Tuesday, October 13, 2009

“John Ibrahim will tell his story via new book deal - News.com.au” plus 3 more

“John Ibrahim will tell his story via new book deal - News.com.au” plus 3 more

John Ibrahim will tell his story via new book deal - News.com.au

Posted: 13 Oct 2009 06:13 AM PDT

KINGS CROSS identity John Ibrahim is poised to sign a lucrative contract with a leading book publisher to tell the story of his transformation from son of impoverished Lebanese immigrants to "Teflon John", Kings Cross entrepreneur and the subject of a cabinet full of police reports.

Through an associate, Ibrahim yesterday confirmed he has been talking to the country's "two major publishing houses" - a source thought them to be Random and Allen&Unwin - about writing his autobiography. The matter has become something of a priority for the man who calls himself a "nightclub promoter", as he has learned that others have started penning biographies on him and he wants to beat them to it before an unauthorised version is released.

The book will also provide Ibrahim, who started out as the driver and bodyguard to crime figures Bill Bayeh and George Freeman, with a rare opportunity to flex his philanthropic muscle.

"He plans to donate all of his profits to the children's ward at the Royal North Shore Hospital, as he wants to recognise the team that looked after his brother Fadi following his June shooting," a spokeswoman told Confidential.

Although Ibrahim's spokeswoman would not say what the deal was worth, she said it was a six figure sum that might ultimately go higher.

"The sticking point with the publishers is that John wants them to also give 50 per cent of book profits to the hospital and this has not yet been signed off on."

Asked if it was likely the deal might fall through, the spokeswoman said it was unlikely.

"John's knocked them back 10 times, which is why the deal has become so lucrative. He's ready to proceed now."

The publishers will team Ibrahim with a ghostwriter for the project.

Ibrahim has only recently returned from Las Vegas where he once again caught up with the Hollywood celebrity pack that seem to have taken him to their hearts - Paris Hilton, oil heir Brandon Davis and motorcycle champion Mick Doohan.

 

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Leland project wins state prize - Traverse City Record-Eagle

Posted: 13 Oct 2009 05:23 AM PDT

LELAND -- Bruce Price can still recall hearing about the horrible fire that consumed his family's fishing boat between North and South Manitou islands and that nearly took the lives of his father and grandfather.

"They floated on the keel for 12 hours in Lake Michigan," said Price, whose mother was born on North Manitou Island and whose father's family goes back to the sailboat days of commercial fishing in Leland. "My grandpa told my dad to 'Swim to shore; you have three children.' But my dad said, 'We'll go down together.'"

Both men were eventually rescued by another fisherman but they were never the same, said Price, 73, who recounted the story -- and others -- to students of Leland Public School as part of an oral history project called Leelanau Remembers.

The project, which spanned the 2008-09 school year, paired fourth-grade students and tenth-grade English students to collect, record and archive the personal testimony of older Leland area residents.

"We wanted to do something with biographies," said English teacher Jeanne Gross, who partnered with third- and fourth-grade teacher Kim Klein and the Leelanau Historical Museum to produce a 45-minute DVD that will join the museum's collection of oral histories.

The project won a 2009 Historical Society of Michigan State History Award -- the highest recognition presented by the state's official historical society. It was one of 13 projects in different categories that received awards at the society's 135th annual meeting and conference Oct. 2-4 on Mackinac Island.

The Leland students videotaped interviews with 10 local residents and edited nearly 11 hours of tape with the help of videographers Glen Petersen of Petersen Productions and Thom and Nancy Harris of Your Life Video. The students also composed the interview questions, conducted the interviews, transcribed the tapes and wrote biographical sketches of each candidate.

Although many of the candidates were reluctant to be interviewed at first, the project quickly gained momentum in the close-knit community, said Susan Odom, museum historic program manager.

"Most people discredit their experience: 'I picked potatoes; could there be anything more mundane?'" Odom said. "But that's what people are most interested in. People who have grown up here are rich sources of information about life in the area."

Kenyon McFarland interviewed Price, a Lake Leelanau strawberry farmer and retired bricklayer who was working on a construction job when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

"I was surprised that he remembered everything in such detail," said McFarland, 16.

Leland Realtor Bud Anderson related watching the original Leland school burn down and participating in a popular recess-time activity on an adjoining farm.

"There was a pig they used to ride and the farmer would get mad at him and tell him to get off," said Roger Crimmins, 10.

Former Leelanau Conservation District director Judy Egeler recalled being a disruptive student who frequently spent time in the principle's office and got spankings with a paddle, said Emma Richter, 10.

Besides collecting valuable information for the museum and the community, the project gave students a unique human perspective on world and local history and a new appreciation for older adults, said Klein.

"I think they've learned that stories are history," she said. "When they're around people, they listen to stories and make the connection."

The project may become a pilot for other area schools and could inspire youth to become museum volunteers, said museum director Egan McGlynn.

"We want to reach out to schools in Leelanau and make it relevant to them what we do here," she said.

Travel back in time

The DVD will be presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Leland's Performing Arts Center. The event is free and includes a visual time line exhibit.

The DVD also can be viewed at the Leelanau Historical Museum, where it is for sale for $10.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Rovi Announces Multi-year Agreement With RCN to License Rovi's ... - Consumer Electronics Net

Posted: 13 Oct 2009 06:06 AM PDT

October 13, 2009 --

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 13, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rovi Corporation (Nasdaq:ROVI) today announced that RCN, a leading broadband services provider delivering all-digital and high definition video, high-speed internet and premium voice services, has renewed its multi-year agreement to license Rovi's Passport(R) Guide software, applications and television data.

In its campaign to go 100% digital in its Boston, Chicago, metro Washington, D.C., New York and Pennsylvania markets, RCN eliminated all analog programming. To receive RCN's all digital programming, a set top box is now needed.

"In the highly evolving entertainment landscape, we understand the importance of providing our customer base with the best digital television offering available," said Jason Nealis, Senior Director of Video Product and Operations for RCN. "This extends beyond the addition of HD channels and requires an advanced programming guide that can help consumers easily navigate, sort, select and record television programming."

In addition, the agreement will enable RCN to transition to Rovi television data, which provides data for more than 2.5 million programs, with that list growing daily. With more than 50 years of television data experience, Rovi's television data provides insightful program descriptions, rich media content, celebrity biographies and TV schedules to connect consumers to their favorite programs and help them discover new ones.


"Our relationship with RCN demonstrates our commitment to deliver on RCN's long-term business needs through our guidance solutions, including the Passport(R) Guide, applications and television data," said Bob Shallow, SVP of Worldwide Sales, Service Providers. "We are pleased to work with RCN as it continues to expand the capability and reach of digital television to customers in North America."

Rovi's Passport(R) Guide is a high resolution interactive application suite created to support Motorola, Cisco and other compatible set-top boxes. RCN selected Rovi to provide its customers with an advanced digital entertainment experience that includes the latest Passport(R) Guide release enhancements:

* Attractive new high resolution display graphics and fonts for Motorola DCT2500, DCT700 and other set tops boxes for an improved visual experience * Automatic tuning to an HD channel when a consumer is tuned to a standard definition channel and a high definition channel is available * The ability to recover previously deleted DVR recordings with the new Lost & Found feature * New search and discovery capabilities that make it easier for consumers to discover more about their favorite shows, actors and directors

About RCN

RCN Corporation (Nasdaq:RCNI), www.rcn.com, is a competitive broadband services provider delivering all-digital and high definition video, high-speed internet and premium voice services to residential and small-medium business customers under the brand names of RCN and RCN Business Services, respectively. In addition, through its RCN Metro Optical Networks business unit, RCN delivers fiber-based high-capacity data transport services to large commercial customers, primarily large enterprises and carriers, targeting the metropolitan central business districts in the company's geographic markets. RCN's primary service areas include Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley (PA), New York City, Boston and Chicago. (RCNI-G)

About Rovi Corporation

Rovi Corporation is focused on revolutionizing the digital entertainment landscape by delivering solutions that enable consumers to intuitively connect to new entertainment from many sources and locations. The company also provides extensive entertainment discovery solutions for television, movies, music and photos to its customers in the consumer electronics, cable and satellite, entertainment and online distribution markets. These solutions, complemented by industry leading entertainment data, create the connections between people and technology, and enable them to discover and manage entertainment in an enjoyable form.

Rovi holds over 4,000 issued or pending patents worldwide and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with numerous offices across the United States and around the world including Japan, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom. More information about Rovi can be found at www.rovicorp.com.

The Rovi Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6482

Forward Looking Statements

All statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact, including statements that use the words "will" or "is expected to," or similar words that describe the Company's or its management's future plans, objectives, or goals, are "forward-looking statements" and are made pursuant to the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results and/or from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors are further addressed in the Company's most recent report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009 and such other documents as are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time (available at www.sec.gov). The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release, except as required by law.

CONTACT: Rovi Corporation Linda Quach 408.562.8504 linda.quach@rovicorp.com Text 100 Public Relations for Rovi Starlayne Meza 415.593.8431 starm@text100.com

Rovi Corporation Logo

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Amarin Announces Changes to Its Board and Management Team - Genetic Engineering News

Posted: 13 Oct 2009 07:11 AM PDT

Oct 13 2009, 9:58 AM EST

Amarin Announces Changes to Its Board and Management Team

News source: Business Wire

Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ:AMRN) today announced changes to its board and management team, in conjunction with its separately announced $70 million private placement.

Following the closing of the financing, Mr. Thomas Lynch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amarin, has decided he will step down as CEO and will continue as Chairman. Dr. Declan Doogan, Amarin's Head of Research and Development, has agreed to assume the role of Interim CEO.

Mr. Lynch, who has served as Amarin's Chairman since 2000, commented "I became CEO of Amarin two years ago in order to reposition the Company to take advantage of the multi-billion dollar cardiovascular opportunity represented by AMR101 and to ensure that we had the financial underpinnings to bring this program to fruition. Over the past 12 months, we have significantly de-risked the Phase 3 program with two Special Protocol Assessment agreements with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and now, with the announcement of today's financing, the program is funded through NDA filing. It is now my intention to step down as CEO on closing. On behalf of Amarin's board of directors I would like to wish Dr. Doogan every success in the execution of the Phase 3 program."

The financing was led by existing investor, Fountain Healthcare Partners, on behalf of funds affiliated with other existing investors Sofinnova Ventures, Orbimed Advisors and Longitude Capital. The new investor group was led by funds affiliated with Abingworth LLP and included APG Asset Management, Great Point Partners, Tavistock Life Sciences Company and RA Capital. Dr. Manus Rogan of Fountain Healthcare Partners and Dr. Joseph Anderson of Abingworth LLP will join Amarin's board of directors.

Thomas Lynch, added "We are delighted to have signed for this substantial funding, to have the continuing support of our existing investors and the participation of new and well-recognised investors. The closing of the financing will enable Amarin to progress the Company's two Phase 3 clinical trials with AMR101 in patients with very high triglyceride levels and mixed dyslipidemia through to an NDA filing, which is anticipated to occur not later than 2012."

Incoming director Dr. Manus Rogan, commented "On behalf of the existing investors I would like to thank Thomas Lynch for his critical role in leading Amarin through a remarkable transition over the past two years, culminating in today's financing. He and his team have attracted a group of top tier international investors in an oversubscribed offering during a very challenging time in the financial markets. I would also like to welcome Dr. Declan Doogan to his new role and look forward to working with him on advancing AMR101 successfully through Phase 3 clinical trials and onto the market."

Dr. Joseph Anderson, Partner at Abingworth, who will join the board on closing, added "We are delighted to join Amarin at such an exciting and crucial time in its development. We believe the Company has a tremendous asset in AMR101, with a clear route to regulatory approval and a highly experienced development team. We believe AMR101 will be a successful drug and, with this financing in place, we believe Amarin has the necessary resources to progress the final stages of its development."

Following the closing of this financing, Amarin's Board will comprise Mr. Thomas Lynch; Dr. Joseph Anderson; Dr. Lars Ekman; Dr. Carl Gordon; Dr. James Healy; and Dr. Manus Rogan. The Board intends to appoint two additional independent directors post closing. Dr. John Climax, Dr. William Mason and Mr. Anthony Russell-Roberts are retiring from the board on closing of this financing.

Mr. Lynch further added "I would like to thank our retiring board members for their contribution especially over the last two years when their support to me was invaluable."

Biographies of the new directors follow:

Manus Rogan, PhD, is a Co-founder and Managing Partner at Fountain Healthcare Partners. He began his career in product development at GlaxoSmithkline in the UK. He completed an MBA at Trinity College Dublin in 1996 and joined Elan Corporation's business development group shortly thereafter. For four years he was responsible for licensing Elan's products and drug delivery technologies in Europe and Japan. In 2001, Dr. Rogan joined Elan's corporate VC group in the U.S. where he was involved in the sourcing, screening and management of investments in private and public biotechnology companies. In his seven years at Elan, Dr. Rogan concluded over twenty five investment and technology licensing transactions involving companies in the U.S., Europe and Japan. He has a PhD in chemistry.

Joseph Anderson, PhD, is a Partner at Abingworth LLP, an international investment group dedicated to the life sciences and healthcare sectors. He leads private investments in public companies in the U.S. and Europe and manages open-market portfolios of small-cap public equities. He has more than 20 years experience as a Fund Manager and Analyst in the pharmaceutical and bioscience sectors. Dr. Anderson was previously at First State Investments in London, part of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where he was Head of Global Healthcare Equities and Portfolio Manager. Prior to this, he was Pharmaceuticals Analyst at investment bank, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson. From 1990–98, Dr. Anderson established and was Head of the Strategy Unit at the Wellcome Trust, one of the world's largest medical foundations. Dr. Anderson is currently a Director of Algeta ASA, a publicly quoted oncology company developing radiopharmaceuticals and a Director of Abingworth BioEquities, an offshore investment fund. He has a PhD in Biochemistry.

The securities to be issued by the Company in the equity financing will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), may not be offered or sold in the United States and may not be resold by the purchasers thereof, in each case, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. The securities will not be sold in any jurisdiction in which such offering would be unlawful.

About Amarin
Amarin is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a focus on cardiovascular disease. The Company's lead product candidate is AMR101, a prescription grade Omega-3 product comprising not less than 96% ultra-pure ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is entering Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and mixed dyslipidemia under Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreements with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Amarin also has next-generation lipid candidates under evaluation for preclinical development. Amarin recently established its research and development headquarters in Mystic, Connecticut with an experienced research and development team. Amarin's programs capitalize on its lipid science expertise and the known therapeutic benefits of Omega-3 products in treating cardiovascular disease.

Amarin has a number of non-core programs for partnering in the area of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including Huntington's disease, myasthenia gravis and Parkinson's disease. Amarin is listed in the U.S. on the NASDAQ Capital Market ("AMRN"). For more information please visit www.amarincorp.com.

Disclosure Notice

The information contained in this document is as of October 13, 2009. Amarin assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information or future events or developments. This document contains forward-looking statements about Amarin's products in development that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "forecast", "intend", "plan", "believe" and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance or events. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein are the following: Amarin's ability to maintain sufficient cash and other liquid resources to meet its operating and debt service requirements; growth in costs and expenses; and risks relating to the Company's ability to maintain its Nasdaq listing. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in Amarin's Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the SEC on May 19, 2008 and Amarin's Form 20-F/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the SEC on September 24, 2008.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.
Posted by at

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)