Pfizer Announces First Enhalable Form of Insulin

PFIZER RECEIVES FDA APPROVAL FOR EXUBERA, THE FIRST INHALABLE FORM OF INSULIN FOR CONTROLLING TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES IN ADULTS

CEO McKinnell: "Exubera is a Major, First-of-its-Kind, Medical Breakthrough That Marks Another Critical Step Forward in the Treatment of Diabetes, a Disease that Has Taken an Enormous Human and Economic Toll Worldwide"

Innovative Hand-Held Insulin Device Effectively Controls Diabetes and Provides Reliable and Easy to Use Insulin Dosing Patient with Type 2 Diabetes: "With Exubera, I've Been Able to Control my Blood Sugar Levels and Not Constantly Worry About How I Manage My Diabetes."

Diabetes is the Fifth Leading Cause of Death in the U.S. and Accounts for $132 Billion in Annual Healthcare Costs
New York, NY (BlackNews.com) - Pfizer Inc said today that Exubera (insulin human [rDNA origin]) Inhalation Powder has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Exubera was found in clinical trials to be as effective as short-acting insulin injections, and to significantly improve blood sugar control when added to diabetes pills. Exubera, which is expected to be available for patients by mid-year, is the first inhaled form of insulin and the first insulin option that does not need to be administered by injection in the United States.

"Exubera is a major, first-of-its-kind, medical breakthrough that marks another critical step forward in the treatment of diabetes, a disease that has taken an enormous human and economic toll worldwide," said Hank McKinnell, chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer. "The global incidence of diabetes is currently at epidemic levels. Millions of patients are not achieving or maintaining acceptable blood sugar levels, despite the availability of current therapies. Exubera meets a critical medical need by offering a highly effective and needle-free alternative to diabetes pills and insulin injections to manage this complicated, debilitating disease."

Exubera is a rapid-acting, dry powder human insulin that is inhaled through the mouth into the lungs prior to eating, using the handheld Exubera Inhaler. The Exubera inhaler weighs four ounces and, when closed, is about the size of an eyeglass case. The unique Exubera Inhaler produces in its chamber a cloud of insulin powder, which is designed to pass rapidly into the bloodstream to regulate the body's blood sugar levels.

Exubera Meets Medical Need "Many people who could benefit from insulin are fearful of injections, so they delay treatment five years or ten years, placing them at risk for serious complications. Now, for the first time patients can improve blood sugar control with fewer or no painful injections," said Dr. William Cefalu, Exubera investigator and chief of the division of nutrition and chronic diseases at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a campus of the Louisiana State University System, in Baton Rouge.

The efficacy and safety profile of Exubera was studied in more than 2,500 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes for an average duration of 20 months. In clinical trials, many patients using Exubera reported greater treatment satisfaction than patients taking insulin by injection. Significantly more patients who had used both Exubera and insulin injections or diabetes pills reported an overall preference for Exubera.

"With Exubera, I've been able to control my blood sugar levels and not constantly worry about how I manage my diabetes," said Jamie Villastrigo, a type 2 diabetes patient and Exubera clinical trial participant.
In patients with type 2 diabetes, Exubera can be used alone as an alternative to rapid-acting insulin injections or diabetes pills, or in combination with diabetes pills or longer-acting insulin. In patients with type 1 diabetes, Exubera will be used in combination with longer-acting insulin.

The Burden of Diabetes in the United States

Complications commonly associated with uncontrolled or poorly controlled blood sugar levels include heart disease, amputation, blindness and kidney failure. Diabetes and its complications are estimated to account for $132 billion in direct and indirect health care costs annually.

Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes and approximately 95 percent of these people have type 2 diabetes.
In type 2 diabetes, the body does not make or use insulin well enough to manage blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes progresses over time, and eventually most patients will need to administer insulin to achieve blood sugar control. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not make insulin at all. These patients must take insulin to survive.

All people with type 1 diabetes and a large percentage of people with type 2 diabetes need treatment with insulin. While insulin has been proven to be effective to reduce blood sugar levels and the risk of complications, health care providers and patients often have been unwilling to start treatment. Factors include patients' fear of injections and social embarrassment associated with needles.

Exubera is the result of one of the most rigorous and innovative diabetes development programs. Pfizer has invested in two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities the world's largest insulin plants in Frankfurt, Germany, and a highly automated, high-tech production facility in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Exubera is a product of a collaboration between Pfizer and Nektar Therapeutics. Pfizer recently reached an agreement to acquire the sanofi-aventis worldwide rights to Exubera. The two companies were previously in a worldwide alliance to co-develop, co-promote and co-manufacture Exubera.

Important Safety Information about Exubera Patients should not take Exubera if they smoke or have stopped smoking less than six months prior to starting Exubera treatment. If a patient starts smoking or resumes smoking, he or she must stop using Exubera and see a health care provider about a different treatment.

Exubera may affect lung function so patients need to have their lungs tested before starting Exubera, and periodically thereafter, as directed by a healthcare provider. The test involves exhaling into a measuring device. Exubera is not recommended for people that have chronic lung disease (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema). Also, Exubera should not be used at all by people with unstable or poorly controlled lung disease.
Like all medicines, Exubera can cause side effects. As with all forms of insulin, a possible side effect of Exubera is low blood sugar levels. Some patients have reported a mild cough while taking Exubera, which occurred within seconds to minutes after Exubera inhalation. Coughing occurred less frequently as patients continued to use Exubera.

Patients and health care providers can call 1-800-EXUBERA and register to receive more information about Exubera when it is available.

Active Aging Industry Growth Projected in Most Segments

The demographic of aging adults combined with the urgent need to control health care costs is fueling demand for walking trails, wellness and fitness centers and activity programs, according to research reported in "Active Aging in America, Residential and Commercial Fitness."

VANCOUVER, B.C. January 30, 2006 -- The demographic of aging adults combined with the urgent need to control health care costs is fueling demand for walking trails, wellness and fitness centers and activity programs, according to research reported in "Active Aging in America, Residential and Commercial Fitness."

"The active aging industry refers to builders and housing, government and social services, private fitness businesses and equipment manufacturers," explains Colin Milner, CEO of International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), which published the report. "These organizations are united by their need to find, serve and retain their older clients."

Today there are an estimated 77 million baby boomers (born 1946 to 1964) and over 36 million people ages 65 and older. Older adults control the most wealth in the United States, and the baby boomers alone account for over US $2 trillion in consumer spending each year. The aging population is a significant demographic with buying power.

Older adults dealing with chronic disease also impact health care spending. People over 65 accounts for one-third of the $300 billion health care expenditures in the US, an amount expected to increase 25 percent by 2030 unless health promotion activities are successful. Since physical activity, healthy eating and a positive outlook are well-documented ways to improve health and quality of life, governments and private businesses are prioritizing physical fitness and wellness initiatives.

"Companies that do a good job of servicing the older adult are in the growth phase because there is a market for quality services," said Milner "The fastest growing segment of the housing industry is the 50+ market. In health clubs, adults 55+ are the fastest growing membership segment. The newest lines of equipment feature easier access and simpler displays to appeal to older adults. The data in the report shows these are all growth areas. The only segment of the industry that is not growing is skilled nursing facilities."

"This report is the first collection of market research on these different segments gathered in one place. It provides a unique perspective on industry trends and growth potentials," pointed out Milner. "This is strategic information that can guide business decisions, make the case for investment and re-investment, support marketing plans and train the sales staff."

Active Aging in America, Residential and Commercial Fitness, United States 2005 contains analysis and research for seniors housing (active adult, independent living and continuing care retirement communities), seniors centers and adult day care, fitness facilities, personal training and corporate wellness. Introductory sections feature information on the role of activity for successful aging, market forces, funding options and business-to-business opportunities.

The report contains a comprehensive list of demographic data on older adult growth rates, finances, health status and recreation and physical activity preferences. A Glossary makes understanding industry terminology easy, and the ICAA Functional levels and facility assessment guidelines are guideposts to what makes a business "age friendly."

For more information on ICAA membership and the Active Aging in America, Residential and Commercial Fitness, United States 2005 research report, visit the ICAA web site at www.icaa.cc or call 866-335-9777 or 604-734-4466.

About Active Aging
The concept of active aging can be summed up in the phrase "engaged in life." Active aging describes individuals who live life as fully as possible within the six dimensions of wellness (emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social). Regardless of socioeconomic status or health conditions, individuals can participate in life as fully as possible.

Physical activity is an important wellness dimension that positively influences all of life's areas by improving physical function and mental skills, improving outlooks, offering social contact and better preparing us overall for work and home. While focusing on physical activity to encourage health and functional ability, ICAA also provides information on older adults' cognitive skills and mental health, work lives, intellectual pursuits, nutrition and social interactions.

About the International Council on Active Aging ICAA
The ICAA is the world's largest membership association dedicated to changing the way we age by uniting and working with professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields. We connect a community of like-minded professionals who share the goals of changing society's perceptions of aging and improving the quality of life for Baby Boomers and older adults within the six dimensions of wellness (emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social

How to Stay in Shape Even in Middle Age Post 2

In our first post on "How to Stay in Shape Even In Middle Age, we gave an overview of the problems of middle age and some of the advantages of staying fit and healthy. In this post we will give some quick tips on staying healthy in middle age.

Another important tip for keeping in shape during middle age is to cut down or quit smoking altogether. Of all the health hazards, smoking is the most harmful. It has the potential to negatively affect all of the major systems of the body.

As Americans we know that the fat content of the typical American diet is excessive. Far too often the fatty food we eat results in fat deposits on various parts of our bodies.

Middle age need not be a time where you are forced to slow down. In fact it can be the best time of your life if you make a few healthy changes and undertake a responsible diet and regular work outs. You can be as active as were during your 20s and 30s,.

Sports nutritionists have had a lot of success lately with new formulations that help us lose fat while undertaking a healthier lifestyle. One product that appears to have a lot of efficacy in this area is Cardio Stack™.

Cardio Stack offers a unique blend of nutrients that address all the components of true fat metabolism; fat release, fat transport and fat burn. Cardio Stack is designed to flood the body with the vital nutrients needed to stimulate fat metabolism and help maximize fat burning and performance. Cardio Stack™ is available from; The Health and Fitness BODeStore .