MEDIA RELEASE 35259
New York City's World Product Centre Announces Initial Charter Partners
NEW YORK, July 1 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Future Midtown Manhattan healthcare center offers a highly
visible, neutral and transparent platform for healthcare industry to conduct
commerce, host educational events, clinical training, and leverage unique
facilities and resources to collaborate
World Product Centre (WPC) today announced that Dublin, Ohio-based
Cardinal Health -- one of the world's largest healthcare suppliers -- is
among the first 11 healthcare companies to sign License Agreements with WPC.
Joining Cardinal Health as Charter Partners in WPC are Zimmer, Inc., a
global orthopedic manufacturer and distributor in the U.S. and Encompass
Group, LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of healthcare textiles, uniforms
and architectural products addressing patient safety and satisfaction.
Also signing on are seven of the portfolio companies under the
healthcare-focused private equity partnership Roundtable Healthcare Partners:
ACI Medical, a biomedical engineering firm engaged in manufacturing and sales
of therapeutic products and technologies for individuals with varying degrees
of life-impairing vascular conditions; Bioniche Pharma, a leading developer
and manufacturer of injectable pharmaceuticals; Aspen Surgical, a worldwide
leader of specialty medical products; CorePharma, a manufacturer and marketer
of generic pharmaceuticals; Avalign Technologies, a premier, full-service
supplier of implants, instruments, and delivery systems; Excelsior Medical, a
medical device company offering products that fulfill the needs of the
healthcare practitioner; and Vesta, a contract manufacturer with innovative
solutions in medical grade silicone molding and extrusion.
"World Product Centre is pleased to welcome this esteemed and diverse
group of companies as our initial Charter Partners," said John Strong,
President of World Product Centre Marketing. "These companies are at the
forefront of the healthcare industry and we are looking forward to
introducing more Charter Industry and Education Partners in the coming
months."
"The development of World Product Centre provides a transparent, neutral
location for healthcare providers to evaluate products and services from a
variety of manufacturers and distributors," said Mark Rosenbaum, Chief
Customer Officer for Cardinal Health. "In addition, World Product Centre will
act as a collaboration catalyst for healthcare suppliers to stimulate
innovation and address the cost and quality challenges of today's complex
healthcare system."
Because of impending healthcare reform in the U.S., it is imperative that
medical product suppliers and providers can find a neutral place to conduct
business and collaborate, as well as develop "best practices" that will
support innovation.
"We continue to hear from industry that sales and marketing activities
are being regulated and they are looking for new approaches to ensure
effective brand visibility and successful business development," said Strong.
"A neutral platform offering visibility is at the heart of WPC's mission in
one of the world's leading cities for business and medical education."
"Healthcare reform in the U.S. will require a transparent and open market
to preserve the collaboration and innovation that has made this country a
leader in the global healthcare market," said Jack McGinley, a founding
partner at Roundtable Healthcare Partners. "For our emerging growth
companies, WPC offers high visibility to Wall Street, proximity to potential
acquisition partners and access to a high density of local healthcare
providers who can view and evaluate new innovation."
The Northeastern U.S. offers what is arguably one of the richest
concentrations of academic medical centers, hospitals and related healthcare
providers in the world, including the most orthopedic resident physicians and
orthopedic surgery fellowship positions in the United States. Nearly half of
the nation's teaching hospitals are within a half-day's drive of World
Product Centre.
"Situated in New York, World Product Centre is in close proximity to many
top hospitals and teaching centers," said Alisa Lask, Vice President,
Strategic Marketing at Zimmer Holdings, Inc. "With the demand for orthopedic
procedures expected to grow substantially in the coming years, Zimmer
anticipates that our presence at the new World Product Centre will provide an
opportunity to educate prospective surgeons about the industry while
simultaneously displaying our innovative product portfolio."
WPC will offer a number of clinical and business "Centers of Excellence"
within the building. One planned center is for healthcare facility building,
architecture, medical furnishings and "green" construction.
"The ability to meet our customers on neutral territory as they examine
products for new buildings and remodeling is very exciting to us", said Mike
Spurlock, CEO of Encompass Group, LLC. "Studies have shown there are more
than US$80 billion in healthcare construction and remodeling projects waiting
to start as the economy improves. WPC is a dream come true for the customers
who have to design and equip new construction and remodeling, and allows us
to showcase our innovative products in a high-tech, high-touch environment."
WPC's European and Asia-Pacific business development teams continue to
receive a significant amount of interest globally.
"For international companies looking to create or expand their U.S.
presence, New York offers many benefits," said Michael Resnick, Executive
Vice President of World Product Centre. "With 480 acute care facilities
within 300 miles, half of all U.S. teaching hospitals located in the region,
and a high density of practicing physicians and other clinicians in this
area, leveraging World Product Centre for regional, and ultimately national,
sales and marketing activities offers enormous opportunity. Not to mention
that half-a-billion business visitors and tourists are expected to visit New
York City across the next decade."
Leaders among the largest healthcare providers in the country agree that
WPC will be a highly advantageous venue.
"World Product Centre offers an indispensable tool that healthcare
professionals need, to further elevate the bar in commercial partnering,
technology assessment, education, and quality standards," said Clayton
McWhorter, former president and COO of Nashville-based Hospital Corporation
of America.
Site excavation will begin October 2009. World Product Centre is
scheduled to break ground in early 2010, and open in late 2013.
About World Product Centre
World Product Centre's mission is to provide a cost effective,
transparent commercial and educational platform to support healthcare
innovation and collaboration. For sales inquiries contact John Strong:
+1-212-506-5517, info@worldproductcentre.com. For more information:
SOURCE: World Product Centre
CONTACT: Dave Falkenstein, Sunshine, Sachs & Associates, +1-212-691-2800
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