Press Releases
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Announce Sponsorship of PBS Documentary 'Red Gold: The Epic Story of Blood'
EMERYVILLE, Calif. and RARITAN, N.J., June 20, 2002
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics (Nasdaq: CHIR) and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, a Johnson & Johnson company, announced today their joint sponsorship of the PBS documentary Red Gold: The Epic Story of Blood. This four-part mini-series will premier on two consecutive Sunday nights, June 23 and 30, 2002.
"Our sponsorship of this documentary underscores the longstanding commitment of Chiron and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics to ensure a safe and available blood supply," jointly commented William G. Green, Esq., President, Chiron Blood Testing and Catherine M. Burzik, President, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. "From the discovery of the hepatitis C virus by Chiron scientists and the development of the first HCV screening test by Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, our companies are proud of the contributions that have been made to blood safety through our joint business. Through a program like this, we hope more people will become aware of the precious resource blood represents. We are dedicated to the industry and continue to work toward new developments to improve blood safety."
Red Gold: The Epic Story of Blood is a production of Thirteen/WNET New York by Optomen Television. Based on Douglas Starr's critically acclaimed book Blood: An Epic History of Medicine and Commerce, the series delves into the facts and myths about human blood and its impact on everything from religion and medicine to commerce and popular culture throughout history. The episodes explore an array of historical events from the death of George Washington due to overzealous bloodletting to the rise of the AIDS crisis. It also addresses the ways in which we have understood and misunderstood blood's function across the globe over thousands of years.
In 1989, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics and Chiron formed a joint business which develops and markets a complete line of antibody-based screening assays, termed immunoassays, and supplemental tests for infectious disease. Chiron manufactures and performs research on viral antigens for the joint business, and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics produces testing assays and leading edge instrumentation for automation of blood testing.
Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics and Chiron are global leaders in the efforts to ensure a safe and available blood supply. Sponsorship of programs such as Red Gold serve to educate the greater public regarding the need for a safe and reliable blood supply -- a top priority for both companies. The companies worked with major blood organizations to promote the program and continue to raise awareness about the constant need for blood.
About Chiron
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, headquartered in Emeryville, California, is a global pharmaceutical company that leverages a diverse business model to develop and commercialize high-value products that make a difference in people's lives. The company has a strategic focus on cancer and infectious disease. Chiron applies its advanced understanding of the biology of cancer and infectious disease to develop products from its platforms in proteins, small molecules and vaccines. The company commercializes its products through three business units: biopharmaceuticals, vaccines and blood testing.
Chiron Blood Testing, a division of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, is a leading provider of products used by the blood banking industry to ensure the safety of the world's blood supply. Chiron develops and markets immunoassay screening and supplemental tests through its joint business with Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, a Johnson & Johnson company. In February 2002, Chiron and its collaborator PROCLEIX® HIV-1/HCV assay. PROCLEIX uses nucleic acid testing (NAT) technology that allows for the direct identification of HIV-1 and HCV RNA in donated blood, thus reducing the number of HIV- and HCV-tainted blood donations that would otherwise have entered the blood supply. For more information about Chiron, visit the company's website at www.chiron.com. For more information about Chiron Blood Testing, visit www.ebloodbank.com.
About Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics
Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, a Johnson & Johnson company, is a leading provider of high-value diagnostic solutions for the global health care community. Committed to developing the most advanced tests for early detection or diagnosis of disease, the Company brings products to market that provide timely information and help to facilitate better medical decisions. Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics also provides blood screening and typing products that help to ensure the safety of the world's blood supply. In addition, through its patented dry slide and enhanced chemiluminescence technologies, the Company has transformed the way that clinical laboratories perform testing. Worldwide, health care professionals rely on Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics for innovative diagnostic solutions that promote effective diagnoses and enhance patient care.
For further information, you may contact the company at 800-828-6316 or on the web at www.orthoclinical.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding sales growth, product development initiatives, new product marketing, acquisitions and in- and out-licensing activities, that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change. A full discussion of the company's operations and financial condition, including factors that may affect its business and future prospects, is contained in documents the company has filed with the SEC, including the form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002 and the 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and will be contained in all subsequent periodic filings made with the SEC. These documents identify important factors that could cause the company's actual performance to differ from current expectations, including the outcome of clinical trials, regulatory review and approvals, manufacturing capabilities, intellectual property protections and defenses, stock-price and interest-rate volatility, and marketing effectiveness. In particular, there can be no assurance that Chiron will increase sales of existing products, successfully develop and receive approval to market new products, or achieve market acceptance for such new products. There can be no assurance that Chiron's out-licensing activity will generate significant revenue, nor that its in-licensing activities will fully protect it from claims of infringement by third parties. In addition, the company may engage in business opportunities, the successful completion of which is subject to certain risks, including shareholder and regulatory approvals and the integration of operations.
Consistent with SEC Regulation FD, we do not undertake an obligation to update the forward-looking information we are giving today.
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