New England Biolabs® (NEB®) announces the release of the NEBNext Library Quant Kit for Illumina®, a qPCR-based solution for accurate next generation sequencing library quantitation. This kit offers several improvements over other commercially available library quantitation methods, including greater accuracy and, consequently, higher correlation with cluster numbers, higher reproducibility, a more convenient protocol and supplied kit components.

Quantitation of NGS libraries is a key step in maximizing the value and data quality of each sequencing run. Specifically for Illumina sequencing, accurate quantitation enables optimal sequence output by achieving optimal cluster densities.  Further, by employing qPCR amplification, rather than electrophoresis or spectrophotometry, it becomes possible to selectively quantitate only those molecules that contain both of the adaptor sequences required for successful sequencing, further increasing the accuracy and specificity of the library quant values.

"Accuracy and reproducibility are essential to NGS library quantitation methods – the NEBNext Library Quant Kit delivers both, for libraries with a broad range of insert sizes and GC content. This is due to extremely high quality components, and a number of re-imagined steps that result in an easier workflow and more reliable results than other qPCR-based kits," shared Fiona Stewart, NEBNext Product Marketing Manager at NEB. "The standards included in the kit are produced and quantitated with great accuracy. Since only 4 standards are required, wells are freed up for quantitating additional libraries. Finally, an easy-to-use online quant tool, NEBioCalculator®, is available from NEB, rounding out this complete solution for library quantitation."

For added convenience, the NEBNext Library Quant Kit includes a concentrated Library Dilution Buffer and ROX, a reference dye used for normalization with some qPCR instruments. A single extension time is required for all libraries, regardless of insert size. Value priced, the NEBNext kit brings improved performance, higher quality, and the reliable support available from NEB's scientific customer support staff.

For more details about the NEBNext Library Quant Kit, visit www.neb.com/E7630.

To access NEBioCalculator, visit NEBioCalculator.neb.com.

About New England Biolabs

Established in the mid 1970's, New England Biolabs, Inc. (NEB) is the industry leader in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications and now offers the largest selection of recombinant and native enzymes for genomic research. NEB continues to expand its product offerings into areas related to PCR, gene expression, sample preparation for next generation sequencing, synthetic biology, glycobiology, epigenetics and RNA analysis. Additionally, NEB is focused on strengthening alliances that enable new technologies to reach key market sectors, including molecular diagnostics development. New England Biolabs is a privately held company, headquartered in Ipswich, MA, and has extensive worldwide distribution through a network of exclusive distributors, agents and seven subsidiaries located in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the UK. For more information about New England Biolabs visit www.neb.com.
NEB®, NEW ENGLAND BIOLABS®, NEBIOCALCULATOR® and NEBNEXT® are registered trademarks of New England Biolabs, Inc.

ILLUMINA® is a registered trademark of Illumina, Inc.

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SOURCE New England Biolabs, Inc.

Hospital admissions of obese patients have tripled in the last 20 years, and bariatric patients now represent nearly 10 percent of all hospital admissions.1 Health care providers often find themselves caring for this influx of bariatric patients with equipment ill-suited to their needs. Two new additions to the Hill-Rom (NYSE: HRC) bariatric portfolio, the new Compella™ Bariatric Bed and the LikoGuard™ Lift system, are designed to ensure hospitals have access to advanced equipment with the flexibility to serve the bariatric patient's needs.

"When I started in nursing in 1985, a 300-pound patient was one of the largest patients we saw in our health care facility.  That is not the case anymore. In 2015, I may have five of those patients having surgery in a week," says Sue Bunnell, RN, Bariatrics Center Manager, Princeton Baptist Medical Center, Birmingham, Ala. "We have to have equipment that patients can fit in comfortably and that nurses can work well with. We need to be prepared for when these patients come see us in the hospital."

Hill-Rom is advancing capital and rental equipment offerings to help hospitals transform bariatric patient care by creating solutions that streamline workflow and ensure caregivers can provide safe, high-quality care while protecting patient dignity.

The Compella™ Bariatric Bed: Centerpiece of the Hospital Room

The Compella™ Bariatric Bed is custom-designed for the needs of the bariatric patient and caregiver. The bed's automation helps streamline workflow. For example, both the width and length of the bed can expand automatically with the touch of a button. In addition, its IntelliDrive® XL powered transport system makes patient transport more efficient by allowing one caregiver or technician to easily navigate doorways and hallways.  Finally, the Compella bed provides lung and skin therapies, as well as customizable exit alarms, to enable greater patient safety and help prevent ventilator-associated complications, pressure ulcers and patient falls.

"Patients of size often do not feel welcome in hospitals. They are not able to receive the same level of care as normal-sized patients," says Bunnell.  "When we let them know we can make their bed appropriate for them, they're pleased to see that we meet their individual needs. We can move the patient using power drive with no stress, no strain. The patient does not see four people struggling to pull their bed down the hall.  They see caregivers who are able to take good care of them."

Moving and Lifting Patients Safely and Easily with the LikoGuard™ Lift

Nurses and healthcare workers suffer three times as many back injuries as construction workers and a third of those injuries are associated with caring for bariatric patients. Rising obesity rates increase the physical demands on nurses caring for patients, making patient lift systems essential, particularly as the number of larger patients increases.  The LikoGuard Lift includes a complete redesign that enhances clinical workflow while protecting both patients and caregivers from injury.

The LikoGuard ceiling-mounted unit offers high safe working loads and carefully designed safety features that were extensively and aggressively tested to ensure caregivers can use them with confidence. Ease-of-use by nurses was closely considered to ensure lifts would enhance clinical workflow – for example, hand controls were redesigned to be easier to use and to offer a graphical interface that provides quick access user and service data.

Taken together, these products are an important step toward innovating the equipment hospitals use to ensure that all patients can receive advanced care, regardless of size. "The bariatric population has been increasing and for too long these patients and their caregivers have not had the technology solutions they need for optimal care," says Alton Shader, Senior Vice President and President, North America, at Hill-Rom. "Products like the Compella bed and the LikoGuard lift are evidence of our commitment to transform bariatric care, helping hospitals to be prepared to care for all their patients with the same high standards and advanced solutions."

ABOUT HILL-ROM

Hill-Rom is a leading global medical technology company with more than 7,000 employees worldwide.  We partner with health care providers in more than 100 countries by focusing on patient care solutions that improve clinical and economic outcomes in five core areas: Advancing Mobility, Wound Care and Prevention, Clinical Workflow, Surgical Safety and Efficiency, and Respiratory Health. Hill-Rom's people, products, and programs work towards one mission: Every day, around the world, we enhance outcomes for patients and their caregivers.

www.hill-rom.com

1Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Statistical Brief #137, Obesity-Related Hospitalizations, 2004 versus 2009.  Available at: http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb137.jsp

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SOURCE Hill-Rom

OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: OGXI) today announced that clinical data on its lead product candidates, custirsen and apatorsen, will be presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago from May 29-June 2. Custirsen and apatorsen are currently being evaluated in two Phase 3 trials and five Phase 2 trials, respectively, across a variety of cancer indications, including prostate, non-small cell lung, pancreatic and bladder cancers.

"The SYNERGY and Borealis-1™ data to be presented at ASCO provide substantial clinical evidence that our products have the potential to improve survival in the most vulnerable patients – those at risk for poor outcomes," said Scott Cormack, president and CEO of OncoGenex. "These data underscore the importance of understanding the factors that drive poor outcomes across tumor types and evaluating these compounds in the specific patient sub-populations that are most likely to benefit, as well as in the most aggressive cancers where survival rates are persistently low."

The ASCO schedule, abstract information and meeting locations for the sessions include:

Phase III SYNERGY trial: Docetaxel +/- custirsen and overall survival in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and poor prognosis (Poster, Abstract #5009) Poster: Saturday, May 30, 1:15 PM CDT – S Hall A

Poster Discussion: Saturday, May 30, 4:45 PM CDT – E Arie Crown Theater

First-line randomized phase II study of gemcitabine/cisplatin plus apatorsen or placebo in patients with advanced bladder cancer: The International Borealis-1 trial (Oral Session, Abstract #4503) Monday, June 1, 9:45 AM CDT – E Arie Crown Theater

The Borealis-2™ clinical trial: A randomized phase 2 study of OGX-427 (Apatorsen) plus docetaxel versus docetaxel alone in relapsed/refractory metastatic urothelial cancer (Poster, Abstract #TPS4577) Monday June 1, 1:15 PM CDT – S Hall A, Board #247b

Addition of apatorsen, an inhibitor of Hsp27, to first-line gemcitabine/carboplatin in advanced squamous cell lung cancer: Design of the Cedar™ study (Poster, Abstract #TPS8111) Monday June 1, 8:00 AM CDT – S Hall A, Board #431b 

About Custirsen

Custirsen is an experimental drug that is designed to block the production of the protein clusterin, which may play a fundamental role in cancer cell survival and treatment resistance. Clusterin is upregulated in tumor cells in response to treatment interventions such as chemotherapy, hormone ablation and radiation therapy and has been found to be overexpressed in a number of cancers, including prostate, lung, breast and bladder. Increased clusterin production has been linked to faster rates of cancer progression, treatment resistance and shorter survival duration in patients. By inhibiting clusterin, custirsen is designed to alter tumor dynamics, slowing tumor growth and resistance to partner treatments, so that the benefits of therapy, including survival, may be extended.

Custirsen has Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for NSCLC and metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

About Apatorsen and ORCA™
Apatorsen (OGX-427) is a once-weekly intravenous (IV) experimental drug that is designed to inhibit production of heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) to disable cancer cells' defenses and overcome treatment resistance. Hsp27 is an intracellular protein that protects cancer cells by helping them survive, leading to resistance and more aggressive cancer phenotypes. Both the potential single-agent activity and synergistic activity of apatorsen with cancer treatments may increase the overall benefit of existing therapies and augment the durability of treatment outcomes, which could lead to increased patient survival.

The ORCA (Ongoing Studies Evaluating Treatment Resistance in CAncer) program encompasses clinical trials of apatorsen. Phase 2 clinical trials are underway in bladder, lung, pancreatic and prostate cancers. For more information on apatorsen and ORCA, please visit www.OncoGenex.com or www.orcatrials.com.

About OncoGenex
OncoGenex is a biopharmaceutical company committed to the development and commercialization of new therapies that address treatment resistance in cancer patients. OncoGenex has a diverse oncology pipeline, with each product candidate having a distinct mechanism of action and representing a unique opportunity for cancer drug development. Custirsen is currently in Phase 3 clinical development as a treatment in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer and in patients with advanced, unresectable non-small cell lung cancer. Apatorsen is in Phase 2 clinical development and OGX-225 is currently in pre-clinical development. More information is available at www.OncoGenex.com and at the company's Twitter account: https://twitter.com/OncoGenex_IR.

Veloxis has announced that once-daily Envarsus® XR, an investigational new drug under FDA review for the prevention of organ rejection in adult kidney transplant patients, demonstrated that a lower dose of once-daily Envarsus® XR in African-American kidney transplant patients is sufficient to achieve therapeutic tacrolimus blood concentrations, compared to twice-daily immediate release tacrolimus.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has set a briefing schedule that enabled complete briefing in its pending case by 3 March, 2015. Veloxis is seeking an order requiring FDA to grant final approval to Envarsus® XR. While Veloxis currently expects the matter to be resolved by mid-year 2015, it is possible that delays may occur. There can be no assurance that Veloxis will be successful in its action against FDA.

Veloxis is preparing for launch of Envarsus® XR in the US in the second half of 2015, either for the full indication that would include both de novo and conversion kidney transplant patients or for a more narrow initial indication in the conversion setting.

Veloxis reported a net loss of DKK 27.0 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to a net loss of DKK 20.0 million for the same period in 2014. The reported net loss is in line with expectations and the financial outlook for 2015 is maintained.

For the first quarter of 2015, Veloxis' sales and marketing costs amounted to DKK 9.8 million. Research and development costs amounted to DKK 20.8 million compared to DKK 26.6 million during the same period in 2014.

On 31 March, 2015, Veloxis had cash and cash equivalents of DKK 233.6 million.

Outlook for 2015
Veloxis maintains its 2015 outlook with an operating loss of DKK 200 – 240 million and a net loss of DKK 195 – 235 million for the financial year 2015.

On 31 March 2015, the Company's cash position equaled DKK 233.6 million, and on 31 December 2015, the Company's cash position is expected to be in the range of DKK 55 – 95 million.

Conference call
A conference call will be held tomorrow, 21 May, 2015 at 3:00 PM CET (Denmark); 2:00 PM GMT (London), 9:00 AM EDT (New York).

To access the live conference call, please dial one of the following numbers:
+45 32 71 16 60 (Denmark)
+44 (0) 20 3427 1913 (UK)
+1 212 444 0896 (USA)
Access code 7709988
Following the conference call, a recording will be available on the company's website http://www.veloxis.com.

Business update
Envarsus® in kidney transplant patients
Veloxis has conducted two Phase III studies of Envarsus® in kidney transplant recipients as the basis for its development programme for Envarsus® as a once-daily agent for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in kidney transplantation. The first of these studies, the 3001 Study, was a non-inferiority study performed in 326 stable kidney transplant recipients, and was successfully completed in 2011, meeting its primary efficacy and safety endpoints when compared to Prograf® (tacrolimus, Astellas Pharma Inc.). The second study, Study 3002 was a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study that compared once-daily Envarsus® against twice-daily Prograf® in 543 de novo adult kidney transplant patients and met its primary efficacy and primary safety endpoints. The primary endpoint of the study was a composite endpoint of treatment failure (biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft failure, loss to follow up or death) that was evaluated after a 12-month treatment period to demonstrate the non-inferiority of Envarsus® compared to Prograf®. The treatment failure rate for Envarsus® was 18.3% compared to 19.6% for Prograf®, and the difference between the treatments was well within the 10% pre-specified non-inferiority margin. The primary safety analyses were the differences between Envarsus® and Prograf® treatment groups at Month 12 (Day 360) with respect to the incidence of adverse events (AEs) and the incidence of predefined potentially clinically significant laboratory measures including: fasting plasma glucose; platelet count; white blood cell (WBC) count; aminotransaminases; total cholesterol; low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol; triglycerides; and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In all instances, there were no statistically significant differences between the two treatments. Specifically, renal function was similar between the two groups at 12 months, as was the incidence of malignancy, infections and new onset diabetes during this period. The study had a one-year extension period which produced similar outcomes.

In addition to the pivotal Phase III studies, Veloxis is conducting a series of Phase IIIb/IV studies to further evaluate potential differences in clinical profile provided by Envarsus®' unique PK profile. The first study completed was the STRATO (Switching kidney TRAnsplant patients with Tremor to LCP-tacrO) study of Envarsus® in kidney transplant recipients experiencing drug-induced tremors. The STRATO study was designed to explore whether a conversion of patients who have symptomatic tremor from treatment with standard immediate release twice-daily tacrolimus capsules to extended release once-daily Envarsus® tablets leads to a measurable improvement in tremor. Results from this study demonstrated that patients switched to Envarsus® demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in hand tremors based on improvement in the FTM Tremor rating scale. Additionally, both the patient- and physician-reported global assessments demonstrated significant overall improvements following the switch to Envarsus®.

Additionally, the ASERTAA (A Study of Extended Release Tacrolimus in African-Americans) Phase IIIb study of Envarsus® in kidney transplant recipients is ongoing. The ASERTAA study is designed to compare the pharmacokinetics of Envarsus® given once-daily to immediate-release twice daily tacrolimus capsules (IR-Tac) in stable African-American renal transplant patients. Primary pharmacokinetic results from this study were presented at the American Transplant Congress in Philadelpia on 3 May, 2015. The key outcomes from this study were:

The overall PK differences (increased absorption [p<0.0001], lower peak blood concentrations [p<0.0001], less peak-to-tough fluctuation in blood levels [p<0.0001]) between Envarsus XR and IR-Tac capsules seen previously in studies of kidney transplant recipients were also confirmed in this exclusively African-American patient population.

The optimal conversion ratio for once-daily extended release Envarsus XR was shown to be approximately 20% lower than the total IR-Tac.

Peak tacrolimus concentration (Cmax) was reduced 30% for patients on Envarsus while intra-day fluctuation was reduced 50%.

Envarsus XR's PK parameters were less impacted by CYP3A5 genotype. IR-Tac was more affected by the presence of the *1 allele, driven primarily by the need to increase dose to achieve therapeutic trough levels, which also resulted in an incremental increase in tacrolimus intra-day peak levels.

Conversion of African-American patients from IR-Tac to Envarsus XR was demonstrated to be readily achieved with a reduction in dose of approximately 20% without concern for genotype status.

In addition, the ASTCOFF (A STeady-state Pharmacokinetic Comparison Of all FK-506 Formulations) Phase IIIb study is ongoing. This study looks to examine the pharmacokinetic differences between Envarsus and the other two tacrolimus formulations commercially available, namely Astagraf XL and Prograf. Primary results from this study are anticipated during 2Q 2015.

Envarsus® Regulatory Strategy

On 29 April, 2013 a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) was submitted by Veloxis to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) seeking approval to market Envarsus® for the prevention of organ rejection in transplant patients in the European Union. The MAA submission was based on the favourable results of the Envarsus® Phase III 3001 Study in stable kidney transplant patients and data from an extensive Phase I and II clinical programme and has been accepted for review by the EMA. On 28 July, 2014, it was announced that the European Commission granted marketing authorization for Envarsus® for the prevention of organ rejection in adult kidney and liver transplant patients in the European Union (EU).  Veloxis' marketing and distribution partner Chiesi Farmaceutici launched Envarsus in the EU in late 2014, with launches in Germany and the Netherlands, followed by launch in the UK and Denmark in 2015. Additional launches are anticipated for the majority of the major EU countries during 2015, once local requirements
such as pricing negotiations have been completed.

Veloxis submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval for the marketing and sale of Envarsus® XR in the US for the prevention of organ rejection in kidney transplant recipients on 30 December, 2013. On 30 October, 2014 the FDA granted Tentative Approval for Envarsus® XR for the prophylaxis of rejection in kidney transplant patients. FDA stated that the final approval of Envarsus® XR will be delayed until expiration of the exclusivity period for Astellas' Astagraf XL®, for the treatment of newly transplanted ('de novo') patients. The tentative approval notification received from FDA included agreement with manufacturing post-marketing commitments as previously proposed by Veloxis during NDA review as well as agreement on final labeling for the product. Veloxis disagrees that exclusivity for Astagraf XL®, which was not identified as a listed drug or relied upon to support approval of Envarsus® XR, should require delay in the formal approval of Envarsus® XR.  On 16 December, 2014, Veloxis announced that it has filed an action against the FDA, seeking an order requiring FDA to grant final approval to Envarsus® XR. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has set a briefing schedule that enabled complete briefing in this case by 3 March, 2015.  Veloxis currently expects the matter to be resolved by mid-year 2015, but it is possible that delays may occur. 

Veloxis is preparing for launch of Envarsus® XR in the US in the second half of 2015, either for the full indication in kidney transplant recipients that would include both de novo and conversion patients or for a more narrow initial indication in the conversion setting.

Revenue
For the first quarter of 2015 Veloxis recognized revenue of DKK 4.3 million compared to DKK 12.2 million in the same period of 2014. Revenue in 2015 consist of commercial sales to Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. and revenue in 2014 consist of up-front and milestone payments under Veloxis' distribution agreement with Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. Envarsus is currently launched in Germany, Netherlands, UK and Denmark.

Sales and marketing costs
For the first quarter of 2015, Veloxis' sales and marketing costs amounted to DKK 9.8 million compared to DKK 0 million during the same period in 2014. This reflects the building of the marketing and sales infrastructure in the US.

Research and development costs
For the first quarter of 2015, Veloxis' research and development costs amounted to DKK 20.8 million compared to DKK 26.6 million during the same period in 2014. The reduction in cost is associated with the overall reduction in study activity as some studies have now been completed.

Administrative expenses
For the first quarter of 2015, Veloxis' administrative cost amounted to DKK 16.0 million compared to DKK 7.7 million during the same period in 2014. The increase in cost is mainly attributable to legal fees in connection with legal actions against the FDA.

Compensation costs
For the first quarter of 2015, a total of DKK 2.7 million was recognized as share-based compensation. The cost is included in S&M, R&D and Admin. The comparable cost for 2014 was DKK 1.8 million.

In the first quarter of 2015, a total of 221,646 warrants have been cancelled, a total of 93,416 warrants have been exercised at an exercise price of DKK 0.35, and a total of 15,091,700 warrants were granted to Executive Management at a strike price of DKK 0.94, a total of 4,748,092 warrants at a strike price of DKK 0.86 was granted to Board of Directors and a total of 8,609,143 warrants at a strike price of DKK 0.94 was granted to other employees.

On 31 March, 2015, there were a total of 128,854,009 warrants outstanding at an average strike price of DKK 0.76. Members of the Board of Directors held 5,137,676 warrants at an average strike price of DKK 0.94. Members of the Executive Management held 76,370,781 warrants at an average strike price of DKK 0.59, while other current and former employees held 47,345,552 warrants at an average strike price of DKK 1.01.

Please refer to Veloxis' latest annual report for additional details on the Company's warrant programs.

Operating loss
Veloxis' operating loss for the first quarter of 2015 was DKK 46.5 million compared to DKK 22.2 million in the corresponding period of 2014.

Financial income
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company recognized net financial income of DKK 18.0 million compared to net financial income of DKK 0.7 million in the corresponding period of 2014. The income is mainly due to unrealized currency gains following an increase in the USD / DKK currency rate during the first quarter of 2015.

Net loss
Veloxis' net loss for the first quarter of 2015 was DKK 27.0 million compared to DKK 20.0 million in the corresponding period of 2014.

Cash flow
On 31 March, 2015, the balance sheet reflects cash and cash equivalents of DKK 233.6 million compared to DKK 270.4 million on 31 December, 2014. This represents a decrease of DKK 36.8 million primarily related to the Company's operating activities for the period.

Balance sheet
On 31 March, 2015, total assets were DKK 262.7 million compared to DKK 293.7 million at the end of 2014.

Shareholders' equity equalled DKK 228.7 million on 31 March, 2015, compared to DKK 253.2 million at the end of 2014.

Significant risks and uncertainties

Executive Management's and the Board of Directors' Statement on the Interim Report

The Executive Management and the Board of Directors have considered and adopted the Interim Report for the 3 months ended 31 March 2015 of Veloxis Pharmaceuticals A/S.
The Interim Report is prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard No. 34 (IAS 34), "Interim Financial Reporting" and additional Danish disclosure requirements for financial reporting of listed companies.
We consider the applied accounting policies to be appropriate and, in our opinion, the Interim Report gives a true and fair view of the assets and liabilities, financial position, results of the operation and cash flow of the group for the period under review. Furthermore, in our opinion the management review includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the financial position of the group, together with a description of the material risks and uncertainties the group faces.

Notes
1.Accounting policies
The interim report is prepared in compliance with International Accounting Standard No. 34 (IAS 34), "Interim Financial Reporting" and in accordance with the NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen's financial reporting requirements for listed companies.

There have been no changes in accounting policies used for the interim report compared to the accounting policies used in the preparation of Veloxis Pharmaceuticals' annual report for 2014.

2.Research and development costs
We track research and development costs by activity, as follows: (a) product development and manufacturing, (b) medical and regulatory operations, and (c) direct preclinical and clinical programs. Research and development costs include personnel, manufacturing and quality operations, pharmaceutical and device development, research, clinical, regulatory, other preclinical and clinical activities, medical affairs and other costs including cost of premises, depreciation and amortization related to research and development activities. Research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred.

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), the $15 billion global provider of award-winning services in food, facilities management and uniforms, is celebrating National Salad Month (May) with recipes and menus featuring fruit and vegetables grown and harvested from local farms and gardens.

Aramark is celebrating National Salad Month (May) with recipes and menus featuring fruit and vegetables grown and harvested from local farms and gardens.

"Aramark is committed to finding innovative ways to enrich and nourish the lives of those we serve with unique health, wellness and environmental programs," said Brent Franks, Chief Operating Officer of Aramark's Education division.  "Responsible purchasing is a priority for us, and sourcing locally, whether from partnerships with area suppliers or from onsite gardens, has a positive impact on the environment, on our local economies, and on our health."

Aramark sources ingredients and products from counties and states surrounding client locations whenever possible, including from onsite gardens, farms, and orchards. Sustainable and local products are incorporated into its dining operations, while meeting all industry safety standards.

Several Aramark locations have introduced onsite gardens that are used as demonstration sites and in some instances, provide fresh herbs and produce for dishes served at the various venues. For example:

Coors Field in Denver, introduced baseball's first onsite, sustainable garden producing food for use in the stadium, three seasons ago. The 600-square-foot garden mimics the layout of a baseball stadium, and provides Aramark with herbs and vegetables for use in Coors Field's Mountain Ranch Club menu and build-your-own salad station.

At Clemson University in South Carolina, produce grown in campus gardens is served in the university's dining halls and food courts. Blue cheese made and ripened at the school's agricultural center is featured on the menu along with locally grown almonds, peaches, and Bibb lettuce. 

The University of North Carolina Wilmington's (UNCW) aquaponic tank, located in the middle of the school's Wagoner Dining Hall, combines aquaculture and hydroponic technology, allowing plants and fish to coexist. The special tank is expected to produce herbs and vegetables.

This baseball season, the Boston Red Sox introduced "Fenway Farms," a rooftop garden behind the Gate A Fenway Park facade that grows vegetables and herbs used in food products prepared at the ballpark, including menu items in the EMC Club restaurant. At 5,000 square feet, "Fenway Farms" is the largest onsite garden in Major League Baseball.

The Anaheim Convention Center utilizes a 2,000-square-foot rooftop garden, equipped with an irrigation system, indigenous ground cover and 16 wooden boxes, for growing fresh herbs used in the culinary operation. In addition to the rooftop herb garden, the convention center boasts an onsite composting and recycling center, and is currently installing an onsite, hydroponic micro-greens garden.

Across its vast portfolio, Aramark is committed to providing safe, nutritious, quality food and has taken steps to ensure that many products, including its fresh produce, are grown and sourced in a responsible way. In addition to supplying fresh food, Aramark's local sourcing results in other benefits including greater transparency in the way food is produced and a positive impact on the local economy. Aramark's environmental commitments address responsible purchasing, efficient operations, waste minimization and fleet management.

Want to recreate the farm-to-table experience at home? Try the following recipe, utilizing ingredients currently grown near you.

Coors Field Garden Salad

Serves 6

Ingredients:
4 Ripe tomatoes large diced
4 Peppers large diced
12 Beans cut on a bias and blanched

Dressing:
3 Tablespoons of fresh herbs (whatever is freshest)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 clove minced garlic
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:
Cut all vegetables so they are approximately the same size.
Make dressing by adding all Ingredients except oil into a bowl.
Slowly whisk in oil until thick.
Mix dressing with vegetables and chill for up to one hour.

About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) is in the customer service business across food, facilities and uniforms, wherever people work, learn, recover, and play.  United by a passion to serve, our approximately 270,000 employees deliver experiences that enrich and nourish the lives of millions of people in 21 countries around the world every day.  Aramark is recognized among the Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE and the World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
Aramark

Contact:
David Freireich
215-238-4078
Freireich-david@aramark.com
Erin Noss
215-409-7403
Noss-erin@aramark.com
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150520/217556

It's normal to have uric acid in your body, but too much can increase your risk for gout – an extremely painful form of inflammatory arthritis that often presents with other health issues, including kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes and permanent joint and tissue damage. Despite this, just 10 percent of gout sufferers are being properly treated – and more than one-third have not had their uric acid checked in the past five years.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7420351-gout-uric-acid-go-for-six-campaign/

To raise awareness about the need for timely treatment for gout – including regular monitoring of serum uric acid (sUA) levels – the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society (GUAES) has introduced a new "Go for Six" campaign. The campaign urges those who have or who are at risk for gout to get their sUA levels checked every six months, and to work with their doctor to determine a treatment plan for controlling gout and keeping sUA levels to a healthy 6 mg/dL or below.

"Keeping uric acid levels below 6 mg/dL is vital to minimizing risk for gout and other health issues. But while many Americans are aware of other target health numbers – such as for blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol and blood sugar – few know their uric acid levels," said N. Lawrence Edwards, M.D., rheumatologist and GUAES chairman. "Through the 'Go for Six' campaign, we hope to educate more gout sufferers about the importance of getting their sUA levels checked regularly – and monitoring them to ensure they're at a healthy level."

On May 22 – National Gout Awareness Day – GUAES will kick off its "Go for Six" campaign with a satellite media tour featuring rheumatologist and gout expert, Dr. Brian Mandell, as well as football legend and gout sufferer, Anthony "Spice" Adams. A former player for the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers, Adams was diagnosed with gout at the age of 29 during a break from the Chicago Bears' 2009 season.

"Before I even came back for the season, I had to be put on the injury report – the pain was excruciating," said Adams. "Today I avoid painful gout flares by taking medicine daily to lower my uric acid. I also exercise, stay hydrated and limit food triggers like red meat."

Educational materials available through the "Go for Six" campaign include a patient-focused poster and brochure, which overview the importance of regular sUA testing and monitoring. These materials can be downloaded and ordered free-of-charge at GoutEducation.org.

About GUAES
The Gout & Uric Acid Education Society is a nonprofit organization of health care professionals dedicated to educating the public and health care community about gout – the most common form of inflammatory arthritis – and the related consequences of hyperuricemia. Learn more at gouteducation.org. Twitter: @GoutEducation