Monday, May 5, 2014

Otsuka Wins European Marketing Authorization for Deltyba (delamanid)

TOKYO. - Sunday, May 4th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

    First grant of a marketing authorization of Otsuka’s novel drug for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
    Deltyba is a new treatment option for MDR-TB. Globally, only half of MDR-TB cases experience successful outcomes, which leads to 170,000 deaths annually, according to WHO.1
    TB was one of the first research areas pursued by Otsuka’s research institute when it was established in 1971 by then-president Akihiko Otsuka. Otsuka is currently the largest funder of TB drug development worldwide.2

(BUSINESS WIRE) Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) today announced that the European Commission has granted a marketing authorization for Deltyba™ (delamanid) for use as part of an appropriate combination regimen for pulmonary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in adult patients when an effective treatment regimen cannot otherwise be composed for reasons of resistance or tolerability.3

Deltyba is a bactericidal agent with a novel mode of action that interferes with the metabolism of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) cell walls. It also has high activity in vitro against various MTB strains, including those resistant to first-line anti-TB drugs, such as isoniazid and rifampicin.4

Deltyba was designated as an orphan medicine in 2008 meaning that it is a medicine used to treat a rare disease. Clinical trial results from 9 countries showed that study subjects treated with Deltyba 100mg twice daily together with an optimized background regimen (OBR) achieved a statistically significant increase in sputum culture conversion (SCC) after two months (45.4% of study subjects) compared to those treated with a placebo (29.6% of study subjects). SCC is a measurement used to determine when a patient is no longer infectious.5

Akihiko Otsuka, Chairman of Otsuka, stated, “It is very pleasing to me that a new drug developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical has become available to patients in Europe with MDR-TB. Currently, MDR-TB is a serious problem there. When rifampicin was developed half a century ago, it seemed that the world’s TB problem was over. But I specifically selected TB as a research theme for our company. I knew that someone had to do this research because TB was still a huge public health issue in Asia.”

Resistance to anti-TB drugs can occur for a number of reasons including misuse or mismanagement, such as failure to complete a full course of treatment due to potential side effects.6 The emergence of MDR-TB has become a major global concern imposing a burden on patients to comply with treatment regimens that can last for a minimum of 20 months.7 With a treatment success rate of less than 50% globally, the treatment of MDR-TB patients using only existing anti-TB drugs has created an urgent unmet medical need.1

“The TB community has waited a long time for a new medication for MDR-TB,” said Dr. Wiel de Lange, an MDR-TB expert at the University Medical Center in Groningen, the Netherlands. “With increasing rates of resistance to existing medications and globally less than half of all MDR-TB cases successfully treated, Deltyba is clearly a welcome new option.”

Taro Iwamoto, President of Otsuka Pharmaceutical, commented, “I am very gratified that Deltyba has been granted a marketing authorization as a first-in-class, anti-TB drug in Europe – a dream we have held since the establishment of our research institute. There are still many patients throughout the world who suffer from MDR-TB. I hope Deltyba will contribute to the improvement of TB treatment.”

To ensure that in the future patients can continue to benefit from Deltyba, Otsuka has invested in the creation of a Responsible Access Programme (RAP) to help safeguard against the possible emergence of resistance to the medicine. The RAP includes strict distribution control, professional medical education about the proper administration of Deltyba in combination with other MDR-TB drugs, and a comprehensive patient registry to track the safety and efficacy of Deltyba. Otsuka remains committed to providing access to Deltyba in underserved populations and will apply for marketing authorization in high burden countries and countries in which clinical trials have taken place.

About Deltyba

Deltyba is indicated for use as part of an appropriate combination regimen for pulmonary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in adult patients when an effective treatment regimen cannot otherwise be composed for reasons of resistance or tolerability. The recommended dose for adults is 100 mg twice daily for 24 weeks.3 Clinical trial results showed 45.4% of study subjects treated with Deltyba 100 mg twice daily plus OBR, achieved sputum culture conversion (SCC), a measurement by which a patient is no longer infectious, after two months compared to 29.6% of those treated with placebo plus OBR, representing a statistically significant 53% increase.5

Clinical trial results demonstrated that adverse events were evenly distributed in the Deltyba and placebo treatment groups with the exception of QT prolongation. Electrocardiogram QT prolongation was reported in 9.9% of patients receiving Deltyba as 100 mg twice daily compared to 3.8% of patients receiving placebo plus OBR. This was not accompanied by any clinical symptoms such as syncope or arrhythmias.5

About TB/MDR-TB

According to the WHO, tuberculosis is the second leading cause of death among infectious diseases. Every year, approximately 8.6 million people become sick, and nearly 1.3 million people die from TB or TB-related causes.1 Current treatment regimens require a patient to take several drugs for a lengthy period – up to two years or more for some drug resistant cases.8 Treatment resistance emerges from the misuse of TB therapies, including poor drug supply, poor drug quality, or patients’ inability to complete their treatment regimens.6 Twenty-seven countries around the world account for 90% of the MDR-TB burden.1

About Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy: 'Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide.' Otsuka researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative and original products, with a focus on pharmaceutical products for the treatment of diseases and nutraceutical products for the maintenance of everyday health. In pharmaceuticals, Otsuka is a leading firm in the challenging area of mental health and also has research programs on several under-addressed diseases including tuberculosis, a significant global public health issue. These commitments illustrate more powerfully than words how Otsuka is a “big venture” company at heart, applying a youthful spirit of creativity in everything it does.

Otsuka is a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd., the holding company for the Otsuka Group. The chairman Akihiko Otsuka is the third generation of Otsuka family members to lead the business, whose origins date from 1921. The Otsuka Group employs approximately 42,000 people globally and its products are available in more than 80 countries worldwide. Consolidated sales were approximately USD 13 billion for fiscal year 2012 (4/1/2012-3/31/2013). Otsuka Pharmaceutical warmly invites you to visit its global website at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/

References

1. WHO Global TB report 2013. http://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/en/ (Accessed March 2014)

2. TAG - Tuberculosis Research and Development: 2013 Report on Tuberculosis Research Funding Trends, 2005–2012. http://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/sites/g/files/g450272/f/201310/TAG_TB_2013_8.5.pdf (Accessed 14 February 2014)

3. The marketing authorization holder for Deltyba is Otsuka Novel Products GmbH. Medical information enquiries may be made to medical@otsuka.de

4. Matsumoto M et al. OPC-67683, a nitro-dihydro-imidazooxazole derivative with promising action against tuberculosis in vitro and in mice. PLoS Med. 2006 Nov;3(11):e466

5. Gler MT et al. Delamanid for multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. N Engl J Med. 2012 Jun 7; 366(23): 2151-60

6. CDC Factsheet. Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB). http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/drtb/mdrtb.htm (Accessed March 2014)

7. Falzon D et al. WHO guidelines for the programmatic management of drug-resistant tuberculosis:2011 update. Eur Respir J 2011;38:516-528

8. Zumla A, Nahid P, Cole ST. Advances in the development of new tuberculosis drugs and treatment regimens. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2013 May;12(5):388-404

Contacts

Otsuka SA

Marc Destito, +41-78-881-03-22

Communications Director









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/10878/en

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts Opens Iconic Luxury Hotel in Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM & MCLEAN, Va. - Saturday, May 3rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hilton Worldwide’s Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is delighted to announce the opening of Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam. Located on the UNESCO area of Herengracht, this new luxury canalside property is comprised of six historic 17th and 18th century town houses. Once home to some of the wealthiest and most influential residents of the city, the patrician houses have been lovingly restored to create an elegant 93-room hotel steeped in history.

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam looks out over the city’s grandest canal, the Herengracht, which was built during the Golden Age, giving global luxury travelers direct access to explore the city by boat, bicycle or foot.

John Vanderslice, global head, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, said, “Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam perfectly represents our ambition to create unforgettable experiences and inspirational environments in the world’s leading destinations. This is a truly unique property that captures the Dutch approach to understated luxury in its design and service culture.”

Each of the 93 guest rooms and suites offer unforgettable views of Amsterdam, whether it’s looking out over the canal waters or over the peaceful private garden and rooftops of the city. Rooms are luxuriously dressed with accents of lapis lazuli and ochre hues, referencing Holland’s own Vermeer, whose paintings include “The Girl with the Pearl Earring.” Each bedroom retains the historical charm of the original buildings with beamed ceilings, sash windows and spacious bathrooms with freestanding baths to complete the authentic and stylish ambiance.

Dining at Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is an exciting culinary experience thanks to an exclusive partnership with internationally acclaimed restaurateurs Jonnie and Thérèse Boer. Owners of 3-Michelin star restaurant De Librije in the Netherlands, the pair have created a sensational menu of food and drink options, together with Sidney Schutte, former chef at De Librije and now the executive chef at the new hotel. Teamed with Waldorf Astoria’s legendary service, the restaurant Librije’s Zusje Amsterdam ensures a memorable fine dining experience in Amsterdam.

Alongside the new restaurant, guests can choose from a host of other unforgettable gastronomic experiences. The Maurer Room is a superb example of Rococo interiors and the perfect place for private dining and exclusive meetings. Waldorf Astoria’s signature Peacock Alley is an elegant lounge option, the place to soak up the fascinating history of the property, admiring the architecture and art with a refreshing drink or light lunch. The famous Armillary Sphere takes centre stage in the room, a nod to the property’s links to sail, trade and time and a proud icon of the history of the canal houses as homes of the wealthy and successful.

Elsewhere, the Vault Bar is an exclusive den in one of the houses – formerly the original vault of a bank. Shrouded in history, it is an intimate drinking option for guests and visitors alike, the perfect spot to enjoy the timeless elegance of a hotel rich in heritage. Meeting and banqueting facilities include the spacious Hooft Ballroom, with views overlooking the canal and adorned in daylight.

On the garden level of the new property, the peaceful Guerlain Spa awaits, comprising of three treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, heated indoor pool and beautiful views across the private garden. Within the spa, guests experience the sophisticated World Of Guerlain, with an indulgent selection of personalised cutting edge treatments available applying Guerlain’s unrivalled expertise and legacy. In this tranquil space, guests and residents of Amsterdam can choose from a selection of therapies that respect the origins of Guerlain’s signature massage from 1939, when the brand opened its first “Institut de Beauté” in Paris.

From arrival to departure, guests will not only be embraced by the hotel's inspirational environments, but also welcomed by True Waldorf Service. Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam's Personal Concierges will ensure that each guest receives anticipatory and personalized service before, during and after their stay.

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam redefines luxury not only through the design of the hotel but the design of the Team Members uniforms, offering sophisticated outfits commissioned by famous Dutch couturier Jan Taminiau.

Simon Vincent, area president, Hilton Worldwide, said, “With Europe’s fourth largest airport and nearly six million international visitors a year, Amsterdam is a thriving tourist destination. At Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, those travelers now have a world class luxury hotel to experience.”

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam participates in Hilton HHonors®, the only guest rewards program that allows members to earn Points & Miles® for the same stay and redeem points for free nights with No Blackout Dates at more than 4,000 hotels worldwide.

To learn more about Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, please visit www.waldorfastoria.com/amsterdam. For more information about Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.waldorfastoria.com or http://news.waldorfastoria.com.

About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is a portfolio of 24 landmark destinations, each being a true reflection of their surroundings in the world’s most sought after locations. Unified by their inspirational environments and unparalleled guest service, Waldorf Astoria creates unique authentic moments through the delivery of True Waldorf Service. Personal concierges deliver unparalleled, bespoke service from the moment a guest books through check out. From signature culinary excellence, 12 world-class golf courses and 23 rejuvenating spas, Waldorf Astoria offers luxuriously appointed accommodations and unforgettable experiences. Waldorf Astoria is a part of Hilton Worldwide, a leading global hospitality company. Experience Waldorf Astoria by booking at www.waldorfastoria.com or www.waldorfastoria.com/offers. Learn more about this expanding portfolio by visiting http://news.waldorfastoria.com.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 94 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company’s portfolio of ten world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,000 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 678,000 rooms in 91 countries and territories, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50855943&lang=en

Contacts

John Walls

Hilton Worldwide

+1 703 883 5232

john.walls@hilton.com



Hannah Summers

For Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

+44 (0) 20 7385 7090

hannah@grifcopr.com







Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/10859/enhttp://businesstimesme.blogdrive.com/archive/4035.html

AHRQ Publishes Third Edition of Quintiles-Led Registries User's Guide

ME Newswire / Businesswire

Updated User’s Guide includes 11 new chapters, contributions from 240 individuals

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. - Sunday, May 4th 2014

Quintiles today announced that the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has published the third edition of “Registries for Evaluating Patient Outcomes: A User’s Guide.” Quintiles’ Real-World & Late Phase Research division, a leading provider of patient registries, studies and technologies for evaluating patient outcomes, has led this effort to create the patient registries reference since 2005. This publication provides a comprehensive guide to the design, operation, analysis and evaluation of patient registries.

“The handbook is a widely used reference in the United States, Europe and Asia, and previous editions have been cited extensively in the peer-reviewed literature as the standard for designing, conducting and evaluating patient registries,” said Nancy A. Dreyer, MPH, Ph.D., senior editor of the handbook and global chief of Scientific Affairs at Quintiles. “Many thanks to all stakeholders who have contributed – including, for the first time, patient representatives – and to AHRQ for supporting the initiative. The third edition represents a significant expansion, from 14 to 25 chapters.”

Quintiles’ Real-World & Late Phase Research division has led the effort to create and edit the registries user’s guide since 2005. Dr. Dreyer served as a senior editor for the project. In addition, Dr. Dreyer and Dr. Priscilla Velentgas, senior director of Epidemiology at Quintiles, are also senior editors of a second AHRQ User’s Guide, titled “Developing a Protocol for Observational Comparative Effectiveness Research.”

The third edition of the registries user’s guide was created in collaboration with more than 240 individuals, representing industry, academia, government and patients. In total, there were 100 chapter contributors, 76 invited peer reviewers, plus public comment, and 109 case example contributors, with some individuals participating in multiple ways. The 11 new chapters address challenges related to design, operations, ethics, analysis, and legal and technical concerns, with topics including:

    Best practices for including patient reported outcomes in registries
    Special considerations for informed consent in patient registries
    Practical advice for setting up and managing a registry through a public-private partnership
    Technological options for managing patient identities across data sources
    Considerations for modifying existing registries
    Special applications for registries, such as quality improvement, pregnancy, rare disease and medical device registries

The latest edition also features 34 new case examples – for a total of 64 – including 16 international examples, eight device registries, four public-private partnerships, six rare disease registries, nine quality improvement registries and five pregnancy registries.

To obtain a complimentary copy of the user’s guide, please visit the AHRQ website.

About Quintiles

Quintiles (NYSE: Q) is the world’s largest provider of biopharmaceutical development and commercial outsourcing services with a network of more than 28,000 employees conducting business in approximately 100 countries. We have helped develop or commercialize all of the top-50 best-selling drugs on the market. Quintiles applies the breadth and depth of our service offerings along with extensive therapeutic, scientific and analytics expertise to help our customers navigate an increasingly complex healthcare environment as they seek to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of better healthcare outcomes. To learn more about Quintiles, please visit www.quintiles.com.

Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for Quintiles.

Contacts

Quintiles

Mari Mansfield, Media Relations (mari.mansfield@quintiles.com)

+ 1-919-998-2639 (office)

+1-919-259-3298 (mobile)



Karl Deonanan, Investor Relations (InvestorRelations@quintiles.com)

+1-919-998-2789







Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/10879/en

Sunday, May 4, 2014

CONCACAF and CONMEBOL Announce Agreement to Bring Copa America 2016 to the United States

Centennial Cup America Will Be Most Important Sporting Event in U.S. in Decades

ME NewsWire/ Business Wire

MIAMI. - Saturday, May 3rd 2014

The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) revealed in a joint press conference today in Miami that the Centennial Edition of the Copa America will be played in the United States in 2016.

The Centennial Cup America will mark the first time the historic South American championship has been played outside of that region, and represents the most important sporting event to come to North American shores in decades – rivaling the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1996 Olympic Games in grandeur and relevance to the world of sport.

“I congratulate CONMEBOL for inspiring players and fans throughout a century of fantastic football, and thank them for extending the legacy of this hugely successful event to CONCACAF territory,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. “The American continent may have been discovered in 1492, but I can’t imagine a better way to unite this continent than with football and an exceptional celebration of talent in 2016.”

“We are proud to play a leading role in the celebration of the centennial of a tournament born to unite all America. Year after year the Cup has gained prestige, which has allowed the opening of doors to the football of an entire continent. Now, CONCACAF and the United States will play host to the world’s oldest national team competition,” said Eugenio Figueredo, CONMEBOL President.

The Centennial Cup America will be held in cities across the United States in the summer of 2016, kicking off on June 3 and culminating with the Final on Sunday, June 26.

In a sixteen team field, CONMEBOL’s ten Member Associations – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela – will be joined by six competitors from CONCACAF, including host and 2013 Gold Cup champion United States, and six-time Gold Cup champion Mexico.

Additional CONCACAF representatives will include the 2014 champion of the Caribbean Football Union -- victor in November’s Caribbean Cup -- and the champion of UNCAF, winner of the Central American Cup scheduled to be staged in the fall of 2014.

The Centennial Cup America falls between the 2015 and 2017 editions of the biannual CONCACAF Gold Cup, which decides the regional champion of North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The previous edition of Copa America was celebrated in Argentina in 2011, with Uruguay claiming a record fifteenth title. The next edition of the tournament is set to be played in Chile in 2015.

wematch, a recently announced partnership between three international leaders in the soccer industry, Full Play, Torneos and Traffic Sports, holds the commercial rights for this tournament.

For more info visit www.concacaf.org

Contacts

CONCACAF

Jurgen Mainka, 305-793-7313

jurgen.mainka@concacaf.org









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/10874/en

Union Bancaire Privée : Combining a Defensive Approach with Upside Potential Through Convertible Bonds

GENEVA. - Wednesday, April 30th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) The outlook for convertible bonds is highly favourable as more companies turn to them for their financing needs and as investors increasingly see them as a valid alternative to both equities and bonds.

Convertible bonds combine the defensive qualities of straight bonds with the upside potential of equities, which gives them an asymmetric risk/return profile. This characteristic is a considerable advantage in the long term, as it enables this asset class to deliver equity-like performances with significantly lower volatility. The convexity of the asset class thus represents its main advantage and the reason clients add convertible bonds to their portfolios, as they provide an excellent way of diversifying a portfolio.

Union Bancaire Privée, having been an early believer in the many opportunities offered by the asset class, has been a forerunner in managing convertible bonds in Europe,. The team has worked with a consistent approach to convertible bonds since 1999, basing its strategies on three key differentiating features that lie at the heart of its investment approach: an investment-grade bias, which strengthens the bond floor and reduces the overall credit risk; a focus on cheap options to maximise convexity; and discretionary delta management to quickly adapt the equity sensitivity, when needed.

The investment team is known for its long-term views, one of which is that they believe there is still strong value in Europe. The re-pricing movement that has been operating in the European convertible bond space, following the market dislocation in early 2012, is currently producing its positive effects in pushing European convertible bonds’ value upwards.

Through a set of distinctive convertible bond strategies primarily defined by clear equity sensitivity ranges, UBP provides an alternative to bonds and equities. The defensive strategy for example offers convertible bonds with low equity sensitivity as an alternative to bonds. The appealing long-term risk/return profile of the strategy, which places it in top-position in terms of size in Europe, is based on its positioning: by deliberately limiting the expected upside to equities it enables its holders to benefit from positive yields in a traditionally negative yield environment, strong asymmetry, as well as low volatility.

At the higher delta side of our convertible bond range, our dynamic European strategy has demonstrated its capacity to stand as a strong alternative to an investment in European equities. Its dynamic positioning – an equity sensitivity varying from 20% to 80% – combined with a pure bottom-up investment process focused on convexity have provided investors with an enhanced risk/return ratio over the long run, characterised by equity-like returns and contained volatility.

Fifteen years after the first strategy was launched by Jean-Edouard Reymond, the team of six manages about EUR 3.5 billion, making UBP one of the major players in the field. At the end of 2013, the dynamic European strategy had delivered a 15.3% gross performance, ranking in the 1st quartile of its peer group in terms of performance (on a 1- and 3-year basis).

The information and opinions contained herein were prepared by Union Bancaire Privée, UBP SA (hereinafter, “UBP”). The information herein was obtained from various sources and is believed by UBP to be reliable but UBP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Opinions, estimates and projections in this document constitute the current judgment of the author as of the date of this document and are subject to change without notice. UBP has no obligation to update, modify or amend this document. This document is provided for information purposes only. It is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments or to participate in any particular trading strategy in any jurisdiction. The financial instruments discussed in this document may not be suitable for all investors and these materials should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment. Investors must make their own investment decisions using their own independent advisors as they believe necessary and based upon their specific financial situation and their investment objectives. Investors should be aware that foreign exchange rates may have a negative effect on the price or value of, or the income derived from, an investment denominated in a foreign currency. Furthermore, past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. UBP may make a market in, or may, as principal or agent, buy or sell securities of the companies mentioned in this document or derivatives thereon. UBP may have a financial interest in the companies mentioned in this document, including a long or short position in their securities, and or options, futures or other derivative instruments based thereon.

About Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) UBP is one of Switzerland’s leading private banks, and is among the best-capitalised, with a Tier I ratio of 29%. The Bank is specialised in the field of wealth management for both private and institutional clients. It is based in Geneva and employs about 1,350 people in some twenty locations worldwide; it held CHF 87.7 billion (USD 98.6 billion) in assets under management as at 31 December 2013. www.ubp.com

Contacts
Union Bancaire Privée
Jérôme Koechlin, Tel.: +41 58 819 26 40
Head of Corporate Communications
e-mail: jko@ubp.ch
www.ubp.com









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/10817/en

Johns Manville 2013 Sustainability Report Reflects Progress on Areas of Focus

“We Build Environments” Presents Results of JM’s Continued Focus on Sustainability and Innovation

ME NewsWire/ Business Wire

DENVER - Thursday, May 1st 2014

Johns Manville (JM), a leading global manufacturer of energy-efficient building products and engineered specialty materials, today announced the publication of its 2013 Sustainability Report, “We Build Environments.” The publication is available in two formats (PDF and e-zine) on the company’s website at www.jm.com/sustainability.

“JM’s sustainability efforts have been rooted in our culture since the beginning of our company over 155 years ago, and continue to grow,” said Mary Rhinehart, JM president and CEO. “We are pleased with the progress we made in 2013, but we know that we still have a lot of work to do to be the company we want to be. We are driven to seek out innovative solutions to help us achieve our sustainability goals and continue to deliver a powerful and positive JM Experience to our stakeholders worldwide.”

“Sustainability touches nearly everything we do and is a key business lever,” said Dr. Tim Swales, Johns Manville’s vice president of corporate research and development and chief sustainability officer. “As seen in the 2013 report, our integrated approach between sustainability and innovation is paying off as we continue to make strides in improving our products and practices to minimize our environmental impact. Sustainability is a journey, but we’re well on our way.”

The “We Build Environments” report presents the company’s approach to building sustainable solutions for the future and shows its progress towards accomplishing its long-term sustainability goals. The report shares information and case studies associated with energy efficiency, reducing the energy and carbon intensity of operations, reducing solid waste, and increasing use of recycled materials in several areas of the business. The company’s social responsibility in the areas of safety, employee practices and community investment is also recapped. In addition to leadership messages from Mary Rhinehart and Tim Swales, the report includes an introductory message from Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway’s Chairman of the Board.

The 2013 publication marks the third year that JM has reported its sustainability efforts and progress to provide transparent information related to topics of interest to the company and to its stakeholders. The report received a B-Level Application Level Check by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and includes 22 fully reported performance indicators applying the GRI 3.1 guidelines.

About Johns Manville

Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B), is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality building and specialty products. In business since 1858, the Denver-based company has annual sales of approximately $2.5 billion and holds leadership positions in all of the key markets that it serves. Johns Manville employs approximately 7,000 people and operates 45 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and China. Additional information can be found at www.jm.com.

Contacts

Johns Manville

Holly Leiker, 303-978-2042

Holly.Leiker@jm.com









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/10849/en

Saturday, May 3, 2014

ElectroCore: Two Separate Studies on the Treatment of Migraine Headache with non Invasive Vagus nerve Stimulation are being presented at the American Association of Neurology (AAN) meeting in Philadelphia

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Thursday, May 1st 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) At the AAN meeting in Philadelphia, two separate studies showed that electroCore’s non invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) therapy was effective in helping patients with different types of migraine. The first poster presentation, on April 28th, found that two hours after treatment with electroCore’s nVNS therapy patients who had both chronic migraine and medication overuse headache were pain free in 33% of attacks while significant pain relief (mild or no pain) was noted in 50% of attacks. In the second poster presented on May1st it was found that 45 % of patients, with migraine without aura, were pain free within 30 minutes of just one dose of nVNS therapy.
The poster on patients with chronic migraine and medicine overuse headache was presented by Professor Innocenzo Rainero [P1.262] from the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Torino, Italy. This pilot trial included 15 chronic migraine/medication overuse headache patients. All patients underwent a five-day in-patient detoxification period and were then followed for six months. During this period 362 migraine attacks were treated by the patients with nVNS therapy.
Of particular importance in this patient population, rescue medication was required in <19% of the attacks (67/362). Side effects were mild and transient.
Professor Rainero and colleagues concluded that nVNS with gammaCore could be an effective and safe treatment in patients who suffer with both chronic migraine and medication overuse headache after detoxification.
The poster on patients with migraine without aura [P7.196] was presented by Professor Licia Grazzi and involved 30 patients diagnosed with migraine without aura who were being treated at the Headache Centre at the Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy.
The patients ranged in age between 18-65 and were experiencing between 5-9 migraine attacks per month. After being trained on electroCore’s gammaCore device, patients were asked to treat 3-5 moderate to severe migraine attacks with a single 90-second dose and record the level of pain from 30 minutes to 24 hours.
Of the 96 migraine attacks treated, 54 (56%) experienced meaningful relief two hours after treatment, including 43 (44.8%) who were pain free within 30 minutes. In an additional 11 (11.5%) attacks, the patients reported moderate pain relief. In 42 (43.7%) attacks the nVNS therapy did not offer any relief after two hours and patients returned to rescue medications. Treatment with gammaCore was well tolerated and no patients reported an adverse event.
ElectroCore's proprietary, non-invasive electrical stimulation therapy works by activating specific fibers in the vagus nerve. This activation is believed to cause the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters within the central nervous system, and reduces the over expression of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, which has been implicated in a number of different disorders.

Contacts
Vane Percy & Roberts
Simon Vane Percy
(T) +44 (0) 1737 821890
(e) simon@vanepercy.com




Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/10857/en