Research and Markets: Industry Dynamics, Growth, Threats & Opportunities in the Medical Devices Industry - 2012-2013 ...

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/v87c6v/industry_dynamics) has announced the addition of iCD Research's new report "Industry Dynamics, Growth, Threats & Opportunities in the Medical Devices Industry - 2012-2013 : Survey Intelligence" to their offering.

This report is the result of an extensive survey drawn from ICD Research's exclusive panel of leading medical devices industry executives. It analyzes how business strategies and practices in the medical devices industry are set to change in 2012-13. This report gives you access to the category-level supplier selection criteria, business challenges and investment opportunities for leading purchase decision makers. The report also identifies future growth of buyers and suppliers, M&A and e-procurement. This report not only grants access to the opinions and strategies of business decision makers and competitors, but also examines their actions surrounding business priorities. The report also provides access to information categorized by region, company type and size.

Scope

- The opinions and forward looking statements of 174 industry executives have been captured in our in-depth survey, of which 54% represent Director and C-level respondents.

- The research is based on primary survey research conducted by ICD Research accessing its B2B panels comprised of senior purchase decision makers and leading supplier organizations.

- The geographical scope of the research is global - drawing on the activity and expectations of leading industry players across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East.

- This report covers data and analysis on industry developments.

- Key topics covered include threats and opportunities, economic outlook and business confidence.

- In the report, buyers identify what suppliers need to do to maintain their business and the key actions being taken by industry players to overcome the leading business threats.

- The report examines current practices and provides future expectations for the industry over the next 12-24 months.

- The report provides qualitative analysis of the key industry threats and opportunities.

Reasons To Buy

This report will help you to...

- Drive revenues by understanding future product investment areas and growth regions.

- Better promote your business by aligning your capabilities and business practices with your customer's changing needs.

- Secure stronger customer relationships by understanding the leading business concerns and changing strategies of industry buyers.

- Predict how the industry will grow, consolidate and where it will stagnate.

- Uncover the business outlook, key challenges and opportunities identified by suppliers and buyers.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/v87c6v/industry_dynamics

Source: iCD Research

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"Sony will change," grow in mobile, medical: CEO - Baltimore Sun

Sony Corp's new CEO Hirai speaks during a news conference at the company headquarters in Tokyo (YURIKO NAKAO, REUTERS / April 12, 2012)

TOKYO (Reuters) - Less than a fortnight into his job as CEO, Kazuo Hirai on Thursday sketched out a revival strategy for Sony Corp built around mobile electronics - phones, games and cameras - and a medical business with annual sales of $1.2 billion.

Hirai, who took over from Howard Stringer this month, has doubled Sony's annual loss forecast to a record $6.4 billion, and is under intense pressure to fix an ailing TV business and turn around a brand that has been trampled by Apple Inc and South Korea's Samsung Electronics.

"We have heard a multitude of investor voices calling for change," Hirai told a packed news conference at Sony's Tokyo headquarters, close to the company's first factory established 65 years ago. "Sony will change."

"Sony has always been an entrepreneurial company. That spirit has not changed," he said.

Sony, and other leading Japanese TV makers Sharp Corp and Panasonic Corp have been battered by weak demand, fierce competition and a stronger yen that makes exports less competitive.

The three companies expect a combined loss for the year just ended of $21 billion - more than Sony's entire market value, which has slumped by close to a fifth in the past month. Samsung is 10 times more valuable, while Apple, which Sony executives considered buying in the early 1990s, is worth 30 Sony's.

"It doesn't feel like an aggressive makeover," said Tetsuro Ii, president of Commons Asset Management, who oversees some $33 million worth of assets and does not hold Sony stock.

"You can't really see the roadmap for how they're going to revive the electronics business, nor how they're going to create new value."

Sony confirmed earlier media reports that it will cut around 10,000 jobs - 6 percent of its global workforce - and take a 75 billion yen ($926 million) restructuring charge in the current business year to next March. It also plans to cut fixed costs in the TV business by 60 percent in 2013/14 from last year's levels, and trim 30 percent off the business' operating costs.

"We cannot shy away from difficult decisions," Hirai said.

Eyeing new business opportunities in the fast-growing medical business, Sony said it was targeting annual sales of 50 billion yen in 2014/15, eventually doubling that, and was scouting for acquisitions and other strategic investments.

Sony is one of several potential partners that have been linked with disgraced medical equipment maker Olympus Corp, which has a 70 percent share of the global market for diagnostic endoscopes and is looking to shore up its finances after a $1.7 billion accounting fraud.

Sony has held up endoscopes, enhanced by its own graphics technology, as an example of new areas it is looking to for growth.

Hirai is looking for total group sales of 8.5 trillion yen ($105 billion) in 2014/15, with an operating margin of more than 5 percent.

In February, Hirai said he would widen the PlayStation gaming console online network to integrate all Sony devices, replacing three online content delivery platforms it currently operates.

Sony recently bought out Ericsson's half of their smartphone venture for $1.5 billion to shore up its position in a market where Apple and Samsung have become leaders. It has since launched its first smartphones, the Xperia series, under the Sony brand.

"Smartphones will become the hub device," Hirai said on Thursday, vowing to make Sony a leading player in mobile phones, tripling revenue to 1.8 trillion yen ($22.2 billion) over the next three business years.

Sony said it would also look for potential partners to make batteries for electric vehicles.

"Expanding in medical and electric vehicles is good because these businesses have better margins and they're areas that Japan is good at," said Michael On, managing director at Beyond Asset Management.

The latest job cuts follow two rounds of layoffs Stringer made in his six-year tenure at Sony. Chief Financial Officer Masaru Kato noted earlier this week that around 5,000 workers would come off the Sony payroll with the sale of a chemicals business and a small liquid crystal display fabricator.

Hirai said some of the cuts would be in TV, but gave no further details on how he planned to achieve the cuts he outlined for the business.

Sony shares closed 0.9 percent higher at 1,528 yen on Thursday ahead of the briefing. The benchmark Nikkei average ended up 0.7 percent. ($1 = 80.9950 Japanese yen)

(Additional reporting by Mari Saito in TOKYO and Clare Jim in TAIPEI.; Editing by Ian Geoghegan)

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Hansen Medical Names Joseph Guido as Vice President Marketing & Business Development - Yahoo Finance

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwire -04/02/12)- Hansen Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: HNSN - News), a global leader in flexible robotics and the developer of robotic technology for accurate 3D control of catheter movement, today announced it has named veteran medical device sales and marketing executive Joe Guido Vice President Marketing and Business Development. Mr. Guido will report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce J Barclay.

Joe has more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience for a variety of medical device companies including Intuitive Surgical, Abbott Vascular Devices and Stryker Endoscopy, generating experience in cardiology, vascular and surgical markets. Throughout his career, Mr. Guido has excelled as a sales and marketing professional, capturing record sales growth through innovative strategies across the medical device industry.

"Joe is a proven leader with an outstanding career commercializing products in a breadth of markets, making him an excellent addition to the team," Barclay said. "Joe's track record of developing and executing successful global marketing strategies, launching new products, capturing market share in both established and emerging markets, and forging long-term partnerships with both hospitals and physicians, will prove invaluable to Hansen Medical. This will be particularly evident as we build on our EP business and pursue opportunities in the vascular market with the launch of our Magellan Robotic System in Europe and with the expected launch of that product in the U.S."

"I am excited to be joining the Hansen Medical team at this important inflection point in the Company's history," said Guido. "Flexible robotics in both vascular and EP applications has the potential to transform how interventional procedures are performed. I believe Hansen is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this opportunity with its compelling value proposition to hospitals, physicians and patients. In addition, the Company has developed a strong foundation for a focused and controlled launch strategy with an enhanced sales team, robust training and physician support in preparation for the expected launch of the Magellan System in the U.S. Further, I am excited to work with the team at this critical time in order to drive a successful go-to-market strategy and realize our position as an industry leader in flexible robotics."

Prior to joining Hansen Medical, Joe spent five years as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Novare Surgical Systems, Inc., a privately-held medical device company that developed innovative products for minimally invasive surgery. Previous to Novare, he was the Director of Global Strategic Marketing for Abbott Vascular Devices' vessel closure business, and Vice President of Global Marketing at Intuitive Surgical, a public medical device company specializing in surgical robotic systems. While at Intuitive, Mr. Guido led the marketing group while the organization experienced revenue growth of nearly 40% year-over-year. Joe also served 5 years at Stryker Endoscopy, a division of publically-traded Stryker Corporation, where he last operated as Director of Marketing, driving product strategy and business development efforts that generated over $150 million for the division.

About Hansen Medical, Inc.
Hansen Medical, Inc., based in Mountain View, California, develops products and technology using robotics for the accurate positioning, manipulation and control of catheters and catheter-based technologies. The Company's Sensei® X Robotic Catheter System and Artisan Control Catheter were cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for manipulation and control of certain mapping catheters in electrophysiology (EP) procedures. This robotic catheter system is compatible with fluoroscopy, ultrasound, 3D surface map and patient electrocardiogram data. In the United States, the Sensei System is not approved for use in guiding ablation procedures; this use remains experimental. The U.S. product labeling therefore provides that the safety and effectiveness of the Sensei X System and Artisan Control Catheter for use with cardiac ablation catheters in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF), have not been established. In the European Union, the Sensei X System and Artisan Control Catheter are cleared for use during EP procedures, such as guiding catheters in the treatment of AF, and the Lynx® Robotic Ablation Catheter is cleared for the treatment of AF. The Company's Magellan™ Robotic System, NorthStar™ Robotic Catheter and related accessories, which are intended to facilitate navigation to anatomical targets in the peripheral vasculature and subsequently provide a conduit for manual placement of therapeutic devices, have undergone conformity assessment and CE marking and are commercially available in the European Union.
In the U.S., the Magellan™ Robotic System, the NorthStar™ Robotic Catheter and accessories are the subject of a current filing with the FDA and are not commercially available. Additional information can be found at www.hansenmedical.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, statements relating to goals, plans, expectations, objectives, milestones and future events. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including statements containing the words "plan," "expects," "potential," "believes," "goal," "estimate," "anticipates," and similar words. These statements are based on the current estimates and assumptions of our management as of the date of this press release and are subject to risks, uncertainties, changes in circumstances and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made in this press release. Examples of such statements include statements about the anticipated growth of Hansen's flexible robotic technology in both EP and vascular applications. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, among others: engineering, regulatory and sales challenges in developing new products and entering new markets; potential safety and regulatory issues that could slow or suspend our sales; the uncertain timelines, costs and results of pre-clinical and clinical trials; the rate of adoption of our systems and the rate of use of our catheters; the scope and validity of intellectual property rights applicable to our products; competition from other companies; our ability to recruit and retain key personnel; our ability to maintain our remedial actions over previously reported material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting; the effect of credit, financial and economic conditions on capital spending by our potential customers; our ability to manage expenses and obtain additional financing; and other risks more fully described in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on March 15, 2012 and the risks discussed in our other reports filed with the SEC. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this press release. We undertake no obligation to revise or update information herein to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

Hansen Medical, Heart Design (Logo), Hansen Medical (with Heart Design), and Sensei are registered trademarks of Hansen Medical, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

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Green Asset International Inc. Dedicates Unprecedented $100 Million Funding Facility to Medical Marijuana Division

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Green media executive Cheryl Shuman announced today that Green Asset International Inc. (GreenAssetInc.com) is dedicating an unprecedented US $100 Million funding facility to develop the corporatization and rebranding of the cannabis industry's ancillary businesses.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120314/CG70009)

Green Asset International Inc. C.E.O. Cheryl Shuman will review and acquire legal businesses within the medical cannabis industry. Shuman estimates at least a billion dollars in current ancillary business opportunities.  As one of the world's most respected voices of the movement, it's Shuman's challenge and responsibility to remove the negative stigma and stereotypes of the cannabis user.   Real men and women in the corporate world are taking a stand to make a change by boldly 'coming out to the closet' to show their support and the validity of this great, growth-potential business by investing in the cannabis sector.

Green Asset announced the formation of the cannabis industry's first acquisition vehicle to take advantage of the $1.7 billion medical marijuana market.  To further assist investors, Green Asset will host a series of symposiums to share information and present opportunities to these potential investors.

Green Asset plans to target for acquisition cutting-edge medical and social media companies, with a focus on consolidating those sectors.  The funding agreement is broad and allows Green Asset to fund its objective of finding and acquiring established companies in expanding medical and social media fields and consolidating them for maximum efficiency and profitability. Green Asset will target for purchase profitable and successful companies that need more capital to reach their full potential.

"This creates a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurs and smart investors to be on the ground floor of this exciting and groundbreaking industry.  There are great financial rewards coupled with a chance to be involved in a hot ticket business that is on the cutting edge", said Green Asset CEO Cheryl Shuman.

"The beautiful thing about the cannabis plant is that it not only has the ability to heal a multitude of illnesses, it also has the power to heal the economy by creating desperately needed jobs that can grow small businesses.  Even in the face of this dismal national economy, the legal medical cannabis industry is growing and creating those jobs.  There is a huge network of educated and sophisticated cannabis consuming investors that envision enormous rewards financially, environmentally and socially.  It's a win-win-win," said Shuman.

Many investment groups and businesses have shown serious interest in the great opportunities inclusive in this sector but have not done so yet, partially due to a lack of information.  Green Asset addresses this by educating with market data and knowledge.

Experts and investors agree that this industry has a great deal of promise.  The formation of Green Asset, and the subsequent great response to it, is indicative of the evolvement of this industry and provides investors with the best opportunities.

The Green Asset Symposiums are the next logical step for the medical cannabis industry and follow in the footsteps of the many other industries that have educated investors on start-ups, such as the bio-tech and green industries.

The medical marijuana business has a five-year market potential of $8.7 billion and sales in 2011 were reported at $1.3 billion according to the See Change Strategy market report. (http://medicalmarijuanamarkets.com/)

CEO Cheryl Shuman brings 25 years of experience working with media, celebrities, marketing and health care in Beverly Hills. Since 1996, Shuman has been pursuing her passion in the alternative health and social movement working as a medical cannabis activist and legal cannabis patient.   Using cannabis and other alternative health options, Shuman has survived cancer and injuries from two car crashes. She is the former Executive Director of Beverly Hills NORML and Director of Celebrity, Media and Public Relations for KUSH Magazine.  She is an expert in anti-aging, alternative healthcare and community activism.

"The therapeutic value of socialization and the building of community cannot be overstated. The right of patients to peaceably assemble - to socialize and build family and community, and network and organize - is paramount for their health and recovery. Our social networking platforms and development and marketing of alternative medical treatment options will provide fellowship for consumers, patients and activists internationally," states Shuman.

"We as a modern society can fiscally improve our budget by moving cannabis from the criminal sector into the lawful sector," Shuman said. "This is not a left or right issue -- it's really common sense. Regulation and taxation of marijuana could produce billions of dollars in additional tax revenue, as well as save on the enormous costs of law enforcement. Bottom line is the prohibition of marijuana has been a fiscal fiasco. Green Asset's group of investors is the answer to resolving these issues. Green Asset represents the largest financial commitment for cannabis related investment in history. For additional information see: www.GreenAssetInc.com"

Media Contact: Cheryl Shuman Green Asset International Inc., 310-779-4797, Cheryl.Shuman@GreenAssetInc.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

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Green Asset International Inc. Dedicates Unprecedented $100 Million Funding Facility to Medical Marijuana Division - PR Newswire

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Green media executive Cheryl Shuman announced today that Green Asset International Inc. (GreenAssetInc.com) is dedicating an unprecedented US $100 Million funding facility to develop the corporatization and rebranding of the cannabis industry's ancillary businesses.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120314/CG70009)

Green Asset International Inc. C.E.O. Cheryl Shuman will review and acquire legal businesses within the medical cannabis industry. Shuman estimates at least a billion dollars in current ancillary business opportunities.  As one of the world's most respected voices of the movement, it's Shuman's challenge and responsibility to remove the negative stigma and stereotypes of the cannabis user.   Real men and women in the corporate world are taking a stand to make a change by boldly 'coming out to the closet' to show their support and the validity of this great, growth-potential business by investing in the cannabis sector.

Green Asset announced the formation of the cannabis industry's first acquisition vehicle to take advantage of the $1.7 billion medical marijuana market.  To further assist investors, Green Asset will host a series of symposiums to share information and present opportunities to these potential investors.

Green Asset plans to target for acquisition cutting-edge medical and social media companies, with a focus on consolidating those sectors.  The funding agreement is broad and allows Green Asset to fund its objective of finding and acquiring established companies in expanding medical and social media fields and consolidating them for maximum efficiency and profitability. Green Asset will target for purchase profitable and successful companies that need more capital to reach their full potential.

"This creates a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurs and smart investors to be on the ground floor of this exciting and groundbreaking industry.  There are great financial rewards coupled with a chance to be involved in a hot ticket business that is on the cutting edge", said Green Asset CEO Cheryl Shuman.

"The beautiful thing about the cannabis plant is that it not only has the ability to heal a multitude of illnesses, it also has the power to heal the economy by creating desperately needed jobs that can grow small businesses.  Even in the face of this dismal national economy, the legal medical cannabis industry is growing and creating those jobs.  There is a huge network of educated and sophisticated cannabis consuming investors that envision enormous rewards financially, environmentally and socially.  It's a win-win-win," said Shuman.

Many investment groups and businesses have shown serious interest in the great opportunities inclusive in this sector but have not done so yet, partially due to a lack of information.  Green Asset addresses this by educating with market data and knowledge.

Experts and investors agree that this industry has a great deal of promise.  The formation of Green Asset, and the subsequent great response to it, is indicative of the evolvement of this industry and provides investors with the best opportunities.

The Green Asset Symposiums are the next logical step for the medical cannabis industry and follow in the footsteps of the many other industries that have educated investors on start-ups, such as the bio-tech and green industries.

The medical marijuana business has a five-year market potential of $8.7 billion and sales in 2011 were reported at $1.3 billion according to the See Change Strategy market report. (http://medicalmarijuanamarkets.com/)

CEO Cheryl Shuman brings 25 years of experience working with media, celebrities, marketing and health care in Beverly Hills. Since 1996, Shuman has been pursuing her passion in the alternative health and social movement working as a medical cannabis activist and legal cannabis patient.   Using cannabis and other alternative health options, Shuman has survived cancer and injuries from two car crashes. She is the former Executive Director of Beverly Hills NORML and Director of Celebrity, Media and Public Relations for KUSH Magazine.  She is an expert in anti-aging, alternative healthcare and community activism.

"The therapeutic value of socialization and the building of community cannot be overstated. The right of patients to peaceably assemble - to socialize and build family and community, and network and organize - is paramount for their health and recovery. Our social networking platforms and development and marketing of alternative medical treatment options will provide fellowship for consumers, patients and activists internationally," states Shuman.

"We as a modern society can fiscally improve our budget by moving cannabis from the criminal sector into the lawful sector," Shuman said. "This is not a left or right issue -- it's really common sense. Regulation and taxation of marijuana could produce billions of dollars in additional tax revenue, as well as save on the enormous costs of law enforcement. Bottom line is the prohibition of marijuana has been a fiscal fiasco. Green Asset's group of investors is the answer to resolving these issues. Green Asset represents the largest financial commitment for cannabis related investment in history. For additional information see: www.GreenAssetInc.com"

Media Contact: Cheryl Shuman Green Asset International Inc., 310-779-4797, Cheryl.Shuman@GreenAssetInc.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Green Asset International Inc.

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