Monthly Archives: September 2013

Paving the Way for Real-world Nanotechnology Products

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The multi-party investment will bring together national research organisations, suppliers and manufacturers spanning the nanotechnology value chain, and government agencies to promote the technology. The Foundry is part of a masterplan spearheaded by A*STAR to push translational research and accelerate commercialisation of home-grown technologies. In partnership with other A*STAR research institutes, IMRE will work with companies like Toshiba Machines Co Ltd, EV Group, NTT Advanced Technology Corporation, NIL Technology ApS, Kyodo International Inc., micro resist technology GmbH, Nanoveu Pte Ltd and Solves Innovative Technology Pte Ltd to produce prototypes for real-world products and applications. The Foundry and its partners will also work closely with Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB) and SPRING to promote its nanoimprint applications to industry as part of the plans to build up Singapore's high-value manufacturing capabilities.

"We can help companies develop up to 20,000 samples for proof-of-concept and pilot production allowing manufacturers to shorten the product cycle but minus the heavy capital R&D investment", said Dr Karen Chong, the IMRE scientist who is heading the Foundry. Dr Chong added that the Foundry will be a one-stop shop for companies seeking to conceive, design and develop solutions for new, revolutionary products based on the versatile nanoimprint technology.

"The Foundry gives us the tools for creating real products that target industry end users and ultimately consumers", explained Mr Masayuki Yagi, Director & General Manager, Advanced Machinery Business Unit, Toshiba Machines Co Ltd, Japan on why the company chose to participate in the initiative. "Toshiba Machines and the Foundry will aim to deliver innovative engineering solutions based on nanoimprint and be the best partner for leading industries.

According to Mr Koh Teng Kwee, Director of Solves Innovative Technology Pte Ltd, "Working with IMRE since ICON 1 , I am sure IMRE's nanoimprint technology and know-how is now ready for industrial adoption. In my opinion, IMRE is able to provide everything needed for a new product realisation involving nanoimprinting."

"There is a billion-dollar, virtually untapped market for new advanced nanotechnology products that can make use of what the Foundry has to offer", said Prof Andy Hor, Executive Director for IMRE, adding that the initiative will hasten the industrialisation of nanoimprinting in this lucrative market segment. In consumer care for example, the global market for contact lenses - where nanoimprint technology can be used to produce new functionalities like multi-coloured lenses - is expected to grow to USD 11.7 billion by 2015 .

"The Foundry is the first one-stop shop to pull different value chain partners together to offer solutions based on nanoimprint through equipment, moulds, materials and applications to end user companies", said Dr Tan Geok Leng, Executive Director of A*STAR's Science and Engineering Research Council which oversees a number of the research institutes dedicated to the physical sciences and engineering. "The new Foundry is part of Singapore's strategy to create a new, advanced high-value manufacturing sector to support its growing knowledge-based economy."

"As part of EDB's vision to position Singapore as an Advanced Manufacturing Hub, we will continue to work with companies to co-create and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies. We see this new Research Foundry as one of the key infrastructures to strengthen nanoscale-manufacturing capabilities in Singapore", said Mr Yi-Hsen Gian, Director (i3), Economic Development Board (EDB), Singapore.

The Foundry was launched on 30 September 2013 during a ceremony that also saw collaboration agreements signed between A*STAR and its industry partners.

1) Industrial Consortium On Nanoimprint, Project 1 on anti-reflection surfaces 2) Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

About A*STAR's Nanoimprint Foundry

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Paving the Way for Real-world Nanotechnology Products

:: 30, Sep 2013 :: PAVING THE WAY FOR REAL-WORLD NANOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS

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PAVING THE WAY FOR REAL-WORLD NANOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS

A*STARs new Nanoimprint Foundry will bridge the gap between laboratory-based nanotechnologies and real-world products. This is the first time that Singapore nanotechnology suppliers and manufacturers have been brought together to speed up productisation of nanoimprinting, a technology that imbues ordinary surfaces with unique properties for applications in sectors like consumer care, biomedical devices, optics, filtration, displays and maritime.

1. Singapore, 30 September 2013 Adhesives that leave no sticky residue, skins that keep medical instruments germ-free, new anti-reflective protectors for displays or surfaces that prevent barnacles from attaching to ships.These are just some of the products that nanoimprinting technology is capable of producing. A*STARs Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) and its partners launched a new Nanoimprint Foundry that will develop, test-bed and prototype specially engineered plastics and surfaces for the specific purpose of commercialising the technologies. Possible applications of nanoimprint technology include dry adhesives, aesthetic packaging, contact lenses, biomedical cell scaffolds, anti-frost surfaces and anti-bacteria materials.

2. The multi-party investment will bring together national research organisations, suppliers and manufacturers spanning the nanotechnology value chain, and government agencies to promote the technology. The Foundry is part of a masterplan spearheaded by A*STAR to push translational research and accelerate commercialisation of home-grown technologies. In partnership with other A*STAR research institutes, IMRE will work with companies like Toshiba Machines Co Ltd, EV Group, NTT Advanced Technology Corporation, NIL Technology ApS, Kyodo International Inc., micro resist technology GmbH, Nanoveu Pte Ltd and Solves Innovative Technology Pte Ltd to produce prototypes for real-world products and applications. The Foundry and its partners will also work closely with Singapores Economic Development Board (EDB) and SPRING to promote its nanoimprint applications to industry as part of the plans to build up Singapores high-value manufacturing capabilities.

3. We can help companies develop up to 20,000 samples for proof-of-concept and pilot production allowing manufacturers to shorten the product cycle but minus the heavy capital R&D investment, said Dr Karen Chong, the IMRE scientist who is heading the Foundry. Dr Chong added that the Foundry will be a one-stop shop for companies seeking to conceive, design and develop solutions for new, revolutionary products based on the versatile nanoimprint technology.

4. The Foundry gives us the tools for creating real products that target industry end users and ultimately consumers, explained Mr Masayuki Yagi, Director & General Manager, Advanced Machinery Business Unit, Toshiba Machines Co Ltd, Japan on why the company chose to participate in the initiative. Toshiba Machines and the Foundry will aim to deliver innovative engineering solutions based on nanoimprint and be the best partner for leading industries.

5. According to Mr Koh Teng Kwee, Director of Solves Innovative Technology Pte Ltd, Working with IMRE since ICON 1[1], I am sure IMREs nanoimprint technology and know-how is now ready for industrial adoption. In my opinion, IMRE is able to provide everything needed for a new product realisation involving nanoimprinting.

6. There is a billion-dollar, virtually untapped market for new advanced nanotechnology products that can make use of what the Foundry has to offer, said Prof Andy Hor, Executive Director for IMRE, adding that the initiative will hasten the industrialisation of nanoimprinting in this lucrative market segment. In consumer care for example, the global market for contact lenses - where nanoimprint technology can be used to produce new functionalities like multi-coloured lenses - is expected to grow to USD 11.7 billion by 2015[2].

7. The Foundry is the first one-stop shop to pull different value chain partners together to offer solutions based on nanoimprint through equipment, moulds, materials and applications to end user companies, said Dr Tan Geok Leng, Executive Director of A*STARs Science and Engineering Research Council which oversees a number of the research institutes dedicated to the physical sciences and engineering. The new Foundry is part of Singapores strategy to create a new, advanced high-value manufacturing sector to support its growing knowledge-based economy.

8. As part of EDBs vision to position Singapore as an Advanced Manufacturing Hub, we will continue to work with companies to co-create and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies. We see this new Research Foundry as one of the key infrastructures to strengthen nanoscale-manufacturing capabilities in Singapore, said Mr Yi-Hsen Gian, Director (i3), Economic Development Board (EDB), Singapore.

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:: 30, Sep 2013 :: PAVING THE WAY FOR REAL-WORLD NANOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS

Aubrey de Grey – Google vs Death: an Anti Aging Initiative – Progress in Regenerative Medicine – Video

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Aubrey de Grey - Google vs Death: an Anti Aging Initiative - Progress in Regenerative Medicine
Aubrey de Grey of SENS Foundation on #39;Calico #39;, Google #39;s anti-aging initiative. http://sens.org/outreach/outreach-blog/time-feature-cso-aubrey-de-grey-googles...

By: Adam Ford

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Aubrey de Grey - Google vs Death: an Anti Aging Initiative - Progress in Regenerative Medicine - Video

Sports Medicine Australia warns of the dangers of peptides

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Topics: bundaberg, multisport, peptides, sport

SPORTS Medicine Australia, the peak organisation for professionals in sports medicine and science, has urged those considering taking unknown supplements to think again.

The recent news that Canberra Raiders player Sandor Earl could be facing a lengthy ban for using and trafficking banned substances, including the peptide CJC-1295, and the list of alleged supplements Essendon players may have been given, highlights the need for caution to be exercised when professional and amateur athletes are dealing with supplements.

Sports Medicine Australia spokesperson Geoff Sussman said that for any athlete, but especially amateur ones, purchasing supplements and peptides online was fraught with danger.

"The risks are that many of the peptides produced have little by the way of scientific studies to investigate their action or side effects," Mr Sussman said.

"The risk of purchasing these and many supplements on the web is that you do not know what you are buying. They may be promoted as safe and legal however an IOC study of 634 supplements found that 15 per cent contained ingredients that would lead to a positive test result."

"Peptides have known impacts on many actions of the body, however, they will also have an effect on other systems in the body, and as yet we have no idea what many of those effects may be," he said.

"SMA's advice is to think carefully before embarking on this method of supplementation as there are both known and unknown risks and dangers."

Whenever you are using any form of supplement it's important to first get advice from a trained professional, Sports Dietitians Australia, SMA, Exercise and Sports Science Australia or a sports physician can provide this advice.

For more on the dangers of performance enhancing drugs Sports Medicine Australia has developed the CleanEdge website which provides information on all aspects of enhancing sporting performance.

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Sports Medicine Australia warns of the dangers of peptides

Annual Give Kids A Smile Day Oct. 14 at SIUE School of Dental Medicine

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Southern Illinois Universitys School of Dental Medicine is holding Give Kids A Smile Day from 7:30 a.m. to noon, Monday, Oct. 14, at the Schools main clinic in building 263, 2800 College Ave. in Alton. The day is for qualified children between the ages of 3 and 13.

Free dental care, including examinations, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings and extractions, will be provided by SIU School of Dental Medicine faculty and students, members of the Madison and St. Clair district dental societies,, and Lewis and Clark Community College dental assisting and dental hygiene faculty and students. Professionals and volunteers from the community also will participate.

Children qualified to participate in the event are those eligible for free and reduced-priced meal programs.

Every measure is being taken to ensure that information about our event is available to all area families, so that all registered children receive treatment, said Poonam Jain, professor in the SIU School of Dental Medicine and director of Community Dentistry, in a press release from SIUE. Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to be treated. Waiting times are kept to a minimum

Give Kids A Smile Day is a national event sponsored by the American Dental Association to provide free dental treatment for underserved children. The event is organized to promote community awareness of the need for dental services among the underserved.

In Alton, the one-day event allows an average of more than 200 children to receive care from dental professionals each year. The volunteer dentists and staff offer an annual average of more than $50,000 in preventive, restorative and surgical treatment for the children who participate.

Fun activities for children will take place throughout the event.

Contact Sherie Gottlob from the School of Dental Medicine, (618) 474-7200, or sgottlo@siue.edu. While pre-registration is preferred, it is not required. Walk-ins are welcome between 7.30 a.m.-noon.

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Annual Give Kids A Smile Day Oct. 14 at SIUE School of Dental Medicine

BG Medicine Announces Preliminary Decision by CMS on Reconsideration of Reimbursement for BGM Galectin-3 Test

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WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 30, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD) announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have made a preliminary decision to set the Medicare payment rate for the Company's BGM Galectin-3 test at the amount of a cross walked test whose 2013 national limitation amount is $30.24, subject to a final determination by CMS by year-end 2013. The new payment rate, if finalized, will replace the BGM Galectin-3 test's national limitation amount of $17.80 that was effective in 2013.

"We are very pleased that CMS agreed to reconsider the payment rate for our BGM Galectin-3 test," said Dr. Paul R. Sohmer, President and Chief Executive Officer of BG Medicine. "We believe that the revised payment rate more appropriately reflects the value of this important diagnostic test."

This preliminary determination by CMS comes in response to BG Medicine's request for reconsideration of the 2013 CMS determination. The BGM Galectin-3 test is a novel test, which is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an aid in assessing the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.

"We believe that the BGM Galectin-3 test provides a critical tool for physicians and other healthcare providers who make decisions regarding the care of patients with chronic heart failure," Dr. Sohmer added. "The identification of chronic heart failure patients, who are at greater risk of near term adverse events, should enable hospitals and physicians to better direct their patient management strategies and resources to those who need them most."

The BGM Galectin-3 test has been studied in over 10,000 patients, across dozens of distinct clinical studies. Earlier in 2013, BG Medicine announced inclusion of Galectin-3 as biomarker of Myocardial Fibrosis in the 2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for Management of Heart Failure.

The 2014 payment rate is subject to overall adjustments to the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule for 2014, including Consumer Price Index (CPI) and productivity adjustments, and a 1.75% reduction mandated under the Affordable Care Act. In addition, the payment is expected to be subject to a 2% sequestration applicable to Medicare services.

About BG Medicine, Inc.

BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD) is a commercial stage company that is focused on the development and delivery of diagnostic solutions to aid in the clinical management of heart failure and related disorders. For additional information about BG Medicine, heart failure and galectin-3 testing, please visit http://www.bg-medicine.com. The BG Medicine Inc. logo is available for download here

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this news release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the "safe harbor" created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seek," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "anticipate" or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements in this news release address our understanding that the CMS rate is a preliminary rate at this time; our belief that the preliminary rate will become effective on January 1, 2014; our belief that the preliminary 2014 CMS payment rate more appropriately reflects the value of the BGM Galectin-3 test; and our belief that the BGM Galectin-3 test provides a critical tool for physicians who make decisions regarding the care of patients with chronic heart failure. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, as a result of various factors including those risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors and in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of our recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We urge you to consider those risks and uncertainties in evaluating our forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein (or elsewhere) to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

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BG Medicine Announces Preliminary Decision by CMS on Reconsideration of Reimbursement for BGM Galectin-3 Test