Press Releases

-- CYIT, Leading Time Division - Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) Solution Provider, to Develop Power Management IC for Third-generation Baseband Product --

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Active-Semi announced today the signing of a definitive agreement with Chongqing Chongyou Information Technology Co., Ltd (CYIT). CYIT is a leader in solutions supporting the Chinese 3G TD-SCDMA standard. Active-Semi will develop an integrated Power Management IC for CYIT's next-generation mobile phone chipsets.

"CYIT is a leading developer of the TD-SCDMA standard and a key chipset provider. Active Semiconductor's world class international team brings us a differentiated solution. Our partnership with Active-Semi empowers us to deliver the best performance at the right price for our customers," said Mr. Jainhong Zheng, CTO and Vice President of CYIT.

CYIT has been a leading developer of the Chinese Government backed "Home Grown" third-generation Mobile cellular communication standard and was the first to demonstrate a TD-SCDMA based mobile phone prototype in 2003. Active-Semi's Power Management IC will provide a complete power and analog mixed signal solution to support the CYIT chipset for optimum performance and battery life.

"We are very pleased to be partnering with CYIT, the leading provider of solutions for the rapidly growing Chinese 3G standard," said Larry Blackledge, CEO of Active-Semi. "This key partnership establishes Active-Semi at the forefront of this rapidly expanding market and underlines the strength of our innovative PMU (Power Management Unit) technology."

Active-Semi is scheduled to ship the first units of this new PMU solution in the first half of 2010, accelerating their overall revenue growth with the entry into this rapidly expanding market sector.

About Active Semiconductor

Founded in 2004 in Silicon Valley, California, Active-Semi has assembled an international team of analog semiconductor experts, delivering a powerfully unique, innovative product portfolio. Active-Semi has shipped over 500 million ICs and continuously develops new intellectual property to provide leading edge solutions.

Active-Semi is committed to environment, health and safety excellence by producing products complying with two directives: Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). The ActivePSRTM family of digital Primary-Side Regulation (PSR) controllers exceeds all green power efficiency standards.

"Team Active" currently comprises more than 170 people worldwide, with advanced research and development centers, ISO9001:2000 certified operation, and sales presence in the United States, Europe, Korea, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Team Active is backed by an investor group including U.S. Venture Partners, Tenaya Capital, Selby Ventures, Sunrise Capital and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital.

For more information, visit www.active-semi.com.

    Source: Active Semiconductor

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Universal Forest Products Western Division Inc. (UFP-WD) and Titan Wood Inc., a subsidiary of Accsys Technologies, PLC, a company listed on AIM and Euronext, are pleased to announce UFP-WD will distribute Titan's Accoya wood in the United States.

Accoya is a modified wood produced only from certified sustainable sources, using an environmentally responsible process. It offers outstanding durability, dimensional stability, and reliability.

As a subsidiary of Universal Forest Products, Inc., a NASDAQ listed holding company whose operating subsidiaries had over $2 billion of sales last year, UFP-WD will be central to Accoya wood sales in the US. Dick Frazier, President of UFP-WD, noted, "We are constantly seeking innovative new products such as Accoya wood for our portfolio in order to meet the needs of our broad range of customers. We are delighted to be working with Titan Wood in distributing this revolutionary product."

With initial product certification and introduction now complete in the United States, UFP-WD will provide market penetration in existing and new application segments, as well as increased recognition of the Accoya brand.

Paul Clegg, Chief Executive Officer, of Titan Wood, added, "North America is a key market in the wood products industry. The commitment from a leading distributor like Universal Forest Products Western Division provides further validation of the quality and potential of our product. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship."

Notes to Editors:

Universal Forest Products Western Division Inc. is a subsidiary of Universal Forest Products Inc. (www.ufpi.com). Universal Forest Products Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol 'UFPI'. Universal Forest Products is the nation's leading manufacturer and distributor of wood and wood-alternative products to retail/dealer, site-built construction, manufactured housing and industrial markets.

Titan Wood Inc. (www.titanwood.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Accsys Technologies PLC (www.accsysplc.com) group of companies. Accsys Technologies PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market and on Euronext Amsterdam by NYSE Euronext, under the symbol 'AXS'.

Accoya(R) wood (www.accoya.info) is produced using a non-toxic process that effectively converts certified sustainably grown solid softwood and non-durable hardwood lumber into what is best described as a 'new wood species' via acetylation. Distinguished by its durability, dimensional stability and, perhaps most importantly of all, its reliability (in terms of consistency of both supply and quality), Accoya(R) wood is particularly suited to exterior applications where performance and appearance are valued. Unlike most tropical and temperate hardwoods, its colour does not degrade when exposed to ultraviolet light. Moreover, the Accoya(R) wood production process does not compromise the wood's strength or machinability. The combination of UV resistance, dimensional stability, durability and retained strength means that Accoya(R) wood offers a wealth of new opportunities to architects, designers, specifiers, builders and manufacturers Leading applications include external doors and windows, shutters/shading, siding and cladding, decking, outdoor furniture/equipment and glulam beams for structural use.

Wood Acetylation is a process, which increases the amount of 'acetyl' molecules in wood, thereby changing its physical properties. The environmentally responsible process protects wood from rot by making it "inedible" to most micro-organisms and insects, without - unlike some conventional treatments - making it toxic. It also greatly reduces the wood's tendency to swell and shrink, making it less prone to cracking and ensuring that when painted it requires dramatically reduced maintenance. Acetylated wood's increased durability offers major carbon sequestration advantages, compared to others woods and especially typical man-made building materials.

ACCOYA(R) and the Trimarque Device are registered trademarks owned by Titan Wood Limited and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.

Media: Download CMYK eps-zip logo file, here.

    Source: Titan Wood Inc. and Universal Forest Products Western Division Inc.

    Q3 Financials, EU Stem Cell Merger, MindUp Cancer Project, Pink Sheets
    Ranking

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Hard to Treat Diseases (HTDS.PK) www.htdsmedical.com is using this opportunity to update the shareholders and the public on the development of several previously announced events, namely Q3 financials, Intellectual Property Rights, the pending EU merger, and HTDS' Pink Sheets "skull and bones" rankings.

Regarding the HTDS' Q3 financials, HTDS will file the Q3 financials on Pink Sheets by the due date of November 15, 2009. The company will also follow up with a brief news update of the financials, including the progress of H1N1 of Mellow Hope, the positive future prospects HTDS management foresees with the upcoming Novartis acquisition of 85% stake in HTDS' H1N1 Vaccine partner, Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-Pharmaceutical Co, thus by default Novaris becoming the new partner. The research progress of its Slavica Bio Chem subsidiary, Cancer Mind Up project and its www.mindupbioresearch.com website which the company will launch this week.

The Intellectual Property (IP) dispute with Blue Earth Solutions (BESN) namely the Styro-Solve product, HTDS management can report that its negotiations continue. HTDS management is hopeful for a mutually beneficial settlement.

The HTDS' merger negotiations with the EU based stem cell research company are well underway. The HTDS representatives have scheduled meetings, and the start of Due Diligence for November 23-25, 2009. HTDS management is exploring various options of this lucrative deal. The scenario which HTDS management is currently favoring includes a hybrid of technology - revenue sharing model. This it would achieve through its Slavica Bio Chem subsidiary which would earn HTDS licensing revenues. This hybrid mechanism merger would leave HTDS' share structure undisturbed while at the same time HTDS' would earn fees for technology and services exchanged.

Lastly, HTDS addresses the issue of the Naked Short Sellers again. HTDS is working continuously with Pink Sheets to resolve the issue as it affects the HTDS' ranking on Pink Sheets. The ranking still warns buyers that the stock is under siege, and restricts certain normal trading activities of the security.

Lastly, regarding HTDS' audited statements and its aspirations of up listing to OTCBB, an auditor is currently engaged on completing HTDS' 2007-2008 financials. Audited statements are one of the requirements the company must obtain to meet the OTCBB listing threshold. HTDS management does not foresee any issues in meeting the audit requirements. HTDS management has a prearranged OTCBB vehicle already ready formulated and capitalized for its operating subsidiaries and the soon to be announced merger up list to OTCBB.

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Safe Harbor Statement

Information in this news release may contain statements about future expectations, plans, prospects or performance of Hard to Treat Diseases Inc. that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the Safe Harbor Provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words or phrases "can be", "expects", "may affect", "believed", "estimate", "project" and similar words and phrases are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Hard to Treat Diseases Inc. cautions you that any forward-looking information provided by or on behalf of Hard to Treat Diseases Inc. is not a guarantee of future performance. None of the information in this press release constitutes or is intended as an offer to sell securities or investment advice of any kind. Hard to Treat Diseases Inc.'s actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, some of which are beyond Hard to Treat Diseases Inc.'s control. In addition to those discussed in Hard to Treat Diseases Inc.'s press releases, public filings, and statements by Hard to Treat Diseases Inc.'s management, including, but not limited to, Hard to Treat Diseases Inc.'s estimate of the sufficiency of its existing capital resources, Hard to Treat Diseases Inc.'s ability to raise additional capital to fund future operations, Hard to Treat Diseases Inc.'s ability to repay its existing indebtedness, the uncertainties involved in estimating market opportunities, and in identifying contracts which match Hard to Treat Diseases Inc.'s capability to be awarded contracts. All such forward-looking statements are current only as of the date on which such statements were made. Hard to Treat Diseases Inc. does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

CONTACT: For any investor relations matters, please contact www.minamargroup.net/helpdesk; Investor Relations Department Inquiry, www.minamargroup.net (IR); For (M&A) and Corporate Matters, www.minamargroup.com

SOURCE Hard to Treat Diseases

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Learning loss of academic skills and knowledge often takes place during summer months while students are on vacation. This is commonly referred to as "summer learning loss," where academic gains made during the school year may not continue across the summer and into the following school year. Students from low income backgrounds may be especially vulnerable to this loss. Several leading Texas school districts are participating in a rigorous research study, How a Summer Reading Intervention Based on Lexiles Affects Reading Comprehension, which seeks to minimize this learning loss through the use of a volunteer summer reading program. The study is sponsored by REL Southwest at Edvance Research, one of ten national education research laboratories funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.

Study Overview

The research study includes participation from four school districts in Texas including Cypress-Fairbanks and Klein ISDs in the Houston region as well as Austin ISD. The study commenced in summer 2009, with school participation estimated for completion in mid-fall of 2009. Eligible participants include low-income 3rd grade students with TAKS reading scores below 2262 (a score of 2100 or higher is considered passing). Students receive free books based on their reading preferences and individual reading ability.

Click here for study overview

Study at a Glance

Total number of Participating 3rd grade Students  1,790

Number of Treatment Students                      901

Number of Control Students                        889

Number of Free Books Distributed                  7,000+

What is the benefit to schools participating in the study?

"Participating districts benefitted from an organized summer reading program, while striving to make a difference through cutting edge research," states Donald Barfield, Associate Lab Director at REL Southwest. "Schools are increasingly looking to improve outcomes through the use of evidence-based strategies."

Through participation in this research study, schools will receive FREE of charge:

    --  The opportunity for students to offset summer learning loss and increase
        reading comprehension
    --  8 free books provided to all treatment and control students
    --  Research evidence based on student performance
    --  The opportunity to work with leading researchers in a Randomized
        Controlled Trial (RCT), the gold-standard in research methodology

REL Southwest serves the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas and works for the benefit of over 7 million students and 500,000 teachers in approximately 14,500 schools in grades pre-kindergarten through college in this five-state region.

Founded in 2005, Edvance Research, Inc. is a women and minority, employee owned business, specializing in rigorous product, policy and market research, in the education market. Edvance Research is dedicated to improving outcomes by supporting organizations in learning about evidence-based practices and using that information to improve their work and results. www.edvanceresearch.com

Technical assistance may be obtained through REL Southwest Research ReadySource(TM) by calling 1-877-EDVANCE (1-877-338-2623) or e-mailing RELinfo@edvanceresearch.com.

    Source: REL Southwest

Round to fund phase 2a clinical trials for lead candidate AIR645, advance R&D

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Altair Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held, biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for respiratory diseases, today announced that it has secured $17 million in a subsequent financing round. Altair Therapeutics will use the funding to complete phase 2a trials for its lead product, inhaled AIR645 and advance research and development in new target programs. Domain Associates, LLC led the round, and AgeChem Venture Fund LP joined previous investors Thomas, McNerney & Partners, LLC, Forward Ventures and Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

"Altair Therapeutics is applying novel science to treat the unmet needs of asthma patients and patients in other respiratory disease areas. We are convinced that the strength of the unique technology combined with the experience of the team makes Altair a very attractive investment and we are glad to be able to support Altair in its further development," said Kim Kamdar, Ph.D., Domain Associates.

"We are thrilled to have Domain Associates and Agechem Venture Fund join our investor syndicate," said Joel F. Martin, Ph.D., President and CEO of Altair Therapeutics. "Our favorable phase 1 safety and biomarker data helped us secure this preeminent group."

About AIR645

AIR645 is a dual inhibitor of IL-4 and IL-13, pro-inflammatory cytokines which are implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma, allergic rhinitis and other inflammatory disorders. AIR645 is a 2'-O-methoxyethyl second-generation antisense drug targeting the mRNA that encodes the alpha subunit of the human IL-4 receptor (IL-4Ra). IL-4Ra is the signaling chain that is shared by the IL-4 and IL-13 receptors and is required for cellular responses to IL-4 and IL-13. AIR645 has the potential for less frequent administration with improved local and systemic safety. AIR645 was discovered by Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISIS) and licensed to Altair Therapeutics.

About Altair Therapeutics

Based in San Diego, Altair Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat human respiratory diseases. Altair Therapeutics' lead product is AIR645, the first in a new class of inhaled drugs that incorporate proprietary, second-generation antisense chemistry. www.altairthera.com

    Source: Altair Therapeutics