Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPTR) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s antibacterial drug DIFICID™ (fidaxomicin) tablets for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in adults 18 years of age and older. CDAD is a significant medical problem in hospitals and long-term care facilities, and is beginning to emerge in the community among people previously at low risk for the disease. In the largest Phase 3 clinical studies ever conducted in CDAD, DIFICID had clinical response rates at the end of treatment that were non-inferior to oral vancomycin. DIFICID was superior to vancomycin in sustaining clinical response through 25 days beyond the end of treatment. DIFICID is the only FDA-approved antibacterial drug proven to be superior to vancomycin in sustained clinical response for CDAD.
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Six of 13 small cars recently evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety earn the TOP SAFETY PICK award, and none earn a poor rating in any of 4 tests. This is a turnaround from a few years ago when small cars struggled to earn top safety ratings. The new tests include hybrids and gasoline-only models that are among the most fuel-efficient vehicles available in the U.S. market.
The ratings are based on performance in front, side, rollover, and rear impact evaluations. Cars that earn the top rating of good in each test and have available electronic stability control (ESC) qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK. Winners are the 2012 Ford Focus and Honda Civic, along with the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, Lexus CT 200h hybrid, Nissan Juke, and Toyota Prius hybrid. The Civic, CT 200h, Elantra, Focus, and Prius have at least one version with a government fuel economy rating of at least 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The Dodge Caliber, Honda CR-Z and Insight hybrids, Nissan Sentra and Versa, Scion xD, and Suzuki SX4 also were rated but didn’t earn TOP SAFETY PICK.
Today, Target Corp.® (NYSE:TGT) announced 42 new schools from across the country that will receive a new library as part of the 2011 Target School Library Makeover program. Education experts and advocates such as Alma Powell of the America’s Promise Alliance and Sir Ken Robinson, along with elected officials including Congressman John Kline, Chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee and Congressman Gene Green (TX-29), were invited to celebrate this announcement with the principals at the Library of Congress. Additionally, principals from among the 42 elementary schools participated in a Principal Summit, led by Ralph Smith of The Annie E. Casey Foundation. The summit was designed to inspire school leaders, provide best practices for cultivating reading skills by using their new libraries, and explore how educators approach literacy strategies.
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A new survey from the nonprofit Gout & Uric Acid Education Society (GUAES) highlights an alarming awareness gap among Americans regarding the risk factors for gout, a chronic, potentially disabling form of arthritis which now affects an estimated 8.3 million Americans. Among the survey findings are that only one in 10 Americans correctly cited cardiovascular disease as a risk factor for gout, while only one in three Americans correctly reported that obesity is a risk factor, and less than one in five reported that diabetes and kidney disease are risk factors. GUAES released the survey findings in advance of its annual Gout Awareness Day on May 22.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/gouteducation/49664/
It was "standing room only" at Six Flags Great Adventure's premiere of the highly-anticipated, new, stand-up thrill coaster, GREEN LANTERN, based on the DC Comics' Super Hero. Standing 15 stories tall and reaching speeds of 63 mph, GREEN LANTERN ranks among the tallest and fastest roller coasters of its kind anywhere in the world.
Members of the media, roller coaster enthusiasts and families from Children's Miracle Network were on-hand for the launch of this epic thrill ride, which features more than three-quarters of a mile of twisting, green steel. GREEN LANTERN is open exclusively to season pass holders now through May 22 and opens to the general public May 25.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/sixflags/49446/
Craving your favorites from Pizza Hut? There are now multiple apps for that. Pizza Hut today announced free mobile ordering applications for the Android smartphone and the Apple iPad, as well as an updated version of its award-winning Apple iPhone app. The app trio makes Pizza Hut the leader in points of access among national pizza chains and continues the company’s commitment to utilizing digital and social media tools to get customers their favorites faster and easier than ever. Pizza lovers hungry for the latest in Pizza Hut digital innovation can visit pizzahut.com/apps to download the apps.
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Landmark public health campaign DRIVE4COPD announced today that Tim Wright was chosen from more than 150 entries as the winner of the Tune Up for COPD Songwriting Competition. DRIVE4COPD Celebrity Ambassadors Billy Ray Cyrus and Patty Loveless were among the judges for the competition, launched in partnership with the Country Music Association (CMA), which challenged Americans to create a new DRIVE4COPD song to help raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/48274-boehringer-ingelheim-tuneupforcopd/
The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the Ad Council joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) to debut a series of public service advertisements (PSA) featuring Phoenix Suns stars Grant Hill and Jared Dudley designed to address the use of anti-gay language among teens. The campaign includes new television, radio, print and Web ads and the TV spot will launch this Sunday during the NBA Conference Finals on ABC, TNT, and ESPN. The PSAs are an extension of the award-winning Think Before You Speak campaign and GLSEN’s “Changing the Game” initiative.
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The new BMW 1 Series M Coupé heralds the introduction of a high performance sports car into a compact design that extends the BMW M portfolio and paves the way for a wider audience to appreciate M car ownership. Its stunning performance is derived from the race-bred powertrain, controllable, agile and exploitable chassis of the legendary M cars that have come before it. The finest materials and components, and an attractive, sporty design will ensure it takes a deserved place among the legendary M car icons.
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Members of IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional association and engineers from across the globe are in a pivotal role to deliver societal solutions – that make a difference; that benefit humanity. They are representative of tomorrow's Solutionist: identifying problems and solving them with technical innovations and solutions that matter.
To open the dialogue on engineering’s role in bringing about innovation for a better tomorrow, IEEE created a new microsite, IEEE Solutionists (http://solutionists.ieee.org) – featuring global thought leader perspectives in engineering and technology. This site hosts a series of articles from IEEE Fellows, including Mr. Norm Augustine, Dr. Sophie Vandebroek, Dr. Vinton G. Cerf, and Dr. John Cioffi, where they offer insight on how engineers can drive technical innovation; evolve perceptions of engineers globally; show how education impacts engineering; and why it’s important for engineers to follow their dreams to change the world, among other topics.
to view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/ieee/49812/
Juanes, Lucero, Marc Anthony, Chino y Nacho, Dyland & Lenny, and Roberto Tapia, are among the list of Latin music artists confirmed to perform at the 2011 Billboard Latin Music Awards presented by State Farm®. They join the star-studded line up of performers that include Maná, Enrique Iglesias, Luis Fonsi, Cristian Castro, Jencarlos Canela, Gloria Trevi, Pitbull, Camila, Don Omar and Banda El Recodo. The 2011 Billboard Latin Music Awards presented by State Farm® is the longest running and most prestigious awards show in the Latin music industry and it will take place on Thursday, April 28 starting with the red carpet at 7PM/6c at the BankUnited Center in Miami, Florida, airing live on Telemundo.
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BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK) today announced that its iShares® Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) business, the world’s largest manager of ETFs, has published a fact sheet on tax efficiency and created a video to drive awareness among U.S. investors about ETFs’ tax efficiency as the U.S. tax filing deadline approaches. Today, there are over 1,000 different ETFs available and iShares is emphasizing tax efficiency during the current tax season to foster understanding and to encourage investors to take a careful examination of products with tax consequences in mind.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/iShares/49669/