Good Combo; Too Bad There's Competition

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Taking an injectable drug for three months is better than taking it for six months, but it's not as good as avoiding it altogether. What's a hepatitis C drugmaker to do?

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX  ) tested its experimental VX-222 with its recently approved Incivek, but the all-oral combination failed to keep the hepatitis C virus at bay.

As part of the same trial, the drug was combined with another oral medication, ribavirin, and Pegasys, which has to be injected. Patients taking the four-drug combo fared considerably better. At the higher dose of VX-222, half of the patients had undetectable virus levels at weeks two and eight, so they were able to stop the combination after just 12 weeks; all but one of those (93%) were virus-free 12 weeks after stopping treatment.

Those who didn't qualify to stop early remained on Pegasys and ribavirin for a total of 24 weeks, the current standard. Of the patients who completed the study, 100% had undetectable virus levels 12 weeks after stopping treatment.

If you combine the two treatment times and add in the dropouts, you still get a solid 90% response rate, with the added benefit that about half the patients can cut back on the time they have to take Pegasys.

If Vertex was the only one in this space, it would be sufficient for VX-222 to improve the current standard of care, but the hepatitis C treatment space is becoming increasingly crowded. Pharmasset (Nasdaq: VRUS  ) has paired up with both Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ  ) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY  ) . Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD  ) has six hepatitis C drugs in development. Idenix Pharmaceuticals and Inhibitex (Nasdaq: INHX  ) have hepatitis C drugs in the clinic as well. And the list goes on.

Given the vast number of oral hepatitis C drugs in development, it's a safe assumption that some combination of medications is going to work as well -- and, more likely, better than -- the current treatments that require Pegasys or Merck's (NYSE: MRK  ) PegIntron, which is also injected. Vertex's newest data is a positive because it shows that VX-222 has activity, but Vertex will need to find a home for it in an all-oral combination, whether through partnerships or acquisition. The four-drug combination that includes Pegasys just isn't a viable long-term solution.

There's a new technology revolution at foot. Grab this free report and find out which company Fool analysts think will win.

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Source: http://feeds.fool.com/~r/usmf/foolwatch/~3/vW3JB2TW8uo/good-combo-too-bad-theres-competition.aspx

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And The Crisis Is Now Officially Back On In Italy


Tremonti

The markets have known all week that Italy was still sick -- despite last week's good-faith attempt by the EU to stop the contagion around Greece's borders -- and now it's official.

Speaking at a press conference (via Bloomberg), Italy's finance minister Giulio Tremonti has said that the debt crisis is a "European Issue," which is in a sense old news, but in a sense a not-so-tacit admission that the problem has yet to be resolved.

This come after a weak 10-year debt auction today, which was followed up by declining markets and widening spreads across the curve.

Also speaking out now: Vittorio Grilli, Director General of the Italian Treasury who says that "nervous markets" want a faster EU rescue plan, and need a clear followup.

This all sounds very two weeks ago, which should be majorly depressing for everyone involved in the latest bailouts.

SEE ALSO: The 20 banks freaking out about Europe right now >

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Chesapeake Gasses Up For Sprint To $36

The outlook for natural gas price realized by Chesapeake looks positive with the company?s efforts in developing its major shale plays and using natural gas as alternative to power its rigs given the rising cost of fuel

Source: http://blogs.forbes.com/greatspeculations/2011/07/27/chesapeake-gasses-up-for-sprint-to-36/

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A skateboard dressed with 24K gold leaf delivers blinged adrenaline rush


ando_24k_gold_and_steel_skateboard2.jpgWould anyone really skate on a board covered with genuine gold? We don’t think so! From the designer of the unique Furisode Kimono, Miya Ando, we introduce her latest work of art. Ando has skillfully engineered a skateboard from steel and covered it with 24K gold leaf on one side. Measuring approximately 7.6”x 31.3” this piece, is dream come true for all extreme sports fans. Just looking at it is enough to induce pure adrenaline. If you wish to own this piece for some serious bragging rights, be warned. This gold skateboard doesn’t come cheap. Be prepared to shell out $5,000.

ando_24k_gold_and_steel_skateboard.jpgando_24k_gold_and_steel_skateboard3.jpg

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There Is A Very Simple Way To Resolve The Debt Ceiling Crisis


Paul Krugman

There’s actually a simple way to resolve the debt ceiling crisis: non-crazy Republican leaders could support something like the Reid plan — which is, let’s be clear, a huge victory for the right and defeat for progressives — and pass it with limited GOP support and overwhelming Democratic support. Situation resolved.

This would, however, probably be the end of these Republicans’ political careers. And the answer is, so?

Read the rest of this article at The New York Times.

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Headhunters: The Business Of Finding People Jobs

Hi Will  

There is no Series 7 of recruiting, and yet the industry has the potential to be as lucrative as the field of finance. Even though experts believe that the staffing business dates back to ancient Egypt, it did not get rolling in its modern form until WWII, when a shortage of male workers became a problem for businesses looking to hire throughout the U.S.

However, even after the end of the War, the recruiting industry continued its streak of being able to charge significant fees because with the end of WWII came a boom in technology. Thanks to that new technologically driven economy, there proved to be a shortage of male applicants.

In the world of executive search, when demand spikes for employees, so does the ability for the staffing vertical and all its incumbents to charge exorbitant fees.

However, fees and potential revenue generation aside, ever wonder how your recruiter works, what their day is like and whether you should pursue a career in the field?

Here is some insight regarding the above staffing inquiries:

How Your Recruiter Works:

Marketing Consulting Executive Search

Recruiters do staffing and executive search services on either  a contingency or retained basis staffing project. 

Usually, a retained contract is quite preferable for a staffing firm, as the company gets a portion paid upfront (due upon signature of the agreement) and typically obtains an exclusive on the job. That translates into no other executive search firm or headhunter potentially being able to monetize on or duplicate the placement efforts.

On the flip side of the coin, some headhunting firms will work on contingency-based agreement. That means the staffing company receives no upfront fee nor do they have exclusivity on the account.

In this scenario, the search firm usually charges the client a percentage of the base salary of the successful recruited employee. Depending on the firm, this percentage could be anywhere from 15% to upwards of 30% of the candidates salary or total compensation package that would encompass variables such as insurance, 401k and any form of bonuses.

Either way, your headhunter is bound to make a nice commission off of you getting that job.

What Is A Recruiter's Day Like?

Depending on the firm, this varies significantly. Staffing agencies designate certain necessary tasks to various individuals. If the search firm is smaller, as with any smaller company, the recruiters will wear multiple hats.

Remember, recruitment companies work for their clients, i.e. the hiring companies. Those are the parties cutting the checks. However, many staffing professionals leverage this as a way to treat applicants poorly - a practice that is never justified, yet rampant in the recruiting world.

For the most part, a recruiter will get a job req. or a write-up of the client's needs and begin to shift through what they perceive to be pertinent resumes from various sources, including from posting the jobs on sites such as Monster.com, the Ladders and possibly niche, industry related job boards.

Marketing Consulting and Sales Management Recruiting

Additionally, recruiters will use contacts, social media sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, as well as perform search queries on the aforementioned job boards that can yield a high amount potentially solid candidates.

Every now and again, staffing professionals will make the mistake of calling a person's place of business - a tactic that tends to irritate and turn off even the more desperate candidate.

With relevant resumes on hand, the recruiter will hit the phones, calling and pitching the applicants who can potentially get the job and make them the commission that recruiters depend upon entirely.

To many headhunters, these calls are a numbers games and the tactic is usually transparent to the applicants, thus turning them off.

Whether You Should Pursue A Career In The Field

Ironic, but more often than not I would tell you "no." There are so many unethical firms out there. There are firms filled with recruiters who are in the industry for a quick payday that never happens.

In any company, the people within the company play a significant part in your success or lack thereof.

However, in the small instance that you do find the right organization, executive staffing can be fun, challenging and lucrative. It is these search firms that you want to align yourself with.

With regards to compensation, some staffing and recruiting professionals receive base salaries plus some form of bonus or incentive, while others will only receive commission, without any weekly paycheck. Of course, depending on where you work, the commission per placement can be incredibly high.

Sometimes these figures can get into the $30,000 range, but typically the fees you receive, as a commission-only employee of the recruiting firm, are half of that. Also, upon hitting these accounts, make sure you don't celebrate yet: most recruiting firms give the client a guarantee about amount of time the employee will last at the organization.

On occasion, a blunder will result in a monstrous refund that can be financially devastating to the search expert.

In the end, it is hard to predict what type of total compensation any particular recruiter will receive. This is something that you would have to feel out for yourself.

When it comes to your estimated paycheck, be cognizant of the fact that many placement firms will grossly over-inflate the numbers and first year earning potential.  employment

Digital Marketing Consultant 

 Recruiting Companies 

 

Digital marketing consultant 

 

 

 

 

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Hopeful and Scared: Working Through Mixed Back-to-School Emotions

By Dr. Meg Meeker

Is summer getting shorter, or is it just me? June flies into August and as soon as smoke from the Fourth of July fireworks leaves our nostrils, we are back at Staples tossing binders and pencil cases into our carts. Here we are again.

Each new school year brings a wide range of emotions. We are hopeful that this year, our daughter will meet classmates who won?t make fun of her. Our son will do better in math. Our teenager will make the varsity soccer team. We are hopeful, but we are scared. What if this year is worse than last year? Some of us march into September holding our breath. But we don?t need to. There are a few things we can do to help get the year moving in the right direction for ourselves and our kids.

Be Proactive, Not Fearful

First, we can decide to parent proactively, not fearfully. So many decisions we make for our kids stem from fear rather than strength. We manipulate schedules to make sure our daughter has the ?right? first grade teacher, scared that if she gets the ?wrong? one, her year will be miserable. Who says? We make our 16-year-old hit the gym every morning in the summer so that he?ll have a leg up when he tries out for varsity soccer. We can?t see him get cut from the team again.

I suggest that rather than push and prod our young ones into places we feel they should be, we give them breathing room. We mustn?t be afraid for our kids, that they?ll get the wrong teacher or not make the team. Some of these are important life-defining moments. More importantly, we must teach them that they are tough enough to handle what life gives them.

Help Them Develop A Positive Attitude

Second, we can help them develop a positive attitude toward school. If your son loves language but hates science, go to the library and get him a Spanish version of a book series he enjoys, and ask him questions about it. Read books together and casually chat about them. If your daughter hates sports but likes math, ask her if she would like to be in a math club or start one. Don?t make her play basketball, but ask her to go on walks or bike rides in the evenings with you. In other words, be enthusiastic about her strengths and downplay the things that bore her. When parents playfully (not competitively) invest themselves in their child?s interests, kids respond.

Put Them To Sleep

Finally, nothing helps foster a positive attitude more than adequate rest. Like clockwork, parents haul exhausted first graders and teens into my office starting in November. Many worry about leukemia, brain tumors or mono. These maladies are far rarer than simple lack of sleep. Don?t let this happen to your child. Before school starts, rein in bedtime and help his body establish a healthy sleep rhythm. Healthy hormone regulation depends on adequate sleep. Most kids fight sleep, so you need to help.

Great education begins at home. Kids adopt attitudes from their loved ones?especially parents. If we talk to them as though they can handle the curveballs that life brings, live with positive, grateful attitudes, and establish calm routines at home, life goes well. These are small changes for us, but they bring enormous changes in our kids.

Parenting is never complete, but the great news is you never have to go at it alone! Make a commitment right now to gain valuable wisdom from others this year. Meg Meeker?s books are some of Dave?s absolute favorites, and he recommends them all the time to The Dave Ramsey Show listeners.

Pediatrician, wife, mother and best-selling author of six books, Dr. Meg Meeker is one of the country?s leading experts on parenting, teens and children?s health.

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Source: http://www.daveramsey.com/article/hopeful-and-scared-working-through-mixed-back-to-school-emotions/lifeandmoney_kidsandmoney

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Amazon Goes Head Over Heels

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There's no denying which end of the income statement Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN  ) is gunning for in recent quarters. It wants to grow its top line. If margins suffer as Amazon tries to outfit more bibliophiles with e-readers and make its digital streams stickier by including them at no additional cost, so be it.

Last night delivered more of the same. Earnings fell 8% to $0.41 a share, even though net sales soared 51% to $9.9 billion. Analysts figured that the leading online retailer would earn just $0.35 a share on $9.4 billion in net sales. In other words, investors are actually applauding the margin crunch, because Amazon landed well ahead of the prognosticators on both fronts.

The margin contraction parade will continue. Amazon's guidance for the current quarter calls for operating income to fall by 37% to 93% -- yes, 93% -- with net sales targeted to grow by 36% to 47%.

What can cause Amazon's profitability to continue to dwindle? Could it be the rumored tablet introduction and Kindle updates? Could it be Amazon's heightened push to challenge Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX  ) in digital streaming? It won't come cheap, as it probably found out when it recently added 2,000 titles from CBS (NYSE: CBS  ) to its Prime streaming offering. It also won't be alone, as Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT  ) is finally integrating its VUDU digital video rental and purchase offering to walmart.com.

A few years ago, this is the kind of quarter that would have crushed the stock. Instead, the stock barreled toward fresh all-time highs last night. Investors finally see the big picture at Amazon, and it's one that values net sales and stickiness over the bottom-line growth that may be absent today but will catch up quickly in the future if Amazon's blueprint holds up.

Is Amazon a good buy here, or is it too expensive? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.

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Source: http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2011/07/27/amazon-goes-head-over-heels.aspx

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Martha's Peach And Blackberry Cobblers

By Martha Thompson, Director of Guest Relations

Ripe peaches bursting with juice and plump blackberries waiting to be plucked?these are some of the simple pleasures of late summer. I love to bake fruit desserts all throughout the year, but peach and blackberry cobblers are two of my favorites and are best in the late summer when the peaches and berries are at their peak.

Cobblers are a deep-dish fruit dessert, very popular in the South. Some versions are topped with pie crust, while others have a drop-biscuit or crumb topping. They are all simple to make and rely more on taste than fancy pastry preparation.

With summer speeding quickly to an end, I wanted to share a couple of my favorite cobbler recipes to help you take advantage of the waning weeks of fresh peach and blackberry season. Trust me?both of these recipes are well worth the calorie splurge!

Fresh Peach Cobbler

In late July, I begin watching for fresh picked peaches to arrive at my local grocery store and the farmer's market. Growing up in the South, peaches were a summer staple with our family. They are grown in Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama?all states where you will find reigning Peach Queens, hundreds of roadside peach stands, and even water towers painted like giant peaches!

Regardless of where your peaches are grown, when picking your fruit choose fragrant, unblemished peaches that have a beautiful rosy blush. Because fresh peaches are highly perishable, don't buy more than you plan to use right away. Peaches will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Only refrigerate them when they are ripe, as the fridge will halt ripening. If your peaches still need to ripen, place them on the counter in a paper bag for a couple of days.

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Sift together flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. Work in the shortening with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and cold water. Sprinkle egg mixture over flour mixture and work with hands to form a ball of dough. Divide dough into 2 parts and cover with plastic wrap. Chill at least 30 minutes.
  3. Roll chilled dough (1/8 inch thickness) to fit in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, covering the bottom and halfway up the sides of your dish. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the bottom crust is golden brown and flaky. Set aside.
  4. Mix sliced peaches, lemon juice and orange juice in a saucepan. Add 1/2 cup of butter and cook over medium-low heat until butter melts.
  5. Stir together 2 cups sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cornstarch in a mixing bowl. Once blended, slowly mix into the peach mixture. Mix thoroughly and pour into the baked bottom crust.
  6. Roll remaining dough out and cut into strips, using a fluted pastry wheel or serrated knife for design. Weave crust in a lattice design over peaches and brush with melted butter followed by sprinkled sugar.
  7. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 40 minutes or until the top crust is flaky and golden brown. Serve warm, at room temperature or cold with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional).

Easy Blackberry Cobbler

For those of you who would like a quick and simple recipe, in less than an hour you can serve up this easy fresh blackberry cobbler.

Part of my love for baking comes from fond memories of visiting my grandmother during the summer in southern Alabama. Even though the bushes scratched our arms and the juicy blackberries stained our hands, we thought it was such a treat to go blackberry picking and eat them right off the bush! But, my best memories were of the wonderful cobblers, jams and numerous other desserts that Grandma made from scratch using our bowls of fresh-picked blackberries.

When choosing your blackberries, select firm, shiny berries. Sort berries before you store in the fridge and remove any that are bruised or bad. Do not wash blackberries until you are ready to use them. Moisture will hasten the decay of your berries. Blackberries perish quickly, so use fresh-picked or store-bought blackberries as soon as possible.

Ingredients:

  • 4?5 cups of fresh blackberries
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 tablespoons melted butter
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Place blackberries in a lightly greased 8 x 8-inch square baking dish; sprinkle with lemon juice.
  3. Stir together egg, sugar and flour in a medium bowl until mixture resembles coarse meal.
  4. Sprinkle over fruit.
  5. Drizzle melted butter over topping.
  6. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
  7. Let stand 10 minutes.
  8. Serve warm with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

Get more recipes and goodies by following Martha on Twitter @Marthas_Place.

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Source: http://www.daveramsey.com/article/marthas-peach-and-blackberry-cobblers/lifeandmoney_other

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