Novo Nordisk ranks 4th among the world’s top 20 science employers

BAGSVAERD, Denmark /PRNewswire/ — Novo Nordisk today was ranked number 4 on the Science 2012 Top Employer list – up from ninth place last year. The company’s ‘social responsibility’, ‘respect for employees’ and ability to inspire ‘loyalty among its employees’ were cited as key drivers of this impressive global ranking.
“We’re proud to have jumped to the top five in this widely-recognised ranking of the world’s best science employers. Our excellent researchers around the world are the main source of this company’s strong innovation. The fact that they feel respected and take pride in working for a company that operates in a sustainable way is great to see. In the battle to recruit the best researchers, there’s nothing more powerful than peer-to-peer communication,” says Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, chief science officer and executive vice president at Novo Nordisk.
R&D professionals at Novo Nordisk comprise world-class experts in the engineering, expression, formulation and delivery of therapeutic proteins, as well as in the development of compounds into safe, effective and convenient treatment options for people living with chronic conditions like diabetes, haemophilia and rheumatoid arthritis. More than 4,000 employees work in Novo Nordisk R&D in Denmark, US, China and India.
“This positive evaluation of Novo Nordisk resonates well with my own personal experience as a diabetes researcher in the company for the past 21 years. Our collaborative work in multidisciplinary teams both within and outside of the company, and our openness to explore new ideas inspire me. It gives me the confidence that I’m part of a highly-qualified team working every day to find better treatment solutions for people with diabetes,” says Erica Nishimura, scientific director of Diabetes Biology at Novo Nordisk.
In the Science 2012 survey, 4,276 employees working in the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and related industries were asked to rank the 20 best employers based on 23 characteristics, including research-driven environment and financial strength.
About the Science 2012 Top Employer survey
About Novo Nordisk R&D:
Video with CSO Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen on R&D Talent on Novo Nordisk
Videos from Novo Nordisk R&D “Working towards the next breakthrough – Meet the people behind our treatment pipeline”:
Broadcast standard video and photos supporting this press release: Visit our Broadcast room and Photos on novonordisk.com – Media
Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 89 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. For more information, visit novonordisk.com.
Further information:
Media Relations Manager
Mette Kruse Danielsen
Tel: (+45) 30 79 38 83
mkd@novonordisk.com
In North America:
Director, Media Relations, Communications and Public Affairs
Ken Inchausti
Tel: (+1) 609 514 8316
kiau@novonordisk.com
Source: Novo Nordisk　

Russia-Singapore Business Forum 2012 — 7th Annual Forum Set to Open

Singapore well-placed at the crossroads of Russia and Asian growth and development
RSBF 2012 will also feature industry-specific sessions on Industrial Cluster Development, Real Estate Investment and Innovation and Technology.
SINGAPORE /PRNewswire/ — The seventh annual Russia-Singapore Business Forum (RSBF) will be held from 24 – 27 September 2012 in Singapore, and will focus on Singapore as a gateway to Asia, a vibrant region of emerging cities and fast developing markets.
This forum, themed “Connecting Markets”, is organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) for the second successive year since 2011. Since its inauguration in 2006, the RSBF has grown in stature to become Asia’s only leading business and networking platform for Russian/CIS and Singapore/Asian businessmen. It attracts some 700 delegates each year from over 30 countries, of which 240 are from Russian/CIS.
This year, Singapore and Asian participants will also be updated on the opportunities and challenges in Russia and CIS in light of on-going developments. The inauguration of Vladimir Putin as Russia’s President, Russia’s entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its successful hosting of the recent APEC Summit in Vladivostok will have an impact on its business and economic focus and priorities.
Mr Tony Chew, Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation, said, “RSBF 2012 is organised amidst over-hanging global economic uncertainty. While the economies involved are still on an upward growth trajectory, the landscape is changing as emerging and revitalised cities take on new meanings, becoming the focal points of development and human living. These emerging cities, many of which are in the Asia region, are the growth drivers of tomorrow, and businesses must look into engaging them in order to stay relevant.”
Commenting on Singapore’s growing relevance to Russia, Mr Chew continued, “The world’s most dynamic economies are now concentrated in Asia, with markets such as Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar holding much untapped potential. Singapore’s infrastructure, connectivity and traditional linkages with these markets place it in good stead to take on the role of a global Asia hub. The bridging of businesses to such new opportunities has been a key focus of SBF over the past decade, hence our strong support of RSBF.”
Over the past year, several partnerships and collaborations have been forged between Russia and Singapore, which include:
A joint venture between Singapore’s Changi Airports International and Russian companies Basic Element and Sberbank, which will finance and develop airports in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region;
Russia-based construction and real estate company Morton Group setting up a fund in Singapore;
A partnership between Jurong Consultants and Pskov Region Development Agency to provide consulting services for Moglino Industrial Park, located outside Pskov, in Northwest Russia;
IDM Venture Capital, which has since invested in two Singapore companies; and
RSP Architects which is helping with the masterplan of the Republic of Tatarstan.
A key objective of the RSBF is to grow the links between Russia/CIS and Singapore/Asia businessmen. This is further expounded in the forum’s programme this year, which comprises industry-specific sessions on Industrial Cluster Development, Real Estate Investment and Innovation and Technology, amongst other more broad-based themes.
Mr Michael Tay, Executive Director of RSBF and Singapore’s former Ambassador to Russia, said, “Russian companies are well aware that Asia is the place to be. This is telling in the numbers – there are now around 333 Russian companies in Singapore compared to only 14 in 2004 (Note 1); and the Russian-speaking population has swelled from 300 in 2003 to some 5,000 currently. Singapore has received some 38,000 visitors from Russia in the first six months of 2012, which is more than 20% over the same period last year (Note 2). We have also seen an increase in exchanges between both countries over the years, and I am confident economic relations will continue to strengthen.”
As with previous years, highlights of the forum include dialogue and panel sessions with business and political elite such as:
Lee Kuan Yew, Former Prime Minister, Singapore
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Singapore
Igor Shuvalov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation
Nikolai Nikiforov, Minister of Communications and Mass Media, Russia
Andrei Slepnev, Minister for Trade, Member of the Board, Eurasian Economic Commission
Alexey Overchuk, Deputy Commissioner, Federal Tax Service of Russia
Hanspeter Brunner, Chief Executive Officer, Asia, BSI Bank
Jim Rogers, Chairman, Roger Holdings and Beeland Interests, Co-founder, Quantum Fund
Russia was Singapore’s 29th largest trading partner in 2011 with total trade amounting to S$4.7 billion. (Note 3)
Notes:
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority.
Singapore Tourism Board.
StatLink, International Enterprise Singapore.
About Russia-Singapore Business Forum
The Russia-Singapore Business Forum (RSBF), initiated in 2006, is an annual B-to-B forum organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) that takes place in Singapore. The RSBF Organising Council is led by Executive Director, Mr Michael Tay, former Singapore Ambassador to Russia. The RSBF’s Strategic Partner is Sberbank, the largest bank in Eastern Europe. The RSBF has the support of key Singapore Government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Since the inaugural forum in March 2006, the RSBF has grown in stature to become Asia’s leading business and networking platform for Russia/CIS and Singapore/Asia businessmen. It is evolving into a broader platform for emerging markets from these two regions, and has set a precedent in bringing together top government officials and business elite from these regions.
About Singapore Business Federation
As the apex business chamber, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) champions the interests of the business community in Singapore, in trade, investment and industrial relations. Nationally, SBF acts as the bridge between the government and businesses in Singapore to create a conducive business environment. Internationally, SBF represents the business community in bilateral, regional and multilateral fora for the purpose of trade expansion and business networking. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.sbf.org.sg.
For media queries please contact:

Mr. Gerald De Cotta
Tel: +65-6827-6896
Mobile: +65-9831-7210
Email: gerald@sbf.org.sg
Ms. Renee Koh
Tel: +65-6827-6866
Mobile: +65-9017-1380
Email: renee.koh@sbf.org.sg
Ms. Eileen Lee
Tel: +65-6827-6874
Mobile: +65-9004-6920
Email: eileen.lee@sbf.org.sg
Source: Singapore Business Federation

Roamware Obtains Judgment of Non-Infringement in Patent Litigation Brought by Starhome

CUPERTINO, Calif., Sept. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Roamware, Inc., the global leader in mobile operator service solutions today announced that a judgment of non-infringement of Starhome GmbH’s U.S. Patents (Numbers 6,920,487 and 7,231,431) has been entered in favor of Roamware, based on the Delaware District Court’s claim construction ruling. The litigation was filed by Starhome against Roamware and Roamware’s U.S. customers. The judgment dismissed with prejudice Starhome’s claims.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120809/554204 )

“This litigation has been ongoing for over two years and we are pleased with the Court’s recent rulings,” said Kirk Williams, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Roamware. “We are confident that the Court correctly decided the issue and we are prepared for any appeal.”

Roamware is an innovation leader in the mobile operator service solutions space with over 75 patents granted in various jurisdictions around the world in the past 10 years. Roamware is an industry-recognized pioneer in areas such as traffic redirection (steering of roaming), customer experience management, virtual home experience, quality of experience monitoring and testing, multi-number technologies as well as new areas such as LTE Roaming and M2M.

About Roamware, Inc.

Roamware, Inc. is the global leader in mobile operator service solutions with a customer base of over 530 mobile operators across 160 countries. Roamware has an estimated 60 percent share of the roaming value added services market, specializing in steering, data roaming, Big Data business intelligence, CEM QoS, LTE, M2M and regulatory compliance for operators to help them increase revenue, reduce cost and compete with disruptive technologies. Roamware is headquartered in Cupertino, California with sales and operations worldwide. http://www.roamware.com

Zhongmin Baihui Opens Maiden Store Outside of Fujian Province

New Nanjing Nanzhan Store adds 30% to the Group’s total gross floor area which now exceeds 1.5 million sq ft
Largest store of the Group yet at 361,000 sq ft
Located next to world’s second largest railway station, Nanjing South Railway Station
Nanjing Nanzhan Store to contribute positively to revenue
SINGAPORE /PRNewswire/ –Zhongmin Baihui Retail Group Ltd., (“Zhongmin Baihui”, or “the Group”), an established PRC department store brand that operates and manages retail malls in Fujian province, the PRC, opens its maiden store outside of Fujian province.
The 4-storey newly opened Nanjing Nanzhan Store of 361,000 sq ft (33,600 sq m) is the largest store of the Group yet. This addition raises the Group’s total gross floor area by 30% to 1,563,000 sq ft (145,477 sq m). The new store is strategically located next to the Nanjing South Railway Station. Touted by CCTV as the world’s second largest train station with gross floor area of approximately five million sq ft (1), the Nanjing South Railway Station is at the heart of China’s railway networks.
According to the Nanjing government, it is estimated that the long-term passenger flow of Nanjing South Station will reach 120 million (2). Nanjing South Railway Station, which started operations last year in June, serves four railway routes including the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, the Huning Intercity Rail, the Hangning Passenger Railway and the Shanghai-Wuhan-Chengdu Railway (3). The Nanjing South Railway Station is one of five originating stations along the Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Railway (4). The Group hopes to enjoy the spillover effects of high foot traffic at Nanjing South Railway Station which is estimated to bring in an average daily flow of 1.4 million people (5).
The new Nanjing Nanzhan Store is situated within the development area of the Nanjing Mingfa Commercial Centre, where the Nanjing municipal government aims to create a one-stop shopping paradise of over four million sq ft, organized according to six different themes including lifestyle, family and global brand (6). This is part of the government’s efforts to promote a mall-goer generation and heighten Nanjing Mingfa Commercial Centre’s status in the international commercial retail scene (7).
Leveraging on the retail vibrancy of the themed shopping arena packed with hotels, restaurants, cinema, entertainment and leisure facilities, the Nanjing Nanzhan store would be able to bask in the benefits of massive tourist crowd and enhance the Group’s visibility in the area. The new store targets middle to high income groups with its modern look and feel, featuring well-known local and overseas retail and F&B brands.
“Venturing out of Fujian province to break into Jiangsu province is an important step for our growth. As a local Fujian brand, we aim to elevate our brand awareness beyond Fujian with our new store in the capital of Jiangsu to bring in improved earnings for the Group.”
Mr. Lee Swee Keng, Executive Chairman of Zhongmin Baihui
The Group has three stores in the pipeline namely its Xiamen Zhongshan Store, Quanzhou Qiaonan Store and Zhangzhou Longwen Store, which would be expected to open by end 2013 in Fujian province.
Footnote:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanjing_South_Railway_Station, Nanjing South Railway Station, Wikipedia
http://english.nanjing.gov.cn/zx/szyw/200812/t20081219_257936.htm, Four Main Railways Pass Nanjing South Station, with Long-term Passenger Flow of 120 Million, Nanjing Government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanjing_South_Railway_Station, Nanjing South Railway Station, Wikipedia
http://baike.baidu.com/view/160129.htm
http://baike.baidu.com/view/3651097.htm
http://baike.baidu.com/view/3651097.htm
http://baike.baidu.com/view/3651097.htm
About Zhongmin Baihui Retail Group Ltd. (“Zhongmin Baihui”)
Zhongmin Baihui Retail Group Ltd. is principally engaged in the operation of the “Zhongmin Baihui” department store in Xiamen, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou, Fujian province and Nanjing, Jiangsu province in the PRC. Strategically located in commercial centres, the Group’s stores are in close proximity to residential, shopping and commercial areas as well as public transportation hubs that offer high visibility and steady flow of human traffic.
With its first store in Anxi, Fujian in 1997, the Group has rapidly expanded to operate three self-owned stores and six managed stores with an aggregate gross floor area of 1,563,000 sq ft (145,477 sq m).The Group’s largest store is in Nanjing and it plans to open three more stores, one of which would be larger than its Nanjing Nanzhan Store, in Fujian province by end 2013.
With 15 years of strong retail reputation under the “Zhongmin Baihui” brand name, the Group’s stores offer a wide variety of quality merchandise and customer-oriented services catering to middle to high level income bracket consumers.
The Group’s revenue is mainly derived from four sources, namely direct sales, commission from concessionaire sales, rental income and income from managed rental.
For more information, please refer to http://www.zhongminbaihui.com.sg
Note:
This announcement has been prepared by the Company and its contents have been reviewed by the Company’s sponsor, CIMB Bank Berhad, Singapore Branch (“Sponsor”), for compliance with the relevant rules of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “SGX-ST”), this being the SGX-ST Listing Manual Section B: Rules of Catalist. The Sponsor has not independently verified the contents of this announcement.
The announcement has not been examined or approved by the SGX-ST. The Sponsor and the SGX-ST assume no responsibility for the contents of this announcement including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this announcement.
The contact person for the Sponsor is Mr. Benjamin Choy, Director, Corporate Finance. The contact particulars are 50 Raffles Place #09-01 Singapore Land Tower Singapore 048623, telephone: +65 6337 5115.
Source: Zhongmin Baihui Retail Group Ltd.

Small Island of Kosrae Joins Effort to Create Massive Shark Sanctuary

Two million-square-mile regional protected area now within reach
KOSRAE, Federated States of Micronesia /PRNewswire/ — Kosrae has become the first member of the Federated States of Micronesia to establish shark protections in its waters. The unanimous vote by the legislature in Kosrae, a small island of 7,700 people in the Pacific, is an important step in the creation of the world’s first regional shark sanctuary, which will encompass 2 million square miles of ocean. The legislation now heads to Gov. Lyndon Jackson’s desk for signature.
“The protection of sharks fits into an even larger conservation goal for Micronesia,” said Governor Lyndon Jackson. “This goal, called the Micronesia Challenge, seeks to effectively conserve 30 percent of nearshore resources. But some species, especially sharks, swim in and out of protected areas, so additional policies are needed.”
When signed into law, the Kosrae sanctuary will ban the sale, trade, and possession of shark products in Kosrae and prohibit commercial shark fishing in the 12 mile area under its jurisdiction. Sen. Tulensa Palik, vice chairman of the state’s Committee on Resources and Development, introduced the bill.
“This is an extremely important piece of legislation,” said Palik. “I am proud to have Kosrae be a part of a global movement to protect sharks and the health of our ocean.”
During the Micronesian Chief Executive Summit in July 2011, Jackson and the other leaders pledged to join a much larger effort to create the Micronesia Regional Shark Sanctuary. The agreement includes all four members of the Federated States of Micronesia – Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae – as well as the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Palau, and the Marshall Islands. It will result in a regional sanctuary covering 2 million square miles.
“Micronesia is leading the world in shark conservation,” said Jill Hepp, director of shark conservation at the Pew Environment Group. “Kosrae is an important piece in the puzzle to protect sharks in the region.”
“Conservation has always been an integral part of life in Kosrae,” said Andy George, executive director of the Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization. “This is something our people wanted.” Each year, up to 73 million sharks are killed by people, largely for their fins to supply the demand for shark fin soup. Of the 150 species of shark assessed as Threatened or Near Threatened with extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, at least 30 are known to swim in Micronesia’s waters, including scalloped hammerheads, whale sharks, oceanic whitetips, and several species of reef sharks.
If the other members of the Federated States of Micronesia move forward with their plan to create a sanctuary in the next year, 2.9 million square kilometers (1.1 million square miles) will be added to the more than 4.7 million square kilometers (1.8 million square miles) of ocean worldwide that have already been protected by six shark sanctuaries: Palau, the Maldives, Tokelau, Honduras, the Bahamas, and the Marshall Islands. Photos and a map of the area are available for download at http://www.PewEnvironment.org.
The Pew Environment Group is the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a nongovernmental organization that works globally to establish pragmatic, science-based policies that protect our oceans, preserve our wild lands, and promote clean energy. For more information, visit http://www.PewEnvironment.org.
The Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization is a conservation NGO based in Kosrae that implements environmental programs in marine conservation, environmental education, and terrestrial conservation. http://kosraeconservation.org/
The Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) supports biodiversity conservation and related sustainable development for the people of Micronesia in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of Palau (ROP), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the U.S. Territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). http://www.ourmicronesia.org/
Contact: Rachel Brittin, (202) 540-6312
Source: Pew Environment Group

Spectacular Celebration Marks Launch of Sheraton Macao Hotel at Sands Cotai Central

Starwood and Macao’s biggest hotel opens to public for first time
MACAO /PRNewswire/ — Sands China’s Cotai Strip® development was beautifully aflame in celebration Thursday evening, as the integrated resort city introduced to Macao the latest additions at Sands® Cotai Central, led by the launch of Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central, which has the double distinction of being the largest hotel for both Macao and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT).
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58010-sands-cotai-central-celebrates-second-phase-opening
Sands China Ltd. (HKSE: 1928), a majority-held subsidiary of global integrated resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS), opened Sands Cotai Central’s second phase Thursday — which also includes new restaurants and retailers, as well as a new Polynesian-themed gaming area — with a series of exciting events.
A 10:00 a.m. press conference gave media a chance to ask questions of key executives in attendance, including Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Sands China Ltd. Chairman Sheldon G. Adelson and Starwood Hotels & Resorts President and Chief Executive Officer Frits van Paasschen.
In his opening remarks to the gathered media before the Q&A session, Sands China Ltd. President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Tracy said, “It’s been an honour for our team to lead Sands China Ltd. as we all witness the realisation of Mr. Adelson’s vision of a fully integrated resort city on the Cotai Strip development. We’ve come a long way from that muddy swampland that Mr. Adelson first surveyed. And there were plenty along the way who said it couldn’t be done. But here we are today, marking yet another grand achievement — the opening of the second phase of Sands Cotai Central, featuring Sheraton Macao Hotel — the largest Starwood property in the world, and Macao’s largest hotel.”
Mr. van Paasschen also addressed the media, saying, “We like to think of Sheraton as the world’s gathering place. Sheraton is the leading hotel brand in this region and an ideal fit for this spectacular new hotel in Macao. And what a great combination: Starwood’s largest brand in the world’s fastest growing hotel market.”
The local community was also involved in the day’s festivities, with a special kowhaiwhai pattern mural painting and puzzle-piecing event on Level 3 of Shoppes Cotai Central. A traditional art form of the indigenous Maori of New Zealand, the beautiful kowhaiwhai pattern — called “kori” and meaning “to flourish” — was painted and assembled as a mural in collaboration with members of the Fuhong Society of Macau, a non-profit organization providing occupational skills training and employment services to the mentally challenged. Symbolising togetherness, the event was also attended by Dr. Miriam Adelson, who helped place the final piece of the pattern, along with Qian Jin, President of Greater China, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Red carpet arrivals at the evening’s ceremonial opening of Sheraton Macao included Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region Chui Sai On, government officials, company executives from Sands and Sheraton, international film star Zhang Ziyi, and the stars of the hit reality TV show The Voice of China.
At the evening’s main ceremonial event, Maori Haka and Tahitian dancers performed at Sheraton Macao’s lantern-lit Jaya pool deck, followed by the seating of the attending dignitaries. A large goddess-accompanied heliosphere then delivered a ceremonial flame to a waiting dancer on the stage. After passing the flame to the dignitaries gathered on stage, a line was ignited, carrying the flame up to light fiery logos of Sands Cotai Central and Sheraton, on the facade of Sheraton Macao’s Sky tower — setting off a huge, choreographed pyrotechnic display that included fireworks illuminating all the Sands China properties of the Cotai Strip development: Sands Cotai Central, The Venetian® Macao and The Plaza™ Macao. Seven structures in total were lit by the display, first in sequence, and then altogether in unison for the spectacular grand finale.
After watching Cotai’s biggest fireworks show ever, the first 5,000 visitors to the property received commemorative gold coins marking the historic occasion, distributed from various locations within Sands Cotai Central.
About Sands® Cotai Central
Launched in 2012, Sands® Cotai Central is the centre point of the Cotai Strip® — the pathway to adventure, fun and fortune. Featuring three celebrated hotel brands — Conrad, Sheraton and Holiday Inn — Sands Cotai Central offers visitors to the Cotai Strip an expanded offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macau, with approximately 6,000 hotel rooms and suites, and 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of retail, entertainment and dining facilities, and meetings and convention space. With nearly 100 retail outlets, Shoppes Cotai Central joins Shoppes Grand Canal and Shoppes at Four Seasons to offer a total of over 600 luxury duty-free stores to choose from — the most in any one single location in all of Macau. And with two spas, three health clubs and 300,000 square feet (28,000 square metres) of gaming space in two, uniquely-themed gaming areas, Sands Cotai Central provides a new level of luxury and accessibility to the Cotai Strip*. For more information, please visit http://www.sandscotaicentral.com.
* All numbers based on completion of all phases of development in early 2013.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,112 properties in nearly 100 countries and 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Meridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element(SM). The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com.
Mabel Wu of Venetian Macau Limited
+853 8118 2268
mabel.wu@venetian.com.mo
Nadeen Ayala of Starwood Hotels & Resorts
+1-203-351-2542
nadeen.ayala@starwoodhotels.com
Source: Sands China Ltd.

World Alzheimer’s Report 2012 Reveals Stigma and Social Exclusion are Major Barriers for People with Dementia and Their Carers

LONDON and NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ —

75% of people with dementia and 64% of family carers believe there are negative associations for those diagnosed with dementia in their countries
40% of people with dementia report they have been avoided or treated differently
Report provides 10 key recommendations for governments and societies to include people with dementia into everyday activities
The latest World Alzheimer Report entitled: Overcoming the stigma of dementia, released today by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) reveals that nearly one in four people with dementia (24%) hide or conceal their diagnosis citing stigma as the main reason. Furthermore, 40% of people with dementia report not being included in everyday life. What is startling is that nearly two out of three people with dementia and their carers believe there is a lack of understanding of dementia in their countries.

The World Alzheimer Report 2012 provides 10 recommendations to enable governments and societies to overcome stigma, including greater public education, with nearly half of the survey respondents indicating education and awareness as a huge priority. Another key point is to encourage people with dementia to share their experiences and to ensure that they are included in everyday activities.

Nicole Batsch, author World Alzheimer Report 2012 comments, “Stigma remains a barrier to making progress in all other dementia initiatives, such as improving care and support for people with dementia and family carers and funding for research. The Alzheimer 2012 report reveals that people with dementia and carers feel marginalised by society, sometimes by their own friends and family members. What they want is to be treated like normal people with a focus on their abilities and not on their impairments. Bringing light to these issues will help improve the quality of life for people with dementia and for their carers.”

Marc Wortmann, Executive Director of ADI, says, “Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease continue to grow at a rapid rate due to global ageing. The disease has a huge impact on the families that are hit, but also affects health and social systems because of the economic cost. Countries are not prepared and will continue not to be prepared unless we overcome the stigma and enhance efforts to provide better care for those who have dementia and find a cure for the future.”

The Latest World Alzheimer Report reveals the following:

24% of people with dementia and more than one in ten carers (11%) admitted to hiding or concealing the diagnosis of dementia – with those under the age of 65 believing they might face special issues in their workplace or children’s school
40% of people with dementia reported not being included in everyday life
Nearly 60% of the above indicated that friends are the most likely people to avoid them or lose contact after diagnosis followed by family members
A quarter of carers (24%) feel there are negative associations in their country about carers of people with dementia while a similar number (28%) feel they have been treated differently or avoided
Both people with dementia and carers admitted they had stopped themselves forming close relationships as it was too difficult
Education, information and awareness were identified as priorities to help reduce the stigma of dementia
The Alzheimer 2012 report is based on a global survey of 2500 people (those with dementia and family carers) across more than 50 countries. Just over 50% of the respondents with dementia had Alzheimer’s disease and just under a half of the total number were under the age of 65. The main aims of the survey were to record individual experiences of stigma by people with dementia and family carers and help identify whether national dementia plans have had an impact on reducing stigma.

Dementia is seriously disabling for those who have it as well as their families and carers. According to estimates from the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is currently one new case of dementia every four seconds. If we take into account the rapid increase in the elderly population, there will potentially be 115 million people with dementia worldwide in the next 40 years, thus placing a major burden on health and social systems. Only eight nations out of 193 WHO countries have implemented national dementia plans, showing that more could be done by governments to help alleviate the associated economic and social costs.

View film featuring experts, patients and carers from The Netherlands, Germany and India relating their experiences around Alzheimer’s Disease.

Notes to Editors:

Recommendations to tackle stigma surrounding dementia

Educate the public
Reduce isolation of people with dementia
Give people with dementia a voice
Recognise the rights of people with dementia and their carers
Involve people with dementia in their local communities
Support and educate informal and paid carers
Improve the quality of care at home and in care homes
Improve dementia training of primary healthcare physicians
Call on governments to create national Alzheimer’s disease plans
Increase research into how to address stigma
About Alzheimer’s Disease International

ADI is the international federation of 78 Alzheimer associations around the world, in official relations with the World Health Organization. ADI’s vision is an improved quality of life for people with dementia and their families throughout the world. ADI believes that the key to winning the fight against dementia lies in a unique combination of global solutions and local knowledge. As such, it works locally, by empowering Alzheimer associations to promote and offer care and support for people with dementia and their carers, while working globally to focus attention on dementia and campaign for policy change from governments.

The distribution of the World Alzheimer Report 2012 has been made possible by Nutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition, a specialised healthcare division of the food company Danone.