patrick Coleman of
Australia), mathijs (Mathijs Vogelzang of the Netherlands)
and kiveol (Nathan Kuchta of the U.S.).
"We congratulate all our onsite finalists and hope
they had a great time here in San Diego," said Rob
Hughes, President and COO of TopCoder, Inc. "The
growth of our community this year has been truly amazing
and we will continue to look for better ways to challenge
and empower programmers around the world."
This year marked the first time a TopCoder global event
was presented on the internet, Webcast live via AOL's
http://dev.aol.com site, bringing the excitement and drama
of competitive coding at the highest level to a global
audience. Thousands of the brightest students from computer
science, mathematics, physics and other fields representing
92 countries from around the world spent months locked in
qualifying heats. The final 63 were flown in all expenses
paid to San Diego to compete for a share of the $200,000
prize purse.
About TopCoder, Inc.
TopCoder is the recognized leader in identifying,
evaluating and mobilizing effective software development
resources. Through its proprietary programming competitions
and rating system, TopCoder recognizes and promotes the
abilities of the best programmers around the world.
TopCoder Software harnesses the talent of these developers
to design, develop and deploy software through its
revolutionary competitive development methodology.
TopCoder's methodology emphasizes thorough specification
and design, distributed development using reusable
components, and a rigorous quality assurance review process
and results in higher quality, lower cost software solutions
than traditional software development methodologies. For
more information about sponsoring TopCoder Events,
recruiting TopCoder members and utilizing TopCoder
Software, visit http://www.topcoder.com/ .
TopCoder is a registered trademark of TopCoder, Inc. in
the United States and other countries. All other product and
company names herein may be trademarks of their respective
owners.
For more information, please contact:
Jim McKeown
TopCoder, Inc.
Tel: +1-860-633-5540
Email: jmckeown@topcoder.com
SOURCE TopCoder, Inc.
2007'02.11.Sun
CompuCyte Corporation, National University of Singapore Establish Regional Quantitative Imaging Cytometry Center
November 22, 2006
SINGAPORE and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 22
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- CompuCyte Corporation and the
National University of Singapore today announced the
establishment of the Southeast Asia Regional Quantitative
Imaging Cytometry Center, to be located at the National
University of Singapore. The Center will expand a research
collaboration program already in place between the two
organizations.
Under the expanded agreement, the National University
of Singapore will provide symposia and educational programs
for researchers involved in cell-based and tissue-based
research using quantitative imaging cytometry systems.
CompuCyte will provide up-to-date technology and software,
as well as technical and scientific applications support.
As part of the agreement, the National University of
Singapore has obtained an iCys(R) Research Imaging
Cytometer from CompuCyte. The first symposium under the
agreement will take place on March 1, 2007 at the
University.
"We expect that the Center will help educate cell
and molecular biology researchers on the important role
that Quantitative Imaging Cytometry can play in biomedical
research," explained Shazib Pervaiz, M.D., Ph.D.,
Professor, Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of
Medicine and the National University of Singapore Graduate
School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering. "The
ability to obtain detailed quantitative data from biologic
specimens, and at the same time visually examine specimen
morphology, provides researchers with a major tool for
advancing our understanding of the molecular basis of
disease and identifying novel disease signatures which
could be potential diagnostic markers or targets for drug
design. We look forward to working with CompuCyte to
jointly host this workshop on the use of automated laser
scanning cytometry for both basic and clinical research in
Singapore and the ASEAN countries."
"The establishment of the Regional Quantitative
Imaging Cytometry Center in Singapore is a significant
milestone in our collaboration with the University,"
added Dr. Elena Holden, CompuCyte's president and chief
executive officer. "Our proprietary technology is in
use by academic centers and pharmaceutical companies
worldwide for automated quantitative analysis of adherent
cellular and tissue specimens. The exceptional performance
characteristics of the new generation of LSC technology
warrant extension of its use into tumor biology and drug
discovery. Our current focus is to explore the ability to
cytometrically identify the signaling profiles of tumor
cells, measure the biomarker profile of patients prior to
treatment to determine their response to particular drugs
and monitor the pharmacodynamic effects of a wide range of
novel drugs targeting specific signaling pathways."
The Southeast Asia Regional Center in Singapore
represents an international extension of CompuCyte's
Technology Workshops in the United States and Europe.
CompuCyte Corporation, a private company headquartered
in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a leader in the development
of cellular analysis instrumentation for life science
research, drug safety, toxicology studies and clinical
trials. The company's iCyte(R), iCys(R), and iColor(TM)
cytometers enable quantitative cytometric image analysis of
cellular and tissue specimens.
For more information, please contact:
Kate Hilburn
Director of Communications
CompuCyte Corporation
Tel: +1-617-577-4535
Email: khilburn@compucyte.com
Shazib Pervaiz
Professor, National University of Singapore
Tel: +65-6516-6602
Email: phssp@nus.edu.sg
SOURCE CompuCyte Corporation
2007'02.11.Sun
Thomson Financial and the Associated Press Announce News Partnership
November 22, 2006
NEW YORK, Nov. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Thomson
Financial, an operating unit of The Thomson Corporation
(TSX: TOC, NYSE: TOC) and leading provider of information
and technology solutions to the worldwide financial
community, today announced an agreement to enhance its news
offerings with content from The Associated Press.
The agreement with AP Digital, a commercial division of
The Associated Press, gives Thomson the rights to expand its
current news offerings by including leading content from
AP.
"As we continue to expand our news capabilities,
we see the AP as an ideal partner, with the depth of
resources and understanding of the value of news, that will
allow us to continue to differentiate Thomson Financial from
the competition," said Sharon Rowlands, CEO, Thomson
Financial. "We are delighted to be able to incorporate
AP content into our services to enhance our offering to
Thomson Financial clients."
"This agreement with Thomson underscores the value
of the AP's quality and the importance of news to the
financial markets," said Tom Curley, AP's CEO and
President. "Through working with Thomson, an industry
leader, we will be delivering our essential news into the
workflow of the markets."
Through this arrangement with the AP, and a similar
partnership with Agence France Presse (AFP) in Europe,
Thomson has access to an unrivaled network of news coverage
across the globe.
About Thomson Financial
Thomson Financial is a US$1.9 billion provider of
information and technology solutions to the worldwide
financial community. Through the widest range of products
and services in the industry, Thomson Financial helps
clients in more than 70 countries make better decisions, be
more productive and achieve superior results. Thomson
Financial is part of The Thomson Corporation (
http://www.thomson.com ), 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 revenues of US$8.4
billion, The Thomson Corporation lists its common shares on
the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX:
TOC).
About Thomson
The Thomson Corporation ( http://www.thomson.com ) is a
global leader in providing essential electronic workflow
solutions to business and professional customers. With
operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson
provides value-added information, software tools and
applications to more than 20 million users in the fields of
law, tax, accounting, financial services, scientific
research and healthcare. The Corporation's common shares
are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges
(NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC).
For more information, please contact:
Joe Christinat
Thomson Financial
Tel: +1-646-822-2392 (office)
Mobile: +1-646-256-4353
SOURCE Thomson Financial
2007'02.11.Sun
Aozora Bank Reports Financial Results for the Six Months Ended September 30, 2006 -- Record First Half Net Revenue and Net Income Exceed Forecasts with Growing Contributions from Specialty Finance and Corporate Lending Businesses
November 22, 2006
TOKYO, Nov. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Aozora Bank, Ltd.
("Aozora" or the "Bank"), a leading
Japanese commercial bank, today reported strong financial
results for the six months ended September 30, 2006. Aozora
posted record first half net income for the second
consecutive year, helped by growing contributions from the
Bank's specialty finance and corporate lending businesses,
combined with prudent cost controls.
CONSOLIDATED 2006 FIRST HALF FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
-- Net income climbed 18.8% to 53.4 billion yen for the
half from a year
earlier. This improvement exceeded our forecast of
50.9 billion yen.
-- Net revenue grew 8.3% to 58.1 billion yen for the
half from a year
earlier.
-- The loan book continued to expand, reaching 3,489.3
billion yen,
representing an increase of 11.3% since March 31,
2006.
-- Core net interest income (excluding the impact of
the macro hedge,
funding of additional non-interest bearing assets
and increased
liquidity reserves) increased 11% for the half from
a year earlier.
-- Non-interest income continued to grow, up 36.5% for
the half from a
year earlier.
-- The overhead ratio was 45.3% for the half.
-- Operating profits increased 29.5% to 33.4 billion
yen for the half
from a year earlier, demonstrating the earnings
efficiency of our
relatively low overhead ratio.
-- ROA for the half was 1.6% on an annualized basis.
ROE for the
half was 14.0% on an annualized basis.
-- Basic EPS for the half was 37.64 yen and fully
diluted EPS for the
half was 25.22 yen.
-- We are maintaining our full year March 31, 2007
forecasts of 81.0
billion yen for net income and 65.2 billion yen for
operating profits.
Aozora Bank Chairman and CEO Michael E. Rossi said:
"This business performance is the result of strong
execution of our strategy of being a wholesale bank that
delivers superior growth and returns through a
client-focused organization dedicated to excellence in risk
management, innovation and agility. As a newly-listed
company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange we reaffirm our
commitment to deliver shareholder and customer value by
aggressively pursuing opportunities in the Japanese
corporate and commercial banking and finance
markets."
EARNINGS REVIEW
Net revenue rose 8.3% to 58.1 billion yen compared with
the same period a year earlier. This increase reflects
Aozora's strategy of diversifying earnings into areas such
as specialty finance, derivative sales and fund investments
where the Bank can more effectively leverage its core
structuring and risk management expertise.
Our average yield on consolidated loans improved to
2.05% in the half from a 1.92% average in the second half
of last year. The average margin on our consolidated loans
above our average interest cost of debentures and deposits
rose to 1.59% in the half from 1.54% in the second half of
last year. This 5 basis point margin increase, together
with an overall 353 billion yen increase in consolidated
loan volume since March 31, 2006, drove our underlying net
interest income improvement.
Core net interest income increased 2.4 billion yen, or
11%, to 24.7 billion yen compared with the same period a
year earlier, after adjusting for the absence of our
macro-hedge income (4.7 billion yen), a net increase in
funding costs on non-interest bearing assets (2.6 billion
yen) and increases in our liquidity reserves for the half.
Reported net interest income declined by 5.3 billion yen to
21.7 billion yen compared with the same period a year
earlier.
Non-interest income advanced 36.5% to 36.4 billion yen
compared with the same period a year earlier. The main
contributors were net fees and commissions (7.8 billion
yen), net trading revenues (3.1 billion yen) and net other
operating income (25.4 billion yen). The principal
components of net other operating income in the first half
were generated at the Bank on a non-consolidated basis from
returns on investments in real estate investment
partnerships (6.2 billion yen), gains on sales of REIT
investments (4.4 billion yen), gains on hedge fund
investments (4.0 billion yen), returns from NPL-related
investment partnerships (2.6 billion yen) and gains on
sales of foreign debt investments (2.5 billion yen). Net
non-interest income accounted for 62.6% of net revenue for
the half, versus 49.7% a year earlier.
General and administrative expenses increased 6.9% to
26.3 billion yen for the half compared to a year earlier.
Personnel costs and information technology spending rose as
we continued to invest in our technology platform and
people. At the same time, management continued to push
forward with efficiency initiatives and cost control
measures as our costs increased, producing an overhead
ratio of 45.3% for the half.
Business profit grew 9.6% to 31.8 billion yen and
operating profits rose 29.5% to 33.4 billion yen for the
half compared to a year earlier.
Income before income taxes rose 23.1% to 53.3 billion
yen for the half compared to a year earlier.
Net income rose 18.8% to 53.4 billion yen for the half
compared to a year earlier.
ROA, ROE and EARNINGS PER SHARE
Our annualized Return on Assets ratio for the first
half was 1.6%, based on a 0.8% ROA for the interim period
calculated by dividing first half net income by total
assets as of September 30, 2006.
Our annualized Return on Equity ratio for the first
half was 14.0%, based on a 7.0% ROE for the interim period
calculated by dividing first half net income by total
stockholders' equity as of September 30, 2006.
Basic earnings per share for the half was 37.64 yen,
based on net income of 53.4 billion yen and the number of
shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30,
2006.
Fully diluted earnings per share for the half was 25.22
yen, based on net income of 53.4 billion yen and the number
of shares of common stock that would have been outstanding
as of September 30, 2006 assuming full conversion of our
outstanding preferred stock.
BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY
Total assets were 6,438.8 billion yen as of September
30, 2006, a gain of 442.8 billion yen, or 7.4%, over total
assets as of March 31, 2006. Increases in loans and bills
discounted and securities contributed to asset growth for
the half.
Loans and bills discounted increased 353.0 billion yen,
or 11.3%, to 3,489.3 billion yen as of September 30, 2006.
The main drivers were non-recourse loans, funding to the
information technology and telecommunications sectors, and
additional international lending.
Securities holdings increased 190.3 billion yen, or
11.7%, to 1,818.5 billion as of September 30, 2006, due
principally to increased holdings of treasury bills and
financing bills as we increased our liquidity reserves.
On the funding side, deposits (excluding negotiable
CDs) rose 13.9 billion yen, or 0.6%, to 2,339.3 billion yen
as of September 30, 2006, as net inflows from retail
customers offset a reduction in the level of corporate
deposits. Our primary sources of funding for asset growth
in the half were negotiable CDs, debentures and retained
earnings.
Our consolidated regulatory capital was 774.1 billion
yen as of September 30, 2006, up 42.8 billion yen, or 5.8%,
from six months earlier. Risk-weighted assets stood at
4,129.3 billion yen as of September 30, 2006, up 374.4
billion yen, or 10.0%, from March 31, 2006. As growth in
risk assets exceeded growth in regulatory capital, our
capital adequacy ratio declined to 18.74%, versus 19.47%
six months earlier. In addition, our Tier-1 capital ratio
declined to 18.52% from 19.12%. While these ratios
decreased slightly during the half they remain among the
highest within Aozora's peer group in Japan.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
-- Aozora shares were successfully listed on the First
Section of the
Tokyo Stock Exchange on November 14, 2006.
-- On October 23, 2006, Fitch Ratings Ltd. raised its
long-term rating on
Aozora from "BBB+", to "A-" and
its short-term rating from "F2"
to "F1". Fitch cited its favorable view of
Aozora's balance sheet,
the solid recovery in our financial performance and
our robust
capitalization. Fitch maintains a "stable
outlook" on Aozora.
-- On September 26, 2006, Standard & Poor's
upgraded its outlook on
Aozora from "stable", to
"positive". S&P cited earnings improvement,
strong capitalization levels and asset quality.
-- On November 20, 2006, Aozora opened its first new
retail branch in 15
years, in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. The branch is targeted
at delivering
wealth management services through consultants
trained to offer
diverse financial products and services to meet the
asset management
needs of individual customers.
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
-- In May 2006, we announced the establishment of our
Aozora Securities
Ltd. brokerage subsidiary. The new subsidiary is
part of our ongoing
effort to expand the range and quality of the
services we offer to
clients and will play a key role in the Bank's plans
to grow non-
interest income and further diversify our earnings
base. Headquartered
in Tokyo, Aozora Securities launched operations in
August 2006. Headed
by President and Representative Director Masaya
Mizobuchi, Aozora
Securities will initially offer a range of
structured debt products to
financial institutions and public service
corporations.
-- In April 2006, Aozora raised 100 billion yen through
the Bank's first
corporate bond offering. The 5-year bond offered
investors a 1.65%
interest rate and was rated "A-" by Rating
and Investment Information,
Inc. ("R&I") and Japan Credit Rating,
Ltd. ("JCR"). The offering
reflects Aozora's ongoing strategy of diversifying
our fund-raising
activities and highlights a key benefit of our
change of status to a
full-service commercial bank.
-- On April 1, 2006, Aozora completed the transition
from long-term
credit bank status to become an "ordinary
bank'' -- a major step
forward in enhancing our capabilities for existing
and new clients.
Aozora is now able to be more flexible in meeting
the needs of our
clients based on the removal of restrictions
applicable only to
long-term credit banks.
-- Our Global Finance Unit has expanded its operations
through Aozora
Investment Management Limited, a new London-based
subsidiary company
established to pursue growth in participations in
the European and
North American syndicated loan markets.
OUTLOOK
We are maintaining our current forecasts for the full
fiscal year ending March 31, 2007 of net income of 81.0
billion yen and operating profits of 65.2 billion yen on a
consolidated basis.
INTERIM RESULTS GLOBAL CONFERENCE CALL
Aozora will hold a global conference call to discuss
the interim financial results and answer questions on
Tuesday, November 21, 2006. The call will begin at 10:00
PM in Tokyo, 8:00 AM in New York and 1:00 PM in London.
For conference call dial-in information, please visit our
website ( http://www.aozorabank.co.jp/english ) or call our
IR agent Taylor Rafferty in Tokyo at 81-3-5444-2730 (attn:
Mr. Yuhau Lin), in New York at 212-889-4350 (attn: Mr. Tom
Meyers), or in London at 44-20-7614-2900 (attn: Ms. Laura
Martin).
Aozora Bank, Ltd. is a leading provider of lending,
securitization, business and asset revitalization, asset
management, loan syndication and investment advisory
services to financial institutions, corporate and retail
customers. Originally established in 1957 as the Nippon
Fudosan Bank, Ltd., the Bank changed its name to Aozora
Bank, Ltd. in 2001. In 2003, it become majority owned by
Cerberus NCB Acquisition, L.P. Aozora is proud of its
heritage and the long-term relationships it has developed
with corporate, financial and individual customers over the
years. Building on this heritage, Aozora has created a
strong customer-oriented and performance-based culture that
will contribute to both innovative business solutions for
customers and sustainable earnings growth for investors and
shareholders. On November 14, 2006, Aozora successfully
listed its shares on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock
Exchange.
News and other information about Aozora Bank, Ltd. is
available at http://www.aozorabank.co.jp/en/company/ .
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Yuhau Lin, Tokyo
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +81-3-5444-2730
Mr. Tom Meyers, New York
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +1-212-889-4350
Ms. Laura Martin, London
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +44-20-7614-2900
SOURCE Aozora Bank, Ltd.
2007'02.11.Sun
MEDIA ADVISORY: UN Inception Workshop on Disaster Risk Management
November 22, 2006
An inception workshop will be held on 29 November 2006,
from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Central
Plaza to introduce a new Disaster Risk Management (DRM)
programme between the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MOCA),
China International Centre for Economic & Technical
Exchanges (CICETE), and the United Naitons Development
Programme (UNDP). The US$1.2 million programme will assist
communities to become better aware of and prepared for
disasters to reduce the risk of damage and deaths. It will
also help strengthen the coordination function at the
government decision making level, to help prepare for and
ensure rapid response and rehabilitation when a disaster
strikes of any kind -- natural, industrial or biological.
(Logo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/sa/20061107113358-34.jpg )
The initiative is in partnership with the United
Nations Disaster Management Team (UNDMT), a working group
composed of all the UN agencies in China, to coordinate UN
assistance and response to disaster preparedness, response
and rehabilitation. Mr. Shao Xuemin, Representative of the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in China, will
provide, on behalf of UNDMT, the vision and objectives of
the UN System in its support to the Government of China on
disaster related matters.
With a population of 1.3 billion, China has a high
prevalence of natural disasters that affect the lives of
countless citizens. Floods, earthquakes, landslides,
typhoons and droughts are the main disasters in China. The
objectives and activities of the DRM programme is based on
the commitments signed at the 2005 Asian Conference on
Disaster Reduction (ACDR), a ministerial level meeting
co-hosted by MOCA and the United Nations in Beijing. The
DRM will support improvements in the ways risk is
identified, assessed, managed, monitored and communicated.
WHAT: Inception Workshop on Disaster Risk
Management Programme
WHERE: Holiday Inn Central Plaza, The
Strawberry Room
No.1, Caiyuanjie, Xuanwu District
WHEN: 9:00 AM -- 12:00 PM, 29 November 2006
(Wednesday)
WHO: Mr. Zou Ming, Deputy Director General,
Department of
Disaster and Social Relief, Ministry
of Civil
Affairs
Ms. Alessandra Tisot, UNDP Senior
Deputy Resident
Representative in China
Mr. Shao Xuemin, UNEP Representative
in China
Mr. Wang Yue, Director General,
Ministry of
Commerce, CICETE
For access purpose, media are kindly requested to
confirm your participation with Ms. Wu Tao, Programme
Assistant, UNDP China, at (86-10) 8532 0714, or
tao.wu@undp.org by Monday, 27 November.
SOURCE United Nations Development Programme
2007'02.11.Sun
Global AIDS Epidemic Continues To Grow
November 22, 2006
New Data Also Show Hiv Prevention Programmes Getting Better Results If Focused On Reaching People Most At Risk And Adapted To Changing National Epidemics
GENEVA, Nov, 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The global AIDS
epidemic continues to grow and there is concerning evidence
that some countries are seeing a resurgence in new HIV
infection rates which were previously stable or declining.
However, declines in infection rates are also being
observed in some countries, as well as positive trends in
young people's sexual behaviours.
(Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040610/CNTH001LOGO )
According to the latest figures published today in the
UNAIDS/WHO 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update, an estimated 39.5
million people are living with HIV. There were 4.3 million
new infections in 2006 with 2.8 million (65%) of these
occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and important increases in
Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where there are some
indications that infection rates have risen by more than
50% since 2004. In 2006, 2.9 million people died of
AIDS-related illnesses.
New data suggest that where HIV prevention programmes
have not been sustained and/or adapted as epidemics have
changed-infection rates in some countries are staying the
same or going back up.
In North America and Western Europe, HIV prevention
programmes have often not been sustained and the number of
new infections has remained the same. Similarly in low-
and middle-income countries, there are only a few examples
of countries that have actually reduced new infections. And
some countries that had showed earlier successes in reducing
new infections, such as Uganda, have either slowed or are
now experiencing increasing infection rates.
"This is worrying-as we know increased HIV
prevention programmes in these countries have shown
progress in the past-Uganda being a prime example. This
means that countries are not moving at the same speed as
their epidemics," said UNAIDS Executive Director Dr
Peter Piot. "We need to greatly intensify life-saving
prevention efforts while we expand HIV treatment
programmes."
HIV prevention works but needs to be focused and
sustained
New data from the report show that increased HIV
prevention programmes that are focused and adapted to reach
those most at risk of HIV infection are making inroads.
Positive trends in young people's sexual
behaviours-increased use of condoms, delay of sexual debut,
and fewer sexual partners-have taken place over the past
decade in many countries with generalized epidemics.
Declines in HIV prevalence among young people between 2000
and 2005 are evident in Botswana, Burundi, C-te d'Ivoire,
Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
In other countries, even limited resources are showing
high returns when investments are focused on the needs of
people most likely to be exposed to HIV. In China, there
are some examples of focused programmes for sex workers
that have seen marked increases in condom use and decreases
in rates of sexually transmitted infections, and programmes
with injecting drug users are also showing progress in some
regions. And in Portugal, HIV diagnoses among drug
injectors were almost one third (31%) lower in 2005,
compared with 2001, following the implementation of special
prevention programmes focused on HIV and drug use.
Addressing the challenges: Know your epidemic
In many countries, HIV prevention programmes are not
reaching the people most at risk of infection, such as
young people, women and girls, men who have sex with men,
sex workers and their clients, injecting drug users, and
ethnic and cultural minorities. The report outlines how the
issue of women and girls within the AIDS epidemic needs
continued and increased attention. In sub-Saharan Africa
for example, women continue to be more likely than men to
be infected with HIV and in most countries in the region
they are also more likely to be the ones caring for people
infected with HIV.
According to the report, there is increasing evidence
of HIV outbreaks among men who have sex with men in
Cambodia, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Viet
Nam as well as across Latin America but most national AIDS
programmes fail to address the specific needs of these
people. New data also show that HIV prevention programmes
are failing to address the overlap between injecting drug
use and sex work within the epidemics of Latin America,
Eastern Europe and particularly Asia.
"It is imperative that we continue to increase
investment in both HIV prevention and treatment services to
reduce unnecessary deaths and illness from this
disease," said WHO Acting Director-General, Dr Anders
Nordstrom "In sub-Saharan Africa, the worst affected
region, life expectancy at birth is now just 47 years,
which is 30 years less than most high-income
countries."
The AIDS Epidemic Update underlines how weak HIV
surveillance in several regions including Latin America,
the Caribbean, the Middle East, and North Africa often
means that people at highest risk-men who have sex with
men, sex workers, and injecting drug users-are not
adequately reached through HIV prevention and treatment
strategies because not enough is known about their
particular situations and realities.
The report also highlights that levels of knowledge of
safe sex and HIV remain low in many countries, as well as
perception of personal risk. Even in countries where the
epidemic has a very high impact, such as Swaziland and
South Africa, a large proportion of the population do not
believe they are at risk of becoming infected.
"Knowing your epidemic and understanding the
drivers of the epidemic such as inequality between men and
women and homophobia is absolutely fundamental to the
long-term response to AIDS. Action must not only be
increased dramatically, but must also be strategic, focused
and sustainable to ensure that the money reaches those who
need it most," said Dr Piot.
The annual AIDS Epidemic Update reports on the latest
developments in the global AIDS epidemic. With maps and
regional estimates, the 2006 edition provides the most
recent estimates on the epidemic's scope and human toll and
explores new trends in the epidemic's evolution. The report
is available at http://www.unaids.org .
UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS,
brings together the efforts and resources of ten UN system
organizations to the global AIDS response. Cosponsors
include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO,
UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank. Based in Geneva, the UNAIDS
Secretariat works on the ground in more than 75 countries
worldwide.
As the directing and coordinating authority on
international health work, the World Health Organization
(WHO) takes the lead within the UN system in the global
health sector response to HIV/AIDS. WHO provides
technical, evidence-based support to Member States to help
strengthen health systems to provide a comprehensive and
sustainable response to HIV/AIDS including treatment, care,
support and prevention services through the health sector.
For more information, please contact:
Yasmine Topor
UNAIDS Geneva
Tel: +41-22-791-3501
Email: topory@unaids.org
Beth Magne-Watts
UNAIDS Geneva
Tel: +41-22-791-5074
Email: magnewattsb@unaids.org
Sophie Barton-Knott
UNAIDS Geneva
Tel: +41-22-791-1967
Email: bartonknotts@unaids.org
Iqbal Nandra
WHO Geneva
Tel: +41-22-791-5589
Email: nandrai@who.int
SOURCE World Health Organization
2007'02.11.Sun
Music Platform SellaBand and Heineken Host Unique Live-Event
November 22, 2006
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Nov. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- SellaBand, the online music platform for unsigned artists, and beer company Heineken will organise their first ever live-concert, together: "Heineken Presents...SellaBand in Concert." At this event, to be held on January 7 at legendary live venue Paradiso in Amsterdam, NL, four upcoming bands will get the opportunity to perform their music live in concert. Among these acts will be special guests Nemesea, the first ever group to raise $50,000 through crowdsourcing on SellaBand. http://www.sellaband.com . Within three months after the launch of SellaBand, Nemesea is the first ever band to record a full length album, funded by their fans, the so called 'Believers'. That's the unique thought behind the SellaBand concept. The recorded songs will be available as free downloads on http://www.sellaband.com and the artist and their Believers will share in the revenues. Support artists "Since day one it has been our goal to be more than just a platform where artists and their fans can meet and be in business together", said Johan Vosmeijer, Managing Director of SellaBand. "We really want to do things to further the careers of artists, offer them useful tools. Organising live-shows is a strong way to support upcoming bands. That's why we have been looking for an established partner who can offer the right kind of support. We are thrilled that Heineken has embraced SellaBand and will work with us on hosting live-concerts." Heineken and music Heineken feels that working with SellaBand is a nice way to support new and upcoming artists. Says Heineken Brand Manager Robert Bernink: "Music is one of our prime sponsor platforms and we are always looking for new, exciting concepts to work with. SellaBand felt like the perfect match for the Heineken-brand." On top of major events in the Dance-scene and HipHop-initiatives such as The Hop and State Magazine, this concert with SellaBand ties in with our own activities. We will open our network of live-stages, so SellaBand can host shows there." Line up Next to Nemesea, three more acts will get the opportunity to fly to Amsterdam and present themselves in front of a live-audience on January 7,2007. 900 bands from 50 countries have already joined SellaBand since its launch on August 15, 2006. The goal for these acts is to raise a recording budget of $50,000. The top 3 in budget ranking on December 5 on SellaBand, will be invited to perform at the event. Tickets will not be for sale but are exclusively reserved for the artists and their Believers. About SellaBand In the first three months, over 5,000 people from 100 countries, have registered as 'Believers' on SellaBand, raising already $200,000 in budget for upcoming artists. The international appeal of this Dutch initiative, shines through in the fact that fans from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Portugal, Latvia, Canada and the United States have applied for tickets for the Paradiso-show. Heineken Presents...SellaBand in Concert, will also be aired live on http://www.sellaband.com . For more information, please contact: Johan Vosmeijer SellaBand Tel: +316-2-2801-294 Email: johan@sellaband.com SOURCE SellaBand
2007'02.11.Sun
Caterpillar Moves Asia Pacific Operations Headquarters to Beijing
November 21, 2006
Decision Aligns With Caterpillar's Enterprise Strategy
BEIJING, Nov. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar
Inc. (NYSE: CAT) announced today it is moving its Asia
Pacific Operations headquarters to Beijing, China.
Caterpillar Vice President Rich Lavin, who has
administrative responsibility for operations in
Caterpillar's Asia Pacific Division, will relocate from
Tokyo, Japan, to Caterpillar's Beijing offices as part of
this decision.
"Caterpillar is growing in China, and moving our
Asia Pacific Operations headquarters to Beijing will
provide a sharper focus for operational excellence for Team
Caterpillar," said Lavin. "Operational and sales
success in China is a critical success factor for the
company's long-term growth and profitability. This move
will help us achieve those goals while contributing to the
growth, development and ever-improving quality of life in
China."
The Caterpillar Board of Directors elected Lavin vice
president of operations for the Asia Pacific Division
effective July 1, 2004. In this role Lavin serves as
chairman of Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd. and has
administrative responsibility for operations in the region,
including manufacturing facilities in China, India,
Indonesia and Japan. Lavin's move to Beijing is effective
immediately. Caterpillar's Asia Pacific Marketing Division
headquarters will remain based in Singapore.
In October of 2005, Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Jim
Owens outlined Caterpillar's new enterprise strategy and
goals for delivering Caterpillar's Vision 2020. As part of
that strategy, China was listed as one of seven critical
success factors needed for Caterpillar to achieve its new
strategy.
"China is clearly a key element of our future
strategy, and we are rapidly expanding our business in
support of the growing number of customers who are helping
to build, develop and modernize China's infrastructure and
economy," said Stu Levenick, Caterpillar group
president with responsibility for Asia. "The movement
of our Asia Pacific Operations headquarters to China is a
clear indication of China's strategic importance to
Caterpillar and our desire to expand our manufacturing base
and enhance support for customers in this critical market
and elsewhere."
Today, Caterpillar operates 13 China-based facilities
-- both joint venture and wholly owned businesses -- which,
together with its network of independent Caterpillar
dealers, offer customers in China the best-in-class
products, services and support that have made Caterpillar a
global leader. The world's most populous nation has
undergone an economic growth and expansion that is
unprecedented in modern times, and expected future growth
in China makes it the single largest opportunity for
potential future sales for many Caterpillar products.
Caterpillar has a long history in China. The company
sold its first products there in 1975 and opened an office
in Beijing in 1978. Beijing is home to Caterpillar's
marketing headquarters for China, and it is also the
headquarters for Cat China Financial Leasing.
In the 1980s, Caterpillar launched technology transfer
agreements with Chinese manufacturers who began building
Caterpillar licensed products. Caterpillar's expansion in
China accelerated in the early 1990s with the establishment
of a more significant local production strategy.
For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been
making progress possible and driving positive and
sustainable change on every continent. With 2005 sales and
revenues of $36.339 billion, Caterpillar is the world's
leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment,
diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.
More information is available at http://www.CAT.com/ .
SAFE HARBOR
Certain statements in this release relate to future
events and expectations and as such constitute
forward-looking statements involving known and unknown
factors that may cause actual results of Caterpillar Inc.
to be different from those expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements. In this context, words such as
"expects," "anticipates,"
"intends," "plans,"
"believes," "seeks," "will,"
or other similar words and phrases often identify
forward-looking statements made on behalf of Caterpillar.
It is important to note that actual results of the company
may differ materially from those described or implied in
such forward looking statements based on a number of
factors and uncertainties, including, but not limited to,
changes in economic conditions, currency exchange rates or
political stability; market acceptance of the company's
products and services; significant changes in the
competitive environment; changes in law, regulations and
tax rates; and other general economic, business and
financing conditions and factors described in more detail
in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including the quarterly report filed on Form
10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
November 2, 2006. We do not undertake to update our
forward-looking statements.
For more information, please contact:
Jim Dugan
Government Relations & Corporate Affairs
Caterpillar (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86-10-5921-0166
Mobile: +86-139-1093-4649
Email: dugan_jim@cat.com
SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.
2007'02.11.Sun
China Kangtai Cactus Bio-tech Inc Announces Quarterly Results
November 21, 2006
NEW JERSEY and HARBIN, China, Nov. 21
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- China Kangtai Cactus Bio-tech Inc
(OTC Bulletin Board: CKGT) according to its filed quarterly
report on Nov. 14, today announced earnings of $1,084,959 or
6 cents per share for the three months ended September 30,
2006 compared to the earnings of $436,499 or 3 cents per
share for the same period in 2005.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 the
Company reported earnings of $2.7 million or $0.16 per
share compared to the earnings of $1,037,194 or 6 cents per
share for the same period in 2005.
Key items for the nine months ended September 30, 2006
compared to the same period in 2005 were:
-- For the nine months ended September 30, 2006,
revenues increased by
$6,548,835 or 118% to $12,099,294 from $5,550,459 in
the corresponding
period of the prior year. The increase in revenues
was attributable
to the fact that the Company's products are being
more effectively
marketed and as a result better accepted by the
domestic market
customers. These products include Cactus Protein
Nutrient, Cactus
Calcium Peptide Soft Capsule and Cactus Shuxin
Capsule, among others
too.
-- For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, cost
of sales increased
by $4,059,226or 111% to $7,716,097 from $3,656,871
as compared to the
corresponding period of the prior year. The primary
factor
responsible for the increase was an increase of
marketing related
expenditure and costs.
-- For the nine months ended September 30, 2006,
general and
administrative expenses decreased by $297,870 or
50.8% to $288,485
from $586,355 as compared to the corresponding
period of the prior
year. The primary factor for the decrease was
Company's streamlining
of its operating team and Company's reducing
expenses on general and
administrative items.
-- For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, net
income increased by
$1,699,926 or 163.9%, to $2,737,120 from $1,037,194
for the
corresponding period of the prior year. The
increase was primarily
due to 1) the Company more effectively marketing its
products and an
increased acceptance by the Company's domestic
market customers;
and 2) the decrease in the Company's cost of sales,
distribution,
management and operations.
About China Kangtai Cactus Bio-tech Inc
China Kangtai Cactus Bio-tech Inc is a U.S. listed
company and specializes in producing cactus-based series of
health products. Currently, the company's cactus planting
area accounts for more than 60% of the total cactus
plantation area in China, and the market share of its
products accounts for more than 70% in China.
For more information, please contact:
Ren Hu
Tel: +1-201-887-0415
Email: rh@xrz.cn
SOURCE China Kangtai Cactus Bio-tech Inc
2007'02.11.Sun
`Technology and Nature in Harmony' -- The 12th International Automobile & Manufacturing Technology Exhibition Reaches its Peak Next Spring
November 21, 2006
SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. announced today
that the 12th International Automobile & Manufacturing
Technology Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2007), will be held at
the Shanghai New International Exhibition Center from April
22 to 28, 2007. Themed around `Technology and Nature in
Harmony', Auto Shanghai 2007 will be the focus of world
leading automobile companies, and will see the super scale
of a 140,000 square meter exhibition area.
(Logo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/sa/20061108114544-37.jpg )
Brief Overview of Auto Shanghai
Since its first outing in 1985, Auto Shanghai is the
earliest international auto show in China. In June 2004,
Auto Shanghai became the first UFI approved Chinese auto
show. With the development of automotive industries, both
in China and internationally, and accumulating experience
of 20 years, Auto Shanghai has grown into the most
authoritative exhibition in China, and one of the most
influential international exhibitions. Starting from 2003,
the China Association of Automobile Manufactures and the
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade,
Automotive Sub-Council have been involved in the exhibition
as organizers, teaming up with the original organizer, the
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade,
Shanghai Sub-Council. The close collaboration among these
three organizers has laid a solid foundation for the show's
growth, transforming from a regional auto show to a country
level show, and on to an international exhibition, strongly
positioning Auto Shanghai and building up its authoritative
status. Auto Shanghai 2005, with a total exhibition area
of 120,000 square meters, attracted 1,036 exhibitors from
26 countries and regions, 5,380 reporters from 1,020 media
outlets from 35 countries and regions, as well as 391,593
visitors from 113 countries and regions.
Introduction of Auto Shanghai 2007
Auto Shanghai 2007 is organized by the China
Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the China Council
for the Promotion of International Trade, Shanghai
Sub-Council and the China Council for the Promotion of
International Trade, Automotive Sub-Council, and is
co-organized by the World Expo Group-Shanghai International
Exhibition Co., Ltd., and MMG-Messe Muenchen
International/IMAG- Internationaler Messe- und
Ausstellungsdienst GmbH. The event is also specially
supported by the China Machinery Industry Federation, and
the Society of Automotive Engineers of China (SAE China).
Auto Shanghai 2007 will utilize all nine indoor
exhibition halls (seven halls for automobile manufactures,
and two for auto components), two temporary outdoor halls
and the outside venue of the Shanghai New International
Exhibition Center, with a combined total exhibition area of
over 140,000 square meters. Regarding the schedule,
organizers plan to make April 20 and 21 as the media days,
available only to domestic and overseas media, which aims
at facilitating the reports and journalists at Auto
Shanghai in a comprehensive way and to conduct interviews
in a detailed and unfeigned way. April 22 and 23 are trade
visitor days, while April 24 to 28 will be days open to the
public.
`Technology and Nature in Harmony'
The theme of Auto Shanghai 2007 is `Technology and
Nature in Harmony.' The exhibition will showcase passenger
cars, commercial vehicles, buses, trucks, special-purpose
vehicles, auto design and new concept products, automotive
parts & components, car audio, tires, measuring
devices, maintenance equipment, and car accessories, etc.
This will highlight the latest achievements of the
international automotive industry and leading technologies
and products from domestic companies, reflecting the
current development level of the automotive industry.
Highlights and Features on Services
Auto Shanghai has grown 14 times in terms of exhibition
scale from the 10,000 square meters of its initiation to the
current 140,000. As far as scale is concerned, Auto
Shanghai can be ranked among the world's most influential
auto shows. Besides the scale, the benchmark of an
exhibition depends on whether it can retain the first-class
and leading position. Therefore, in order to make Auto
Shanghai one of the famous world auto shows, the concept of
organizers is to enhance the quality via its increased
exhibition area, and by improving service standards and
management skills. In view of the above, CEOs from the
biggest automobile companies will be invited by the
organizers. Industry giants will be requested to
participate in line with the criteria of top auto shows,
and the number of global unveilings will be increased. The
organizers will also share communication and promotion
channels with the Paris Auto Show to further expand the
scale and quality of overseas visitors. Country pavilions
from places like the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan,
and South Korea will be displayed in the Auto Components
sections.
For the media, a large press center, with advanced
sound facilities, will be made available, providing
reporters with high standard services, as organizers look
to pay more attention to details and enhance management
skills.
The official website of Auto Shanghai 2007 (
http://www.autoshanghai.com.cn ) has been launched and will
serve as an ongoing platform for updating information.
Eclectic devices such as the e-Show Guide will be placed at
eye-catching locations like the entrance hall, to draw
visitors' attention. The overall promotion plan, artwork,
design and official website will be go through a bidding
procedure to increase quality. The organizers will also add
more rest areas for exhibitors and visitors, enhancing the
catering and traffic services. The estimated overall rest
area for exhibitors and visitors will reach 20,000 square
meters.
If you distribute the press release, please kindly send
the voucher copies to:
Mr. Rice Song,
World Expo Group Shanghai International Exhibition
Co., Ltd.
Address: 8/F, OOCL Plaza, 841 Yan An Zhong Road,
Shanghai, China 200040
Or forward the link to ricesong@siec-ccpit.com
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Rice Song
Tel: +86-21-6279-2828 x257 or +86-21-6289-2210
Fax: +86-21-6545-5124
SOURCE Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd.
2007'02.11.Sun
Askey Selects Texas Instruments Voice Over IP Solutions for IP Phone and Customer Premises Gateway Products
November 21, 2006
High-Quality Voice and Robust Performance Make TI Software and Silicon Ideal for Asian Broadband Design Manufacturer
DALLAS, Nov. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Texas
Instruments Incorporated (TI) [NYSE:TXN], today announced
that Askey Computer Corp., a leading design manufacturer of
high-quality broadband products and services, selected TI's
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions for its IP
phones and residential and enterprise gateways. TI's
complete, integrated VoIP silicon and software solutions
incorporate its field-proven Telogy Software(TM) for VoIP
and PIQUA(TM) software for enhanced voice quality and IP
performance. The first IP phone from Askey incorporating
TI technology, the VPD1120, and gateway products, the
VGE1020 residential gateway and VG603 enterprise gateway,
are all currently in production.
(Logo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/sa/20061107170439-20.jpg )
"TI's high-performance VoIP technology with
embedded quality features offer us the most integrated
hardware and software solutions to deliver the best and
most flexible VoIP products to our customers," said
Wangson Wang, senior director, broadband communication
division I, R&D group, Askey. "We are very
impressed with the company's solid roadmap for developing
and enhancing its VoIP product portfolio."
"We have worked closely with TI for many years
now," added Nathan Chou, product line manager, sales
group, Askey. "We know that our collaboration enables
us to better serve our customers while truly providing a
value-added service to OEMs looking to deploy the most
advanced VoIP products."
Askey's VoIP products provide cost-effective,
toll-quality voice and fax calls over packet-switched
networks. For Askey's IP phone products, TI's TNETV1055
offers powerful processing technology and increased
expandability options that enable product designers and
manufacturers to rapidly create innovative IP phone
offerings. With TI's flexible silicon and software
architecture, Askey can also incorporate additional
functionality and features into its IP phones as the demand
for particular services and applications emerge.
Utilizing TI's TNETV2021 and TNETV2840 in its
enterprise gateway products enables Askey to provide a
scalable and cost-competitive solution with added quality
features, including echo-cancellation, adaptive jitter
buffering and tone detection, to deliver enhanced voice
performance. This combined TNETV2021/2840 solution is
optimal for small to medium enterprise applications and for
multi-dwelling units, such as apartment buildings and
college dormitories. TI's TNETV1060 CPE gateway solution
was designed to address the requirements of residential and
small office/home office (SOHO) gateways. Selected by Askey
for its VGE1020 gateway products, the TNETV1060 provides
all the processing power needed for current and evolving
VoIP standards, as well as the ability to implement
advanced functionality as market requirements dictate. With
TI's TNETV1060 at the core of Askey's residential gateway
devices, customers can also scale their current gateway
solutions to larger business applications requiring
additional channels of voice, as needed.
"We understand that Askey is committed to
delivering a complete and robust suite of CPE devices to
its customers, and with TI's VoIP software and chipsets at
the heart of its products, we believe that Askey can truly
differentiate itself by offering high quality VoIP
solutions with advanced flexibility to support future
needs," said Debasish "Ron" Nag, director of
business development, Asia, Texas Instruments. "With
its dedicated VoIP team and experience working with OEMs
targeting all VoIP segments - from gateways to IP phones -
Askey's expertise and diversity correlates well with TI's
broad range and reach in the VoIP industry."
About Askey Computer Corporation
Askey Computer Corporation was established in Taipei,
Taiwan in 1989. The company is engaged in the design,
marketing, manufacturing, distribution and after sales
services of broadband and wireless products for ODM/OEM
customers worldwide. With fast business growth and
continuous progress in new product development, Askey has
become the world's leading manufacturer of cable modems,
ADSL modems, wireless LAN products, analog modems and combo
cards for computers, telecommunications, networking and
other communication industries. Additional information can
be found at:
http://www.askey.com.tw/eportal/globalweb/index.jsp .
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 .
Trademarks
Telogy Software and PIQUA are trademarks 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: +1-972-341-2506
Email: earnold@golinharris.com
SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
2007'02.11.Sun
Green Technology to Fight Poverty in Western China
November 21, 2006
An Innovative Initiative Between UNDP and the Chinese Government to Reduce Poverty and Improve Ecosystems for Chinese Ethnic Minorities
BEIJING, Nov. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Communities
living on the arid mountains bordering Guizhou, Sichuan and
Yunnan may soon be able to use the seeds of a locally grown
tree for bio-fuel production to increase their energy
supply, through a 4-year United Nations project aiming to
alleviate poverty in western China.
(Logo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/sa/20061107113358-34.jpg )
Jointly established by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) in China and the Chinese government, the
US$ 8.585 million project was launched today in Beijing,
aiming to use green technologies to reduce poverty and
improve fragile ecosystems in western China, where the
number of the total poor is growing.
Entitled "Green Poverty Reduction in China",
the project prioritizes communities of ethnic minorities
living in ecologically fragile and remote regions of China.
The aim is to create new sources of sustenance and to
develop green energy for those areas involved in the
project. "Fostering the potential of green industries
and energy sources in remote mountain areas and deserts is
an important vehicle which can generate income and
employment opportunities, while protecting the
environment," said Alessandra Tisot, UNDP Senior
Deputy Resident Representative in China.
Through bio-diesel production in Guizhou, Sichuan and
Yunnan, the project aims to create a market for the
oil-rich seed of the Jatropha Curcas L tree. The tree
grows wild in the mountainous regions of western China and
is currently used on farms as hedging and to prevent
desertification. Its wide-spread cultivation would
hopefully lead to more fertile land in an area where soil
erosion and aridity create difficulties for agriculture and
the ecosystem.
Along with the production of bio-diesel, the project
will develop Jarrah Dayun production in Xinjiang which is
used as raw material for traditional medicine, and provide
small-scale wind turbines to poor herdsmen in Inner
Mongolia. Best practice and lessons gained through these
pilot sites will be disseminated as the initiative aims to
be extended across the country.
This initiative is jointly established between UNDP,
the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and the
China International Center For Economic and Technical
Exchanges (CICETE) under the Ministry of Commerce.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Zhang Wei
Media Officer, UNDP China
Tel: +86-10-8532-0715
Email: wei.zhang@undp.org
Web: http://www.undp.org.cn
SOURCE United Nations Development Programme
2007'02.11.Sun
New Analyses Demonstrate Positive Effect on Bone With FOSRENOL(R) Treatment Compared With Standard Therapy
November 20, 2006
Further Data Support the Contribution of FOSRENOL(R) (lanthanum carbonate) to the Overall Renal Health of the ESRD Patient While Reducing Mean Phosphate Levels to Within Guideline Targets
BASINGSTOKE, England and SAN DIEGO, Nov. 20
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- New data presented on Friday 17th
November at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Annual
Meeting, show FOSRENOL is an effective phosphate binder with
a similar efficacy profile to standard therapy(1). The 2
year data demonstrate that patients treated with FOSRENOL
showed similar phosphate control and lower serum calcium
levels than standard therapy. Treatment with FOSRENOL for 2
years had no adverse effects on bone histology and was not
associated with an increased incidence of osteomalacia
(bone softening). More patients treated with FOSRENOL also
demonstrated increases in bone formation rate than patients
receiving standard therapy(1).
Professor Hartmut Malluche, lead investigator of the
study, said "Patients with end-stage renal disease are
seriously ill and the burden of their illness is often
compounded by co-existing conditions. They can experience
significant bone problems as a result of
hyperphosphataemia, which can sometimes be exacerbated by
their treatment for the condition. These data show that
FOSRENOL not only effectively controls hyperphosphataemia,
but also demonstrates some positive effects on bone status
compared with standard therapy over the 2 year study
period."
During year two, a greater proportion of patients in
the standard therapy group showed movement of bone volume
away from the normal range compared with the FOSRENOL group
(50 percent versus 31 percent). Similarly, improvements
toward normal bone formations rates were seen in 38 percent
of patients receiving FOSRENOL at both one and two years.
Patients in the standard therapy group showed improvements
of only 24 and 12 percent at one and two years, and bone
formation worsened in 63 percent of the patients in the
two-year group(1). The results were not measured for
statistical significance.
FOSRENOL's therapeutic profile is further reinforced by
the publication of new cognitive function data in Kidney
International this month(2). This data assessed the
comparative cognitive decline in dialysis patients taking
FOSRENOL and standard therapy to control phosphate levels.
Cognitive decline is a significant problem in this
population and it is important that any treatment does not
affect this further. These long term two year data show
that FOSRENOL does not adversely affect the decline of
cognitive function compared to standard therapy(2). There
is a paucity of evidence looking at cognitive function in
this patient population and this study provides important
additional insight into the overall decline in cognitive
function in these patients.
Dr Raymond Pratt, Vice President Shire Pharmaceutical
Development, said: "These results further add to the
robust body of evidence on FOSRENOL, with studies
successfully conducted in more than 5,500 patients, and
with a small number followed for up to 6 years now. Shire
is proud of this comprehensive data which support the
benefits FOSRENOL can bring to patients with CKD on
dialysis."
These studies are promising news for the estimated 1.4
million people on dialysis worldwide(3) who are at risk
from the serious consequences of hyperphosphataemia, shown
to be associated with long-term morbidity and mortality(4).
The majority of CKD patients will eventually develop
hyperphosphataemia(5) which, if not managed successfully,
may cause serious long-term health risks including renal
osteodystrophy (resulting in bone pain, brittle bones and
skeletal deformities)(6), and potentially contribute to
cardiovascular disease, which accounts for almost half of
all deaths among dialysis patients(7,8). As a result,
patients on dialysis are often already taking as many as
eight or nine different medications(9). As FOSRENOL is
associated with a lower tablet burden than existing
phosphate binders (as few as one pill per meal), it may
offer simplified dosing for these patients(10).
FOSRENOL has been available in the US for 22 months
with over 53,000 patients receiving Fosrenol since launch.
The first European launches took place at the end of 2005
and Shire continues to bring Fosrenol to market around the
world across this year and into 2007, subject to national
licensing, pricing and reimbursement negotiations.
References
(1) Malluche HH, Pratt RD. Renal osteodystrophy:
Comparison of
evolution over 1 and 2 years during treatment with
lanthanum
carbonate or standard phosphate binders. Presented
at ASN Renal
Week, San Diego, November 14-19 2006.
(2) Altman P, Barnett ME, Finn WF. Cognitive function
in stage 5 CKD
patients on hemodialysis: no adverse effects of
lanthanum
carbonate compared with standard phosphate-binder
therapy.
Kidney Int advance online publication, October 11,
2006
(3) Grassman A, Gioberge S, Moeller S, Brown G. ESRD
patients in
2004: global overview of patient numbers,
treatment modalities
and associated trends. Nephrol Dial Transplant
2005; 20:
2587-2593.
(4) Block G, Klassen PS, Lazarus MJ, Ofsthun N,
Lowrie EG, Chertow
GM. Mineral metabolism, mortality, and morbidity
in maintenance
hemodialysis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2004; 15:2208-18.
(5) Lederer E, Ouseph R, Erbeck K. Hyperphosphataemia.
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1097.html .
Accessed
23-Mar-06.
(6) Martin K, Gonzalez A. Strategies to minimize bone
disease in
renal failure. Am J Kidney Dis 2001; 38: 1430-36
(7) Salusky IB, Goodman WG. Cardiovascular
calcification in
end-stage renal disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant
2002; 17:
336-339.
(8) Block G, Port FK. Re-evaluation of risks
associated with
hyperphosphataemia and hyperparathyroidism in
dialysis patients:
recommendations for a change in management. Am J
Kidney Dis
2000; 35 (6): 1226-1237.
(9) United States Renal Data System. Medication use
among dialysis
patients in DMMS. Am J Kidney Dis 1998; 32 (2)
Suppl 1 (August):
S60-68.
(10) Mehrotra R. Efficacy and safety of reformulated
higher dosage
lanthanum carbonate. Presented at ASN Renal Week,
San Diego,
November 14-19 2006.
Notes to editors:
Managing Hyperphosphataemia
Phosphorus, an element found in nearly all foods, is
absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood
stream. When the kidneys fail, they no longer effectively
filter out phosphates, even with the help of
blood-cleansing dialysis machines. While the normal adult
range for phosphorus is 2.5 (0.8mmol/L) to 4.5 mg/dL
(1.4mmol/L), the blood phosphorus levels of many patients
on dialysis exceed 6.5 mg/dL (2.1mmol/L). Such levels have
been linked to a significantly higher illness and death
risk for patients who have undergone at least one year of
dialysis(i). Most dialysis patients develop
hyperphosphataemia.
Hyperphosphataemia disrupts the delicate interplay
between the body's levels of calcium, parathyroid hormone
(PTH) and vitamin D. Over time, hyperphosphataemia can
ultimately lead to calcification of the heart, lung and
some arteries(ii). Accumulating evidence shows that
hyperphosphataemia contributes to cardiovascular disease,
which accounts for almost half of all deaths among dialysis
patients(iii). In fact, studies have shown that
cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients aged 25-34
years is more than 5 times greater than that in people aged
65-74 in the general population(iv).
Since dialysis and diet restrictions alone generally
cannot control phosphate levels, patients traditionally
manage hyperphosphataemia by taking phosphate binding
agents with every meal and snack. Such binders "soak
up" phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract, before it
can be absorbed into the blood.
FOSRENOL(R) (lanthanum carbonate)
FOSRENOL(R) works by binding to dietary phosphate in
the GI tract; once bound, the lanthanum/phosphate complex
cannot pass through the intestinal lining into the blood
stream and is eliminated from the body. As a consequence,
overall phosphate absorption from the diet is decreased
significantly. Shire has conducted an extensive clinical
research programme for FOSRENOL involving over 5500
patients, with a small number followed for up to 6 years
now. This programme has demonstrated that FOSRENOL is an
effective phosphate binder with a good tolerability profile
for long-term use. FOSRENOL was approved by the FDA in
October 2004 and is now available for prescription in the
US. In March 2005 regulatory authorities in the EU granted
marketing authorization for FOSRENOL in sixteen member
states, thus completing the first step in securing
marketing approval throughout Europe. FOSRENOL has since
been launched in Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and
Austria. The final step in the European process was
recently completed resulting in recommendation for approval
in the remaining 11 member states. Further roll-outs are
underway across the rest of Europe and other countries
around the world. The company has out-licensed the rights
to develop, market and sell FOSRENOL in Japan to Bayer
Yakuhin Ltd.
Patients with renal insufficiency may develop
hypocalcaemia. Serum calcium levels should therefore be
monitored at regular time intervals for this patient
population and appropriate supplements given.
No data are available in patients with severe hepatic
impairment. Caution should, therefore, be exercised in
these patients, as elimination of absorbed lanthanum may be
reduced.
FOSRENOL should not be used during pregnancy.
Patients with acute peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis,
Crohn's disease or bowel obstruction were not included in
clinical studies with Fosrenol.
The most commonly reported Adverse Drug Reactions
(ADRs) (>1/100, 1/10) are gastrointestinal reactions
such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, dyspepsia,
flatulence, nausea and vomiting. These are minimized by
taking FOSRENOL with food and generally abated with time
with continued dosing. Hypocalcaemia was the only other
commonly reported adverse reaction.
Shire
Shire is a global specialty pharmaceutical company with
a strategic focus on meeting the needs of the specialist
physician and currently focuses on developing and marketing
products in the areas of attention deficit and hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), gastrointestinal (GI), renal diseases and
human genetic therapies. Shire has operations in the
world's key pharmaceutical markets (US, Canada, UK, France,
Italy, Spain and Germany) as well as a specialist drug
delivery unit in the US.
For further information on Shire, please visit the
Company's website: http://www.shire.com .
(i) Block GA et al. Association of serum phosphorus
and calcium x
phosphate product with mortality risk in chronic
hemodialysis
patients: A national study. American Journal of
Kidney Diseases
1998; 31: 607-617
(ii) Norris KC. Toward a new treatment paradigm for
hyperphosphataemia in chronic renal disease.
Dialysis &
Transplantation 1998; 27 (12): 767-773
(iii) Block G, Port FK. Re-evaluation of risks
associated with
hyperphosphataemia and hyperparathyroidism in
dialysis
patients: recommendations for a change in
management. Am J
Kidney Dis 2000; 35 (6): 1226-1237
(iv) Foley R et al. Clinical epidemiology of
cardiovascular disease
in chronic renal disease. American Journal of
Kidney Disease
1998; 32 (5) Suppl 3:112-119
For more information, please contact:
Media:
Jessica Mann, Shire
Tel: +44-1256-894-280
Investor Relations:
Clea Rosenfeld, Shire
Tel: +44-1256-894-160
Glen Halliwell
Resolute Communications
Tel: +44-207-397-7479
Julia Kirby
Resolute Communications
Tel: +44-79-6617-2179 (on site)
SOURCE Shire PLC
2007'02.11.Sun
The China TEDA BioForum (2006) Held on November 18
November 20, 2006
TIANJIN, China, Nov. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Tianjin
Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) announced
today that the China TEDA BioForum (2006) & the fifth
annual meeting of the TEDA-WATSON International Forum on
Biotech and Biomedicine was held at the Renaissance Tianjin
TEDA Hotel from November 18 to 19, 2006. Relevant leaders
from China's National Ministries and Commissions, domestic
and foreign experts and scholars, entrepreneurs, and
renowned experts from science and law communities all came
together to discuss and exchange ideas on the cutting edge
issues of the bio-tech field. The number of total
participants was around 800 to 1000 people. Meanwhile, the
Forum also presented an exhibition entitled "Bio-tech
-- the Key Industry of the 21st Century."
The annual meeting of the TEDA-WATSON International
Forum on Biotech and Biomedicine has been held on four
previous occasions, all of which have achieved substantial
results and generated significant influence in the
international biotech and the industry's community, so it
has evolved into one of the high-level gala events for the
domestic biotech field. The annual meeting plays a
positive role in promoting the introduction of biotech
industrial policies in China, reinforcing international
exchange on biotech and boosting the integration of S&T
within the industry as well as cooperation on current and
upcoming projects.
About Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area
(TEDA)
Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA)
was established in 1984 with the approval of the State
Council of the People's Republic of China. It is one of
the first state-class economic-technological development
areas in the country.
TEDA is located in the center of a larger area
bordering Bohai Sea and the east of the Asia-Europe Land
Bridge, thus serving as the gate to the two super cities of
Beijing and Tianjin, and the throat connecting the northeast
of China. By the end of 2005, 4,067 foreign companies have
landed in TEDA. Of the Fortune 500 companies, 57
multinational companies, from 10 countries and regions,
including such well-established multinational giants as
Motorola, Samsung and Toyota, invested in 123 enterprises
in TEDA. In 2000, "Fortune" listed TEDA as one
of the most highly recommended economic areas in China. In
2002 UNIDO listed TEDA as one of the most dynamic areas of
China together with Shenzhen, Suzhou, Wenzhou, Shanghai
Pudong and Xi'an High-tech Park.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.investteda.org .
For more information, please contact:
Ding Lei of TEDA
Tel: +86-22-2520-1616
SOURCE Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area
2007'02.11.Sun
Arrow Asia Ranks in Top 5 on InformationWeek China 100
November 20, 2006
HONG KONG, Nov. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Arrow Asia
Pac Ltd. today announced that it was ranked 5th in the 2006
InformationWeek China 100, a prestigious survey that ranks
the most innovative users of information technology in
mainland China.
"Being recognized as the fifth most innovative
user of technology in China is a testimony to the
dedication and commitment of Arrow employees. Arrow's
history of utilizing technology to accelerate improvements
in business processes ensures our continued leadership in
creating value for customers and suppliers," said
Peter Kong, President of Arrow Asia Pac Ltd. "This
top ranking further demonstrates Arrow's ability to
leverage technological innovations. We are committed to
becoming even more efficient through continuously
streamlining business processes, and working
collaboratively with customers and suppliers to ensure
their business success."
The research adopted the global methodology used by
InformationWeek 500 in the United States and optimizes this
approach to suit local circumstances in the China market.
The InformationWeek China 100 study covered a research base
of over 6,000 companies from 35 industries in mainland
China. It included a quantitative analysis of technology
initiatives and priorities, and a qualitative assessment
featuring essay responses. The responses to all parts of
the survey were evaluated and weighted, then combined into
a total score which formed the basis for the ranking.
Additional details about InformationWeek China 100 can
be found at:
http://www.informationweek.com.cn/2006iwk100/editor.htm
About InformationWeek
InformationWeek sets the agenda for business technology
executives, covering the full range of information access
points IT decision-makers use today. A trusted,
authoritative source and information filter,
InformationWeek helps community members understand and
focus on what's important up-to-the-minute -- in print,
online, through independent research and at live,
peer-to-peer events. Through its cross-media platform,
InformationWeek delivers content to complement the print
publication to its community of business technology leaders
when and how they want it, 24/7. The InformationWeek
community includes an audience of 2.5 million CIOs, IT
executives and business managers who cut across industries,
job titles, company sizes and global borders.
About Arrow Asia Pac
A subsidiary of Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW),
Arrow Asia Pac is one of Asia Pacific's leading electronic
component distributors. In addition to its regional
headquarters in Hong Kong, Arrow Asia Pac operates 42 sales
offices, four primary distribution centers and eleven local
warehousing facilities in eleven countries/territories
across Asia.
Providing a full range of semiconductors, passive,
electromechanical and connectors products from over 60
leading international suppliers, Arrow Asia Pac serves more
than 10,000 original equipment and contract manufacturers
and commercial customers in Asia Pacific. Visit us at
http://www.arrowasia.com .
For more information, please contact:
Ray Leung
Marketing Communications Director
Arrow Asia Pac Ltd.
Tel: +852-2484-2683
Email: ray.leung@arrowasia.com
Grace Kung
Marketing Communications Manager
Tel: +852-2484-2682
Email: grace.kung@arrowasia.com
SOURCE Arrow Asia Pac Ltd.
2007'02.11.Sun
AMG LASSO Music Media Recognition Service Adopted for PLAYSTATION(R)3
November 20, 2006
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- All
Media Guide (AMG), the premier technology and content
database provider for exploring music, movies, and games,
announced that AMG LASSO was adopted as the global music
media recognition service for the new PLAYSTATION(R)3
(PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system from Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. (SCEI), debuting November 11 in Japan
and today in North America.
"With AMG LASSO services on the PS3, users will be
able to promptly and conveniently manage and play their
favorite music on the system," said Greg Smith, AMG
vice president of technology.
AMG LASSO automatically recognizes CDs inserted into
PS3, as well as important "tag" information such
as the artist name, album name, song names, credits,
release dates, genres, moods, similar artists, and other
information critical for advanced media management.
AMG LASSO media recognition service is powered by AMG's
professional standard global metadata. Created by respected
music experts, the AMG databases comprise rich content,
including millions of albums, track releases, performers,
composers, genres, styles, tones, similar artists, roots
and influences, copyright information, and other
information important to building intuitive media
management interfaces.
AMG worked closely with Rainbow Partners Inc., its
exclusive Asian licensor for consumer electronics
companies, to provide and customize the technology to PS3.
Rainbow is based in Tokyo and Seoul.
"The depth and accuracy of LASSO's content lets
users do more with their music in managing collections,
making playlists, and finding specific tracks and
titles," said Andrew Stess, AMG vice president of
consumer electronics. "The choice of AMG LASSO
acknowledges that our data is the most comprehensive and
our music management software the most reliable."
About AMG
All Media Guide, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is the
leading authority on music, movies and games. Since 1991,
the company has provided comprehensive content and
technologies to support the physical and digital
distribution of entertainment media. With thousands of
musicologists, film historians, and game specialists
contributing over the years, AMG has created the industry's
cleanest, most in-depth database of information and original
editorial content. AMG content and technologies are licensed
by leading consumer electronics manufacturers, retailers,
and Internet sites. Visit AMG at http://www.allmusic.com ,
http://www.allmovie.com and http://www.allgame.com .
"PLAYSTATION" is a registered trademark and
"PS3" is a trademark of Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc.
For more information, please contact:
Richard Roher
Roher Public Relations
Tel: +1-914-238-2200 x303
Email: rsroher@roherpr.com
SOURCE All Media Guide
2007'02.11.Sun
Study Favours TAXUS(TM) Stent Over Cypher(TM) Stent and Bare-Metal Stents in Diabetic Patients
November 20, 2006
Lower Re-Intervention Rates for the TAXUS Stent in Diabetic Patients
NATICK, Mass. and CHICAGO, Nov. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/
-- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today welcomed
a presentation by Joost Daemen, M.D., and Patrick Serruys,
M.D., entitled "The Long Term Efficacy of
Sirolimus-eluting (SES) and Paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES)
as Compared to Bare-Metal Stents (BMS) in Patients With
Diabetes Mellitus." Data were presented from the
T-SEARCH/RESEARCH registry, a 708-patient, real-world
registry managed from the Thoraxcenter, Erasmus University
Medical Center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The
presentation reports that the TAXUS(TM) stent (PES)
exhibited a lower re-intervention rate and equal or lower
instances of death or heart attack than the Cypher(TM)
stent (SES) and bare-metal stents (BMS). The data were
presented at the annual American Heart Association (AHA)
Scientific Sessions in Chicago.
The presentation reported two-year results, which
trended in favor of the TAXUS stent compared to the Cypher
stent and BMS in both target vessel revascularization (TVR)
and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rates. The TVR rate
for the TAXUS stent was 9.7 percent compared to 15.3
percent for the Cypher stent (p=0.06) and 19.5 percent for
BMS (p=0.0034). Rates of TVR for the Cypher stent and BMS
were comparable (p=0.97). The study also reported rates of
MACE with the TAXUS stent of 21.2 percent compared to 28.9
percent for the Cypher stent (p=0.058 PES vs. SES) and 29.7
percent for BMS (p=0.04 PES vs. BMS). The presenter
concluded that the MACE data showed no benefit to SES as
compared to BMS in the study's patient population, and that
there was a trend toward better TVR outcomes with PES.
Two-year cumulative incidence of mortality was
comparable among the three stent groups, with rates of 11.5
percent for the TAXUS stent, 13.3 percent for the Cypher
stent and 9.8 percent for BMS. The two-year stent
thrombosis rate for the TAXUS stent was lower than that of
the Cypher stent (2.4 percent versus 4.4 percent), however,
the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.29).
Stent thrombosis for BMS was 0.8 percent, which was not
significantly different from TAXUS (p=0.18). Stent
thrombosis for Cypher at two years was significantly higher
compared to BMS (p=0.015).
"This study provides further insight into the
strong performance of the TAXUS stent in diabetic patients
and adds to the growing body of TAXUS stent data in this
difficult-to-treat patient population," said Paul
LaViolette, Chief Operating Officer of Boston Scientific.
"These results are particularly compelling because
they represent patients with multiple complexities, the
kind physicians treat every day in real-world settings. We
are also pleased that the data demonstrated that the safety
profile of the TAXUS stent was comparable to -- or better
than -- that of bare-metal stents."
Diabetic patients generally have more long-term
complications than interventional cardiology patients as a
whole, making results in diabetic patients with heart
disease worthy of note when evaluating overall stent
performance. The important and growing diabetic patient
subset accounts for approximately one-quarter of all
coronary interventional procedures worldwide(1).
Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer,
manufacturer and marketer of medical devises whose products
are used in a broad range of interventional medical
specialties. For more information, please visit:
http://www.bostonscientific.com .
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 commercialization, clinical trials,
intellectual property, regulatory approvals, competitive
offerings, Boston Scientific's over all business strategy,
and other factors described in Boston Scientific's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(1) Kereiakes DJ and Young JJ. Percutaneous coronary
revascularization of diabetic patients in the era
of
drug-eluting stents. Rev Cariovasc Med 2005: 6
(suppl 1): S48-S58
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
2007'02.11.Sun
Goodrich Breaks Ground for New Facility in Dubai
November 20, 2006
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) is celebrating the ground
breaking of a new 110,000-square-foot, purpose-built
facility in Dubai. The site will provide Maintenance,
Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services to customers in the
Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Goodrich has one of
the largest global MRO presences in the industry and
provides critical MRO services to the worldwide fleet of
commercial and military aircraft.
According to N.S. (Pandri) Pandarinath, Vice President
MRO, Europe, Middle East and Africa for Goodrich's Customer
Services team, "This new site allows our Customer
Services team to provide localized support and enables us
to bring multiple Goodrich MRO capabilities under one roof.
It's all about speed and ease of doing business and having
the right assets in the right place at the right time for
our customers."
Operations began last month at Goodrich's start-up
facility in Jebel Ali, UAE, following successful completion
of all necessary, statutory approvals. Goodrich's repair
services encompass components and systems from aircraft
nacelles, cargo, de-icing and sensor systems, to aircraft
evacuation systems. Completion of the new facility is
anticipated in the third quarter of 2007.
On the defense side of the industry, the new facility
will be positioned to support military fleets throughout
the region with spares and repair capabilities for programs
such as the F-16, F-18 and Tornado.
Mrs. Salma Hareb, CEO Jafza and Economic Zone World,
stated, "We welcome Goodrich Corporation to Jafza and
commend them on their well-timed move. Dubai is the
aviation hub of the Middle East and Goodrich's high-tech,
high profile services will add strength to the aviation
industry in the UAE. Goodrich will find Jafza an ideal
operations hub, especially with the massive Jebel Ali
International Airport coming up within the next few
years."
Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a
global supplier of systems and services to aerospace,
defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most
strategically diversified portfolios of products in the
industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with
significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities.
For more information visit http://www.goodrich.com .
For more information, please contact:
Media:
Gail Warner
Goodrich Corporation
Tel: +1-704-423-7048
Lisa Bottle
Goodrich Corporation
Tel: +1-704-423-7060
For on-site information and images:
Martin Butler
Goodrich Corporation
Cell: +44-7774-125-885
Email: martin.butler@goodrich.com
SOURCE Goodrich Corporation; GR - Engine Systems
2007'02.11.Sun
Sidley Austin LLP's International Trade and Dispute Resolution Group Honored by Chambers and Partners
November 20, 2006
LONDON, Nov. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- At an awards
ceremony in London, Sidley Austin LLP was named Global WTO
Law Firm of the Year by Chambers and Partners. This is the
first year a Chambers award has been given for this practice
area.
Sidley's 50-person International Trade and Dispute
Resolution group, based in Geneva, Brussels and Washington,
was recognized for its excellence in WTO dispute settlement
and negotiations, and its innovative use of WTO rules to
assist clients. Chambers and Partners determines its award
winners based on interviews with clients and peers.
"We are very honored to receive this award,"
said Practice Group leader Daniel M. Price.
"Sophisticated clients are increasingly relying on
international trade and investment rules to structure
transactions, gain market access, and resolve regulatory
problems. We are pleased to be able to advise our
corporate and sovereign clients on these matters."
"We are delighted to be selected for this
prestigious award and are very proud of our team,"
said Tom Cole, the Chairman of Sidley's Executive
Committee. "Our clients expect a truly global approach
to their problems and we are pleased to be able to provide
them with comprehensive solutions."
Earlier this year Sidley was also named Global Trade
and Customs Law Firm of 2006 by Who's Who Legal.
Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world's largest
full-service law firms, with more than 1,700 lawyers
practicing in 15 U.S. and international cities including
Beijing, Brussels, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London,
Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. In 2006, Sidley was named
to Legal Business' Global Elite, their designation for
"the 15 finest law firms in the world." In 2005,
BTI, a Boston-based consulting and research firm, named
Sidley to their Client Service Hall of Fame as one of only
two law firms to rank in the Client Service Top 10 for five
years in a row.
For more information, please contact:
Janet Zagorin
Tel: +1-212-839-8797
Email: jzagorin@sidley.com
Kerri Vermeylen
Tel: +32-2-504-6448
Email: kvermeylen@sidley.com
Jennifer Grant
Rubenstein Associates
Tel: +1-212-843-8060
Email: jgrant@rubenstein.com
SOURCE Sidley Austin LLP
2007'02.11.Sun
Checkpoint Systems Acquires ADS Worldwide
November 17, 2006
HONG KONG, Nov. 17 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Checkpoint
Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CKP), announced on November 14 that it
has acquired ADS Worldwide (ADS). Total consideration for
the business will be in the form of cash and will be
approximately USD8.5 million, plus closing costs.
Based in Hull, England, ADS is an established supplier
of tags, labels, and trim to apparel manufacturers,
retailers and brands around the world. With operations in
the UK, Hong Kong, China, India and Turkey, ADS employs
more than 235 people worldwide. ADS provides Checkpoint
with new technological and production capabilities in the
United Kingdom, China and Turkey, and extends its network
of global print-shops. The acquisition is expected to add
more than USD20 million of revenue in 2007 and be neutral
to slightly accretive to earnings per share, due to
integration costs in the first year and purchase
accounting.
George Off, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Checkpoint, commented, "The acquisition of ADS is in
line with our strategy to grow our CheckNet service bureau
business to create increased value for our customers and
shareholders. This transaction underlines Checkpoint's
continued commitment to premium source tagging solutions
for the global retail apparel industry. ADS has an
outstanding customer base and a longstanding commitment to
excellence in its product offerings and services. Our
combined operations will provide customers with advanced
data management and logistics capabilities across our
expanded service bureau network and further enhances our
Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) source tagging
program."
ADS President Simon Winstanley stated, "The sale
to Checkpoint will enable ADS customers to continue
receiving the quality service that they have been used to,
while benefiting from an expanded global network of
locations and technologies including integrated RF-EAS
labels and laser printing. ADS will also benefit from
Checkpoint's significant investments in technologies such
as RFID."
About Checkpoint Systems
Checkpoint Systems, Inc. is a multinational
manufacturer and marketer of integrated systems solutions
for retail security, labeling, and merchandising.
Checkpoint is a leading provider of EAS and RFID systems,
source tagging, hand-held labeling systems and retail
merchandising systems. Applications include automatic
identification, retail security and pricing, and
promotional labels. Operating directly in 30 countries,
Checkpoint has a global network of subsidiaries and
provides professional customer service and technical
support around the world. Checkpoint Systems, Inc.'s
website is located at www.checkpointsystems.com .
About ADS Worldwide
ADS is an established supplier of apparel packaging to
clothing manufacturers, retailers and brands around the
world. Founded in 1988 to exploit the growing demand for
the barcode, ADS has grown rapidly over recent years to
become one of the largest independent suppliers in the UK.
With wholly owned subsidiaries in the UK, Hong Kong, China,
India and Turkey -- as well as long-standing partners in
Mauritius and Cyprus -- ADS provides retailers and brands
with a global service for all of their packaging
requirements. Products supplied include swing tickets,
waist riders, self-adhesive labels, printed care labels,
woven labels and plastic seals, as well as other specialist
packaging and trims. Perhaps best known for the ability to
process and print variable barcode information using
powerful software-based systems, ADS has a specialist
division (ADS Solutions) handling the development of all
production/data processing software as well as the
company's sophisticated on-line ordering and tracking
facilities. The company's website is located at
www.ads-worldwide.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release may include information that could
constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the
safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Any such forward-looking statements
may involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from any future results
encompassed within the forward-looking statements. Factors
that could cause or contribute to such differences include
those matters disclosed in the Company's Securities and
Exchange Commission filings. Checkpoint Systems Inc.
undertakes no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances that may arise after the date of this
report.
Contact:
Natalie Chan
Tel: +852-2995-8350
Email: natalie.chan@checkpt.com
www.checkpointasiapac.com
SOURCE Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
広告
ブログ内検索
アーカイブ
カウンター