Ricoh Innovations President and CEO Dr. Nikhil Balram Honored With a 2012 Fellow Award by the Society for Information ...

MENLO PARK, CA--(Marketwire -06/04/12)- Ricoh Innovations, Inc. ("RII"), a Silicon Valley-based subsidiary of Ricoh Company, Ltd., which develops innovative technologies and new business opportunities for Ricoh, today announced that its president and CEO Dr. Nikhil Balram will be recognized by the Society for Information Display (SID) with a 2012 Fellow Award for outstanding contributions to the display industry. Dr. Balram will receive the award at a banquet held this evening during Display Week, SID's annual International Symposium, Seminar and Exhibition, running June 3-8, 2012 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

The SID Fellow Award honors individuals who have made a widely recognized and significant contribution in advancing display innovation. Dr. Balram is receiving the award for his pioneering contributions in the fields of video and image processing, integrating signal processing, visual perception and semiconductor architectures.

"Dr. Balram is the embodiment of excellence in both business and research, providing strong leadership in developing innovative technologies and new business opportunities for Ricoh Innovations," said Hiroshi Kobayashi, corporate executive vice president of Ricoh Company and chairman of the board of RII. "He brings to the table a unique set of skills and drive to help Ricoh make The Infinite Network a reality -- a seamlessly connected world of people, objects and information. We are proud of his most recent accomplishment in earning this distinguished award."

Dr. Balram has held key positions at several technology companies in his career spanning over 20 years. Prior to joining Ricoh Innovations, he was vice president and general manager of the digital entertainment business unit at Marvell Semiconductor, and chief technology officer of the displays group at National Semiconductor Corporation. Dr. Balram previously served as executive vice president and general manager of the consumer products group at Sage, and as vice president of advanced technology at Faroudja Laboratories.

Throughout his career, Dr. Balram has built international teams that developed award-winning technologies adopted by many leading consumer electronics companies around the world, and created well-known technology branding such as "DCDi by Faroudja" and "QDEO by Marvell."

"Dr. Balram has a deep and broad understanding of video signal processing," stated Professor Martin Banks, head of the Vision Science program and the Banks-Schor Lab at the University of California, Berkeley. "He also knows how to bring great products to market, and when and how to draw on the resources other people provide."

Dr. Balram is a visiting professor of vision science at the University of California, Berkeley, a guest professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Gandhinagar, India, and sits on the Industry Advisory Board (IAB) at the School of Engineering at Santa Clara University. He has written more than 30 technical publications, and has over 60 U.S. and foreign patents granted or pending.

"Dr. Balram is a highly respected figure in both academia and industry, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding work in video and display technologies," stated Dr. Pradeep Khosla, Dean of the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and Chancellor-designate of the University of California, San Diego. "Since graduating at the top of his electrical engineering class at Carnegie Mellon University, he has gone on to play an instrumental role in bringing excellent-quality video and images to the consumer. We applaud his cutting-edge innovations and congratulate him on this honor."

Dr. Balram received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, where he has also served on the Dean's Leadership Council, Silicon Valley Advisory Council, and Admissions Council.

About Ricoh Innovations
Based in California's Silicon Valley, Ricoh Innovations, Inc. ("RII") develops innovative technologies and new business opportunities for Ricoh Company, Ltd., RII was founded in 1997 as a subsidiary of Ricoh, growing out of the California Research Center established in 1989. RII is home to world-class technologists with a broad set of competencies in areas such as intelligent sensors, computational optics, mobile visual communication and cloud-based collaboration. Completing the team are experienced ethnographers with deep insights into user and customer experience, and creative designers with a fundamental understanding of user interfaces and industrial design. RII's focus is to realize The Infinite Network -- RII's vision of a seamlessly connected world of people, objects and information. To learn more about Ricoh Innovations, Inc., visit http://rii.ricoh.com.

About Ricoh
Ricoh is a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in more than 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2012, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 1,903 billion yen (approx. 23 billion USD).

The majority of the company's revenue comes from products, solutions and services that improve the interaction between people and information. Ricoh also produces award-winning digital cameras and specialized industrial products. It is known for the quality of its technology, the exceptional standard of its customer service and sustainability initiatives.

Under its corporate tagline, "imagine. change." Ricoh helps companies transform the way they work and harness the collective imagination of their employees. For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com/about/

About SID
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Society for Information Display (SID) is the only professional organization focused on the display industry. By exclusively focusing on the advancement of electronic-display technology, SID provides a unique platform for industry collaboration, communication and training in all related technologies while showcasing the industry's best new products. With more than 6,000 members worldwide, the organization's members are professionals in the technical and business disciplines that relate to display research, design, manufacturing, applications, marketing and sales. To promote industry and academic technology development, while also educating consumers on the importance of displays, SID hosts more than 10 conferences a year, including Display Week, which brings industry and academia all under one roof to showcase technology that will shape the future. SID's global headquarters are located at 1475 S. Bascom Ave., Ste. 114, Campbell, Calif. 95008. For more information, visit www.sid.org.

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RBCC Sets Sights on Top Emerging Biotech Innovations

NOKOMIS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

With Rainbow Coral Corp.’s (OTCBB:RBCC.OB - News) funding agreement with n3D Bioscience nearly complete, the company’s executive leadership will seek out lucrative new business opportunities at Texas’ premiere life science venture forum in March.

Houston’s top biotech incubators, the Rice Alliance and BioHouston, have joined forces and combined conferences to create the Texas Life Science Venture Forum (TLSVF), the state’s largest life science event. The forum is part of the three-day Texas Life Science Conference which is the premiere life science venture conference in the state.

The conference will be the most comprehensive showcase of cutting-edge research and innovative entrepreneurs in the state, with hundreds of national and local venture capitalists in attendance. TLSVF will serve as the vehicle for RBCC execs to network with Houston’s top biotech entrepreneurs and investors as the company targets new opportunities in the life science sector.

Rainbow BioSciences will develop new medical and research technology innovations to compete alongside companies such as Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN), Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTIC - News), Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) and Affymax, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFY).

For more information on Rainbow BioSciences, please visit www.rainbowbiosciences.com/investors.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RBCCinfo.

About Rainbow BioSciences

Rainbow BioSciences is a division of Rainbow Coral Corp. (OTCBB: RBCC). The company continually seeks out new partnerships with biotechnology developers to deliver profitable new medical technologies and innovations. For more information on our growth-oriented business initiatives, please visit our website at [www.rainbowbiosciences.com]. For investment information and performance data on the company, please visit www.RainbowBioSciences.com/investors.

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.

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RBCC Sets Sights on Top Emerging Biotech Innovations

NOKOMIS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

With Rainbow Coral Corp.’s (OTCBB:RBCC.OB - News) funding agreement with n3D Bioscience nearly complete, the company’s executive leadership will seek out lucrative new business opportunities at Texas’ premiere life science venture forum in March.

Houston’s top biotech incubators, the Rice Alliance and BioHouston, have joined forces and combined conferences to create the Texas Life Science Venture Forum (TLSVF), the state’s largest life science event. The forum is part of the three-day Texas Life Science Conference which is the premiere life science venture conference in the state.

The conference will be the most comprehensive showcase of cutting-edge research and innovative entrepreneurs in the state, with hundreds of national and local venture capitalists in attendance. TLSVF will serve as the vehicle for RBCC execs to network with Houston’s top biotech entrepreneurs and investors as the company targets new opportunities in the life science sector.

Rainbow BioSciences will develop new medical and research technology innovations to compete alongside companies such as Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN), Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTIC - News), Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) and Affymax, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFY).

For more information on Rainbow BioSciences, please visit www.rainbowbiosciences.com/investors.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RBCCinfo.

About Rainbow BioSciences

Rainbow BioSciences is a division of Rainbow Coral Corp. (OTCBB: RBCC). The company continually seeks out new partnerships with biotechnology developers to deliver profitable new medical technologies and innovations. For more information on our growth-oriented business initiatives, please visit our website at [www.rainbowbiosciences.com]. For investment information and performance data on the company, please visit www.RainbowBioSciences.com/investors.

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.

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RBCC Sets Sights on Top Emerging Biotech Innovations - Business Wire

NOKOMIS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With Rainbow Coral Corp.’s (OTCBB:RBCC) funding agreement with n3D Bioscience nearly complete, the company’s executive leadership will seek out lucrative new business opportunities at Texas’ premiere life science venture forum in March.

Houston’s top biotech incubators, the Rice Alliance and BioHouston, have joined forces and combined conferences to create the Texas Life Science Venture Forum (TLSVF), the state’s largest life science event. The forum is part of the three-day Texas Life Science Conference which is the premiere life science venture conference in the state.

The conference will be the most comprehensive showcase of cutting-edge research and innovative entrepreneurs in the state, with hundreds of national and local venture capitalists in attendance. TLSVF will serve as the vehicle for RBCC execs to network with Houston’s top biotech entrepreneurs and investors as the company targets new opportunities in the life science sector.

Rainbow BioSciences will develop new medical and research technology innovations to compete alongside companies such as Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN), Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTIC), Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) and Affymax, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFY).

For more information on Rainbow BioSciences, please visit www.rainbowbiosciences.com/investors.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RBCCinfo.

About Rainbow BioSciences

Rainbow BioSciences is a division of Rainbow Coral Corp. (OTCBB: RBCC). The company continually seeks out new partnerships with biotechnology developers to deliver profitable new medical technologies and innovations. For more information on our growth-oriented business initiatives, please visit our website at [www.rainbowbiosciences.com]. For investment information and performance data on the company, please visit www.RainbowBioSciences.com/investors.

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.

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Sweeping Cultural Changes in Medicine Offer Opportunities for Disability Insurance Innovations, Says Guardian

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The economic and societal forces that have transformed the medical profession over the past decade open the door to new approaches to income protection, according to The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), a market leader in individual disability insurance, which announced a new offering today.

Physicians and other medical professionals have long been aware of the need for this type of coverage – which protects one’s ability to earn an income even if a work-stopping illness or injury strikes – because they witness the lifestyle changes caused by unexpected disabilities every day in their work. Many are also motivated to protect the significant investment they’ve made in their education. But all professionals whose families depend on their income will benefit from the product innovations just launched by Guardian.

“The changes we’ve observed in the marketplace, reinforced by what we’ve been hearing in focus groups across the country, confirm that one size doesn’t fit all,” said Gordon Dinsmore, President of Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, the Guardian company that issues its individual disability insurance policy.

“Just as there is no longer one path to practice medicine, in the 21st century, no matter what profession you’re in, there should be multiple ways to secure this important protection – ways that take price into account – without compromising the quality of the coverage,” he added. “We are confident that Guardian now has the broadest disability insurance product portfolio in the industry.”

Changing Landscape for Medical Providers

While demand for medical services in the U.S. continues to increase due to the aging population, the face of who is providing that care – and how it is delivered – is changing rapidly. The high cost of electronic health records, downward pressure on medical reimbursement and soaring levels of medical-school debt mean that many doctors are opting to join hospital staffs and large medical practices as salaried employees, rather than opening their own practices. At the same time, growing numbers of female physicians – 50% of medical school students are women, compared to just one-third 30 years ago – as well as the recent influx of Gen X doctors into the marketplace has underscored the priority on work-life balance.

All of these trends have brought on yet another significant change: the expanding role of non-physician professionals such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners in providing more and more medical services. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that jobs within this category of skilled mid-level providers will grow 20-50% by 2018.

Having monitored these market developments over the past several years and verified their impact on income protection requirements through national research, Guardian has increased the breadth of its flagship ProVider Plus individual disability insurance portfolio to accommodate the total needs spectrum.

“Solo medical practitioners are essentially small business owners, operating on a high risk/high reward basis. They have significant earnings potential but are likely highly leveraged in their practices, and should therefore have top-tier income protection coverage in place,” explained Dinsmore.

“On the other hand, staff doctors and non-physician medical professionals may not need as many bells and whistles on their disability policies, but they don’t want to compromise on the expectation that the coverage will be there when they need it most,” he added. “Now, thanks to Guardian, they don’t have to.”

Aligning to Price Sensitivity While Maintaining Value

To better serve this value-focused segment of the medical market – as well as those individuals in other professions for whom affordability is a concern – Guardian has introduced ProVider Plus Limited, an individual disability insurance policy built on Guardian’s well-known core contract. With package-exclusive configurations and a host of optional riders, policy owners are able to customize coverage to fit their income-protection needs, while not having to pay for features their situations don’t require.

At the same time, Guardian has strengthened its traditional ProVider Plus individual disability insurance policy by introducing a patent-pending Lump Sum Disability Benefit Rider, an option not available anywhere else that is designed to provide benefits after the policy expires (at age 65 or 67), a time when the full impact of even a brief disability during one’s working years can make itself felt as retirement begins.

How does it work? Guardian’s exclusive rider pays a one-time, lump-sum benefit equal to 35% of all disability benefits paid over the lifetime of a policy. Policy owners don’t need to even be disabled at the end of their contracts in order to qualify for this benefit. So, a 47 year-old professional who is in a serious accident requiring multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy, who returns to work after two years and remains healthy until his or her retirement, will still receive this additional payment when the policy expires at age 65 (or 67), as long as it remains active until that time.

Finally, Guardian has enhanced the flexibility of both its ProVider Plus and ProVider Plus Limited offerings by giving consumers the option of selecting a true own-occupation or modified own-occupation definition of total disability for either product – enabling an unprecedented level of coverage customization.

“Everyone’s personal and professional circumstances are unique, and the disability insurance they obtain to protect their ability to earn an income should be tailored to their needs, not the needs of the doctor or lawyer across the hall,” explained Dinsmore.

About Guardian

A mutual insurer founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries are committed to protecting individuals, business owners and their employees with life, disability income and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), annuities and other financial products. Guardian operates one of the largest dental networks in the United States, and protects more than six million employees and their families at 115,000 companies. The company has approximately 5,000 employees in the United States and a network of over 3,000 financial representatives in more than 80 agencies nationwide.

For more information about Guardian, please visit: www.GuardianLife.com.

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Sleep Innovations Hires I-Bank to Explore “Strategic Opportunities” - Private Equity Hub

Sleep Innovations, a West Long Branch, New Jersey-based maker of polyurethane foam products, has retained the New York investment bank Sawaya Segalas & Co. to explore opportunities that may include the sale of the business. Sleep Innovations was founded in 1996 and has a number of investors over the years, including the private equity firm Catterton Partners.

PRESS RELEASE:

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sleep Innovations, Inc., a recognized leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative polyurethane foam products proven to deliver enhanced comfort, relaxation and rejuvenation, announced today that it has retained New York-based Sawaya Segalas & Co., LLC, a leading consumer investment banking firm, to explore strategic opportunities that could include the sale of the business.

Founded in 1996, Sleep Innovations’ products include memory foam mattress toppers, pillows, mattresses and specialty products sold to leading U.S. retailers as well as bulk materials and fabricated components sold to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) serving the bedding, furniture, automotive, marine, medical and packaging markets.

Sleep Innovations’ Board of Directors believes the Company’s success since its management change in 2009 offers an opportunity for current investors to realize the benefits of the value created over the past two years while attracting longer term investors committed to the Company’s aggressive growth plans.

Sleep Innovations has grown in a challenging economic environment by driving relevant and inspiring innovation including pioneering the development of gel-infused memory foam which has gained wide consumer acceptance. Through its EOS Innovation Center, the Company has spearheaded the introduction of innovative new products totaling nearly 20 percent of revenues annually.

The Company’s capital investments in its state-of-the-art foam pouring facility in Baldwyn, MS as well as enterprise-wide investments in lean deployment and productivity have created an efficient manufacturing platform to support improved quality, delivery and reduced costs.

Michael Thompson, President and CEO of Sleep Innovations said, “We are a significantly transformed business as a result of implementing our strategic plan that focuses on innovation, customer collaboration and operational excellence. Sleep Innovations has an extremely talented team of nearly 800 employees who are dedicated to continuous improvement and are enthusiastic about the possibility of accelerating our growth initiatives including the introduction of a robust pipeline of new products.”

Sleep Innovations expects the process to progress quickly and does not plan to comment further until the completion of its review of strategic opportunities.

About Sleep Innovations

Sleep Innovations is the leader in consumer-driven foam products, proven to deliver comfort, relaxation and rejuvenation. The company designs and manufactures advanced memory foam products, including pillows, mattress toppers, mattresses, mattress protectors and home comfort, travel & pet products. Through extensive clinical and consumer testing, Sleep Innovations has found that its breakthrough foam solutions help to improve the quality of its consumers’ lives through better sleep. Follow Sleep Innovations on Twitter at twitter.com/ChooseSI. For more information, visit www.sleepinnovations.com.

About Sawaya Segalas

Sawaya Segalas & Co., LLC is a dynamic and growing boutique investment bank formed exclusively to serve clients in the consumer industry. Through its experience, creativity and exceptional dedication to each client relationship, Sawaya Segalas advises selected clients on transactions that create lasting value.

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