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C h a i n D r u g s t o r e D a i l y Tu e s d a y, A u g u s t 9 , 2 0 1 6 7 0 BIOLINE LAUNCHES NEW EPIK MIRNA SELECT KITS Bioline, The PCR Company, a wholly- owned subsidiary of Meridian Bioscience, Inc., is proud to announce the worldwide release of the EPIK™ miRNA Select Assays, developed for study of individual microRNA (miRNA) molecules. The EPIK miRNA Select Kits compliment the EPIK miRNA Panel Assays released at the end of 2015, and demonstrates the continued collaboration between MiRXES in Singapore and Bioline. Recent studies continue to show the clinical value of individual miRNA mol- ecules that are released from tissues and cells. The expression of certain individ- ual miRNA molecules correlates with specific disease conditions, making them promising biomarker candidates for the early detection of disease, prognosis and monitoring of treatment. These individual assays use the same novel approach developed by MiRXES for the panel assays, which employs miRNA specific reverse transcriptase primers and hemi-nested real-time PCR primers along with Bioline reverse tran- scriptase, SensiSMART™ with SYBR ® Green and highly optimized buffers. The resulting assays enable detection of extremely low levels of miRNA with very high specificity, allowing the dis- crimination between closely related miRNA sequences. Marco Calzavara, President of Bioline, commented, "I am very pleased to announce the release of the EPIK miRNA Select Kits, following the suc- cessful release of the EPIK miRNA Panels, this increases our portfolio of high quality miRNA kits, helping researchers with miRNA expression pro- filing, quantification and in biomarker discovery." Richard L. Eberly, President of Meridian Life Science, Inc., stated, "We remained committed to expanding the rapidly growing portfolio of highly spe- cialized molecular biology products from Bioline. The release of the EPIK miRNA Select Assays and the enhanced perform- ance are an important addition, as they provide another set of valuable research tools for our life science customers in creating more accurate and non-invasive molecular diagnostic assays." About Meridian Bioscience, Inc. Meridian is a fully integrated life sci- ence company that develops, manufac- tures, markets and distributes a broad range of innovative diagnostic test kits, purified reagents and related products and offers biopharmaceutical enabling technologies. Utilizing a variety of methods, these products and diagnostic tests provide accuracy, simplicity and speed in the early diagnosis and treat- ment of common medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal, viral and respi- ratory infections. Meridian's diagnostic products are used outside of the human body and require little or no special equipment. The company's products are designed to enhance patient well- being while reducing the total outcome costs of healthcare. Meridian has strong market positions in the areas of gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections, serology, parasitology and fungal disease diagnosis. In addition, Meridian is a supplier of rare reagents, specialty biologicals and related tech- nologies used by biopharmaceutical companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines. The company mar- kets its products and technologies to hospitals, reference laboratories, research centers, diagnostics manufac- turers and biotech companies in more than 70 countries around the world. Meridian's website address is www.meridianbioscience.com. For more information, visit www.bioline .com, www.meridianlifescience.com, or www.meridianbioscience.com. SBYR is a registered trademark of Life Technologies. NATIONAL HEADACHE FOUNDATION RECEIVES SIGNIFICANT DONATIONS Dr. Seymour Diamond, President of the Diamond Fellowship and Educational Foundation, and his family are pleased to announce the Board of Directors has authorized the donation of cash and securities valued at approximately $1,500,000 to the National Headache Foundation: (a) for use in research and educational programs of the National Headache Foundation, and (b) for fund- ing of the Seymour Diamond, M.D. Fellowship in Headache Medicine at Stritch School of Medicine-Loyola University Chicago (Maywood, Illinois). "Being the founder of the organiza- tion and seeing all of the wonderful work it has done over the years, I cannot envi- sion a better place for a donation from the Diamond family," Dr. Diamond said. About the National Headache Foundation The National Headache Foundation (NHF) is the oldest and largest organiza- tion dedicated to enhancing the health- care of individuals with headache. It is the premier educational and information- al resource for individuals with headache, their families, physicians, allied health care professionals and health policy decision makers. The mission of the National Headache Foundation is "to cure headache, and end its pain and suffer- ing." Its vision is "A World Without Headache." The NHF accomplishes its mission by providing educational and information resources, supporting headache research and advocating for the understanding of headache as a legiti- mate neurobiological disease. For more information, email mfranklin@headaches.org or call 312.274.2653. NOVAVAX APPOINTS BOB DARIUS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, QUALITY OPERATIONS Novavax, Inc., a clinical-stage vaccine company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of recombinant nanoparticle vaccines and adjuvants, has announced the appoint- ment of Bob Darius, Senior Vice President, Quality Operations. He will be responsible for leading the global Quality Operations of the company, including both Quality Assurance and Quality Control, as well as serving as a member of the company's senior management team. Darius joins Novavax with more than 25 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control and strategic manufacturing. As Vice President Quality Operations at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals, he provided over- sight of the North American and German Vaccine Manufacturing Operations for more than 10 years and most recently transitioned to Head Quality Advocacy Liaison. Darius also held positions of increasing responsibility at the Food and Drug Administration, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, where he was a Senior Reviewer and Inspector, Advisor to the Deputy Center Director, Medicine, on counter-bioterror- ism products. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from George Mason University and completed gradu- ate work in biotechnology at Johns Hopkins University. For more information, go to www.novavax.com. HEALTHEAST PARTNERS WITH SURGICAL CARE AFFILIATES IN ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc. (SCA) has partnered with HealthEast in St. Paul, Minnesota, effective March 1, 2016 on a merger of HealthEast's Midway Surgery Center and Maplewood Surgery Center, a joint venture owned by HealthEast, SCA, and physician investors. The merger strengthens SCA's and HealthEast's posi- tion in the St. Paul market as a provider of high quality, low cost surgical services. James Grant, MD, Vice President of Operations for SCA in Minnesota, said, "Through the merger of Midway and Maplewood, we now have a multi-spe- cialty center offering services in orthope- dics, podiatry, otolaryngology, gynecolo- gy, general surgery and others. This enables us to grow as a leading provider of high quality, low cost surgeries in St. Paul. We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with HealthEast as we con- tinue to expand SCA's offerings to physi- cians and patients throughout Minnesota." Peter Kelly, MD, HealthEast's Vice President and Executive Medical Director of Surgical Services, said he is very pleased about the enhanced services and partnership opportunities that come with consolidation of its same-day sur- gery services. "Maplewood is centrally located within our service area," Dr. Kelly said. "This merger supports the needs of our patients and communities and offers partnership and practice opportunities to more surgeons. We also expect it to strengthen our partnership with SCA." About Maplewood Surgery Center Maplewood Surgery Center is a physi- cian-led outpatient surgery center focused on the patient experience which provides a full suite of outpatient surgical services, including general surgery, gyne- cology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pain management and podiatry. It is jointly owned by SCA, HealthEast and physi- cian investors. About Surgical Care Affiliates SCA, a leader in the outpatient surgery industry, strategically partners with physician groups, health plans and health systems across the country to develop and optimize surgical facilities. As of December 31, 2015, SCA operated 193 surgical facilities, including ambulatory surgery centers and surgical hospitals, in partnership with approximately 2,800 physicians. About HealthEast HealthEast is a leading health care provider in the Twin Cities' East Metro area. From prevention to cure, it meets the needs of the community with family health and specialty programs that span four hospitals – Bethesda Hospital, St. John's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and Woodwinds Health Campus – plus 14 clinics, home care and medical transporta- tion. HealthEast has nearly 7,500 employ- ees and nearly 850 physicians on staff. Its focus is optimal health and well-being. For more information, visit www .scasurgery.com or www.healtheast.org.