Menlo Park, California, U.S.A. — The Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded SRI International a one-year grant to develop a novel therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune nervous system disease that affects about 400,000 people in the United States and more than two million people worldwide. There is currently no cure for this disorder, which can impair vision and movement.

The grant, funded through DoD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, will support the development of an oral drug that targets miR-326, a molecule recently found to stimulate the production of immune system mediators known as T-helper 17 (Th17) cells. Patients with MS have high levels of miR-326, and Th17 is thought to play a critical role in causing MS and other autoimmune diseases.

The new therapy will inhibit miR-326 and block the production of Th17 cells. The novel, orally administered drug will be more convenient for patients than currently available treatments. MS treatments today often require frequent hospital visits for injections or intravenous infusions.

The new drug could also help patients who do not respond to existing medications, or who experience significant side effects as a result of taking them. ”New and more convenient and effective therapeutics for multiple sclerosis are greatly needed,” saidJennifer Lam, Ph.D., a research scientist in SRI’s Biosciences Division who is spearheading the project. “Our research is directed toward the development of a novel oral therapeutic as well as a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to MS.”

Innovations from SRI International have created new industries, billions of dollars of marketplace value, and lasting benefits to society—touching our lives every day.

The project described was supported by Award Numbers W81XWH-11-1-0736 from the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity. The content of the information does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the Government, and no official endorsement should be inferred

For more information about SRI International please visit www.sri.com

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The annual Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC) was held at Astor Center in New York City on March 5-9, 2012. Ultimate Beverage Challenge LLC, the sponsoring company, has now announces the top spirits in more than 30 categories. USC began with a record number of contestants as more than 650 spirits were entered (up 15% from 2011) from more than 70 companies and 30 countries around the world.

Led by Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) Founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult and Judging Co-Chairman Sean Ludford, fourteen of the world’s foremost distilled spirits authorities, including award-winning authors, spirits buyers, journalists, educators, bar owners and consultants rated the world’s finest distillates on USC’s innovative multilevel system, rendering the most unassailable results in the industry. This remarkable super-group of experts named 31 Ultimate Spirits Challenge Chairman’s Trophy winners and more than 80 Finalists.

Judges for USC 2012 were: Chairman F. Paul Pacult , Co-Chairman Sean Ludford , Jacques Bezuidenhout , Tad Carducci , James Conley , Dale DeGroff , Doug Frost, MS, MW, Jim Meehan , Steve Olson , Julie Reiner , Jack Robertiello , Andy Seymour , Marcos Tello and David Wondrich .

Said UBC Founder F. Paul Pacult, “Since we started Ultimate Spirits Challenge we have seen double digit growth in number of entries each year. Whether a product receives a Chairman’s Trophy Winner, a Finalist or a regular score, USC entrants are able to use their credible scores and insightful tasting notes to market and sell their products to bars, retailers and ultimately the consumer. USC is in the business of helping spirits companies achieve their sales goals, not by pandering to false aspirations but by telling the truth. With USC, you know the score.”

For a complete list of results, scores and downloadable images, go to www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2012results/

2012 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY WINNERS

VODKA – UNFLAVORED: Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium

VODKA – FLAVORED: BAK’s Bison Grass Zubrowka

GIN: Plymouth

GENEVER: Bols Barrel Aged

TEQUILA – 100% AGAVE
BLANCO: Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Silver
REPOSADO: Ambhar
ANEJO: Siete Laguas
EXTRA ANEJO: Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia

MEZCAL: Del Maguey Vida Single Village

RUM: Appleton Estate Reserve

RHUM AGRICOLE: Rhum J.M. White

CACHACA: INOX Original

WHISK(E)Y – NORTH AMERICA
AMERICAN WHISKEY: Balcones “1″ Texas Single Malt
BOURBON: Blanton’s Single Barrel
RYE: Masterson’s
TENNESSEE WHISKEY: George Dickel Barrel Select

WHISKEY - IRELAND
BLENDED: Midleton Barry Crockett
IRISH POT STILL WHISKEY: Redbreast Cask Strength 12 Years Old
SINGLE MALT: Bushmills 16 Years Old

WHISKY - SCOTLAND
BLENDED MALT: Johnnie Walker Green Label
BLENDED: Buchanan’s Special Reserve 18 Years Old
SINGLE MALT: Caol Ila 12 Years Old

WHISKY - CANADA: Caribou Crossing Single Barrel

WHISKY – WORLD: Japan, Yamazaki Single Malt 18 Years Old

BRANDY
ARMAGNAC: Delord 1978
CALVADOS: Calvados Drouin 25 Years Old
COGNAC: Frapin Chateau Fontpinot XO
GRAPPA: Jacopo Poli Sarpa Barrique
PISCO: Pisco Porton

LIQUEUR: Green Chartreuse

APERITIF: Lise Baccara Troussepinete Red

UBC’s next 2012 Challenges:

• Ultimate Wine Challenge, April 23-27, 2012. Click here for more information.
• Ultimate Cocktail Challenge, consisting of Classic Cocktail Challenge and Signature Cocktail Challenge, June 4-8, 2012. Click here for more information.

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