Dublin, Ireland, 3rd September 2010. The European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) today launches LASIK Safe in Our Hands (www.LASIKSafeinOurHands.com), a new awareness campaign to ensure that people considering laser vision correction have access to accurate, up-to-date information. The need for better information about laser refractive eye surgery is brought into focus by the results of a recent survey of 1,000 people across Europe (Opinion Health, 2010). It showed that over 80% of respondents had reservations about the procedure. Approximately two out of three people cited some degree of fear at the prospect of laser vision correction as the reason for their caution, while about a third said that they would need more information. This contrasts sharply with the views of people who have already experienced the benefits of LASIK who were almost unanimous in their endorsement of the procedure – a staggering 98% confirmed that they would recommend it to someone else.

ESCRS President José Güell, a leading eye surgeon from Barcelona, Spain remarked, “LASIK can be a life changing procedure, but these survey results show that people do not understand just how safe and effective modern LASIK is in the hands of a well qualified and experienced laser eye surgeon. We hope that our new campaign, LASIK Safe in Our Hands will help to bridge the information gap so that more people might benefit from good vision without glasses or contact lenses.”

ESCRS has designated 2010 to be the European Year of LASIK, marking the 20th anniversary of the first LASIK surgery in 1990 by Greek eye surgeon Ioannis Pallikaris. Currently 3.5 million LASIK surgeries are carried out each year in Europe and it is the most common form of laser eye surgery to correct long-sight, short-sight and astigmatism.

The survey also highlighted that over 70% of Europeans think that wearing glasses or contact lenses makes it difficult to participate in some sports and nearly 75% think that wearing glasses is inconvenient in different weather conditions. Buying and replacing glasses and contact lenses is perceived to be expensive by 84% of people taking part in the survey, but only about a third think that laser eye surgery provides a cheaper alternative if the cost is spread over a ten year period. However, for many people, LASIK will be the less expensive option over this time period.

**** ENDS ****
 

Notes to Editors

LASIK Safe in Our Hands: www.LASIKSafeinOurHands.com

About the survey:
The survey was carried out online by Opinion Health in May 2010.  One thousand people
took part – 200 from each of five participating countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain
and the UK).

About ESCRS:
Founded in 1991, ESCRS is Europe’s leading professional society for cataract and refractive surgeons and is at the forefront of developments in anterior segment surgery. Anterior segment surgery refers to surgery of the front third of the eye which includes the cornea, iris and lens.

The ESCRS currently has 5,000 members from over 90 different countries worldwide. The ESCRS offers a unique forum for discussion and learning which ensures that international expertise is shared by ophthalmic surgeons all over Europe.

For more information please see ESCRS main website: www.escrs.org

About LASIK:
Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most frequently-performed type of laser surgery to correct short-sight (myopia), long-sight (hyperopia) and astigmatism. 

To be eligible for LASIK, people should be at least 21 years of age, have healthy eyes and be in good general health. Vision should not have deteriorated significantly over the previous two to three years.

LASIK is not generally recommended for people with eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma and herpes eye infection and it may not be suitable for people with other medical conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, or for those receiving treatment with some medicines, such as oral steroids.

Patients should consult their ophthalmic surgeon to discuss whether LASIK is a suitable option for them.

Media enquiries:

Rachel Terry, Burson-Marsteller London
Office:  +44 20 7300 6352
Mobile: +44 7887 85 22 75
Email:   rachel.terry@bm.com

The British veterans, all of whom took part in the Arctic Convoys delivering vital supplies to the northern ports of the Soviet Union during WW2, are among other veterans and former resistance fighters from all across Europe attending the event.

The aim of the conference is to try to put current global crises and tensions into an historic context to ensure that the lessons learned from the tragedies of WW2 are not forgotten when dealing with today’s conflicts - and so following the advice of wartime prime minister Winston Churchill who said: “Study history, study history. In history lie all the secrets of statecraft.”In particular the conference will explore ways that a constructive dialogue and understanding between Russia and Europe (East and West) can help to ease global tensions, not just between the different European geopolitical blocs, but on a wider global scale.

The current global economic crisis is one of the subjects under discussion; how it is caused not just by short-term financial and market instability, but also by long-term changes in the world’s social, economic and political balances - and how placing the crisis in its broader historic and geopolitical context can help prevent it potentially escalating into a more serious international crisis or conflict.

The conference, under the auspices of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and H.M. King Juan Carlos of Spain, has been organised as part of a joint initiative by a number of European and Russian NGOs by Vladimir Yakunin, Founding President of the NGO World Public Forum ‘Dialogue of Civilizations’ and head of Russian Railways.

In a personal message to delegates, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said: “Today all those who, in one way or another, participate in the political process - statesmen and public dignitaries, NGOs and the media - bear a great responsibility for consolidating humanistic rudiments in international relations, principles of mutual respect and taking into account the interests of each other. Only on such foundations shall we be able to successfully withstand the threats and challenges of the present-day and, in the final count, to remove once and for all the danger of war for Europe and the world. In the new, twenty-first century, we must stringently abide by the principle of equitable and indivisible security. This is the goal of the Russian initiative to conclude a European Security Treaty that is now being widely discussed in the continent, including within the framework of your forum.”

Keynote speakers include Fico, Yakunin and the former Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer. Other speakers include Walter Schwimmer, the former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, His Beatitude Archbishop Christopher of Prague, His Beatitude Tadeusz Kondrusievics, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow in Belarus, Yisrael Meir Lau, the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and Chairman of Israel’s Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem, and the Slovakian MEP Katarina Nevedalova.

The conference will discuss the European tragedy of WW2, the resistance against the Nazi occupation, the united role of the Allies, and the lessons learned from history. Other themes include: unity in Europe since 1945; East Europe as a facilitator; changing the driving forces of nationhood; creating unity between nations in adversity; mechanisms to consolidate political and social forces.

Vladimir Yakunin, founder and co-chairman of the World Public Forum ‘Dialogue of Civilizations’, said: “The Forum’s activity aims to create an atmosphere of trust in the world based on dialogue generally recognised to be a productive means of co-operation between the different civilisations of our common world.”Mr Yakunin added: “It is vital that we continue to remember the lessons of history that came out of the terrible conflicts of the last century in order that we do not repeat the mistakes that led up to those wars. With the various tensions that are playing out in Europe and the wider world today, the need for us to remember those lessons is perhaps more acute than it has been for many years. This is what I very much hope this conference in Bratislava will help achieve.”

During the Conference there will also be a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument for fallen soldiers in Bratislava.

###

For further information, please contact:

Vladimir Kulikov
Executive Director, World Public Forum “Dialogue of Civilizations”
Tel: +7 985 991 87 03
Email: vladimir_kulikov@wpfdc.org

Or

Dennis Landsbert-Noon
Managing Director, Burson-Marsteller Brussels
Tel: +32 473 68 55 59
Email: dennis.landsbertnoon@bm.com

Milano, 25 marzo 2010 - Nato 20 anni fa come semplice programma per visualizzare le gradazioni di grigio delle immagini su un monitor in bianco e nero, Adobe Photoshop si è evoluto fino a diventare il supporto fondamentale per ogni tipo di attività connessa con le immagini e ha segnato una tappa fondamentale nello sviluppo dell’attuale cultura digitale.

“Dagli esordi della fotografia - già nella prima metà del 1800 con la dagherrotipia (la più antica tra tutte le tecniche fotografiche) c’è stata la necessità di intervenire sulle fotografie in modo che fossero “reali come la realtà” e che potessero trasmettere a chi le guardava un insieme di impressioni ed emozioni intense. In quel periodo si cercava di creare immagini “perfette” coinvolgendo, ad esempio, attori che rimanessero immobili in una posizione significativa per tutto il tempo necessario a scattare la foto,fingendo di svolgere un’attività reale (ed era necessario un lungo periodo di esposizione con le tecniche di allora!). E’ proprio per rispondere a questa necessità creativa nata con la fotografia che, molti anni dopo, nasce il famoso software Photoshop” ha dichiarato Denis Curti, vicepresidente di Forma e direttore della sede di Milano di Contrasto, in apertura della tavola rotonda organizzata in occasione dei 20 anni di Photoshop, in cui esperti di spicco si sono confrontati su come il famoso software ha cambiato il modo di vedere il mondo.

“Nel corso dei suoi vent’anni di storia, Photoshop si è molto evoluto” ha continuato poi Paolo Motta, Creative Solutions Business Manager EMEA di Adobe Systems “e ha introdotto continue innovazioni tecnologiche che hanno cambiato il modo di lavorare per i creativi di tutto il mondo. Da un semplice software inoltre, Photoshop si ampliato fino a diventare sinonimo di una famiglia di soluzioni su desktop e Web-hosted in grado di soddisfare molteplici categorie di esigenze: dalla modifica alla creazione delle immagini per i grafici, alla gestione dei flussi di lavoro per i fotografi, fino ad arrivare alle soluzioni per utenti non professionisti e alle applicazioni mobili.

Giovanni Lanzone, filosofo e direttore del Master di Business Design in Domus Academy, ha sottolineato invece cos’è cambiato nel mondo del design e come Adobe Photoshop abbia favorito il concetto di “progettazione a sciame”: un modo di lavorare che sfrutta gli strumenti a disposizione per dare vita ad una produzione creativa partecipata e condivisa su larga scala. Photoshop è diventato quindi lo strumento di una trasformazione sociale e creativa di portata epocale. Le immagini ferme o in movimento, però, sono solo anticipazioni delle possibilità che avremo in futuro: si andrà incontro a un numero via via maggiore di ibridazioni e l’uomo diventerà sempre più la figura centrale di questa realtà. La tecnologia dovrà supportare lo sviluppo dei talenti creativi guidandoli e permettendo di esprimersi appieno: Adobe con la sua offerta tecnologica è quindi in una posizione importante per delineare gli scenari futuri della creatività.

“Negli ultimi 20 anni Photoshop ha incarnato in modo brillante e creativo una fase in cui l’immagine è stata al centro dell’immaginario collettivo e ha generato le grandi icone della modernità” ha commentato Fancesco Morace, sociologo e presidente di Future Concept Lab, che durante il suo intervento si è soffermato su come si è evoluto il rapporto della società nei confronti del mondo delle immagini e su quali saranno gli scenari futuri. Al giorno d’oggi l’immagine continua ad avere un’importanza centrale ma negli ultimi anni la società ha compiuto un salto: la gente non pensa più che le immagini abbiano una propria autonomia; l’immagine come evocazione di un mondo non basta. Stiamo passando dal modello evocativo, che ha interessato la società negli ultimi 30 anni ed era caratterizzato in termini di spettacolo ed intrattenimento, al modello vocazionale che si connota in termini di cultura e conoscenza. La sfida futura di Photoshop è proprio quella offrire gli strumenti che consentano di passare da evocazione a vocazione, permettendo ai consumatori di diventare “consumatori” e andare a costruire la società della condivisione e della sperimentazione, nella quale le tecnologie possono diventare laboratori aperti e credibili di creatività personale e collettiva. “

L’intervento di Maria Grazia Mattei, critica d’arte ed esperta di nuove tecnologie della comunicazione, si è concentrato su come si sono evoluti i linguaggi espressivi e la cultura digitale in questi 20 anni dalla nascita di Photoshop. Oggi la società è immersa in un mondo digitale e reale, che abbina aspetti di entrambe le dimensioni; il mondo digitale è stato costituito da persone che hanno tentato di forzare l’uso delle tecnologie facendo si che dessero forma al pensiero, all’immaginario, ai sogni. Innovazioni tecnologiche come Photoshop vanno proprio lette in questa chiave: ogni epoca si è data i propri mezzi di rappresentazione e strumenti come Photoshop ci permettono di dare forma alla rappresentazione della nostra comunità e alle mutazioni sociali. Photoshop risponde quindi all’esigenza centrale di raccontare la quotidianità.

“Adobe infatti ” prosegue Paolo Motta Creative Solutions Business Manager EMEA Adobe Systems “in questi anni ha sempre voluto conoscere le esigenze di tutte le persone che hanno a che fare con la creatività e ha convertito in tecnologia la risposta a queste esigenze reali. Attualmente, ad esempio, la necessità del mondo creativo - e la sfida che sta affrontando Adobe - è quella di integrare Photoshop al mondo dei media dinamici per un utilizzo ottimale in ogni situazione.

Contatti stampa
Elena Bersani
PR Manager Adobe Adobe Systems
0396550.1
ebersani@adobe.com

Burson-Marsteller
Alessia Quaglio Cinzia Trezzi
02. 721431
alessia.quaglio@bm.com
cinzia.trezzi@bm.com

Pour la première fois, les Mousquetaires organisent une Semaine Portes Ouvertes pour leurs PME fournisseurs : du 29 mars au 3 avril, près de 300 PME ouvriront leurs portes au grand public. L’objectif est de valoriser les produits des PME, fabriqués dans des entreprises françaises implantées sur tout le territoire national, auprès des consommateurs. Autour de visites, de dégustations et d’échanges, chacun pourra découvrir le travail et les produits des PME de sa région. Une première édition que les Mousquetaires entendent bien renouveler chaque année.

Daniel Sberna, adhérent Intermarché à Nice, en charge des PME

Les PME, 1ers fournisseurs des Mousquetaires
80% des fournisseurs des enseignes alimentaires des Mousquetaires (Intermarché et Netto) sont des PME pour une grande majorité française, qui représentent 53% du chiffre d’affaires du Groupement.
Ainsi, les PME fabriquent plus de 90% des produits à marques propres et 1er prix d’Intermarché et Netto, soit plus de 4500 références. Elles ont donc une place de choix dans les rayons des enseignes des Mousquetaires.
Au final, ce sont plus de 5 000 partenariats, et plus de 1200 accords conclus au niveau régional et national, qui font vivre aujourd’hui les relations entre Mousquetaires et PME.
Les Mousquetaires connaissent le fonctionnement, les attentes et les enjeux des petites et moyennes entreprises, car ils sont eux-mêmes des chefs d’entreprise indépendants. La proximité qu’ils entretiennent avec leurs PME fournisseurs ne s’invente pas, elle se vit tous les jours.

Jean-Pierre Barjon, PDG de Lorina, SA Geyes Frères

Frédéric Martin, PDG de Le Petit Basque situé à Saint Médard d’Eyrans

Des engagements formalisés dès 2005En 2005, les Mousquetaires ont décidé de formaliser leurs engagements en faveur des PME dans une Charte, nommée Charte Mousquetaires, Partenaires des PME, qui recense 15 engagements pris par les Mousquetaires autour de 5 objectifs :

• Favoriser le développement économique des PME
• Favoriser les produits des PME auprès des consommateurs
• Apporter une meilleure information aux PME
• Améliorer la relation commerciale
• Assurer le suivi des engagements

Cette année, les Mousquetaires ont décidé d’aller plus loin, autour de 4 temps forts avec de nouveaux engagements

1) D’une part, l’enquête réalisée auprès des PME du 17 février au 1er mars 2010 et à laquelle ont répondu près de 450 chefs d’entreprise.
Les principaux enseignements de cette enquête révèlent que :

• La situation des PME aujourd’hui reste fragile, puisque plus de 80% d’entre elles se disent impactées par la crise, mais elles restent optimistes, puisque 57% d’entre elles affirment envisager d’investir plus (57%) ou de manière identique (39%) pour innover dans les 3 prochaines années.

• La relation avec Intermarché est satisfaisante pour 87% des PME interrogées. Si Intermarché est un partenaire de plus en plus attentif, il est aussi plus difficile.

• La logistique d’Intermarché répond aux attentes des PME à 94%, quand la place accordée aux produits des PME en rayons et l’accueil réservé aux produits innovants sont jugés satisfaisants pour 77% d’entre elles.

• Selon les PME interrogées, Intermarché doit encore faire des efforts sur l’aide au développement international, l’allongement du délai de référencement et l’amélioration des informations sur le marché. Sachant que, pour les personnes interrogées, les enjeux clés pour demain sont, par ordre d’importance, la visibilité des produits PME en rayons, le prix, le référencement via les marques propres des entreprises, la durée des contrats, l’aide au développement national, les mécanismes de promotion et le partage de l’information.

2) Suite à cette enquête, une journée de travail a été organisée au siège des Mousquetaires à Tréville, avec une quarantaine de PME et marques collectives régionales, mais aussi des représentants de la Fédération des Entreprises et Entrepreneurs de France (FEEF) et d’Agro-développement. (voir photos jointes)

3) A l’issue de cette journée, le Groupement des Mousquetaires a choisi d’élaborer une édition 2010 de la « Charte Mousquetaires, Partenaires des PME », afin d’ajuster les engagements pris en 2005 aux réalités de la relation Mousquetaires-PME d’aujourd’hui. Ces nouveaux engagements seront présentés à l’issue d’une réflexion commune permettant de définir les axes prioritaires de la Charte 2010. Parmi les priorités, une adaptation des contrats aux enjeux des TPE, un référencement des produits plus aisé et représentatif des caractéristiques des bassins de consommation et des échanges d’information réguliers pour une meilleure coopération au service du commerce.

4) Et bien sûr la Semaine Portes Ouvertes des PME, qui mobilise près de 300 PME dans toute la France du 29 mars au 3 avril. Pour l’occasion, un dispositif de communication a été mis en place pour relayer l’opération auprès des consommateurs :

• des messages radios diffusés du 29 avril au 3 avril sur 3 radios nationales : Europe 1, RTL et NRJ.
• des interviews de patrons de PME et des annonces diffusées en magasins via la radio interne du groupe, Fréquence Mousquetaires,
• des affiches apposées dans les 1800 Intermarché,
• des livrets disponibles à l’accueil des magasins comprenant la liste des PME participant à l’opération,
• une page dédiée à l’opération sur le site internet d’Intermarché 

Au travers de ces initiatives, les Mousquetaires réaffirment leur engagement auprès des petites et moyennes entreprises françaises, et renforcent leur proximité avec des entreprises qui leur ressemblent.

Contacts presse

Marie-Christine Lavaux – 01 69 64 12 49 – mclavaux@mousquetaires.com
Vanessa Robineau - 01 69 64 29 07 - vrobineau@mousquetaires.com
Région Nord - Hélène MASSONNET - 03 22 83 57 20 – hmassonnet@@mousquetaires.com
Région Est - Georges MARINA - 03 29 91 77 35 - gmarina@mousquetaires.com
Région Parisienne - Gaëlle BOISE - 02 37 27 77 14 – gboise@mousquetaires.com
Région Ouest - Christophe ROZE - 02 99 96 72 40 – croze@mousquetaires.com
Région Centre-Est - Jessica MAS - 04 72 26 28 66 - jmas@mousquetaires.com
Région Sud-Ouest - Maud POTIER - 05 63 23 14 69 – mpotier@mousquetaires.com
Région Sud-Est - Jennifer MONTORO - 04 75 96 26 85 - jmontoro@mousquetaires.com
Région Centre-Ouest - Julie RENARD - 05 45 22 84 58 – jrenard@mousquetaires.com

London, 05 January 2010 – The Department of Health (DH) has published plans today proposing the possible introduction of Automatic Generic Substitution to allow pharmacists to dispense generic medicines, even if the prescribing doctor or nurse has written a prescription for a brand. This means compulsory switches for patients to cheaper medicines, in an effort to cut costs.

The DH has issued a public consultation on the proposals, open until 30th March, which is welcome news to many who have serious concerns about Automatic Generic Substitution, due to the potential harm to patient safety, the impact on the management of disease, together with unnecessary restrictions on prescribing freedom and choice for prescribers.

However, it seems the patient safety aspect has not been properly examined in the DH’s consultation or the impact assessment.  No formal assessment has been presented in the Consultation or the Impact Assessment, merely a set of optimistic assumptions that favour the DH’s preferred strategy.

Norgine believes there has also been an underestimation of the costs the scheme favoured by the Department of Health will have on patients and prescribers. It is unclear what the exact cost will be, though it has been estimated to be in the region of £25m over a period of 4 years. Therefore it is difficult to predict whether it will bring about the estimated cost savings, especially considering the potential for additional treatment for side effects, loss of disease control and extra visits to the prescriber that may be needed. Stakeholders who were consulted prior to the development of the document raised doubts over whether Automatic Generic Substitution would achieve anything.

Norgine COO, Peter Martin, said: “This consultation is welcomed not only by Norgine but also by many stakeholders who have petitioned the DH to go public on the proposal to ensure that the practical impact of generic substitution upon patients’ outcomes, as well as safety, concordance and the NHS medicines’ bill, is considered. We urge people to respond to the document to ensure the DH do not introduce their preferred strategy of restricting prescribing freedom at the potential cost of patients’ safety and health.”

The consultation document and the reply forms can be found at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_110517

Please visit www.genericsubstitution.com for more information on Automatic Generic Substitution.
 

- ENDS -

AGS/10/1850 

Contact details:
For further information please contact:

Peter Martin
Norgine
Chaplin House
Widewater Place
Moorhall Road
Harefield
Uxbridge
Middlesex UB9 6NS, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 453744
Mobile: +44 (0) 7799 078744

Christine Baldwin
Burson-Marsteller
Office: +44 (0) 207 300 6337
Email: Christine.baldwin@bm.com

Notes to editors:
Norgine
Norgine is an independent, successful European specialty pharmaceutical company that has been established for over 100 years and has a direct presence in all the major European markets.  Norgine employs over 1,000 people.

Norgine’s focus is the development and marketing of pharmaceutical products that address significant unmet clinical needs in areas such as gastroenterology, hepatology and pain management.  The company currently markets a range of products in its key therapeutic areas such as MOVICOL® for the treatment of constipation and faecal impaction, MOVIPREP® a new generation of bowel cleansing preparation and KLEAN-PREP® for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy.

Norgine is active in research and development and currently has products in various stages of clinical development.  Norgine manufactures most of its own products in Hengoed in Wales and Dreux in France.

Norgine’s web site www.norgine.com

 

On the last day of her visit to Copenhagen, the world’s most environmentally friendly ship, the Viking Lady, impressed mayors of the world with her significant reductions of harmful carbon and NOx emissions. Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group was equally impressed by the Viking Lady when he toured the vessel yesterday, and encouraged politicians to set targets for the transportation industries. The consortium behind the Viking Lady confirms that technology to significantly reduce emissions from shipping is already available, and say they welcome tighter regulation of the industry.

Copenhagen, 17 December 2009 - The world’s most environmentally friendly ship, the Viking Lady, continued to impress international decision makers on the last day of her visit to Copenhagen. Earlier today, the Norwegian supply ship, ordinarily in operation in the North Sea, set out on a Copenhagen cruise to showcase cutting edge environmental technology to a group of mayors from major international cities. The mayors are currently visiting the Copenhagen Climate Summit for Mayors. The mayors’ cruise, hosted by Copenhagen’s Lord Mayor Ritt Bjerregaard, took place less than 24 hours after Virgin Group founder Richard Branson encouraged politicians to decide on targets for the transportation industries. The consortium behind the ship welcomes the idea of tighter regulation.

“We don’t need a new moon landing to be able to cut emissions from shipping considerably. What the industry needs are regulatory incentives to implement new, environmentally friendly technology. Actually the considerable growth that is expected in shipping over the next 40 years can be achieved without additional CO₂ emissions - by using technology already available. Add to that the likelihood that new technologies will be invented during that time, and shipping can actually continue its expected growth and still cut emissions to half its current level,” said Per Wiggo Richardsen from FellowSHIP, the consortium behind the Viking Lady.

Shipping is by far the most cost and environmentally effective means of transportation of goods, and currently transports 85% of the world’s trade. The CO₂ emissions from shipping total 3% of the world’s total CO₂ emissions. The Viking Lady’s advanced technology cuts CO₂ emissions by 20% and reduces harmful NOx emissions by amounts equal to the emissions from 22,000 cars in a year. Environmentally friendlier ships also consume less fuel and hence contribute to cut operational costs.

“Seeing that it is indeed possible for the shipping industry to reduce air pollution so significantly, is good news for major ports and coastal cities like Copenhagen. Air pollution is a major concern in cities all over the world, and eliminating emissions from ships will impact significantly on air quality and public health. Add to that the benefits to our global climate, and there is no doubt that we should place stricter requirements on which ships we allow near our cities and what they are allowed to emit,” said Ritt Bjerregaard, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen.

After her visit to Copenhagen, the Viking Lady will return to active duty in the North Sea.

More information and downloadable photos + TV footage: www.vikinglady.no

Press contact:

For all inquiries regarding the Viking Lady, please contact:

Per Wiggo Richardsen
press@vikinglady.no
Mobile: +47 90 77 78 29

For all inquiries regarding Copenhagen Climate Summit for Mayors, please contact:

Mette Margrethe Elf, Lord Mayor’s Secretary
Mobile: +45 28 80 01 19

About FellowSHIP:

«FellowSHIP» is a joint industry R&D project with the objective to answer a growing call for sustainable energy generation for marine and offshore use. The project was initiated with the goal to develop and demonstrate maritime fuel cell power packs. The FellowSHIP partners are the shipowner Eidesvik, ship designers/power electronics developer Wärtsilä and the classifier Det norske Veritas (DNV). The FellowSHIP project is supported by the Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway and the Eureka network, incl. the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. More information: www.vikinglady.no

24th September 2009. Teva and Lundbeck announce that the results of the ADAGIO trial were published online today by the New England Journal of Medicine. Patients who received Azilect® (rasagiline) 1mg/day at the start of the study (early-start group) experienced significantly superior benefit over time compared with those who started treatment with Azilect® 1mg/day nine months later (delayed-start group). 1

Professor Olivier Rascol, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital, Toulouse, France and ADAGIO co-principal investigator, stated, “The results of the ADAGIO study provide novel data to support the use of AZILECT® 1mg daily as initial treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease. The ADAGIO study, which utilized a novel trial design with three primary endpoints, suggests that the drug has a positive impact on slowing the progression of patients’ disability, beyond its already known symptomatic benefit.”

The New England Journal of Medicine is the world’s most influential medical journal, recognised for the high scientific standards, novelty and importance of its content. Every year it receives over 5,000 scientific articles of which only a small minority are selected for publication.

Azilect® is the first and only Parkinson’s disease treatment to succeed in a prospective delayed-start study, a trial design specifically developed to test for disease-modifying effects. The results from the ADAGIO study also reconfirm the previously demonstrated symptomatic efficacy of Azilect®.2 The good safety profile of Azilect® seen in the ADAGIO study was in line with previous clinical experience with Azilect®.2

The primary analysis of the ADAGIO study included three hierarchical endpoints based on Total-UPDRS (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale) scores. Azilect® 1 mg/day early-start met all endpoints of the primary analysis. Rasagiline 2 mg/day early-start did not meet the second step of the primary analysis as there was no significant difference in UPDRS score between baseline and week 72. Based on the hypothesis that there may have been a masking of the disease-modifying effect with the 2mg dose in patients with milder impairment, the authors conducted a post-hoc analysis on the sub-group of patients with highest baseline UPDRS – the upper quartile. This analysis showed significant results for the 2 mg dose as well as for the 1mg dose for all three primary endpoints.

As Parkinson’s disease is a chronic progressive illness, it is important to have a long-term perspective of a treatment’s impact on its evolution. The authors of the New England Journal of Medicine article address this aspect by concluding that it will be important to see if the benefits seen after 18 months will endure and translate into reduced cumulative disability. An extension of the ADAGIO study is presently underway to address this need.

About the ADAGIO study
ADAGIO was an 18-month randomised, multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study prospectively examining rasagiline’s potential disease-modifying effects in 1,176 patients with early, untreated Parkinson’s disease. Patients from 129 centres in 14 countries were randomised to early-start treatment (72 weeks rasagiline 1 or 2 mg once daily) or delayed-start treatment (36 weeks placebo followed by 36 weeks rasagiline 1 or 2 mg once daily). The primary analysis of the trial was based on change in total UPDRS (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale - the most commonly used rating scale to assess Parkinson’s disease status) and included three hierarchal endpoints: slope superiority of rasagiline over placebo in the placebo-controlled phase, change from baseline to week 72, and non-inferiority of early-start vs. delayed-start slopes during weeks 48-72 of the active treatment phase. Rasagiline 1mg met all 3 primary endpoints: less deterioration in UPDRS points/week in early start than placebo between weeks 12 and 36 (early-start=0.09±0.02, placebo= 0.14±0.01; P=0.01); less worsening of early start than delayed-start in UPDRS score between baseline and week 72 (early-start=2.82±0.53, delayed-start=4.50±0.56; P=0.02), and non-inferiority of early start to delayed-start in deterioration in UPDRS points/week between weeks 48 and 72 (early-start=0.085±0.02, delayed-start=0.085±0.02; P<0.001).

ADAGIO is one of the largest studies ever conducted in Parkinson’s disease. It used the delayed-start design to distinguish between the symptomatic and disease-modifying effects of Azilect®. ADAGIO is the first study in PD to utilize slope analysis, which is the gold standard for measuring the longitudinal effects of a drug. With a mean disease duration of 4.5 (SD 4.6) months and baseline UPDRS-Total score of 20.4 (SD 8.5), the ADAGIO patient population is one of the earliest Parkinson’s disease stages ever to be studied in a large randomised controlled trial.3

About Azilect®
Azilect® (rasagiline) 1mg tablets are indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease both as initial therapy alone and to be added to levodopa later in the disease. Azilect® is currently available in 37 countries, including the US, Canada, Israel, Mexico, and all of the EU countries, where it is marketed by Teva and Lundbeck as part of a long-term strategic alliance between the two companies.

About Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is an age-related degenerative disorder of the brain. Symptoms may include: tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement and impaired balance. An estimated four million people worldwide suffer from the disease, which usually affects people over the age of 60.

References
1. Olanow CW et al. A double-blind delayed start trial of rasagiline in Parkinson’s disease. N Engl J Med 2009;361:1268-78
2. Parkinson Study Group. A controlled trial of rasagiline in early Parkinson’s disease. Arch Neurol 2002;59:1937-1943
3. Olanow CW et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, delayed start study to assess rasagiline as a disease modifying therapy in Parkinson’s disease (the ADAGIO study): rationale, design, and baseline characteristics. Mov Disord 2008;23:2194-2201

Notes to editors:

Additional resources:
For broadcast-standard video supporting this press release, please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/Lundbeck.  If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please email journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com.

Media contact:
Serena Thomson, Burson-Marsteller, London
Serena.thomson@bm.com
+44 20 7300 6411

Florence, Italy, 14th September 2009. Lundbeck and Teva today announce the launch of www.myPDinfo.com to provide answers to common questions following a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Designed for people with Parkinson’s, their families and carers, the new site provides information on the disease itself, as well as many aspects of treatment and practical disease management such as medication, surgery, diet, exercise/physiotherapy, and emotional support.

Parkinson’s is the second most common degenerative disorder of the central nervous system and often impairs the patient’s motor skills and speech. In 2008, there were approximately 3.16 million people with Parkinson’s across the US, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK and the number of people affected is set to rise as the population ages.

Maintaining a full and active life is an important part of living with PD therefore www.myPDinfo.com is focused on promoting independence and helping people with Parkinson’s to make the most of each day. There’s a section on daily living, hints and tips to help with communication, plus a number of useful tools such as downloadable medication guides and symptom diaries and links to other helpful online resources.

“The internet is fast becoming one of the most important information sources on health issues, not only for people with Parkinson’s, but also for their friends, families and the general public. Websites that contain information on all aspects of life affected by Parkinson’s are such invaluable resources, helping people remain active and therefore able to live as fulfilled a life as possible” commented Colleen, a person with Parkinson’s living in the UK.

The easy-to-navigate website is designed as a one-stop online resource for people with Parkinson’s, their families and carers, and anyone else looking for detailed, up-to-date information about the disease. The website content was developed in cooperation with the European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA) multidisciplinary review panel.

www.myPDinfo.com is produced by H. Lundbeck A/S and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. The advice and support of the EPDA is gratefully acknowledged.

### ends ###

Notes to Editors:

For broadcast-standard video supporting this press release, please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/Lundbeck. If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please email journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA), headquartered in Israel, is among the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world and is the leading generic pharmaceutical company. It develops, manufactures and markets generic and innovative human pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Over 80 percent of Teva’s sales are in North America and Western Europe. For more information, please visit www.tevapharm.com.

H. Lundbeck A/S (LUN.CO, LUN DC, HLUKY) is an international pharmaceutical company highly committed to improve the quality of life for people suffering from central nervous system (CNS) disorders. For this purpose Lundbeck is engaged in the research and development, production, marketing and sale of pharmaceuticals across the world, targeted at disorders like depression and anxiety, schizophrenia, insomnia, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Lundbeck was founded in 1915 by Hans Lundbeck in Copenhagen, Denmark, and today employs over 5.500 people worldwide. Lundbeck is one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies working with CNS disorders. In 2008, the company’s revenue was DKK 11.3 billion (approximately EUR 1.5 billion or USD 2.2 billion). For more information, please visit www.lundbeck.com.

Media enquiries:
Burson-Marsteller (UK):
Serena Thomson
+44 20 7300 6411
Serena.Thomson@bm.com

Oslo, 2. september 2009 – Sony Ericsson lanserer i høst XPERIA X2 med operativ­systemet Windows Mobile 6.5, som gjør telefonen lettere å bruke både for nye og mer erfarne brukere. XPERIA X2 har stor skjerm og fullt QWERTY-tastatur i en mobiltelefon av normal størrelse. Dermed er det lett å få jobben unna når du er på farten – uten å måtte skru på PCen. 

Med XPERIA X2 er det også enkelt å dele bilder og presentasjoner med andre – både på jobb og privat. Telefonen er utstyrt med 8,1-megapiksel kamera og TV ut-funksjonalitet som gjør det mulig å vise presentasjoner på stor skjerm – uten å ha med seg PCen. 

– For svært mange av oss er mobiltelefonen i dag en forlengelse av kontorpulten. XPERIA X2, med Windows Mobile 6.5, stor skjerm, fullt tastatur, godt kamera og TV ut-funksjonalitet, løser de fleste kontoroppgaver – uten at du trenger å slå på PCen, sier Anniken Amdam, markedssjef for Sony Ericsson i Norge. 

Som forgjengeren XPERIA X1, navigerer XPERIA X2 med interaktive paneler, som gir snarveier til hyppig brukte funksjoner og løpende oversikt over ubesvart aktivitet. Et bredt utvalg forhåndsinnstilte og nedlastbare paneler gjør det svært enkelt å holde seg oppdatert på det en er interessert i. 

XPERIA X2 er samtidig en komplett underholdningstelefon for musikk, foto, e-post, video og spill. På den 3,2-tommers, høyoppløselige berøringsskjermen kan man se film i DVD-kvalitet, publisere bilder direkte på Facebook, eller prate med venner verden over via Skype. 

Sony Ericsson tilbyr også XPERIA Services, en enestående servicepakke, skreddersydd for å hjelpe brukeren å få maksimalt ut av mobiltelefonen. Et ekspertteam av teknikere står klare til å bistå travle brukere med alt fra feilsøk til tilgang til favorittnettsteder. Om telefonen skulle gå i stå mens brukeren er i utlandet, kan erstatningstelefon sikres ved å ringe XPERIA Services. 

XPERIA™ X2
·         Windows Mobile® 6.5 – gjør det enklere å jobbe mens man er på farten
·         Fleksible desktoppaneler kategorisert som kommunikasjon og moro, multimedia, arbeid og Internett
·         Øyeblikkelig synkronisering av e-post og kalender, med fullt QWERTY-tastatur og Windows Mobile
·         Panelløsningen SlideView – rask tilgang til mye brukte aktiviteter og oversikt over ubesvarte anrop og meldinger
·         Presentasjon av dokumenter på storskjerm – med TV ut-kabel
·         XPERIA eksklusiv reiseforsikring
·         Multimedia av høy kvalitet på 3,2-tommers høyoppløselig berøringsskjerm i DVD-kvalitet
·         8,1-megapikselkamera med Photo light – enkel opplasting av bilder til webalbum
·         3D-panel som styrer 3D-effekter, zoom og musikkavspillingsfunksjoner 

For XPERIA X2 anbefales også billaderen AN300, som lader 40 prosent raskere enn de fleste billadere.  XPERIA™ X2 støtter GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 og UMTS/HSPA 850/900/2100.

XPERIA X2 blir tilgjengelig tidlig i fjerde kvartal i fargene Elegant Black og Modern Silver.

Sony Ericsson er en verdensledende mobiltelefonprodusent som i 2008 solgte over 97 millioner mobiltelefoner. Mangfold er et av selskapets fremste styrker. Sony Ericsson er representert i mer enn 80 land. Selskapet har produksjon i Kina og forsknings- og utviklingsfasiliteter i Kina, Europa, India, Japan og Nord-Amerika. Sony Ericsson ble etablert i oktober 2001 av Sony og Ericsson som et 50:50 joint venture-selskap. Selskapets hovedkontor ligger i London. Mer informasjon på www.sonyericsson.com  

For mer informasjon, vennligst kontakt: 
Erik Sandsmark, National Account Manager, Norge
Telefon: +47 900 20 630,
e-post: erik.sandsmark@sonyericsson.com 

Anniken Amdam, markedssjef, Norge
Telefon: +47 918 18 328
e-post: anniken.amdam@sonyericsson.com  
 

Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X2  

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