SAN MARINO, Calif. — Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation announced today that Interim Analysis of an on-going Phase I/II study of Rexin-G for pancreatic cancer confirmed Rexin-G’s anti-tumor activity with no major toxicity in patients with metastatic chemotherapy-resistant pancreatic cancer. The clinical trial design includes 5 escalating doses of intravenous Rexin-G ranging from 1 x 10e11 cfu twice a week to 4 x 10e11 cfu three times a week for 4 weeks. Treatment cycles are repeated if the patient exhibits Grade 1 or less toxicity.

Interim analysis showed no dose limiting toxicities in 9 evaluable patients who received Dose Levels 1-3. Furthermore, the analysis showed decrease in tumor size or disease stabilization (by RECIST), decreased metabolic activity in tumors (by PET-CT scan), reduction in tumor marker levels, and clinical benefit in patients receiving Dose Level 3.

The second phase of the Rexin-G study has now opened wherein six patients will receive Dose levels 4 and 5, respectively, as the Phase I/II adaptive study design continues to evaluate the over-all safety of Rexin-G and to determine the optimal dosing regimen for Rexin-G that would document the clinical benefits required to support a Phase II/III pivotal trial.

According to Dr. Sant P. Chawla, Principal Investigator of the Phase I/II study, “I am happy with the positive results of Rexin-G seen in pancreatic cancer, and look forward to obtaining even better results with progressively higher doses of Rexin-G.” Dr. Chawla is currently conducting three Los Angeles-based Phase I/II clinical trials using Rexin-G in sarcoma, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer, and a Phase II study of Rexin-G for osteosarcoma. For further information concerning these clinical trials, please contact Dr. Erlinda M. Gordon at egordon@epeiusbiotech.com.

Rexin-G(R) is the world’s first and so far only targeted injectable genetic medicine that has been validated in the clinic (Nature Reviews/Genetics 2007). Injected intravenously, the targeted nanoparticles are designed to seek out and destroy both primary tumors and metastatic cancers that have spread throughout the body. The FDA has granted Orphan Drug Status for Rexin-G for the treatment of pancreatic cancer while the Philippine BFAD has granted accelerated approval of Rexin-G for the treatment of all solid tumors that are resistant to standard chemotherapy.

About Epeius Biotechnologies
Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation is a privately held biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the advancement of genetic medicine with the development and commercialization of its proprietary targeted delivery systems. Credited with innovations ranging from oncogene discovery, to designer therapeutic genes, to pathotropic (disease-seeking) targeting, to high-performance vector engineering, advanced biopharmaceutical manufacturing and bioprocess development, Epeius Biotechnologies is well positioned to “launch” its enabling platform technologies for the benefit of cancer patients worldwide.

To learn more about Rexin-G and Epeius’ pipeline of proprietary compounds currently available for partnership or clinical trials, please visit: www.epeiusbiotech.com.

Technorati Tags: Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation, Dr Erlinda M Gordon, clinical trials using Rexin-G in sarcoma, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer, targeted injectable genetic medicine

STAMFORD, Conn. — Approximately 80 percent of Americans suffer from low back pain. Second to the common cold, low back pain is the number one reason for a visit to a primary care doctor. And it is the fifth most frequent cause of hospitalization. Dr. Scott Bender, D.C., of the Connecticut Spine & Health Center in Stamford, Connecticut, offers hope for those who suffer from the agonizing, oft-times debilitating pain of low back ailments.

“Many of the patients I see who are suffering from chronic back pain try other treatments and find little, if any, long term relief,” Dr. Bender says. “I have patients who have tried spinal injections, acupuncture, physical therapy, and pain medication without relief. Many of these cases are faced with spinal surgery as a last resort.”

There is another choice: Spinal Decompression Therapy. “Spinal Decompression is completely non-invasive, painless, and comfortable for patients,” Bender says. “And it has proven to be extremely effective in over eighty six percent of cases.”

Spinal Decompression is a non-surgical treatment for low back pain that has helped thousands of people return to a normal, pain free lifestyle. Bender says “Many patients notice immediate relief after their first session, and the relief improves with each succeeding treatment.”

And the relief is not just temporary. The results of a four year follow up study have shown that 91 percent of patients treated with Spinal Decompression were still performing normal daily activities, and 87 percent of them were either still working or had retired without back pain as the cause.

For those who want to avoid painful, costly surgery, a prolonged hospital stay and weeks of recovery and rehabilitation, Spinal Decompression is the solution. Spinal Decompression is FDA-certified and clinically proven to effectively relieve low back pain.

For additional information and to schedule a free consultation, call Dr. Scott Bender at The Connecticut Spine & Health Center at 1-800-387-9952. “You don’t have to suffer anymore,” he adds.

Connecticut Spine & Health Center, 111 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06905; Phone 203-967-8888; Fax 203-967-1111.

Technorati Tags: Dr Scott Bender DC, Connecticut Spine and Health Center, Spinal Decompression Therapy

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — PreViser Corporation (www.previser.com), a Washington State-based provider of patented oral disease and risk assessment software technology to the dental industry, announced today the finalization of a licensing agreement with White Cross GmbH of Lindau, Germany, to market PreViser technology to dentists within Germany, Austria and portions of Switzerland.

White Cross will focus their marketing efforts on the over 70,000 German speaking dentists practicing in Europe. White Cross GmbH is a for-profit subsidiary company of “IHCF-Stiftung zur Forderung der Gesundheit” (www.ihcf.org), a non-profit organization that has worked to improve dental health and develop oral disease risk management programs for 20 years.

“White Cross can build on the broad contact base from educational programs organized by the IHCF foundation and its Scientific Board Members,” stated Dr. Volker Scholz, a practicing dentist and member of the ICHF Scientific Board. Dr. Scholz will direct the translation effort of PreViser technology as well as supporting educational programs for PreViser users into the German language.

Dr. Werner Birglechner, dentist and Managing Director of White Cross, stated, “Dentistry in Europe, as in much of the world, is keenly interested in new methods to ensure the highest quality of care to the maximum number of patients. PreViser’s disease analysis software will help dentists more accurately identify and treatment plan for patients with elevated risk or severity of oral disease.”

To help educate German-speaking dentists on the use of PreViser technology, White Cross will partner with praxisDienste, the leading training company in Germany for dental assistants and dental hygienists in the field of preventive dentistry. PreViser technology will be incorporated into more than 300 praxisDienste courses each year that reach over 4,000 clinical participants. “This will help to educate and integrate disease management programs into the daily work of the dental team,” stated Dr. Werner Birglechner, founder of praxisDienste.

Carl Loeb, Chief Executive Officer of PreViser, noted that “White Cross is a respected leader in dentistry in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We are very pleased to be able to partner with a firm as well respected and as well positioned as White Cross is in their market segment.”

Launch of the German language version of PreViser’s technology (the Oral Health Information Suite(TM)) is expected to occur during the third quarter of 2008.

PreViser Corporation provides web-enabled diagnostic decision support tools for dentists and dental hygienists. The PreViser Oral Health Information Suite(TM) enables quick, accurate, reproducible and objective diagnosis and analysis of oral disease risk in an easy-to-understand format for the dental professional and the patient.

To learn more about PreViser or to download the software for free, visit www.previser.com.

Technorati Tags: PreViser Corporation, patented oral disease and risk assessment software, CEO Carl Loeb, PreViser Oral Health Information Suite, White Cross GmbH, dentists within Germany

SUNRISE, Fla. — Interim HealthCare, one of the nation’s largest home care and health care staffing companies, proudly recognizes the important role Social Workers play in home care, hospice and hospitals throughout the year and during National Social Work Month.

This special month provides an opportunity for medical social workers to be recognized for the essential role they play in supporting mental and physical health through their intervention to support patients and their families cope with the challenges of chronic disease; a terminal diagnosis; the stressors associated with lifetime care of a disabled child or rehabilitation following an accident; or finding a way to keep a parent safely at home who lives hundreds of miles away.

As members of health care teams across the country, medical social workers work hand-in-hand with doctors, nurses and therapists to lessen the psychosocial burden of illness on patients and their family caregivers.

“Illness is never experienced in isolation,” said Barbara McCann, Chief Clinical Officer of Interim HealthCare Inc and a medical social worker. “Rather, it is experienced by an individual and their family and social network. Medical social workers facilitate critical support to the patient, family and their health care team to make rehabilitation, recovery, lifestyle changes and acceptance an achievable pathway to experience life to its fullest.”

Founded in 1966, Interim HealthCare is the nation’s oldest proprietary health care franchise organization providing health care personnel at all skill levels in all settings. Through a network of more than 300 offices, Interim HealthCare provides diverse health care services including home care, medical staffing and occupational health. Interim employs more than 75,000 health care workers and provides services to approximately 50,000 people each day.

For more information, visit www.interimhealthcare.com .

Technorati Tags: Interim HealthCare, home care and health care staffing, National Social Work Month

HEATHSVILLE, Va. — Safe Return! Wilderness Emergency Care & Survival Training Center, an independent American Safety and Health Institute authorized training center, is offering schools, groups, and organizations with outdoor and public safety interests free medical emergency care seminars as an outreach and public information service.

In an era of random violence, people must ask themselves, “Am I really prepared to help myself and to help others when tragedy strikes?” As an example, “Could I properly apply a tourniquet or ensure someone has an open airway so they could breath?” The average person can easily bleed to death in less than seven minutes. Knowing how and where to properly apply a tourniquet can make a real life or death difference.

When an incident or an accident happens, whether it’s in an outdoor setting or on the street, there are simple but critical key actions a rescuer can perform on himself or others that can make the difference between having a good outcome or a bad outcome - especially when emergency medical services may be more than 30 minutes away or medical assistance is hindered by unfolding events.

Topics included are the 12 ways to quickly evaluate whether or not a victim is in a life-threatening condition even if they don’t think they are. Also covered are the reasons why evaluating a child’s injuries must be done differently than assessing an adult’s injuries. The reasons why most commercially available first aid kits cannot help save a life. How to use the $6 first aid item everyone should carry everyday, everywhere, that is no bigger than a fist, that will perform all the life saving and first aid functions most emergencies require.

Also discussed are the three most important steps a rescuer must take to make a life saving difference, and what most people don’t know about how to get help on scene as quickly as possible no matter the location. Other topics include the emergency treatment of hunting and fishing related accidents and emergencies encountered by campers and hikers.

These seminars average 45-90 minutes depending on time allocated.

For more information on these seminars visit www.safereturntraining.com or call 804-313-0932.

Technorati Tags: medical emergency care seminars, Safe Return Wilderness Emergency Care Survival Training, emergency treatment of hunting accidents, emergencies encountered by campers

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Dr. Mark Berkowitz, Medical Director of Accents Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa, is just in time to prepare pouty lips and transform thin lips for a special Valentine’s Day. Berkowitz has just released a free, fact-filled report, entitled: “Lip Tips You’ll Love” - an in-depth review of today’s lip enhancing options sure to dispel common myths and leave Detroiter’s smiling seductively.

“This information is going to be incredibly valuable to women of all ages,” explains Berkowitz. “Thin lips or wrinkles surrounding the mouth leave my female patients feeling insecure. Even with great skin and flawless make-up, thin, wrinkled lips can’t be disguised. Rarely does a day pass without addressing this concern,” Berkowitz adds. A live treatment can be viewed on YouTube.com - just search for “Berkowitz lips.”

Cathy Stramaglia, one of Berkowitz’s medical aestheticians, knows the value of plumper lips first hand. She recently had Restylane placed by Dr. Berkowitz in her lips and is pleased to report that even a month later she loves applying lipstick and lip liner every morning. Cathy feels more self-confident since her quick, in-office treatment and would without reservation recommend this procedure to any woman feeling remotely inhibited by their less than sultry lips.

With so many options available to create a plump, seductive smile, “Lip Tips You’ll Love,” explains surgical lip augmentation, cosmetic injections and more. Maria Orlando, another of Berkowitz’s medical aestheticians, also contributed to this guide to beautiful lips with tips for lip health, make-up application, and choosing the right products.

Free copies of “Lip Tips You’ll Love” are available. Anyone who would like a copy may request it by phone: (586) 254-7692 or may download it from Berkowitz’s website: www.OneHourLift.com/lips.

Berkowitz has been injecting lip-plumping fillers for nearly a decade and welcomes the opportunity to educate Detroiters interested in enhancing social interactions limited by frown lines, smokers lips or looking old. Being both knowledgeable and entertaining, Berkowitz interviews well and welcomes questions from the media, listeners and readers alike. His interviews have been featured in The Detroit Free Press, The Macomb Daily, on Today’s Health and on WDIV.

Technorati Tags: Lip Tips You’ll Love guide, Accents Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa, Mark Berkowitz MD

DETROIT, Mich. — Though we were all born with smooth, baby-soft skin the effects of time and heredity begin to show on the faces of Detroiter’s of all ages. Dr. Mark Berkowitz of Accents Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa has reintroduced many people to more vibrant, youthful, and healthy-looking skin with a single, 30-minute in-office treatment using the newest fractional laser technology imported just last month from Italy. MIXTO fractional resurfacing will restore clear, radiant skin, quickly reversing years of neglect, sun exposure, stress, and life’s choices.

Berkowitz explains that because laser technologies for skin rejuvenation are so remarkably precise, skin care professionals are able to determine the number of times the laser should pass over the skin. This allows certain areas to receive a customized level of attention during treatment - not an option with less controllable methods of skin rejuvenation, like chemical peels. And, while Berkowitz utilizes many different lasers for resurfacing, his new procedure is most exciting and is comfortable enough to endure without anesthesia - no shots, no IV’s and no disorienting medicine means no designated driver needed afterwards.

Berkowitz warns that not all cosmetic lasers are equal nor are all practitioners. To further explain, Berkowitz has published a fact-filled report about laser resurfacing, comparing today’s laser options and answering the frequently heard questions his patients ask when considering a skin rejuvenation procedure. The report is available on his website, www.OneHourLift.com/MIXTO.

For non-internet surfers, Berkowitz’s friendly staff will gladly mail a copy by simply calling to request a free report. ACCENTS staff may be reached at (586) 254-7692 or toll free at (888) 99-BOTOX.

Dr. Mark Berkowitz is a uniquely qualified cosmetic surgeon - one of only 18 others in Michigan with his certifications and expertise. As a fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Berkowitz specializes in laser eyelid rejuvenation and revision procedures to correct less than desirable outcomes of other surgeons. For more than ten years, he has successfully transformed his patient’s visions of beauty into reality by sculpting sagging skin, redefining drooping jowls, renewing facial contours, and improving the appearance of aging, sun damaged and flawed skin.

An actual laser treatment has been video taped with patient consent for viewing online at www.AccentsCosmeticSurgery.com.

Technorati Tags: MIXTO fractional resurfacing, Doctor Mark Berkowitz, Accents Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa, Detroit Business News

ENCINO, Calif. — In December 2007, MedSort.com, a premier online personal medication list management system, launched a comprehensive personal health records system - MedSort Health(TM) - which empowers consumers and patients to take control of their health records. Since January 2007, MedSort.com has been helping patients to create and manage their medication and allergy list online. Any changes or updates made online are automatically sent to patient physicians. This new addition, MedSort Health(TM), adds a whole new level to patient healthcare management.

MedSort Health(TM) allows consumers and patients to store a comprehensive online health record; keep a health journal; track and graph lab results; check medication interactions; and communicate this information to physicians via an interactive Web link.

With the push towards electronic health records (EHR), more and more physician offices are designing paperless offices. For example, Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are applications used by physicians and other healthcare providers to keep electronic versions of patient health records. It facilitates communication among different healthcare providers and organizations.

Parallel to this, Personal Health Records (PHR) have been developed for patients. They give the patient more control over personal health information.

Using MedSort Health(TM), not only do patients control information, they control who has access to it. While physicians can be given access to update this information, the patient has the final say on the content. This link between the physician and the patient helps to more accurately reflect patient health data and to reduce medical errors.

Prior to the release of MedSort Health(TM), MedSort.com users have been creating complete medication and allergy lists using a comprehensive database of medications. For example, the system presents the patient with available dosages and forms of medications such as tablets, solutions, and eye drops. Based on the selected item, it then provides the patient with appropriate options and usage directions.

While reducing error potential, the resulting list is presented in a format that can be used by physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies, to generate prescriptions or to be saved as part of the patient’s medication-list record. An automatic fax feature will fax an updated medication list to patient-designated physicians.

Using a similar comprehensive disease database, MedSort Health(TM) enables patients to also create a diagnoses and symptoms list, as well as store other vital health data such as blood type, immunization records, emergency contact, insurance information, hospitalization records, pharmacies, and more. In addition, they can store and track imaging studies and procedure lists.

Users of MedSort Health(TM) find the Health Journal feature useful. Daily health journal entries allow patients to keep track of their symptoms, doctor discussions, or any other health-related information. This information will never get lost and is accessible through the Internet, during an emergency, via a secure Emergency Access Code that is provided to the patient when they register.

MedSort.com has taken great care to ensure user privacy and data security. No one has access to the patient’s data unless the patient provides explicit permission. Permission is granted to physicians if the physician is registered with MedSort(TM) and the patient has selected them as one of their physicians. All physician members’ credentials are verified before they gain access to patient information.

As an additional security feature, the site uses encryption and other safeguards to protect against unauthorized access. Emergency Access Codes can be easily re-issued if lost or stolen.

For more information about MedSort’s services, or to register for a free account, visit www.medsort.com.

Technorati Tags: MedSort Health, personal health records system, medication list management system

DETROIT, Mich. — While Dr. Mark Berkowitz’s patients complain frequently about drooping eyelids, sagging skin, and deep wrinkles, these days their main concerns are how to avoid surgery, anesthesia, lengthy recovery time, and hefty surgical fees. To satisfy his patients, Berkowitz and his Accents Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa now has a cache of non-surgical services to address this wildly growing trend… seen not only here in Detroit, but nationally. 2008 promises to be the year of patient satisfaction - as cosmetic-enhancement concerns are addressed with time-tested, safe, effective procedures NOT performed in operating suites WITHOUT the need for anesthesia.

For 2008, Berkowitz and his Sterling Heights medical spa staff have unveiled a 10 Day Make-Over sure to get his patient’s new year off to a great, new start. Like cosmetic surgery, Berkowitz explains, there’s not a single procedure that will address every concern for every patient - but the 10 day make-over offers the customized treatments that yield tremendous results collectively. Each patient works with a Coordinator to develop a unique treatment plan, executed over 10 days. Components may include Botox(r)Cosmetic to soften lines caused by facial gestures; complexion enhancing treatments; a skin tightening procedure; wrinkle fillers for deep lines framing the mouth or to enhance the lip’s border; and even make-up correction.

Berkowitz explains, regardless of the advances seen in modern cosmetic enhancement: (1) surgery will always yield more dramatic results than any non-surgical alternative; (2) failing to correct aging, sun-damaged skin in the quest for “tighter” skin is ill-considered; (3) consultation is critical and patients must educate themselves; (4) sunblock must be worn daily - even during a Michigan winter. As long as his patient’s fully understand these truths - and are appropriate candidates - 2008 should prove successful… without surgery.

Dr. Mark Berkowitz is a uniquely qualified cosmetic surgeon - one of only 18 others in Michigan with his certifications and expertise. As a fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Berkowitz specializes in laser eyelid rejuvenation and revision procedures to correct less than desirable outcomes of other surgeons. For more than ten years, he has successfully transformed his patient’s visions of beauty into reality by sculpting sagging skin, redefining drooping jowls, renewing facial contours, and improving the appearance of aging, sun damaged and flawed skin.

More information: www.markberkowitzmd.com

Technorati Tags: Accents Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa, Doctor Mark Berkowitz

SAN MARINO, Calif. — Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation announced today that the company has received a Certificate of Product Registration for Rexin-G(R) from the Philippine Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), enabling the commercialization of its lead product as a safe and effective treatment for a broad spectrum of intractable cancers. Developed as a tumor-targeted anticancer agent, that actively seeks out and destroys metastatic cancers, Rexin-G exhibits unprecedented single-agent efficacy where other agents, including targeted biologics, have failed.

Moreover, Rexin-G has established an exemplary record of clinical safety, virtually eliminating the systemic toxicities routinely encountered with chemotherapies, thus enhancing quality of life.

This recent regulatory approval and licensure of Rexin-G in the Philippines is noteworthy in that Rexin-G(R) is among the first gene-based medicines to be approved anywhere in the world, and remarkable in that it is the first targeted gene delivery system ever developed that actually works in humans.

However, such individual accomplishments are rarely heralded by the intrepid physicians and scientists at Epeius Biotechnologies whose mission runs contrary to so many blue-sky biotechnology companies that are quick to “sell (i.e., promote) the story,” only to disappoint the patients, who remain the most vulnerable of society.

According to Dr. Frederick L. Hall, President and CEO of Epeius, “It is most fitting that Rexin-G receives its first product registration in the Philippines which brought forth the stellar physician-scientist whose drive and determination to engineer a better medicine made Rexin-G possible, and also it was first in the Philippines where the dedicated clinicians, oncologists, regulatory authorities, and medical institutions worked tirelessly for years to bring this targeted genetic medicine to the bedside.”

Now that Rexin-G is commercially available to Philippine physicians and their patients, and to a host of medical tourists from the United States, Europe, and Japan, the next step is to expand its availability to these countries and to ASEAN countries that share cooperative affiliations with the Philippines.

Epeius Biotechnologies has intensified its efforts to gain product registration in the United States-following several years of safety studies in the USA, Epeius has formally opened three advanced Phase I/II trials in San Marino and Santa Monica, California, for chemo-resistant pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and sarcoma. Based again on unprecedented single-agent efficacy and over-all safety, the U.S. FDA recently approved a Phase II Registration Protocol for osteosarcoma which includes participation of children and adolescents. For additional information about ongoing clinical trials in the United States, contact our Medical Director, Dr. Erlinda M. Gordon at egordon@epeiusbiotech.com.

About Epeius Biotechnologies
Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation is a privately held biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the advancement of genetic medicine with the development and commercialization of its lead products and proprietary targeted delivery systems. Credited with innovations ranging from gene discovery, to designer therapeutic genes, to pathotropic (disease-seeking) targeting, to ultra high-performance vector engineering, to advanced biopharmaceutical manufacturing and bioprocess development, Epeius Biotechnologies is well positioned to “launch” its enabling platform technologies for the benefit of cancer patients worldwide.

Meanwhile, rapid advances in clinical drug development provide Epeius with a unique opportunity for early revenues from the sale of its lead product to the Philippines and reciprocating ASEAN countries-thus demonstrating the high growth potential of a small biotechnology company while maintaining the lowered risk profile of a biopharmaceutical company with a high-value, late-stage product.

To learn more about Rexin-G and Epeius’ pipeline of proprietary compounds currently available for partnership and/or clinical trials, please visit www.epeiusbiotech.com

Technorati Tags: Philippine Bureau of Food and Drugs, Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation, Erlinda Gordon, Frederick Hall, Rexin-G gene based medicine