SES and CETel Ink New Capacity Deals to Meet Growing Connectivity Demands in the Middle East

LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SES (NYSE Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) announced today that CETel has renewed a multi-year deal and signed a new multi-transponder capacity deal with SES to provide services to meet the escalating demand for VSAT services and corporate networks in the Middle East.

Under the new contracts, CETel will be leasing 80 MHz capacity on SES' NSS-12 satellite to extend its VSAT networks for corporate and governmental networks across the region.

CETel, one of the leading teleport and satellite service providers in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, offers dedicated VSAT services for corporate and governmental networks and GSM backhaul services, as well as hub hosting and managed solutions, from their teleports. Its teleport is headquartered in Germany, with affiliate offices in the UAE.

"Demand for satellite capacity in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia has been increasing in the last few years," said Guido Neumann, Managing Director of CETel. "We are pleased that we can rely on the global expertise of SES to provide reliable satellite capacity and offer flexible solutions for our customers in the region."

"CETel was one of our first NSS-12 customers back in 2008. With this latest agreement, it reinforces our long-standing partnership with them and is a testament to the reliability of NSS-12's high-powered capabilities," said Simon Gatty Saunt, Vice President of Data & Mobility services at SES.

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About SES

SES is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of 53 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.

SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.

SES (NYSE Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) holds participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico, as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. Further information under: www.ses.com.

SES Communications
Markus Payer
Tel: +352 710 725 500
Markus.Payer@ses.com

KEYWORDS:   Europe  Africa  Middle East

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

Orange Business Services Reinforces Its Global M2M Capabilities for Multinationals with Ericsson's Device Connection Platform

• Ericsson's Device Connection Platform enables Orange's customers to deploy, manage and scale M2M connected devices and applications to respond to multi-domestic needs

PARIS & STOCKHOLM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Orange Business Services and Ericsson announced today that the companies have entered into a strategic agreement to better serve the growing global M2M market and to respond to multi-domestic needs. International companies often need global operations while addressing local requirements of end-users, such as high broadband usage. These needs are mainly driven by vertical industries such as automotive and consumer electronics.

Orange chose Ericsson's Device Connection Platform delivered as a service to enrich its existing M2M products and solutions portfolio to support in particular international customers. This advanced solution enables Orange Business Services' customers to benefit from state-of-the-art functionalities to deploy, scale and operate millions of M2M connections. Through a service portal, available at anytime from anywhere, customers can access self-service functionality to manage and control their installed SIM base, including real-time access to monitor operational levels, support management, and access statistics.

Orange Business Services' global quality of service and seamless customer experience are now complemented by the benefits of the Ericsson platform.

Orange Business Services offers a full scope of M2M solutions, which can be combined to offer a flexible approach, ranging from pure M2M connectivity offers to one-stop-shop solutions, covering design, project management, consultancy services and end to end support. With more than 250 people dedicated to M2M, Orange Business Services offers expertise in innovation, integration and vertical solutions including: remote monitoring for connected health devices; diagnostics and maintenance; smart metering; fleet management and track and trace.

This agreement is another step forward in Orange's ambition together with the Global M2M Association (GMA) to capitalize on existing assets and to drive market leadership in M2M. The Global M2M Association (GMA) is a service cooperation agreement among leaders in the M2M sector with the main focus of delivering best-in-class, enhanced and seamless M2M services globally to customers.

Thierry Bonhomme, CEO, Orange Business Services, said: "Orange Business Services has been investing in the Internet of Things for many years with the ambition to be a key player in the global M2M market. We continue to enrich our M2M portfolio to provide market-leading services to international companies. This agreement with Ericsson is another step in our global approach to M2M offers and in building an ecosystem of selected partners to the benefit of our customers."

Johan Wibergh, executive Vice President and Head of BU Networks Ericsson, says: "We are excited to partner with Orange and together with them execute our Networked Society vision and tap into the 50 billion connected devices potential in the coming years. Ericsson Device Connection Platform is a key element in achieving this vision, which benefits from our R&D capabilities and in which we heavily invest. Orange will also benefit from Ericsson's strong local presence and ecosystem around the world to accelerate business momentum."

"As operators remove barriers to deploying global solutions, it becomes more affordable for large enterprises and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to invest in connected devices. We expect this will lead to a new industry tipping point," said Steve Hilton, Principal Analyst at Analysys Mason.

Orange's international customers will benefit from continuous and sustainable long-term competitive solutions based on Ericsson's R&D capabilities, ensuring low-cost and highly-reliable connectivity for their devices.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Orange Business Services

Orange Business Services, the Orange branch dedicated to B2B services, is a leading global integrator of communications solutions for multinational corporations. With the world's largest, seamless network for voice and data, Orange Business Services reaches 220 countries and territories with local support in 166. Offering a comprehensive package of communication services covering cloud computing, enterprise mobility, M2M, security, unified communications, videoconferencing, and broadband, Orange Business Services delivers a best-in-class customer experience across a global landscape. Thousands of enterprise customers and 1.4 million mobile data users rely on an Orange Business Services international platform for communicating and conducting business. Orange Business Services was awarded three of the telecom industry's highest accolades at the annual World Communication Awards 2012 - Best Global Operator, Best Cloud Service and the User's Choice Award. Orange Business Services is a five-time winner of Best Global Operator. Learn more at www.orange-business.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.

Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with annual sales of €43.5 billion in 2012 and has 168,000 employees worldwide at June 30, 2013. Orange is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

About the Ericsson Device Connection Platform

Ericsson Device Connection Platform is a cloud (provided as a service) connectivity platform for mobile operators to provide M2M connectivity towards enterprises. It enables operators to address new revenue streams from a vast variety of devices while simplifying the process and reducing the cost of connecting them in order to benefit from economies of scale. The platform provides access to key functionalities including, for example, subscription management, device management and operator and enterprise self-service portals.

Download high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video at www.ericsson.com/press

Ericsson is a world-leading provider of communications technology and services. We are enabling the Networked Society with efficient real-time solutions that allow us all to study, work and live our lives more freely, in sustainable societies around the world.

Our offering comprises services, software and infrastructure within Information and Communications Technology for telecom operators and other industries. Today 40 percent of the world's mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers' networks servicing more than 2.5 billion subscriptions.

We are more than 110,000 people working with customers in more than 180 countries. Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2012 the company's net sales were SEK 227.8 billion (USD 33.8 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

www.ericsson.com

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Orange Business Services
Elizabeth Mayeri, +1-212-251-2086
elizabeth.mayeri@orange.com
or
Orange
Sylvie Duho, +33 1 44 44 93 93
service.presse@orange.com
or
Ericsson Corporate Communications
+46 10 719 69 92
media.relations@ericsson.com

KEYWORDS:   Europe  France  Sweden

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

OMVS Opens Partnership Talks With New Transportation Targets

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As On the Move Systems Corp. (OTCBB: OMVS) continues working to deliver a one-stop Internet destination for travel and transportation, the company is moving aggressively to secure new partners capable of providing the niche services consumers demand.

Earlier this week, the company signed a letter of intent to partner with JetSet Car Service, potentially the first luxury transportation company to offer services on the new portal. It's the first of many more agreements expected to follow soon: OMVS has contacted private charter air carriers, intermodal transport companies, luxury car services and others interested in attaining a larger share of the online transportation market.

"We're building the synergistic partnerships we need to deliver something that's never been done in the online transportation industry," said OMVS CEO Robert Wilson. "Using our ISTx platform, a traveler will soon be able to book passage on a chartered flight, space on a shipping container and a ride from the airport to his destination with a single click. No one else is offering such a comprehensive slate of services, and we're very excited about the potential for growth."

To create the new portal, OMVS is collaborating with BryterDyne, an architect of scalable, custom software solutions across the energy, transportation/logistics and e-commerce industries. Together, the two companies are working towards the release of OMVS' ISTx platform, the digital heart of an online destination designed to connect users with niche transportation options that will allow it to compete in the online travel market alongside Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (NAS: CTRP) Priceline.com (NAS: PCLN) and Expedia.com (NAS: EXPE) .

For more information on On the Move Systems' bold new mission, please visit www.onthemovesystems.com.

About On the Move Systems Corp.

On the Move Systems Corp. (OTCBB: OMVS) is focused on the development of cutting-edge technology across a broad spectrum of industries. The company is currently exploring new online tools to reduce costs and increase convenience in the tourism and transportation industry. For more information, please visit our website at www.onthemovesystems.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipate" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, description of anyone's past success, either financial or strategic, is no guarantee of future success. This news release speaks as of the date first set forth above and the company assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof.

On the Move Systems, Inc.
Robert Wilson, 813-367-9511
President and CEO
info@onthemovesystems.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Florida

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

NTRR Expands Business Model With New Potential Revenue Streams

SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Neutra Corp. (OTCBB: NTRR), a growing provider of all-natural wellness solutions, added a new potential revenue stream to its portfolio this week by signing a joint venture agreement with Second Wave Ventures, LLC, a cutting-edge developer of nutraceutical products.

Based in Los Angeles, Second Wave Ventures is on the cutting edge of technology innovations poised to change the way patients ease chronic pain and neurological symptoms. The company will partner with NTRR in marketing and developing new delivery systems capable of improving the way that the body absorbs nutrients and other active ingredients in medical marijuana and other natural remedies.

The new joint venture also plans to collaborate on a revolutionary new system designed to test MMJ oils for contaminants such as butane and pesticides.

"We're very excited about Second Wave's product innovations, which we believe will boost our company's revenue potential significantly," said NTRR CEO Sydney Jim.

NTRR is aggressively targeting potential partnerships with California companies on the cusp of delivering advanced new technologies and products to a growing marketplace of MMJ patients hungry for more predictable and manageable all-natural wellness solutions.

Thanks to joint ventures with emerging firms Second Wave Ventures, LLC, Vertigo Technologies, LLC, and Field of View Technologies, LLC, NTRR is on the cusp of delivering potentially lucrative new advancements in the processing and usage of cannabis in approved markets.

The company expects to announce new development details in the coming weeks.

By providing innovative products and services related to MMJ, Neutra Corp. plans to follow in the footsteps of other successful public companies, including Cannabis Science, Inc. (CBIS), Medical Marijuana Inc. (MJNA) and Terra Tech Corp. (TRTC), enabling technological advancements in the cultivation and processing of cannabis in approved markets.

For more information on NTRR's initiatives, please visit www.neutracorp.com.

About Neutra Corp.

Neutra Corp. is a healthy lifestyle company that specializes in the development and marketing of natural wellness solutions, including cannabis-related products and services as well as protective, anti-microbial coatings for indoor and outdoor surfaces. For investing information and performance data, please visit www.neutracorp.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipate" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, description of anyone's past success, either financial or strategic, is no guarantee of future success. This news release speaks as of the date first set forth above and the company assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof.

Neutra Corp.
Sydney Jim, 813-367-2041
President and CEO
info@neutracorp.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Florida

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

Signature Bank Appoints Veteran Asset-based Lending Team; Expands Service Offering

Entry into Asset-based Lending Strengthens Bank's Capabilities and Enhances Offering

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Signature Bank (NAS: SBNY) , a New York-based full-service commercial bank, announced today the formation of a new asset-based lending group, marking the Bank's entry into this specialized area.

Leading the four-person team, which will be based at the Bank's headquarters at 565 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, N.Y., is Robert Love, Senior Vice President and Group Director. Love has 23 years of experience in this specialty lending arena, and will oversee the asset-based lending efforts of Signature Bank. Love started Amalgamated Capital, the asset-based lending division of Amalgamated Bank, and headed the effort during the past three years. Prior, he held several related roles including, among others, Senior Vice President of Originations at Royal Bank of Scotland, Senior Vice President and Northeast Team Leader at The CIT Group and Senior Vice President of Origination at GE Capital.

Love and his team all worked together at Amalgamated Capital prior to joining Signature Bank. Furthermore, certain team members also had worked together at other institutions.

Joining Love is Wendy Berney Nelson, named Senior Vice President, Underwriting and Portfolio Manager. Nelson, with 20 years of related experience, will manage the underwriters and portfolio managers in her new role. Previously, Nelson held a similar role at her former institution as well as other underwriting positions at AmSouth Capital, Heller Financial, the CIT Group and various lending-related entities.

Additionally, Robert R. Wallace was appointed Vice President, Portfolio Manager, responsible for managing the Bank's new portfolio of asset-based loans. At Amalgamated Capital, Wallace was Senior Underwriter and Portfolio Manager, responsible for handling a portfolio of asset-based clients. Wallace, with 30 years of lending experience, previously served in other comparable positions at Capital One Leverage Finance Corp., PNC Credit Corp. and Transamerica Business Capital Corp., among other institutions.

Marissa Bianco Wych will serve as Vice President, Underwriter for asset-based lending. She will underwrite direct and indirect asset-based loans while assisting her team with portfolio management. Prior to her working in this same capacity at Amalgamated Capital, Wych spent several years at the CIT Group, in a range of roles for its compliance group, the project management office and in the business credit/C&I portfolio area.

"The appointment of this new asset-based lending team led by Bob Love further strengthens our product offerings to our privately held commercial clients. Similar to the establishment of our specialty finance subsidiary, Signature Financial, our new asset-based lending effort is led by an experienced and well respected team. We look forward to the contributions Bob and his team will make to enhance our position in the marketplace," explained President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph J. DePaolo.

Love commented on his team's move to Signature Bank, stating: "At Signature Bank, we are building a solid, complementary asset-based lending practice dedicated to serving middle market companies, where we will provide clients with creative structures and highly personalized service. Our commitment to client care directly corresponds with Signature Bank's client-first philosophy, which is an ideal fit for our team. We look forward to establishing our presence and securing a leadership role in the asset-based lending arena via the proven Signature Bank platform."

About Signature Bank

Signature Bank, member FDIC, is a New York-based full-service commercial bank with 27 private client offices throughout the New York metropolitan area. The Bank's growing network of private client banking teams serves the needs of privately owned businesses, their owners and senior managers. Signature Bank offers a wide variety of business and personal banking products and services. The Bank operates Signature Financial, LLC, a specialty finance subsidiary focused on equipment finance and leasing, transportation financing and taxi medallion financing. Investment, brokerage, asset management and insurance products and services are offered through the Bank's subsidiary, Signature Securities Group Corporation, a licensed broker-dealer, investment adviser and member FINRA/SIPC.

Since commencing operations in May 2001, the Bank has grown to $19.7 billion in assets, $15.3 billion in deposits, $1.7 billion in equity capital and $1.8 billion in other assets under management as of June 30, 2013. Signature Bank's Tier 1 and risk-based capital ratios are significantly above the levels required to be considered well capitalized.

Signature Bank's 27 offices are located: In Manhattan (9) - 261 Madison Avenue; 300 Park Avenue; 71 Broadway; 565 Fifth Avenue; 950 Third Avenue; 200 Park Avenue South; 1020 Madison Avenue; 50 West 57th Street and 2 Penn Plaza. Brooklyn (3) - 26 Court Street; 84 Broadway and 6321 New Utrecht Avenue. Westchester (2) - 1C Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle and 360 Hamilton Avenue, White Plains. Long Island (7) - 1225 Franklin Avenue, Garden City; 279 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre; 68 South Service Road, Melville; 923 Broadway, Woodmere; 40 Cuttermill Road, Great Neck; 100 Jericho Quadrangle, Jericho and 360 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge. Queens (3) - 36-36 33rd Street, Long Island City; 78-27 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights and 8936 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica. Bronx (1) - 421 Hunts Point Avenue, Bronx. Staten Island (2) - 2066 Hylan Blvd. and 1688 Victory Blvd.

For more information, please visit www.signatureny.com.

This press release and oral statements made from time to time by our representatives contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and may be beyond our control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our future results, interest rates and the interest rate environment, loan and deposit growth, loan performance, operations, new private client team hires, new office openings and business strategy. These statements often include words such as "may," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "potential," "opportunity," "could," "project," "seek," "should," "will," would," "plan," "estimate" or other similar expressions. As you consider forward-looking statements, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to: (i) prevailing economic conditions; (ii) changes in interest rates, loan demand, real estate values and competition, any of which can materially affect origination levels and gain on sale results in our business, as well as other aspects of our financial performance, including earnings on interest-bearing assets; (iii) the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans made by us, whether held in portfolio or sold in the whole loan secondary markets, which can materially affect charge-off levels and required credit loss reserve levels; (iv) changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (v) changes in the banking and other financial services regulatory environment and (vi) competition for qualified personnel and desirable office locations. As you read and consider forward-looking statements, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or in our control. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, beliefs and expectations, if a change occurs or our beliefs, assumptions and expectations were incorrect, our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Additional risks are described in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the FDIC. You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statements made by Signature Bank speak only as of the date on which they were made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and we cannot predict these events or how they may affect the Bank. Signature Bank has no duty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements after the date on which they are made. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made in this release or elsewhere might not reflect actual results.

Signature Bank
Investor Contact:
Eric R. Howell, 646-822-1402
Executive Vice President-Corporate & Business Development
ehowell@signatureny.com
or
Media Contact:
Susan J. Lewis, 646-822-1825
slewis@signatureny.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  New York

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

Voip-Pal.com Inc. Engages the Law Firm of Stubbs Alderton & Markiles LLP

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Voip-Pal.com Inc. ("Voip-Pal") (OTC Pink: VPLM) is pleased to announce that they have engaged the law firm of Stubbs Alderton & Markiles LLP to serve as its corporate counsel. Dr. Thomas Sawyer, Chairman and CEO of Voip-Pal, stated, "Voip-Pal.com is very pleased to have engaged Stubbs, Alderton & Markiles LLP, to assist us in our progress in the future. We are confident that working in tandem will enable us to achieve our goals of gaining appropriate value for the portfolio of VoIP's patented technologies. Studies have concluded that legal services quality increases with the size of the law firm because of experience and functional industry knowledge. All firms are made up of humans; thus, it is important that the law firm have compatible personal skills and cultural exposures. Due diligence by Voip has convinced the Board of Directors that Stubbs is of the size to offer the necessary quality and possesses the compatible personal skills to work effectively with us going forward."

About Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP

Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP is a business law firm with robust corporate, public securities, mergers and acquisitions and intellectual property practice groups focusing on the representation of venture backed emerging growth companies, middle market public companies, large technology companies, entertainment and digital media companies, investors, venture capital funds, investment bankers and underwriters. The firm's clients represent the full spectrum of Southern California business with a concentration in the technology, entertainment, videogame, apparel and medical device sectors. Our mission is to provide technically excellent legal services in a consistent, highly-responsive and service-oriented manner with an entrepreneurial and practical business perspective. These principles are the hallmarks of our Firm. - http://stubbsalderton.com/

About Voip-Pal.com Inc.

Voip-Pal.com, Inc. ("Voip-Pal") is a publicly traded corporation (OTC Pink: VPLM) headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. The Company owns a portfolio of patents relating to Voice-over-Internet Protocol ("VoIP") technology that it is currently looking to monetize.

Corporate Website: www.voip-pal.com

IR inquiries: IR@voip-pal.com

IR Contact: Rich Inza (954) 495-4600

Voip-Pal.com Inc.
Rich Inza, 954-495-4600

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Washington

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

Lengthy Neurological Diagnosis Delay May Impact Patients, Survey Shows

Opinion Survey examines delays in diagnosis of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis

CHALFONT ST. GILES, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- According to a new survey, some patients with major neurological diseases believe they were not properly diagnosed for more than a year, potentially leading to patient anxiety, unnecessary or inappropriate treatments, delays in appropriate care, and added costs to the global healthcare system. The opinion survey examined the impact of diagnosis delays in the most prominent neurological disorders: Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

The survey, commissioned by GE Healthcare and conducted by Praxis Research, Inc., reflects opinions of physicians and patients in the US, UK, Germany and France. A total of 240 physicians, consisting of hospital and office-based neurologists and psychiatrists (UK-only) participated. A total of 101 patients with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease participated.

According to the survey, median times in patient estimates of time to diagnosis from onset of symptoms were seven to 12 months across all disease states. AD was diagnosed fastest, on average (12.7 months), followed by MS (13.6 months) and PD (14.7 months). This time included the time that patients waited (from less than a week to more than a year) before consulting a physician. Physicians who participated in the survey said approximately a third of patients could or should have been diagnosed faster and may suffer unnecessarily as a result of delay.

"It is not acceptable that some patients with progressive neurological disorders have to wait so long before they receive a diagnosis, during which time many face the possibility of receiving the wrong or unnecessary treatment and needing to consult with multiple healthcare professionals, " said Gabrielle Silver, MD and Head of Neuroscience Marketing at GE Healthcare. "This delay can be stressful to patients, and can also cost the health economy millions of dollars in unnecessary use of resources. Patients and their families should not have to tolerate lengthy delays."

The survey also showed that, on average, 86 percent of patients across these disease areas said they suffered some anxiety when they first visited a physician about their symptoms. More MS sufferers exhibited anxiety (94.1 percent) than did PD or AD patients during the period of diagnosis. However, on average 52.4 percent said that finding out what disease they had was a relief.

There is a significant resource demand placed on the healthcare system during the diagnosis period as costs associated with lost productivity. Costs associated with lost productivity and emergency room visits in the UK total £255,210,425 and total in the US $228,200,133 based on totals of per patient costs and annual incidence rates.¹

The survey found:

• It was common for patients to see both general practitioners and specialists during this period (even before they receive a diagnosis) many making multiple visits. MS patients required more visits (average 6 visits) ahead of AD (5) and PD (<4)
• Physicians noted that some patients suffered complications of their conditions before they received a final diagnosis. In fact, nearly 20 percent of MS sufferers made unscheduled hospital visits during their diagnosis period
• Many patients said that, during the diagnosis period they were unable to conduct their normal lives. More than half of those diagnosed with MS were employed during the diagnosis period and most of them needed to take time off of work - many taking more than two weeks off for this or another medical condition

"Access to early and accurate diagnostic tools is essential with neurological diseases," said Marc Wortmann, Executive Director of Alzheimer's Disease International. "In Alzheimer's, diagnosis can be the start of treatment and better management of the disease which can improve the patients overall quality of life. Not diagnosing earlier is a lost opportunity."

Because of the steady increase in the prevalence of progressive neurological disorders, governments around the world are taking notice and committing money and resources to research to better under the conditions.

• US: President Obama announced earlier this year a new brain-mapping initiative, for which he has proposed $110 million in federal funding for 2014. One of the program's major initiatives aims to understand how the brain is affected by neurological conditions.²
• UK: In February 2009 the "National Dementia Strategy for England: Living well with dementia" was launched. The five-year plan was supported by an investment of GBP 150 million to support local services to deliver the strategy.³
• France: Since 2007, dementia has been a priority for France, and in 2008 the National Plan for Alzheimer's and related diseases was released, which pledged over 1.6 billion Euros over 5 years. The Plan has already improved access to diagnosis by creating memory clinics.⁴
• Germany: Germany does not have a national dementia plan. However, the issue of dementia is addressed through various Ministries (health, Family, Seniors, Research, Work and Social Affairs). The German Alzheimer Association, Deutsche Alzheimer Gesellschaft, is campaigning to have a national plan, or at least a working group to liaise between the various ministries.

About GE Healthcare

GE Healthcare takes a comprehensive approach to understanding a full range of neurological through its diagnostic technologies and ongoing research to uncover the causes, risks, and physical effects of these conditions.

Between 2010 and 2020 GE Healthcare will have invested over $500 million in research into neurological disorders. The investment crosses all lines of GE Healthcare's global business and will focus on developing new neurology diagnostic solutions, educating consumers, and expanding research already in progress. Target areas include diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, concussion and traumatic brain injury.

For decades, GE Healthcare has produced diagnostics scanners, imaging agents and software to help physicians see more clearly inside the brain and aid better patient management. In 2013, a $60 million investment with National Football League to develop new MR technology for traumatic brain injury, inclusion in a $20 million Global Challenge to advance diagnosis and prognosis of mild TBI.

GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services to meet the demand for increased access, enhanced quality and more affordable healthcare around the world. GE (NYS: GE) works on things that matter - great people and technologies taking on tough challenges. From medical imaging, software & IT, patient monitoring and diagnostics to drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies and performance improvement solutions, GE Healthcare helps medical professionals deliver great healthcare to their patients. For our latest news, please visithttp://newsroom.gehealthcare.com

For our latest news, please visit http://newsroom.gehealthcare.com

¹ Data on file, GE Healthcare

² U.S. National Institutes for Health BRAIN Initiative. Available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infographics/brain-initiative

³ United Kingdom Department of Health. Living Well With Dementia: a national dementia strategy. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/168221/dh_094052.pdf

⁴ France - National Dementia Plan. Available at: http://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Policy-in-Practice2/National-Dementia-Plans/France?#fragment-1

GE Healthcare
Aleisia Gibson (media)
(609) 514-6046 (office)
(201) 289-3832 (mobile)
Aleisia.gibson@ge.com)
or
William Spiers (media)
Office: +44 1494 545 278
Mobile: +44 7971 276757
William.spiers@ge.com

KEYWORDS:   United Kingdom  Europe

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

OncoSec Medical Closes $12 Million Public Offering

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- OncoSec Medical Inc. (OTCQB:ONCS), a company developing its advanced-stage ImmunoPulse DNA-based immunotherapy and NeoPulse therapy to treat solid tumors, today announced that it has closed a registered public offering of 47,792,000 shares of its common stock at $0.25 per share and warrants to purchase up to 23,896,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.35 per share for four years.

The gross proceeds of the offering was approximately $12 million. Net proceeds, after deducting the placement agent's fee and other estimated offering expenses payable by OncoSec, was approximately $11.1 million.

OncoSec intends to use proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including clinical trial expenses and research and development expenses.

H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC acted as the exclusive placement agent for the transaction. Maxim Group LLC acted as the financial advisor to OncoSec in connection with the transaction.

Punit Dhillon, President and CEO of OncoSec Medical, said, "This funding further strengthens OncoSec's treasury and positions the company for future successes as we move the company forward to implement our clinical development strategy for melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma."

The securities described above were offered and sold by OncoSec pursuant to a registration statement previously filed and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. A final prospectus related to the offering has also been filed with the SEC. Copies of the final prospectus can be obtained directly from OncoSec and at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of OncoSec's common stock or warrants. No offer, solicitation or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

About OncoSec Medical Inc.

OncoSec Medical Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing its advanced-stage ImmunoPulse DNA-based immunotherapy and NeoPulse therapy to treat solid tumors. ImmunoPulse and NeoPulse therapies address an unmet medical need and represent a potential solution, for less invasive and less expensive therapies that are able to minimize detrimental effects resulting from currently available cancer treatments such as surgery, systemic chemotherapy or immunotherapy and other treatment alternatives.

OncoSec Medical's core technology is based upon its proprietary use of an electroporation platform to enhance the delivery and uptake of a locally delivered DNA-based immunocytokine (ImmunoPulse) or chemotherapeutic agent (NeoPulse). Treatment of various solid cancers using these targeted anti-cancer agents has demonstrated selective destruction of cancerous cells while potentially sparing healthy normal tissues during early and late stage clinical trials. OncoSec's clinical programs include three Phase II clinical trials for ImmunoPulse targeting lethal skin cancers. More information is available at http://www.oncosec.com/.

This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this release that are not historical facts may be considered such "forward looking statements." Forward looking statements are based on management's current preliminary expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause our results to differ materially and adversely from the statements contained herein. Some of the potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those predicted include our ability to raise additional funding, our expectations regarding the use of proceeds we received in the offering, our ability to acquire, develop or commercialize new products, uncertainties inherent in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, unexpected new data, safety and technical issues, competition and market conditions. These and additional risks and uncertainties are more fully described in OncoSec Medical's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements which speak only as of the date they are made. OncoSec Medical disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor Relations:
OncoSec Medical Inc.
Amy Chan, 855-662-6732
investors@oncosec.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

ASCC Signs Distributor for Award-Winning Vodka

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As the much-anticipated launch of the award-winning RWB Ultra-Premium Handcrafted Vodka approaches, the Aristocrat Group Corp. (OTCBB: ASCC) has selected a Texas distributor for its gluten-free spirit.

ASCC has chosen Houston-based Bandol Wines, LLC to be the exclusive Texas distributor of RWB Ultra-Premium Handcrafted Vodka. As Bandol Wines looks to expand its portfolio after proven success in the wine industry, ASCC believes it has found the perfect distributor for the first of its two ultra-premium distilled spirits entering the $5.5 billion U.S. vodka market.

"After closely examining Bandol Wines and what they have to offer, and the market they can reach, they are the clear choice to distribute RWB Ultra-Premium Handcrafted Vodka in Texas," ASCC CEO Robert Federowicz said.

ASCC is working to build a portfolio of successful brands in order to compete in a highly profitable sector alongside LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (OTCBB: LVMUY), Diageo PLC (NYS: DEO) , BEAM, Inc. (NYS: BEAM) and Brown-Forman Corp. (NYS: BF.B) . By handling its own distribution business, ASCC hopes to capitalize on unprecedented new brand building opportunities through Luxuria Brands, its brand management division.

About the Aristocrat Group Corp.

Through its brand management division, Luxuria Brands, the Aristocrat Group Corp. is on the path to becoming a provider of premium luxury goods, including top-shelf distilled spirits. The company targeted the growing market for quality domestic liquor in order to deliver maximum returns to our shareholders.

For more information on the Aristocrat Group Corp., please visit www.aristocratgroupcorp.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipate" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, description of anyone's past success, either financial or strategic, is no guarantee of success. This news release speaks as of the date first set forth above and the Company assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof.

Aristocrat Group Corp.
Robert Federowicz, 850-269-6801
President and CEO
info@aristocratgroupcorp.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Florida

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

Stage Stores to Present at Telsey Advisory Group's 4 ^th Annual Fall Consumer Conference

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Stage Stores, Inc. (NYS: SSI) announced today that Michael Glazer, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Oded Shein, Chief Financial Officer, will make a presentation at Telsey Advisory Group's 4^th Annual Fall Consumer Conference on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, at 9:05 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference is being held at The InterContinental Hotel New York Times Square in New York City.

A live webcast of the presentation will be available. To access the webcast, log on to the Company's website at www.stagestoresinc.com and then click on Investor Relations, then Webcasts and then the webcast link. A replay of the presentation will be available online for approximately 30 days.

The PowerPoint presentation that management will be using at the conference will be available for viewing in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website.

About Stage Stores

Stage Stores, Inc. operates primarily in small and mid-sized towns and communities. Its stores, which operate under the Bealls, Goody's, Palais Royal, Peebles, Stage and Steele's names, offer moderately priced, nationally recognized brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire family. The Company operates 875 stores in 40 states. The Company also has an eCommerce website. For more information about Stage Stores, visit the Company's web site at www.stagestoresinc.com.

Stage Stores, Inc.
Bob Aronson, 800-579-2302
Vice President, Investor Relations
(baronson@stagestores.com)

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  New York  Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

Pier 1 Imports, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2014 Second Quarter Results

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pier 1 Imports, Inc. (NYS: PIR) today reported financial results for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 31, 2013.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2014 Financial Highlights

• Total sales increased 7.6%
• Comparable store sales increased 3.5%
• Gross profit of 40.8% of sales
• Earnings per share of $0.17 (GAAP) versus $0.24 (GAAP) and $0.19 (non-GAAP) for the same period in fiscal 2013 (see reconciliation below of earnings per share to non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share in Financial Disclosure Advisory)

Alex W. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "For each of the last 15 quarters we've prided ourselves on our ability to deliver consistent short-term results while building out our '1 Pier 1' omni-channel strategy. During the second quarter, the efforts focused around our short- and long-term goals fell slightly out of balance. In particular, our marketing initiatives did not include appropriate messaging around clearance and promotional activity in our stores, or customer acquisition generally, which contributed to lower than expected store traffic. We should also have done a better job of flowing new product to the stores and reflecting those items in the floor set."

"On the other hand we continue to make great progress with '1 Pier 1' and are very pleased with online sales during the period. We are enjoying increases in traffic to Pier1.com and conversion rates are steadily moving upward. Indeed, in August our online business achieved a new high water mark of 5% of total sales - a great way to celebrate the first anniversary of our new e-Commerce enabled web site. We also completed the installation of our new point-of-sale system in all 1,066 store locations, another important milestone for our Company."

Mr. Smith concluded, "We've entered the third quarter with a very clean inventory position and a terrific assortment of fall product newly set in the stores. Customers are responding favorably to both regular and seasonal merchandise. We're confident in our plans for the holiday season, including a stepped up marketing campaign which will see our return to advertising on network TV. We believe the business is well-positioned for the second half of the year and expect to return to our historical levels of quarterly sales and profit growth. Additionally, we remain solidly on track to achieve the goals laid out under our Three-Year Growth Plan. We look forward to giving more details on this morning's call."

Second Quarter Fiscal 2014 Results

For the second quarter ended August 31, 2013, the Company reported net income of $17.8 million, or $0.17 per share, compared to $26.2 million, or $0.24 per share a year ago. Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) for the second quarter last year, as described below under Financial Disclosure Advisory, was $20.7 million, or adjusted earnings per share of $0.19. Total sales for the second quarter were $395.6 million, a 7.6% increase versus $367.6 million in the year-ago quarter. Comparable store sales increased 3.5% during the second quarter compared to last year's comparable store sales gain of 6.7%.

Gross profit for the quarter increased to $161.3 million versus $151.5 million in the second quarter of last year. As a percentage of sales, gross profit was 40.8% compared to 41.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2013.

Second quarter selling, general and administrative expenses were $122.6 million, or 31.0% of sales, compared to $112.0 million, or 30.5% of sales, in the second quarter of last year. Depreciation and amortization for the period was $9.6 million, or 2.5% of sales, versus $7.2 million, or 2.0% of sales in the second quarter of last year.

Operating income for the second quarter decreased to $29.1 million, or 7.3% of sales, compared to $32.3 million or 8.8% of sales, last year.

Year-to-Date Results

For the 26-week period ended August 31, 2013, the Company reported net income of $38.2 million, or $0.35 per share, compared to $44.1 million, or $0.40 per share, in the same period last year. The Company's adjusted net income (non-GAAP) for the 26-weeks ended August 25, 2012, as described below under Financial Disclosure Advisory, was $38.7 million, or adjusted earnings per share of $0.35. Total sales for the 26-week period ended August 31, 2013 increased 8.5% to $790.5 million compared to $728.7 million in the year-ago period. Comparable store sales for the 26-week period increased 4.7% versus a comparable store sales increase of 7.0% for the 26-week period ended August 25, 2012.

Gross profit for the first half of fiscal 2014 improved slightly to $328.9 million, or 41.6% of sales, from $301.8 million, or 41.4% of sales in the same period last year. Gross profit primarily benefitted from the leveraging of store occupancy costs.

Fiscal 2014 year-to-date selling, general and administrative expenses were $248.1 million, or 31.4% of sales, compared to $228.4 million, or 31.3% of sales, in the same period last year.

Depreciation and amortization in the first half of fiscal 2014 was $18.5 million, or 2.3% of sales, versus $13.7 million, or 1.9% of sales in the year ago period. The increase is attributable to the Company's ongoing investments in both its stores and e-Commerce business, including the recently completed installation of the Company's new point-of-sale system in the second quarter.

Operating income for the 26-weeks ended August 31, 2013 was $62.3 million, or 7.9% of sales, compared to $59.7 million, or 8.2% of sales for the same period in fiscal 2013.

Balance Sheet and Share Repurchase Program

As of August 31, 2013, the Company remained in strong financial condition with $124.9 million of cash and cash equivalents. Inventory totaled $444.7 million, an increase of 5.7% compared to $420.8 million a year ago, in line with management's expectations. Capital expenditures totaled $28.0 million for the quarter and were primarily used for new store openings, existing store improvements, and infrastructure and technology development, including the completion of the rollout of the Company's new point-of-sale system and enhancements to its e-Commerce platform.

During the second quarter, the Company repurchased 1,866,800 shares of its common stock at an average cost of $22.84 per share and a total cost of approximately $42.6 million. Subsequent to the end of the second quarter, the Company repurchased an additional 544,200 shares of its common stock at an average cost of $22.52 per share and a total cost of approximately $12.3 million. To date the Company has repurchased 3,138,400 shares of common stock under its current $100.0 million share repurchase program at an average cost of $22.91 per share and a total cost of approximately $71.9 million and $28.1 million remains available for repurchase under the plan. As of September 19, 2013, approximately 105.2 million shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding.

Fiscal 2014 Financial Guidance

The Company provided the following updated financial guidance for fiscal year 2014 on a comparable 52-week basis:

• Total sales growth in the high single-digit range
• Comparable store sales growth in the mid single-digit range
• EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) growth in the range of 12% to 16%, versus previous guidance of 15% to 18%
• Depreciation and amortization of approximately $38 million compared to $31 million in FY13
• Effective annual income tax rate of approximately 38% compared to 35.6% in FY13
• Earnings per share in the range of $1.23 to $1.29, representing year-over-year growth of 5% to 10%, compared to prior guidance of $1.27 to $1.32
• Capital expenditures of approximately $75 million

Second Quarter Results Conference Call

The Company will host a live conference call to discuss fiscal 2014 second quarter financial results at 10:00 a.m. Central Time today, September 19, 2013. Investors will be able to connect to the call through the Company's website at www.pier1.com. The conference call can be accessed by linking through to the "Investor Relations" page to the "Events" page, or you can listen to the conference call by dialing 1-800-498-7872, or if international, 1-706-643-0435. The conference ID number is 46565710.

A replay will be available after 12:00 p.m. Central Time for a 24-hour period and the replay can be accessed by dialing 1-855-859-2056, or if international, 1-404-537-3406 using conference ID number 46565710.

Financial Disclosure Advisory

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This press release references non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share.

The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release allow management and investors to understand and compare earnings per share results in a more consistent manner for the 13-week second quarter and 26-week period ended August 31, 2013 and the 13-week second quarter and 26-week period ended August 25, 2012. Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share should be considered supplemental and not a substitute for the Company's net income and earnings per share results that will be recorded in accordance with GAAP for the periods presented. A reconciliation of prior year GAAP net income and earnings per share to non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share is shown below for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 25, 2012 (in millions except per share amounts).

EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Management believes EBITDA is a meaningful indicator of the Company's performance that provides useful information to investors regarding its financial condition and results of operations. Management uses EBITDA, together with financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, to assess the Company's operating performance, to enhance its understanding of core operating performance and to compare the Company's operating performance to other retailers. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation or used as an alternative to GAAP financial measures and does not purport to be an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance. A reconciliation of net income to EBITDA is shown below for the periods indicated (in millions).

Management's expectations and assumptions regarding future results are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this press release. Any forward-looking projections or statements should be considered in conjunction with the cautionary statements and risks contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. Refer to the Company's most recent SEC filings for any updates concerning these and other risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's operations and performance. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied will not be realized.

Pier 1 Imports, Inc. is the original global importer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts. Information about the Company is available on www.pier1.com.

Verinata Health Peer-Reviewed Publication Shows Circulating Cell-Free Fetal DNA Fractions Differ in Specific Aneuploidies

Accuracy and Reliability of verifi® Prenatal Test Result from Superior Sequencing Depth

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Illumina, Inc. (NAS: ILMN) today announced Verinata Health, an Illumina company, published additional peer-reviewed data¹ showing that Verinata's non-invasive verifi® prenatal test² correctly detects aneuploidies across all test samples, even for patients with very low fetal fractions (cell-free DNA fragments in maternal blood contributed from the fetus). The publication also documented that fetal fractions are different for pregnancies where the fetus has Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), and other aneuploidies analyzed by the verifi® prenatal test.

"This publication validates that the Verinata Health approach to non-invasive prenatal testing based on deeper sequencing delivers highly accurate results regardless of the variation in fetal fraction across test samples," said Jeffrey Bird, General Manager of Verinata Health. "Additionally, Verinata Health's testing methodology results in a failure rate of less than one percent and the industry's fastest turnaround time of three to six business days."

The authors of the publication demonstrated that fetal fraction varies between different chromosomal aneuploidies. Fetuses with trisomy 21 have a higher fetal fraction when compared to fetuses without aneuploidy, whereas fetuses with trisomy 18, trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) and monosomy X (Turner syndrome) have lower fetal fractions. The authors showed that by sequencing a larger number of fragments (~23 million DNA fragments per sample in the verifi® prenatal test), samples with lower fetal fractions are correctly classified.

"Verinata sequences more DNA fragments than any other provider, delivering reliable results with the verifi® prenatal test, regardless of the variation in fetal fraction," said Richard Rava, Verinata's Vice President of Research and Development. "In clinical practice we continue to see consistent, exceptionally high positive and negative predictive values³ for the test."

This study analyzed the fetal fraction of 324 maternal blood samples from the MatErnal bLood ISSource to Accurately detect fetal aneuploidy (MELISSA) study.⁴

About Verinata Health
Verinata (www.verinata.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina, Inc., is driven by a sole, extraordinary purpose - maternal and fetal health. Our initial focus is to develop and offer non-invasive tests for early identification of fetal chromosomal abnormalities using our proprietary technologies. We aim to reduce the anxiety associated with today's multi-step process, the unacceptable false-positive rates, the non-specific and sometimes confusing results of current prenatal screening methods, as well as the risk of current invasive procedures. We support national guidelines and the recent American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Committee Opinion recommending cell-free DNA prenatal testing is one option that can be used as a primary or secondary screening test in women at increased risk of aneuploidy. We believe women who desire such testing should be offered a single blood draw test with a definitive result. The verifi^® prenatal test is available through a physician.

About Illumina
Illumina (www.illumina.com) is a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of life science tools and integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and function. We provide innovative sequencing and array-based solutions for genotyping, copy number variation analysis, methylation studies, gene expression profiling, and low-multiplex analysis of DNA, RNA, and protein. We also provide tools and services that are fueling advances in consumer genomics and diagnostics. Our technology and products accelerate genetic analysis research and its application, paying the way for molecular medicine and ultimately transforming healthcare.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements are detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, or in information disclosed in public conference calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We do not intend to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

¹ Rava R, et al. "Circulating fetal cell-free DNA fractions differ in autosomal aneuploidies and monosomy X." Clinical Chemistry, in press (available at http://www.clinchem.org/content/early/2013/09/17/clinchem.2013.207951.abstract).

² The verifi® prenatal test is a non-invasive blood test that analyzes DNA found in a pregnant woman's blood to detect fetal chromosome abnormalities, including Down syndrome (trisomy 21 or T21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18 or T18), Patau syndrome (trisomy 13 or T13) and sex chromosome abnormalities.

³ Futch T, et al. "Initial clinical laboratory experience in noninvasive prenatal testing for fetal aneuploidy from maternal plasma DNA samples." Prenatal Diagnosis. 33.6 (2013): 569-574.

⁴ Bianchi DW, et al. "Genome-wide fetal aneuploidy detection by maternal plasma DNA sequencing." Obstetrics & Gynecology. 119.5(2012): 890-901.

Illumina, Inc.
Investors:
Rebecca Chambers, 858-255-5243
rchambers@illumina.com
or
Media:
Jennifer Temple, 858-882-6822
pr@illumina.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

IHS Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2013 Results

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- IHS Inc. (NYS: IHS) , the leading global source of information and analytics, today reported results for the third quarter ended August 31, 2013.

• Revenue of $480 million, up 25 percent from the prior-year period
• Organic revenue growth rate of five percent overall
• Adjusted EBITDA of $144 million, up 19% from the prior-year period
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share (adjusted EPS) of $1.27, up six percent from the prior-year period
• Free cash flow of $279 million year-to-date, up 42 percent from the prior-year period

Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EPS, and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures used by management to measure operating performance. These terms are defined elsewhere in this release. Please see schedules appearing later in this release for reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2013 Financial Performance

"Positive third-quarter results were highlighted by our best overall organic revenue growth rate yet this year and very strong initial results from our recent R.L. Polk acquisition," said Scott Key, IHS president and chief executive officer. "Additionally, we completed a series of strategic product releases during the quarter that have us on track in our strategy of converging IHS information, workflow tools, insight, research and analytics capabilities onto integrated platforms. The development and rollout of these integrated platforms represents the largest commercial deployment in our company's history and are a key element in our delivery of long-term profitable growth."

Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2013 Revenue Performance

Third quarter 2013 revenue increased 25 percent compared to the third quarter of 2012, and year-to-date 2013 revenue increased 15 percent compared to the same period of 2012. The components of revenue growth for these periods are described below by segment and in total.

The subscription-based business grew five percent organically in the current quarter compared to the third quarter of 2012, as described in the following table.

Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2013 Segment Performance

On a consolidated basis, IHS continued to deliver solid organic revenue growth across all regions. Segment results were as follows:

• Americas. Third quarter revenue for the Americas increased $75 million, or 32 percent, to $307 million. Third quarter adjusted EBITDA for the Americas increased $26 million, or 28 percent, to $122 million. Third quarter operating income for the Americas increased $1 million, or two percent, to $71 million.

Year-to-date revenue for the Americas increased $124 million, or 19 percent, to $794 million. Year-to-date adjusted EBITDA for the Americas increased $56 million, or 21 percent, to $325 million. Year-to-date operating income for the Americas increased $23 million, or 12 percent, to $213 million.

• EMEA. Third quarter revenue for EMEA increased $14 million, or 13 percent, to $122 million. Third quarter adjusted EBITDA for EMEA decreased $5 million, or 16 percent, to $26 million. Third quarter operating income for EMEA was down $5 million, or 20 percent, to $20 million. EMEA profit was impacted by product mix in a lower-growth environment, increased selling costs and adverse foreign currency movements.

Year-to-date revenue for EMEA increased $23 million, or seven percent, to $345 million. Year-to-date adjusted EBITDA for EMEA decreased $11 million, or 12 percent, to $77 million. Year-to-date operating income for EMEA decreased $13 million, or 19 percent, to $56 million.

• APAC. Third quarter revenue for APAC increased $6 million, or 13 percent, to $51 million. Third quarter adjusted EBITDA for APAC decreased $0.5 million, or four percent, to $10 million. Third quarter operating income for APAC decreased $1 million, or 10 percent, to $9 million.

Year-to-date revenue for APAC increased $18 million, or 14 percent, to $142 million. Year-to-date adjusted EBITDA for APAC increased $0.5 million, or two percent, to $31 million. Year-to-date operating income for APAC decreased $0.5 million, or two percent, to $29 million.

Outlook (forward-looking statement)

For the year ending November 30, 2013, IHS expects:

• Revenue in a range of $1.80 billion to $1.82 billion;
• Adjusted EBITDA in a range of $540 million to $560 million; and
• Adjusted EPS in a range of $4.75 to $5.00 per diluted share.

The above outlook assumes no further currency movements, acquisitions, divestitures, pension mark-to-market adjustments or unanticipated events. See discussion of non-GAAP financial measures at the end of this release.

As previously announced, IHS will hold a conference call to discuss third quarter 2013 results on September 19, 2013, at 8:00 a.m. EDT. The conference call will be simultaneously webcast on the company's website: www.ihs.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP results are presented only as a supplement to our financial statements based on U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Non-GAAP financial information is provided to enhance the reader's understanding of our financial performance, but none of these non-GAAP financial measures are recognized terms under GAAP and non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of the most directly comparable GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures, such as adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted EPS, and free cash flow are provided within the schedules attached to this release.

We use non-GAAP measures in our operational and financial decision-making, believing that it is useful to eliminate certain items in order to focus on what we deem to be a more reliable indicator of ongoing operating performance and our ability to generate cash flow from operations. As a result, internal management reports used during monthly operating reviews feature the adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted EPS, and free cash flow metrics. We also believe that investors may find non-GAAP financial measures useful for the same reasons, although investors are cautioned that non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP disclosures.

Because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly-titled measures of other companies. However, these measures can still be useful in evaluating our performance against our peer companies because we believe the measures provide users with valuable insight into key components of GAAP financial disclosures.

IHS Forward-Looking Statements:

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "predict," "estimate," "expect," "continue," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "might," "should," "will," the negative of these terms and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding guidance relating to net income, net income per share, and expected operating results, such as revenue growth and earnings.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: economic and financial conditions, including volatility in interest and exchange rates, our ability to successfully manage risks associated with changes in demand for our products and services as well as changes in our targeted industries, our ability to develop new products and services, pricing, and other competitive pressures, and changes in laws and regulations governing our business, the extent to which we are successful in gaining new long term relationships with customers or retaining existing ones and the level of service failures that could lead customers to use competitors' services, our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions into our existing businesses and manage risks associated therewith, and the other factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent Forms 10-Q, along with our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Please consult our public filings at www.sec.gov or www.ihs.com.

About IHS Inc. (www.ihs.com)

IHS Inc. (NYS: IHS) is the leading source of information, insight and analytics in critical areas that shape today's business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 165 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs 6,700 people in 31 countries around the world.

IHS is a registered trademark of IHS Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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