Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/499803
C h a i n D r u g s t o r e D a i l y 2 5 S a t u r d a y, A p r i l 2 5 , 2 0 1 5 required the use of mixing two solutions together from two separate bottles sold in a box. Smart Mouth is 'activated' when the two solutions are poured together in one cup. In the past the consumer had to pump the two solutions separately into the cup, but now just one 'tilt and pour' will make the activation happen. SmartMouth has a revolutionary activated technology that provides 12 hours of fresh breath with each rinse, advises Biernbaum. "While most other mouthwashes provide fresh breath only for an hour or less, SmartMouth contains a patented zinc ion technology to eradi- cate bad breath gases and prevent them from returning. The technology in SmartMouth Mouthwash lies in the acti- vation (combination) of its two separate solutions. Solution 1 (containing odor- eliminating sodium chlorite) and Solution 2 (containing zinc chloride) are mixed just prior to rinsing, releasing mil- lions of free zinc ions that block odor- producing bacteria from continuing to produce bad breath." Biernbaum explains that there will still be two SKUs of SmartMouth mouth- wash: the Original formulation, clinically proven, for 24 hours of clean fresh breath with two rinses each day, and "Gum and Plaque" to provide 24 hours of clean fresh breath plus advanced germ-killing, treatment for gingivitis, plaque and defense against "medication breath!" He adds that the brand also includes a handy SmartMouth (Cont'd. from p. 1) travel SKU, with advanced toothpaste, gums and mints. Biernbaum said that the executive team, as well as the retailers that have already had category reviews, are excited about a new bifurcated approach to advertising. He explains, "The target marketing for the 'Original' will be younger adults using the product mostly for personal hygiene, dating, marriage and pure confidence, with advertising in social media, podcasting and television. For example, Adam Carolla is already sell- ing a lot of SmartMouth on his pod- cast!" For middle-aged and older adults that suffer from bad breath from pre- scription drugs, and for those that need comprehensive protection, the Gum and Plaque formula will be advertised on television, talk-radio and in print- advertorials. Chuck Woolery is an active spokesperson for the brand on TV and radio. "The dual-pour single bottle answers every previous concern the consumer has ever expressed about SmartMouth! The inconvenience of the two bottles and pumps goes away! The box goes away! And what used to appear as a 'science experiment' on the consumer's bathroom counter-top now looks modern and sexy," said Biernbaum. For more information, contact David Biernbaum at 314.434.6008 or david@biernbaum.com or learn more at www.smartmouth.com. infection and neuroscience diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 coun- tries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. CDD: This is your first time attending NACDS. What excites you most about this experience? DS: We are delighted to be back at NACDS, which is a key meeting for AstraZeneca. I think what I'm most look- ing forward to is meeting with our pharma- cy and wholesale customers. For each of us, the heart of our business is improving health outcomes and transforming patients' lives. When you share a common purpose, it's amazing what you can achieve together. CDD: What is important for these cus- tomers to know about AstraZeneca? DS: At AstraZeneca, we believe in and value science and patients. We are focused on getting the right medication to the right patient at the right time. This requires collaboration and part- nership with others in the health sys- tem, including pharmacies, whole- salers and distributors. We also recog- nize the important role pharmacies play in achieving better health out- comes, helping improve medication adherence and closing gaps in care. We aim to collaborate with customers who share our values. And we know this can only be achieved by listening first and truly understanding the needs of their business and the patients we col- lectively serve. That's why we're here. CDD: Can you tell us more about AstraZeneca (Cont'd. from p. 1) AstraZeneca's recently redefined strategy? DS: We are focused on returning to growth through our science-led strategy that is underpinned by investment in dis- tinctive science in our three main therapy areas: oncology; cardiovascular and metabolic disease; and respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity; a bal- anced portfolio of specialty and primary care products, including both small and large molecules; and the potential for combinations, as well as a strong global commercial presence. Since setting our strategy, we have completed the first phase in our strategic journey. We have rapidly strengthened and accelerated our pipeline, established strong momentum behind our growth platforms, and are cre- ating significant value for patients and shareholders. The shape of our business is evolving. We are building a sustainable, durable and more profitable company. CDD: Scientific leadership is one of AstraZeneca's core strategic priorities. Can you tell us more about what that means? DS: At AstraZeneca, each and every one of us is bold in the belief that science should be at the center of everything we do. Science can change the way we see the world and how we can impact the dis- eases that impact us. Science compels us to push the boundaries of what is possi- ble. We trust in the potential of ideas and pursue them, alone and with others, until we have transformed the treatment of dis- ease. For more information, visit booth #538, go to www.astrazeneca.com or call 800.236.9933. suppliers, customers and the healthcare environment for more than 60 years. Staying true to those roots, H. D. Smith is still developing and expand- ing its offerings to meet the demands of the healthcare industry. Several years ago, H. D. Smith established its mission: to be the preferred, customer- focused, national supplier of health- care products and business solutions, improving the quality, safety and cost of patient care, while maintaining the highest level of honesty and integrity. This focus has resulted in the evolution of how H. D. Smith offers stronger performance and a structure that ensures value. Sustainable success and growth requires continued focus on our existing businesses, while having a clear vision of the future and an unwavering commit- ment to secure our competitive standing tomorrow. Once, we saw ourselves competing against global wholesale distributors and have demonstrated time and again that size alone is not the defining factor for success – creating value and ensuring an extraordinary customer experience are our competitive advantages. Today, the company's focus is expanding from solely wholesale distri- bution to include more manufacturer sup- port offerings and direct patient contact. While distribution is our core, the com- pany has evolved to become a provider of H. D. Smith (Cont'd. from p. 1) products, services, solutions and action- able insights. Through creativity, flexibility and agility, our customers and suppliers alike recognize the benefit of working with a partner engaged in improving the industry. With part of our mission to drive down healthcare costs, H. D. Smith is building alliances with health- care innovators to reduce the barriers that prevent patients from obtaining medicines. At Triplefin, we do this through our electronic prior authoriza- tions, electronic benefit verifications, patient assistant programs, and other programs within the hub, connecting products, physician, pharmacy, payer and patient to maximize outcomes while controlling costs. Partners of H. D. Smith know they have access to high levels of leadership in the company and we appreciate having the same relationship with our partners. Many pharmacies often provide extraor- dinary customer service to the patients they help. As a wholesaler, H. D. Smith strives to offer the same experience to its customers. To realize the company's mission and implement additional ventures, a new leadership structure was put in place to support the coming business transfor- mation – ensuring the company's talent aligned with its aspiration for profitable growth and expansion. For more information, visit www.hdsmith.com. PHASEBIO RAISES $40 MILLION SERIES C FINANCING LED BY ASTRAZENECA PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which is involved in the field of biopolymer-based drugs and focused on developing treat- ments for metabolic and specialty car- diopulmonary disorders, today announced that it has closed a $40 mil- lion Series C financing round led by AstraZeneca. Investment by AstraZeneca and existing investors New Enterprise Associates, Hatteras Venture Partners, Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC and Fletcher Spaght Ventures will enable progression of PhaseBio's once-weekly insulin (PE0139) into Phase 2a testing for type 2 diabetes and once-weekly Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (PB1046) into separate Phase 2a trials for heart fail- ure and for cardiomyopathy in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. Michael Gutch, Ph.D., M.B.A., Executive Director of Corporate Development at AstraZeneca, has joined PhaseBio's board of directors. Donald Dwyer, M.B.A., Executive Director of Evaluations at AstraZeneca has joined as a board observer of PhaseBio. PE0139 is a first-in-class, super long-acting, fully native basal insulin intended for once-weekly subcutaneous administration, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other treatments for type 2 diabetes. PB1046 is comprised of a recombinant form of the human pep- tide hormone Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) that stimulates biological pathways important in the regulation of the cardiopulmonary and immune sys- tems. Both compounds utilize PhaseBio's proprietary Elastin-Like Polypeptide (ELP) technology to provide longer half- life and greater stability in circulation while retaining similar potency to the native sequences. "AstraZeneca is committed to bring- ing innovative treatments to improve the life of diabetic patients," said Dr. Gutch. "The ELP technology developed by PhaseBio might offer to patients the oppor- tunity to manage their diabetes by injecting once-weekly, long-acting basal insulin." "The investment from AstraZeneca, together with our existing investors, pro- vides PhaseBio with a great deal of oper- ational flexibility and resources to advance PE0139 into a Phase 2a study, as well as to initiate Phase 2a trials of PB1046 for acute heart failure and for cardiomyopathy in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients," said Jonathan P. Mow, Chief Executive Officer of PhaseBio. "Given the broad potential for PB1046 to treat both heart failure and orphan diseases, we have the flexibility to either develop and launch the product on our own or in collabora- tion with a partner."