Press Releases

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/06/09 -- The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Federal Minister of Health, joined by Pamela Fuselli, Executive Director, Safe Kids Canada and Anu Bose, Head of Ottawa Office for Option Consommateurs, will hold a press conference and provide remarks on Bill C-6, the proposed Consumer Product Safety Act.

Minister Aglukkaq will be available to answer questions from the media following her remarks.

Media are invited to attend. If you are unable to participate in person, please call:

North American Dial-In #: 877-413-4804

Int'l/Local Dial-In #: 613-960-7521

Passcode/Conference I'd #: 4037360

Date:     Monday, December 7, 2009

Time:     10:00 a.m. EST

Location: Health Canada
          Room 0115C (Departmental Board Room)
          Basement, Brooke Claxton Bldg.
          Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON

Contacts:
Health Canada
Media Relations
613-957-2983

Office of Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Josee Bellemare
613-957-0200

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 6, 2009) - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Federal Minister of Health, joined by Pamela Fuselli, Executive Director, Safe Kids Canada and Anu Bose, Head of Ottawa Office for Option Consommateurs, will hold a press conference and provide remarks on Bill C-6, the proposed Consumer Product Safety Act.

Minister Aglukkaq will be available to answer questions from the media following her remarks.

Media are invited to attend. If you are unable to participate in person, please call:

North American Dial-In #: 877-413-4804

Int'l/Local Dial-In #: 613-960-7521

Passcode/Conference I'd #: 4037360

Date:     Monday, December 7, 2009

Time:     10:00 a.m. EST

Location: Health Canada
          Room 0115C (Departmental Board Room)
          Basement, Brooke Claxton Bldg.
          Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        Health Canada
        Media Relations
        613-957-2983

        Office of Leona Aglukkaq
        Minister of Health
        Josee Bellemare
        613-957-0200

Source: Health Canada

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 6, 2009) - On Monday, December 7, 2009, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, Senator Linda Frum will announce a new solar water heating program for First Nations communities at an event hosted by the Canadian Solar Industries Association.

Senator Frum will be joined by Elizabeth McDonald, President of the Canadian Solar Industries Association; Joe Thwaites, President of Taylor Munro Energy Systems; Donna Morton, President of the Centre for Integral Economics; and leaders from several First Nations communities.

Location: Westin Harbour Castle
          Metropolitan Ballroom
          1 Harbour Square
          Toronto, Ontario

Date and  December 7, 2009

Time:     8:00 a.m. EST

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
        Office of the Minister
        Jocelyne Turner
        Press Secretary
        613-996-2007

        Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
        Media Relations
        613-992-4447

Source: Natural Resources Canada

Latest Nielsen/Oxford University Survey Finds Asian, Latin American Countries Most Concerned about Climate Change Today

Climate Scientists Viewed as Most Trustworthy Sources of Information about Environment

Global Consumers (except North Americans) believe Governments must lead Climate Change Action

NEW YORK & OXFORD, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Concern for climate change has declined in the past two years with many countries recording a double digit fall, according to new research released today by The Nielsen Company and the Oxford University Institute of Climate Change. In the latest round of the survey, conducted in October 2009, 37 percent of global consumers said they were very concerned about climate change (compared to 41 percent in 2007), with the highest levels of concern expressed in Latin America (57%) and Asia Pacific (42%). However, North America lagged global regions with 25 percent of respondents saying they were "very concerned" about climate change.

Thirty five out of the fifty four countries surveyed recorded a decline in climate change concern, led by Poland (23%) and Canada (22%). Climate Change concern also fell by 18 percent in Portugal and 17 percent in Taiwan, Spain and Sweden.

"The global recession and economic woes temporarily knocked the climate change issue off the top line agenda, but as the recession is now beginning to recede, we expect the Copenhagen Summit may push this important issue to the forefront again," said Jonathan Banks, Business Insights Director Europe, The Nielsen Company. Nielsen/Oxford University research shows that concern and awareness for climate change and the environment peaked in 2007 at the time of the Live Earth concerts and the launch of Al Gore's acclaimed documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth'.

The nations most concerned about climate change were Philippines (78%), Indonesia (66%), Thailand and Mexico (62%). The Philippines posted the highest increase in climate change concern in the past two years, up 14 percent, followed by Vietnam (+9%).

"These are countries which have all experienced the direct effects of climate change through freak weather conditions and natural disasters," said Banks. Typhoon Ketsana devastated both the Philippines and Vietnam in September, while Indonesia has been struck by two earthquakes and tsunami warnings this year.

Concern for climate change in Indonesia and Brazil, the two most concerned countries in 2007, has decreased by 10 and 18 percent respectively in the most recent survey.

Globally, air and water pollution followed by climate change are the top three environmental concerns for the global population. "It's not surprising that water and air pollution top consumers' environmental concerns as these are measurable and visible to the population compared with the concept of climate change, which unfortunately many people only take seriously when human lives are endangered through freak weather patterns," said Banks.

Concern for climate change in China and India increased six and one percent respectively in the last two years. "These countries are among the world's largest emitters and this study shows that actions by their governments are responding to citizen concerns," said Timmons Roberts, Director of Environmental Studies at Brown University, USA.

GOVERNMENT VS. INDIVIDUALS: DIVIDED VIEWS ON SOLUTIONS

Globally, the majority of consumers still believe that the main responsibility for solving climate change should lie with their governments. In October 2009, 36 percent of global consumers said that governments should restrict companies' emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollution, closely followed by 34 percent who said there should be major government-led initiatives for research into scientific and technological solutions such as low emission cars, houses and renewable energy. About one in three global consumers also believe there should be government incentives (tax breaks or subsidies) to individuals for good, less or non-polluting behavior and that the population should recycle waste when possible.

"Regional differences prevail with respect to how consumers feel about the capability of their own governments to handle these issues," observed Banks. Europeans and Latin Americans feel most favourable about major government-led research into climate change solutions, while in Asia Pacific, consumers prefer that governments restrict companies' emissions of CO2 and other pollutants. Consumers in Middle East/Africa are most in favour of major government investment into improving public transport systems. North Americans, however, are the least in favour of government intervention or action towards climate change and top regional rankings for personal actions to combat climate change such as recycling waste, decreasing personal energy usage and switching to more efficient light bulbs, fixtures and electrical appliances.

WHO DOES THE PUBLIC TRUST?

Climate scientists remain the most trusted source of information about climate change, with 58 percent of global consumers believing climate scientists more than any other source. "Trust in scientists has been reported consistently and frequently across these 54 responding nations of the world. This is an important finding as the intensely policy-relevant work of climate scientists - both natural and social - informs negotiations in Copenhagen at the UN Conference of Parties meeting," said Max Boykoff, Assistant Professor of Environmental studies, University of Colorado-Boulder, USA.

The Nielsen/Oxford University Environment and Climate Change Barometer is an annual survey which measures consumer attitudes towards the environment and climate change, trust of information sources and climate change solutions among 27,548 online consumers in 54 countries.

About The Nielsen Company

The Nielsen Company is a global information and media company with leading market positions in marketing and consumer information, television and other media measurement, online intelligence, mobile measurement, trade shows and business publications (Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek). The privately held company is active in approximately 100 countries, with headquarters in New York, USA. For more information, please visit, www.nielsen.com

The Environment Change Institute at Oxford University focuses on environmental change across the natural and social sciences with an orientation to applied and public policy. ECI plays a leading role in three of the UK Government's main climate research initiatives: the UK Climate Impacts Programmes (UKCIP), the Tyndell Centre for Climate Change Research, and the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC). ECI increasingly engages with the public through Oxfordshire ClimateXchange, GhostForest, the Tipping Point Arts & Culture project, and media analysis. www.eci.ox.ac.uk

    Source: The Nielsen Company

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/06/09 -- Cytokinetics, Incorporated (NASDAQ: CYTK) announced today that a poster summarizing clinical trial data regarding SB-743921 was presented at the 2009 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition held December 5-8, 2009 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. SB-743921 is a novel, small molecule inhibitor of kinesin spindle protein (KSP), a mitotic kinesin essential for proper cell division.

"We are pleased by the results emerging from this Phase I/II clinical trial, especially in patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma," stated Andrew A. Wolff, MD, FACC, Cytokinetics' Senior Vice President of Clinical Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer. "The clinical activity as well as the favorable tolerability profile of SB-743921 that have been observed in the Phase I portion of this clinical trial strengthen our belief that this novel drug candidate warrants further development in patients with lymphomas and we look forward to advancing this program under a potential partnership."

Poster Presentation at the 2009 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition:

The poster titled, "A Phase I/II Trial of the Kinesin Spindle Protein (KSP) Inhibitor SB-743921 Dosed Q14D without and with Prophylactic G-CSF in Non-Hodgkin (NHL) or Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL)" was presented on Saturday, December 5, 2009 by Owen A. O'Connor, M.D., Ph.D., Deputy Director of Clinical Research and Cancer Treatment at The Cancer Institute and Chief of the new Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Medical Oncology in the department of Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY. This poster summarized the Phase I portion of a multi-center, international Phase I/II open-label, non-randomized dose-finding clinical trial evaluating SB-743921 in patients with non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin Lymphoma who have progressed or relapsed on standard therapy. The primary objectives of this clinical trial were to determine the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of SB-743921 administered as a 1-hour infusion on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle, first without and then with prophylactic granulopoietic factor support (i.e., granulocyte colony-stimulating factor or G-CSF) and to assess the safety and tolerability of SB-743921 on this schedule. The secondary objectives were to characterize the pharmacokinetics of SB-743921 administered on this schedule and to evaluate the effect of SB-743921 on biomarkers of cell proliferation in patients with accessible tumors.

The authors concluded that the MTD of SB-743921 given on this schedule with G-CSF support was 9 mg/m2. The main DLT of SB-743921 on this schedule with G-CSF support was thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. The authors noted that a greater dose-density was achieved with SB-743921 given on a once every two week schedule without prophylactic G-CSF (i.e., 6 mg/m2 = 0.43 mg/m2/day) than a once every 21 days schedule (i.e., 4 mg/m2 = 0.19 mg/m2/day). Dose-density with G-CSF on the once every two week schedule was equal to 0.64 mg/m2. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities other than myelosuppression were infrequent; in particular, there was no evidence of neuropathy or alopecia greater than Grade 1. An efficacy signal was observed at doses at or above 6 mg/m2 in Hodgkin Lymphoma patients. Of the 55 patients evaluable for efficacy, four partial responses (three patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma and one with indolent non-Hodgkin Lymphoma) were observed. The duration of the response in the patients with a partial response was between 8 weeks and 28 weeks. Best response as a percentage reduction in the sum of the product of diameters for the dominant lesion ranged from 53% to 71%. The small numbers of patients in each of the non-Hodgkin Lymphoma subtypes limited the assessment of activity in those populations. The authors concluded that further evaluation of SB-743921 in selected Hodgkin Lymphoma populations as a single agent, and in combination with other promising drug candidates, is warranted.

About Cytokinetics

Cytokinetics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics that modulate muscle function for the potential treatment of serious diseases and medical conditions. Cytokinetics' lead drug candidate from its cardiac muscle contractility program, omecamtiv mecarbil (formerly CK-1827452), is in Phase II clinical development for the potential treatment of heart failure. Amgen Inc. holds an exclusive license worldwide (excluding Japan) to develop and commercialize omecamtiv mecarbil and related compounds, subject to Cytokinetics' specified development and commercialization participation rights. Cytokinetics is independently developing CK-2017357, a skeletal muscle activator, as a potential treatment for diseases and conditions associated with aging, muscle wasting or neuromuscular dysfunction. CK-2017357 is in Phase I clinical development. Cytokinetics is also conducting non-clinical development of compounds that inhibit smooth muscle contractility and which may be useful as potential treatments for diseases and conditions such as systemic hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension or bronchoconstriction. In addition, prior Cytokinetics' research generated three anti-cancer drug candidates in Phase I clinical development: ispinesib, SB-743921 and GSK-923295. Cytokinetics is seeking a partner for ispinesib and SB-743921. GSK-923295 is being developed by GlaxoSmithKline in collaboration with Cytokinetics. All of these drug candidates and potential drug candidates have arisen from Cytokinetics' research activities and are directed towards the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is a complex biological infrastructure that plays a fundamental role within every human cell. Additional information about Cytokinetics can be obtained at www.cytokinetics.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Cytokinetics disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Act's Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Cytokinetics' and its partners' research and development activities, including clinical trial results for SB-743921, the significance and utility of such results, and the advancement of SB-743921 under a potential partnership, and the properties and potential benefits of SB-743921 and Cytokinetics' other drug candidates and potential drug candidates. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, potential difficulties or delays in the development, testing, regulatory approvals for trial commencement, progression or product sale or manufacturing, or production of Cytokinetics' drug candidates that could slow or prevent clinical development or product approval, including risks that current and past results of clinical trials or preclinical studies may not be indicative of future clinical trials results, patient enrollment for or conduct of clinical trials may be difficult or delayed, Cytokinetics' drug candidates may have adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or foreign regulatory agencies may delay or limit Cytokinetics' or its partners' ability to conduct clinical trials, and Cytokinetics may be unable to obtain or maintain patent or trade secret protection for its intellectual property; Amgen's and GlaxoSmithKline's decisions with respect to the design, initiation, conduct, timing and continuation of development activities for omecamtiv mecarbil and GSK-923295, respectively; Cytokinetics may incur unanticipated research and development and other costs or be unable to obtain additional financing necessary to conduct development of its products; Cytokinetics may be unable to enter into future collaboration agreements for its drug candidates and programs on acceptable terms, if at all; standards of care may change, rendering Cytokinetics' drug candidates obsolete; others may introduce products or alternative therapies for the treatment of indications Cytokinetics' drug candidates and potential drug candidates may target; and risks and uncertainties relating to the timing and receipt of payments from its partners, including milestones and royalties on future potential product sales under Cytokinetics' collaboration agreements with such partners. For further information regarding these and other risks related to Cytokinetics' business, investors should consult Cytokinetics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts:
Christopher S. Keenan
(Investors and Media)
Director, Investor Relations
(650) 624-3000