The plan to separate their LCD division into its own company, the Samsung Display Company Ltd., by the beginning of April was approved by the Board of Directors this week, so now only needs majority agreement by shareholders.
The South Korean electronics giant has experienced a recent fall in profits from their LCD products, along with rival manufacturers LG and Sony, so the move to rationalize the company to focus on new technologies would seem to be a way of maintaining their competitive edge. As the world’s biggest television and flat-screen producer, their position has left them vulnerable to ever-increasing Chinese competition and slowing consumer demand.
+MORE FROM MANUFACTURING DIGITAL
Samsung has invested substantially in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, previously using the technology to produce screens for their Galaxy series of smartphones. The new displays can be made wafer-thin and give a greater, more vivid range of colours, when compared to LCD. In last month’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Samsung unveiled the first, allegedly, future-proof, internet-connected TV made with an OLED screen. The next-generation of TV can have its hardware upgraded annually, helping to alleviate consumer concerns over the increasing tendency for electronics to become obsolete. Other features include a web-cam to enable face, gesture and voice recognition software, similar to that used with Microsoft’s Kinect device for their games console, the Xbox 360.
At the moment it is too early to say whether or not the move is the right one, depending largely on whether OLED technology will be as hugely popular as LCD once was, Samsung clearly hopes so.
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]]>NEW HOLLAND, Pa., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Alouette® Cheese announced the introduction of a new line of deliciously spreadable cheddar cheeses. Featuring a full body and fine robust flavor, the new spreadable flavors – Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Cheddar Cheese – are both perfect for serving as a snack or for entertaining guests.
Available in a convenient, ready-to-serve 6 oz. container, the creamy, savory cheddars can be served with crackers or pretzels, spread on a sandwich or slice of bread, or used to add great flavor to a traditional mac 'n cheese dish. The new cheddars are available in the deli section of supermarkets across the country and retail for $4.99.
"Bacon is a top 10 food trend of the decade according to the Food Network, and cheddar is the world's best selling cheese," said Director of Marketing New Products, Cristina Anton Villa. "We are very enthusiastic to add two new cheddar flavors to an award-winning line up that already includes Alouette Garlic & Herbs and Alouette Savory Vegetable Soft Spreadable Cheese."
The new cheddar flavors offer the same quality and superior taste that consumers have come to expect from a beloved brand like Alouette. Several product attributes include:
Greg Gable, Executive Chef for Alouette, has created new serving suggestions incorporating the new cheddars. Alouette also offers recipes, serving suggestions, entertaining tips and nutritional values on www.alouettecheese.com.
About Alouette
The Alouette® brand has grown over the years, extending its unique line of cheeses to include a wide variety of Alouette Spreadable Cheese flavors as well as other specialty cheese products, such as the 2011 Chef's Best® award-winning Alouette Baby Brie. Today, Alouette is a leading brand in the Specialty Cheese Category in the United States and is the #1 brand of Premium Spreadable Cheese.
The Chef's Best Award for Best Taste is awarded to the brand rated highest overall among leading brands by independent professional chefs. For more information regarding American Culinary Chef's Best, visit www.chefsbest.org.
About Chef Greg Gable
Chef Greg Gable joined Alouette Cheese USA, LLC in 2007 as Executive Chef. Gable first acquired critical acclaim during his 13 years at Le Bec-Fin, one of Philadelphia's finest dining institutions. He has also received several accolades, such as the Philadelphia Inquirer's 3 Bells Award of Excellence and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Gable is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.
SOURCE Alouette
]]>HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lawmakers have an opportunity to modernize the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) and generate $75 million a year in new state revenues which could be used to forestall some of Gov. Corbett's proposed budget cuts.
Senate Bill 1287, now pending before the Senate Law & Justice Committee, would free the PLCB to operate like a modern, wholesale and retail business and deliver a greater return for all Pennsylvania taxpayers.
"This legislation is just plain old common sense and now is the time for lawmakers to support modernizing this valuable public asset," said Wendell W. Young IV, President, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 and Chairman, UFCW PA Wine and Spirits Council.
"It makes a lot more sense to generate $75 million more each year in revenue than it does to cut higher education, basic education and the safety net for vulnerable Pennsylvanians," Young added.
Young noted that the PLCB already provides the Commonwealth with more than $500 million a year in revenue – after paying all expenses for the agency's operation – and employs more than 5,000 Pennsylvanians.
Senate Bill 1287 would eliminate the one size fits all pricing structure now in place and allow more flexibility based on the market and demands of customers. The legislation would also provide greater flexibility in hiring outside the Civil Service System.
Finally, the bill would allow the PLCB to institute a more efficient and modern procurement process to take more advantage of the agency's purchasing power.
"As members of the Senate Appropriations Committee focus on the PLCB and the budget, we are encouraging them to help close the gap by supporting this legislation," Young added.
"The PLCB has made tremendous strides in the past 20 years to transform itself into a world class retail operation and our members have supported that effort throughout. This legislation would be another great step forward."
For more information, please visit www.ufcwpawineandspiritscouncil.com.
SOURCE UFCW PA Wine and Spirits Council
]]>Brooklyn tourists and residents can access Fort Greene Park's Wi-Fi near the visitor's center. The additional Central Park site joins Mineral Springs, Tavern on the Green and AT&T's seasonal Summer Stage deployment at Rumsey Playfield. Visitors to the Central Park Zoo will have access to AT&T Wi-Fi by the main entrance, food court and central garden areas.
"This initiative has been a huge success and we're thrilled that visitors to New York City's most popular parks can stay connected all year round," said Tom DeVito, AT&T vice president and general manager for New York and New Jersey. "We look forward to bringing even more parks online in the coming months so that more smartphone and tablet users can take advantage of this service."
The launch is part of a five-year digital initiative with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the City of New York to provide free Wi-Fi at 26 locations in 20 New York City parks across the five boroughs. In addition to Fort Greene Park and Central Park Zoo, New Yorkers can now access free AT&T Wi-Fi at many other park locations across all five boroughs including:
AT&T operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network** with nearly 30,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, including more than 650 hotspot locations in New York's five boroughs.
For more information on AT&T Wi-Fi locations and instructions on how to connect, visit AT&T Wi-Fi Access.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.
© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.
SOURCE AT&T Inc.
]]>NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- I.M.G.-represented Rapper G-SCOTT has signed to Str8 Slammin', the indie recording label spearheaded by rapper Freddie Gibbs along with rapper/engineer D-Edge and DJ Roc.
Scott will release his Str8 Slammin' debut entitled "Weekend in Las Vegas" this spring. "HA$H," the first single off WLV, was released this January and has been making its way around the blogosphere. The music video will premiere February 16 on Scott's YouTube Channel.
"He's from the same area we're from," says D-Edge. "We heard some songs from him one day and have been fans since. He's the best of the new artists coming from the 219. No one will be disappointed and we expect a lot from him."
Once an aspiring video game designer, the Gary, Indiana native who also still currently attends Indiana University Northwest, has been buzzing on the hip-hop scene since 2009 after a series of well received mixtapes, most notably "Scott Bailey vs. The World" and "The Michael G. Scott EP."
Together, both mixtapes amassed over 10,000 downloads with popular singles "Folded" and "Good Morning" totaling over 40,000 YouTube views. Scott has also opened for the likes of Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Willie The Kid, Chip The Ripper, Travis Porter and more recently opening for Freddie Gibbs at select dates.
"G-Scott's word play is what caught my attention. He's very articulate and has very good content. I think he's definitely somebody to look out for in 2012," says Freddie Gibbs.
Watch the "HA$H" music video here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BlockStarzProduction/featured
Download "HA$H" here:
http://hulkshare.com/5spbaipb45lr
www.Twitter.com/GScottKing / www.Facebook.com/gscottbbb
SOURCE I.M.G.
]]>To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/frostsullivan/54725/
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120215/MM52746 )
"PGi is positioning iMeet as a browser-based virtual meeting room application supporting video, which essentially brings the benefits of meeting face-to-face online to anyone and everyone," said Frost & Sullivan Principal Telecom Analyst Ronald Gruia. "PGi is perfectly positioned to be the provider of choice in an already growing segment of the videoconferencing hosted services market: desktop videoconferencing."
The iMeet marketing initiative has been largely viral and involved free trials to bolster acceptance among early adopters, supported by a multimedia awareness campaign. The pricing models are a mix of flat rate and license fee, with additional charges for add-on applications. The goal is to augment the adoption of videoconferencing services throughout enterprises, above and beyond telepresence or video rooms, and deliver superior quality of experience (QoE), along with the simplicity and efficiency of Internet-based tools.
While there are already informal "prosumer" applications that are readily available for free, the QoE in PGi's iMeet and GlobalMeet solutions makes them the conferencing solutions of choice among mid- to enterprise-level companies. The cost effectiveness, ease of use, and mobility of PGi's products provide high quality customer experience for all companies, big and small. iMeet, in particular, has gained a reputation for being simple, personal and mobile.
"Since most laptop models come with front-facing cameras, a light client that leverages collaboration alongside audio and video conferencing can be very useful in increasing enterprise-wide awareness and adoption of videoconferencing," notes Gruia. "PGi's meeting tools not only fulfill this requirement, but have also caught the eye of cost-conscious enterprises with their hosted pricing model."
In addition, the cloud-based model penetration in small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) will grow over time, providing PGi with considerable opportunities, as SMBs in the United States represent about 56 percent of the total workforce (65 million workers).
PGi's iMeet product offers users their own personal meeting room online that combines videoconferencing, audio conferencing, social networking and file sharing. iMeet's mobility suite for the iPhone and iPad provides users the essential tools for meeting on the go.
"Given that desktop videoconferencing adoption remains relatively low, we believe that the market is ripe for this type of solution: a robust, enterprise-class application that requires no downloads, takes few desktop/laptop resources and can deliver a compelling end-user experience," observed Gruia. "Adoption of the hosted model by SMBs is expected to grow solidly over time, with the resulting impact on market share being pretty significant."
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that demonstrates the most insight into the needs and product demands of its customers. The recipient company optimizes its product line by leveraging products with the various price, performance and feature points required by one or more market segments.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
About PGi
PGi has been a global leader in virtual meetings for 20 years. Our cloud-based solutions deliver multi-point, real-time virtual collaboration using video, voice and file sharing technologies. PGi solutions are available via desktops, tablets or mobile devices, helping businesses worldwide be more productive, mobile and green. PGi has a global presence in 25 countries and an established base of more than 35,000 enterprise customers, including 75% of the Fortune 100™. In the last five years, we have hosted more than 725 million people from 137 countries in over 65 million meetings. For more information, visit us at http://www.pgi.com.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com.
SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
]]>MeetingKing eliminates inefficient note taking and the risk of losing critical information or missing deadlines by capturing, distributing and managing meeting information and action items in real-time. MeetingKing is a full service solution that enables users to communicate more effectively, collaborate, share documents and track progress on action items. MeetingKing creates a centralized, database for each meeting and offers the ability to link meetings.
Edwin Siebesma, Founder stated "MeetingKing is unique — because it offers a comprehensive solution for meeting facilitation and management. Being in business operations my entire career, I recognized the need for one, easy-to-use solution to combine meeting information and task management in one central location. We created MeetingKing to enhance the operational efficiency of meetings for businesses, schools, nonprofits, clubs and other organizations."
Key Benefits of MeetingKing include
MeetingKing is free for attendees of any meeting, free to create private one-on-one meetings and free for organizing public meetings (towns, clubs, etc). A Pro account is required for larger private meetings. Special introduction offer is $9.95 per month, multi-user pricing and a 30 day trial are available.
For further information and to create an account visit: http://meetingking.com
Additional press information at http://meetingking.com/press/
About Paracas Solutions LLC
MeetingKing is developed and published by Paracas Solutions LLC, a privately held company in Connecticut. The founder of Paracas Solutions, Edwin Siebesma, has more than 15 years senior executive experience in both privately held companies as well as publicly traded multinationals. Most recently Edwin was president/CEO of WinZip.
Contact:
Paracas Solutions LLC
Edwin Siebesma, Founder
PO Box 581
Tolland CT 06084
Tel: 860 255 8430
http://meetingking.com
SOURCE MeetingKing
]]>LaViv is a breakthrough for those who prefer fillers made of natural materials. It uses absolutely no synthetic materials—just one's own collagen-producing cells! FDA-approved for reducing lines and wrinkles, and for restoring volume, LaViv is a welcome addition to Dr. Yagoda's integrative aesthetic and facial plastic surgery practice where she already offers a wide range of anti-aging and volumizing therapies.
Uniquely emphasizing an integrative approach to beauty, Dr. Yagoda treats patients from New York City and beyond by uniting advanced non-surgical treatments and cutting-edge surgery, with holistic and alternative practices. Dr. Yagoda believes that external beauty is a reflection of health and wellness, and she incorporates mind and body healing, to supplement an array of traditional aesthetic techniques to let inner beauty shine through. Bridging conventional and alternative medicines allows Dr. Yagoda to simultaneously treat aesthetic concerns and support individual healing on all levels.
To introduce press and consumers to this new and exciting technology so that they may experience the full benefits firsthand, Dr. Yagoda is inviting those interested to contact her press team for the chance to win a free LaViv treatment. See the contact information below and visit www.DrYagoda.com for more information!
Void where prohibited by law. Must be at least 18 years old to enter raffle. Must meet medical criteria to receive treatment. Determination of winner will be at the sole discretion of Michelle R. Yagoda, M.D., P.C.
Available Topic Expert: For information on the listed expert, click appropriate link.
Dr. Michelle Yagoda, M.D. | http://www.profnetconnect.com/plastic_surgeon_dr._michelle_yagoda_m.d.
Contact: Fru Molnar
212.861.1212
Press@BeautyScoop.com
SOURCE Michelle R. Yagoda, M.D.
]]>
DENVER, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CoreSite Realty Corporation (NYSE: COR), a U.S. provider of powerful, network-rich data centers, today announced CSC has launched a 1.5 MW expansion at CoreSite's Boston and Northern Virginia data centers in support of a major global financial services client requirement and the deployment of the company's Trusted Cloud Services offering. Both deployments are fully operational with direct access to CSC Trusted Cloud Services currently available to CoreSite data center customers in Boston. CSC selected CoreSite based on its ability to tailor data center and interconnection products to CSC's specific requirements.
CSC's Trusted Cloud Services include three models that meet enterprise class requirements: off premises public and virtual private, on premises private and hybrid cloud. All cloud models share the same cloud fabric, the Vblock from the VCE Company, a standard rate card and service level agreements. All models are based on the pay-as-you-go pricing model and feature bronze, silver, gold and platinum support tiers. CSC provides infrastructure as a service, software as a service and platform as a service. CoreSite's Boston data center met all of the requirements necessary to facilitate the successful deployment of CSC Trusted Cloud Services including security, compliance, reliability, and network availability.
For more information on CSC's Trusted Cloud Services, please visit www.csc.com/cloud.
"CoreSite provides industry-leading data center services that are validated by professional accreditations and exceed availability targets," commented Nick Wilkinson, president, Market and Product Strategy, CSC Managed Services Sector. "Its ability to quickly tailor solutions specific to our requirements has enabled us to create adaptive extensions to our data center portfolio and deliver data center environments capable of supporting the ever changing, high density demands of today's computing equipment."
"It brings everyone at CoreSite great pleasure to see customers like CSC continue to grow their data center footprint as a result of successful product launches and new business acquisition," commented Tom Ray, CoreSite president and chief executive officer. "CSC's selection of CoreSite for the CSC Cloud and its ongoing commitment to CoreSite represents the type of relationship we strive to develop with every CoreSite customer."
About CoreSite
CoreSite Realty Corporation (NYSE: COR) is a national provider of powerful, network-rich data centers, efficient interconnection services, and global peering opportunities. More than 700 customers such as Global 1000 enterprises, communications providers, cloud and content companies, financial firms, media and entertainment, healthcare, and Government agencies trust CoreSite to power, cool, connect, and secure their mission-critical IT assets. CoreSite data centers are catalysts for network growth, featuring established industry ecosystems with access to 200+ carriers and service providers resulting in more than 12,000 interconnections under management. The company tailors its data center product to unique customer requirements by way of a flexible offering that includes cage-to-cabinet colocation, private data centers and suites, and a responsive customer service and support infrastructure. CoreSite's portfolio comprises more than two million square feet, including space held for redevelopment and development, across 12 data centers in seven key U.S. economic centers. For more information, visit www.CoreSite.com.
CoreSite Investor Relations Contact
Investor Relations
+1 303.222.7276
InvestorRelations@CoreSite.com
CoreSite Media Contact
Mark Jobson, Marketing Director
+1 303.405.1004
Mark.Jobson@CoreSite.com
SOURCE CoreSite Realty Corporation
]]>Participants may listen to the audio portion of the conference call either through audio streaming online or by telephone. Slide viewing is available online via a link provided on the Dana investor website: www.dana.com/investors.
To dial into the conference call, domestic locations should call 888-311-4590 (conference I.D. number 46201111). International locations should call 706-758-0054 (conference I.D. number 46201111). Please ask for the "Dana Holding Corporation Financial Webcast and Conference Call." Phone registration will be available beginning at 10 a.m. EST.
An audio recording of this conference call will be available after 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 21. To access this recording, please dial 855-859-2056 (U.S. or Canada) or 404-537-3406 (international) and enter the conference I.D. number 46201111.
A webcast replay will also be available after 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 21. This replay may be accessed via the Dana Investor website.
About Dana Holding Corporation
Dana is a world leader in the supply of driveline products (axles, driveshafts, and transmissions), power technologies (sealing and thermal-management products), and genuine service parts for light- and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers. The company's customer base includes nearly every major vehicle manufacturer in the global automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-highway markets. Based in Maumee, Ohio, the company employs approximately 24,000 people in 26 countries and reported estimated 2011 sales of $7.6 billion. For more information, please visit: www.dana.com.
SOURCE Dana Holding Corporation
]]>DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) was named as one of America's top corporations for its support of women-owned suppliers, the first time an automaker has earned the award.
The Women's Business Enterprise Council (WBENC) selected Ford for its 13th annual listing of America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises. It is the only national award honoring corporations for world-class programs that level the playing field for women's business enterprises (WBEs) to compete for corporate business.
Ford earned the award for developing and driving innovative best practices across its organization that result in productive business partnerships with women entrepreneurs and valuable products and services for their customers.
In 2011, Ford spent $1.06 billion with women-owned suppliers in the U.S., a 22 percent increase from $866 million in 2010. Since 2009, Ford has more than doubled its sourcing with women-owned businesses.
The increase in 2011 includes higher spending with suppliers that are playing a key role in Ford's expanding portfolio of high-quality, safe, fuel-efficient products equipped with smart technologies. Examples include:
"Building a financially healthy, diverse supply base is a central part of the Ford purchasing strategy," said Tony Brown, group vice president, Ford Global Purchasing. "We are proud to receive this recognition, and we hope it brings renewed attention to this important segment of our supply base."
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
]]>LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Carewise Health announced today that it has earned re-accreditation for five of its programs from URAC, a Washington, DC-based healthcare accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the healthcare industry. The five programs to receive URAC re-accreditation are: Case Management, Disease Management, Health Utilization Management, Comprehensive Wellness, and Health Call Center.
"Carewise Health is proud to receive re-accreditation from URAC for these programs," said Rishabh Mehrotra, president and CEO of Carewise Health. "It takes the hard work and commitment of many team members who are passionate about delivering high-quality health management services to our clients and their employees to make this happen."
Carewise Health specializes in employee health solutions. It helps organizations improve the personal health of employees and control healthcare costs through a full suite of health and wellness programs.
"By applying for and receiving URAC accreditation, Carewise Health has demonstrated a commitment to quality healthcare," said Alan P. Spielman, URAC president and CEO. "Quality healthcare is crucial to our nation's welfare and it is important to have organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards and undergo rigorous evaluation by an independent accrediting body."
URAC offers the largest array of accreditation programs in the United States assessing health plan operations, including but not limited to, network operations, healthcare practitioner credentialing systems, and medical management functions such as utilization management, case management, disease management, and health call center services.
In addition to the five programs listed above, Carewise Health is URAC-accredited in HIPAA Privacy, Consumer Education and Support, Workers' Compensation Utilization Management and Health Website.
About URAC
URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is well-known as a leader in promoting healthcare quality through accreditation and certification programs. URAC offers a wide range of quality benchmarking programs and services that keep pace with the rapid changes in the healthcare system, and provide a symbol of excellence for organizations to validate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC strives to ensure that all stakeholders are represented in setting meaningful quality measures standards for the entire healthcare industry. For more information, visit www.urac.org.
About Carewise Health
Carewise Health helps organizations improve the personal health of employees and control healthcare costs. Our industry-leading health and wellness programs help members build the skills they need to achieve and sustain optimum health. Carewise Health has a total of nine URAC accreditations including: case management, disease management, utilization management, workers' compensation utilization management, health call center (nurse line), consumer education and support, HIPAA privacy, health website and comprehensive wellness. Visit www.carewisehealth.com for more information.
SOURCE Carewise Health
]]>To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53530-gen-probe-progensa-pca3-prostate-cancer-psa
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120215/MM40563)
"When used in conjunction with other diagnostic information, our PROGENSA PCA3 assay provides clinically important information that helps physicians and their patients make better, more informed decisions about one of the most vexing problems in prostate cancer diagnosis," said Carl Hull, Gen-Probe's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "From a commercial perspective, this is the third of four potential US regulatory approvals that we expect to generate a significant new sales growth cycle for the Company."
"Over-expression of the PCA3 gene is highly specific to cancerous prostate tissue," said John Wei, MD, MS, Professor of Urology at the University of Michigan Health System. "When evaluated with other risk factors, the PROGENSA PCA3 assay fills an important unmet clinical need by helping physicians identify which men suspected of having prostate cancer should undergo a repeat prostate biopsy."
The PROGENSA PCA3 assay is indicated for use in conjunction with other patient information to aid in the decision for repeat biopsy in men 50 years of age or older who have had one or more previous negative prostate biopsies and for whom a repeat biopsy would be recommended by a urologist based on the current standard of care, before consideration of PROGENSA PCA3 assay results. A negative PROGENSA PCA3 assay result is associated with a decreased likelihood of a positive biopsy. A prostate biopsy is required to diagnose cancer.
Important Safety Information
The PROGENSA PCA3 assay should not be used for men with atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) on their most recent biopsy. Men with ASAP on their most recent biopsy should be treated in accordance with current medical guidelines.
The clinical study of the PROGENSA PCA3 assay only included men who were recommended for repeat biopsy. Therefore, the performance of the assay has not been established in men for whom a repeat biopsy was not already recommended.
FDA approval of the PROGENSA PCA3 assay was based on a clinical study that began in August 2009 and concluded in May 2010. The study enrolled 495 eligible men at 14 clinical sites. Gen-Probe submitted a Premarket Approval Application (PMA) to the FDA in August 2010.
In the clinical study, the PROGENSA PCA3 had a negative predictive value of 90%, meaning that a negative PROGENSA PCA3 assay result predicted a negative prostate biopsy 90% of the time.
About Prostate Cancer and the PROGENSA PCA3 Assay
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer found in American men (behind skin cancer), and the second-leading cause of cancer death in men (after lung cancer). One in six American men will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, and one in 36 will die from it. The ACS estimates that about 241,000 Americans were newly diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011, and that approximately 34,000 men died from the disease.
PCA3 is a gene that is highly over-expressed in prostate cancers. Following a digital rectal examination, the PCA3 gene can be quantified in urine specimens together with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) gene to generate a PCA3 score. Studies have shown that because the PCA3 gene is highly specific for prostate cancer, it predicts the results of repeat biopsies more accurately than traditional serum PSA testing in patients who have had one or more previous negative prostate biopsies.
Data from more than 80 peer-reviewed publications suggest that PCA3 gene testing, when used with other patient information, may help address some of the well-known challenges urologists face, such as identifying prostate cancers while reducing unnecessary repeat biopsies.
Gen-Probe's PROGENSA PCA3 assay is the first urine-based molecular diagnostic assay to aid in the decision for repeat biopsy. The test has received regulatory approval and is available for sale in the United States, Canada and the European Union.
Gen-Probe acquired exclusive worldwide diagnostic rights to the PCA3 gene from DiagnoCure (CUR: TO) in November 2003.
About Gen-Probe
Gen-Probe is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of rapid, accurate and cost-effective molecular diagnostic products and services that are used primarily to diagnose human diseases, screen donated human blood, and ensure transplant compatibility. Gen-Probe is headquartered in San Diego and employs approximately 1,400 people. For more information, go to http://www.gen-probe.com.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about Gen-Probe's expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and are forward-looking statements. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as believe, will, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, plan and would. For example, statements concerning the development and commercialization of new products, regulatory approvals, customer adoption, and results of future clinical studies are all forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: (i) the possibility that the market for the sale of our PROGENSA PCA3 product in the United States or Canada may not develop as expected; (ii) the risk that we may not be able to compete effectively; (iii) the risk that adequate reimbursement will not be available for our PROGENSA PCA3 assay; (iv) the risk that we may not be able to maintain our current corporate collaborations and enter into new corporate collaborations or customer contracts; and (v) the risk that third parties may not distribute our products effectively. The foregoing describes some, but not all, of the factors that could affect our ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. For additional information about risks and uncertainties we face and a discussion of our financial statements and footnotes, see documents we file with the SEC, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and all subsequent periodic reports. We assume no obligation and expressly disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of subsequent events.
SOURCE Gen-Probe Incorporated
]]>WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Federal Trade Commission today issued a staff report showing the results of a survey of mobile apps for children. The survey shows that neither the app stores nor the app developers provide the information parents need to determine what data is being collected from their children, how it is being shared, or who will have access to it.
"At the FTC, one of our highest priorities is protecting children's privacy, and parents deserve the tools to help them do that," said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. "Companies that operate in the mobile marketplace provide great benefits, but they must step up to the plate and provide easily accessible, basic information, so that parents can make informed decisions about the apps their kids use. Right now, it is almost impossible to figure out which apps collect data and what they do with it. The kids app ecosystem needs to wake up, and we want to work collaboratively with industry to help ensure parents have the information they need."
According to the FTC report, Mobile Apps for Kids: Current Privacy Disclosures are Disappointing, in 2008, smartphone users could choose from about 600 available apps. Today there are more than 500,000 apps in the Apple App Store and 380,000 in the Android Market. "Consumers have downloaded these apps more than 28 billion times, and young children and teens are increasingly embracing smartphone technology for entertainment and educational purposes."
The report says the survey focused on the largest stores, the Apple App Store and the Android Market, and evaluated the types of apps offered to children, the disclosures provided to users, interactive features such as connectivity with social media, and the ratings and parental controls offered for such apps.
The report notes that mobile apps can capture a broad range of user information from a mobile device automatically, including the user's precise geolocation, phone number, list of contacts, call logs, unique identifiers, and other information stored on the device. At the same time, "the report highlights the lack of information available to parents prior to downloading mobile apps for their children, and calls on industry to provide greater transparency about their data practices."
While there was a diverse pool of kids apps created by hundreds of different developers, there was almost no information about the data collection and sharing on the Apple App store promotion pages and little information beyond general permission statements on the Android Market promotion pages. "In most instances, staff was unable to determine from the information on the app store page or the developer's landing page whether an app collected any data, let alone the type of data collected, the purpose for such collection, and who ... obtained access to such data."
The report recommends:
The report notes that more should be done to identify the best way to convey data practices in plain language and in easily accessible ways on the small screens of mobile devices. The agency will host a public workshop in 2012, in connection with its efforts to update the FTC's "Dot Com Disclosure" guide, about how to provide effective online disclosures. "One of the topics that will be addressed is mobile privacy disclosures, including how they can be short, effective, and accessible to consumers on small screens."
The FTC enforces the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule. The Rule requires operators of online services, including interactive mobile apps, to provide notice and get parental consent prior to collecting information from children under 13. The report says in the next 6 months, FTC staff will conduct an additional review to determine whether some mobile apps were violating COPPA.
The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC's online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC's website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
SOURCE Federal Trade Commission
]]>Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Will Hold National Patient and Stakeholder Dialogue
Event Will Support Discussion and Comment on Draft National Priorities and Research Agenda
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) will hold a National Patient and Stakeholder Dialogue on February 27 as part of its effort to obtain feedback on its first draft National Priorities for Research and initial Research Agenda.
The event, to be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., will include three-and-a-half hours of public comment by individuals attending in person and by phone. It also will feature two moderated discussion panels of patient and caregiver advocates, clinicians and other stakeholders.
Individuals can register online at www.pcori.org to attend in person, by phone or via webcast. More than 500 individuals already have done so. Due to the level of interest, registration to provide comment in person is now closed, although efforts are being made to accommodate as many additional commenters by phone as possible.
Comment on the draft national priorities and research agenda also may be submitted at any time now through March 15 through the PCORI website.
"PCORI is committed to being a truly patient-centered organization," said PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby, M.D., M.P.H. "This event provides us an opportunity to hear in person what patients and other stakeholders want and need from health research. We are excited by the public's response to this event and look forward to the discussions and comments."
Input from the National Patient and Stakeholder Dialogue, feedback from additional forums, including focus groups, and formal public comments received through PCORI's website, all will be carefully considered in modifications to the draft research priorities and agenda. The PCORI Board of Governors must adopt the priorities and agenda before it can issue primary funding announcements.
Health Affairs Editor-in-Chief Susan Dentzer, will moderate two one-hour discussion panels during the morning portion of the event. The Patient and Caregiver Advocate panel includes:
The Clinician and Other Stakeholder panel includes:
The panels will be preceded by a brief presentation from PCORI on the draft National Priorities and Research Agenda. Following the afternoon public comment period, members of the PCORI Board of Governors will provide observations on the feedback received during the day.
To ensure that as many of those interested as possible can be accommodated, all participants and media wishing to attend the event are asked to register. Members of the media can register by contacting Erica Fischer at efischer@golinharris.com.
National Patient and Stakeholder Dialogue Event Schedule
The National Press Club, 529 14th St., NW, 13th Floor, Washington, D.C.
Monday, February 27, 2012 (All Times EST)
|
9:30-9:45 |
Welcome and Introduction by PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby |
|
9:45-9:55 |
Overview of PCORI's input process on the draft National Priorities for Research and Research Agenda |
|
9:55-10:15 |
Overview of PCORI's draft National Priorities for Research and Research Agenda |
|
10:15-11:00 |
Patient and Caregiver Advocate Discussion Panel |
|
11:00-11:15 |
Break |
|
11:15-12:00 |
Clinician and Stakeholder Discussion Panel |
|
12:00-1:00 |
Lunch (provided) |
|
1:00-4:30 |
Public comment (in person and by phone) |
|
4:30-4:55 |
Observations from PCORI Board Members |
|
4:55-5:00 |
Closing Comments by PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby |
About PCORI
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent, non-profit organization created by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed health care decisions. PCORI is committed to continuously seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work. More information is available at www.pcori.org.
SOURCE Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
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