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AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 29, 2012 (CRWENewswire) -- Whole Foods Market, Inc. (Nasdaq:WFM) announced that its Board of Directors has declared a special cash dividend on Whole Foods Market common stock of $2.00 per share payable December 21, 2012, to shareholders of record on the close of business on December 10, 2012. The aggregate amount of payment to be made in connection with this special dividend will be approximately $370 million.

"Today's announcement of a $2.00 special dividend, payable prior to the end of the calendar year, provides us with another opportunity to return capital to our shareholders," said John Mackey, co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Whole Foods Market. "We believe we will continue to generate strong cash flows and are confident in our ability to maintain a healthy cash reserve, internally fund our accelerated growth plans, and continue our quarterly dividend and stock repurchase programs."

The special dividend is in addition to the Company's regular quarterly cash dividend of $.20 per share that was declared on November 7, 2012. This regular quarterly dividend will be paid January 29, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 18, 2013.

About Whole Foods Market

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the leading retailer of natural and organic foods and America's first national "Certified Organic" grocer. In fiscal year 2012, the Company had sales of approximately $12 billion and currently has over 340 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market employs over 70,000 Team Members and has been ranked for 15 consecutive years as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by Fortune magazine.

Forward-looking statements

The following constitutes a "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks include general business conditions, changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer spending, including fuel prices and housing market trends, the impact of competition and other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of Whole Foods Market, including Whole Foods Market's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012. Whole Foods Market undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Cindy McCann
VP of Investor Relations
512.542.0204

Source: Whole Foods Market, Inc.

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QINGDAO, China--(CRWENewswire)--W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE:GRA) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of the assets of Noblestar Catalysts Co., Ltd, a Qingdao, China-based manufacturer of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts, catalyst intermediates and related products used in the petroleum refining industry. Grace is the worldwide leader in FCC catalysts.

Qingdao Bureau of Commerce Vice Director General, Cong Yan, welcomed Grace’s investment during the ribbon cutting ceremony and said, “Qingdao is a leading economic center in China. We welcome foreign investment, especially from companies like Grace, which has world-class, leading technologies that can help develop our fast-growing petrochemical industry while also acknowledging environmental and safety concerns.”

“The successful acquisition of Noblestar’s assets in Qingdao is another milestone in Grace’s long relationship with China. And it is an important step in our strategy to provide world-class products and support to the petroleum refining industry,” said Grace’s Chairman and CEO Fred Festa. “Our goal is for customers to look to Grace for innovative technology and industry-leading technical service, as well as a globally integrated manufacturing network that aligns with the world’s demand.” Grace expects to make additional investments at the Qingdao site for environmental, safety and manufacturing upgrades.

Chao Cui, CEO and President of Noblestar Catalysts, said, “We have been happy and proud to be a business partner of Grace’s refining technologies business for years and we are excited to continue a business relationship with Grace in the future.”

Grace first established a presence in China when it founded Grace China Ltd. in 1986 as the first Wholly Foreign-Owned Company to do business in the People’s Republic of China -- through its can sealants plant in Shanghai.

Currently, Grace operates 5 manufacturing facilities, 3 sales offices and 2 technical service centers in mainland China, including its Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Shanghai.

About Grace

Grace is a leading global supplier of catalysts; engineered and packaging materials; and, specialty construction chemicals and building materials. The company’s three industry-leading business segments—Grace Catalysts Technologies, Grace Materials Technologies and Grace Construction Products—provide innovative products, technologies and services that enhance the quality of life. Grace employs approximately 6,000 people in over 40 countries and had 2011 net sales of $3.2 billion. More information about Grace is available at www.grace.com.

About Noblestar

Noblestar, located in Qingdao, China, has been specialized in the manufacturing of FCC catalysts and additives for petrochemicals since 2001. Noblestar has been involved in the rare earth business from 2010. Noblestar employs 150 people, consisting of experienced R&D and engineering professionals and a team of skilled workers. It had sales of 680 million RMB (appx. 108 million USD) in 2011. More information about Noblestar is available at www.noblestar.com.cn.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements, that is, information related to future, not past, events. Such statements generally include the words “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “targets,” “will,” “expects,” “suggests,” “anticipates,” “outlook,” “continues” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all statements regarding Grace’s Chapter 11 case; expected financial positions; results of operations; cash flows; financing plans; business strategy; budgets; capital and other expenditures; competitive positions; growth opportunities for existing products; benefits from new technology and cost reduction initiatives, plans and objectives; and markets for securities. For these statements, Grace claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Like other businesses, Grace is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from its projections or that could cause other forward-looking statements to prove incorrect. Factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: developments affecting Grace’s bankruptcy, propose plan of reorganization and settlements with certain creditors, the cost and availability of raw materials (including rare earth) and energy, developments affecting Grace’s underfunded and unfunded pension obligations, risks related to foreign operations, especially in emerging region, acquisitions and divestitures of assets and gains and losses from dispositions or impairments, the effectiveness of its research and development and growth investments, its legal and environmental proceedings, costs of compliance with environmental regulation and those factors set forth in Grace’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are readily available on the Internet at www.sec.gov. Reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Grace’s projections and forward-looking statements, which speak only as the date thereof. Grace undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revision to the projections and forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this announcement.

Contacts

W. R. Grace & Co.
Media Relations
Greg Euston, +1 404-775-0285
greg@mcgraweuston.com
or
Investor Relations
Mark Sutherland, +1 410-531-4590
mark.sutherland@grace.com

Source: W. R. Grace & Co.

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SAN DIEGO, Nov. 28, 2012 (CRWENewswire) -- Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:CADX) today announced that it has entered into settlement and license agreements with Perrigo Company (Nasdaq:PRGO; TASE), and its subsidiary, Paddock Laboratories, LLC, to resolve pending patent litigation involving OFIRMEV® (acetaminophen) injection.

The settlement agreement includes a stipulation by the parties requesting dismissal with prejudice of the lawsuit filed by Cadence in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware relating to the Abbreviated New Drug Application, or ANDA, filed by Paddock with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a generic version of OFIRMEV® (acetaminophen) injection. Litigation remains ongoing against Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC, Exela PharmaSci, Inc. and Exela Holdings, Inc.

Under the license agreement, Perrigo has been granted the exclusive right of first refusal to negotiate an agreement with Cadence to market an authorized generic version of OFIRMEV (i.e., a generic version marketed under Cadence's New Drug Application) in the U.S., in the event that Cadence elects to launch an authorized generic version of the product. Additionally, Cadence has granted Perrigo the non-exclusive right to market a generic intravenous acetaminophen product in the U.S. under Perrigo's ANDA, after December 6, 2020, or earlier under certain circumstances. Currently, Cadence has listed two Orange Book patents covering OFIRMEV, the last of which, U.S. Patent No. 6,992,218, will expire on June 6, 2021, or December 6, 2021, if pediatric exclusivity is granted.

The license agreement also provides that, if the parties enter into an agreement for Perrigo to market an authorized generic version of OFIRMEV, during the license period, Perrigo would purchase the product exclusively from Cadence. Cadence would receive product costs plus an administrative fee, as well as a royalty payment based on the net profits achieved by Perrigo from the sale of the authorized generic product. Other details of the settlement are confidential, and the agreements are subject to submission to the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. The settlement and license agreements will become effective upon the entry by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware of an order dismissing with prejudice the litigation with respect to Perrigo.

"This settlement validates our confidence in the integrity of the patents covering OFIRMEV," said Ted Schroeder, President and CEO of Cadence. "We believe that OFIRMEV is an important medication for managing pain and fever in hospitalized patients, and we look forward to years of continued growth in sales of this product."

About OFIRMEV® (Acetaminophen) Injection

OFIRMEV (acetaminophen) injection (1000 mg / 100 mL, 10 mg / mL; for intravenous use only), Cadence Pharmaceuticals' proprietary intravenous formulation of acetaminophen, is indicated for the management of mild to moderate pain, the management of moderate to severe pain with adjunctive opioid analgesics, and the reduction of fever. The FDA approval of OFIRMEV was based on data from clinical trials in approximately 1,020 adult and 355 pediatric patients. These trials included two studies evaluating the safety and effectiveness of OFIRMEV in the treatment of pain, and one study evaluating OFIRMEV in the treatment of fever. The effectiveness of OFIRMEV for the treatment of acute pain and fever has not been studied in pediatric patients less than 2 years of age.

Important Safety Information

Do not exceed the maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen. Administration of acetaminophen by any route in doses higher than recommended may result in hepatic injury, including the risk of severe hepatotoxicity and death. OFIRMEV is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment, severe active liver disease or with known hypersensitivity to acetaminophen or to any of the excipients in the formulation. Acetaminophen should be used with caution in patients with the following conditions: hepatic impairment or active hepatic disease, alcoholism, chronic malnutrition, severe hypovolemia, or severe renal impairment. OFIRMEV should be administered only as a 15-minute intravenous infusion. Discontinue OFIRMEV immediately if symptoms associated with allergy or hypersensitivity occur. Do not use in patients with acetaminophen allergy. The most common adverse reactions in patients treated with OFIRMEV were nausea, vomiting, headache, and insomnia in adult patients and nausea, vomiting, constipation, pruritus, agitation, and atelectasis in pediatric patients. The antipyretic effects of OFIRMEV may mask fever in patients treated for post-surgical pain.

For more information, please see the complete OFIRMEV Prescribing Information, available at www.OFIRMEV.com or www.cadencepharm.com.

About Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Cadence Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, in-licensing, developing and commercializing proprietary products principally for use in the hospital setting. The current version of Cadence Pharmaceuticals' corporate overview may be viewed on the Investors page of www.cadencepharm.com under "Events & Presentations" by selecting "Corporate Overview."

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as "plans," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," and "will," and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, and are based on Cadence's current beliefs and expectations. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the potential for approval of the settlement terms by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice; our confidence in the strength of the patents covering OFIRMEV and the prospects for future growth in sales of the product; and the prospect of Cadence receiving payments from Paddock, including product costs, an administrative fee and royalty payments. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Cadence's actual future results may differ materially from Cadence's current expectations due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in its business. These risks include, but are not limited to: Cadence's dependence on the successful commercialization of OFIRMEV, which is currently the company's only product, including its ability to achieve broad market acceptance and generate revenues from sales of OFIRMEV; Cadence's ability to successfully enforce its marketing exclusivities and intellectual property rights, and to defend the patents covering OFIRMEV, including in current patent litigation with Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC, Exela PharmaSci, Inc. and Exela Holdings, Inc., or collectively, Exela; the potential that Cadence may be required to continue patent litigation for substantial lengths of time, file additional lawsuits to defend its patent rights from challenges by Exela or other companies that may submit ANDAs for generic versions of OFIRMEV, and the substantial costs associated with such lawsuits; the potential that the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, may not prevail in a lawsuit filed against it earlier this year by Exela in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, in which Exela seeks a reversal of the USPTO's decision to refuse to act on a petition by Exela to vacate the USPTO's April 2003 order reviving the international application for U.S. Patent No. 6,992,218; the potential that the USPTO may grant an ex parte request for the reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,028,222, and that, as a result of such reexamination, claims in that patent may be invalidated or narrowed in scope; the potential introduction of generic competition to OFIRMEV in the event Cadence is unsuccessful in current or future patent litigation; Cadence's dependence on its licensors for the maintenance and enforcement of its intellectual property rights; the potential product liability exposure associated with pharmaceutical products such as OFIRMEV and other products Cadence may in-license or acquire; Cadence's ability to ensure an adequate and continued supply of OFIRMEV to meet anticipated market demand; and the risk that Cadence may not be able to raise sufficient capital when needed, or at all; and other risks detailed under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Cadence's periodic reports and other filings made with the SEC from time to time. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Cadence® and OFIRMEV® are trademarks of Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Contact:

William R. LaRue
SVP & Chief Financial Officer
Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Phone: 858-436-1400

Kelli France
Media Relations
WCG
Phone: 415-946-1076

SOURCE: Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.