Improving sales can be tricky for any business. There are so many different strategies you can use to attract buyers, convert sales, and make the overall process easier for both you and your customers. This week, members of our small business community shared some tips for improving sales, along with some other updates. Read on for the full list in this week’s Small Business Trends community and information news.
Improve Sales, Increase Employee Retention and More
Saturday, January 31, 2015
ATK Technologies Support Launch of ULA’s Delta II Rocket from California
From ATK:
ATK Technologies Support Launch of ULA’s Delta II Rocket from California
NASA’s SMAP Spacecraft Successfully Reaches Orbit
Jan 31, 2015
Arlington, Va., January 31, 2015 – ATK (NYSE: ATK) technologies contributed to the successful launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta II rocket as it lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base today carrying NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) science satellite.
ATK’s contributions to the Delta II and SMAP spacecraft include cutting-edge technologies from across the company, such as three Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM-40), a large composite fairing for the rocket and heat pipes for the satellite.
“The Delta II has the longest successful track record of any vehicle within the industry, a demonstration of the reliability of the vehicle and the dedication of the team,” said Blake Larson, senior vice president and president of ATK’s Aerospace Group. “ATK’s role on the launch vehicle and spacecraft today highlights the breadth of ATK’s products and showcases our commitment to customer success.”
This launch was the 134th Delta II launch incorporating ATK’s solid rocket motors. ATK has been delivering these strap-on boosters for Delta II missions for the past two decades, providing more than 980 motors. The three boosters used today provided an additional 434,000 pounds maximum thrust to boost ULA’s Delta II launch vehicle on its successful mission. The GEM-40s can be used in three, four or nine-motor configurations, depending on payload requirements.
The Delta II composite structures, manufactured by ATK, provide increased performance through weight reduction. The composite 10-foot diameter payload fairing, which encapsulates and protects the payload, was produced using advanced ATK composite hand layup manufacturing processes at ATK’s facility in Iuka, Mississippi. The composite booster cases were manufactured at ATK’s facilities in Clearfield, Utah.
The launch vehicle’s titanium diaphragm propellant tank and pressurant tank, along with the diaphragm propellant tank for the spacecraft, were manufactured at ATK’s facility in Commerce, California. The solar array composite panel substrates were manufactured at ATK’s San Diego, California, facility.
NASA’s SMAP satellite will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models.
ATK is an aerospace, defense, and outdoor sports and recreation company with operations in 21 states, Puerto Rico and internationally. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atk or on Twitter @ATK.
ATK’s contributions to the Delta II and SMAP spacecraft include cutting-edge technologies from across the company, such as three Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM-40), a large composite fairing for the rocket and heat pipes for the satellite.
“The Delta II has the longest successful track record of any vehicle within the industry, a demonstration of the reliability of the vehicle and the dedication of the team,” said Blake Larson, senior vice president and president of ATK’s Aerospace Group. “ATK’s role on the launch vehicle and spacecraft today highlights the breadth of ATK’s products and showcases our commitment to customer success.”
This launch was the 134th Delta II launch incorporating ATK’s solid rocket motors. ATK has been delivering these strap-on boosters for Delta II missions for the past two decades, providing more than 980 motors. The three boosters used today provided an additional 434,000 pounds maximum thrust to boost ULA’s Delta II launch vehicle on its successful mission. The GEM-40s can be used in three, four or nine-motor configurations, depending on payload requirements.
The Delta II composite structures, manufactured by ATK, provide increased performance through weight reduction. The composite 10-foot diameter payload fairing, which encapsulates and protects the payload, was produced using advanced ATK composite hand layup manufacturing processes at ATK’s facility in Iuka, Mississippi. The composite booster cases were manufactured at ATK’s facilities in Clearfield, Utah.
The launch vehicle’s titanium diaphragm propellant tank and pressurant tank, along with the diaphragm propellant tank for the spacecraft, were manufactured at ATK’s facility in Commerce, California. The solar array composite panel substrates were manufactured at ATK’s San Diego, California, facility.
NASA’s SMAP satellite will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models.
ATK is an aerospace, defense, and outdoor sports and recreation company with operations in 21 states, Puerto Rico and internationally. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atk or on Twitter @ATK.
Vintage Toy Collector Turned Passion into "Underground Lair"
The Underground Lair in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is proving that you can turn just about any passion into a successful business with enough planning and hard work.
Collector and business owner Dan Wirth has spent more than forty years gathering and trading memorabilia in everything from Star Wars to Care Bears.
Vintage Toy Collector Turned Passion into "Underground Lair"
Sell Local Think Global, a Ton of Creative Marketing Ideas
I live in a small, “Norman Rockwell” town. We have a gazebo and a whole group of retailers nestled around the square. Beyond the square, almost hidden from sight and across the railroad tracks, are several industrial parks with even more manufacturers and technology companies than you can count.
You can call these local businesses. Some are more local than others. But all of them are a contribution to our local and global economy.
Sell Local Think Global, a Ton of Creative Marketing Ideas
2.1 million cars recalled for crash sensors - Jan. 31, 2015
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Saturday the recall of over 2 million vehicles to fix faulty crash sensors that could cause airbags to deploy for no reason.
All the vehicles had previously been recalled for this issue but the manufacturers' repairs have not stopped the problem. The sensors, which are designed to sense a serious impact, were made by auto parts supplier TRW (TRW).
2.1 million cars recalled for crash sensors - Jan. 31, 2015
All the vehicles had previously been recalled for this issue but the manufacturers' repairs have not stopped the problem. The sensors, which are designed to sense a serious impact, were made by auto parts supplier TRW (TRW).
2.1 million cars recalled for crash sensors - Jan. 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
ATK Receives “Company of the Year” Award from SHOT Business
From ATK:
ATK Receives “Company of the Year” Award from SHOT Business
Federal Premium® Brand Ambassador Julie Golob Named “Person of the Year”
Jan 29, 2015
Arlington, Va., 29, 2015 – ATK (NYSE: ATK) received the “Company of the Year” award from SHOT Business at the Bonnier Outdoor Group breakfast during the 2015 Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The award is given each year to a company or organization in the shooting sports industry, based on community outreach and efforts to preserve our nation’s hunting and shooting heritage and to protect firearms freedom.
“The SHOT Business Awards celebrate leadership—leadership in the shooting sports industry and leadership in the community,” said SHOT Business Editor Slaton L. White. “The recipients of the SHOT Business Awards have all shown exceptional commitment to the promotion and preservation of hunting and the shooting sports and to the Second Amendment.”
ATK was recognized for its role as a leading supporter of the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) Project ChildSafe campaign, which promotes safe firearms handling and storage practices for all firearm owners. ATK was also celebrated for lending financial support to the NSSF Rimfire Challenge and the Challenge’s Ammo Roundup program, which helped ensure competitors in these important matches had ammunition to shoot.
“At ATK, we’re proud of the products we make, and we’re proud of our record as responsible corporate citizens,” said Mark DeYoung, ATK’s president and CEO. “This award is a testament to our employees’ efforts to engage in the communities where they live and work, and an absolute commitment to promoting safety in the use of our products.”
ATK has a long-standing heritage of conservation, and the company partners with numerous organizations to support conservation efforts, such as Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Rifle Association, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, and the National Wild Turkey Federation, among others. ATK is also a diamond-level supporter of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), with DeYoung serving as Chairman of the CSF’s Board of Directors.
In addition to the company’s award, ATK employee Ryan Bronson and Federal Premium Brand Ambassador Julie Golob were both nominated for “Person of the Year,” with Golob winning the award. Golob, a champion shooter, hunter, Army veteran and mother, received the award for her efforts to promote the shooting sports, encourage firearms safety, and maintain a positive public image. Golob has won more than 120 championship titles in seven different action-shooting disciplines, making her one of the most accomplished professional shooters in the world. Federal Premium Ammunition announced in October that it had partnered with Golob and that she will use Federal Premium ammunition in competition and on hunts. She will also wear the Federal Premium logo prominently on her competition shooting shirt and represent the brand in marketing materials.
Bronson works as the senior manager of conservation and public policy for ATK’s Sporting Group in Anoka, Minnesota and is active in the company’s community outreach efforts.
To learn more about ATK’s contributions in the community, please read the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility report found at www.atk.com/about/corporate-social-responsibility.
ATK is an aerospace, defense, and outdoor sports and recreation company with operations in 21 states, Puerto Rico and internationally. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atk or on Twitter @ATK.
“The SHOT Business Awards celebrate leadership—leadership in the shooting sports industry and leadership in the community,” said SHOT Business Editor Slaton L. White. “The recipients of the SHOT Business Awards have all shown exceptional commitment to the promotion and preservation of hunting and the shooting sports and to the Second Amendment.”
ATK was recognized for its role as a leading supporter of the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) Project ChildSafe campaign, which promotes safe firearms handling and storage practices for all firearm owners. ATK was also celebrated for lending financial support to the NSSF Rimfire Challenge and the Challenge’s Ammo Roundup program, which helped ensure competitors in these important matches had ammunition to shoot.
“At ATK, we’re proud of the products we make, and we’re proud of our record as responsible corporate citizens,” said Mark DeYoung, ATK’s president and CEO. “This award is a testament to our employees’ efforts to engage in the communities where they live and work, and an absolute commitment to promoting safety in the use of our products.”
ATK has a long-standing heritage of conservation, and the company partners with numerous organizations to support conservation efforts, such as Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Rifle Association, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, and the National Wild Turkey Federation, among others. ATK is also a diamond-level supporter of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), with DeYoung serving as Chairman of the CSF’s Board of Directors.
In addition to the company’s award, ATK employee Ryan Bronson and Federal Premium Brand Ambassador Julie Golob were both nominated for “Person of the Year,” with Golob winning the award. Golob, a champion shooter, hunter, Army veteran and mother, received the award for her efforts to promote the shooting sports, encourage firearms safety, and maintain a positive public image. Golob has won more than 120 championship titles in seven different action-shooting disciplines, making her one of the most accomplished professional shooters in the world. Federal Premium Ammunition announced in October that it had partnered with Golob and that she will use Federal Premium ammunition in competition and on hunts. She will also wear the Federal Premium logo prominently on her competition shooting shirt and represent the brand in marketing materials.
Bronson works as the senior manager of conservation and public policy for ATK’s Sporting Group in Anoka, Minnesota and is active in the company’s community outreach efforts.
To learn more about ATK’s contributions in the community, please read the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility report found at www.atk.com/about/corporate-social-responsibility.
ATK is an aerospace, defense, and outdoor sports and recreation company with operations in 21 states, Puerto Rico and internationally. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atk or on Twitter @ATK.
For further information: Media Contact: Amanda Covington Phone: 703-412-3231 Email: amanda.covington@atk.com Investor Contact: Michael Pici Phone: 703-412-3216 Email: michael.pici@atk.com
Keurig's Recent Misstep Shows How To Destroy a Brand
When Keurig came out with its new Keurig 2.0 coffee makers the company apparently saw it as the next step for its brand. But not all customers are seeing it that way. The issue is the new Keurig 2.0 coffee makers will no longer accept older K-cups, third party coffee pods, or reusable pods.
And the backlash is making this look like a big misstep for the Keurig brand.
Keurig's Recent Misstep Shows How To Destroy a Brand
Here's how your desk should be organized - Jan. 30, 2015
In the office, your desk is your command center. And experts said how well it's organized can help set the tone and productivity level at work.
"Surveys show the average person loses an hour a day to disorganization," said Lisa Zaslow, a professional organizer in New York City. "It takes much less time to get and stayed organized. Think about how frantic and stressed you are when you can't find something."
Here's how your desk should be organized - Jan. 30, 2015
"Surveys show the average person loses an hour a day to disorganization," said Lisa Zaslow, a professional organizer in New York City. "It takes much less time to get and stayed organized. Think about how frantic and stressed you are when you can't find something."
Here's how your desk should be organized - Jan. 30, 2015
NFL gets billions in subsidies from U.S. taxpayers - Jan. 30, 2015
If you're a U.S. taxpayer then you're subsidizing the wildly profitable National Football League, regardless of whether you're a fan.
The NFL is the most profitable pro sports league in the U.S., raking in an estimated $1 billion in profits on $10.5 billion in revenue last season, figures that are sure to increase this year.
NFL gets billions in subsidies from U.S. taxpayers - Jan. 30, 2015
The NFL is the most profitable pro sports league in the U.S., raking in an estimated $1 billion in profits on $10.5 billion in revenue last season, figures that are sure to increase this year.
NFL gets billions in subsidies from U.S. taxpayers - Jan. 30, 2015
Alcoa Opens Expanded Wheels Manufacturing Plant in Hungary
From Alcoa:
January 30, 2015
Alcoa Opens Expanded Wheels Manufacturing Plant in Hungary
Positions Alcoa to Capture Growing Demand for Company’s Lightweight, Durable, Low-Maintenance Aluminum Truck Wheels in Europe
NEW YORK & SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR, Hungary--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lightweight, high-performance metals leader Alcoa (NYSE:AA) today officially opened its expanded wheels manufacturing plant in Hungary. The larger facility doubles Alcoa’s capacity to produce its Dura-Bright® EVO surface-treated wheels compared to 2014 production levels. The expansion will enable Alcoa to meet growing European demand for its lightweight, durable, low-maintenance aluminum truck wheels.
“This expansion positions Alcoa to capture increasing demand for our innovative aluminum truck wheels in Europe, including our easiest-to-clean wheels that look new longer, reduce maintenance costs, and increase payload and fuel efficiency,” said Tim Myers, President, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products. “Our investments in forged aluminum truck wheels support Alcoa’s broader strategy to build out our value-add businesses and gain profitable share in growing downstream markets. Sales of aluminum truck wheels are expected to increase from 30 percent of global sales in 2010 to 50 percent in 2018.”
Construction of the US$13 million (HUF 2.8 Billion) expansion was completed on schedule and will create 35 new permanent jobs in Hungary once the facility reaches full capacity. Demonstrating its support for the project, the Hungarian Government agreed to contribute US$4.4 million (HUF 1 billion) through its Regional Operative Program, a government-led economic development initiative.
“Alcoa has enjoyed a long and very successful history in Hungary and we look forward to building on this positive track record with this expansion,” said Dr. Béla Forgó, Country Manager of Alcoa Hungary. “In addition, today Alcoa launched a pilot project with the regional Székesfehérvár city bus system to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of our wheels for public transportation.”
Under the pilot program with the regional Székesfehérvár city bus operator, a number of buses will be outfitted with Alcoa’s wheels. Bus operators in other municipalities have realized up to five percent fuel savings after converting from steel wheels to Alcoa’s forged aluminum wheels.
Alcoa’s Dura-Bright EVO surface-treated wheel is 10 times more resistant to corrosion primarily caused by road salts and weather elements than its predecessor, the Dura-Bright wheel with XBR®technology. Unlike competitive surface coatings that can crack, peel, corrode and dull quickly, the Dura-Bright surface-treated wheel allows brilliant shine to last even after years of use, without the need for polishing. Dura-Bright is not a coating, but rather a surface treatment that penetrates the aluminum and becomes an integral part of the wheel. Regular cleaning with commonly used truck cleaning products or with just soap and water will keep the wheels shiny, even after hundreds of washes and thousands of kilometers, reducing maintenance costs. In addition, Alcoa’s wheels are made from one piece of forged aluminum, making them lighter and five times stronger than steel wheels, increasing payload and fuel efficiency.
Alcoa has been the forged aluminum wheel leader since inventing the product in 1948. Alcoa Wheel Products is part of Alcoa’s value-add businesses, comprising Engineered Products and Solutions and Global Rolled Products. The company projects its revenues from wheel products to increase to US$1 billion in 2016 from US$700 million in 2013.
Editor’s Note: Caption for accompanying photo: To meet growing demand for its innovative wheels, Alcoa has expanded its wheels manufacturing plant in Hungary (expansion shown here), doubling its capacity to produce lightweight, durable, low-maintenance Dura-Bright® EVO surface-treated aluminum truck wheels.
About Alcoa
A global leader in lightweight metals technology, engineering and manufacturing, Alcoa innovates multi-material solutions that advance our world. Our technologies enhance transportation, from automotive and commercial transport to air and space travel, and improve industrial and consumer electronics products. We enable smart buildings, sustainable food and beverage packaging, high-performance defense vehicles across air, land and sea, deeper oil and gas drilling and more efficient power generation. We pioneered the aluminum industry over 125 years ago, and today, our approximately 59,000 people in 30 countries deliver value-add products made of titanium, nickel and aluminum, and produce best-in-class bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum products. For more information, visit www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/Alcoa and follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/Alcoa.
About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products (AWTP), headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is part of Alcoa’s downstream business, Engineered Products and Solutions. AWTP serves the commercial vehicle, automotive and defense markets with products used in a range of applications including forged aluminum wheels, premium products such as Dura-Bright®, Dura-Flange®, LvL ONE® and M-Series™ medium duty truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components for these markets. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Commercial Vehicle Wheels, Forged Specialty Wheels and Transportation Products. Alcoa Wheel Products Europe is headquartered in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. Alcoa manufactures forged aluminum wheels for trucks, trailers and buses in Europe. More information can be found at www.alcoawheels.com. Follow @AlcoaWheels on Twitter at twitter.com/AlcoaWheels.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains statements that relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that reflect Alcoa’s expectations, assumptions or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding Alcoa’s strategy, objectives, expectations, and intentions regarding growing its revenues from its wheel products, its ability to capture growing European demand for aluminum truck wheels, and growth in global market penetration of forged aluminum wheels versus steel. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors and are not guarantees of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include: (a) unfavorable changes in the markets served by Alcoa, including the commercial transportation market and European aluminum truck wheels market; (b) failure to successfully implement, or to realize expected benefits from, new technologies, processes, equipment, expanded facilities, or innovative products, including Dura-Bright EVO® surface-treated wheels, whether due to competitive developments, changes in the regulatory environment, trends and developments in customer requirements, or other factors; and (c) the other risk factors discussed in Alcoa’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alcoa disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
January 30, 2015
Alcoa Opens Expanded Wheels Manufacturing Plant in Hungary
Positions Alcoa to Capture Growing Demand for Company’s Lightweight, Durable, Low-Maintenance Aluminum Truck Wheels in Europe
- Expansion doubles capacity to produce Dura-Bright® EVO surface-treated wheels, which are 10 times more corrosive resistant, easy to clean and look newer longer
- Total global aluminum wheel sales are expected to increase from 30 percent of the total market in 2010 to 50 percent in 2018
- To boost adoption within Hungary’s public transportation system, Alcoa launches pilot program with regional Székesfehérvár city bus system
- US$13 million expansion will add 35 jobs in Hungary
NEW YORK & SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR, Hungary--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lightweight, high-performance metals leader Alcoa (NYSE:AA) today officially opened its expanded wheels manufacturing plant in Hungary. The larger facility doubles Alcoa’s capacity to produce its Dura-Bright® EVO surface-treated wheels compared to 2014 production levels. The expansion will enable Alcoa to meet growing European demand for its lightweight, durable, low-maintenance aluminum truck wheels.
“This expansion positions Alcoa to capture increasing demand for our innovative aluminum truck wheels in Europe, including our easiest-to-clean wheels that look new longer, reduce maintenance costs, and increase payload and fuel efficiency,” said Tim Myers, President, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products. “Our investments in forged aluminum truck wheels support Alcoa’s broader strategy to build out our value-add businesses and gain profitable share in growing downstream markets. Sales of aluminum truck wheels are expected to increase from 30 percent of global sales in 2010 to 50 percent in 2018.”
Construction of the US$13 million (HUF 2.8 Billion) expansion was completed on schedule and will create 35 new permanent jobs in Hungary once the facility reaches full capacity. Demonstrating its support for the project, the Hungarian Government agreed to contribute US$4.4 million (HUF 1 billion) through its Regional Operative Program, a government-led economic development initiative.
“Alcoa has enjoyed a long and very successful history in Hungary and we look forward to building on this positive track record with this expansion,” said Dr. Béla Forgó, Country Manager of Alcoa Hungary. “In addition, today Alcoa launched a pilot project with the regional Székesfehérvár city bus system to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of our wheels for public transportation.”
Under the pilot program with the regional Székesfehérvár city bus operator, a number of buses will be outfitted with Alcoa’s wheels. Bus operators in other municipalities have realized up to five percent fuel savings after converting from steel wheels to Alcoa’s forged aluminum wheels.
Alcoa’s Dura-Bright EVO surface-treated wheel is 10 times more resistant to corrosion primarily caused by road salts and weather elements than its predecessor, the Dura-Bright wheel with XBR®technology. Unlike competitive surface coatings that can crack, peel, corrode and dull quickly, the Dura-Bright surface-treated wheel allows brilliant shine to last even after years of use, without the need for polishing. Dura-Bright is not a coating, but rather a surface treatment that penetrates the aluminum and becomes an integral part of the wheel. Regular cleaning with commonly used truck cleaning products or with just soap and water will keep the wheels shiny, even after hundreds of washes and thousands of kilometers, reducing maintenance costs. In addition, Alcoa’s wheels are made from one piece of forged aluminum, making them lighter and five times stronger than steel wheels, increasing payload and fuel efficiency.
Alcoa has been the forged aluminum wheel leader since inventing the product in 1948. Alcoa Wheel Products is part of Alcoa’s value-add businesses, comprising Engineered Products and Solutions and Global Rolled Products. The company projects its revenues from wheel products to increase to US$1 billion in 2016 from US$700 million in 2013.
Editor’s Note: Caption for accompanying photo: To meet growing demand for its innovative wheels, Alcoa has expanded its wheels manufacturing plant in Hungary (expansion shown here), doubling its capacity to produce lightweight, durable, low-maintenance Dura-Bright® EVO surface-treated aluminum truck wheels.
About Alcoa
A global leader in lightweight metals technology, engineering and manufacturing, Alcoa innovates multi-material solutions that advance our world. Our technologies enhance transportation, from automotive and commercial transport to air and space travel, and improve industrial and consumer electronics products. We enable smart buildings, sustainable food and beverage packaging, high-performance defense vehicles across air, land and sea, deeper oil and gas drilling and more efficient power generation. We pioneered the aluminum industry over 125 years ago, and today, our approximately 59,000 people in 30 countries deliver value-add products made of titanium, nickel and aluminum, and produce best-in-class bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum products. For more information, visit www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/Alcoa and follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/Alcoa.
About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products (AWTP), headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is part of Alcoa’s downstream business, Engineered Products and Solutions. AWTP serves the commercial vehicle, automotive and defense markets with products used in a range of applications including forged aluminum wheels, premium products such as Dura-Bright®, Dura-Flange®, LvL ONE® and M-Series™ medium duty truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components for these markets. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Commercial Vehicle Wheels, Forged Specialty Wheels and Transportation Products. Alcoa Wheel Products Europe is headquartered in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. Alcoa manufactures forged aluminum wheels for trucks, trailers and buses in Europe. More information can be found at www.alcoawheels.com. Follow @AlcoaWheels on Twitter at twitter.com/AlcoaWheels.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains statements that relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that reflect Alcoa’s expectations, assumptions or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding Alcoa’s strategy, objectives, expectations, and intentions regarding growing its revenues from its wheel products, its ability to capture growing European demand for aluminum truck wheels, and growth in global market penetration of forged aluminum wheels versus steel. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors and are not guarantees of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include: (a) unfavorable changes in the markets served by Alcoa, including the commercial transportation market and European aluminum truck wheels market; (b) failure to successfully implement, or to realize expected benefits from, new technologies, processes, equipment, expanded facilities, or innovative products, including Dura-Bright EVO® surface-treated wheels, whether due to competitive developments, changes in the regulatory environment, trends and developments in customer requirements, or other factors; and (c) the other risk factors discussed in Alcoa’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alcoa disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Cerner Earns Six 2014 KLAS Rankings
From Cerner:
Cerner Earns Six 2014 KLAS Rankings
January 29, 2015
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jan. 29, 2015 — Kansas City-based Cerner Corp. (Nasdaq:CERN) has won six Best in KLAS 2014: Software and Services awards including “Best in KLAS” Remote Hosting for the sixth consecutive year.
Cerner earned the following 2014 Best in KLAS rankings in the following categories:
- Application Hosting CIS/ERP/HIS for Remote Hosting *Sixth Consecutive Year
- Ambulatory EMR (1-10 Physicians) for PowerChart Ambulatory™
- Global non-U.S. Patient Administration Systems for Millennium® PAS *New Category
Cerner was also recognized as KLAS Category Leader in three other areas:
- Anatomic Pathology for CoPathPlus® *Fourth Consecutive Year
- Acute Care EMR (Community) for CommunityWorks Clinical Suite
- Global non-U.S. Acute EMR (Europe) for Millennium PowerChart® *New Category
“We’re proud to be recognized by our clients once again for helping shape the future of health care through innovative solutions designed to improve patient outcomes across the continuum of care,” said Zane Burke president, Cerner.
The annual KLAS report is based on feedback from thousands of health care providers globally that rank health care suppliers based on their ability to align the needs of health care organizations and provide unwavering determination to deliver excellence with passion.
Cerner will be recognized for its achievements at the HIMSS awards reception, April 12, in Chicago.
For more information on Cerner’s Best in KLAS and KLAS Category Leader services, visit www.cerner.com.
About Cerner
Cerner’s health information technologies connect people, information and systems at more than 14,000 facilities worldwide. Recognized for innovation, Cerner solutions assist clinicians in making care decisions and enable organizations to manage the health of populations. The company also offers an integrated clinical and financial system to help health care organizations manage revenue, as well as a wide range of services to support clients’ clinical, financial and operational needs. Cerner’s mission is to contribute to the improvement of health care delivery and the health of communities. Nasdaq: CERN. For more information about Cerner, visit cerner.com, read our blog at cerner.com/blog, connect with us on Twitter at twitter.com/cerner and on Facebook at facebook.com/cerner.
Certain trademarks, service marks and logos set forth herein are property of Cerner Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. All other non-Cerner marks are the property of their respective owners.
About KLAS
KLAS is a research firm on a global mission to improve healthcare delivery by enabling providers to be heard and counted. Working with thousands of healthcare executives and clinicians, KLAS gathers data on software, services, medical equipment and infrastructure systems to deliver timely reports, trends and statistical overviews. The research directly represents the provider voice and acts as a catalyst for improving supplier performance. KLAS was founded in 1996, and their staff and advisory board average 25 years of healthcare information technology experience. Follow KLAS on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KLASresearch.
Shake Shack set to shake up Wall Street - Jan. 29, 2015
Shake Shack is already immensely popular with foodies in Manhattan and Brooklyn. And now it's about to take another part of New York by storm: Wall Street.
The upscale burger joint priced its initial public offering at $21 a share Thursday evening. That's above the price range Shake Shack set earlier this week, which it had already raised due to strong demand.
Shake Shack set to shake up Wall Street - Jan. 29, 2015
The upscale burger joint priced its initial public offering at $21 a share Thursday evening. That's above the price range Shake Shack set earlier this week, which it had already raised due to strong demand.
Shake Shack set to shake up Wall Street - Jan. 29, 2015
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Evotaz™ (atazanavir and cobicistat) for the Treatment of HIV-1 Infection in Adults
From Bristol-Myers Squibb:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Evotaz™ (atazanavir and cobicistat) for the Treatment of HIV-1 Infection in Adults
- Evotaz is the first and only protease inhibitor pharmacoenhanced by cobicistat that is supported by comparative Phase III clinical trial data
- Evotaz is the only protease inhibitor pharmacoenhanced by cobicistat with virologic failure rates as low as 6% [HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL at 48 weeks: 6% Evotaz arm; 4% Reyataz®(atazanavir)/ritonavir arm]*
Category:
Thursday, January 29, 2015 5:19 pm EST
"We are pleased to provide physicians and patients with an important new option to treat HIV; atazanavir with cobicistat delivers sustained efficacy and safety through 48 weeks, as demonstrated through its rigorous clinical development plan, including a head-to-head Phase III trial"
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Evotaz(atazanavir 300 mg and cobicistat 150 mg) tablets in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults. Evotaz is coformulated to be one pill, once-daily, combining the protease inhibitor atazanavir, which is marketed as Reyataz (atazanavir 200 mg/300 mg) capsules, and cobicistat, a pharmacokinetic enhancer marketed by Gilead Sciences, Inc. Today’s approval offers patients living with HIV an innovative treatment option that delivers proven suppression (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL, 85% Evotaz arm; 87% Reyataz/ritonavir arm) through 48 weeks.
The use of Evotaz in patients who have previously received HIV medication should be guided by their baseline resistance to protease inhibitors. Evotaz and Reyataz do not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. Evotaz is contraindicated in patients with previously demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, or toxic skin eruptions) to any of the product components and in combination with certain drugs. See Evotaz full contraindications in the Important Safety Information section below.
As a dedicated partner to the HIV community for more than 20 years, Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to discover and develop innovative therapies to meet the needs of a broad range of patients living with HIV. There are approximately 50,000 new cases of HIV each year, with an estimated 1.1 million people living with the condition in the U.S. While many are diagnosed and undergoing treatment, only one quarter are virally suppressed, demonstrating the continued need for additional treatments to help patients achieve viral suppression.
“We are pleased to provide physicians and patients with an important new option to treat HIV; atazanavir with cobicistat delivers sustained efficacy and safety through 48 weeks, as demonstrated through its rigorous clinical development plan, including a head-to-head Phase III trial,” said Murdo Gordon, Head of Worldwide Markets, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “Evotaz increases the possibility of providing HIV suppression by combining reduced pill burden with a low rate of virologic failure (6% Evotaz arm; 4% Reyataz/ritonavir arm) and zero protease inhibitor mutations.” In the Evotaz arm, zero patients developed tenofovir-associated resistance K65R; two patients developed emtricitabine resistance M184V. In the Reyataz /ritonavirarm, zero resistance was observed.
Evotaz is the first and only protease inhibitor pharmacoenhanced by cobicistat that is supported by comparative Phase III trial data (Gilead Sciences, Inc.’s Study 114). The randomized, double-blind clinical trial (N=692) evaluated the efficacy and safety of Reyataz 300 mg with cobicistat 150 mg (the components of Evotaz) (n=344) versus Reyataz 300 mg with ritonavir 100 mg (Reyataz/ritonavir) (n=348), another pharmacokinetic enhancing agent, in combination with emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in treatment-naive adults. Patients had a baseline estimated CrCL >70mL/min, a mean baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA of 4.8 log10 copies/mL, and a mean baseline CD4+ cell count of 352 cells/mm. At 48 weeks, 85% of patients in the Evotaz arm achieved HIV-1 RNA levels of <50 copies/mL compared to 87% of patients in the Reyataz/ritonavir arm. Low rates of virologic failure (HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL: 6% Evotaz arm; 4% Reyataz/ritonavir arm) were observed at 48 weeks, making Evotaz the only protease inhibitor pharmacoenhanced with cobicistat with virologic failure rates as low as 6%.
In the study, zero protease inhibitor resistance was detected through 48 weeks.No patients developed tenofovir‐associated resistance, and two patients in theEvotaz arm developed emtricitabine‐associated resistance. Various degrees of resistance and cross-resistance have been observed among protease inhibitors; however, resistance to atazanavir may not preclude the use of other protease inhibitors.
"Maintaining sufficient drug concentrations inhibits viral replication and prevents the development of resistance, which are critical considerations in treating patients with HIV,” said study investigator Joel Gallant, associate medical director of Specialty Services at Southwest CARE Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and adjunct professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Pharmacokinetic studies and a large clinical trial have demonstrated that we can expect the same atazanavir drug levels and clinical efficacy from Evotaz as with ritonavir-boosted Reyataz with one less pill.”
Evotaz demonstrated a safety profile comparable to Reyataz/ritonavir. The most common moderate to severe adverse events in the Evotaz arm and Reyataz/ritonavirarm were: rash (5%, 4%); jaundice (5%, 3%); ocular iterus (3%, 1%); nausea (2%, 2%). There were similar low rates of discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs) with Evotaz as compared to Reyataz/ritonavir (7% and 7%, respectively).
Additional research confirmed that Evotaz is bioequivalent to the co-administration of its components, Reyataz and cobicistat, when given with a light meal.
In October 2011, Bristol-Myers Squibb announced a licensing agreement with Gilead for the development and commercialization of a once-daily, fixed-dose combination product of atazanavir and cobicistat, now named Evotaz. Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb and its affiliates are responsible for the formulation, manufacturing, registration, distribution and commercialization of theEvotaz fixed-dose combination product worldwide. Gilead retains sole rights for the manufacture, development and commercialization of cobicistat as a stand-alone product and for use in combination with other agents.
About Reyataz (atazanavir)
Since the approval of Reyataz, a component of Evotaz, in July 2003, more than 7 million prescriptions have been filled in the US* for once-daily administration, with or without ritonavir as part of an HIV-1 regimen.
Reyataz is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection for patients 3 months and older weighing at least 10 kg. Reyataz is not recommended for use in pediatric patients less than 3 months due to the risk of kernicterus. Use of Reyataz with ritonavir in treatment-experienced patients should be guided by the number of baseline primary protease inhibitor resistance substitutions. Reyataz is contraindicated in patients with previously demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme or toxic skin eruptions) to any of the product components. See Reyataz full contraindications in the Important Safety Information section below.
For more information, please visit www.reyatazhcp.com.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb’s HIV Research Portfolio
For more than 20 years, Bristol-Myers Squibb has focused on discovering, developing and delivering innovative medicines to help meet the needs of patients living with HIV-1 and continues to pursue advances in treatment, for both children and adults with HIV-1. Studies are ongoing for new treatments including an HIV-1 attachment inhibitor (BMS-663068), an HIV-1 maturation inhibitor (BMS-955176) and an anti-PD-L1 (BMS-936559).
INDICATIONS for Evotaz (atazanavir and cobicistat) and Reyataz ®(atazanavir)
Evotaz is a fixed dose combination of atazanavir and cobicistat, and is indicated for use with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults.
Reyataz is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults, and for patients 3 months and older weighing at least 10 kg.
LIMITATIONS OF USE
- Use of Evotaz or Reyataz/ritonavir in treatment-experienced patients should be guided by the number of baseline primary protease inhibitor resistance substitutions
- Reyataz is not recommended for use in patients less than 3 months due to the risk of kernicterus
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for EVOTAZ and REYATAZ
CONTRAINDICATIONS
EVOTAZ and REYATAZ are contraindicated:
- In patients with previously demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, or toxic skin eruptions) to any of the product components
- When coadministered with drugs highly dependent on CYP3A or UGT1A1 for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations of the interacting drugs are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events. The following are contraindicated with EVOTAZ and REYATAZ: alfuzosin, rifampin, irinotecan, triazolam, orally administered midazolam, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, cisapride, St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), lovastatin, simvastatin, pimozide, sildenafil when used for pulmonary arterial hypertension, indinavir, nevirapine. Additionally, EVOTAZ is contraindicated with: dronedarone, ranolazine, lurasidone, colchicine in patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment. Additionally, REYATAZ is contraindicated with ergonovine
- When coadministered with drugs that strongly induce CYP3A and may lead to lower exposure and loss of efficacy of EVOTAZ and REYATAZ
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
The following Warnings & Precautions are associated with EVOTAZ (atazanavir and cobicistat) and REYATAZ (atazanavir):
- Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities: PR interval prolongation may occur in some patients. Atrioventricular (AV) conduction abnormalities were asymptomatic and generally limited to first-degree AV block. There have been reports of second-degree AV block and other conduction abnormalities. There is limited clinical experience in patients with preexisting conduction system disease such as marked first degree AV block or second or third degree AV block. Consider ECG monitoring in these patients
- Rash: Cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, and toxic skin eruptions, including drug rash, eosinophilia, and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, have been reported in patients receiving atazanavir. Discontinue if severe rash develops. Mild-to-moderate maculopapular skin eruptions have also been reported, and generally did not require discontinuation of treatment
- Nephrolithiasis and cholelithiasis have been reported during postmarketing surveillance in HIV-infected patients receiving atazanavir. Some patients required hospitalization and some had complications. If signs or symptoms of nephrolithiasis and/or cholelithiasis occur, consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of therapy
- Hepatotoxicity: Patients with hepatitis B or C viral infections or marked elevations in transaminases are at risk of further transaminase elevations or hepatic decompensation. In these patients, hepatic laboratory testing should be performed before and during therapy
- EVOTAZ is not recommended in patients with hepatic impairment
- REYATAZ/ritonavir is not recommended in patients with hepatic impairment
- REYATAZ is not recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment
- Hyperbilirubinemia: Reversible, asymptomatic elevations in indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin occurred in most patients treated with atazanavir. There are no long-term safety data for patients with persistent elevations in total bilirubin >5 times upper limit of normal. Alternative antiretroviral therapy may be considered if jaundice or scleral icterus present cosmetic concerns
- Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including atazanavir. Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves’ disease, polymyositis, and Guillain-Barre syndrome) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution; however, the time to onset is more variable, and can occur many months after initiation of treatment
- Diabetes mellitus/hyperglycemia: New onset of diabetes, exacerbation of preexisting diabetes, and hyperglycemia have been reported in postmarketing surveillance in HIV-infected patients treated with protease inhibitor therapy. A causal relationship has not been established
- Fat Redistribution or accumulation of body fat including central obesity, dorsocervical fat enlargement (buffalo hump), peripheral wasting, breast enlargement, and “cushingoid appearance” have been seen in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. A causal relationship has not been established
- Hemophilia: Increased bleeding has been reported in patients with hemophilia type A and B treated with protease inhibitors. A causal relationship has not been established
EVOTAZ (atazanavir and cobicistat): ADDITIONAL WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
- Effects on Serum Creatinine: Cobicistat decreases estimated creatinine clearance (CrCl) by inhibiting the tubular secretion of creatinine without affecting actual renal glomerular function. This effect should be considered when interpreting changes in estimated CrCl in patients initiating EVOTAZ, particularly in patients with medical conditions or receiving drugs needing monitoring with estimated CrCl. Prior to initiating therapy with EVOTAZ, assess estimated CrCl. Dosage recommendations are not available for drugs that require dosage adjustment in cobicistat-treated patients with renal impairment. Consider alternative medications that do not require dosage adjustments in patients with renal impairment. Patients who experience a confirmed increase in serum creatinine of greater than 0.4 mg/dL from baseline should be closely monitored for renal safety
- New onset or worsening renal impairment when used with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: Renal impairment, including cases of acute renal failure and Fanconi syndrome, has been reported when cobicistat was used with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (tenofovir DF).
- Coadministration of EVOTAZ and tenofovir DF is not recommended in patients who have an estimated creatinine clearance below 70 mL/min
- When EVOTAZ is used with tenofovir DF, evaluate baseline and perform routine monitoring of estimated CrCl, urine glucose, and urine protein. Measure serum phosphorus in patients at risk for renal impairment
- Coadministration of EVOTAZ and tenofovir DF in combination with concomitant or recent use of a nephrotoxic agent is not recommended
- Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions or Loss of Virologic Response Due to Drug Interactions: Coadministration of EVOTAZ with medications that are metabolized by CYP3A may lead to increased exposures of these medications, which may increase the risk of clinically significant adverse reactions (including life-threatening or fatal reactions). Coadministration of EVOTAZ with CYP3A inducers may lead to lower exposure of atazanavir and cobicistat and loss of efficacy of atazanavir and possible resistance. The potential for drug interactions prior to and during EVOTAZ therapy should be considered, review concomitant medications and monitor patients for adverse reactions
- Antiretrovirals that are Not Recommended: EVOTAZ is not recommended in combination with other antiretroviral drugs that require CYP3A inhibition to achieve adequate exposures (e.g. other HIV protease inhibitors or elvitegravir) because dosing for such combinations has not been established; coadministration may lead to loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance
EVOTAZ is not recommended in combination with products containing the individual components of EVOTAZ (atazanavir or cobicistat) or in combination with ritonavir containing products
REYATAZ: ADDITIONAL WARNING AND PRECAUTION
- Patients with Phenylketonuria: Phenylalanine can be harmful to patients with phenylketonuria (PKU). REYATAZ oral powder contains phenylalanine (a component of aspartame). REYATAZ capsules do not contain phenylalanine
- Resistance/cross resistance in various degrees have been observed among protease inhibitors
MOST COMMON MODERATE OR SEVERE ADVERSE REACTIONS
EVOTAZ (atazanavir and cobicistat), regardless of causality:
- In treatment-naive adults (≥2%): nausea (2%), ocular icterus (3%), jaundice (5%), rash (5%)
REYATAZ (atazanavir), regardless of causality:
- In treatment-naive adults (≥2%): nausea (4-14%), jaundice/scleral icterus (5-7%), rash (3-7%), headache (1-6%), abdominal pain (4%), vomiting (3-4%), peripheral neurologic symptoms (<1-4%), diarrhea (1-3%), insomnia (<1-3%), and dizziness (<1-2%)
- In treatment-experienced adults (≥2%): jaundice/scleral icterus (9%), myalgia (4%), diarrhea (3%), depression (2%), and fever (2%)
- In pediatric patients taking the capsule formulation (≥5%): cough (21%), fever (18%), jaundice/sclera icterus (15%), rash (14%), vomiting (12%), diarrhea (9%), headache (8%), peripheral edema (7%), extremity pain (6%), nasal congestion (6%), oropharyngeal pain (6%), wheezing (6%), and rhinorrhea (6%)
- In pediatric patients taking the oral powder formulation: the adverse reactions were generally similar to that observed in clinical studies of REYATAZ in pediatric patients taking the capsule formulation
DRUG INTERACTIONS
EVOTAZ: Coadministration of EVOTAZ and the following drugs is not recommended
- efavirenz, etravirine, ritonavir, boceprevir, telaprevir, simeprevir, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran etexilate (in specific renal impairment groups), voriconazole, salmeterol, avanafil, inhaled or nasal corticosteroids that are metabolized by CYP3A
- when EVOTAZ is coadministered with tenofovir DF and an H2-receptor antagonist in treatment-experienced patients
- proton pump inhibitors in treatment-experienced patients
REYATAZ: Coadministration of REYATAZ and the following drugs is not recommended
- salmeterol
- when REYATAZ is coadministered with ritonavir: boceprevir, other HIV protease inhibitors, voriconazole
- when REYATAZ is coadministered without ritonavir: carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, bosentan, buprenorphine
- in treatment-experienced patients: proton pump inhibitors or efavirenz
- in patients with renal or hepatic impairment: cholchicine
See Table 5 of the EVOTAZ Full Prescribing Information, and Table 16 of the REYATAZ Full Prescribing Information for additional established and potentially significant Drug Interactions, and related dose modification recommendations.
EVOTAZ and REYATAZ: Use in Renal Impairment
- EVOTAZ and REYATAZ should not be used in treatment-experienced patients with end-stage renal disease managed with hemodialysis
Please click here for the EVOTAZ full prescribing information
Please click here for the REYATAZ full prescribing information
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.bms.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Among other risks, there can be no guarantee that Evotaz will become a commercially successful product. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers Squibb's business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors discussion in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
*Includes patients who had HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL in the Week 48 window; patients who discontinued early due to lack of efficacy; patients who discontinued for reasons other than an adverse event, death, or loss of efficacy and at the time of discontinuation had HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL
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5 Questions to NEVER Ask in an Employee Feedback Survey
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Celldex Therapeutics and Bristol Myers-Squibb Announce Initiation of Phase 1/2 Combination Study of Varlilumab and Opdivo® in Advanced Refractory Solid Tumors
From Bristol-Myers Squibb:
Celldex Forward Looking StatementThis release contains "forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those related to the Company's strategic focus and the future development and commercialization (by Celldex and others) of rindopepimut (“rindo”; CDX-110), glembatumumab vedotin ("glemba"; CDX-011), varlilumab (“varli”; CDX-1127), CDX-1401, CDX-301 and other products and our goals for 2015. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current knowledge, assumptions, judgment and expectations regarding future performance or events. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, they give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and you should be aware that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our ability to successfully complete research and further development and commercialization of rindopepimut, glembatumumab vedotin and other drug candidates; our ability to obtain additional capital to meet our long-term liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all, including the additional capital which will be necessary to complete the clinical trials that we have initiated or plan to initiate; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing and accruing patients for clinical trials; our limited experience in bringing programs through Phase 3 clinical trials; our ability to manage and successfully complete multiple clinical trials and the research and development efforts for our multiple products at varying stages of development; the availability, cost, delivery and quality of clinical and commercial grade materials produced by our own manufacturing facility or supplied by contract manufacturers, who may be our sole source of supply; the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; the failure of the market for the Company's programs to continue to develop; our ability to protect the Company's intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel or consultants; competition; changes in the regulatory landscape or the imposition of regulations that affect the Company's products; and other factors listed under "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
Celldex Therapeutics and Bristol Myers-Squibb Announce Initiation of Phase 1/2 Combination Study of Varlilumab and Opdivo® in Advanced Refractory Solid Tumors
Category:
Thursday, January 29, 2015 8:06 am EST
Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDX) and Bristol Myers-Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced the initiation of a Phase 1/2 dose escalation and cohort expansion study examining the investigational combination of varlilumab, Celldex's CD27 targeting investigational immune-activating antibody and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immunotherapy Opdivo (nivolumab). The study will be conducted in adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic melanoma (MEL), colorectal cancer (CRC), ovarian cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN). Varlilumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets CD27, a critical molecule in the activation pathway of lymphocytes. Opdivo is a human programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor expressed on activated T-cells. This study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of the combination and address the hypothesis that the combination of these two mechanisms enhance the anti-tumor activity compared to either agent alone. Celldex is responsible for conducting the study and development costs will be shared.
The Phase 1 dose-escalation portion of the study will assess the safety and tolerability of varlilumab at doses ranging from 0.1 to 10 mg/kg when administered with Opdivo (3mg/kg). Following dose escalation, a Phase 2 portion of the study will include 5 disease specific cohorts, with either 18 (CRC, SCCHN, ovarian) or 35 (NSCLC and MEL) patients in each cohort. Patients will be treated with varlilumab until intolerance, disease progression or completion of up to 4 cycles. There is no limit on the duration of treatment with Opdivo. The primary objective of the Phase 2 study is overall response rate. Secondary objectives include pharmacokinetics assessments, determining the immunogenicity of varlilumab when given in combination with Opdivo and further assessing the anti-tumor activity of combination treatment, including duration of response, time to response, progression-free survival and overall survival.
About VarlilumabVarlilumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets CD27, a critical molecule in the activation pathway of lymphocytes. CD27 can be effectively manipulated with activating antibodies to induce potent anti-tumor responses and may result in fewer toxicities due to its restricted expression and regulation. Varlilumab is a potent anti-CD27 agonist that induces activation and proliferation of human T cells when combined with T cell receptor stimulation. In lymphoid malignancies that express CD27 at high levels, varlilumab may have an additional mechanism of action through a direct anti-tumor effect. Varlilumab has completed a Phase 1 dose-escalation study, demonstrating potent immunologic activity consistent with its mechanism of action and anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced, refractory disease. No maximum tolerated dose was reached and minimal toxicities were observed. Celldex has initiated a broad development program for varlilumab to explore its role as an immune activator in combination with a number of complementary investigational and approved oncology drugs. Varlilumab is currently being studied in two Phase 1/2 combination studies and several additional combination studies will be initiated in 2015.
About VarlilumabVarlilumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets CD27, a critical molecule in the activation pathway of lymphocytes. CD27 can be effectively manipulated with activating antibodies to induce potent anti-tumor responses and may result in fewer toxicities due to its restricted expression and regulation. Varlilumab is a potent anti-CD27 agonist that induces activation and proliferation of human T cells when combined with T cell receptor stimulation. In lymphoid malignancies that express CD27 at high levels, varlilumab may have an additional mechanism of action through a direct anti-tumor effect. Varlilumab has completed a Phase 1 dose-escalation study, demonstrating potent immunologic activity consistent with its mechanism of action and anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced, refractory disease. No maximum tolerated dose was reached and minimal toxicities were observed. Celldex has initiated a broad development program for varlilumab to explore its role as an immune activator in combination with a number of complementary investigational and approved oncology drugs. Varlilumab is currently being studied in two Phase 1/2 combination studies and several additional combination studies will be initiated in 2015.
About OPDIVO (Nivolumab)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Opdivo (nivolumab) injection, for intravenous use. Opdivo is a PD-1 blocking antibody indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma and disease progression following Yervoy (ipilimumab) and, if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a broad, global development program to study Opdivo in multiple tumor types consisting of more than 50 trials – as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies – in which more than 7,000 patients have been enrolled worldwide.
About Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.Celldex is developing targeted therapeutics to address devastating diseases for which available treatments are inadequate. Our pipeline is built from a proprietary portfolio of antibodies and immunomodulators used alone and in strategic combinations to create novel, disease-specific therapies that induce, enhance or suppress the body's immune response. Visit http://www.celldex.com/.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.bms.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.bms.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.
OPDIVO IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis
- Severe pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease, including fatal cases, occurred with OPDIVO treatment. Across the clinical trial experience in 574 patients with solid tumors, fatal immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 0.9% (5/574) of patients receiving OPDIVO; no cases occurred in Trial 1. In Trial 1, pneumonitis, including interstitial lung disease, occurred in 3.4% (9/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO and none of the 102 patients receiving chemotherapy. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 2.2% (6/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO; one with Grade 3 and five with Grade 2. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pneumonitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater pneumonitis. Permanently discontinue OPDIVO for Grade 3 or 4 and withhold OPDIVO until resolution for Grade 2.
Immune-Mediated Colitis
- In Trial 1, diarrhea or colitis occurred in 21% (57/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO and 18% (18/102) of patients receiving chemotherapy. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2.2% (6/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO; five with Grade 3 and one with Grade 2. Monitor patients for immune-mediated colitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 (of more than 5 days duration), 3, or 4 colitis. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 2 or 3. Permanently discontinue OPDIVO for Grade 4 colitis or recurrent colitis upon restarting OPDIVO.
Immune-Mediated Hepatitis
- In Trial 1, there was an increased incidence of liver test abnormalities in the OPDIVO-treated group as compared to the chemotherapy-treated group, with increases in AST (28% vs 12%), alkaline phosphatase (22% vs 13%), ALT (16% vs 5%), and total bilirubin (9% vs 0). Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 1.1% (3/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO; two with Grade 3 and one with Grade 2. Monitor patients for abnormal liver tests prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater transaminase elevations. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 2 and permanently discontinue OPDIVO for Grade 3 or 4 immune-mediated hepatitis.
Immune-Mediated Nephritis and Renal Dysfunction
- In Trial 1, there was an increased incidence of elevated creatinine in the OPDIVO-treated group as compared to the chemotherapy-treated group (13% vs 9%). Grade 2 or 3 immune-mediated nephritis or renal dysfunction occurred in 0.7% (2/268) of patients. Monitor patients for elevated serum creatinine prior to and periodically during treatment. For Grade 2 or 3 serum creatinine elevation, withhold OPDIVO and administer corticosteroids; if worsening or no improvement occurs, permanently discontinue OPDIVO. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 4 serum creatinine elevation and permanently discontinue OPDIVO.
Immune-Mediated Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
- In Trial 1, Grade 1 or 2 hypothyroidism occurred in 8% (21/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO and none of the 102 patients receiving chemotherapy. Grade 1 or 2 hyperthyroidism occurred in 3% (8/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO and 1% (1/102) of patients receiving chemotherapy. Monitor thyroid function prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism. Initiate medical management for control of hyperthyroidism.
Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions
- In Trial 1, the following clinically significant, immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred in less than 1% of OPDIVO-treated patients: pancreatitis, uveitis, demyelination, autoimmune neuropathy, adrenal insufficiency, and facial and abducens nerve paresis. Across clinical trials of OPDIVO administered at doses 3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, additional clinically significant, immune-mediated adverse reactions were identified: hypophysitis, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypopituitarism, Guillian-Barré syndrome, and myasthenic syndrome. Based on the severity of adverse reaction, withhold OPDIVO, administer high-dose corticosteroids, and, if appropriate, initiate hormone- replacement therapy.
Embryofetal Toxicity
- Based on its mechanism of action, OPDIVO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with OPDIVO and for at least 5 months after the last dose of OPDIVO.
Lactation
- It is not known whether OPDIVO is present in human milk. Because many drugs, including antibodies, are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from OPDIVO, advise women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment.
Serious Adverse Reactions
- Serious adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO. Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 42% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse drug reactions reported in 2% to <5% of patients receiving OPDIVO were abdominal pain, hyponatremia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and increased lipase.
Common Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reaction (≥20%) reported with OPDIVO was rash (21%).
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO.
Celldex Forward Looking StatementThis release contains "forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those related to the Company's strategic focus and the future development and commercialization (by Celldex and others) of rindopepimut (“rindo”; CDX-110), glembatumumab vedotin ("glemba"; CDX-011), varlilumab (“varli”; CDX-1127), CDX-1401, CDX-301 and other products and our goals for 2015. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current knowledge, assumptions, judgment and expectations regarding future performance or events. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, they give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and you should be aware that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our ability to successfully complete research and further development and commercialization of rindopepimut, glembatumumab vedotin and other drug candidates; our ability to obtain additional capital to meet our long-term liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all, including the additional capital which will be necessary to complete the clinical trials that we have initiated or plan to initiate; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing and accruing patients for clinical trials; our limited experience in bringing programs through Phase 3 clinical trials; our ability to manage and successfully complete multiple clinical trials and the research and development efforts for our multiple products at varying stages of development; the availability, cost, delivery and quality of clinical and commercial grade materials produced by our own manufacturing facility or supplied by contract manufacturers, who may be our sole source of supply; the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; the failure of the market for the Company's programs to continue to develop; our ability to protect the Company's intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel or consultants; competition; changes in the regulatory landscape or the imposition of regulations that affect the Company's products; and other factors listed under "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We have no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward Looking StatementThis press release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Among other risks, there can be no guarantee that this investigational combination regimen will receive regulatory approval, or, if approved, that it will become a commercially successful product. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers Squibb's business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors discussion in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Tax Incentives to Help You Find and Keep Customers
The NFIB Small Business Economic Trends December 2014 (PDF) shows that business optimism reached the highest level since 2007. And that many business owners expect to expand and anticipate increased revenues.
To do this, it goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that you need to retain existing customers and bring in new ones. If you’re working on this challenge, the tax law can help defray some of your costs.
Tax Incentives to Help You Find and Keep Customers
Comcast changes customer name to A-hole on bill - Jan. 29, 2015
Comcast is notorious for poor customer service, but this latest blunder might be a new low.
The company actually changed a customer's name to A-hole Brown, from Ricardo Brown, on a bill after he canceled the cable service.
Comcast changes customer name to A-hole on bill - Jan. 29, 2015
The company actually changed a customer's name to A-hole Brown, from Ricardo Brown, on a bill after he canceled the cable service.
Comcast changes customer name to A-hole on bill - Jan. 29, 2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Event Marketing Strategies To Create Brand Loyalists
Creating an event is a multilayered undertaking. One layer that often gets lost in the mix is marketing. Just as vital as your event’s theme, logistics, catering, entertainment and production planning is the strategy that goes into the marketing and branding of your event.
When creating an event, keep in mind that the event is a marketing tool for your business. Whether a seminar, conference, customer hospitality experience or even a seasonal celebration, your event can market and brand your business. If done successfully, your event can solidify your market positioning, thought leadership and industry power. If executed poorly, your event can be a marketing nightmare that will hinder your brand’s ability to recruit brand loyalists — and new customers.
Event Marketing Strategies To Create Brand Loyalists
McDonald's CEO retires as sales suffer - Jan. 28, 2015
McDonald's has been struggling to turn its lousy sales around. And now there's a change at the top of the company.
CEO Don Thompson, a 25-year veteran who has spent two years at the helm, is retiring a week after McDonald's reported awful financial results.
McDonald's CEO retires as sales suffer - Jan. 28, 2015
CEO Don Thompson, a 25-year veteran who has spent two years at the helm, is retiring a week after McDonald's reported awful financial results.
McDonald's CEO retires as sales suffer - Jan. 28, 2015
Millions to owe Obamacare tax penalty - Jan. 28, 2015
Were you uninsured in 2014? It's time to pay the piper!
Some 3 million to 6 million Americans will have to pay an Obamacare tax penalty for not having health insurance last year, Treasury officials said Wednesday. It's the first time they have given estimates for how many people will be subject to a fine.
Millions to owe Obamacare tax penalty - Jan. 28, 2015
Some 3 million to 6 million Americans will have to pay an Obamacare tax penalty for not having health insurance last year, Treasury officials said Wednesday. It's the first time they have given estimates for how many people will be subject to a fine.
Millions to owe Obamacare tax penalty - Jan. 28, 2015
Fourteen Health Centers in Georgia Receive Sesame Street Reading Corners from UnitedHealthcare to Encourage Early Reading and Healthy Living Among Children
From UnitedHealth Group:
ATLANTA (Jan. 28, 2015) —
Fourteen Health Centers in Georgia Receive Sesame Street Reading Corners from UnitedHealthcare to Encourage Early Reading and Healthy Living Among Children
- UnitedHealthcare employees deliver and set up reading corners that include children’s books and healthy-habits posters
ATLANTA (Jan. 28, 2015) —
Atlanta
At the Southside Medical Center in Atlanta, 18-month-old Dakota Lemons, (L-R) is being read one of the new Sesame Street books by Jocelyn Chisholm Carter of UnitedHealthcare and David Williams, M.D., President and CEO of Southside Medical Center. Dakota is using one of the newly donated Sesame Street reading corners by UnitedHealthcare to 14 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) throughout the state. The donations are part of UnitedHealthcare’s Healthy Habits for Life partnership with Sesame Street Workshop that aims to help families with children ages 2 to 8 make choices that set the foundation for lifelong healthy habits.
(Photo Credit: Windgate Downs)
At the Southside Medical Center in Atlanta, 18-month-old Dakota Lemons, (L-R) is being read one of the new Sesame Street books by Jocelyn Chisholm Carter of UnitedHealthcare and David Williams, M.D., President and CEO of Southside Medical Center. Dakota is using one of the newly donated Sesame Street reading corners by UnitedHealthcare to 14 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) throughout the state. The donations are part of UnitedHealthcare’s Healthy Habits for Life partnership with Sesame Street Workshop that aims to help families with children ages 2 to 8 make choices that set the foundation for lifelong healthy habits.
(Photo Credit: Windgate Downs)
Athens
Cshanyse Allen, DNP, RN and COO of Athens Neighborhood Health Center East, Athens, Ga, Mellinda Craig, MSW and CEO of Athens Neighborhood Health Center East and UnitedHealthcare employee, Michael Hathcock set up a new Sesame Street reading corner at the Athens Neighborhood Center – East. This is one of 14 reading corners being donated as part of UnitedHealthcare’s Healthy Habits for Life partnership with Sesame Street Workshop that aims to help families with children ages 2 to 8 make choices that set the foundation for lifelong healthy habits. The program supports UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to helping people live healthier lives through education in fun, innovative ways.
(Photo Credit: Windgate Downs)
Cshanyse Allen, DNP, RN and COO of Athens Neighborhood Health Center East, Athens, Ga, Mellinda Craig, MSW and CEO of Athens Neighborhood Health Center East and UnitedHealthcare employee, Michael Hathcock set up a new Sesame Street reading corner at the Athens Neighborhood Center – East. This is one of 14 reading corners being donated as part of UnitedHealthcare’s Healthy Habits for Life partnership with Sesame Street Workshop that aims to help families with children ages 2 to 8 make choices that set the foundation for lifelong healthy habits. The program supports UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to helping people live healthier lives through education in fun, innovative ways.
(Photo Credit: Windgate Downs)
UnitedHealthcare is donatingSesame Street reading corners to 14 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) throughout Georgia to encourage young children to read and learn more about healthy living.
Sesame Street reading corners provide children visiting their doctors’ offices with a colorful place filled with age-appropriate books that encourage reading, teach healthy-eating habits and help make the visits more enjoyable.
UnitedHealthcare employees are delivering and setting up the reading corners in 11 counties, helping assemble tables and chairs, decorate the spaces, provide the children’s books, and supply the doctor’s office with important health and nutrition information.
Health Centers receiving the reading corners include East Albany Pediatric & Adolescent Center and South Albany Medical Center in Albany; Athens Neighborhood Health Center East in Athens; Southside Medical Center and Whitefoord Inc. in Atlanta; Medical Associates Plus - Belle Terrace in Augusta; Southwest Georgia Health Care in Cordele; Georgia Highlands Medical Services in Cumming; two Curtis V. Cooper Primary Care centers in Savannah; First Choice Primary Care in Warner Robins; Community Health Care Systems in Warrenton and Wrightsville; and Medlink - Winder Pediatrics in Winder.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to provide Sesame Streetreading corners to so many health centers as an important learning resource for children in Georgia,” said Jocelyn Chisholm Carter of UnitedHealthcare. “Reading to children at a young age is critical to developing literacy and lifelong learning skills.”
According to The Children’s Reading Foundation, parents who read with their children 20 minutes a day from birth through elementary school help them become more proficient readers, and build strong minds and strong relationships.
“These new reading corners are a wonderful addition to our waiting rooms and will provide children and their parents valuable learning opportunities while in our offices receiving care,” said David M. Williams, M.D., president & CEO, Southside Medical Center, which received a Sesame Street reading corner for its location at Main Center in Atlanta. “We are appreciative of UnitedHealthcare and its employees for their generosity and commitment to our patients.”
The donations are part of UnitedHealthcare’s Healthy Habits for Life partnership with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, which offers tools and resources to help parents and caregivers gain a greater understanding of the relationship between healthy habits and children’s healthy growth. The program supports UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to helping people live healthier lives through education in fun, innovative ways and supports Sesame’s mission to help all kids grow smarter, stronger and kinder.
Federally Qualified Health Centers provide comprehensive health services, including dental, vision and mental health services, in a single location. For more than 45 years they have been ranked among the highest-quality and cost-effective care providers in the nation – a proven model that has delivered better access and cost-savings, and provided jobs and helped people live healthier lives. UnitedHealthcare helps support Health Centers through a broad network of dedicated health care specialists and hospitals.
According to the National Association of Community Health Centers, in 2012 Georgia FQHCs served more than 320,000 patients, or about 1 in 31 Georgians. Since 2000, Georgia FQHCs have seen a 74 percent increase in total patients and a 92 percent increase in uninsured patients, according to the Georgia Association for Primary Health Care.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families,and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 800,000 physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. Globally, UnitedHealthcare serves 45 million people in health benefits and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families,and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 800,000 physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. Globally, UnitedHealthcare serves 45 million people in health benefits and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.
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