OPKO Health to Expand Latin American Presence with Acquisition of Brazilian Pharmaceutical Company

OPKO Health Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Silcon Comércio, Importacao E Exportacao de Produtos Farmaceuticos e Cosmeticos Ltda. Domiciled in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Silcon expands OPKO’s presence in Latin America and complements business activities of units in Chile and Mexico.

“With this acquisition, OPKO establishes a footprint in the most important growth market in South America”

Silcon broadens OPKO’s reach in Latin America with this entry into the largest market in the region. Buy Geodon (Ziprasidone) pills online without prescription Beyond providing important cross marketing opportunities for its growing portfolio of products, Silcon represents an important strategic element for OPKO’s diagnostic business; it permits commercialization of the 4KScore™ prostate cancer test in Brazil as a reference laboratory test while OPKO obtains local approval to market its point of care microfluidics disposable test cassettes.
“With this acquisition, OPKO establishes a footprint in the most important growth market in South America,” said Phillip Frost, M.D., Chairman and CEO of OPKO. “The acquisition allows OPKO to satisfy regulatory requirements for doing business in Brazil, which might otherwise be a prolonged process. Moreover, this platform enhances commercial synergies among our recent acquisitions and facilitates the near-term commercialization in the Brazilian market of our 4Kscore™, a novel panel of biomarkers and associated algorithm to more accurately detect and grade possible prostate cancers.”
About OPKO Health, Inc.
OPKO is a multinational biopharmaceutical and diagnostics company that seeks to establish industry leading positions in large, rapidly growing markets by leveraging its discovery, development and commercialization expertise and novel and proprietary technologies.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA), which statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "projects," "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "should," "intends," "estimates," and other words of similar meaning, including statements regarding the benefits and synergies resulting from the acquisition of Silcon, including whether OPKO’s portfolio of products in Latin America will grow and Silcon will provide the anticipated cross marketing opportunities, whether Silcon will provide a commercial platform that supports the near-term launch of OPKO’s 4Kscore™ in Brazil, the timing for the launch of the 4Kscore™, whether Silcon will enable OPKO to satisfy regulatory requirements for doing business in Brazil,, the ability to obtain local approval of OPKO’s point of care microfluidics disposable test cassettes, whether OPKO will be successful in migrating its 4Kscore™ onto the microfluidics disposable test cassettes, the potential benefits of the 4Kscore™, the ability to more accurately detect and grade possible prostate cancers, whether OPKO or Silcon will be able to successfully commercialize the 4Kscore™, as well as other non-historical statements about our expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding our business, technologies and products, financial condition, strategies or prospects. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements. These factors include those described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as risks inherent in funding, developing and obtaining regulatory approvals of new, commercially-viable and competitive products and treatments. In addition, forward-looking statements may also be adversely affected by general market factors, competitive product development, product availability, federal and state regulations and legislation, the regulatory process for new products and indications, manufacturing issues that may arise, patent positions and litigation, among other factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA.

Pfizer Commences Consent Solicitation for Amendments to Pharmacia Indentures

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced that it has commenced a consent solicitation to amend certain provisions of the indentures governing the following outstanding debt securities (the Securities) of Pharmacia Corporation
Buy Advair Diskus (Fluticasone-Salmeterol) pills online without prescription. Pfizer is soliciting consents from holders of record of the Securities as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 14, 2012. In order for the proposed amendments to be adopted with respect to the 6.50% Debentures due 2018 and the 6.60% Debentures due 2028, consents must be received from the holders of at least a majority (greater than 50%) in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each such series affected by the proposed amendments. In order for the proposed amendments to be adopted with respect to the 6.47% Notes due 2018, the 8.70% Debentures due 2021 and the 6.75% Debentures due 2027, consents must be received from the holders of at least 66 ²/₃% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each such series affected by the proposed amendments. If the proposed amendments are approved with respect to a series of Securities, Pfizer will make a payment to each holder of such series who validly delivers its consent prior to the expiration of the consent solicitation and does not validly revoke such consent of $2.50 for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities to which such consent relates. The solicitation will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 23, 2012, unless extended. The detailed terms and conditions of the consent solicitation are set forth in a Consent Solicitation dated August 15, 2012 and the related Letter of Consent, each to be sent to record holders of the Securities.
J.P. Morgan will act as Solicitation Agent for the consent solicitation. D.F. King will act as the Information and Tabulation Agent.
This announcement is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to purchase or sell, a solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell, or a solicitation of consents with respect to any securities. The solicitation is being made solely pursuant to the above-described Consent Solicitation dated August 15, 2012 and the related Letter of Consent.
The solicitation of consents is not being made in any jurisdiction in which, or to or from any person to or from whom, it is unlawful to make such solicitation under applicable state or foreign securities or “blue sky” laws.
Pfizer Inc: Working together for a healthier world™
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world’s best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world’s leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us.

 

Tell People What Is In Your Cigarettes, Tobacco Makers Told

Tobacco companies will have to inform purchasers about all the harmful substances they place in their products, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ruled. They will also have to back up any "reduced harm" claims with compelling proof, the Agency added.

The FDA says the two draft guidance documents form part of the provisions stipulated in the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. To date, consumers have not been told what chemicals there are in tobacco products. Buy Zyban tabs online without prescription

Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, said:

"Today's actions represent critical steps forward on providing Americans with the facts about the dangers of tobacco use and to stop children from smoking. We will continue to do everything we can to help smokers quit and prevent kids from starting this deadly addiction."

According to the The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, makers of tobacco products, as well as importers, must report what HPHCs (harmful and potentially harmful constituents) exist in their products or the smoke that comes from their products, by brand and sub-brand.

What are HPHCs?

HPHCs are substances that exist in cigars, cigarettes and other tobacco products, and/or their smoke; they might harm the smoker and those nearby (passive smokers, people breathing in environmental smoke).

HPHCs in the tobacco list may potentially cause serious illnesses and/or health problems, including cancer, lung diseases and addiction to tobacco products.

Over 7,000 chemicals and chemical compounds are present in tobacco and the smoke that emanates from tobacco. A list of 93 HPHCs has been established by the FDA that tobacco companies will need to inform consumers about in their products sold throughout the country.

In its website, the FDA wrote:

"The FDA recognizes that industry may be unable to meet the deadline due to current testing limitations. In recognition of this, the draft guidance released today identifies 20 HPHCs that are representative of the full list and for which testing methods are well established and widely available.

FDA intends to focus reporting enforcement on these 20 HPHCs during 2012. FDA intends to make information about the amount of HPHCs in specific products available to the public in a consumer-friendly format by April 2013.

FDA also issued draft guidance today on submitting applications to sell modified risk tobacco products (MRTPs). Modified risk tobacco products are tobacco products that are sold, distributed, or marketed with a claim to reduce harm or the risk of tobacco-related disease."

FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D., said:

"We are forging new territory to ensure that tobacco companies provide accurate information and do not mislead American consumers. We are committed to stopping such practices that may cause people to start or continue using tobacco products that could lead to preventable disease and death."