HIV Vaccine Study First to Show Some Effectiveness in Preventing HIV

ROCKVILLE, Maryland -

A Phase III clinical trial involving more than 16,000 adult volunteers in Thailand has demonstrated that an investigational HIV vaccine regimen was safe and modestly effective in preventing HIV infection. According to final results released by the trial sponsor, the U.S. Army Surgeon General, the prime boost combination of ALVAC(R) HIV and AIDSVAX(R) B/E lowered the rate of HIV infection by 31.2% compared with placebo.

Allied World Launches Professional Lines Excess Solutions in Hong Kong

PEMBROKE, Bermuda -

Allied World Assurance Company, Ltd, a member company of Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd (NYSE: AWH), today announced the launch by its Hong Kong branch office of a suite of excess of loss products developed specifically for the Asian marketplace: REFLEX, FLEXION and FLEXCESS (collectively the ‘Excess Suite’).

AMT Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

AMSTERDAM - Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (Euronext: AMT), a leader in human gene therapy, announced today the appointment of Jorn Aldag as its new Chief Executive Officer, starting October 5. Mr. Aldag has a strong record of accomplishments in the life sciences sector and more than twenty five years of experience in corporate management and finance. As former President and CEO of Evotec AG, he was instrumental in transforming the company from a technology provider to one of the leading drug discovery and development companies in Europe.

ThromboGenics Completes Patient Enrolment in US Phase III Trial of Microplasmin for the Non-Surgical Treatment of Eye Disease

LEUVEN, Belgium -

- Enrolment of 326 Patients Completed Ahead of Schedule

ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative treatments for eye disease, vascular disease and cancer, announces today that it has completed the enrolment of the US Phase III trial evaluating microplasmin for the non-surgical treatment of eye disease. The trial TG-MV-006 has completed enrolment with a total of 326 patients several months ahead of schedule. The second Phase III study with microplasmin, TG-MV-007, which is recruiting patients in the US and Europe is due to complete enrolment in the first half of 2010 as planned. Enrolment completion in this study means that ThromboGenics is a step closer to becoming a profitable, integrated Company focused on cutting edge ophthalmic medicines.

Farletuzumab Data Presented on Phase II Clinical Trial in First-Relapsed Ovarian Cancer Subjects

BERLIN -

Morphotek(R), Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Corporation of North America, today announced preliminary data from a Phase II trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of farletuzumab in platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer subjects experiencing their first relapse. Farletuzumab (MORAb-003) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the Folate Receptor Alpha (FRA). (1A)

Vectibix(R) in Combination With Chemotherapy Significantly Improves Progression-Free Survival in First-Line Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

THOUSAND OAKS, California -

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced detailed results from the Phase 3 ‘203′ trial evaluating Vectibix(R) (panitumumab) administered in combination with FOLFOX (an oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy) as the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In this trial, Vectibix significantly improved median progression-free survival (PFS) by 1.6 months (9.6 versus 8.0 months for patients treated with FOLFOX alone, (hazard ratio 0.80; p=0.02)) in patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC (primary endpoint). The results were presented at the 2009 ECCO 15 - ESMO 34 European Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin, Germany (Abstract Number 10LBA).

30th Anniversary Edition of Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases is More Relevant Than Ever

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -

- Highly Respected Text Addresses New Strains of the Swine (H1N1) and Avian Influenza Viruses.

Afinitor(R) (everolimus) Now Licensed in UK for Advanced Kidney Cancer Patients After Failure of First Line Vascular Targeted Therapy (1,2)

FRIMLEY, England -

- This Press Release is Intended for Consumer Media Only

- Afinitor More Than Doubles the Median Time Without Tumour Growth and Reduces the Risk of Disease Worsening or Death by 67% Compared With Placebo (2)

Autism Care Provider Welcomes Publication of NHS Report Into Prevalence of Autism in the Adult Population

LONDON - Brookdale Care, one of the UK’s leading providers of residential support services for people living with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), has welcomed the publication of the NHS Information Centre’s Report Autism Spectrum Disorders in adults living in households throughout England, which draws from data gathered in the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007.

Results from Abbott’s PROSPECT Study Provide New Insight into Role of Vulnerable Plaque in Coronary Artery Disease

SAN FRANCISCO -

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced primary results from its groundbreaking PROSPECT (Providing Regional Observations to Study Predictors of Events in the Coronary Tree) clinical trial. PROSPECT is the first prospective natural history study to evaluate the role of vulnerable plaque in unexpected heart attacks and the natural progression of coronary artery disease. Results were presented today during the late-breaking clinical trials session by Gregg W. Stone, M.D., professor of medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, during the 2009 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) annual meeting.

Astellas Pharma Europe Announces Winners of the Changing Tomorrow 2009 Awards

STAINES, England - Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., the European subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., one of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies, has today announced the launch of the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards. The charity award funding programme is designed to award organisations that help citizens of all communities realise their full potential and enhance their quality of life - both today and in the future.

Janssen-Cilag’s STELARA(R) (Black Triangle Drug) (ustekinumab) Approved by NICE for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

HIGH WYCOMBE, England -

- For Medical Media Only - Not for Republic of Ireland Media

STELARA (ustekinumab) has today been approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as a treatment option for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis,(1) a notoriously difficult-to-treat skin condition for which many patients report feeling dissatisfied and frustrated with existing treatment options.(2)

Cancer Protection Supported by UV Exposure

VELDHOVEN, The Netherlands - Regular, moderate UV exposure contributes to protection against breast, prostrate and colorectal cancer (colon and rectal cancer) as well as non Hodgkin’s lymphoma (one of two forms of lymph node cancers). A team of Dutch scientists led by Han von der Rhee from the Haager clinic group “Hagaziekenhuis” and the University of Rotterdam came to this conclusion in a study that has now been published in the specialist magazine “European Journal of Cancer Prevention”. In their article, von der Rhee and his colleagues also refer to the fact that the public perception of the effects of UV exposure is lagging behind the current scientific knowledge. “The work of the Dutch researchers shows once again that UV exposure has a positive influence on human health. The potential risks connected with overexposure are well known to the general public. On the other hand the health promoting aspects of moderate UV exposure outdoors or under a sunbed regularly receive too little exposure in information available to the public”, explains Ad Brand from Sunlight Research Forum (SRF).

MS Society Statement - Assisted Suicide Guidance

LONDON -

LONDON, September 23 /PRNewswire/ –

The MS Society has responded to today’s (Wednesday’s) clarification on assisted suicide in England and Wales by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

OneDotOneLife.org - Saving the Lives of More Than 2 Million Children

PORTO, Portugal - As of today, 23 September 2009, the site will be online www.onedotonelife.org, an innovative project on the Internet which combines social solidarity and digital art.

Capecitabine Added to Standard Treatment Given Before Surgery Helps to Eradicate Tumours in Patients With Early Breast Cancer

BERLIN -

- The Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group Present Data Which Highlight Benefits of Adding capecitabine to epirubicin and docetaxel in the Neoadjuvant Setting

NeuroTherm is Awarded US Patent for Multi-lesion Radiofrequency Generator

WILMINGTON, Massachusetts -

NeuroTherm is pleased to be recognized by the United States Patent Office as the first company worldwide to develop and release a multiple output radiofrequency generator used in the treatment of chronic pain, ref. US Patent No. 7,574,257.

InspireMD Announces the Enrollment of the 1st Patient in the MGuard(TM) Israeli Registry. InspireMD Will Also Sponsor a Satellite Program Breakfast Meeting at the TCT Conference on September 24th 2009 in the Moscone Exhibition Center in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO - InspireMD, developers of MGuard(TM), announced today that the first patient has been enrolled in the Israeli MGuard(TM) Registry. MGuard(TM) was successfully implanted in Natanya, Israel, at the Laniado Hospital Cath Lab, managed by Dr. Yitzhak Herz, the principal investigator for the Registry at this hospital.

Occlutech Receives Positive Ruling in German Proceeding Initiated by AGA Medical

JENA, Germany - Occlutech GmbH, the leading European developer of products for septal closure, today announced that the district court of Frankfurt, Germany reversed an earlier court injunction obtained by AGA Medical against Occlutech’s sales and marketing activities relating to the newly launched Figulla Flex ranges of ASD and PFO occluders.

Abbott’s XIENCE V(R) Superior to TAXUS(R) in Key Safety and Efficacy Measures in SPIRIT IV Trial

SAN FRANCISCO -

At One Year, XIENCE V Demonstrates:

- Statistical Superiority on Primary Endpoint of Target Lesion Failure, with a 38 Percent Reduction Compared to TAXUS

Abbott’s XIENCE V(R) Demonstrates Significantly Lower Rates of MACE and Stent Thrombosis Compared to TAXUS(R) Liberte in Investigator-Initiated COMPARE Trial

SAN FRANCISCO -

- Independent Study of 1,800 Patients Affirms Outstanding Performance of XIENCE V vs. TAXUS Liberte

Jane Seymour Lends Support to Recognise the Hopes and Achievements of People Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

MAIDENHEAD, England -

- 26 Men and Women With RA From Across Europe Honoured as They Share Their Inspirational Stories

Vectibix(R) in Combination With Chemotherapy Significantly Improves Progression-Free Survival in Second-Line Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

THOUSAND OAKS, California -

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced detailed results from the Phase 3 ‘181′ trial evaluating Vectibix(R) (panitumumab) in combination with FOLFIRI (an irinotecan based chemotherapy), as a second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In this trial, Vectibix significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC. These results were presented at the 2009 ECCO 15 - ESMO 34 European Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin, Germany (Abstract Number 14LBA).

Palonosetron Effectively Prevents Emesis and Nausea Induced by High Dose Chemotherapy in Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

BERLIN -

- Single Dose Palonosetron Achieves Optimal Control of Acute Emesis in Patients Receiving Multiday-High Dose Chemotherapy Before Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation.

New and Interesting PROSTVAC(TM) Data Indicate Broad Therapeutic Use in Metastatic Prostate Cancer

KVISTGAARD, Denmark - Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) yesterday presented further detailed PROSTVAC(TM) data at the European Cancer Organisation (ECCO), ECCO 15 - 34th ESMO Congress in Berlin, Germany.

Gerresheimer Expands in the Global Pharmaceutical Plastic Business

DÜSSELDORF, Germany -

- Important Investments for Pharmaceutical Markets in the USA and Europe

18th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology October 7-11, 2009 Berlin, Germany

BRUSSELS and BERLIN -

- Media Invitation

BRUSSELS and BERLIN, September 22 /PRNewswire/ –

Accredited Construct Specific PCR Test for Recently Detected Unapproved GM Flax/Linseed FP967/CDC Triffid Available Through Genetic ID

AUGSBURG, Germany - Subsequent to the announcement of the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed on 8 September 2009, the German surveillance lab in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg has confirmed the detection of GM linseed/flax variety FP967/CDC Triffid, which is unapproved in the EU.

Dark Side Personalities Ruin Careers

LONDON - New research shows that 85% of UK’s leaders demonstrate ‘Dark Side Characteristics’. These deeply rooted, self-destructive aspects of personality contribute to the alarming self-destruct rates for high flyers and put individuals and organisations at risk.

Denosumab Demonstrates Superiority Over Zometa(R) in Delay of Complications Due to Bone Metastases in Advanced Breast Cancer Patients

THOUSAND OAKS, California -

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced detailed results from a Phase 3, head-to-head trial evaluating denosumab versus Zometa(R) (zoledronic acid) in the treatment of bone metastases in 2,046 patients with advanced breast cancer that met its primary and secondary endpoints and demonstrated superior efficacy compared to Zometa. These results were presented today during the Presidential Session at the 2009 ECCO 15 - ESMO 34 European Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin, Germany (Abstract Number 2LBA).

Agendia Raises US $23 Million in Series E Financing

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California and AMSTERDAM -

- Company to Present at UBS Global Life Sciences Conference on Sept. 23

MitraClip(R) Therapy Data Demonstrate Significant Reduction in Mitral Valve Annulus Dimensions in High-Risk Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation

SAN FRANCISCO -

- 12-Month Data Also Demonstrate Significant Reduction in Left Ventricular Volumes

Data Show Long-Term Mechanical Integrity of MitraClip(R) and Complete Healing Following Implantation of the Device for Mitral Valve Repair

SAN FRANCISCO -

- Results of Histopathology and Mechanical Integrity Analysis of MitraClip(R) Devices Presented at TCT 2009

MitraClip(R) Therapy Data Demonstrate Significant Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling in Patients With Sustained Reduction of Mitral Regurgitation

SAN FRANCISCO -

- 12-Month Data Presented at TCT 2009 Show Significant Improvement in Left Ventricular Function with no Change in Annular Dimensions

Amnis shows that transforming healthcare services involves more that just patients

Improvements in quality for patients, along with improvements in service productivity, can be achieved at the same time as improvements in staff morale. This has been the experience of the specialist healthcare quality, innovation and productivity improvement enabler, Amnis.