Sanofi has winning cancer drug, but short patent

June 1st, 2009

LONDON (Reuters) – Sanofi-Aventis may have bagged a winning cancer drug when it agreed to buy privately held BiPar Sciences for up to $500 million in April, but a short patent could limit the French group’s scope to cash in on sales.

BiPar’s BSI-201 has emerged as one of the most promising new products at this year’s ASCO cancer conference in Orlando, Florida, with positive mid-stage trial results helping lift Sanofi shares by more than 3 percent on Monday.

But there is a fly in the ointment. A Sanofi spokesman said on Monday that the main U.S. composition patent on the medicine was valid only until 2013, though this could be extended by five years.

In Europe, the patent runs to 2014 and Sanofi will have 10 years data exclusivity after approval.

“These facts probably explain the relatively modest agreed price for the BiPar deal,” analysts at Morgan Stanley said in a research note.

They estimate BSI-201 could sell between $1 billion and $4 billion a year to Sanofi’s 2016 revenues, with a U.S. launch as possible by late 2010.

On the face of it, that makes the price Sanofi’s new chief executive, Chris Viehbacher, paid for BiPar seem a bargain. The problem is the medicine could face generic competition in the world’s biggest pharmaceuticals market from 2018.

BSI-201 belongs to a new class of drugs that block a cell repair enzyme known as PARP.

It impressed doctors at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) on Sunday by improving survival by 60 percent compared with chemotherapy alone for women with tough-to-treat “triple negative breast cancer.”

Patients with triple negative metastatic breast cancer have tumors that do not express the hormones oestrogen or progesterone, as well as the protein HER-2.

These women, who account for 15 to 20 percent of breast cancer patients, have a very aggressive form of disease and there are currently no treatments other than chemotherapy.

Citigroup analyst Mark Dainty said the data for BSI-201 was significantly better than the results with Roche’s Avastin in triple negative patients and the new drug could put 20 to 25 percent of Avastin sales forecasts at risk.

Citi currently forecasts 2011 Avastin breast cancer sales at 1.7 billion Swiss francs ($1.6 billion) and losing 20 percent of this would slice some 2 percent off Roche’s 2011 earnings per shares.

AstraZeneca also has an experimental PARP inhibitor called olaparib that is further behind in development.

DELL

May 23rd, 2009

Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL, HKEX: 4331) is a multinational technology corporation that develops, manufactures, sells, and supports personal computers and other computer-related products. Based in Round Rock, Texas, Dell employs more than 82,700 people worldwide.

Dell grew during the 1980s and 1990s to become (for a time) the largest seller of PCs and servers. As of 2008 it held the second spot in computer-sales within the industry behind HP. The company currently sells personal computers, servers, data storage devices, network switches, software, and computer peripherals. Dell also sells HDTVs that are manufactured by other brands.

In 2006, Fortune magazine ranked Dell as the 25th-largest company in the Fortune 500 list, 8th on its annual “Top 20” list of the most-admired companies in the United States. In 2007 Dell ranked 34th and 8th respectively on the equivalent lists for the year. A 2006 publication identified Dell as one of 38 high-performance companies in the S&P 500 which had consistently out-performed the market over the previous 15 years. Read the rest of this entry »

About HP

May 23rd, 2009

HP is a technology company that operates in more than 170 countries around the world. HP explore how technology and services can help people and companies address their problems and challenges, and realize their possibilities, aspirations and dreams. HP apply new thinking and ideas to create more simple, valuable and trusted experiences with technology, continuously improving the way customers live and work.

No other company offers as complete a technology product portfolio as HP. HP provide infrastructure and business offerings that span from handheld devices to some of the world’s most powerful supercomputer installations. HP offer consumers a wide range of products and services from digital photography to digital entertainment and from computing to home printing. This comprehensive portfolio helps HP match the right products, services and solutions to our customers’ specific needs.

Hewlett-Packard|惠普

May 23rd, 2009

The Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HPQ), commonly referred to as HP, is a technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, United States. HP is the largest technology company in the world and operates in nearly every country. HP specializes in developing and manufacturing computing, storage, and networking hardware, software and services. Major product lines include personal computing devices, enterprise servers, related storage devices, as well as a diverse range of printers and other imaging products. Other product lines, including electronic test equipment and systems, medical electronic equipment, solid state components and instrumentation for chemical analysis were spun off as Agilent Technologies in 1999.

HP markets its products to households, small to medium size businesses and enterprises both directly, via online distribution, consumer-electronics and office-supply retailers, software partners and major technology vendors. Read the rest of this entry »

联想集团出现巨额亏损

May 22nd, 2009

联想集团“教父”柳传志的重出江湖并未能立刻挽回联想的颓势。昨日,联想公布,其2008/09财政年度第四季亏损扩大至2.64亿美元,全年净亏2.26亿美元,为历来最大亏损,也是联想集团近10年来首次全年亏损。

财报显示,联想集团2008年全年销售额为149亿美元,同比下降8.9%,其中用于重组的费用支出为1.46亿美元,全年股东应占亏损为2.26亿美元,目前其现金储备为11.8亿美元,现金流状况尚保持正常。

去年第四季度,联想集团全球个人电脑销量同比减少8.2%,联想对此的解释是“全球商用个人电脑销量持续减少,以及期内集团在消费市场的参与度有限所致”。联想集团的销量下滑幅度超过市场同期的7%。与此同时,联想去年第四季度启动的全球重组计划也耗费了巨额资金,影响了全年财报表现。

虽然财报难看,但联想董事局主席柳传志依然坚信联想能够及时复苏。“ 过去的两个季度对全球个人电脑行业来说极具挑战,联想以果断的行动来抵御冲击,采取了重大举措以带领业务重回正轨。一直以来,集团矢志在全球走上盈利性增长的轨道,尽管第四季的表现不尽理想,我们深信联想拥有有效的条件朝着目标前进,使联想在市场复苏时成为一家竞争力更强的企业。”

柳传志还表示,“5年之内,联想会从业绩、股价、管理、文化等方面会有根本性的转变。联想每一个战略都有具体的步骤做支持,相信每个季度、每一年都有变化。”

柳传志还在财报发布会上表示,“希望联想能成为中国A股上市公司,并将为此不断努力。如果联想能够成为中国A股成员,我们的客户和投资人会感到非常高兴。”

联想CFO黄伟明随即补充道,公司虽然希望能登陆A股上市,但目前还没有确定的计划安排。

Mesothelioma

May 21st, 2009

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart,[1] the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma.[2] Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases risk of other asbestos-induced cancer.[3] Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).

The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.

Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:

chest wall pain
pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
shortness of breath
fatigue or anemia
wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.

Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:

abdominal pain
ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
a mass in the abdomen
problems with bowel function
weight loss
In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:

blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
low blood sugar level
pleural effusion
pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
severe ascites
A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

易建联拍摄深圳卫视最新宣传片

May 21st, 2009



阳光大男孩易建联

青春、积极、阳光、向上,不断突破、勇往直前,这就是易建联!NBA大前锋的角色,让这个有些内敛的22岁深圳籍年轻人在国际赛场一路张扬。在阿联一路成长的背后,是一座先锋城市的身影—深圳,突破创新、敢为人先,这座城市自从诞生以来,始终一路向前。

深圳卫视,作为诞生在这座先锋城市的中国最年轻卫视,因为秉承了这座城市的特有气质,开播5年来,不断自我突破,努力向前。2009年5月,远在美国的易建联欣然接受深圳卫视的正式邀请,拍摄最新宣传片。

尽管与国际上的诸多大品牌有过影视方面的合作,影视对于阿联来说并不陌生,但为一家电视媒体拍摄宣传片,对于阿联来说,绝对是第一次。谈及此次拍摄宣传片,阿联使用的仍然是最质朴的话语。阿联说,从小生长在这座城市,每一座高楼,曾经走过的街道,还有这里熟悉的人,所有这些他都不可避免地怀有一种特殊的感情,而这,正是他为深圳卫视拍摄宣传片的理由。

为了顺利拍摄此次深圳卫视的宣传片,易建联专门从美国连夜飞抵深圳,并利用5月12日、13日整整两天时间,集中拍摄完成前期的相关内容。宣传片拍摄场景的选择主要集中在深圳、香港、澳门、台北以及海外,而深圳本土的拍摄则以中心区CBD、音乐厅、图书馆、华侨城和东部海滨为重点。



易建联在音乐厅与孩子秀篮球



易建联在音乐厅与孩子秀篮球



易建联在图书馆与读者秀篮球


易建联在华侨城创意园和游客秀篮球


易建联在华侨城创意园和游客秀篮球

“深圳,一直是前锋”,是此次易建联担任深圳卫视宣传片主角儿的理念语,正是在“前锋”的这个概念上,深圳、深圳卫视以及易建联实现了在精神气质上的高度统一。在为深圳卫视的最新宣传片中,易建联将运用他最熟悉的篮球,将这只球传遍深圳、香港、澳门、台湾以及海外。而这种代表着梦想与未来的“传递”,也蕴含着将“中国前沿 深圳卫视”的理念传播到四面八方。

5月28日,深圳卫视将全面改版,以《直播港澳台》、《深圳新闻》和《解密》“三驾马车”为主导的“1+1+1”版面付诸实践,届时,易建联担任主角儿的深圳卫视宣传片也将正式发布。

此次深圳卫视5.28大改版前,拍摄宣传片,正是要突出“中国前沿 深圳卫视”的频道传播理念,从而全新启航,将深圳卫视进一步打造成中国电视媒体的先锋前沿。
宣传片拍摄花絮:


易建联


拍摄休息中易建联表现了对孩子的极大关爱,耐心地为孩子签名


易建联和宣传片导演、主摄影在看画面回放


《南京南京》主摄影 曹郁 此次担任宣传片的主摄影

Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms

May 20th, 2009

The 2009 prestige rankings of the top management and strategy consulting firms have arrived! This year’s survey is based on surveys of more than 4,000 consultants.

Rankings methodology:For the 2008 Vault consulting survey, we selected a list of top consulting firms to include. These consulting firms were chosen because of their prominence in the consulting industry and their interest to consulting job seekers. This year, over 4,000 consultants responded to our survey.
The Vault survey was distributed to the firms on Vault’s list in spring 2008. In some cases, Vault contacted practicing consultants directly. Survey respondents were asked to rate each consulting firm on the survey on a scale of 1 to 10 based on prestige, with 10 being the most prestigious. Consultants were unable to rate their own firm, and they were asked to rate only those firms with which they were familiar.

Vault collected the survey results and averaged the score for each firm. The firms were then ranked, with the highest score being No. 1, down to No. 50.

We also asked survey respondents to give their perceptions of other consulting firms besides their own. A selection of those comments is featured on each firm profile as The Buzz.

Remember that Vault’s top-50 strategy consulting firms are chosen by practicing consultants at top consulting firms. Vault does not choose or influence the rankings. The rankings measure perceived prestige (as determined by consulting professionals) and not revenue, size or lifestyle.

2009
RANK

FIRM

SCORE

2008
RANK

HEADQUARTERS/
LARGEST OFFICE

1

McKinsey & Company

8.430

1

New York, NY

2

The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.

8.089

2

Boston, MA

3

Bain & Company

7.966

3

Boston, MA

4

Booz & Company

6.535

4

New York, NY

5

Monitor Group

6.296

5

Cambridge, MA

6

Mercer LLC

6.160

9

New York, NY

7

Deloitte

5.844

8

New York, NY

8

Oliver Wyman

5.755

6

New York, NY

9

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

5.572

NR

New York, NY

10

L.E.K. Consulting

5.426

13

Boston, MA
London

11

Ernst & Young LLP

5.388

NR

New York, NY
London

12

A.T. Kearney

5.373

15

Chicago, IL

13

IBM Global Business Services

5.352

11

Armonk, NY

14

Accenture

5.314

14

New York, NY

15

The Parthenon Group

5.306

10

Boston, MA

16

KPMG LLP

5.246

NR

New York, NY

17

Katzenbach Partners LLC

5.146

16

New York, NY

18

Towers Perrin

4.848

18

Stamford, CT

19

Capgemini

4.752

22

New York, NY
Paris

20

Gartner, Inc.

4.728

12

Stamford, CT

21

Roland Berger Strategy Consultants

4.684

20

New York, NY
Munich

22

ZS Associates

4.645

24

Evanston, IL

23

Cambridge Associates LLC

4.588

21

Boston, MA

24

Hewitt Associates

4.541

23

Lincolnshire, IL

25

NERA Economic Consulting

4.540

27

White Plains, NY

26

Navigant Consulting, Inc.

4.539

29

Chicago, IL

27

AlixPartners, LLP

4.457

26

Southfield, MI

28

BearingPoint, Inc.

4.433

28

McLean, VA

29

Watson Wyatt Worldwide

4.355

25

Arlington, VA

30

Kurt Salmon Associates

4.276

36

Atlanta, GA

31

CRA International, Inc.

4.275

30

Boston, MA

32

Huron Consulting Group

4.261

39

Chicago, IL

33

Arthur D. Little

4.186

40

Boston, MA
Paris

34

Diamond Inc.

4.149

45

Chicago, IL

35

PRTM

4.131

33

Mountain View, CA
Waltham, MA

36

Gallup Consulting

4.055

31

Washington, DC

37

The Advisory Board Company

4.020

38

Washington, DC

38

FTI Consulting, Inc.

3.925

46

Baltimore, MD

39

First Manhattan Consulting Group

3.859

42

New York, NY

40

Corporate Executive Board

3.844

41

Washington, DC

41

Cornerstone Research

3.838

37

New York, NY
San Francisco, CA

42

Mitchell Madison Group LLC

3.790

NR

New York, NY

43

LECG

3.782

35

Emeryville, CA

44

Alvarez & Marsal

3.758

43

New York, NY

45

Mars & Co

3.737

48

Greenwich, CT

46

Aon Consulting Worldwide

3.624

49

Chicago, IL

47

Analysis Group, Inc.

3.519

47

Boston, MA

48

Archstone Consulting

3.512

NR

Stamford, CT

49

Hay Group

3.415

44

Philadelphia, PA

50

IMS Health Incorporated

3.370

NR

Norwalk, CT

Dell Delivers Industry Firsts with 10.1-inch Netbook Designed for Education

May 20th, 2009

Round Rock, Texas
Dell believes every child should have access to the world of knowledge beyond the classroom
The new Latitude 2100 is influenced by the needs of K-12 students – ‘student rugged’ design offered in five colors with wireless connectivity that can be monitored by educators with a network activity light
Optional touchscreen is a first for education netbooks
Custom-built Mobile Computing Station equips classrooms with a cart to store, manage and network up to 24 netbooks with one Ethernet and power cord
The Latitude 2100 will also appeal to other public-sector and enterprise customers looking for a netbook for uses from employee training to order fulfillment, or wanting secondary systems for their workforces
Backed by Dell’s award-winning business-class service and support – including optional onsite services
Dell believes every child should have the opportunity and tools to learn the skills necessary to succeed in the digital world. Critical to this is the availability of technology designed for the unique needs of K-12 students, teachers and school administrators. Today, Dell set a new standard in education technology with the launch of a netbook influenced by the needs of K-12 students, the Latitude 2100. The Latitude 2100 is also ideal for any business or public institution that needs affordable, durable, Internet-ready devices for e-mail and collaboration.

Inspired by close cooperation with hundreds of students, teachers, parents and administrators, Dell designers created a purpose-built education netbook that focuses on what’s most important – learning. The Latitude 2100 is part of Dell’s connected classroom ― innovative technology products, services, software and training that make learning in the digital age a reality. With the Latitude 2100, students can access enhanced learning resources and digital content on a school network or via the Internet. As a result, the Latitude 2100 blends into student life, from lesson plans to homework, increasing time spent learning versus managing technology.

The Latitude 2100 has unique features for schools like bright primary colors and a more rugged, ‘rubberized’ design that is easier for children to carry and use safely. It also offers wireless connectivity that can be monitored by the teacher with a Network Activity Light on the netbook lid. An optional touchscreen is a first for an education netbook and makes the Latitude 2100 a perfect choice for enhanced student interaction, assessment, and for special education teaching. The Latitude 2100 also offers administrators a range of services making it easier to deploy and manage.

Additional options include: a keyboard featuring antimicrobial protection (U.S. only), solid-state drives, quick-connect handles and shoulder straps for carrying, and a webcam. The Latitude 2100 is backed by Dell’s award-winning business service and support.

The Latitude 2100 extends Dell’s Latitude range and joins the Latitude XT tablet and fully rugged Latitude E6400 XFR as systems designed to meet the exacting needs of customers across a range of private and public-sector organizations with specific mobile computing requirements. Enterprises and public-sector customers looking for a business-class netbook will be attracted to the Latitude 2100 for activities ranging from employee training to order fulfillment or when a secondary system is required by their workforce.

The News:

The “student-rugged” Latitude 2100 is designed to absorb the daily bumps and bruises of a crowded playground or backpack. Offered in five colors – School Bus Gold, Chalkboard Black, Ball Field Green, Blue Ribbon and Schoolhouse Red– the Latitude 2100 comes with a 10.1-inch screen and a unique “four-square-ball-style” rubber casing, making it easy for little hands to grip the netbook.
The system is available with a personalized window on the back of the battery pack where the school logo or name can be displayed, allowing schools to personalize or easily identify systems.
Equipped with a wireless communication suite and optional webcam, the Latitude 2100 enables productive days filled with collaboration, exploration and easy uploading of assignments. A Network Activity Light on the lid helps teachers monitor network use and identify students who may be surfing the Internet.
The Latitude 2100 also includes:

Choice of XP Home, Vista Home Basic and Linux Ubuntu
Intel Atom processor N270
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity coupled with a full suite of wireless communication options
2.91lb* (1.32kg) starting at weight with 3-cell battery
Hard or solid state drives for increased durability
Three-cell or six-cell battery
Three-in-one Media Card Reader
Optional External DVD+/-RW via USB
VGA port
Clean bottom is vent-free to avoid any intrusion from spills
Options: webcam and a keyboard featuring antimicrobial protection (U.S. only)
Key management features can allow IT administrators to lower overall ownership cost and speed up deployment:

More durable design that means a longer product life
Remote management for easier administration
Dell ImageDirect where systems can be delivered with pre-installed software and the school’s specific network image (U.S. only)
Hardware Customization helps reduce deployment time by configuring software straight from the factory (U.S. only). This reduces the need for the administrator to physically touch the system and speeds up getting it in the hands of the students.
Coming soon in the U.S., the Latitude 2100 is available with a Mobile Computing Station that equips classrooms with a cart to store securely, manage and network up to 24 netbooks with one Ethernet and power cord.

Quotes:
By partnering with Dell we’ve seen first-hand how technology access can transform the learning environment and impact student achievement,” said Michael Taylor, Director of Technology, Avon Community Schools, Avon, Indiana. “The ability to connect students, teachers, parents, and administrators is critical to learning in the digital age and the Latitude 2100 is designed specifically to meet these needs.”

“The Latitude 2100 shows that Dell thinks about, cares about, and designs products with education in mind,” said Paul Bell, president of Dell’s global public sector division. “This system is an extension of our efforts to support educators as they transform technology access in classrooms worldwide. We will continue to respond quickly to their needs and work with governments to deliver technology that modernizes education, excites students and arms them with the skills they need to succeed in the digital age.”

“Dell is setting a new standard for netbooks with the Latitude 2100.” said Todd Forsythe, vice president of product marketing. “The Latitude 2100 is a purpose-designed netbook for students. In addition to being popular with education institutions, we also expect the business-class design features of the Latitude 2100 to interest other public institutions and private enterprises as it delivers a unique offering to the netbook market.”

The system is available today, and starts at $369. More information is available at www.dell.com/latitude.

About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value.

*Weights vary with configuration and manufacturing variability

香港全球竞争力排名第二

May 19th, 2009

瑞士洛桑国际管理学院(IMD)将于20日公布的2009年全球竞争力报告,美国在57个经济体中依然位居首位,得分为100分;香港坐上第2,首度挤下新加坡;中国大陆则排名20,较去年排名17位有所回落;台湾滑至23名,创下在该排名史上最差的记录。

IMD指出,全球竞争力报告的评比,不是仅关注一国的经济表现,而是该国与企业如何运用总体性的能力,来达到更大程度的繁荣,因此“软性因素”(softfactors)亦被考虑到,包括环境永续、生活质量、科技发展与知识水平等。

该报告的评比衡量标准多达329项,三分之二为确实经济数据,以2008年的历史数据为主,三分之一为意见领袖的问卷调查,终而汇整为总体经济表现、政府效能、企业经营效率、基础建设等四大项。

IMD全球竞争力中心主任贾雷利(StephaneGarelli)指出,全球经济急冻,改变很多国家的竞争力面貌,像爱尔兰从2000年的第5、到08年排名还有第12,今年则掉到第19;因此今年在例行年度报告之外,新增“压力测试”的各国排行,分析各国因应金融危机,以及改善未来竞争力的应变能力,评比项目以今年的经济预测、意见评估为主,结果得出许多的不同,如丹麦高居第1,新加坡居次,中国大陆排名18,中国台湾排21名,美国并没有超越亚太各国。

调查显示,美国排名与去年报告相同,位居首位。香港得分98.1分排行第二,新加坡得95.7分排名第三名。中国大陆则得分76.6分,排名20,中国台湾以总分1点多的些微差距落在后面。韩国上升四名至27名。