BARCELONA, Spain - Monday, March 2nd 2015 [ME NewsWire]
Mobile World Congress 2015
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today’s launch of 360° panomorph front-facing cameras for smartphones and tablets from ImmerVision radically changes how mobile users capture, experience, and share the world around them. With this innovation, the possibilities for transforming video chats, action videos, and selfies into fully immersive experiences for both sender and receiver are truly game-changing.
Selfies become “groupies” and shake-free video calls on-the-go are now possible without the need for add-ons, image stitching, or panning the camera since everything in sight is captured in full 360.
“Imagine capturing not just a picture or scene, but the actual experience of being there — almost like virtual reality,” poses ImmerVision Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer, Alessandro Gasparini. “Then imagine that you can actually interact with that experience, share it, or view it on another tablet, TV, head-mounted display device such as Oculus Rift, or any other viewing platform.”
He adds, “Today’s mobile technologies are focused on higher megapixels, thinner handsets, and larger displays. ImmerVision is changing everything by making it possible for any manufacturer to integrate an ultra-compact 360° panomorph lens that lets consumers do things they’ve never thought possible, like capturing entire panoramic moments of life identical to the original experience — all with a single click.”
Mobile World Congress is the preamble for leading smartphones and tablets brands entering the market in the coming year with 360 degrees. These first mobile devices will feature ImmerVision’s 360° optical and imaging technology, powered by Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600 and 800 flagship processors, high-sensitivity 5mp sensors from Omnivision, and panomorph lenses from leading smartphone lens-maker, Kolen. Qualcomm Snapdragon processors are a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI).
“Qualcomm Technologies is committed to enabling cutting-edge mobile experiences, including camera innovation which is very important to consumers,” says Raj Talluri, senior vice president of product technologies, Qualcomm Technologies. “Our Snapdragon 600 and 800 series processors are powering some of the world’s most innovative devices, and ImmerVision’s 360 immersive imaging technologies helps take it to the next level."
"With the launch of this new camera, ImmerVision demonstrates the high-performance 5-megapixel CameraChip sensor, and the result is a revolutionary new perspective on digital imaging," said Ray Cisneros, sr. vice president of worldwide sales and sales operations at OmniVision. "With digital imaging trends more and more being driven by advanced applications such as the 360 immersive front-facing cameras, OmniVision is proud to have a role in setting the future of digital imaging with ImmerVision."
Beyond smartphones and tablets, ImmerVision enables to capture, experience, and share immersive content with any 360° ImmerVision Enables-certified device, such as wearables, drones, sports cams, video surveillance, baby monitoring, automotive, and many others.
This unique 360° video standard, already well known in the security industry, is now licensed worldwide in a new version named ImmerVision Enables 2.0. This version takes performance to a whole new level, by adding image stabilization as well as embed data along with captured content, such as heart rate, altitude, speed, and temperature and offering compatibility and interoperability between any ImmerVision Enables 360° devices — even cross-industry – dramatically enhancing the user experience.
About ImmerVision
Leading innovation in 360-degree panoramic imaging, ImmerVision licenses its patented panomorph optical and software technology to global lens producers, product manufacturers and software developers. Panomorph lenses are the only ones that can be adapted to any camera, any sensor, and any consumer, commercial and government market. ImmerVision Enables is the recognized standard for 360-degree solutions and applications.
Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries.
Contacts
ImmerVision
Louis Brun,
+1-514-315-5863
louis.brun@immervision.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/13829/en
Monday, March 2, 2015
ZTE Showcases Latest Smart Devices Destined for Europe at Mobile World Congress 2015
ZTE Star 2 upgraded to feature English-language GPS and speech-to-text input that supports British English
BARCELONA, Spain - Monday, March 2nd 2015 [ME NewsWire]
Mobile World Congress 2015
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- ZTE, a leading global mobile device maker, today began to showcase a range of smart devices at Mobile World Congress 2015 that are soon to be launched in markets across Europe. Flagship products on show include the smart voice ZTE Star 2, Smart Sense ZTE Blade S6, and the innovative Spro 2, the only smart projector with a touchscreen Android operating system.
“We are very excited to confirm the upcoming European availability for several of our hottest new products,” said Kan Yulun, CEO of EMEA & LATAM, ZTE Mobile Devices, and Vice President of ZTE Corporation. “We will continue to bring our latest smartphones to markets across Europe, as well as other smart connected devices such as our Spro 2 smart projector.”
With optimized system-level voice control, the ZTE Star 2 on show at MWC 2015 has been upgraded to feature English-language GPS and speech-to-text input that supports British English. ZTE’s Star 2 is set to launch in Germany at CeBIT on 12 March 2015. At present, voice control functions that support Spanish are under development, which will be the third smart voice language available after Chinese and English.
The ZTE Blade S6, which features ZTE’s innovative Smart Sense - an intuitive and practical set of gesture and motion controls - will soon be launched offline via channel partners in Germany, Spain, and France at the end of the month. This follows recent online launches via AliExpress globally, as well as via eBay and Amazon for the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Outside Europe, the ZTE Blade S6 is also set for offline launches in Malaysia, Thailand, Russia and other markets across the Asia Pacific. The ZTE Blade L3 was also on display at ZTE’s booth, a device aimed at the budget shopper and younger smartphone user, which is also destined for European launches in April 2015. Devices in the Blade series underscore ZTE’s commitment to offering premium smartphones at affordable prices.
Unlike any other smart projector, the Spro 2 features a touchscreen Android operating system that provides full access to the Google Play store and a mobile hotspot. The smart projector was revealed at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show and received four prestigious awards. The Spro 2 will be available later this year in the United States through wireless carriers and across European markets.
ZTE’s MWC 2015 smartphone line-up also included the iF DESIGN AWARD 2015 winner, ZTE Grand S3 with Eyeprint ID, as well as the ZTE Open L – one of the first LTE smartphones to ship with the latest version of Firefox OS 2.2. In addition to smartphones, other technology on display included the ZTE Sports Camera and ZTE in-house LTE chipsets.
About ZTE Mobile Devices
ZTE Mobile Devices is a division of ZTE Corporation, a global telecommunications equipment, networks and mobile devices company headquartered in Shenzhen, China. ZTE is a publicly traded company listed on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen stock exchanges.
ZTE is one of the global leaders in the mobile handset manufacturing industry in the world, offering a complete range of mobile devices, including mobile phones, tablets, mobile broadband modems and hotspots and family desktop integration terminals.
ZTE has strategic partnerships with 47 of the world’s top 50 carriers. Additionally, ZTE ranked No.1 in PCT patent applications according to the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) in 2011 and 2012. For more information, please visit: www.ztedevice.com
Contacts
Media Contacts:
ZTE Corporation
Eva Chen,
+86 21 68897511
chen.zhengying@zte.com.cn
or
Waggener Edstrom Communications
Laura Liu,
+86 10 59001242
laural@waggeneredstrom.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/13822/en
BARCELONA, Spain - Monday, March 2nd 2015 [ME NewsWire]
Mobile World Congress 2015
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- ZTE, a leading global mobile device maker, today began to showcase a range of smart devices at Mobile World Congress 2015 that are soon to be launched in markets across Europe. Flagship products on show include the smart voice ZTE Star 2, Smart Sense ZTE Blade S6, and the innovative Spro 2, the only smart projector with a touchscreen Android operating system.
“We are very excited to confirm the upcoming European availability for several of our hottest new products,” said Kan Yulun, CEO of EMEA & LATAM, ZTE Mobile Devices, and Vice President of ZTE Corporation. “We will continue to bring our latest smartphones to markets across Europe, as well as other smart connected devices such as our Spro 2 smart projector.”
With optimized system-level voice control, the ZTE Star 2 on show at MWC 2015 has been upgraded to feature English-language GPS and speech-to-text input that supports British English. ZTE’s Star 2 is set to launch in Germany at CeBIT on 12 March 2015. At present, voice control functions that support Spanish are under development, which will be the third smart voice language available after Chinese and English.
The ZTE Blade S6, which features ZTE’s innovative Smart Sense - an intuitive and practical set of gesture and motion controls - will soon be launched offline via channel partners in Germany, Spain, and France at the end of the month. This follows recent online launches via AliExpress globally, as well as via eBay and Amazon for the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Outside Europe, the ZTE Blade S6 is also set for offline launches in Malaysia, Thailand, Russia and other markets across the Asia Pacific. The ZTE Blade L3 was also on display at ZTE’s booth, a device aimed at the budget shopper and younger smartphone user, which is also destined for European launches in April 2015. Devices in the Blade series underscore ZTE’s commitment to offering premium smartphones at affordable prices.
Unlike any other smart projector, the Spro 2 features a touchscreen Android operating system that provides full access to the Google Play store and a mobile hotspot. The smart projector was revealed at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show and received four prestigious awards. The Spro 2 will be available later this year in the United States through wireless carriers and across European markets.
ZTE’s MWC 2015 smartphone line-up also included the iF DESIGN AWARD 2015 winner, ZTE Grand S3 with Eyeprint ID, as well as the ZTE Open L – one of the first LTE smartphones to ship with the latest version of Firefox OS 2.2. In addition to smartphones, other technology on display included the ZTE Sports Camera and ZTE in-house LTE chipsets.
About ZTE Mobile Devices
ZTE Mobile Devices is a division of ZTE Corporation, a global telecommunications equipment, networks and mobile devices company headquartered in Shenzhen, China. ZTE is a publicly traded company listed on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen stock exchanges.
ZTE is one of the global leaders in the mobile handset manufacturing industry in the world, offering a complete range of mobile devices, including mobile phones, tablets, mobile broadband modems and hotspots and family desktop integration terminals.
ZTE has strategic partnerships with 47 of the world’s top 50 carriers. Additionally, ZTE ranked No.1 in PCT patent applications according to the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) in 2011 and 2012. For more information, please visit: www.ztedevice.com
Contacts
Media Contacts:
ZTE Corporation
Eva Chen,
+86 21 68897511
chen.zhengying@zte.com.cn
or
Waggener Edstrom Communications
Laura Liu,
+86 10 59001242
laural@waggeneredstrom.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/13822/en
ZTE Releases Pre5G Pre-commercial Base Station
ME NewsWire/Business Wire
SHENZHEN, China - Monday, March 2nd 2015
Mobile World Congress 2015
ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the Mobile Internet, has today launched a pre5G base station integrating the baseband unit (BBU) and remote radio unit (RRU).
The pre5G base station significantly enhances spectral efficiency by using massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology and has already met pre-commercial conditions. ZTE demonstrates the service flow at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2015 in Barcelona.
Massive MIMO, one of the major 5G technologies, uses the multi-user MIMO antenna technologies to significantly enhance radio spectral efficiency and assist operators to increase network capacity by utilising existing sites and spectrum resources.
The spectral efficiency of a pre5G base station that uses massive MIMO technology is up to five times more than that of a traditional base station. ZTE's innovative technical solutions allow users to use commercial 4G terminals at massive MIMO base stations to achieve more MIMO benefits. As a result, users can enjoy 5G performance without changing terminals before new air interface standards are released. ZTE successfully completed the industry's first field test of pre-commercial massive MIMO products, setting a record in throughput and verifying the capabilities of massive MIMO for three-dimensional and intensive coverage as well as support for 4G terminals.
The compact pre5G base station uses the system on a chip (SOC) independently developed by ZTE for baseband processing, and integrates BBUs, radio frequency units (RFU), and antennas – taking commercial use and engineering installation into consideration. This product reduces the installation space required, completely eliminates the dependence on equipment rooms, and significantly lowers the total cost of ownership around network construction for operators.
The pre5G pre-commercial base station has a unique industrial design centred on the ZTE Paper concept, inspired by one of the four great inventions of ancient China - paper. The product design mimics a stack of paper integrating an effective heat dissipation design. In addition, the natural curved shape of paper corresponds with the antenna direction, ensuring a stylish look while performing to a high standard.
At MWC 2015 in Barcelona, ZTE is exhibiting the spectral efficiency and single-carrier capacity of pre5G base stations, as well as presenting information jointly with China Mobile. ZTE completed joint tests of this product with China Mobile and other leading operators in the world, with both product progress and test data exceeding customers' expectations. This product is expected to be commercially launched on a small scale in 2015.
ZTE adopts 5G as a core strategy, aiming to become a pioneer in the 5G field. In June 2014, ZTE first proposed its innovative pre5G ideas and technology roadmaps, paving the way for great achievements in the commercial use of pre5G. Following upon this success, ZTE will soon launch other pre5G-related key technical solutions, such as ultra-dense network (UDN) and multi-user shared access (MUSA).
About ZTE
ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems, mobile devices, and enterprise technology solutions to consumers, carriers, companies and public sector customers. As part of ZTE’s M-ICT strategy, the company is committed to provide customers with integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge. Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE’s products and services are sold to over 500 operators in more than 160 countries. ZTE commits 10 per cent of its annual revenue to research and development and has leadership roles in international standard-setting organizations. ZTE is committed to corporate social responsibility and is a member of the UN Global Compact. For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.
Contacts
ZTE Corporation
Margrete Ma,
+86 755 26775207
ma.gaili@zte.com.cn
or
AxiCom
Daniel Beattie,
+44(0)20 8392 8071
daniel.beattie@axicom.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/13819/en
SHENZHEN, China - Monday, March 2nd 2015
Mobile World Congress 2015
ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the Mobile Internet, has today launched a pre5G base station integrating the baseband unit (BBU) and remote radio unit (RRU).
The pre5G base station significantly enhances spectral efficiency by using massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology and has already met pre-commercial conditions. ZTE demonstrates the service flow at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2015 in Barcelona.
Massive MIMO, one of the major 5G technologies, uses the multi-user MIMO antenna technologies to significantly enhance radio spectral efficiency and assist operators to increase network capacity by utilising existing sites and spectrum resources.
The spectral efficiency of a pre5G base station that uses massive MIMO technology is up to five times more than that of a traditional base station. ZTE's innovative technical solutions allow users to use commercial 4G terminals at massive MIMO base stations to achieve more MIMO benefits. As a result, users can enjoy 5G performance without changing terminals before new air interface standards are released. ZTE successfully completed the industry's first field test of pre-commercial massive MIMO products, setting a record in throughput and verifying the capabilities of massive MIMO for three-dimensional and intensive coverage as well as support for 4G terminals.
The compact pre5G base station uses the system on a chip (SOC) independently developed by ZTE for baseband processing, and integrates BBUs, radio frequency units (RFU), and antennas – taking commercial use and engineering installation into consideration. This product reduces the installation space required, completely eliminates the dependence on equipment rooms, and significantly lowers the total cost of ownership around network construction for operators.
The pre5G pre-commercial base station has a unique industrial design centred on the ZTE Paper concept, inspired by one of the four great inventions of ancient China - paper. The product design mimics a stack of paper integrating an effective heat dissipation design. In addition, the natural curved shape of paper corresponds with the antenna direction, ensuring a stylish look while performing to a high standard.
At MWC 2015 in Barcelona, ZTE is exhibiting the spectral efficiency and single-carrier capacity of pre5G base stations, as well as presenting information jointly with China Mobile. ZTE completed joint tests of this product with China Mobile and other leading operators in the world, with both product progress and test data exceeding customers' expectations. This product is expected to be commercially launched on a small scale in 2015.
ZTE adopts 5G as a core strategy, aiming to become a pioneer in the 5G field. In June 2014, ZTE first proposed its innovative pre5G ideas and technology roadmaps, paving the way for great achievements in the commercial use of pre5G. Following upon this success, ZTE will soon launch other pre5G-related key technical solutions, such as ultra-dense network (UDN) and multi-user shared access (MUSA).
About ZTE
ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems, mobile devices, and enterprise technology solutions to consumers, carriers, companies and public sector customers. As part of ZTE’s M-ICT strategy, the company is committed to provide customers with integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge. Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE’s products and services are sold to over 500 operators in more than 160 countries. ZTE commits 10 per cent of its annual revenue to research and development and has leadership roles in international standard-setting organizations. ZTE is committed to corporate social responsibility and is a member of the UN Global Compact. For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.
Contacts
ZTE Corporation
Margrete Ma,
+86 755 26775207
ma.gaili@zte.com.cn
or
AxiCom
Daniel Beattie,
+44(0)20 8392 8071
daniel.beattie@axicom.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/13819/en
ISNR 2016 Launches New Programs during IDEX 2015
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, February 25th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
The Ministry of Interior (MoI), in cooperation with REED Exhibition, is participating with an introductory pavilion for the International Exhibition for Security and National Resilience (ISNR 2015) as part of the latest edition of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2015) that will run through 26 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The ISNR, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi from 15 – 17 March, is considered to be the only platform in Asia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) that comprehensively covers issues of safety, information security and other key topics under one roof. Next year’s edition of the ISNR exhibition and conference will introduce the latest specialized solutions and cutting edge security technologies to counteract the most prominent security challenges. In addition to providing a bigger, better and more comprehensive edition next year, ISNR will also feature the launch of two parallel events: The Information Security Exhibition – Middle East and the Emergency and Crisis Response Exhibition.
The 2016 Information Security Exhibition – Middle East, is one of the largest exhibitions of this field in Europe. Organized for the first time in the Middle East, the new cycle will be interspersed with numerous workshops and practical exercises for professionals.
It is noteworthy that the International Exhibition for Security and National Resilience (ISNR 2014) was highly successful in terms of number of visitors: with 16,000 visitors, the exhibition marked a 57% increase compared to the last edition. The total space designated for exhibitors reached 38,000 square meters, with the participation of 427 exhibiting companies from 20 countries. Moreover, more than 77 new products were launched in the region.
ISNR Abu Dhabi provides the decision-makers from private and public sectors with the latest concepts in security, technology, and information security. In light of the enormous growth in the region’s infrastructure and the development of its tourism sector, the participation in the capital Abu Dhabi reflects the keenness of participants to be present at one of the most important international platforms, to benefit from networking opportunities with other specialists, and to introduce the latest additions and specialized developments that will be presented at next year’s edition of the event.
ISNR Abu Dhabi provides complete solutions for the security and safety of the public and private sectors. Through the newly introduced platforms and parallel events, the latest additions and specialized developments to be presented at next year’s edition of the event will also be introduced.
The ISNR Abu Dhabi Exhibition and Conference, organized by the Ministry of Interior and REED Exhibitions, is one of the key events listed on the international calendar of events in the fields of security, safety, and information security.
For more information about:
The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE
Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE
Follow us and check our Social Media feeds on: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
Contacts
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
The Ministry of Interior (MoI), in cooperation with REED Exhibition, is participating with an introductory pavilion for the International Exhibition for Security and National Resilience (ISNR 2015) as part of the latest edition of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2015) that will run through 26 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The ISNR, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi from 15 – 17 March, is considered to be the only platform in Asia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) that comprehensively covers issues of safety, information security and other key topics under one roof. Next year’s edition of the ISNR exhibition and conference will introduce the latest specialized solutions and cutting edge security technologies to counteract the most prominent security challenges. In addition to providing a bigger, better and more comprehensive edition next year, ISNR will also feature the launch of two parallel events: The Information Security Exhibition – Middle East and the Emergency and Crisis Response Exhibition.
The 2016 Information Security Exhibition – Middle East, is one of the largest exhibitions of this field in Europe. Organized for the first time in the Middle East, the new cycle will be interspersed with numerous workshops and practical exercises for professionals.
It is noteworthy that the International Exhibition for Security and National Resilience (ISNR 2014) was highly successful in terms of number of visitors: with 16,000 visitors, the exhibition marked a 57% increase compared to the last edition. The total space designated for exhibitors reached 38,000 square meters, with the participation of 427 exhibiting companies from 20 countries. Moreover, more than 77 new products were launched in the region.
ISNR Abu Dhabi provides the decision-makers from private and public sectors with the latest concepts in security, technology, and information security. In light of the enormous growth in the region’s infrastructure and the development of its tourism sector, the participation in the capital Abu Dhabi reflects the keenness of participants to be present at one of the most important international platforms, to benefit from networking opportunities with other specialists, and to introduce the latest additions and specialized developments that will be presented at next year’s edition of the event.
ISNR Abu Dhabi provides complete solutions for the security and safety of the public and private sectors. Through the newly introduced platforms and parallel events, the latest additions and specialized developments to be presented at next year’s edition of the event will also be introduced.
The ISNR Abu Dhabi Exhibition and Conference, organized by the Ministry of Interior and REED Exhibitions, is one of the key events listed on the international calendar of events in the fields of security, safety, and information security.
For more information about:
The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE
Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE
Follow us and check our Social Media feeds on: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
Contacts
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
ABRAXANE® Approved by European Commission for First-Line Treatment of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Nanotechnology Therapy Now Available for Patients in European Union with Lung Cancer
BOUDRY, Switzerland. - Monday, March 2nd 2015 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) Celgene International Sàrl, a wholly owned subsidiary of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG), today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved ABRAXANE® (paclitaxel formulated as albumin-bound nanoparticles, or nab-paclitaxel) in combination with carboplatin for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in adult patients who are not candidates for potentially curative surgery and/or radiation therapy.
The ABRAXANE Marketing Authorisation has been updated across 28 member states in the European Union to include this new indication in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), adding to the existing indications for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic and breast cancers.
Lung cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women, however it is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Europe. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for 85 to 90% of all cases. The predominant cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking, although environmental and occupational factors also can cause the cancer.
The EC decision follows the positive CHMP opinion received on 23 January and is based on the results of a multicenter, randomized, open-label study including 1,052 chemotherapy-naive patients with Stage IIIb/IV non-small cell lung cancer. The study compared ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin versus solvent-based paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin as first-line treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The primary efficacy endpoint, overall response rate, was significantly higher for patients in the ABRAXANE/carboplatin arm at 33%, compared with patients in the control arm, at 25%. The most common adverse reactions (≥ 20%) of ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin for NSCLC were anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, peripheral neuropathy, nausea, and fatigue.
Tuomo Pätsi, President of Celgene in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said, “At Celgene, we are pleased that the EC’s approval of ABRAXANE in NSCLC allows patients in Europe who have been diagnosed with this devastating disease to access this innovative nanotechnology medicine. The expanded application of ABRAXANE across three difficult to treat tumors - breast, pancreatic and lung cancers - reinforces the value ABRAXANE provides and our commitment to advance transformational science, deliver life-enhancing medicines and serve patients with cancers the world over.”
About ABRAXANE® (nab-paclitaxel)
ABRAXANE® is a nanotechnology agent that is currently the only albumin-based nanotechnology therapy approved for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer in the United States, Europe and other markets around the world. It contains albumin-bound paclitaxel nanoparticles and is manufactured using patented nab® technology. ABRAXANE is formulated with albumin, a human protein, and is free of solvents.
ABRAXANE was first approved in January 2005 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated. In Europe, ABRAXANE was approved in January 2008 as monotherapy for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in adult patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic disease and for whom standard, anthracycline containing therapy is not indicated. ABRAXANE is now approved in more than 50 countries for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
In October 2012, ABRAXANE was approved by the FDA for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in combination with carboplatin, in patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy. ABRAXANE is also approved for the treatment of NSCLC in Argentina, Australia, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore.
In September 2013, the FDA approved ABRAXANE as first–line treatment of patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, in combination with gemcitabine. In December 2013, ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine was approved for first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in Europe. ABRAXANE is also approved for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer in more than 40 countries.
Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for full European prescribing information.
U.S. Regulatory Information for ABRAXANE
WARNING - NEUTROPENIA
Do not administer ABRAXANE therapy to patients who have baseline neutrophil counts of less than 1500 cells/mm3. In order to monitor the occurrence of bone marrow suppression, primarily neutropenia, which may be severe and result in infection, it is recommended that frequent peripheral blood cell counts be performed on all patients receiving ABRAXANE
Note: An albumin form of paclitaxel may substantially affect a drug’s functional properties relative to those of drug in solution. DO NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR OR WITH OTHER PACLITAXEL FORMULATIONS
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Neutrophil Counts
ABRAXANE should not be used in patients who have baseline neutrophil counts of <1500 cells/mm3
Hypersensitivity
Patients who experience a severe hypersensitivity reaction to ABRAXANE should not be rechallenged with the drug
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Hematologic Effects
Bone marrow suppression (primarily neutropenia) is dose-dependent and a dose-limiting toxicity of ABRAXANE. In clinical studies, Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 34% of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), 47% of patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 38% of patients with pancreatic cancer
Monitor for myelotoxicity by performing complete blood cell counts frequently, including prior to dosing on Day 1 (for MBC) and Days 1, 8, and 15 (for NSCLC and for pancreatic cancer)
Do not administer ABRAXANE to patients with baseline absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) of less than 1500 cells/mm3
In the case of severe neutropenia (<500 cells/mm3 for 7 days or more) during a course of ABRAXANE therapy, reduce the dose of ABRAXANE in subsequent courses in patients with either MBC or NSCLC
In patients with MBC, resume treatment with every-3-week cycles of ABRAXANE after ANC recovers to a level >1500 cells/mm3 and platelets recover to a level >100,000 cells/mm3
In patients with NSCLC, resume treatment if recommended at permanently reduced doses for both weekly ABRAXANE and every-3-week carboplatin after ANC recovers to at least 1500 cells/mm3 and platelet count of at least 100,000 cells/mm3 on Day 1 or to an ANC of at least 500 cells/mm3 and platelet count of at least 50,000 cells/mm3 on Days 8 or 15 of the cycle
In patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, withhold ABRAXANE and gemcitabine if the ANC is less than 500 cells/mm3 or platelets are less than 50,000 cells/mm3 and delay initiation of the next cycle if the ANC is less than 1500 cells/mm3 or platelet count is less than 100,000 cells/mm3 on Day 1 of the cycle. Resume treatment with appropriate dose reduction if recommended
Nervous System
Sensory neuropathy is dose- and schedule-dependent
The occurrence of Grade 1 or 2 sensory neuropathy does not generally require dose modification
If ≥ Grade 3 sensory neuropathy develops, withhold ABRAXANE treatment until resolution to Grade 1 or 2 for MBC or until resolution to ≤ Grade 1 for NSCLC and pancreatic cancer followed by a dose reduction for all subsequent courses of ABRAXANE
Sepsis
Sepsis occurred in 5% of patients with or without neutropenia who received ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine
Biliary obstruction or presence of biliary stent were risk factors for severe or fatal sepsis
If a patient becomes febrile (regardless of ANC), initiate treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics
For febrile neutropenia, interrupt ABRAXANE and gemcitabine until fever resolves and ANC ≥1500 cells/mm3, then resume treatment at reduced dose levels
Pneumonitis
Pneumonitis, including some cases that were fatal, occurred in 4% of patients receiving ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine
Monitor patients for signs and symptoms and interrupt ABRAXANE and gemcitabine during evaluation of suspected pneumonitis
Permanently discontinue treatment with ABRAXANE and gemcitabine upon making a diagnosis of pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity
Severe and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions, have been reported
Patients who experience a severe hypersensitivity reaction to ABRAXANE should not be rechallenged with this drug
Hepatic Impairment
Because the exposure and toxicity of paclitaxel can be increased with hepatic impairment, administration of ABRAXANE in patients with hepatic impairment should be performed with caution
Patients with hepatic impairment may be at an increased risk of toxicity, particularly from myelosuppression, and should be monitored for development of profound myelosuppression
For MBC and NSCLC, the starting dose should be reduced for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment
For pancreatic adenocarcinoma, ABRAXANE is not recommended for patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin >1.5 x ULN and AST ≤10 x ULN)
Albumin (Human)
ABRAXANE contains albumin (human), a derivative of human blood
Use in Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category D
ABRAXANE can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman
If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus
Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving ABRAXANE
Use in Men
Men should be advised not to father a child while receiving ABRAXANE
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Randomized Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Study
The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) with single-agent use of ABRAXANE vs paclitaxel injection in the MBC study are alopecia (90%, 94%), neutropenia (all cases 80%, 82%; severe 9%, 22%), sensory neuropathy (any symptoms 71%, 56%; severe 10%, 2%), abnormal ECG (all patients 60%, 52%; patients with normal baseline 35%, 30%), fatigue/asthenia (any 47%, 39%; severe 8%, 3%), myalgia/arthralgia (any 44%, 49%; severe 8%, 4%), AST elevation (any 39%, 32%), alkaline phosphatase elevation (any 36%, 31%), anemia (any 33%, 25%; severe 1%, <1%), nausea (any 30%, 22%; severe 3%, <1%), diarrhea (any 27%, 15%; severe <1%, 1%) and infections (24%, 20%), respectively
Sensory neuropathy was the cause of ABRAXANE discontinuation in 7/229 (3%) patients
Other adverse reactions of note with the use of ABRAXANE vs paclitaxel injection included vomiting (any 18%, 10%; severe 4%, 1%), fluid retention (any 10%, 8%; severe 0%, <1%), mucositis (any 7%, 6%; severe <1%, 0%), hepatic dysfunction (elevations in bilirubin 7%, 7%), hypersensitivity reactions (any 4%, 12%; severe 0%, 2%), thrombocytopenia (any 2%, 3%; severe <1%, <1%), neutropenic sepsis (<1%, <1%), and injection site reactions (<1%, 1%), respectively. Dehydration and pyrexia were also reported
Renal dysfunction (any 11%, severe 1%) was reported in patients treated with ABRAXANE (n=229)
In all ABRAXANE-treated patients (n=366), ocular/visual disturbances were reported (any 13%; severe 1%)
Severe cardiovascular events possibly related to single-agent ABRAXANE occurred in approximately 3% of patients and included cardiac ischemia/infarction, chest pain, cardiac arrest, supraventricular tachycardia, edema, thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, pulmonary emboli, and hypertension
Cases of cerebrovascular attacks (strokes) and transient ischemic attacks have been reported
Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Study
The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) of ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin are anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, alopecia, peripheral neuropathy, nausea, and fatigue
The most common serious adverse reactions of ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin for NSCLC are anemia (4%) and pneumonia (3%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of ABRAXANE are neutropenia (3%), thrombocytopenia (3%), and peripheral neuropathy (1%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in dose reduction of ABRAXANE are neutropenia (24%), thrombocytopenia (13%), and anemia (6%)
The most common adverse reactions leading to withholding or delay in ABRAXANE dosing are neutropenia (41%), thrombocytopenia (30%), and anemia (16%)
The following common (≥10% incidence) adverse reactions were observed at a similar incidence in ABRAXANE plus carboplatin–treated and paclitaxel injection plus carboplatin–treated patients: alopecia (56%), nausea (27%), fatigue (25%), decreased appetite (17%), asthenia (16%), constipation (16%), diarrhea (15%), vomiting (12%), dyspnea (12%), and rash (10%); incidence rates are for the ABRAXANE plus carboplatin treatment group
Adverse reactions with a difference of ≥2%, Grade 3 or higher, with combination use of ABRAXANE and carboplatin vs combination use of paclitaxel injection and carboplatin in NSCLC are anemia (28%, 7%), neutropenia (47%, 58%), thrombocytopenia (18%, 9%), and peripheral neuropathy (3%, 12%), respectively
Adverse reactions with a difference of ≥5%, Grades 1-4, with combination use of ABRAXANE and carboplatin vs combination use of paclitaxel injection and carboplatin in NSCLC are anemia (98%, 91%), thrombocytopenia (68%, 55%), peripheral neuropathy (48%, 64%), edema peripheral (10%, 4%), epistaxis (7%, 2%), arthralgia (13%, 25%), and myalgia (10%, 19%), respectively
Neutropenia (all grades) was reported in 85% of patients who received ABRAXANE and carboplatin vs 83% of patients who received paclitaxel injection and carboplatin
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Study
Among the most common (≥20%) adverse reactions in the phase III study, those with a ≥5% higher incidence in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared with the gemcitabine group are neutropenia (73%, 58%), fatigue (59%, 46%), peripheral neuropathy (54%, 13%), nausea (54%, 48%), alopecia (50%, 5%), peripheral edema (46%, 30%), diarrhea (44%, 24%), pyrexia (41%, 28%), vomiting (36%, 28%), decreased appetite (36%, 26%), rash (30%, 11%), and dehydration (21%, 11%)
Of these most common adverse reactions, those with a ≥2% higher incidence of Grade 3-4 toxicity in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared with the gemcitabine group, respectively, are neutropenia (38%, 27%), fatigue (18%, 9%), peripheral neuropathy (17%, 1%), nausea (6%, 3%), diarrhea (6%, 1%), pyrexia (3%, 1%), vomiting (6%, 4%), decreased appetite (5%, 2%), and dehydration (7%, 2%)
Thrombocytopenia (all grades) was reported in 74% of patients in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group vs 70% of patients in the gemcitabine group
The most common serious adverse reactions of ABRAXANE (with a ≥1% higher incidence) are pyrexia (6%), dehydration (5%), pneumonia (4%), and vomiting (4%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of ABRAXANE were peripheral neuropathy (8%), fatigue (4%), and thrombocytopenia (2%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in dose reduction of ABRAXANE are neutropenia (10%) and peripheral neuropathy (6%)
The most common adverse reactions leading to withholding or delay in ABRAXANE dosing are neutropenia (16%), thrombocytopenia (12%), fatigue (8%), peripheral neuropathy (15%), anemia (5%), and diarrhea (5%)
Other selected adverse reactions with a ≥5% higher incidence for all-grade toxicity in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared to the gemcitabine group, respectively, are asthenia (19%, 13%), mucositis (10%, 4%), dysgeusia (16%, 8%), headache (14%, 9%), hypokalemia (12%, 7%), cough (17%, 7%), epistaxis (15%, 3%), urinary tract infection (11%, 5%), pain in extremity (11%, 6%), arthralgia (11%, 3%), myalgia (10%, 4%), and depression (12%, 6%)
Other selected adverse reactions with a ≥2% higher incidence for Grade 3-4 toxicity in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared to the gemcitabine group are thrombocytopenia (13%, 9%), asthenia (7%, 4%), and hypokalemia (4%, 1%)
Postmarketing Experience With ABRAXANE and Other Paclitaxel Formulations
Severe and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with ABRAXANE. The use of ABRAXANE in patients previously exhibiting hypersensitivity to paclitaxel injection or human albumin has not been studied
There have been reports of congestive heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction, and atrioventricular block with ABRAXANE, primarily among individuals with underlying cardiac history or prior exposure to cardiotoxic drugs
There have been reports of extravasation of ABRAXANE. Given the possibility of extravasation, it is advisable to monitor closely the ABRAXANE infusion site for possible infiltration during drug administration
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Caution should be exercised when administering ABRAXANE concomitantly with medicines known to inhibit or induce either CYP2C8 or CYP3A4
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether paclitaxel is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother
Pediatric
The safety and effectiveness of ABRAXANE in pediatric patients have not been evaluated
Geriatric
No toxicities occurred notably more frequently among patients ≥65 years of age who received ABRAXANE for MBC
Myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy, and arthralgia were more frequent in patients ≥65 years of age treated with ABRAXANE and carboplatin in NSCLC
Diarrhea, decreased appetite, dehydration, and epistaxis were more frequent in patients 65 years or older compared with patients younger than 65 years old who received ABRAXANE and gemcitabine in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas
Renal Impairment
There are insufficient data to permit dosage recommendations in patients with severe renal impairment or end stage renal disease (estimated creatinine clearance <30 mL/min)
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Do not administer ABRAXANE to any patient with total bilirubin greater than 5 x ULN or AST greater than 10 x ULN
For MBC and NSCLC, reduce starting dose in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment
For adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, do not administer ABRAXANE to patients who have moderate to severe hepatic impairment
Dose reductions or discontinuation may be needed based on severe hematologic, neurologic, cutaneous, or gastrointestinal toxicity
Monitor patients closely
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.
About Celgene
Celgene International Sàrl, located in Boudry, in the Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, is a wholly-owned subsidiary and International Headquarters of Celgene Corporation. Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.celgene.com. Follow Celgene on Social Media: @Celgene, Pinterest, LinkedIn and YouTube.
# # #
Contacts
Investors:
+41 32 729 8303 ir@celgene.com
Media:
+41 32 729 8304 media@celgene.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/13833/en
BOUDRY, Switzerland. - Monday, March 2nd 2015 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) Celgene International Sàrl, a wholly owned subsidiary of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG), today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved ABRAXANE® (paclitaxel formulated as albumin-bound nanoparticles, or nab-paclitaxel) in combination with carboplatin for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in adult patients who are not candidates for potentially curative surgery and/or radiation therapy.
The ABRAXANE Marketing Authorisation has been updated across 28 member states in the European Union to include this new indication in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), adding to the existing indications for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic and breast cancers.
Lung cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women, however it is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Europe. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for 85 to 90% of all cases. The predominant cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking, although environmental and occupational factors also can cause the cancer.
The EC decision follows the positive CHMP opinion received on 23 January and is based on the results of a multicenter, randomized, open-label study including 1,052 chemotherapy-naive patients with Stage IIIb/IV non-small cell lung cancer. The study compared ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin versus solvent-based paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin as first-line treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The primary efficacy endpoint, overall response rate, was significantly higher for patients in the ABRAXANE/carboplatin arm at 33%, compared with patients in the control arm, at 25%. The most common adverse reactions (≥ 20%) of ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin for NSCLC were anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, peripheral neuropathy, nausea, and fatigue.
Tuomo Pätsi, President of Celgene in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said, “At Celgene, we are pleased that the EC’s approval of ABRAXANE in NSCLC allows patients in Europe who have been diagnosed with this devastating disease to access this innovative nanotechnology medicine. The expanded application of ABRAXANE across three difficult to treat tumors - breast, pancreatic and lung cancers - reinforces the value ABRAXANE provides and our commitment to advance transformational science, deliver life-enhancing medicines and serve patients with cancers the world over.”
About ABRAXANE® (nab-paclitaxel)
ABRAXANE® is a nanotechnology agent that is currently the only albumin-based nanotechnology therapy approved for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer in the United States, Europe and other markets around the world. It contains albumin-bound paclitaxel nanoparticles and is manufactured using patented nab® technology. ABRAXANE is formulated with albumin, a human protein, and is free of solvents.
ABRAXANE was first approved in January 2005 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated. In Europe, ABRAXANE was approved in January 2008 as monotherapy for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in adult patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic disease and for whom standard, anthracycline containing therapy is not indicated. ABRAXANE is now approved in more than 50 countries for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
In October 2012, ABRAXANE was approved by the FDA for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in combination with carboplatin, in patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy. ABRAXANE is also approved for the treatment of NSCLC in Argentina, Australia, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore.
In September 2013, the FDA approved ABRAXANE as first–line treatment of patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, in combination with gemcitabine. In December 2013, ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine was approved for first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in Europe. ABRAXANE is also approved for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer in more than 40 countries.
Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for full European prescribing information.
U.S. Regulatory Information for ABRAXANE
WARNING - NEUTROPENIA
Do not administer ABRAXANE therapy to patients who have baseline neutrophil counts of less than 1500 cells/mm3. In order to monitor the occurrence of bone marrow suppression, primarily neutropenia, which may be severe and result in infection, it is recommended that frequent peripheral blood cell counts be performed on all patients receiving ABRAXANE
Note: An albumin form of paclitaxel may substantially affect a drug’s functional properties relative to those of drug in solution. DO NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR OR WITH OTHER PACLITAXEL FORMULATIONS
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Neutrophil Counts
ABRAXANE should not be used in patients who have baseline neutrophil counts of <1500 cells/mm3
Hypersensitivity
Patients who experience a severe hypersensitivity reaction to ABRAXANE should not be rechallenged with the drug
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Hematologic Effects
Bone marrow suppression (primarily neutropenia) is dose-dependent and a dose-limiting toxicity of ABRAXANE. In clinical studies, Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 34% of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), 47% of patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 38% of patients with pancreatic cancer
Monitor for myelotoxicity by performing complete blood cell counts frequently, including prior to dosing on Day 1 (for MBC) and Days 1, 8, and 15 (for NSCLC and for pancreatic cancer)
Do not administer ABRAXANE to patients with baseline absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) of less than 1500 cells/mm3
In the case of severe neutropenia (<500 cells/mm3 for 7 days or more) during a course of ABRAXANE therapy, reduce the dose of ABRAXANE in subsequent courses in patients with either MBC or NSCLC
In patients with MBC, resume treatment with every-3-week cycles of ABRAXANE after ANC recovers to a level >1500 cells/mm3 and platelets recover to a level >100,000 cells/mm3
In patients with NSCLC, resume treatment if recommended at permanently reduced doses for both weekly ABRAXANE and every-3-week carboplatin after ANC recovers to at least 1500 cells/mm3 and platelet count of at least 100,000 cells/mm3 on Day 1 or to an ANC of at least 500 cells/mm3 and platelet count of at least 50,000 cells/mm3 on Days 8 or 15 of the cycle
In patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, withhold ABRAXANE and gemcitabine if the ANC is less than 500 cells/mm3 or platelets are less than 50,000 cells/mm3 and delay initiation of the next cycle if the ANC is less than 1500 cells/mm3 or platelet count is less than 100,000 cells/mm3 on Day 1 of the cycle. Resume treatment with appropriate dose reduction if recommended
Nervous System
Sensory neuropathy is dose- and schedule-dependent
The occurrence of Grade 1 or 2 sensory neuropathy does not generally require dose modification
If ≥ Grade 3 sensory neuropathy develops, withhold ABRAXANE treatment until resolution to Grade 1 or 2 for MBC or until resolution to ≤ Grade 1 for NSCLC and pancreatic cancer followed by a dose reduction for all subsequent courses of ABRAXANE
Sepsis
Sepsis occurred in 5% of patients with or without neutropenia who received ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine
Biliary obstruction or presence of biliary stent were risk factors for severe or fatal sepsis
If a patient becomes febrile (regardless of ANC), initiate treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics
For febrile neutropenia, interrupt ABRAXANE and gemcitabine until fever resolves and ANC ≥1500 cells/mm3, then resume treatment at reduced dose levels
Pneumonitis
Pneumonitis, including some cases that were fatal, occurred in 4% of patients receiving ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine
Monitor patients for signs and symptoms and interrupt ABRAXANE and gemcitabine during evaluation of suspected pneumonitis
Permanently discontinue treatment with ABRAXANE and gemcitabine upon making a diagnosis of pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity
Severe and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions, have been reported
Patients who experience a severe hypersensitivity reaction to ABRAXANE should not be rechallenged with this drug
Hepatic Impairment
Because the exposure and toxicity of paclitaxel can be increased with hepatic impairment, administration of ABRAXANE in patients with hepatic impairment should be performed with caution
Patients with hepatic impairment may be at an increased risk of toxicity, particularly from myelosuppression, and should be monitored for development of profound myelosuppression
For MBC and NSCLC, the starting dose should be reduced for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment
For pancreatic adenocarcinoma, ABRAXANE is not recommended for patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin >1.5 x ULN and AST ≤10 x ULN)
Albumin (Human)
ABRAXANE contains albumin (human), a derivative of human blood
Use in Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category D
ABRAXANE can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman
If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus
Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving ABRAXANE
Use in Men
Men should be advised not to father a child while receiving ABRAXANE
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Randomized Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Study
The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) with single-agent use of ABRAXANE vs paclitaxel injection in the MBC study are alopecia (90%, 94%), neutropenia (all cases 80%, 82%; severe 9%, 22%), sensory neuropathy (any symptoms 71%, 56%; severe 10%, 2%), abnormal ECG (all patients 60%, 52%; patients with normal baseline 35%, 30%), fatigue/asthenia (any 47%, 39%; severe 8%, 3%), myalgia/arthralgia (any 44%, 49%; severe 8%, 4%), AST elevation (any 39%, 32%), alkaline phosphatase elevation (any 36%, 31%), anemia (any 33%, 25%; severe 1%, <1%), nausea (any 30%, 22%; severe 3%, <1%), diarrhea (any 27%, 15%; severe <1%, 1%) and infections (24%, 20%), respectively
Sensory neuropathy was the cause of ABRAXANE discontinuation in 7/229 (3%) patients
Other adverse reactions of note with the use of ABRAXANE vs paclitaxel injection included vomiting (any 18%, 10%; severe 4%, 1%), fluid retention (any 10%, 8%; severe 0%, <1%), mucositis (any 7%, 6%; severe <1%, 0%), hepatic dysfunction (elevations in bilirubin 7%, 7%), hypersensitivity reactions (any 4%, 12%; severe 0%, 2%), thrombocytopenia (any 2%, 3%; severe <1%, <1%), neutropenic sepsis (<1%, <1%), and injection site reactions (<1%, 1%), respectively. Dehydration and pyrexia were also reported
Renal dysfunction (any 11%, severe 1%) was reported in patients treated with ABRAXANE (n=229)
In all ABRAXANE-treated patients (n=366), ocular/visual disturbances were reported (any 13%; severe 1%)
Severe cardiovascular events possibly related to single-agent ABRAXANE occurred in approximately 3% of patients and included cardiac ischemia/infarction, chest pain, cardiac arrest, supraventricular tachycardia, edema, thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, pulmonary emboli, and hypertension
Cases of cerebrovascular attacks (strokes) and transient ischemic attacks have been reported
Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Study
The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) of ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin are anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, alopecia, peripheral neuropathy, nausea, and fatigue
The most common serious adverse reactions of ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin for NSCLC are anemia (4%) and pneumonia (3%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of ABRAXANE are neutropenia (3%), thrombocytopenia (3%), and peripheral neuropathy (1%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in dose reduction of ABRAXANE are neutropenia (24%), thrombocytopenia (13%), and anemia (6%)
The most common adverse reactions leading to withholding or delay in ABRAXANE dosing are neutropenia (41%), thrombocytopenia (30%), and anemia (16%)
The following common (≥10% incidence) adverse reactions were observed at a similar incidence in ABRAXANE plus carboplatin–treated and paclitaxel injection plus carboplatin–treated patients: alopecia (56%), nausea (27%), fatigue (25%), decreased appetite (17%), asthenia (16%), constipation (16%), diarrhea (15%), vomiting (12%), dyspnea (12%), and rash (10%); incidence rates are for the ABRAXANE plus carboplatin treatment group
Adverse reactions with a difference of ≥2%, Grade 3 or higher, with combination use of ABRAXANE and carboplatin vs combination use of paclitaxel injection and carboplatin in NSCLC are anemia (28%, 7%), neutropenia (47%, 58%), thrombocytopenia (18%, 9%), and peripheral neuropathy (3%, 12%), respectively
Adverse reactions with a difference of ≥5%, Grades 1-4, with combination use of ABRAXANE and carboplatin vs combination use of paclitaxel injection and carboplatin in NSCLC are anemia (98%, 91%), thrombocytopenia (68%, 55%), peripheral neuropathy (48%, 64%), edema peripheral (10%, 4%), epistaxis (7%, 2%), arthralgia (13%, 25%), and myalgia (10%, 19%), respectively
Neutropenia (all grades) was reported in 85% of patients who received ABRAXANE and carboplatin vs 83% of patients who received paclitaxel injection and carboplatin
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Study
Among the most common (≥20%) adverse reactions in the phase III study, those with a ≥5% higher incidence in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared with the gemcitabine group are neutropenia (73%, 58%), fatigue (59%, 46%), peripheral neuropathy (54%, 13%), nausea (54%, 48%), alopecia (50%, 5%), peripheral edema (46%, 30%), diarrhea (44%, 24%), pyrexia (41%, 28%), vomiting (36%, 28%), decreased appetite (36%, 26%), rash (30%, 11%), and dehydration (21%, 11%)
Of these most common adverse reactions, those with a ≥2% higher incidence of Grade 3-4 toxicity in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared with the gemcitabine group, respectively, are neutropenia (38%, 27%), fatigue (18%, 9%), peripheral neuropathy (17%, 1%), nausea (6%, 3%), diarrhea (6%, 1%), pyrexia (3%, 1%), vomiting (6%, 4%), decreased appetite (5%, 2%), and dehydration (7%, 2%)
Thrombocytopenia (all grades) was reported in 74% of patients in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group vs 70% of patients in the gemcitabine group
The most common serious adverse reactions of ABRAXANE (with a ≥1% higher incidence) are pyrexia (6%), dehydration (5%), pneumonia (4%), and vomiting (4%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of ABRAXANE were peripheral neuropathy (8%), fatigue (4%), and thrombocytopenia (2%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in dose reduction of ABRAXANE are neutropenia (10%) and peripheral neuropathy (6%)
The most common adverse reactions leading to withholding or delay in ABRAXANE dosing are neutropenia (16%), thrombocytopenia (12%), fatigue (8%), peripheral neuropathy (15%), anemia (5%), and diarrhea (5%)
Other selected adverse reactions with a ≥5% higher incidence for all-grade toxicity in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared to the gemcitabine group, respectively, are asthenia (19%, 13%), mucositis (10%, 4%), dysgeusia (16%, 8%), headache (14%, 9%), hypokalemia (12%, 7%), cough (17%, 7%), epistaxis (15%, 3%), urinary tract infection (11%, 5%), pain in extremity (11%, 6%), arthralgia (11%, 3%), myalgia (10%, 4%), and depression (12%, 6%)
Other selected adverse reactions with a ≥2% higher incidence for Grade 3-4 toxicity in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared to the gemcitabine group are thrombocytopenia (13%, 9%), asthenia (7%, 4%), and hypokalemia (4%, 1%)
Postmarketing Experience With ABRAXANE and Other Paclitaxel Formulations
Severe and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with ABRAXANE. The use of ABRAXANE in patients previously exhibiting hypersensitivity to paclitaxel injection or human albumin has not been studied
There have been reports of congestive heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction, and atrioventricular block with ABRAXANE, primarily among individuals with underlying cardiac history or prior exposure to cardiotoxic drugs
There have been reports of extravasation of ABRAXANE. Given the possibility of extravasation, it is advisable to monitor closely the ABRAXANE infusion site for possible infiltration during drug administration
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Caution should be exercised when administering ABRAXANE concomitantly with medicines known to inhibit or induce either CYP2C8 or CYP3A4
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether paclitaxel is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother
Pediatric
The safety and effectiveness of ABRAXANE in pediatric patients have not been evaluated
Geriatric
No toxicities occurred notably more frequently among patients ≥65 years of age who received ABRAXANE for MBC
Myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy, and arthralgia were more frequent in patients ≥65 years of age treated with ABRAXANE and carboplatin in NSCLC
Diarrhea, decreased appetite, dehydration, and epistaxis were more frequent in patients 65 years or older compared with patients younger than 65 years old who received ABRAXANE and gemcitabine in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas
Renal Impairment
There are insufficient data to permit dosage recommendations in patients with severe renal impairment or end stage renal disease (estimated creatinine clearance <30 mL/min)
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Do not administer ABRAXANE to any patient with total bilirubin greater than 5 x ULN or AST greater than 10 x ULN
For MBC and NSCLC, reduce starting dose in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment
For adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, do not administer ABRAXANE to patients who have moderate to severe hepatic impairment
Dose reductions or discontinuation may be needed based on severe hematologic, neurologic, cutaneous, or gastrointestinal toxicity
Monitor patients closely
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.
About Celgene
Celgene International Sàrl, located in Boudry, in the Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, is a wholly-owned subsidiary and International Headquarters of Celgene Corporation. Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.celgene.com. Follow Celgene on Social Media: @Celgene, Pinterest, LinkedIn and YouTube.
# # #
Contacts
Investors:
+41 32 729 8303 ir@celgene.com
Media:
+41 32 729 8304 media@celgene.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/13833/en
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts Announces Celery Risotto Alla Waldorf as the Next Taste of Waldorf Astoria
Master Chef Heinz Beck and 2014 James Beard Foundation Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef David Posey’s Iconic Dish to Appear on Menus at 26 Waldorf Astoria Properties Worldwide
MCLEAN, Va. - Sunday, March 1st 2015 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) Last night at the Waldorf Astoria New York, guests and a panel of culinary luminaries gathered to select the next Taste of Waldorf Astoria from five dishes created in the kitchens of Waldorf Astoria Berlin, Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, and Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund. The winning dish, Celery Risotto Alla Waldorf, is the result of a week-long collaboration in Rome between Waldorf Astoria Master Chef Heinz Beck and JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef David Posey at Rome Cavalieri.
Celery Risotto Alla Waldorf joins a lineup of iconic signature dishes that have been created at Waldorf Astoria, including Eggs Benedict, Red Velvet Cake, and The Waldorf Salad. Beginning March 2, guests will be able to book their own unforgettable Taste of Waldorf Astoria experience at any of the brand’s 26 properties worldwide through a special rate package available on www.waldorfastoria.com.
The panel of four judges included Hilton Worldwide Corporate Chef Americas Master Chef of France Marc Ehrler, bon appétit Restaurant & Drinks Editor Andrew Knowlton, JBF Director of Sponsorships Yvon Ros, and culinary and travel expert Nilou Motamed.
“Last night was a testament to Waldorf Astoria’s commitment to innovative culinary excellence and fostering young talent, values we share with James Beard Foundation,” said John T.A. Vanderslice, global head, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. “We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of Chef Heinz Beck and Chef David Posey along with all the talented chefs who participated in Taste of Waldorf Astoria.”
“The James Beard Foundation is dedicated to supporting chefs throughout their professional journey, so it was thrilling to watch these emerging and energetic chefs bring a fresh energy to the kitchens of established masters,” said Susan Ungaro, president, James Beard Foundation. “We look forward to expanding this groundbreaking program with Waldorf Astoria into next year and introducing new culinary classics to all.”
Last summer, JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalists were offered the opportunity to submit a 250-word statement on why they should be considered for this one-of-a-kind global program. Ultimately, five candidates were selected based on their compelling personal stories. The Taste of Waldorf Astoria pairings included:
Waldorf Astoria Berlin
Waldorf Astoria Master Chef: Pierre Gagnaire
2014 JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef: Christopher Kajioka, formerly of Vintage Cave (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Michelin Star Chef Pierre Gagnaire is at the helm of 11 lauded restaurants in Europe and abroad, including the Michelin-starred Modern French restaurant Les Solistes at Waldorf Astoria Berlin. Chris Kajioka, an alumnus of the Culinary Institute of America and Per Se in New York, just left the Executive Chef position at Vintage Cave in Honolulu to open his own project. His new restaurant is slated to open in 2015 and will emphasize his style of contemporary French cuisine paired with Japanese flavors featuring local and seasonal ingredients from Hawaii.
Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Waldorf Astoria Master Chef: Heinz Beck
2014 JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef: David Posey, formerly of Blackbird (Chicago, Illinois)
Since 1994, Heinz Beck has served as head chef at Rome Cavalieri’s La Pergola, Rome’s only restaurant with three Michelin Stars. Heinz Beck is the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding achievements throughout a long and prestigious career – La Pergola’s menu is his greatest achievement to date. David Posey is a star chef in Chicago, formerly the Chef de Cuisine at Blackbird and now embarking on a new chapter by opening his own restaurant next year.
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Waldorf Astoria Master Chefs: Chris and Jeff Galvin
2014 JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef: Cara Stadler of Tao Yuan (Brunswick, Maine) and Bao Bao Dumpling House (Portland, Maine)
Michelin-starred chef brothers, Chris and Jeff Galvin, reinvigorated the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh’s dining program, making The Pompadour by Galvin and Galvin Brasserie De Luxe two of the finest restaurants in Scotland and the UK. Executive Chef Craig Sandle leads day-to-day operations. Cara Stadler, who has been recognized by Food & Wine as one of America’s best new chefs, is the owner and head chef at the celebrated Asian Fusion restaurant Tao Yuan in Brunswick, Maine as well as recently opened Bao Bao Dumpling House in Portland, Maine.
La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Waldorf Astoria Master Chef: Jimmy Schmidt
JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef: Eduardo Ruiz of Picnik and Corazón y Miel (Bell, CA)
An innovative pioneer in America’s culinary movement towards sustainable cooking and farm-to-table dining, La Quinta Resort’s Chef Jimmy Schmidt is a three-time James Beard Award winner and one of the original members of the James Beard Foundation. Recently named one of Zagat’s 30 Under 30, Eduardo Ruiz is the Executive Chef and owner of the newly opened PICNIK Restaurant in Pasadena, California and the acclaimed CORAZON Y MIEL in Bell, California.
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
Waldorf Astoria Master Chef: Jan van Dyk
JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef: Marjorie Meek Bradley of Ripple and Roofer’s Union (Washington, D.C.)
Jan van Dyk is the Executive Chef Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, offering modern French cuisine infused with gastronomy classics perfected over 20 years' of gourmet experience in some of the world's most exclusive restaurants and private clubs. Marjorie Meek-Bradley oversees the kitchens as Executive Chef at both Ripple and Roofers Union in Washington, DC. Marjorie has served a variety of cuisines in many top-rated restaurants and her impressive pedigree includes having worked for renowned chef, Thomas Keller, at Per Se in NYC and Bouchon in Yountville, CA.
For more information about Taste of Waldorf Astoria and to see the recipe for Celery Risotto Alla Waldorf, please visit www.tasteofwaldorfastoria.com. To book the Taste of Waldorf Astoria culinary experience, visit www.waldorfastoria.com.
About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is a portfolio of 26 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 unforgettable moments through the delivery of True Waldorf Service. Personal Concierges deliver unparalleled, bespoke service from the moment a guest books through check out. Waldorf Astoria is 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 the James Beard Foundation (JBF)
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation celebrates, nurtures, and honors America's diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, James Beard, who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful, and delicious food. Today JBF continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships for culinary students, publications, chef advocacy training, and thought-leader convening. The Foundation also maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. In September of 2012, JBF launched the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Protocol and helped create the American Chef Corps as a way to champion American chefs abroad, promote American food products, and foster an interest in American culinary culture and history through international programs and initiatives. One such initiative is the next World’s Fair, for which the James Beard Foundation is co-leading the effort for the State Department to design and produce the USA Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015—a global gathering of 147 countries addressing the challenges of how we will feed ourselves in the future. The Pavilion will showcase America’s contributions to global food security and gastronomy in a pavilion themed American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet. For more information, please visit jamesbeard.org. Find insights on food at the James Beard Foundation’s blog Delights & Prejudices. Join the James Beard Foundation on Facebook. Follow the James Beard Foundation on Twitter and Instagram.
Contacts
John Walls
Hilton Worldwide
john.walls@hilton.com
+1 703 883 5232
Ani Zerounian
For Hilton Worldwide
azerounian@hlgrp.com
+1 646 274 3631
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13804/en
MCLEAN, Va. - Sunday, March 1st 2015 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) Last night at the Waldorf Astoria New York, guests and a panel of culinary luminaries gathered to select the next Taste of Waldorf Astoria from five dishes created in the kitchens of Waldorf Astoria Berlin, Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, and Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund. The winning dish, Celery Risotto Alla Waldorf, is the result of a week-long collaboration in Rome between Waldorf Astoria Master Chef Heinz Beck and JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef David Posey at Rome Cavalieri.
Celery Risotto Alla Waldorf joins a lineup of iconic signature dishes that have been created at Waldorf Astoria, including Eggs Benedict, Red Velvet Cake, and The Waldorf Salad. Beginning March 2, guests will be able to book their own unforgettable Taste of Waldorf Astoria experience at any of the brand’s 26 properties worldwide through a special rate package available on www.waldorfastoria.com.
The panel of four judges included Hilton Worldwide Corporate Chef Americas Master Chef of France Marc Ehrler, bon appétit Restaurant & Drinks Editor Andrew Knowlton, JBF Director of Sponsorships Yvon Ros, and culinary and travel expert Nilou Motamed.
“Last night was a testament to Waldorf Astoria’s commitment to innovative culinary excellence and fostering young talent, values we share with James Beard Foundation,” said John T.A. Vanderslice, global head, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. “We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of Chef Heinz Beck and Chef David Posey along with all the talented chefs who participated in Taste of Waldorf Astoria.”
“The James Beard Foundation is dedicated to supporting chefs throughout their professional journey, so it was thrilling to watch these emerging and energetic chefs bring a fresh energy to the kitchens of established masters,” said Susan Ungaro, president, James Beard Foundation. “We look forward to expanding this groundbreaking program with Waldorf Astoria into next year and introducing new culinary classics to all.”
Last summer, JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalists were offered the opportunity to submit a 250-word statement on why they should be considered for this one-of-a-kind global program. Ultimately, five candidates were selected based on their compelling personal stories. The Taste of Waldorf Astoria pairings included:
Waldorf Astoria Berlin
Waldorf Astoria Master Chef: Pierre Gagnaire
2014 JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef: Christopher Kajioka, formerly of Vintage Cave (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Michelin Star Chef Pierre Gagnaire is at the helm of 11 lauded restaurants in Europe and abroad, including the Michelin-starred Modern French restaurant Les Solistes at Waldorf Astoria Berlin. Chris Kajioka, an alumnus of the Culinary Institute of America and Per Se in New York, just left the Executive Chef position at Vintage Cave in Honolulu to open his own project. His new restaurant is slated to open in 2015 and will emphasize his style of contemporary French cuisine paired with Japanese flavors featuring local and seasonal ingredients from Hawaii.
Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Waldorf Astoria Master Chef: Heinz Beck
2014 JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef: David Posey, formerly of Blackbird (Chicago, Illinois)
Since 1994, Heinz Beck has served as head chef at Rome Cavalieri’s La Pergola, Rome’s only restaurant with three Michelin Stars. Heinz Beck is the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding achievements throughout a long and prestigious career – La Pergola’s menu is his greatest achievement to date. David Posey is a star chef in Chicago, formerly the Chef de Cuisine at Blackbird and now embarking on a new chapter by opening his own restaurant next year.
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Waldorf Astoria Master Chefs: Chris and Jeff Galvin
2014 JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef: Cara Stadler of Tao Yuan (Brunswick, Maine) and Bao Bao Dumpling House (Portland, Maine)
Michelin-starred chef brothers, Chris and Jeff Galvin, reinvigorated the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh’s dining program, making The Pompadour by Galvin and Galvin Brasserie De Luxe two of the finest restaurants in Scotland and the UK. Executive Chef Craig Sandle leads day-to-day operations. Cara Stadler, who has been recognized by Food & Wine as one of America’s best new chefs, is the owner and head chef at the celebrated Asian Fusion restaurant Tao Yuan in Brunswick, Maine as well as recently opened Bao Bao Dumpling House in Portland, Maine.
La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Waldorf Astoria Master Chef: Jimmy Schmidt
JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef: Eduardo Ruiz of Picnik and Corazón y Miel (Bell, CA)
An innovative pioneer in America’s culinary movement towards sustainable cooking and farm-to-table dining, La Quinta Resort’s Chef Jimmy Schmidt is a three-time James Beard Award winner and one of the original members of the James Beard Foundation. Recently named one of Zagat’s 30 Under 30, Eduardo Ruiz is the Executive Chef and owner of the newly opened PICNIK Restaurant in Pasadena, California and the acclaimed CORAZON Y MIEL in Bell, California.
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
Waldorf Astoria Master Chef: Jan van Dyk
JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef: Marjorie Meek Bradley of Ripple and Roofer’s Union (Washington, D.C.)
Jan van Dyk is the Executive Chef Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, offering modern French cuisine infused with gastronomy classics perfected over 20 years' of gourmet experience in some of the world's most exclusive restaurants and private clubs. Marjorie Meek-Bradley oversees the kitchens as Executive Chef at both Ripple and Roofers Union in Washington, DC. Marjorie has served a variety of cuisines in many top-rated restaurants and her impressive pedigree includes having worked for renowned chef, Thomas Keller, at Per Se in NYC and Bouchon in Yountville, CA.
For more information about Taste of Waldorf Astoria and to see the recipe for Celery Risotto Alla Waldorf, please visit www.tasteofwaldorfastoria.com. To book the Taste of Waldorf Astoria culinary experience, visit www.waldorfastoria.com.
About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is a portfolio of 26 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 unforgettable moments through the delivery of True Waldorf Service. Personal Concierges deliver unparalleled, bespoke service from the moment a guest books through check out. Waldorf Astoria is 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 the James Beard Foundation (JBF)
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation celebrates, nurtures, and honors America's diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, James Beard, who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful, and delicious food. Today JBF continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships for culinary students, publications, chef advocacy training, and thought-leader convening. The Foundation also maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. In September of 2012, JBF launched the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Protocol and helped create the American Chef Corps as a way to champion American chefs abroad, promote American food products, and foster an interest in American culinary culture and history through international programs and initiatives. One such initiative is the next World’s Fair, for which the James Beard Foundation is co-leading the effort for the State Department to design and produce the USA Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015—a global gathering of 147 countries addressing the challenges of how we will feed ourselves in the future. The Pavilion will showcase America’s contributions to global food security and gastronomy in a pavilion themed American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet. For more information, please visit jamesbeard.org. Find insights on food at the James Beard Foundation’s blog Delights & Prejudices. Join the James Beard Foundation on Facebook. Follow the James Beard Foundation on Twitter and Instagram.
Contacts
John Walls
Hilton Worldwide
john.walls@hilton.com
+1 703 883 5232
Ani Zerounian
For Hilton Worldwide
azerounian@hlgrp.com
+1 646 274 3631
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13804/en
GORD Lays the EcoVilla Foundation Stone
EcoVilla a Qatari Modern Sustainable Villa
Qatar - Wednesday, February 25th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
On February 23rd 2015, the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), the authority for sustainability in the MENA region, launched its pioneering 6 star sustainable project the “EcoVilla.
The EcoVilla inauguration ceremony was attended by the minister of environment, Mr. Ahmad Bin Amer al-Humaidi, at the headquarters of Qatari Diar. Also on hand were Dr. Yousef Mohammad Alhorr, the founding chairman of GORD, Eng. Essa Mohammed Ali Kaldari, the chief executive director of Lusail Real Estate Development Company, which allocated the project plot., and Mr. Mohammed bin Mohammed bin Laden, from QD-SBG, which is executing the EcoVilla project, And Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Development Bank (QDB), along with a number of representatives of government bodies that are providing support.
The idea for the project is based on GORD's belief in the importance of enhancing the adoption of sustainable practices by providing a practical model for a home. The villa’s architecture matches Gulf traditions, while at the same time serving as a basis for implementing the best possible international systems and materials in green building, in line with the region's special characteristics.
The EcoVilla has an area of 600 square meters and covers the general needs of a Gulf family. It comprises a Men's Majlis, a Women's Majlis, living room, guest room and kitchen, in addition to bedrooms and annexes. It's the region's most innovative sustainable villa whose construction is based on timeless Gulf architectural expressions. GORD's objective is to make the EcoVilla a role model home that all segments of society have access to and study – the general public, students, government officials, businessmen and developers – in order to understand how green building requirements may be applied in practical fashion and in line with the region's particular climatic and environmental conditions.
"We are happy to see the environmentally-friendly project EcoVilla because it reinforces the Ministry of Environment's efforts to implement sustainable best practices in built environment," said the Minister of Environment on this occasion, in an expression of gratitude for the initiative. "At the same time, it contributes to the implementation of the Qatar National Vision 2030, which considers the environment one of its most important pillars. We hope that by carrying out this project in Qatar, GORD will provide solutions tailored to the Arab Gulf region's particular environmental and climate conditions."
For his part, Eng. Essa Mohammed Ali Kaldari welcomed the initiative, commenting that "the idea of EcoVilla is in line with the Lusail Development Company vision of adopting sustainable building practices."
"It was the first organization in Qatar to promptly implement GSAS criteria on all facilities at Lusail, making it one of the most sustainable cities in Qatar and the Gulf. Our participation in this project is part of our policy of social responsibility, which allows us to spread awareness throughout society about the importance of sustainability and its benefits for both individuals and the general public."
And from his side, Mr. Mohammed bin Mohammed bin Laden emphasized the important role the private sector plays in supporting such initiatives, "We at QD-SBG are happy to participate in this vital project because it will serve a large segment of society. As project executors it gives us the opportunity to apply the best sustainability practices in building and construction, drawing from the cumulative experiences and expertise of QD-SBG in this field which will benefit all parties. As a local company we understand the unique demands and opportunities of the construction business in Qatar, placing innovation at the heart of everything we do in order to participate in the development of Qatar National Vision 2030, and beyond.”
In developing the design of EcoVilla, GORD came up with preliminary ideas and specified the building's principal systems, then carried out an international competition for local and international firms to develop the detailed designs for the structure's construction and services. In terms of environmentally-friendly systems and materials, EcoVilla features various types of solar power for generating electricity, energy-saving cooling systems and highly-heat resistant materials along with creative solutions for lighting, maintenance and other facets.
"We at GORD are determined to support sustainable initiatives in the government and private sectors," said Dr. Yousef Al Horr. "We hope that this project serves as an opportunity for the construction sector to actively take part, through providing environmentally-friendly solutions and materials. We also hope that people – whether developers or individuals who want to build private homes – learn about and benefit from the project's range of solutions and ideas, especially since we submit them for study and research by GORD's experts, who perform quality control and verify Eco Villa’s suitability for the region's special conditions."
GSAS 6 STAR ecoVilla employs sustainable design bringing:
Environmental benefits by conserving precious resources such as water and energy
Economic benefits by reducing operating costs and extended life time of the building
Social benefits by improving occupants ‘health and quality of life
About ecoVilla
Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD), the authority for knowledge on sustainability in the MENA region, has inaugurated the “ecoVilla” as a landmark project that will reinforce Qatar’s reputation as a leading advocate of sustainable development. The Green Villa has been designed to achieve a score of 6 stars based on the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), as it offers a genuinely sustainable, smart and healthy living environment for residents.
Innovative ideas are the cornerstone of sustainability.
Even before the first brick is laid, creating an eco-friendly system that consumes less ensures that your home will eventually give you more.
The ecoVilla is located in a strategic location in Lusail city, called Alwadi, which will be used as an open area for recreation and outdoor activities for visitors and residents of the city. Moreover, it is being developed according to stringent standards of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). The Green Villa will be one of the most coveted residential addresses in Qatar, while it will also serve as a model community for sustainable living.
Reducing environmental impact begins within your four walls.
While your everyday practices play an important role in saving energy, sustainable constructions using recyclable materials form the foundation of an eco-friendly living environment. The villa will be constructed using sustainable and recycled eco-friendly building materials with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emission rates, to ensure minimal carbon footprint, while ensuring utmost quality of life.
Healthy living begins with a home that breathes with you.
The positive impact of sustainable practices in your “green home” are not limited to energy savings. It has been scientifically proven that sustainable homes promote a healthier lifestyle, and have a positive influence on your mental and physical well-being.
The ecoVilla’s sustainable features include an on-site renewable energy generation system, water-efficient plumbing fixtures and irrigation system, energy reduction, indoor lighting design, intelligent building control system, and Photo-voltaic panels. In addition, the Villa intends to maximize natural ventilation and natural light against solar gain, as well as conserve water using limiters on all appliances in the building.
OBJECTIVES of EcoVilla Initiative
Identity
Response to Climate and Materials
Reference and Resonance -Cultural Roots
Timeless Essence -Built to Last
Optimise
Optimum Performance = Max comfort + Min energy use etc. – a balance
Optimum Flexibility
Minimise
Minimum Waste
Minimum Energy Use & Carbon footprint
Innovate and Communicate
Test and demonstrate systems
Gather and share data
Hone QSAS criteria
The Eco-Villa is to be a ‘test laboratory house’ –ie exploring multiple solutions–rather than an ‘optimised house’ –ie single solution. The Eco Villa is intended to be a ‘show home’, and as such, it will be a platform to demonstrate, educate and introduce sustainable technologies which can also be adopted by Qataris into existing homes. The Eco Villa will be supported by an online presence for on-going open source research. Data collected from the Eco Villa portal also provides a more direct communication channel between GORD and Qatari public.
GSAS Overview
The Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) was developed by GORD through several intense years of collaboration with internationally renowned research institutes. The system was developed by drawing best practices adopted from 40 different rating systems known regionally and internationally.
The primary objective of GSAS is to create a sustainably built environment that minimizes ecological impact while addressing the specific social and cultural needs and environment of the region. First introduced in 2009 as QSAS, it was the Middle East’s first integrated and performance oriented sustainability assessment rating system for the construction industry. The systematic assessment method has since been adapted from the local to a global scale, now known as GSAS.
The comprehensive GSAS measures and evaluates every project on eight key aspects or categories that have a direct impact on environmental stress mitigation.
These categories are urban connectivity, site, energy, water, materials, indoor environment, cultural & economic value, and management and operations.
These categories are then broken down into specific criteria that measure and define these individual issues. A score is awarded to each criterion based on the level of compliance.
The GSAS awards one of six levels of certifications to projects, from one star to six stars, depending on their environmental and social impact. Assessment can be conducted to certify the project in the design, construction and operations phases.
About The Ministry The ministry of environment is striving to achieve several goals, most importantly, protecting the environment through inclusive and sustainable growth for future generation to achieve the vision of 2030.
Reaching the vision would be through wildlife growth, preparing and proposing laws, projects and suitable solutions for all environmental issues, implementing them by training Qatari nationals in implementation of environmental protocols, as well as environmental awareness.
Civil and governmental organizations should coordinate all efforts; cooperate with regions and countries by ratification of environmental agreements and protocols for the purpose of protecting environments.
Strategic Goals for Ministry of Environment:
Balance between the social and economic development needs and protecting the environment.
Preserving and protecting the environment, including air, land, water and biological diversity.
Ensure the quality of environmental health and safety
Improve the institutional effectiveness and performance
Propose and develop policies and legislations to protect the environment
Enhance awareness and environmental culture
Support and activate the national, regional and international cooperation.
About Qatari Diar & Lusail City
Qatari Diar Real Estate Company was established in 2005 by the Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. Headquartered northeast of capital Doha on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, Qatari Diar was entrusted to support Qatar’s growing economy and to coordinate the country’s real estate development priorities.
The company’s first project, Lusail City, was launched in December of that year and quickly went on to gain tremendous praise for its innovative approach to real estate. The progressive, self-contained city is the largest single development to be undertaken in the State of Qatar, and although it is currently under construction, Lusail already signifies Qatar’s progress on a grand scale, reflecting the vision and quality that have become synonymous to Qatari Diar. The Lusail Real Estate Development Company was established in September 2008 with a dedication to the development, construction and ongoing operations of the visionary Lusail City development.
In November 2009, Qatari Diar reached another significant milestone in its history with the establishment of the Qatar Railways Development Company. This company was created to bring Qatar’s vision for developing Qatar’s extensive national railway network, and the region’s first fully integrated railway system, to life.
Parallel to its significant infrastructure developments within Qatar, the company has been committed since its founding to bringing the Qatari Diar vision, one for real estate that improves quality of life and contributes to the community, onto the international stage. Today, Qatari Diar has established itself as one of the world’s most trusted and respected real estate companies because of its commitment to quality, local community, partnership and hallmark sustainability.
As of January 2012, Qatari Diar is capitalised at US$4 billion and has more than 49 projects under development or planning in Qatar and in 29 countries around the world with a combined value of over US$35 billion.
Lusail City
Lusail City is one of the most ambitious and ground breaking concepts of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, which aspires to become the most internationally renowned company in real estate investment.
Qatari Diar has succeeded in proving itself as a company that places the well-being of society among its top priorities. It achieves this by continually striving to improve and enhance people’s quality of life and abiding to the most stringent of international standards.
Lusail City is a futuristic project which will create a modern and ambitious society. The smart, peaceful and inspirational environment combines artistic elements of architecture with various practical and versatile services in order to satisfy all the needs of its residents and visitors.
About QD-SBG
QD-SBG is a joint venture between Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Co. (QD) and Saudi Binladin Group (SBG). It combines the local and international knowledge and expertise of QD in developing large-scale real estate projects with the vast experience of SBG, with its strong record of delivering major infrastructure projects worldwide.
Currently, QD-SBG has two subsidiaries: QD-SBG Construction and Qatari Diar Construction Products Company Industries (QD-CPC Industries). QD-SBG Construction is a large scale civil and building construction company offering diversified general contracting and design-build services to clients throughout Qatar. Corporate integrity, financial strength, and a record of strong performance on challenging projects pre-qualify it to execute projects where other large international firms fail to do so.
QD-CPC Industries was incorporated in January 2011 as a joint venture between Qatari Diar, SBG, Construction Products Company International Co. (CPC-International), and The First Investor Co. Q.S.C.C. (TFI) to provide a series of innovative, market penetrating, Qatar-based building materials manufacturing facilities in order to become the “complete building solution” for their clients.
The winning formula has meant that QD-SBG, through its subsidiaries, has fast become recognised for performing large and exceptional construction projects for its clients across the public and private sectors.
About GORD
The Gulf Organization for Research & Development is a 100% government Qatari organization leading the fight to transform the way buildings are designed, built and operated by promoting healthy, energy- and resource-efficient building practices.
Sponsored by Qatari Diar, the Gulf Organisation for R&Daims to build and strengthen a strong and vibrant local, regional and global consortium and network of respected research institutions, consulting and technology companies, real estate and construction companies, governmental and professional organizations that have genuine interest and commitment to support the strategic objectives of the Organization to address the environmental challenges and empower the construction society to apply sustainable applications and practices.
Our vision is for Qatar to be a leader in the field of sustainable development, design and construction, and for the Gulf Organisation for R&D to be one of the driving forces behind this transformation.
GORD will run scientific research through its own research programs and partnerships with local and international organizations, from both academic and applied research perspectives, to share knowledge and build networks to enhance the sustainable built environment in Qatar.
The research programs, including but not limited to, energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy, materials, water, waste recycling etc., in addition to developing information databases from new and existing building stock including pilot research projects and feasibility studies and translate it into commercial reality for the best of future local economy and sustainable built environment.
Contacts
GORD
Salah AlAyoubi - Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications,
+974-4404-9007
s.alayoubi@gord.qa
Qatar - Wednesday, February 25th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
On February 23rd 2015, the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), the authority for sustainability in the MENA region, launched its pioneering 6 star sustainable project the “EcoVilla.
The EcoVilla inauguration ceremony was attended by the minister of environment, Mr. Ahmad Bin Amer al-Humaidi, at the headquarters of Qatari Diar. Also on hand were Dr. Yousef Mohammad Alhorr, the founding chairman of GORD, Eng. Essa Mohammed Ali Kaldari, the chief executive director of Lusail Real Estate Development Company, which allocated the project plot., and Mr. Mohammed bin Mohammed bin Laden, from QD-SBG, which is executing the EcoVilla project, And Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Development Bank (QDB), along with a number of representatives of government bodies that are providing support.
The idea for the project is based on GORD's belief in the importance of enhancing the adoption of sustainable practices by providing a practical model for a home. The villa’s architecture matches Gulf traditions, while at the same time serving as a basis for implementing the best possible international systems and materials in green building, in line with the region's special characteristics.
The EcoVilla has an area of 600 square meters and covers the general needs of a Gulf family. It comprises a Men's Majlis, a Women's Majlis, living room, guest room and kitchen, in addition to bedrooms and annexes. It's the region's most innovative sustainable villa whose construction is based on timeless Gulf architectural expressions. GORD's objective is to make the EcoVilla a role model home that all segments of society have access to and study – the general public, students, government officials, businessmen and developers – in order to understand how green building requirements may be applied in practical fashion and in line with the region's particular climatic and environmental conditions.
"We are happy to see the environmentally-friendly project EcoVilla because it reinforces the Ministry of Environment's efforts to implement sustainable best practices in built environment," said the Minister of Environment on this occasion, in an expression of gratitude for the initiative. "At the same time, it contributes to the implementation of the Qatar National Vision 2030, which considers the environment one of its most important pillars. We hope that by carrying out this project in Qatar, GORD will provide solutions tailored to the Arab Gulf region's particular environmental and climate conditions."
For his part, Eng. Essa Mohammed Ali Kaldari welcomed the initiative, commenting that "the idea of EcoVilla is in line with the Lusail Development Company vision of adopting sustainable building practices."
"It was the first organization in Qatar to promptly implement GSAS criteria on all facilities at Lusail, making it one of the most sustainable cities in Qatar and the Gulf. Our participation in this project is part of our policy of social responsibility, which allows us to spread awareness throughout society about the importance of sustainability and its benefits for both individuals and the general public."
And from his side, Mr. Mohammed bin Mohammed bin Laden emphasized the important role the private sector plays in supporting such initiatives, "We at QD-SBG are happy to participate in this vital project because it will serve a large segment of society. As project executors it gives us the opportunity to apply the best sustainability practices in building and construction, drawing from the cumulative experiences and expertise of QD-SBG in this field which will benefit all parties. As a local company we understand the unique demands and opportunities of the construction business in Qatar, placing innovation at the heart of everything we do in order to participate in the development of Qatar National Vision 2030, and beyond.”
In developing the design of EcoVilla, GORD came up with preliminary ideas and specified the building's principal systems, then carried out an international competition for local and international firms to develop the detailed designs for the structure's construction and services. In terms of environmentally-friendly systems and materials, EcoVilla features various types of solar power for generating electricity, energy-saving cooling systems and highly-heat resistant materials along with creative solutions for lighting, maintenance and other facets.
"We at GORD are determined to support sustainable initiatives in the government and private sectors," said Dr. Yousef Al Horr. "We hope that this project serves as an opportunity for the construction sector to actively take part, through providing environmentally-friendly solutions and materials. We also hope that people – whether developers or individuals who want to build private homes – learn about and benefit from the project's range of solutions and ideas, especially since we submit them for study and research by GORD's experts, who perform quality control and verify Eco Villa’s suitability for the region's special conditions."
GSAS 6 STAR ecoVilla employs sustainable design bringing:
Environmental benefits by conserving precious resources such as water and energy
Economic benefits by reducing operating costs and extended life time of the building
Social benefits by improving occupants ‘health and quality of life
About ecoVilla
Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD), the authority for knowledge on sustainability in the MENA region, has inaugurated the “ecoVilla” as a landmark project that will reinforce Qatar’s reputation as a leading advocate of sustainable development. The Green Villa has been designed to achieve a score of 6 stars based on the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), as it offers a genuinely sustainable, smart and healthy living environment for residents.
Innovative ideas are the cornerstone of sustainability.
Even before the first brick is laid, creating an eco-friendly system that consumes less ensures that your home will eventually give you more.
The ecoVilla is located in a strategic location in Lusail city, called Alwadi, which will be used as an open area for recreation and outdoor activities for visitors and residents of the city. Moreover, it is being developed according to stringent standards of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). The Green Villa will be one of the most coveted residential addresses in Qatar, while it will also serve as a model community for sustainable living.
Reducing environmental impact begins within your four walls.
While your everyday practices play an important role in saving energy, sustainable constructions using recyclable materials form the foundation of an eco-friendly living environment. The villa will be constructed using sustainable and recycled eco-friendly building materials with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emission rates, to ensure minimal carbon footprint, while ensuring utmost quality of life.
Healthy living begins with a home that breathes with you.
The positive impact of sustainable practices in your “green home” are not limited to energy savings. It has been scientifically proven that sustainable homes promote a healthier lifestyle, and have a positive influence on your mental and physical well-being.
The ecoVilla’s sustainable features include an on-site renewable energy generation system, water-efficient plumbing fixtures and irrigation system, energy reduction, indoor lighting design, intelligent building control system, and Photo-voltaic panels. In addition, the Villa intends to maximize natural ventilation and natural light against solar gain, as well as conserve water using limiters on all appliances in the building.
OBJECTIVES of EcoVilla Initiative
Identity
Response to Climate and Materials
Reference and Resonance -Cultural Roots
Timeless Essence -Built to Last
Optimise
Optimum Performance = Max comfort + Min energy use etc. – a balance
Optimum Flexibility
Minimise
Minimum Waste
Minimum Energy Use & Carbon footprint
Innovate and Communicate
Test and demonstrate systems
Gather and share data
Hone QSAS criteria
The Eco-Villa is to be a ‘test laboratory house’ –ie exploring multiple solutions–rather than an ‘optimised house’ –ie single solution. The Eco Villa is intended to be a ‘show home’, and as such, it will be a platform to demonstrate, educate and introduce sustainable technologies which can also be adopted by Qataris into existing homes. The Eco Villa will be supported by an online presence for on-going open source research. Data collected from the Eco Villa portal also provides a more direct communication channel between GORD and Qatari public.
GSAS Overview
The Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) was developed by GORD through several intense years of collaboration with internationally renowned research institutes. The system was developed by drawing best practices adopted from 40 different rating systems known regionally and internationally.
The primary objective of GSAS is to create a sustainably built environment that minimizes ecological impact while addressing the specific social and cultural needs and environment of the region. First introduced in 2009 as QSAS, it was the Middle East’s first integrated and performance oriented sustainability assessment rating system for the construction industry. The systematic assessment method has since been adapted from the local to a global scale, now known as GSAS.
The comprehensive GSAS measures and evaluates every project on eight key aspects or categories that have a direct impact on environmental stress mitigation.
These categories are urban connectivity, site, energy, water, materials, indoor environment, cultural & economic value, and management and operations.
These categories are then broken down into specific criteria that measure and define these individual issues. A score is awarded to each criterion based on the level of compliance.
The GSAS awards one of six levels of certifications to projects, from one star to six stars, depending on their environmental and social impact. Assessment can be conducted to certify the project in the design, construction and operations phases.
About The Ministry The ministry of environment is striving to achieve several goals, most importantly, protecting the environment through inclusive and sustainable growth for future generation to achieve the vision of 2030.
Reaching the vision would be through wildlife growth, preparing and proposing laws, projects and suitable solutions for all environmental issues, implementing them by training Qatari nationals in implementation of environmental protocols, as well as environmental awareness.
Civil and governmental organizations should coordinate all efforts; cooperate with regions and countries by ratification of environmental agreements and protocols for the purpose of protecting environments.
Strategic Goals for Ministry of Environment:
Balance between the social and economic development needs and protecting the environment.
Preserving and protecting the environment, including air, land, water and biological diversity.
Ensure the quality of environmental health and safety
Improve the institutional effectiveness and performance
Propose and develop policies and legislations to protect the environment
Enhance awareness and environmental culture
Support and activate the national, regional and international cooperation.
About Qatari Diar & Lusail City
Qatari Diar Real Estate Company was established in 2005 by the Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. Headquartered northeast of capital Doha on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, Qatari Diar was entrusted to support Qatar’s growing economy and to coordinate the country’s real estate development priorities.
The company’s first project, Lusail City, was launched in December of that year and quickly went on to gain tremendous praise for its innovative approach to real estate. The progressive, self-contained city is the largest single development to be undertaken in the State of Qatar, and although it is currently under construction, Lusail already signifies Qatar’s progress on a grand scale, reflecting the vision and quality that have become synonymous to Qatari Diar. The Lusail Real Estate Development Company was established in September 2008 with a dedication to the development, construction and ongoing operations of the visionary Lusail City development.
In November 2009, Qatari Diar reached another significant milestone in its history with the establishment of the Qatar Railways Development Company. This company was created to bring Qatar’s vision for developing Qatar’s extensive national railway network, and the region’s first fully integrated railway system, to life.
Parallel to its significant infrastructure developments within Qatar, the company has been committed since its founding to bringing the Qatari Diar vision, one for real estate that improves quality of life and contributes to the community, onto the international stage. Today, Qatari Diar has established itself as one of the world’s most trusted and respected real estate companies because of its commitment to quality, local community, partnership and hallmark sustainability.
As of January 2012, Qatari Diar is capitalised at US$4 billion and has more than 49 projects under development or planning in Qatar and in 29 countries around the world with a combined value of over US$35 billion.
Lusail City
Lusail City is one of the most ambitious and ground breaking concepts of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, which aspires to become the most internationally renowned company in real estate investment.
Qatari Diar has succeeded in proving itself as a company that places the well-being of society among its top priorities. It achieves this by continually striving to improve and enhance people’s quality of life and abiding to the most stringent of international standards.
Lusail City is a futuristic project which will create a modern and ambitious society. The smart, peaceful and inspirational environment combines artistic elements of architecture with various practical and versatile services in order to satisfy all the needs of its residents and visitors.
About QD-SBG
QD-SBG is a joint venture between Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Co. (QD) and Saudi Binladin Group (SBG). It combines the local and international knowledge and expertise of QD in developing large-scale real estate projects with the vast experience of SBG, with its strong record of delivering major infrastructure projects worldwide.
Currently, QD-SBG has two subsidiaries: QD-SBG Construction and Qatari Diar Construction Products Company Industries (QD-CPC Industries). QD-SBG Construction is a large scale civil and building construction company offering diversified general contracting and design-build services to clients throughout Qatar. Corporate integrity, financial strength, and a record of strong performance on challenging projects pre-qualify it to execute projects where other large international firms fail to do so.
QD-CPC Industries was incorporated in January 2011 as a joint venture between Qatari Diar, SBG, Construction Products Company International Co. (CPC-International), and The First Investor Co. Q.S.C.C. (TFI) to provide a series of innovative, market penetrating, Qatar-based building materials manufacturing facilities in order to become the “complete building solution” for their clients.
The winning formula has meant that QD-SBG, through its subsidiaries, has fast become recognised for performing large and exceptional construction projects for its clients across the public and private sectors.
About GORD
The Gulf Organization for Research & Development is a 100% government Qatari organization leading the fight to transform the way buildings are designed, built and operated by promoting healthy, energy- and resource-efficient building practices.
Sponsored by Qatari Diar, the Gulf Organisation for R&Daims to build and strengthen a strong and vibrant local, regional and global consortium and network of respected research institutions, consulting and technology companies, real estate and construction companies, governmental and professional organizations that have genuine interest and commitment to support the strategic objectives of the Organization to address the environmental challenges and empower the construction society to apply sustainable applications and practices.
Our vision is for Qatar to be a leader in the field of sustainable development, design and construction, and for the Gulf Organisation for R&D to be one of the driving forces behind this transformation.
GORD will run scientific research through its own research programs and partnerships with local and international organizations, from both academic and applied research perspectives, to share knowledge and build networks to enhance the sustainable built environment in Qatar.
The research programs, including but not limited to, energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy, materials, water, waste recycling etc., in addition to developing information databases from new and existing building stock including pilot research projects and feasibility studies and translate it into commercial reality for the best of future local economy and sustainable built environment.
Contacts
GORD
Salah AlAyoubi - Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications,
+974-4404-9007
s.alayoubi@gord.qa
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