Tolland, CT (April 22, 2008) – Nerac Inc., a research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies, today released a white paper titled “New Perspectives on the Future of Drug Discovery” that looks at what is in the pipeline for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. The paper demonstrates how Nerac’s novel analytics can help overcome information paralysis created by constantly changing, overwhelmingly complex and voluminous data to help companies to make timely, profitable decisions.

The white paper uses a case study that the authors constructed to measure large and small molecule drug pipeline trends among the pharmaceutical companies Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sanofi-Adventis, and the biotechnology companies Amgen, Genentech, and Genzyme. The objective was to independently analyze data from patent and non-patent sources, to determine common and uncommon conclusions about small and large molecule drug development, and to illustrate novel macro-analysis and visualization techniques to effectively analyze complex data.

Key Findings:

• While non-patent data indicates pharmaceutical companies are moving aggressively into large molecule drug development, patent data suggests a more measured approach.
• The case study biotechnology companies lead large molecule development, but the pharmaceutical companies are strong contenders.
• The biotechnology companies were more aggressive filing patent applications for small molecule therapeutics than pharmaceutical companies were for large molecule therapeutics, though the pharmas continue to dominate small molecule development.
• Both small and large molecule therapeutics will find future applications in inflammation and cancer therapies.
• Small molecule drugs will continue to dominate central nervous system and infectious disease treatments.
• Based on market value projections, small molecule drugs will continue to dominate the market for the foreseeable future.

To download the white paper, please click here.

About Nerac

Nerac Inc., based in Tolland, CT, is a research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies. Nerac Analysts deliver custom assessments of product and technology development opportunities, competitor intelligence, intellectual property strategies, and compliance requirements through a proven blended approach to custom analysis: review of technical knowledge, investigation of intellectual property, and appraisal of business impacts. Nerac deploys analysts in diverse disciplines to help clients discover new applications, serving as a catalyst for new thinking and creative approaches to business problems or identifying strategic growth opportunities. On the web at www.nerac.com.

Contact:

Richard Urban
Business/Marketing Editor
Nerac, Inc.
One Technology Drive
Tolland, CT 06084
860-872-7000, ext. 1061
rurban@nerac.com
www.nerac.com

Tolland, CT (March 6, 2008) – The research and advisory firm Nerac Inc., in collaboration with Knowledge@Wharton, today released the third part in a series of three podcasts that examines how companies can determine the value of their patent portfolios prior to acquisitions or mergers. Nerac intellectual property analyst and registered patent attorney Scott Lloyd and David Hsu, a management professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, discuss the variables involved with valuing intellectual property in general and medical device patents in particular.

In the newly released Part 3, Mr. Lloyd and Professor Hsu answer questions about patent valuation unique to medical device companies, including industry-specific risks, and what’s on the patent horizon.

In Part 1, released Feb. 6, they discuss the current legal environment and the kinds of issues companies confront in valuing patents.

In Part 2, released Feb. 20, they talk about the specifics of patent valuation and the risks companies assume when they acquire patent portfolios.

To download the podcast series, please go to www.nerac.com/medical-device. For more information about Knowledge@Wharton, visit http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu.

About Nerac

Nerac Inc., based in Tolland, CT, is a research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies. Nerac Analysts deliver custom assessments of product and technology development opportunities, competitor intelligence, intellectual property strategies, and compliance requirements through a proven blended approach to custom analysis: review of technical knowledge, investigation of intellectual property, and appraisal of business impacts. Nerac deploys analysts in diverse disciplines to help clients discover new applications, serving as a catalyst for new thinking and creative approaches to business problems or identifying strategic growth opportunities. On the web at www.nerac.com.

Contact:

Richard Urban
Business/Marketing Editor
Nerac, Inc.
One Technology Drive
Tolland, CT 06084
860-872-7000, ext. 1061
rurban@nerac.com
www.nerac.com

Tolland, CT (Feb. 21, 2008) – The research and advisory firm Nerac Inc., in collaboration with Knowledge@Wharton, today released the second part of a series of three podcasts that examines how companies can determine the value of their patent portfolios prior to acquisitions or mergers. Nerac intellectual property analyst and registered patent attorney Scott Lloyd and David Hsu, a management professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, discuss the variables involved with valuing intellectual property in general and medical device patents in particular.

In the newly released Part 2, Mr. Lloyd and Professor Hsu talk about the specifics of patent valuation and the risks companies assume when they acquire patent portfolios.

In Part 1, released Feb. 6, they discuss the current legal environment and the kinds of issues companies confront in valuing patents.

In Part 3, coming March 5, they answer questions about patent valuation for medical device companies, including industry-specific risks, and what’s on the patent horizon.

To download either of the first two podcasts, please go to www.nerac.com/medical-device.
For more information about Knowledge@Wharton, visit http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu.

About Nerac

Nerac Inc., based in Tolland, CT, is a research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies. Nerac Analysts deliver custom assessments of product and technology development opportunities, competitor intelligence, intellectual property strategies, and compliance requirements through a proven blended approach to custom analysis: review of technical knowledge, investigation of intellectual property, and appraisal of business impacts. Nerac deploys analysts in diverse disciplines to help clients discover new applications, serving as a catalyst for new thinking and creative approaches to business problems or identifying strategic growth opportunities. On the web at www.nerac.com.

Contact:

Richard Urban
Business/Marketing Editor
Nerac, Inc.
One Technology Drive
Tolland, CT 06084
860-872-7000, ext. 1061
rurban@nerac.com
www.nerac.com

In Part 1, Mr. Lloyd and Professor Hsu answer questions about the current legal environment and the kinds of issues companies confront in valuing patents.

In Part 2, coming Feb. 20, they talk about the specifics of patent valuation and the risks companies assume when they acquire patent portfolios.

In Part 3, coming March 5, they answer questions about patent valuation for medical device companies, including industry-specific risks and what’s on the patent horizon.

To download the podcast, please go to www.nerac.com/medical-device.

For more information about Knowledge@Wharton, visit knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu.

About Nerac
Nerac Inc., based in Tolland, CT, is a research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies. Nerac Analysts deliver custom assessments of product and technology development opportunities, competitor intelligence, intellectual property strategies, and compliance requirements through a proven blended approach to custom analysis: review of technical knowledge, investigation of intellectual property, and appraisal of business impacts. Nerac deploys analysts in diverse disciplines to help clients discover new applications, serving as a catalyst for new thinking and creative approaches to business problems or identifying strategic growth opportunities. On the web at www.nerac.com.

Contact:
Richard Urban
Business & Marketing Editor
Nerac Inc.
One Technology Drive
Tolland CT 06084
860-872-7000, ext. 1061
rurban@nerac.com
www.nerac.com

Nerac’s latest podcast series can help you determine your company’s value in a merger or acquisition.

We invite you to listen to a three-part series of podcasts produced in collaboration with Knowledge@Wharton that examines how companies can determine the value of patent portfolios prior to acquisitions. Nerac intellectual property analyst and registered patent attorney Scott Lloyd and David Hsu, a management professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, discuss the variables involved with valuing intellectual property.

The panelists are Brenda Van Goethem, a Nerac Food Science Analyst who is well-versed in nutraceutical ingredients and food formulations; Keith Lucas, a Nerac Business Analyst with an extensive background in marketing and business development; and Susan Spiggle, an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut who heads the school’s
Marketing Department.

Here are some of the key issues they address:

Food companies are finding innovative ways to re-label and reposition products from cereals to yogurts and even chocolates to promote functional ingredient content.

• It is critical to have points of perceived differences around which the brand can be positioned and that resonate with target customers to create a sustainable differentiation
• Repositioning existing products can have significant cost advantages over reformulating products or developing new ones.
• Food companies need to be aware of the potential for consumer skepticism as well as labeling and regulatory restrictions concerning health claims.
• The competition in the functional food and beverage segment is fierce and the key to success is differentiating your product.

About Nerac

Nerac Inc., based in Tolland, CT, is a research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies. Nerac Analysts deliver custom assessments of product and technology development opportunities, competitor intelligence, intellectual property strategies, and compliance requirements through a proven blended approach to custom analysis: review of technical knowledge, investigation of intellectual property, and appraisal of business impacts.
Nerac deploys analysts in diverse disciplines to help clients discover new applications, serving as a catalyst for new thinking and creative approaches to business problems or identifying strategic growth opportunities.

Contact:

Richard Urban
Business/Marketing Editor
Nerac, Inc.
One Technology Drive
Tolland, CT 06084
860-872-7000, ext. 1061
rurban@nerac.com
www.nerac.com

Responding to the growing number of consumers who see functional foods and beverages as important to good health, food companies are developing strategies to highlight functional ingredients already in products that they have been making for years. In doing so, they avoid the costs associated with reformulations or new product introductions.

To examine this emerging business strategy, we posed some questions to Susan Spiggle, an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut who heads the school’s Marketing Department; Nerac Food Science Analyst Brenda Van Goethem, and Nerac Business Analyst Keith Lucas. We invite you to listen to their interesting discussion.

Harlin, Ltd., established in 2000 to provide marketing and business development consultancy services to technology-based and creative organizations, offers a full range of services. Among these services are the identification and quantification of market opportunities, strategy development, due diligence studies and sourcing of advanced laser, optics and optoelectronic solutions.

“We are very excited to be working with Nerac, which will expand our research capabilities in many different technical, business, and intellectual property disciplines,” said John Lincoln, Principal at Harlin, Ltd. “At Harlin, we specialize in identifying opportunities and adding value to our client’s businesses. Now we can leverage the knowledge and thought leadership of Nerac Analysts to provide more value than ever before,” he said.

“Nerac’s focus has always been to help our customers achieve victories through successful innovation and growth. As we continue to look for ways to expand our reach, it is important that we partner with companies that expand our local presence in markets around the world, as well as increase our research capabilities by leveraging complementary outside resources,” said Kevin Bouley, President and CEO of Nerac, Inc. “Harlin brings an extensive background of technical knowledge and business success, especially in the area of optics and lasers. We are certain that Harlin’s capabilities will prove extremely valuable to Nerac clients and prospects.”

About Harlin
Harlin Ltd was established in 2000 to provide marketing and business development consultancy services to technology based and creative organizations. Many businesses, especially those with technology-oriented products, experience rapidly varying market conditions and need to keep long-term committed costs to a minimum. Harlin enables clients to better track fluctuating market conditions and quantify development opportunities to inform their strategic planning while delaying long term commitments until customer traction and new sales have been established.

Harlin’s goal is to provide the information and tools required to make an informed decision about how, and if, to proceed with a new business activity. Harlin Ltd also provides professional and customized marketing support services as an alternative to distracting internal resources. Learn more at www.harlinltd.co.uk.

About Nerac
Nerac Inc., based in Tolland, Conn., is a research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies. Our analysts deliver custom assessments of product and technology development opportunities, competitor intelligence, intellectual property strategies, and compliance requirements. Our proven blended approach to custom analysis — review of technical knowledge, investigation of intellectual property, and appraisal of business impacts — allows companies to apply expertise from outside their niches to discover new applications that may not be apparent otherwise. Nerac serves as a catalyst for new thinking in organizations and helps them creatively approach business problems or identify the best strategic growth opportunities. To find out more about Nerac, please visit www.nerac.com.

Contact:
Richard Urban
Business/Marketing Editor
Nerac, Inc.
One Technology Drive
Tolland, CT 06084
860-872-7000, ext. 1061
rurban@nerac.com

September 26, 2007 - Tolland, CT. Nerac, Inc., a research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies, today released a white paper by Analyst Scott Lloyd that investigates the dynamics of intellectual property and valuation factors that influence the potential value of medical device manufacturers. Lloyd explores Bausch & Lomb’s early 2007 investment in Acufocus, Inc., providing an interesting backdrop to illustrate these issues. Download the white paper here.

Key points include:

• Why mergers or acquisitions are currently the favored exit strategy among medical device start-ups
• The most important valuation factors in considering an acquisition
• Why strong intellectual property portfolios—particularly patents—are critical to establishing the valuation of a takeover target
• The key challenges to leveraging medical device patents
• And in a case study, Mr. Lloyd reviews the steps Bausch & Lomb took in the Acufocus acquisition and how they fit his valuation model: market identification, protected product investigation and patent filing trends, competitive analysis

Nerac Analyst Scott Lloyd identifies intellectual property requirements and provides competitive analysis to help organizations develop strategies for patents, licenses, and acquisitions. He identifies white space for innovation in patent landscapes, providing grounds for patent validity challenges and invalidity defenses to infringement suits.

About Nerac
Nerac Inc., based in Tolland, Conn., is a research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies. Our analysts deliver custom assessments of product and technology development opportunities, competitor intelligence, Intellectual Property strategies, and compliance requirements. Our proven blended approach to custom analysis — review of technical knowledge, investigation of intellectual property, and appraisal of business impacts — allows companies to apply expertise from outside their niches to discover new applications that may not be apparent otherwise. Nerac serves as a catalyst for new thinking in organizations and helps them creatively approach business problems or identify the best strategic growth opportunities. To find out more about Nerac, please visit www.nerac.com.

Contact:
Richard Urban
Business/Marketing Editor
Nerac, Inc.
One Technology Drive
Tolland, CT 06084
860-872-7000, ext. 1061
rurban@nerac.com

Heat Map Explorer is a desktop application for Microsoft Windows 2000 & XP that visually highlights trends, problems, and opportunities in business data, allowing companies to gain an intuitive insight into business data with interactive heat maps for Excel.

Heat maps display relevant information in context, showing complex trends, issues, and relationships in both the big picture and in critical details. It lets Nerac analysts provide greater clarity and added value to their research and analysis by using color and size to rapidly communicate complex information that is nearly impossible to see on a spreadsheet. As a result, clients can act on Nerac analyses quickly, ensuring that they get the full value of Nerac’s advanced analytics.

Because Heat Map Explorer is designed for managers, not analysts, it allows Nerac clients to focus on relevant information Nerac analysts provide without being overwhelmed or distracted by complex interfaces. Heat Map Explorer is among the tools that Nerac analysts use to communicate complex information easily and help clients find new opportunities, identify trends, and watch for problems.

As part of the partnership, Nerac clients can access to the Heat Map Explorer software at a reduced cost. For information please visit http://www.nerac.com/heatmaps/.

About Nerac

Nerac is a research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies. Our Analysts deliver custom assessments of product and technology development opportunities, competitor intelligence, Intellectual Property strategies, and compliance requirements through a proven threefold approach to custom analysis: review of technical knowledge, investigation of intellectual property, and appraisal of business impacts. Nerac deploys analysts in diverse disciplines to help clients discover new applications, serving as a catalyst for new thinking and creative approaches to business problems or identifying strategic growth opportunities.

About Lab Escape

Lab Escape sells software that helps managers and executives understand critical business data stored in spreadsheets and databases by converting it into interactive heat maps which visually highlight relevant information, enabling managers and executives to make better decisions. With a complete suite of heat map products, Lab Escape provides solutions to Fortune 500 companies in the areas of business intelligence, market analysis, portfolio management, and reporting. For more information, please contact us at (800) 921-3623 or visit us at http://www.labescape.com/.

Contact:

Richard Urban
Business/Marketing Editor
Nerac, Inc.
One Technology Drive
Tolland, CT 06084
860-872-7000, ext. 1061
rurban@nerac.com
www.nerac.com

Lab Escape Contact:

Trevor Lohrbeer
CEO
800-921-3623, ext 702
trevor@labescape.com
www.labescape.com