早衰症關鍵基因國衛院找到了2012-05-08中國時報 電影《家有傑克》主人翁羅賓威廉斯因患先天早衰症,成長速度比起同齡孩子快上數倍,小學外觀就如中年人,大學畢業時更已白髮蒼蒼,如80多歲老人。現實生活中早衰症致病機轉仍不明。 國家衛生研究院跨國團隊歷經5年研究,終於發現Sun1基因是造成細胞老化的關鍵,一旦剔除,早衰老鼠壽命可延長2.5倍,對未來抗老化藥物研發提供重要方向。 早衰症(HGPS)為一種在兒童期就會老化、身體逐漸衰竭的疾病,患者身體老化速度約為正常人8倍,小小年紀就滿臉皺紋、禿頭、骨質疏鬆、動脈硬化及心血管疾病,10歲少女如年逾古稀的老婆婆。 早衰症患者平均壽命僅13歲,目前全球累積70多例報告,國內未有病例,但從發現迄今100多年,發病機制仍不明,美國國家人類基因研究所在2003年發現早衰症是laminA基因突變所致。 國衛院細胞與系統醫學研究所助理研究員紀雅惠表示,國衛院進一步以免疫螢光染色觀察,發現在laminA基因缺陷的病人細胞中,有較高含量的Sun1蛋白質表現,顯示laminA與Sun1間有交互作用,推測Sun1蛋白質可能是造成早衰症的關鍵之一。 跨國研究團隊進一步利用laminA基因缺陷老鼠進行實驗,一旦剔除早衰老鼠Sun1基因後,發現小鼠壽命將可延長,中位數從41天延長到104天,達2.5倍,老化症狀也獲得緩解。 紀雅惠解釋,laminA是構成細胞核膜的主要成分之一,經轉譯修飾後才能執行功能,達成任務後就會下台一鞠躬;但當基因突變,轉譯修飾後的laminA基因持續存在,就會引發早衰,更進一步造成Sun1堆積,加速老化。 找出早衰症的關鍵基因Sun1後,紀雅惠表示,未來將進一步找出laminA和Sun1間的作用機轉、釐清人類老化機制是否和早衰症老化過程相同,找出一般人的老化關鍵。目前這項研究已獲得世界頂尖生物學雜誌《Cell》刊登。
Monday, May 7, 2012
護士月薪8萬 留不住人!
台灣出現護士荒月薪8萬新臺幣仍留不住人 鉅亨網2012-05-07據台灣"中央社"報導,台灣醫院出現護士荒,臺當局前"衛生署長"楊志良主張加薪留人。台灣大學醫院以月薪8萬到9萬元新臺幣,仍留不住護士。據統計,去年台灣大學醫院護理人員因超時上班所累積加班天數高達1萬1000天。台灣大學醫院護理部主任黃璉華昨天表示,台灣大學醫院每年將100到200個實習護士納入正式編制,每個月都在招考護理人員,可是現在仍有50個缺額補不滿。身為台灣醫界龍頭,台灣大學醫院新進護理人員的起薪至少為46000元新臺幣,大部分護理人員具有護理師資格,其中有工作經驗者,月薪可達8萬到9萬元新臺幣,且尚不包括過節費和年終獎金。台東醫院共欠120名護理人員超過4000天的休假,院長祝年豐表示,月薪38000元新臺幣根本請不到人,全臺都出現護士荒,誰要來台東上班呢?院方不得已,一方面給加班費,一方面請護士消化休假,結果就是部分病房關閉,想住院的病患被"勸退"。臺當局"衛生署"統計顯示,台灣約有23萬人擁有護士或護理師證照,但真正投入護理職業者卻僅13萬人。據統計,目前,全臺至少缺少4000名護理人員。
磐安智財 劉江彬…跨領域科技管理研習班
經濟部技術處MMOT班今年報名人數成長43%學習成果獲肯定 經濟日報2012/05/07【台北訊】經濟部技術處辦理101年「跨領域科技管理國際人才訓計畫(後續擴充第2期)」跨領域科技管理研習班(簡稱MMOT班)日前舉行始業式典禮,該班報名人數較去年成長43%,共計錄取87名學員,碩博士生學歷者超過八成,學員資質相當優秀。磐安智慧財產教育基金會董事長劉江彬表示,該計畫已執行第13年,是經濟部技術處規畫人培專案中,執行成效最優秀的計畫之一,培訓超過上千位菁英,除促進產業應用綜效外,也為我國國際科技競爭力奠定厚實基礎。 該培訓班結束約90小時的課程後,將由政大公企中心發給五碩士學分,並有機會參加國外進階研習課程,赴美、日、中及知名企業受訓1至2個月,並有經濟部技術處補助國外訓練費用及來回機票。中山大學教授黃俊英、政大公企中心主任樓永堅及政大科管所所長吳豐祥等貴賓也都強調在競爭激烈的國際環境中科技管理不容輕忽,培育跨領域科技管理人才更顯重要。南港生技育成中心主任夏尚樸、華淵鑑價公司副總陳淑珍前期學員代表與會發表學習成果。
美女是數學、化學加文學…..
蘋論:整形美容的迷思 蘋果日報2012年05月07日醫學美容的技術近10年來突飛猛進,女人經過美容之後,已很難輕易判斷哪個部位曾修理過;她們的年齡更如人面獅身像的謎語般令人迷惑難解。拒絕老化的女人從科學那裡覓得了青春之泉。
「大眼挺鼻就是美」 台灣醫美界發展蓬勃,每年的營業額以百億元台幣計,雖然美麗從來就是一個繁榮的行業,但歷史上從沒有像現在一樣把變美看成比治療癌症還重要的事。台灣整形外科醫師上周公布對18歲以上女性的問卷調查,5成以上認為「大眼挺鼻」就是美;7成以上對微整形有錯誤期待。有趣的是最受女性喜歡的五官典型分別是:徐若瑄眼睛、隋棠鼻子、林志玲嘴巴、孫芸芸的蘋果肌、小S下巴。經過電腦合成,這樣拼圖出來的女人並不美麗,有些怪,其實還滿恐怖的。其實美女是數學、化學加文學。數學是一種比例,容貌和身材越趨近黃金比例越美,越遠離該比例越不美。古希臘、羅馬認為容貌最完美比例的典型是維納斯雕像,比例越接近維納斯越美,差距越大越醜。化學是指女性的氣色、營養和肌肉骨骼的健康與否。內分泌正常健康、氣色紅潤、皮膚光澤、白裡透紅,身形挺拔、免疫力強盛,就算容貌的比例沒那麼精準,也會散發出美麗迷人的魅力。文學、藝術則是氣質的培養。有很多男女英俊美豔,但一開口說話就立刻讓人倒盡胃口,恨不得撞牆而亡。就算有上述5大美女的姿色、氣色光亮,也經不起相處。南西.艾科夫在《美之為物》一書中說:「黃金比例或許對整形醫師有參考價值,但目前為止尚無任何數學程式可捕捉整個臉部美麗的祕密。」指的就是生物化學和藝文。
忽略了健康和氣質 看到這麼多的女性為美壯烈而義無反顧地迎上前去,令人感動又震撼;可惜大多數只看到數學的部分,忘記健康和文學的素養。我們能開發出外表的整形,可能開發出內在健美和氣質之美的整形技術嗎?讓不算美的女人就像小說《飄》一開頭作者所說的:「郝思嘉長得不美,但男人似乎都沒有發現……。」
濟生通過PIC/s 適用新的健保藥價!
代工訂單帶動,濟生今年營收成長估三成2012/05/07精實新聞2012-05-07受惠血液透析代工訂單成長,濟生(4111)今年首季營收2.21億元,年增36%,稅後盈餘2,313萬元,年增2.6倍,也創下93年第二季以來新高,每股稅後盈餘0.46元。法人預期,在佳醫(4104)代工訂單帶動下,該公司今年營收年增率挑戰三成,獲利至少將力拼七年新高。濟生是在去年8月中與佳醫簽訂血液透析系列產品代工合約,代工產品包括洗腎液、粉等,也帶動該公司今年首季營收2.21億元,創下86年第二季來單季新高,年增率也衝上36%。獲利方面,因毛利率提高至31.68%,較去年同期增加5.77個百分點,單季稅後盈餘2,313萬元,年增率高達2.6倍。濟生指出,首季毛利率走揚除代工訂單的經濟規模貢獻外,去年該公司通過PIC/s GMP認證後,12月起也適用新的健保藥價,也使得原有的產品線毛利率更趨合理,都是毛利率走揚的因素。法人估計,在佳醫代工訂單帶動下,濟生今年營收年增率有機會挑戰三成,落在8.5-8.6億元,因毛利率走揚帶動,獲利增幅將勝於營收,全年每股稅後盈餘至少將力拼近七年新高。而濟生去年董事會也決議,登陸策略將由合資改為獨資,初期資本額設定為1,200萬美元,目前正在敲定土地合約階段,盼年底前可以動工。
邱文達將率團參加WHA發言分享台灣健保
時間:2012/5/711:22撰稿‧編輯:陳沂庭衛生署長邱文達5月底將率團參加第65屆世界衛生大會(WHA)。衛生署副署長蕭美玲今天(7日)表示,為配合今年大會「邁向普及化全民健康照護」的主題,邱文達將於大會全會中進行5分鐘發言,分享我國的全民健保經驗。另外,代表團成員也會選擇台灣較為關切且能貢獻的14項技術性議題發言。 第65屆世界衛生大會(WHA)將於5月21日至26日在瑞士日內瓦登場。衛生署副署長蕭美玲7日在立法院外交及國防委員會報告時指出,衛生署長邱文達已於3月30日接獲世界衛生組織(WHO)幹事長的邀請函,並於4月6日函覆WHO,表示將率團參加。 蕭美玲表示,今年代表團以「專業參與,增進國際醫衛合作」為與會主要目的,邱文達並將於大會全會中針對大會主題進行5分鐘發言,分享我國的全民健保經驗。她說:『(原音)因為今年大會的主題是「邁向普及化全民健康照護」,那麼這個部分我想我們有很大的一個發揮,因為全民健保是我們相當傑出的一項工作。』 蕭美玲並指出,今年WHA共有15項技術性議題,代表團成員將選擇我國較為關切且較能貢獻的14項議題發言。衛生署也將持續爭取,希望台灣有尊嚴、有意義擴大參與WHO的訴求能獲正面回應。 另外,針對中國大陸在2005年與WHO簽署備忘錄(MOU),約定WHO內部將台灣歸為中國大陸的一省。外交部次長董國猷答詢時重申,從2009年開始,WHO就直接致函邀請衛生署長以部長(Minister)的名義、觀察員的身分,直接參與WHA,和大陸與WHO簽署的MOU無關。 民進黨立委蔡煌瑯質詢時,則要求邱文達於WHA發言時應以舉牌或穿背心等方式捍衛中華民國主權。蕭美玲表示,衛生署一定會持續在WHA抗議,邱文達也會適度發言,至於具體方式,會再與外交部討論。
醫師 適用勞基法嗎??
醫師納勞基法無共識2012/5/8【記者宮以斯帖台北報導】醫師是否納入勞基法?衛生署醫事處處長石崇良昨日指出,目前傾向於請各醫院自行訂定勞動契約。至於醫事團體要求職災、工時、休假的受雇保障,目前雙方仍沒有共識。衛生署醫事處昨日下午邀集醫改會、消基會、醫學生團體討論。醫事處長石崇良分析,如果醫師納入勞基法,醫療體系將受重大衝擊,各大醫院關床情況勢必更加惡化。衛生署近期內再開一次會議,目前傾向以各醫院自行另訂「勞動契約」來保障醫師。石崇良指出,以目前醫師責任制來說,一個總醫師必須照顧十名住院病患,現在光是護士人力短缺,就已經讓許多醫院關床因應,如果現在就讓醫師納入勞基法,改為三班制,就變成三個住院醫師來照顧十名病人,出現「有病床、無醫師」窘境,就為了保障工作時數,國內一口氣必須關八萬張病床。
教育壓力 導致近視人口大幅!!
讀書越多視力越差?2012年05月07日BloombergNews2012年3月14日,中國國務院總理溫家寶在兩會後出席新聞發布會。溫家寶也是中國諸多戴眼鏡的領導人之一。造成東亞地區近視人口數量大增的罪魁禍首是什麼?本月在英國知名醫學期刊《柳葉刀》(The Lancet)上發表的一項新的研究表明,花過多時間在室內專心閱讀教科書可能是造成視力大幅下降的主要原因。這項研究的作者寫道,教育壓力增加以及生活方式的改變減少了兒童在室外活動的時間,這可能是導致近視人口大幅增加的主要原因。這一情況導致的結果是,未來100年東亞地區將面臨成年人口患病理性近視的可能性大大增加的局面。病理性近視可能導致視力嚴重下降。多年來,研究人員認為,日本、中國和韓國的近視人口數量較多可能是遺傳基因發揮了重要作用。但《柳葉刀》雜志這篇研究報告的作者認為,環境影響(尤其是上述三國強調教育的文化)可能起到了更為重要的作用。例如,雖然在中國的城市人口中約有50%的人患有近視,但在中國農村地區,這一比例要低得多,僅有20%。兒童在學校的表現越出色,其患有近視的必然性也就越高?就像這份研究指出的,可以肯定的是,近視人口所佔比例較高的東亞國家在全球教育成績排行榜上也名列前茅。但這項研究的作者也指出,盡管如此,依然有辦法避免近視,例如,如果更多家長能帶上防曬霜,把孩子送到明媚的陽光下,那麼兒童視力可能也就不會下降的那麼快了。具有諷刺意味的是,盡管近視人口所佔比例很高,一股新的趨勢正在席卷中國:年輕的潮人喜歡佩戴沒有鏡片的塑料鏡架,以此作為他們的時尚宣言。這樣,潮人的假睫毛就可以不受阻礙地伸到鏡框之外,同時在炎熱潮濕的天氣裡,他們也不必擔心鏡片會蒙上一層霧氣。其實很多潮人也都是近視眼,不過他們戴的是隱形近視眼鏡。在亞洲的華裔人口中,新加坡人的近視水平最高,近視人口佔比約為70%,接下來是台灣地區、香港和中國內地的城市地區。
兒童多日曬 能降低近視
近視多因日曬少無關K書K電腦‧聯合新聞網2012/05/07醫學期刊「刺胳針」(Lancet)四日刊出研究報告指出,東亞大都市中學畢業生八到九成近視,比率冠於全球,主因是課業壓力大與太少從事戶外活動。包括中國大陸、台灣、香港、日本、新加坡和南韓大都市剛畢業及即將畢業的中學生,近視者達八到九成,其中一到兩成是可能導致失明的重度近視。澳洲國立大學教授摩爾根(IanMorgan)主持的這項研究指出,東南亞許多學生花費長時間上課、做作業,對眼睛造成壓力,但若白天在戶外活動兩三小時,可以抵消前述壓力,維持眼睛健康。研究人員認為,接觸陽光能刺激大腦分泌極重要的神經傳導物質多巴胺,預防眼球變長。眼球變長,會扭曲進入眼睛的光的焦點。摩爾根說:「顯然,明亮的光線有助於釋出能預防近視的多巴胺。」數十年來科學家認為東亞學生近視和基因有關,這份研究報告卻指出,基因的影響雖不能完全排除,但環境才是最重要的因素。摩爾根說,東亞的孩子「在學校裡也不太到戶外,回家後又待在屋裡念書、看電視」。許多東亞國家學生要午睡,摩爾根說這會錯過預防近視的主要戶外光線,「繁重課業壓力和學校作息安排,都讓學子接觸明亮自然光的時間壓縮到最少」。報告指出,增加戶外活動時間能預防近視並減緩近視惡化的速度。當書蟲和迷電腦本身都不是造成近視的原因。摩爾根說,只要多到戶外,念多少書都沒關係:「有些孩子用功念書,然後到戶外痛快玩,他們通常不會近視。只知用功看書而足不出戶,才有風險。」摩爾根表示,每天在戶外二到三小時大概都算安全。戶外時間包括玩樂,以及走路上學和回家。他說,學校和家長的課題是,想辦法使孩子多在有合理亮度的自然光下活動,又不妨礙功課。
Hutchinson-Gilfordprogeria syndrome (HGPS) potential solutions….
國衛院找到早衰關鍵基因Sun1蛋白2012-5-8〔記者王昶閔/台北報導〕電影「班傑明的奇幻之旅」主角一出生有如年邁老人,卻越活越年輕,但現實生活中,「早衰症」患者出生不久就快速老化,平均壽命僅十三歲,至今無藥可治;最近,國家衛生研究院發現新的早衰症關鍵基因,讓治療出現曙光。我國國衛院助研究員紀雅惠與美國國家衛生院院士蔣觀德與新加坡Colin Stewart博士跨國研究發現,細胞核膜上的Sun1蛋白是引發細胞老化的關鍵因子,剔除早衰症小鼠體內的Sun1基因後,存活中位數由四十一天延長到一○四天,壽命能延長二.五倍,心臟功能與骨質疏鬆的老化症狀也獲延緩,研究已刊登於世界頂尖生物學期刊「細胞」(Cell)。早衰症(Hutchinson-Gilfordprogeria syndrome,HGPS)老化速度是正常人八倍,會提早出現皺紋、禿頭、骨質疏鬆、動脈粥狀硬化與心血管疾病等症狀,發生率約四百萬到八百萬之一。國內病患已知台大醫院曾收治一名週歲就發病的女病童,週歲起就陸續出現頭髮脫落、皮膚鬆弛、脂肪層退化等老化現象,現年約十幾歲,除了關節硬化,尚無其他老年慢性病。醫界已知早衰症是laminA基因突變導致,使細胞核出現不正常皺摺。紀雅惠則發現,laminA基因缺陷患者細胞中,都有較高量的Sun1蛋白表現。台大醫院基因醫學部主任胡務亮指出,有了國衛院這項新發現,未來或許可嘗試研發抑制Sun1蛋白的小分子藥物。
20億護理補助有醫院拿去蓋大樓
健保給付類風濕性關節炎用藥: Tocilizumab (humanized monoclonal antibody against IL-6R)
類風濕性關節炎藥納健保給付【2012/05/07中央社】類風濕性關節炎屬重大傷病,醫師表示,致病原因不明,可能與基因和環境有關,自本月開始健保局也有條件通過治療的第二線用藥安挺樂(Tocilizumab)給付。中華民國風濕病醫學會理事長蔡嘉哲表示,類風濕性關節炎常發生於手、腕、足等小關節。初期有關節紅腫熱痛症狀;中期開始有輕度的軟骨破壞、肌肉萎縮;晚期關節出現肌肉萎縮,關節嚴重變形,影響生活及工作能力,健保局也將類風濕性關節炎列為重大傷病。蔡嘉哲說,類風濕性關節炎會影響身體及心理健康、降低生活品質、降低生產力、增加死亡率,對個人、家庭、及社會都造成很大的負擔,呼籲國人正視疾病,及早發現、及早接受正規治療。林口長庚醫院風濕過敏免疫科醫師羅淑芬表示,目前用於治療的生物製劑分為第一線藥物抗腫瘤壞死因子製劑,如恩博(Etanercept)、復邁(Adalimumab)、欣普尼(Golimumab);若無效才使用第二線治療藥物,如莫須瘤(Rituximab)與安挺樂(Tocilizumab)。羅淑芬說,自5月起中央健康保險局通過安挺樂健保給付。臨床研究證實類風濕性關節炎患者體內細胞激素介白素六(IL-6)的濃度較高,與受體結合後會引發關節腫痛與破壞。羅淑芬說,安挺樂可透過阻斷介白素六與受體的結合,達到抑制發炎、消除腫痛及停止關節破壞的治療目標,同時也可改善患者的貧血情況,不過健保給付仍是有條件的,需重度類風濕性關節炎患者才適用。
智擎 申請上櫃案!
Enzon and Hisun Announce Strategic Alliance for Enzon's Customized PEGylation Linker Technology and Licensing Agreement for PEG-SN38 in China
May 7, 2012, 10:04 a.m. EDT PISCATAWAY, NJ and ZHEJIANG, CHINA, May 07, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ENZN +3.24% and Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd (sse code:600267), a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company, announced today a long-term strategic research, development and licensing collaboration. The agreement provides for the research and development of therapeutics using Enzon's customized PEGylation linker technology. The agreement also includes the license to Hisun of development and commercialization rights for Enzon's PEG-SN38 (EZN-2208), a novel, Phase II PEGylated version of SN38, in the territory of China. Under the terms of the strategic research, development and licensing collaboration, Hisun will pay Enzon to apply its Customized PEGylation Linker Technology, especially its releasable PEGylation technology, and know-how to the development of next-generation, PEGylated versions of select therapeutic candidates within Hisun's pipeline. Once successfully PEGylated, Hisun will have the option to in-license the product candidates, based upon internal selection criteria, and will be fully responsible for funding development and commercialization of these products in the territory of China. Under this agreement, Enzon is entitled to milestone payments and a high-single-digit royalty on net sales for any product developed and commercialized in China, in addition to retaining rights to all PEGylated compounds outside of China. Hisun has also acquired exclusive development and commercialization rights to PEG-SN38 in China and will pay Enzon an undisclosed upfront fee, milestone payments and a high-single-digit royalty on net sales. Further financial terms were not disclosed. PEG-SN38 has completed Phase II clinical trials in the United States where it was studied as a treatment for metastatic breast cancer, colorectal cancer and solid tumors in pediatric cancer patients. It is a PEGylated conjugate of SN38, the active metabolite of the widely used anti-cancer drug irinotecan. PEG-SN38 offers therapeutic advantages over unmodified SN38, including increased solubility, higher exposure and tumor accumulation, more profound deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, inhibition of angiogenesis and longer apparent half-life of SN38 as compared to irinotecan. "Hisun is a dynamic company with an aggressive strategy for expanding its portfolio of innovative therapeutics. We are very excited about this partnership and we look forward to advancing a variety of next-generation therapeutics with Hisun in China and for Enzon in other territories around the world," said Ana Stancic, Principal Executive Officer of Enzon. "Enzon's broad portfolio of proprietary permanent and releasable PEGylation linker technology and decades of know-how offer unmatched, clinically and commercially validated capabilities for the enhancement of existing therapies to create novel, high-value product candidates, including bio-betters." Hua Bai, CEO and Chairman of Hisun, added, "Enzon's PEGylation technology is utilized in approved products generating a combined total of over $7 billion in annual sales, making them the partner of choice for validated PEGylation technology. In addition to obtaining rights to PEG-SN38, this partnership provides Hisun access to innovative technology and development capabilities that will allow us to deliver novel therapeutics to the rapidly growing pharmaceutical market in China." Enzon is actively pursuing strategic partnerships with leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide whose marketed, development, or discovery-stage products may benefit from the enhanced pharmaceutical properties of PEGylation. "Our PEGylation platform, combined with our extensive know-how, continues to be the gold standard for maximizing the therapeutic potential of both small molecules and biologics," says Ms. Stancic.
About Enzon's Customized PEGylation Linker Technology PEGylation has successfully been used on various pharmaceutical compounds, including enzymes, peptides and antibodies, to improve their pharmaceutical properties through the chemical attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) using our Customized Linker Technology. PEGylation technology employs proprietary chemical linkers designed to either release the native molecule at a controlled rate or provide permanent linkage that will maximize inherent activity of the native molecule. In some cases, PEGylation can render a compound therapeutically effective, whereas the unmodified form had only limited clinical utility.
About Hisun Hisun is a leading biopharmaceutical group focused on improving patient wellbeing and quality of life. Headquartered in Taizhou (Zhejiang, China), the company currently employs more than 3,800 people. Hisun's operations strictly follow cGMP and received ISO 14000 certification in 2001. To date, more than 40 of the company's products have passed certification by the FDA (US), EDQM (EU), TGA (Australia), KFDA (Korea), etc., and are sold in more than 30 countries. The company opened its U.S. headquarters in Princeton, N.J., in 2010. For more information, visit www.hisunusa.com .
About Enzon, Inc. Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to the research and development of innovative therapeutics for patients with high unmet medical need. Enzon's drug-development programs utilize two platforms: Customized PEGylation Linker Technology (Customized Linker Technology(R)) and third-generation mRNA-targeting agents utilizing the Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) technology. Enzon currently has four compounds in human clinical development and multiple novel mRNA antagonists in preclinical research. Enzon receives royalty revenues from licensing arrangements with other companies related to sales of products developed using its proprietary Customized Linker Technology. Further information about Enzon and this press release can be found on the Company's website at www.enzon.com .
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains, or may contain, forward-looking statements within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release, other than statements that are purely historical, are forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "potential," "anticipates," "plans," or "intends" and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's present expectations, objectives, anticipation, plans, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. A more detailed discussion of these and other factors that could affect results is contained in Enzon's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Enzon's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the future results covered by the forward-looking statements will be achieved. All information in this press release is as of the date of this press release and Enzon does not intend to update this information.Chiltern Announces New Legal Entity In Taiwan
April 23, 2012 LONDON, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Chiltern International Limited (Chiltern), a global contract research organization (CRO), announced that the company has established a new legal entity in Taiwan. Dr. Umakanta Sahoo, Chiltern Executive Director, Asia Pacific and Managing Director, India, commented, "Chiltern has already established a strong presence in this region with its offices in India, Singapore and Australia and hence forming a legal entity in other important countries in the region is a natural progression to enhance our global reach." Dr. Sahoo, who will be leading the effort in Taiwan, continued, "With the regional collaboration between Asian countries for mutual acceptance of Asian data, Japan, USA and European clients have shown increased interest in Taiwan to perform global clinical trials due to supportive regulatory environment, excellent hospital infrastructure and healthcare system." Aize Smink, Chiltern Sr. Executive VP, Global Clinical Development, stated, "We are very pleased to be able to start offering clinical research services in Taiwan as part of our global clinical development capabilities. Taiwan has an excellent medical infrastructure, high quality investigators and research staff to serve our global client base."
About Chiltern: Established in 1982, Chiltern is a leading global clinical CRO with extensive experience in the management of Phase I-IV clinical trials across a broad range of therapeutic areas, functional service provision and contract staffing solutions. Chiltern has conducted trials in more than 40 countries, employs nearly 1,300 people globally and offers services in Early Phase, Global Clinical Development, Late Phase, Biometrics, Medical and Regulatory Affairs and Resourcing Solutions. Chiltern prides itself as a development partner that offers flexibility, responsiveness and quality delivery. Further information is available at: www.chiltern.com .