News

Axion Announces Initiation of Research Coverage by Murphy Analytics

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., April 22, 2009 -- Axion International Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:AXIH - News), a market disruptive designer and developer of eco-friendly structural building solutions made from 100% recycled plastics, today announced the release of an in-depth initiation report by Patrick Murphy, CFA, principal of independent research firm Murphy Analytics.As part of his detailed analysis of the Company, Mr. Murphy initiates coverage with a 12-month price target of $4.00 for Axion.

Dr. Roddy Carter Named President and Chief Executive Officer of WellGen, Inc. 

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 7, 2009 -- WellGen, Inc. today announced that Dr. Roderick (Roddy) Carter, M.D., M.Sc., has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Carter, 45, takes over from Robert J. Bertoldi, who was serving as interim Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bertoldi will continue in his WellGen Board position and as President and Chief Financial Officer of Amphion Innovations plc (LSE: AMP - News), a significant shareholder in WellGen.

About WellGen - WellGen, Inc., based in North Brunswick, N.J., is a life science company at the crossroads of foods and pharmaceuticals. Using the science of nutrigenomics, the company has developed Alignomx(TM), a proprietary bioinformatics model that uses gene expression data to determine optimal therapeutic niches for WellGen's pipeline of proprietary natural products. Through its in-house expertise in nutrigenomics and natural product chemistry, WellGen is developing proprietary medical foods and has additionally identified several opportunities in the functional food and beverage and dietary supplement markets. Please visit our website at www.wellgen.com for more information.

A New Gene Silencing Platform-Silence is Golden

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., February 8, 2009 -- A team of researchers, led by Rutgers University Professor Samuel Gunderson, has developed a novel gene silencing platform with very significant improvements over existing RNAi approaches. This may enable the development and discovery of a new class of drugs to treat a wide array of diseases. The research findings are reported in the journal Nature Biotechnology, published online in the February 8th issue.

Axion International Announces Contract from Major US Railway

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., January 30, 2009 -- Axion International Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: AXIH - News), a green industrial technology company that develops premium, cost-effective structural building products from recycled consumer and industrial plastics, today announced the receipt of an order for crossties from a major US railroad company valued at approximately $560,000. Upon completion of this contract, the customer has the potential to place further and larger orders. All contracted products for American commercial customers will be manufactured solely in the United States. "This order represents more than simply an important business opportunity for Axion," said James Kerstein, Chief Executive Officer. "Over and above the significant initial revenue generated and the potential for future, larger orders, the stature of this client provides major validation for our green structural products as well as providing leverage opportunities for expanded business "throughout the entire rail and transportation infrastructure sectors." Mr. Kerstein further stated, "As evidenced by this latest order and by the bridges we are constructing for the US Army, our superior products offer higher quality structural solutions to specific projects than the traditional building technologies currently available, and do so in a manner that is both economically competitive and eco-friendly."

Three Rutgers Professors Named Fellows of Top National Science Association

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., December 18, 2008 -- Three Rutgers scholars are among 486 scientists the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has elevated to the rank of fellow. The pre-eminent national scientific organization selects fellows based on their efforts in advancing science or fostering applications considered scientifically or socially distinguished.
     
Joining the 37 previous Rutgers fellows, the new inductees will be presented with an official certificate and a gold rosette pin Saturday, Feb. 14, at the AAAS Fellows Forum during the 2009 AAAS Annual Meeting in Chicago.
    
Joanna Burger is a professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Division of Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, and is also affiliated with the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute. Burger's primary interests are in the adaptive significance of social behavior in vertebrates, the effects of incubation temperature on behavioral development, the effects of heavy metals on neurobehavioral development and ecological risk. Burger was cited for "distinguished contributions to the field of metals in environmental risk assessment and for her role as a model for women scientists."

"I am honored to join the select ranks of  AAAS fellows, and gratified for this recognition of my continuing interdisciplinary research involving toxicologic exposure of and risks to humans and wildlife," Burger said

James E. Katz is chair of the Department of Communication in the School of Communication, Information and Library Studies where he also directs the Center for Mobile Communication Studies. His focus is on how personal communication technologies, such as mobile phones and the Internet, affect social relationships and how cultural values influence usage patterns of these technologies. Katz was cited for "distinguished scholarly contributions regarding the social dimensions of technology, including communications technology, and for contributions to public understanding of those dimensions."

"This honor from one of America's most important scientific bodies is deeply gratifying to me not only because it recognizes the significance of my contributions, but also because it reflects so well on Rutgers' exciting research environment," Katz said.
     
Alan Robock is a professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, the associate director of the Center for Environmental Prediction, and a participant in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The panel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. His research, which involves many aspects of climate changes, encompasses both observational analyses and climate model simulations. Robock was cited for "innovative research on climate with links to volcanoes, smoke, soil moisture and ice, and for models of nuclear winter that helped make nuclear war unthinkable."
     
"I was a AAAS Congressional Science Fellow 20 years ago, which was a transformational experience," said Robock. "To now be honored as a AAAS Fellow represents a continuation of my lifelong relationship with this great organization. Their recognition of my work on nuclear winter in particular is most gratifying."
     
Founded in 1848, the tradition of selecting AAAS fellows began in 1874. AAAS is the world's largest general scientific society and works to advance science for human well-being through its projects, programs and publications. AAAS includes some 262 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals.
     
The association conducts many programs in the areas of science policy, science education and international scientific cooperation. Its prestigious peer-reviewed journal Science has the largest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world, with an estimated total readership of 1 million.

Contact:  Joseph Blumberg   732-932-7084 ext. 652;  E-mail: blumberg@ur.rutgers.edu

Favorite Holiday Dish Gets 'Upscale' Breeding - New cranberry developed at Rutgers University helps growers increase production, improve quality and meet growing year-round demand for popular health food

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., November 18, 2008 -- Families gathering around the Thanksgiving table this year will enjoy a traditional side dish that"s been given some "upscale" breeding – cranberries. While this year's version of the age-old staple will look or taste no different than servings of yore, a new cranberry hybrid is helping growers increase production and improve fruit quality for the annual fall feast. It is also helping them meet the increasing year-round demand for juices, fruit drinks, and "craisins" that health-conscious people increasingly prefer. "Ten years ago, the cranberry industry suffered a severe economic crisis," said Nicholi Vorsa, research professor in the Department of Plant Biology and Pathology at Rutgers University and inventor of the new hybrid. "Increasing labor, fuel and material costs coupled with stringent environmental regulations have placed considerable economic pressure on cranberry growers. Without productivity improvements, many would have to abandon growing this uniquely American fruit, a livelihood that is often a multigenerational family endeavor."

Contact: Carl Blesch 732-932-7084 E-mail: cblesch@ur.rutgers.edu

Axion International Receives Order for Tank Bridge at the US Army Base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina

For additional information on Axion International, visit (www.axionintl.com)

Axion International Receives Purchase Order for Engineered Composite Railroad Switch Ties from Toronto Transit Commission

Axion International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Analytical Surveys, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ANLT - News) an innovative developer for alternative infrastructure and building products industry, today announced it has received an initial purchase order for their specialty engineered composite railroad switch ties from the Toronto Transit Commission. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is a public transport authority that operates buses, streetcars, subways, and advanced light rapid transit (ALRT) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

In conjunction with Rutgers University, Axion has developed plastics technology utilizing virtually 100% recycled plastic; Axion?s structural products have the distinct advantage of being environmentally friendly as well as providing superior products to customers. The Company's products address the increasing worldwide environmental concerns for deforestation coupled with the specific goals for recycling, reducing greenhouse gases and manufacturing products without toxic materials. Axion?s products last longer than conventional creosote treated wooden ties, perhaps longer than fifty years, offering significant cost savings in maintenance and product replacement, have freedom from biological attack (including termites), moisture, and eliminate the hazardous exposure to humans and the environment.

Axion International CEO Jim Kerstein stated, We're pleased to have received this initial purchase order from The Toronto Transit Commission for our engineered composite railroad ties. While this will be the first switch set order produced by Axion, our technology has previously been tested by TTC in their subway system. This order, procured by our Canadian sales partner H.J Skelton, who since 1883 has been supplying top quality products to Railways and Transits, is expected to be the first of many. The Railway Tie Association data indicates the major North American railroads purchase between 18 to 20,000,000 crossties annually.)

Lux Biosciences Presentations at ARVO Highlight Both Topical and Polymer Delivery Technologies Targeting Chronic Inflammatory Ocular Diseases--

New Development Programs in Dry Eye and Other Inflammatory Ocular Diseases Complement the Company?s Phase 3 Programs in Uveitis and Corneal Transplant Rejection --

JERSEY CITY, N.J. ? Next generation polymer technologies for the controlled delivery of drugs and tailor-made product concepts for topical delivery to the eye offer major market opportunities for new and/or improved treatments for a variety of chronic inflammatory ocular conditions, said Lux Biosciences, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company specialized in the field of ophthalmic diseases. Company scientists and collaborators are this week presenting data on a proprietary topical product and new bioerodible polymer/drug approaches for the treatment of dry eye and other inflammatory eye diseases at the 2008 annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), which is taking place from April 27 ? May 1 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Some 15 ? 20 million people in North America and Europe are affected by chronic inflammatory diseases of the eye, which include such conditions as dry eye, keratoconjunctivitis, blepharitis and uveitis,? said Ulrich Grau, Ph.D. Lux Biosciences President and Chief Executive Officer. ?The ophthalmic disease treatment community has a major need for local delivery of immunosuppressive therapy that is efficacious, well-tolerated and suitable for long-term use.

Lux has licensed Isotechnika, Inc.?s next generation calcineurin inhibitor, voclosporin, for ophthalmic indications ? the oral form of which (LX211) is currently in phase 3 clinical development in uveitis. By combining this molecule with innovative delivery technologies, such as mixed micelles or bioerodible polymers, we can deliver therapeutic concentrations of drug directly to the eye in a targeted and sustained fashion, offering the potential to greatly improve treatment for these widespread ocular conditions.

Prof. Ashim Mitra and colleagues from the University of Missouri ? Kansas City, in collaboration with Lux Biosciences, will present a poster on the development of a clear, mixed micellar formulation product (LX214) for the treatment of dry eye syndrome and potentially other relevant ocular diseases. Of note, the preparation is a clear fluid and contains a relatively high concentration (0.2%) of the drug. Dr. Grau noted that LX214 is currently in late stages of preclinical development and was expected to reach the clinic during 2008.

Prof. Joachim Kohn and colleagues from the New Jersey Center for Biomaterials of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and Lux Biosciences will also present orally on the development of a bioerodible insert for ocular delivery of voclosporin. The inserts under investigation were created from polymers selected from a large combinatorial library of bioerodible polyarylates and polycarbonates, developed by the Rutgers University researchers and licensed to Lux Biosciences for ophthalmic use. When formulated with drug, inserts employing these polymers exhibit a new hybrid mechanism of drug release that is capable of sustained drug delivery from 6 to 24 months. As such, these drug/polymer combinations have potential clinical implications for the treatment of a variety of immune-mediated ophthalmic conditions. Of note, the insert will provide sustained, near-constant levels for its entire lifetime, which has the potential to translate into improved efficacy when compared to discontinuous dosage forms, such as oral capsules or drops. The prototype implants are very small, owing to the fact that the active ingredient is very potent.

We believe that our two product concepts for chronic inflammatory ocular surface diseases have enormous potential given the very large numbers of patients involved,? said Dr. Grau. ?Moreover, with these two product concepts we are in a position to segment this market and provide tailored products that specifically address the needs of different patient populations. About Lux Biosciences

For more information on Lux Biosciences, please visit the company's website at http://www.luxbio.com.

Early clinical trial results back new drug for melanoma: Rutgers University and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey collaborate in clinical trial -- NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (March 25, 2008)

Rutgers Professor Suzie Chen has found that riluzole, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug used to treat Lou Gehrig?s disease (ALS), slows the growth of melanoma, the most aggressive form of malignant skin cancer.

A Phase 0 (zero) clinical trial of riluzole (brand name Rilutek), conducted by James Goydos, a surgical oncologist with The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), is in process with a small group of late-stage (stage 3 or 4) melanoma patients. Phase 0 is a recent designation by the FDA for exploratory, first-in-human trials. Goydos reported preliminary but encouraging findings from the trial during a plenary session today at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in San Diego. In about 70 percent of melanoma cases, the disease appears in places that are exposed to the sun. It can then spread to other parts of the body and may become lethal. This type of cancer is not generally responsive to chemotherapy. According to a report from the National Cancer Institute, the incidence rate of melanoma has more than doubled in the past 20 years in the United States.

Chen had reported in 2003 the discovery of a gene ? Grm1 ? responsible for melanoma in laboratory mice. Its normal functions are in the brain, where it is associated with learning and memory; but when this gene is expressed or turned on in certain skin cells, it leads to the development of melanoma. A common feature to both ALS and melanoma cells is excess glutamate, a cellular growth factor or food for cells. An excess of this protein can overstimulate neurons to the point where they burn out ? a possible explanation of what happens in ALS. In a melanoma cell, the glutamate enters a pernicious loop where it binds to the malfunctioning cell surface protein. The protein operates as a receptor, stimulating the cell to produce more glutamate that, in turn, binds to the receptor, stimulating more production. This cellular ?overfeeding? results in the growth and expansion of the melanoma.

We fixed on riluzole because it is a known inhibitor of glutamate release, the suspected culprit in ALS and possibly melanoma,? said Chen, a professor of chemical biology at the Susan Lehman Cullen Laboratory of Cancer Research in the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and a CINJ member. ?While most of our studies five years ago were with animals, it is humans that we are really interested in.? In new laboratory experiments using cultures of human melanoma cell lines, riluzole appeared to shut off the glutamate, thus slowing the growth rate of the melanoma cells. Moving forward with animal studies, riluzole demonstrated the same suppression of tumor cell growth and progression seen in cultured cells.

Building on this foundation, Chen joined Goydos to pursue human clinical trials. Goydos is a surgical oncologist and director of the Melanoma and Soft Tissue Oncology Unit at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, part of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (UMDNJ-RWJMS). Goydos is also an Associate Professor of surgery at UMDNJ-RWJMS.

Analytical Surveys and Axion International Complete Merger -- BASKING RIDGE, NJ, (March 25, 2008)

Analytical Surveys, Inc. (OTCBB: ANLT) ("Analytical") today announced that it has completed the acquisition of 100% of the common stock of Axion International, Inc. ("Axion"), through a merger of Analytical's newly formed subsidiary into Axion. Pursuant to the merger, the former shareholders of Axion received 36.8 million shares of Common Stock of Analytical, constituting approximately 90.7% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of Analytical. In connection with the merger, James Kerstein, the Chief Executive Officer of Axion, and Marc Green, President of Axion, were appointed as members of Analytical's Board of Directors. In additon, Mr. Kerstein was appointed Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Green was appointed President. Axion is the exclusive licensee of revolutionary patented technologies developed for the production of structural plastic products such as railroad crossties, bridge infrastructure, utility poles, marine pilings and bulk heading. These technologies which were developed by scientists at Rutgers University, a principal shareholder of Axion, transform recycled consumer and industrial plastics into structural products which are more durable and have a substantially greater useful life than traditional products made from wood, steel and concrete. In addition, Axion's recycled composite products will result in substantial reduction in greenhouse gases and also offer flexible design features not available in standard wood, steel or concrete products. Axion expects to commence production and sales by the third quarter 2008.

TyRx Pharma Raises $25 Million in Private Financing -- MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ, (February 28, 2008)

TyRx Pharma, Inc., a leader in the commercialization of implantable combination drug-device products, announced today that the Company has raised $25 million in a venture capital financing led by Clarus Ventures and co-led by Pappas Ventures. In connection with the financing, Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D., Managing Director, and Scott Requadt, J.D., MBA, Principal, both of Clarus Ventures, and Arthur Pappas, Managing Partner, Pappas Ventures, will join TyRx's Board of Directors.

Profiles of Rutgers Professors whose Research Rooted in New Jersey has Impact Worldwide--The Alchemist, Kathryn Uhrich, Professor of Chemistry; The Neuroscientist, Paula Tallal, Board of Governors Professor of Neuroscience; The Vocalist, Juliann Baird, Distinguished Professor of Music; The Historicist, Keith Wailoo, Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of History

http://www.rutgers.edu/jerseyroots/home.html

"We are pleased to attract new investment from Clarus and Pappas Ventures," stated William Edelman, TyRx Pharma's Chief Executive Officer. "In January, we announced FDA clearance of the AIGISrx? CRMD Anti-Bacterial Envelope, our third implantable combination drug-device product to reach the market. The funds from the current financing round will enable our continuing transition from the development stage to commercialization, targeting the market in medical device infection control estimated at $3 billion in the United States."

The company plans to launch AIGISrx CRMD in the US beginning in April 2008. For more information, please visit www.tyrxpharma.com

TyRx Pharma, Inc. Announces Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) Clearance of the AIGISRX™ Cardiac Rhythm Medical Device (CRMD) Anti-Bacterial Envelope -- MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ, (January 17, 2008)TyRx Pharma, Inc., a leader in the commercialization of implantable combination drug?device products, announced today the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of a Premarket 510(k) Application to market its AIGISRX™ CRMD Anti-Bacterial Envelope. CRMD post-implant infection including cases of ?super bug? or MRSA is a growing and potentially fatal complication. AIGISRX™ CRMD has two functions. It is intended to securely hold a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in order to create a stable environment when implanted in the body. In addition, AIGISRX™ CRMD contains the antimicrobial agents, rifampin and minocycline, which have been shown to reduce infection by organisms representing a majority of the infections reported in CRMD related endocarditis, including MRSA. This device is only intended to be used in conjunction with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD).

AIGISRX™ CRMD is constructed of knitted filaments of polypropylene coated with a proprietary resorbable polymer that elutes the antimicrobial agents rifampin and minocycline for a minimum of 7 days to reduce the risk of infection of the implanted CRMD following surgery. In in vitro studies, AIGISRX™ CRMD demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Acinetobacter baumanii, Enterobacter aerogenes and Proteus mirabilis.

AIGISRX™ CRMD also demonstrated in vivo effectiveness in reducing infection compared to control in a series of animal studies in which CRMDs were placed into AIGISRX™ CRMD envelopes and implanted into subcutaneous pockets inoculated with various bacterial strains, representing a majority of the infections associated with CRMD related endocarditis. Both AIGISRX™ CRMD and the controls (CRMD without envelope) were inoculated and observed for a minimum of 7 days to validate the presence of infection in the animals. The bacteria tested included Staphylococcus epidermidis, Acinetobacter baumanii, Staphylococcus capitis and Escherichia coli, and separately, Staphylococcus aureus which represent a majority of the infections reported in CRMD-related endocarditis. It should be noted that the in vitro and in vivo activity of the AIGISRX™ CRMD antimicrobials is variable against non-epidermidis strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci.

According to a recent study presented during the Heart Rhythm Society Heart Rhythm 2006 Scientific Sessions (Boston), the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center noted that the 2003 national incident of infection for pacemakers was estimated to be 5.82% and for ICDs 3.71%. Recent market research indicates that more than 400,000 CRMDs are implanted each year in the U.S. According to Infection Control Today (8/2003), the average cost of each infection related to invasive medical devices varies from $34,000 to $56,000; these infections incur an annual financial burden up to $2.3 billion to the American healthcare system. The New England Journal of Medicine (New England Journal of Medicine, 2004;350:1422-9) states about half of the 2 million cases of nosocomial infection that occur each year in the United States are associated with indwelling devices. Infections associated with surgical implants are generally more difficult to manage because they require a longer period of antibiotic therapy and repeated surgical procedures.

We are thrilled to have reached this value-creating milestone with the FDA clearance of AIGISRX™ CRMD,? said Bill Edelman, CEO of TyRx Pharma. ?With over 400,000 annual U.S. implants of CRMDs, we believe AIGISRX™ CRMD will become a valuable tool in the effort to suppress bacterial infection of CRMD pockets.? Mr. Edelman continued, ?We anticipate AIGISRX™ CRMD U.S. national commercial distribution to begin within the quarter following this FDA clearance, with full market release coinciding with the Heart Rhythm Society Heart Rhythm 2008, the premier conference on cardiac arrhythmias in San Francisco May 14-17, 2008.

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