OCZ (OCZ) Announces Certain Shareholders Execute Agreements for Private Sale of OCZ Common Stock

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 16, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OCZ Technology Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:OCZ), a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) and memory modules for computing devices and systems, today announced that certain shareholders of OCZ Technology Group, Inc. have signed definitive agreements with various institutional and accredited investors for the sale of OCZ common stock. OCZ will not receive any of the proceeds of such sale.

OCZ agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, registering the resale of these shares following the close of the transaction.

About OCZ Technology Group, Inc.

Founded in 2002, San Jose, CA-based OCZ Technology Group, Inc. (“OCZ”), is a leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of high performance and reliable Solid-State Drives (SSDs) and premium computer components. OCZ has built on its expertise in high-speed memory to become a leader in the SSD market, a technology that competes with traditional rotating magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs). SSDs are faster, more reliable, generate less heat and use significantly less power than the HDDs used in the majority of computers today. In addition to SSD technology, OCZ also offers high performance components for computing devices and systems, including enterprise-class power management products as well as leading-edge computer gaming solutions. For more information, please visit: www.ocztechnology.com.

The OCZ Technology Group, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7439

Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements involving known and unknown factors that may cause actual results of OCZ Technology Group, Inc. to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. In this context, words such as “will,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should” or other similar words and phrases often identify forward-looking statements made on behalf of OCZ. It is important to note that actual results of OCZ may differ materially from those described or implied in such forward-looking statements based on a number of factors and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, market acceptance of OCZ’s products and OCZ’s ability to continually develop enhanced products; adverse changes both in the general macro-economic environment as well as in the industries OCZ serves, including computer manufacturing, traditional and online retailers, information storage, internet search and content providers and computer system integrators; OCZ’s ability to efficiently manage material and inventory, including integrated circuit chip costs and freight costs; and OCZ’s ability to generate cash from operations, secure external funding for its operations and manage its liquidity needs. Other general economic, business and financing conditions and factors are described in more detail in “Item 1A — Risk Factors” in Part II in OCZ’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on January 14, 2010. The filing is available both at www.sec.gov as well as via OCZ’s website at www.ocztechnology.com. OCZ does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:  OCZ Technology Group, Inc.
          Bonnie Mott, Investor Relations Manager
          408-733-8400

          The Investor Relations Group
          Investor Relations:
          Adam Holdsworth
          Public Relations:
          Mike Graff
          212-825-3210

Axcelis Integra(TM) (ACLS) ES Plasma Dry Strip System Selected as Process Tool of Record

BEVERLY, Mass., Dec. 16, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACLS) today announced that its Integra^TM ES plasma dry strip system has been selected as the process tool of record by one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers.  The company has received the first in a series of orders for the system to support the customer’s 32nm and 28nm technology manufacturing capacity expansion. The orders will begin shipping in December 2010.

“The Integra ES was selected to perform photoresist strip levels over sensitive high-K and metal gate materials, after an extensive evaluation and process development program. Our customer was attracted to the device performance benefits achieved when running the resist strip processes over sensitive gate stack materials with non-oxidizing chemistries,” said Bill Bintz, senior vice president of marketing for Axcelis Technologies.  “Combined with the Integra ES’ unique ability to execute these advanced processes in a repeatable, reliable manner, the product is ideally suited for high volume manufacturing for the most advanced IC devices.”

Axcelis’ dry strip cleaning product portfolio includes the Integra RS and ES systems as well as the Rapidstrip^TM 320 and 210 systems.   Together, these products deliver highly differentiated plasma cleaning technology to meet the full range of customer needs, from the highest productivity, non-oxidizing solutions for 32nm and below chip makers, to single chamber, small substrate size applications in the MEMS, LED, and packaging markets.

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACLS) headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts, provides innovative, high-productivity solutions for the semiconductor industry. Axcelis is dedicated to developing enabling process applications through the design, manufacture and complete life cycle support of ion implantation and cleaning systems. The company’s Internet address is: www.axcelis.com.

CONTACT:  Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
          Editorial/Media
          Maureen Hart
            978.787.4266
          Financial Community
          Stephen Bassett
            978.787.4000

Metalline (MMG) Reports on Eastern Extension of Area A Silver (+Zinc+Lead) Resource Area

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., Dec. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Metalline Mining Company (Amex: MMG; TSX: MMZ) is pleased to announce further results from the evaluation of earlier drilling programs at the shallow silver-zinc resource area (“Area A”) at the Sierra Mojada Project located in Coahuila, Mexico.  Results reported below are at a 30 gpt Ag or 1% Zn external cut-off.

Metalline reports a total of  340 drill holes, most of them short underground “long” holes drilled in 2006 from access within the Area A silver (+zinc+lead) resource, that average 13 meters thick above a 30 gpt Ag cut-off, averaging 110 gpt Ag, 1.18% Zn, and 0.44% Pb.  Most of these holes are only 2-22 meters long, and drill only a portion of the true thickness of the resource, which averages 25-30 meters thick in the area between sections 631700E and 632550E.  This portion of the resource may be potentially minable from either underground or by open pit.  If mineable by open pit the stripping to access this portion of the Area A silver(+zinc+lead) resource will expose the deeper and larger zinc oxide deposit and greatly reduce the stripping required to fully access the zinc oxide deposit.

Sections 631700E, through 632550E compliment assays sections that were reported earlier.  Metalline has now reported assays sections covering the area between sections 629600E and 632550E on the Area A silver(+zinc+lead) resource, a distance of three kilometers, with a few intervening sections remaining to be compiled.   The results from these remaining sections will be reported as compilation by section is completed.   The continuity and potential minability of the silver zone on these sections is demonstrated on the individual graphic sections and the composite panel section diagrams posted to the web site at http://www.metallinemining.com/s/DH_Sections.asp.

All of the sampling and sample preparation for assays reported herein have been done on site under supervision by Metalline personnel and all those samples were shipped directly to ALS-Chemex for further sample preparation and assaying with insertion of appropriate standards and blanks. A third party review of the Company’s QA/QC program vetted the Company’s sample preparation and sample handling protocols for the previous core drilling and channel sampling programs, but did not specifically address sampling from the 2006 long hole drilling program.  A surface core drilling program is planned for 2011 to test and confirm the geometry and grade of the resource area reported herein.

Greg Hahn, Interim President and CEO, a Certified Professional Geologist, is the Qualified Person responsible for reviewing and reporting the contents of this press release and assuring the results reported herein are in accordance with NI 43-101.

Detailed drill results by section are attached below:

About Metalline Mining Company

Metalline Mining Company is focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties.  Metalline currently owns mineral concessions in the municipality of Sierra Mojada, Coahuila, Mexico and holds licenses in Gabon, Africa.  Metalline conducts its operations in Mexico through its wholly owned Mexican subsidiaries, Minera Metalin S.A. de C.V. and Contratistas de Sierra Mojada S.A. de C.V.  To obtain more information on Metalline Mining Company, visit the Company’s web site (www.metallinemining.com).

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and Metalline’s future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and constitute “forward looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws.  These statements include statements about Metalline’s planned drilling program and are based on material factors and assumptions including Metalline’s management’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industry in which Metalline operates and the beliefs and assumptions of Metalline’s management.  Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “continues,” “may,” variations of such words, and similar expressions, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  In addition, any statements that refer to projections of Metalline’s future financial performance, Metalline’s anticipated growth and potentials in its business and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.  Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including the risk that Metalline’s drill program may not be successful or result in the discovery of commercially mineable deposits of ore and those risks identified in  Metalline’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009 under “Risk Factors, ” and in subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.  Metalline undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.

ADVENTRX (ANX) Requests Meeting with FDA to Discuss ANX-514 Study

China Armco Metals (CNAM) Ships $17.1 Million in Iron Ore for Its Trading Business

SAN MATEO, CA — (Marketwire) — 12/15/10 — China Armco Metals, Inc. (NYSE Amex: CNAM) (“China Armco” or the “Company”), a distributor of imported metal ore and metal recycler with a new state of the art scrap metal recycling facility in China, today provided an update on its trading business.

Through November 30, 2010, China Armco has secured and shipped three orders to deliver iron ore to trading firms serving iron and steel producers in China. The orders include a combined volume of 112,000 tons with an aggregate value of approximately $17.1 million.

“We are seeing a steady progress in our trading business,” said Mr. Kexuan Yao, Chairman and CEO of China Armco. “With iron prices stabilizing in recent months, steady industrial production growth in China, and the ending of current power conservation plans enacted by the government for the steel industry, we are cautiously optimistic about the recovery. Our diverse and stable supply of metal ores and non-ferrous metals from 10 international suppliers, our more than 10 years of experience and strong relationships with over 150 customers in China position us well to capitalize on the long term secular growth of the Chinese steel industry.”

About China Armco Metals, Inc.

China Armco Metals, Inc. is engaged in the sale and distribution of metal ore and non-ferrous metals throughout the PRC and has entered the recycling business with the recent launch of operations of a 1 million ton per year shredder and recycler of metals located on 32 acres of land. China Armco maintains customers throughout China which includes the fastest growing steel producing mills and foundries in the PRC. Raw materials are supplied from global suppliers in India, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Brazil, Turkey and the Philippines. China Armco’s product lines include ferrous and non-ferrous ore, iron ore, chrome ore, nickel ore, copper ore, manganese ore, magnesium and steel billet. The recycling facility is expected to be capable of recycling one million metric tons of scrap metal per year which will position China Armco as one of the 10 largest recyclers of scrap metal in China. China Armco estimates the recycled metal market in China as 70 million metric tons. For more information about China Armco, please visit http://www.armcometals.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, China Armco Metals, Inc. is hereby providing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements (as defined in such act). Any statements that are not historical facts and that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, indicated through the use of words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimated,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes” and “projects”) may be forward-looking and may involve estimates and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, our expectations regarding our revenues, net income, earnings and production related to our scrap metal recycling and trading operations and the extent of government imposed blackouts that impact on our recycling operations. In addition, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following key factors that have a direct bearing on our results of operations:

We caution that the factors described herein could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements we make and that investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of such factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. This press release is qualified in its entirety by our partners’ ability to complete its obligations to source various minerals and ores within acceptable specifications, the demand and fluctuations in the prices of those minerals and ores, our ability to resell any sourced minerals and ores at current market prices and upon favorable terms, our ability to finance the purchase price of any minerals and ores, and the cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

For more information, please contact:
Investor Relations:
HC International, Inc.
Ted Haberfield
Executive VP
Tel: +1-760-755-2716
Email: thaberfield@hcinternational.net
Web: http://www.hcinternational.net

Company:
US Contact:
Oliver Hu
China Armco Metals, Inc.
Office: 650.212.7620
Email: oliver@armcometals.com
Website: www.armcometals.com

China Contact:
Wayne Wu
China Armco Metals, Inc.
Office: 021-62375286
Email: wayne.wu@armcometals.com
Website: www.armcometals.com

Growth Opportunities Spur BSQUARE (BSQR) Investment in Asia

BELLEVUE, WA — (Marketwire) — 12/15/10 — BSQUARE Corporation (NASDAQ: BSQR), a leading enabler of smart, connected devices, today announced the expansion of sales, support and development services in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

BSQUARE has expanded its sales and support coverage and development capacity in APAC with new employees in Korea and Shenzhen, China and an increase in the size of its Development Center in Taipei, Taiwan. The company plans to continue its regional expansion with the addition of Shanghai-based sales executives in the coming months and the opening of an additional Development Center in mainland China during the first half of 2011.

“The expansion of our sales, support and development footprint in Asia is being driven by strong customer demand for our software and services, particularly testing services,” said Brian Crowley, chief executive officer, BSQUARE Corporation. “Asia is a growing center of manufacturing and design for smart, connected devices and our expanded presence will provide customers with easy access to embedded software solutions and application development expertise.”

“With the rapid rise of China as a major technology force, it makes sense for BSQUARE to broaden its presence in APAC,” said Tony Chiang, vice president and general manager, Asia Pacific region for BSQUARE. “We are excited to be enabling our customers’ innovative software solutions and smart, connected devices.”

BSQUARE has experienced robust growth in the APAC region. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the company increased its number of APAC customer accounts by more than 100% and its total revenue by roughly 400% compared to the prior year. To support the company’s expanded international presence, BSQUARE has been recruiting top engineers to provide software solutions for several key, new customers in the APAC region. Additionally, staff at the company’s new sales locations will enable BSQUARE to broaden its reach into the rapidly growing mobile application development market, delivering improved innovation and time-to-market for quality devices.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements relating to our expansion in the APAC region. All of the statements contained herein that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in forward-looking statements include: whether we are able to execute our growth plans and adequately scale our operations to support this growth, whether we can maintain our existing relationships with key suppliers, customers and business partners; risks, uncertainties and changes in financial conditions; intellectual property risks; and general risks associated with our international operations. Therefore, all forward-looking statements should be considered in light of various important factors including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties listed above. The Company makes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made. Please also refer to the Company’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC for other important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statements.

To learn more about BSQUARE visit http://www.bsquare.com.

About BSQUARE
BSQUARE is an industry leader with a proven track record in providing production-ready software products, engineering services, solutions and automated testing for smart, connected devices. With deep technical knowledge of mobile and embedded technologies, BSQUARE enables device makers to develop and ship best in class products. Since 1994, BSQUARE has provided satisfied customers with innovative software solutions allowing them to get to market faster with reduced risk and cost. For more information, visit www.bsquare.com.

FSI International (FSII) Receives Order for ORION(R) Single Wafer Cleaning System from Major Asian Semiconductor Manufacturer FSI International Receives Order for ORION(R) Single Wafer Cleaning System from Major Asian Semiconductor Manufacturer

Dec. 14, 2010 (Business Wire) — FSI International, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSII), a leading supplier of surface conditioning equipment for microelectronics manufacturing, announced today the receipt of an order for its FSI ORION^® single wafer cleaning platform from a major Asian semiconductor manufacturer. The order represents acceptance of the evaluation tool shipped in late 2009 for front-end-of-line (FEOL) development programs. This system is now qualified in ashless all-wet photoresist strip and silicon etch for the production of 28nm logic devices. Revenues for the four-chamber evaluation system and four-chamber expansion model is expected to be recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.

“This order is important to us on many levels,” said Don Mitchell, FSI’s president and CEO. “It reaffirms the critical capabilities of the ORION system and validates that the system is production ready for both FEOL and back-end-of-line (BEOL) applications.”

Unique among single wafer processing tools, the closed chamber design of the FSI ORION system effectively contains process chemicals, permitting the use of the aggressive, high-temperature sulfuric peroxide mixture (SPM) chemistry of the ViPR™ process. Standard SPM chemistries are unable to completely strip photoresists exposed to higher levels of ion implantation unless first subjected to a plasma ashing step. The ViPR process effectively strips in one step by wet chemical action alone, providing both manufacturing cycle time and lower operating cost benefits to the customer. Additionally, the ViPR process removes resists while preserving the customer’s device materials such as silicon nitride achieving silicon nitride losses as low as 0.1 nanometer.

FSI International, Inc. is a global supplier of surface conditioning equipment, technology and support services for microelectronics manufacturing. Using the company’s broad portfolio of cleaning products, which include batch and single-wafer platforms for immersion, spray, vapor and cryogenic aerosol technologies, customers are able to achieve their process performance, flexibility and productivity goals. The company’s support services programs provide product and process enhancements to extend the life of installed FSI equipment, enabling worldwide customers to realize a higher return on their capital investment. For more information, visit FSI’s website at http://www.fsi-intl.com.

FSI International, Inc.

Dan Syverson, 952-448-8048

Trade Media

or

Benno Sand, 952-448-8936

Financial Media and Investors

Cypress Board (CYPB) Rejects Ramius’ $6.00 All-Cash Offer

RF Monolithics (RFMI) Announces Shipment of One Hundred Millionth Filter for Use in Satellite Radios

Dec. 14, 2010 (Business Wire) — RF Monolithics, Inc. (RFM) (NASDAQ: RFMI), a provider of solutions-driven, technology-enabled wireless connectivity for a broad range of wireless applications, today announced it had reached a milestone in the satellite radio market with the shipment of its one hundred millionth surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter used in satellite digital radio receivers.

RFM’s SAW filters represent state-of-the-art in SAW design and provide the desired filtering solution for satellite radio receivers. Satellite radio is just one of the many applications for our SAW filter products. RFM has developed multiple filter products for the satellite digital radio receiver market and supplies SAW filters for past and current generation satellite digital radio receivers. RFM continues to work with SIRIUS XM (NASDAQ: SIRI) and satellite digital radio manufacturers on products for future generation radios. SIRIUS XM announced November 30, 2010, that it had surpassed 20 million subscribers, a record number of subscribers.

SIRIUS XM is America’s satellite radio company, broadcasting more than 135 channels of commercial-free music, and premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather, and data services to cars, trucks, boats and aircraft, and through a wide range of mobile devices. SIRIUS XM offers an array of content from some of the biggest names in entertainment, as well as from professional sports leagues, major colleges, and national news and talk providers.

“RFM’s SAW filters are renowned for their technical benefits and small size, which are essential elements of satellite radio receivers,” stated Buddy Barnes, Chief Financial Officer of RFM. “We reached this milestone of the one hundred millionth SAW filter to satellite digital radio receiver manufacturers over the past ten years. The primary market for satellite radios has been automotive, a market which was challenging last year but one in which RFM has a long history of success and a market that has shown quite a recovery in 2010. We are pleased to be associated with SIRIUS XM, the industry leader in the satellite digital radio field and be a part of the overall automotive market. We see additional opportunities in the automotive market as vehicles become focal points for communication with Mobile Telematics, including GPS, cellular, voice, texting, video, etc. Our strength and experience in both the telecom and automotive markets come together in this new area.”

About RFM

RF Monolithics, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a provider of solutions-driven, technology-enabled wireless connectivity for a broad range of wireless applications—from individual standard and custom components to modules for comprehensive industrial wireless sensor networks and machine-to-machine (M2M) technology. For more information on RF Monolithics, Inc., please visit the Company’s website at http://www.RFM.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. Statements of the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of RFM and/or its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “we”) involve risks and uncertainties. Statements containing terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “may” or similar terms are considered to contain uncertainty and are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on information available to management as of the time of such statements and relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which we operate, projections of future performance, perceived opportunities in the market and statements regarding our mission and vision, and future financial and operating results. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including risks related to economic conditions as related to our customer base, collection of receivables from customers who may be affected by economic conditions, the highly competitive market in which we operate, rapid changes in technologies that may displace products sold by us, declining prices of products, our reliance on distributors, delays in product development efforts, uncertainty in consumer acceptance of our products, changes in our level of sales or profitability, manufacturing and sourcing risks, availability of materials, cost of components for our products, product defects and returns, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in our SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2010. We do not assume any obligation to update any information contained in this release.

RF Monolithics, Inc.

Buddy Barnes, 972-448-3789

Chief Financial Officer

bbarnes@rfm.com

GLG Life Tech Corporation (GLGL) Announces Joint Venture in China’s Growing Food and Beverage Market

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 14, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GLG Life Tech Corporation (Nasdaq:GLGL) (TSX:GLG) (“GLG” or the “Company”), the vertically-integrated leader in the agricultural and commercial development of high quality stevia, announces that is has entered into a joint venture agreement with China Agriculture and Healthy Foods Company Limited (CAHFC) for the sale and distribution of zero calorie beverage and food products in China that are sweetened with GLG’s stevia extract products. The new venture will be called Dr. Zhang’s All Natural and Zero Calorie Beverage and Foods Company (ANOC). ANOC will focus on the development of the all natural zero calorie brand of food and beverages (ANOC^TM) and the establishment of sales and distribution of the ANOC^TM products nationally in China. GLG will hold an 80% controlling stake in ANOC and CAHFC will hold 20%. Dr. Luke Zhang will be the CEO of ANOC and will be supported by an experienced team of senior executives recruited by CAHFC from the beverage industry in China. The Company will hold a conference call Tuesday, December 14^th, 10 am EST to review the new venture.

CAHFC has spent the last two years developing its ANOC^TM products and production capabilities. They have developed 30 beverage products and 300 food products for the all natural zero calorie product category. All products will use GLG’s stevia extract as the main sweetener. CAHFC is the owner of Fengyang Xiaogangcun Yongkang Foods High Tech Co. Ltd. (“FXY”) with whom GLG has an exclusive stevia extract supply agreement. FXY will be the manufacturer of the initial products for ANOC. FXY’s grand opening of its beverage operations takes place on December 18^th at its Xiaogangcun facility in the Anhui Province.

The product concept and brand have been market tested during the last twelve months in a number of major cities in China to refine the brand and product concept. The joint venture partners see a viable market niche to enter with these products and develop the business. CAHFC also brings an experienced team of senior executives to the joint venture from beverage companies in China including Yili, Kang Shi Fu, and Hui Yuan Juice, covering all key management disciplines including, R&D and Formulation, Production, Quality Control, Marketing, Sales and Distribution and Logistics.  These individuals were recruited for their expertise in building sales and distribution networks in high growth environments.

China’s food and beverage industry has experienced a greater than 20% annual growth rate during the period from 2002 to 2009 with the industry growing from approximately RMB 900 billion in 2002 to RMB 4.7 trillion (equivalent to US$ 693 billion) in 2009. For the first three quarters of 2010 Industry revenue has been RMB 4.5 Trillion which represents a 26% increase from 2009. (26% increase). As China’s middle class continues to develop, this is expected to fuel consumption growth in the beverage and food industry in China. The Freedonia Group estimates that the beverage market in China will grow from 105,750 million liters in 2007 to 199,500 million liters in 2017.

The Company also sees issues relating to obesity and diabetes in China as important for the Joint Venture’s products. China became the world’s second largest country, in terms of the number of diabetic patients (India is largest), with 92 million cases reported in 2009 (up from 10 million in 1987). China’s Ministry of Health has also reported that there are currently 350 million people considered over weight and 70 million people are considered obese. Adult Chinese male obesity patients are currently increasing about 1.2% every year, surpassing the obesity growth rates in the USA, the UK and Australia.

GLG Chairman and CEO Dr. Luke Zhang stated, “This joint venture provides GLG with a great opportunity to enter China, one of the biggest consumer product markets with one of the fastest growing beverage industry in the world today. The CAHFC assets include formulations for over 30 beverage and 300 food products sweetened with GLG’s stevia, as well as certain patents and trademarks. CAHFC has also already developed relationships in China, including with: the Government; large international supermarkets such as Walmart, Metro AG, Tesco and RT-Mart; and many mainstream Chinese media including CCTV have also been engaged for PR and advertising support. This joint venture is an opportunity to leverage the two company’s strengths to participate in the growing China food and beverage industry, a market which GLG believes is largely untapped. The joint venture has assembled a very strong team of executives from the beverage industry in China in order to try to capitalize on this opportunity. The Company anticipates a quick roll-out of ANOC’s products starting in the first quarter of 2011 and our goal is to achieve RMB 3.75 billion ($US 568 million) sales in 2013. Additionally we expect to see additional growth in GLG’s core stevia extract business driven by the growth of the zero calorie all natural product category in China as well as additional international developments in surrounding Asia countries.”

Mr. Song Xiankun, Chairman and President of CAHFC said, “We are very pleased to be working with GLG on this joint venture to build ANOC into a significant provider of all natural and zero calorie healthy food and beverages in the Chinese market. Since 1999, GLG has continued stevia developments in China and is the biggest stevia grower and producer in the world. I believe with the upper stream secure from GLG and that through the combination of ANOC’s products, the leadership of Dr. Zhang and the highly experienced executive team of ANOC, we will be successful in this growing market in China and ANOC is expected to be a leading player in the China Food and Beverage Industry based on its all natural zero calorie products within 3 years.”

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

Dr. Luke Zhang, Chairman and CEO, will host the conference call at 10 AM Eastern today December 14^th to discuss the ANOC joint venture in detail. The dial-in details are as follows:

Dial-in Numbers for Attendees

Passcode:       Please reference company name with moderator.

Web Access: To access a live webcast of the conference call, please visit the investors section of GLG’s website at http://www.glglifetech.com/Investors/.

About ANOC

ANOC plans to launch its initial products in the first quarter of 2011 through a number of national distribution channels which have been recruited by CAHFC in the past six months as well as through a network of 600 stores in major cities that were developed by CAHFC in 2009.

The ANOC business plan has been developed with a long term vision to be the leading provider of all natural zero calorie food and beverages in China. The ANOC business plan also contemplates the sale and distribution of its products in other Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand (collectively, the “Market“).

The business plan has been developed by the CAHFC beverage company sales and marketing executives based on their knowledge and experience with the beverage industry in China and Phase One of the business plan is to target the development of annual revenues of US$568 million within three years.

For the purposes of developing the business plan, the joint venture partners made a number of assumptions, including as follows:

1. the China Food and Beverage market will grow at an average 20% growth rate from RMB 5.3 Trillion in 2010 to RMB 9.2 Trillion  by 2013;
2. ANOC will be able to achieve a market share of the Projected China Food and Beverage market (RMB 9.2 Trillion) of approximately 0.04% by 2013 (year three of business plan);
3. ANOC will be able to achieve a market share of the Projected China Soft Drink market (RMB 520 Billion) of approximately 0.72% by 2013 (year three of business plan).

Some of the principal factors that could affect the projections set out in the business plan include, but are not limited to:

1. operational risks;
2. the effects of general economic conditions;
3. the availability of capital to each of the joint venture partners to expand the joint venture business;
4. the availability of capital to each of GLG to expand the stevia production business;
5. changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities;
6. uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations;
7. industry supply levels;
8. competitive pricing pressures; and
9. other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the public documents filed by the Company with Canadian and United States securities regulatory authorities

Although ANOC and GLG believe that the expectations reflected in the business plan are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements referenced therein. Investors are encouraged to review and carefully consider the warnings provided below under the heading “Forward-looking information”.

About GLG Life Tech Corporation

GLG Life Tech Corporation is a global leader in the supply of high purity stevia extracts, an all natural, zero-calorie sweetener used in food and beverages. The Company’s vertically integrated operations cover each step in the stevia supply chain including non-GMO stevia seed breeding, natural propagation, stevia leaf growth and harvest, proprietary extraction and refining, marketing and distribution of finished product. GLG’s advanced technology, extraction technique and premier, high quality product offerings make it a leading producer of high purity, great tasting stevia extracts. For further information, please visit www.glglifetech.com.

The GLG Life Tech Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7994

Forward-looking information:This press release contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. All statements relating to plans, strategies, projections of results of specific activities or investments, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements and information are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, operational risks, the effects of general economic conditions, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations, industry supply levels, competitive pricing pressures and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the public documents filed by the Company with Canadian and United States securities regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “continue”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan” or “project”, or similar terms or the negatives of these terms. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. The Company’s forward-looking statements and information reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change, except as required by law. Financial outlook information contained in this news release about prospective results of operations and financial position is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on management’s assessment of the relevant information as of the date hereof. Such financial outlook information should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein.

CONTACT:  GLG Life Tech Corporation
          Brian Meadows, Chief Financial Officer
          +1 (604) 844-2840
          info@glglifetech.com

China Technology Development Group (CTDC) Announces Appointment of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer

HONG KONG, Dec. 14, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — China Technology Development Group Corporation (“CTDC”, the “Company” or “we”) (Nasdaq:CTDC), a growing clean energy group based in China to provide solar energy products and solutions, announced today that the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Liao Lin-Hsiang as the Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Bruno Diaz Herrera as Chief Technology Officer of the Company effective from December 13, 2010. Mr. Lu Zhenwei has resigned as Chief Operating Officer, while continuing being an Executive Director of the Company.

Mr. Liao Lin-Hsiang, the Chief Operating Officer, will be responsible for operation management of the Company and its subsidiaries. Mr. Liao is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Linsun Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (“LSR”) and has been serving as the General Manager of Linsun Power Technology (Quanzhou) Corp. Ltd. (“LSP”) since 2009. Both LSR and LSP have become wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company since November 23, 2010. Mr. Liao is familiar with the photovoltaic (“PV”) market in Europe with seasoned experiences in operation, production management and marketing. Prior to establishing LSR, Mr. Liao worked as the senior management in several renowned corporations. Mr. Liao holds a Bachelor degree in Computer Science from Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Bruno Diaz Herrera, the Chief Technology Officer, will be responsible for the technology management, product development and R&D strategy of the Company and its subsidiaries. Prior to joining CTDC, Mr. Herrera, active part of the team for the Research Program of Focus-Abengoa-Fedea, worked as senior technical and research advisor for major corporations as Siemens and ITER and also served as Professor in the Master Program in Renewable Energies at University of La Laguna in Spain. Mr. Herrera is an expert with practical experiences in PV industry, who has been engaged in design and operation of several solar modules production facilities as well as design and installation of some PV application projects and has a wide background in research of solar cell efficiency improvements. Mr. Herrera holds Bachelor Degree on Physics, Engineering Degree on Industrial Engineering, Engineering Degree on Electronics at the University of La Laguna in Spain and Master Degree of Business Administration. Mr. Herrera is fluent in Spanish, English, French, German and Italian.

Mr. Alan Li, CTDC’s Chairman and CEO said, “We would like to give our warmest welcome to Mr. Liao and Mr. Herrera. Mr. Liao has extensive experience in operation and business development, and ever successfully founded the LSR. Mr. Herrera has worked for technology research of renewable energy for years with a number of publications and proceedings on solar energy technology. We are convinced that their extensive experiences will help the Company to expand and develop in the European PV market and advance our production management level, so as to maximize our shareholders’ value.”

About CTDC:

Established in 1995, CTDC has been listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market since 1996. CTDC is a growing clean energy group in China, which provides solar energy products and solutions. CTDC’s major shareholder is China Merchants Group, a state-owned conglomerate in China (http://www.cmhk.com). For more information, please visit www.chinactdc.com

Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure:

It should be noted that certain statements herein which are not historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding: A) the timing of product, service and solution deliveries; B) our ability to develop, implement and commercialize new products, services, solutions and technologies; C) expectations regarding market growth, developments and structural changes; D) expectations regarding our product volume growth, market share, prices and margins; E) expectations and targets for our results of operations; F) the outcome of pending and threatened litigation; G) expectations regarding the successful completion of contemplated acquisitions on a timely basis and our ability to achieve the set targets upon the completion of such acquisitions; and H) statements preceded by “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “foresee,” “target,” “estimate,” “designed,” “plans,” “will” or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s best assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Because they involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from the results that we currently expect. Factors that could cause these differences include the risk factors specified on our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 under “Item 3.D Risk Factors.” Other unknown or unpredictable factors or underlying assumptions subsequently proving to be incorrect could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.

CONTACT:  China Technology Development Group Corporation
          PR/IR Department
          Selina Xing
          +86 755 2669 8709
          +852 3112 8461
          ir@chinactdc.com

Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC) Receives Mine Permit and Production Area Authorization for the Goliad ISR Project in South Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ – Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE AMEX: UEC, the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the Commissioners of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) have now approved the Mine Permit and the Production Area Authorization for Production Area One (PA-1), and have granted the request for designation of an Exempt Aquifer for the Company’s Goliad in-situ recovery (ISR) project in South Texas.

The approvals, granted today, bring a conclusion to an administrative hearing, which is part of the State’s permitting process.

With this important milestone, the Goliad project only has one remaining Texas authorization pending, a Radioactive Material License (RML). The RML application is at an advanced technical review stage with TCEQ. The Company is planning to file updating information to TCEQ in mid-January. Upon receiving the updated information, TCEQ will move toward concluding its technical review of the RML.

Harry Anthony, Chief Operating Officer, lauded the ruling, stating, “We are grateful to TCEQ for its review and informed position regarding the Goliad project. We are, of course, aggressively developing the final data for the RML. Upon approval of the RML, the Goliad project could then join the Palangana project as the Company’s second producing asset in South Texas.”

About the Goliad In-Situ Recovery (ISR) Project

The Goliad ISR project is one of Uranium Energy Corp’s four ISR uranium projects (also referred to as satellite projects) in South Texas and is located 40 miles east of the Company’s Hobson ISR processing facility.  The facility at Hobson forms the basis of the Company’s regional operating strategy in the South Texas Uranium Belt and is designed to process uranium-loaded resins from satellite projects to a final product commonly known as yellowcake or U3O8.  The Company’s near-term plan is to have Goliad ISR production processed at Hobson along with current production from the Palangana project.

About Uranium Energy Corp

Uranium Energy Corp is a U.S.-based uranium production, development and exploration company operating North America’s newest uranium mine. The Company’s fully licensed and permitted Hobson processing facility is central to all of its projects in South Texas, including the Palangana in-situ recovery project, which has just initiated production, and the Goliad in-situ recovery project which is in the final stages of mine permitting for production.  The Company’s operations are managed by professionals with a recognized profile for excellence in their industry, a profile based on many decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining.

Stock Exchange Information:
NYSE-AMEX: UEC
Frankfurt Stock Exchange Symbol: U6Z
WKN: AØJDRR
ISN: US916896103
Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes “forward-looking statements” as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans, “estimates” or “intends”, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as “forward-looking statements”. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.

Certain matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Federal securities laws. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved.  Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this new release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  ‘This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.  The securities offered and sold in the private placement Offering have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration, or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

Vantage Drilling (VTG) Updates Status of Platinum Explorer

HOUSTON, TX–(Marketwire – 12/10/10) – Vantage Drilling Company (“Vantage” or, the “Company”) (AMEX:VTG.U – News) (AMEX:VTG – News) (AMEX:VTG.WS – News) is pleased to announce that the ultra-deepwater drillship, the Platinum Explorer, has set sail from Singapore and is currently enroute to India to commence a five year contract with Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited. The Platinum Explorer is expected to arrive in India on December 16th where it will clear customs before mobilizing to its first drilling location.

Vantage, a Cayman Islands exempted company, is an offshore drilling contractor, with an owned fleet of four Baker Marine Pacific Class 375 ultra-premium jackup drilling rigs and one ultra-deepwater drillship, the Platinum Explorer. Vantage’s primary business is to contract drilling units, related equipment and work crews primarily on a dayrate basis to drill oil and natural gas wells. Vantage also provides construction supervision services for, and will operate and manage, drilling units owned by others. Through its fleet of eight owned and managed drilling units, Vantage is a provider of offshore contract drilling services globally to major, national and large independent oil and natural gas companies.

The information above includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions identified above or as disclosed from time to time in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of these factors, actual results may differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements.

China Shen Zhou Mining (SHZ) Shares 2011 Fluorite Production Policy

BEIJING, Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ — China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources, Inc. (“China Shen Zhou”, or the “Company”) (NYSE Amex: SHZ), a company engaged in the exploration, development, mining and processing of fluorite, zinc, lead, copper, and other nonferrous metals in China, today announced that the Company has received the preliminary 2011 production limitation policy for the fluorite industry from the China Non-metallic Minerals Industry Association Fluorite Committee (CNMIAFC).

In 2010, the Chinese government adopted a series of policies to protect the country’s scarce fluorite resources from exploitation and promote an improved pricing environment. Prior to the implementation of such policies, producers in downstream industries, such as hydrofluoric acid, had developed excess capacity and adopted a low-price and low-margin strategy to survive, resulting in the over mining of fluorite and the emission of unnecessary environmental waste.

The 2010 target reduced fluorite ore production to under 10 million metric tons and reduced final processed fluorite products to under 4.75 million metric tons. This plan resulted in a sharp increase in prices, increasing pricing for the primary fluorite product by over 100%.

CNMIAFC communicated that the Chinese government’s preliminary 2011 production plans are approximately 9.5 million metric tons of fluorite ore production, with final processed fluorite products at approximately 4.5 million metric tons. The final limitation production plan targets for 2011 will be issued by the Chinese government at the end of 2010.

As the leading fluorite company in China, China Shen Zhou has been advised by the Chinese government that it will have priority status in order to assist the Company in achieving its production targets.

Ms. Xiaojing Yu, Chief Executive Officer of China Shen Zhou, commented, “I believe that the government’s 2011 limitation production plans will generate a similar price effect on fluorite products as the industry experienced in 2010. As the biggest fluorite producer in Northern China, China Shen Zhou is also the largest beneficiary of these policies protecting the country’s valuable fluorite resources.”

About China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources, Inc.

China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is engaged in the exploration, development, mining, and processing of fluorite and nonferrous metals such as zinc, lead and copper in China. The Company has the following principal areas of interest in China: (a) fluorite extraction and processing in the Sumochaganaobao region of Inner Mongolia; (b)zinc/copper/lead exploration, mining and processing in Wulatehouqi of Inner Mongolia; and (c) zinc/copper exploration, mining and processing in Xinjiang.

For more information, please visit http://www.chinaszmg.com/

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain of the statements made in the press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “project,” “plan,” “seek,” “intend,” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology. Such statements typically involve risks and uncertainties and may include financial projections or information regarding our future plans, objectives or performance. Actual results could differ materially from the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including the risks associated with the effect of changing economic conditions in the People’s Republic of China, variations in cash flow, fluctuation in mineral prices, risks associated with exploration and mining operations, and the potential of securing additional mineral resources, and other risk factors detailed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

Magic Software (MGIC) Strengthens Global Presence with a New Acquisition

OR YEHUDA, Israel, Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Magic Software Enterprises Ltd. (Nasdaq: MGIC), a leading provider of cloud and on-premise application platform and business integration solutions, announced today that it signed a purchase agreement to acquire its South African distributor, Magix Integration (Pty) Ltd.

Magic Software is expanding its global presence in South Africa with the acquisition of Magix Integration’s operations relating to Magic Software products. Magic Software will now control 51% of Magix Integration with an option to increase its holdings to 75%; for a total investment of up to $2.5 million to be paid over the next year.

Magix Integration specializes in the software integration and application development of Magic software platforms as well as the support of large-scale and complex systems in the public and financial sectors in South Africa. Magix Integration has a broad base of blue chip customers across the public sector in South Africa including the Department of Correctional Services, Department of Energy, and Financial Services Board, as well as the private sector with customers such as Discovery, Soviet, and PG Glass.

Commenting on the acquisition, Guy Bernstein, acting Chief Executive Officer of Magic Software, said, “I am very pleased with the new acquisition, which expands our global operations to include South Africa, adding to our 13 existing offices worldwide. We expect this addition to positively contribute to our growth plans and further strengthen our presence in this region.”

“We are proud to be part of Magic Software Enterprises, a global technology company.  This will allow us to provide added value to our customers and partners through the exciting technology enhancements Magic Software is bringing to the market,” said Hedley Hurwitz, Managing Director of Magix Integration.

About Magix Integration

Magix Integration specializes in Software Integration and Application Development. Magix Integration is able to provide solutions to complex and large-scale software requirements through a combination of software tools and disciplines. Magic Integration strives to listen to client needs, provide value at every step of the engagement process, and solve problems with innovation and simplicity.

About Magic Software

Magic Software Enterprises Ltd. (Nasdaq: MGIC) is a global provider of cloud and on-premise application platform solutions – including full client, rich internet applications (RIA), mobile and software-as-a-service (SaaS) modes – and business and process integration solutions. Magic Software Enterprises has 13 offices worldwide and a presence in more than 50 countries with a global network of ISVs, system integrators, value-added distributors and resellers, as well as consulting and OEM partners. The company’s award-winning, code-free solutions give partners and customers the power to leverage existing IT resources, enhance business agility and focus on core business priorities. Magic Software’s technological approach, product roadmap and corporate strategy are recognized by leading industry analysts. Magic Software has partnerships with global IT leaders including SAP AG, salesforce.com, IBM and Oracle. For more information about Magic Software and its products and services, visit www.magicsoftware.com, and for more information about Magic Software industry-related news, business issues and trends, read the Magic Software Blog.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly based upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, risks in product and technology development, market acceptance of new products and continuing product conditions, both here and abroad, release and sales of new products by strategic resellers and customers, and other risk factors detailed in the Company’s most recent annual report and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Magic is the trademark of Magic Software Enterprises Ltd.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) to Acquire Dionex Corporation (DNEX)

Dec. 13, 2010 (Business Wire) — Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, and Dionex Corporation (NASDAQ: DNEX), a leading manufacturer and marketer of chromatography systems, today announced that their Boards of Directors have unanimously approved a transaction under which Thermo Fisher will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Dionex for $118.50 per share in cash, or a total purchase price of approximately $2.1 billion. The transaction is not conditioned on financing and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2011.

Under the terms of the agreement, Thermo Fisher will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Dionex common stock for $118.50 per share in cash. The consideration represents a 21% premium to Dionex’s closing stock price on December 10, 2010, the last trading day prior to today’s announcement and a 32% premium to Dionex’s average closing stock price over the last 60 trading days. Thermo Fisher expects to realize total operating synergies of $60 million in year three following the transaction’s close through a combination of cost savings and revenue enhancements. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Thermo Fisher’s adjusted earnings per share by $0.13 to $0.15 in the first 12 months following the close. Adjusted earnings per share and adjusted operating income are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain items detailed later in this press release under the heading “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Dionex, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., introduced the first ion chromatography system for water analysis shortly after its founding in 1975 and has consistently grown through innovation and global expansion. Today, the company has more than 1,600 employees in 21 countries spanning six continents, including a significant presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Dionex will be integrated into Thermo Fisher’s Analytical Technologies Segment.

“We believe the combination of Thermo Fisher and Dionex is extremely compelling from a technology, market and financial perspective,” said Marc N. Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher. “Dionex’s strength in chromatography instruments, software and consumables complements our leading positions in mass spectrometry and laboratory information management systems. The transaction, which we expect to be immediately accretive, is consistent with our strategy of accelerating growth by increasing our depth of capabilities to serve attractive end markets. Specifically, it complements our strong presence in China, where we’ve established the headquarters for our global environmental instruments business and continue to build our commercial infrastructure to meet the needs of customers in growing water quality, consumer safety and life sciences markets.”

“We are pleased to be joining Thermo Fisher and are excited about the opportunities we will have as part of the world leader in serving science,” said Frank Witney, president and chief executive officer of Dionex. “Thermo Fisher’s commitment to innovation will fuel our ongoing technology development, and their global manufacturing and commercial presence will significantly strengthen our ability to deliver quality products and services to our customers around the world. This transaction offers immediate and significant value for our shareholders, as well as the opportunity for our customers and employees to benefit from combining two highly complementary organizations. We look forward to working closely with the Thermo Fisher team to ensure a smooth transition and complete the transaction as expeditiously as possible.”

Mr. Casper continued, “We are delighted to welcome Dionex’s talented and dedicated employees to our team. Together, we will offer our customers new solutions based on a powerful combination of leading instruments, software, consumables and services.”

Benefits of the Transaction

• Creates a Leading Chromatography Offering: The transaction brings two complementary chromatography portfolios together to create the most extensive chromatography instruments, software and consumables offering in the industry. Specifically, it combines Dionex’s ion and liquid chromatography systems and consumables with Thermo Fisher’s gas chromatography systems and consumables.
• Improves Performance and Productivity: Customers will benefit from the combination of Thermo Fisher’s leadership in mass spectrometry with Dionex’s comprehensive chromatography offering. By integrating these leading technologies and related software, Thermo Fisher will be able to deliver exceptional performance and productivity for customers through improved sample analysis and data management.
• Strengthens Software Growth Platform: Dionex’s gold standard chromatography data system coupled with Thermo Fisher’s leading enterprise laboratory information management systems creates the most comprehensive desktop and enterprise software capabilities in the industry. This combination will significantly improve performance, productivity and compliance for customers to maximize their return on investment.
• Expands Presence in Applied Markets: Thermo Fisher will benefit from Dionex’s significant customer base and relationships in attractive applied markets, including environmental analysis, food safety and other industrial sectors. Through this combination, Thermo Fisher will be able to deliver unmatched analytical solutions for a growing range of testing needs, particularly water analysis, where growth is driven by new regulatory requirements and increased testing in developing countries such as China.
• Increases Footprint in Asia-Pacific: Dionex currently generates more than 35% of its revenues in Asia-Pacific and other emerging high-growth geographies. The company has a history of growth in the region by establishing a strong reputation through its well-regarded direct sales and service presence there. This transaction is consistent with Thermo Fisher’s strategy of investing to increase its footprint in Asian markets, such as China and India, as well as other strategic growth markets, like Brazil.
• Offers Significant Synergies: The transaction is expected to generate a total of approximately $60 million of cost and revenue synergies in year three after the transaction’s close. This includes approximately $40 million from cost-related synergies and $20 million of adjusted operating income benefit from revenue-related synergies.

Mr. Casper concluded, “The acquisition of Dionex is another example of the great progress we’re making in executing on our strategy to accelerate growth. We have invested in technology innovation, Asia expansion and complementary acquisitions – all to strengthen our growth opportunities in attractive end markets. We are focused on these strategic investments because they create value for all our key stakeholders – customers, employees and shareholders.”

Financing and Approvals

Thermo Fisher intends to use cash on hand and proceeds from committed financing from Barclays Capital and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to facilitate the transaction. The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2011, is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals.

Advisors

Barclays Capital and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are acting as financial advisors to Thermo Fisher, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal counsel. Goldman, Sachs & Co. is acting as financial advisor to Dionex, and Cooley LLP is serving as legal counsel.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we use the non-GAAP financial measures adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per share. Adjusted operating income excludes restructuring and other costs/income and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Adjusted earnings per share also excludes certain other gains and losses, tax provisions/benefits related to the previous items, benefits from tax credit carryforwards, the impact of significant tax audits or events and discontinued operations. We exclude the above items because they are outside of our normal operations and/or, in certain cases, are difficult to forecast accurately for future periods. We believe that the use of non-GAAP measures helps investors to gain a better understanding of our core operating results and future prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts the company’s performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods or forecasts.

Conference Call and Webcast

Thermo Fisher and Dionex will host a conference call and Webcast at 8:30 a.m. EST today to provide more information on this announcement. The Webcast and accompanying slides can be accessed at www.thermofisher.com and www.dionex.com. An audio archive of the call will be available on both companies’ Websites until December 27, 2010, at Midnight EST.

About Thermo Fisher

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With revenues of more than $10 billion, we have approximately 35,000 employees and serve customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as in environmental and process control industries. We create value for our key stakeholders through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, which offer a unique combination of continuous technology development and the most convenient purchasing options. Our products and services help accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, and solve analytical challenges ranging from complex research to routine testing to field applications. Visit www.thermofisher.com.

About Dionex

Dionex (NASDAQ:DNEX) is a global leader in the manufacturing and marketing of liquid chromatography and sample preparation systems, consumables, and software for chemical analysis. The company’s systems are used worldwide in environmental analysis and by the life sciences, chemical, petrochemical, food and beverage, power generation, and electronics industries. Our expertise in applications and instrumentation helps analytical scientists to evaluate and develop pharmaceuticals, establish environmental regulations, and produce better industrial products.

Safe Harbor Statement

The following constitutes a “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are set forth in Thermo Fisher’s and Dionex’s respective quarterly and annual reports, under the caption “Risk Factors”, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and available on Thermo Fisher’s and Dionex’s respective websites. Additional important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties relating to: competition and its effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; the need to develop new products and adapt to significant technological change; implementation of strategies for improving growth; general worldwide economic conditions including economic conditions in the areas in which Thermo Fisher and Dionex sell products, and related uncertainties; dependence on customers’ capital spending policies and government funding policies; the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on international operations; demand for analytical instrumentation; the effect of healthcare reform legislation; use and protection of intellectual property; the effect of changes in governmental regulations; and the effect of laws and regulations governing government contracts, as well as the possibility that expected benefits related to the transaction may not materialize as expected; the transaction not being timely completed, if completed at all; prior to the completion of the transaction, Dionex’s business experiencing disruptions due to transaction-related uncertainty or other factors making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, licensees, other business partners or governmental entities; and the parties being unable to successfully implement integration strategies. While Thermo Fisher and/or Dionex may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Thermo Fisher and Dionex specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if estimates change and, therefore, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to today.

Additional Information

The planned tender offer described in this release has not yet commenced. The description contained in this release is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell securities. At the time the planned tender offer is commenced, Thermo Fisher (or a wholly owned subsidiary of Thermo Fisher) will file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and Dionex will file a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the planned tender offer. The tender offer statement (including an offer to purchase, a related letter of transmittal and other tender offer documents) and the solicitation/recommendation statement will contain important information that should be read carefully before making any decision to tender securities in the planned tender offer. Those materials will be made available to Dionex’s stockholders at no expense to them. In addition, all of those materials (and all other tender offer documents filed with the SEC) will be made available at no charge on the SEC’s website: www.sec.gov.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Investors:

Ken Apicerno, 781-622-1294

ken.apicerno@thermofisher.com

or

Media:

Karen Kirkwood, 781-622-1306

karen.kirkwood@thermofisher.com

or

Dionex

Craig McCollam, 408-481-4107

craig.mccollam@dionex.com

FONAR (FONR) UPRIGHT MRI Customer Wins Jury Decision in Federal Court

MELVILLE, NY — (Marketwire) — 12/13/10 — FONAR Corporation (NASDAQ: FONR), The Inventor of MR Scanning™, announced today that a provider of outpatient diagnostic services (a FONAR customer) and several Stand-Up MRI diagnostic imaging professional corporations (PCs) received a jury verdict in their favor in an anti-trust lawsuit against CareCore National, LLC, a radiology benefits management (RBM) company (www.carecorenational.com).

This antitrust lawsuit involved CareCore National’s exclusion of the plaintiffs, all of them providers of MRI services using Stand-Up MRI scanners (FONAR UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRIs), from utilization by its member subscribers. CareCore Radiology, a division of CareCore National, covers more than 30 million member subscribers in all 50 states. The diagnostic service provider and the PCs were represented by Constantine Cannon LLP, New York, NY, (www.constantinecannon.com).

After more than a two-week trial, the verdict was reached November 30, 2010 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The case is Stand-Up MRI v. CareCore National, E.D.N.Y. Case No: 08 Civ. 2954 (LDW) (ETB). The eight members of the jury were unanimous in their decision and awarded over $11 million in damages to the diagnostic service provider and the PCs in the case, which are to be trebled by law. The total judgment with costs and attorney fees is expected to be close to $40 million.

In a press release, (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/constantine-cannon-attorneys-win-important-healthcare-antitrust-jury-trial-against-carecore-national-llc-111128319.html) lead Constantine Cannon trial attorney Matthew Cantor said: “This verdict is not just important for my clients, but for patients everywhere. The evidence in this case showed that even CareCore considered the Upright MRI to be medically necessary and that, nonetheless, CareCore and its owners denied patients the ability to benefit from these important diagnostic procedures. The actions of benefits managers (RBMs) that are owned and controlled by physicians, like CareCore, must be scrutinized to ensure that patient welfare is not compromised. Constantine Cannon expects that the defendants will attempt to overturn the jury award either in post-trial motion practice or on appeal. If that occurs, Constantine Cannon will vigorously defend the decision of the jury.”

“The jury found that CareCore, in league with New York-area radiologists and radiology practices that owned and/or governed CareCore, conspired to unreasonably restrain trade in the market for commercially-insured outpatient radiology procedures. The jury also found that these restraints harmed the plaintiffs — several New York radiology practices and their medical management company — that offer unique and medically necessary Upright MRI services. The Upright MRI is the only MRI that can scan patients in the weight-bearing positions that patients actually feel their pain. By doing so, Upright MRIs diagnose patient ailments, including those related to the spine, that no other MRI can,” said Cantor.

Raymond Damadian, president and founder of FONAR said, “We are pleased that the Federal Court and Jury understands the medical necessity of the FONAR UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRI aka STAND-UP® MRI. This is important for FONAR, its customers, future customers and particularly the patients who need the UPRIGHT® MRI so they can be correctly diagnosed and not be given the wrong treatment which often involves surgery. We expect this to help those patients across our nation who have been previously denied these critical examinations by the RBMs.”

“FONAR’s UPRIGHT® MR technology is vital to patient needs nationwide,” said Dr. Damadian. “Back pain is the second most common reason for visiting the doctor’s office after the common cold. Close to one million spine surgeries are performed each year, but the outcomes are not good with a failure rate that varies from 10% to 40% depending on the reported study (1). Alf Nachemson, MD refers to the saddest group of these patients, those who have undergone 4, 5, or 6 spine surgeries as “multiply operated surgical cripples” (2). The surgical failure is commonly the result of operating on the wrong spinal segment (i.e. not the one responsible for the patient’s pain). This occurs because the origin of the pain is often attributed to the wrong degenerative change in the spine when the patient is imaged on a recumbent-only MRI. Degenerative changes in the adult spine are frequently multiple in number. The suspected pain generating anatomy is conventionally identified from recumbent (conventional) MRI images while the patient’s pain often occurs only when the patient is upright and when the pathology generating it is visible only when the patient is upright and fully weight-loaded.”

Dr. Damadian continued, “The FONAR UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRI enables the patient to place himself in the position that generates his pain so that an MRI picture can be taken in the same position that generated the patient’s pain. Correctly identifying the pain generating pathology markedly improves patient surgical outcomes. In addition, it enables the surgeon to see ALL the pathology he has to address, not just the single position non-weight-bearing image provided by the conventional MRI. This enables the surgeon to see the full extent to which the disk herniation of his patient increases when he/she flexes or extends, or the extent to which the patient’s vertebra is sliding back and forth with body position and generating pain. Approximately 1 million spine surgeries are performed in the U.S. each year and technology to improve the surgical outcomes for these patients is a serious need.”

“In addition, there are a wide range of other needs that patients have for FONAR’s UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MR imaging technology,” said Dr. Damadian. “Patients who have been hospitalized, for example, with congestive heart failure, cannot lie down. In the absence of UPRIGHT ® MRI these patients are unable to receive MRI examinations when they are needed.”

“Patients with scoliosis, which most commonly arises for the first time in young adolescent girls, have been reported by the National Cancer Institute (3) to experience a 70% higher incidence of breast cancer as adults than the non-scoliotic population. The increased incidence is attributed to the multiple annual chest x-rays (2-3 times per year) needed to monitor the child’s scoliosis until adulthood in order to assure satisfactory treatment.” Dr. Damadian added, “the FONAR UPRIGHT® MRI provides the same necessary vertebral angle (“Cobb angle”) measurements as the x-ray (plus the needed measurements of vertebra rotation not supplied by x-ray), thereby avoiding the annual radiations of the x-ray procedure and eliminating the danger of subsequent adult breast cancer.”

“Women patients, for example, as a result of the inherent trauma of childbirth to their pelvic floor anatomy, will commonly suffer the consequences of PFD (pelvic floor dystrophy) later in life. The symptoms of PFD are cystic prolapse (“falling urinary bladder”) and its chronic cystitis symptoms of urinary frequency, burning on urination, fever, and if unaddressed, chronic kidney inflammation (pyclonephritis). The patient must be upright to see it. It commonly returns to its normal position when the patient is recumbent and therefore is not diagnosed by the patient’s physician who examines her in the recumbent position. It affects 10 million women. The UPRIGHT® MRI readily visualizes the fallen bladder when these patients are upright, so that the surgeon has full image visualization of the anatomy that has to be repaired.

“Another serious present need for the FONAR UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRI is the rising body of patients who are sustaining dislocations of the cervical spine from automobile collision whiplash injuries of the head and neck. The UPRIGHT® MRI is needed to assess the extent to which the brain has been dislocated [descent of the tonsils of the cerebellum] into the opening in the bottom of the skull (foramen magnum). This critical assessment of the extent of brain herniation into the opening at the base of the skull (cerebellar tonsil ectopia, or CTE) can only be determined with the patient in the upright position so that the surgical repair of this herniation and the patient’s “drop attacks” can be eliminated. (4)”

(1) The Failed Spine, M. Szpalski and R. Gunzburg, eds., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005, p. 123.
(2) Alf L. Nachemson, MD, “The Lumbar Spine An Orthopaedic Challenge”, Spine, Vol. 1, Number 1, March 1976, p. 65.
(3) National Cancer Institute, “Scientists Find Link Between Pre-1970’s Diagnostic X-rays for Scoliosis and Breast Cancer Mortality,” www.cancer.gov, 8/15/2000. “Breast Cancer Mortality After Diagnostic Radiography: Findings from the U.S. Scoliosis Cohort Study”, Michele Morin Doody, et al., Spine, Aug. 15, 2000, Vol. 25, No. 16.
(4) Michael D. Freeman, et al., Brain Injury, July 2010:24(7-8):988-994.

About Constantine Cannon LLP

Constantine Cannon LLP represented the plaintiffs in the case. They have deep expertise in practice areas that include antitrust and complex commercial litigation, government relations, employment matters, securities and e-discovery. With offices in New York, NY and Washington, DC, the firm’s antitrust practice is among the largest in the nation, with more than 30 attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex antitrust litigation.

For investor and other information visit: www.fonar.com.

UPRIGHT® and STAND-UP® are registered trademarks and The Inventor of MR Scanning™, Full Range of Motion™, pMRI™, Dynamic™, Multi-Position™, True Flow™, The Proof is in the Picture™, Spondylography™ Spondylometry™ and Upright Radiology™ are trademarks of FONAR Corporation.

This release may include forward-looking statements from the company that may or may not materialize. Additional information on factors that could potentially affect the company’s financial results may be found in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:
Daniel Culver
FONAR Corporation
Tel: 631-694-2929
Fax: 631-390-1709
http://www.fonar.com
email: Email Contact

CorMedix Inc. (CRMD)

CorMedix Inc. is a pharmaceutical company focused on in-licensing, developing and commercializing therapeutic products for the prevention and treatment of cardiac and renal dysfunction, also known as cardiorenal disease. The company’s goal is to treat kidney disease by reducing the commonly associated cardiovascular and metabolic complications, in effect, treating the kidney to treat the heart. CorMedix currently has several product candidates in development.

No drugs are currently marketed for the therapies being targeted by CorMedix. The company’s Neutrolin compound could become the first FDA-approved drug that addresses one of the seven major healthcare challenges, Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection (CRBI), as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). This challenge represents an approximate $675 million per year revenue opportunity in the United States alone.

The Deferiprone compound is being developed as a therapy for Contrast Induced Nephropathy (CIN) which can lead to morbidity and death. It is already approved and available in a different formulation for sale in 50 countries outside the U.S. as a treatment for iron overload disorders. This compound addresses an approximate $365 million per year revenue opportunity.

Upcoming Expected Neutrolin (CRMD003) Milestones

• 2H 2011: Potential product launching in Europe
• 1H 2012: Release of preliminary data from Pivotal Phase III clinical trial
• 2H 2012: File Premarket Approval (PMA) application in the U.S
• 1H 2013: FDA approval of Neutrolin (CRMD003)

Upcoming Expected Deferiprone (CRMD001) Milestones

• 2H 2011: Phase II data from Deferiprone study
• 2H 2011: Phase III DEFEND-AKI clinical trial (prevention of Contrast-Induced
Nephropathy in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease) – Expected to begin
• 2H 2012: Release of data from Phase III DEFEND-AKI trial
• 4Q 2012: File for New Drug Application (NDA) for Deferiprone (CRMD001)
• 2H 2013: FDA approval of Deferiprone (CRMD001)

Ramius Offers to Enter Into Immediate and Exclusive Negotiations to Acquire Cypress Bioscience (CYPB)

NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Ramius V&O Acquisition LLC, a subsidiary of Ramius LLC (collectively, “Ramius”), today announced that it has sent a letter to the Board of Directors of Cypress Bioscience, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYPB) outlining its willingness to acquire all of Cypress’ outstanding Common Stock in a negotiated transaction for $5.50 per share.  The offer is conditioned upon Cypress commencing exclusive negotiations with Ramius no later than Friday, December 10, 2010 and entering into a definitive merger agreement by no later than Sunday, December 12, 2010.  This offer was first communicated to Cypress’ financial advisors on Thursday, December 9, 2010.  Ramius currently owns 9.9% of Cypress and commenced a tender offer on September 15, 2010 to purchase all of the shares of Cypress it does not currently own for $4.25 per share.

The $5.50 offer described in the letter represents a 120% premium over the $2.50 closing price of Cypress’ stock on July 16, 2010, the last trading day before Ramius publicly announced its proposal to acquire the Company for $4.00 per share in cash.

Ramius believes that the $5.50 offer will enable the Board to bring its exploration of all strategic alternatives to a prompt conclusion with a transaction that provides stockholders with a high degree of certainty that they will receive immediate full and fair value for their shares.

As outlined in the letter, affiliates of Royalty Pharma Finance Trust have indicated that they are prepared to provide financing for the $5.50 offer, provided Cypress commences exclusive negotiations with Ramius no later than Friday, December 10, 2010 and  a fully negotiated merger agreement between Cypress and Ramius is signed no later than Sunday, December 12, 2010.

In order to facilitate discussions, Ramius also today announced that it is extending its previously announced tender offer for $4.25 per share until 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on December 17, 2010, unless the offer is further extended.  The tender offer was previously scheduled to expire at 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on December 10, 2010.  All other material terms and conditions of the tender offer remain unchanged.

Previously, on September 15, 2010, Ramius announced that it commenced a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Cypress for $4.25 per share in cash. That offer represented a 70% premium over the $2.50 closing price of Cypress’ stock on July 16, 2010, the last trading day before Ramius publicly announced its proposal to acquire the Company for $4.00 per share in cash.

As of the close of business on December 9, 2010, approximately 2,993,774 shares of Common Stock of Cypress, representing approximately 7.8% of all outstanding shares, were validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the tender offer.  This amount does not include the 3,815,000 shares owned by Ramius and its affiliates.

Ramius has also entered into a confidentiality agreement with Cypress to conduct due diligence in connection with its tender offer or a possible negotiated transaction with Cypress.  The confidentiality agreement does not restrict Ramius’ ability to continue or consummate its current tender offer or to conduct a proxy solicitation in connection with the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

The full text of the letter follows:

Dear Board Members:

Following our conversations with Perella Weinberg Partners over the past few weeks, this letter sets forth the willingness of Ramius V&O Acquisition LLC and its affiliates (“V&O Acquisition”) to offer to acquire all of the outstanding common stock (the “Common Stock”) of Cypress Bioscience, Inc. (“Cypress”) not already owned by V&O Acquisition and its affiliates in a negotiated transaction for $5.50 per share (the “Revised Offer”) provided that Cypress commences exclusive negotiations with V&O Acquisition no later than Friday, December 10, 2010 and enters into a definitive merger agreement no later than Sunday, December 12, 2010.  V&O Acquisition’s current tender offer is scheduled to expire on Friday, December 10, 2010.  To facilitate discussions, V&O Acquisition will be extending its existing tender offer for an additional five (5) business days, but reserves the right to terminate the tender offer at any time.

As of the date hereof, affiliates of Royalty Pharma Finance Trust (“Royalty Pharma”) have indicated that they are prepared to invest approximately $196 million in cash in the equity of V&O Acquisition to enable V&O Acquisition to pay the amount payable to stockholders of Cypress pursuant to the Revised Offer.  Royalty Pharma’s financing is not subject to due diligence or any other material condition.  However, Royalty Pharma has advised Ramius that it reserves the right to withdraw this financing arrangement if Cypress has not commenced exclusive negotiations with V&O Acquisition by midnight on Friday, December 10, 2010 and has not entered into a definitive merger agreement by midnight on Sunday, December 12, 2010.

V&O Acquisition believes that, as a result of its pending tender offer, it is able to acquire Cypress and pay the stockholders of Cypress the full value of their shares more quickly than any other potential bidder.  V&O Acquisition has completed all required due diligence and has sufficient funds to promptly close the tender offer.

V&O Acquisition is willing to enter into a merger agreement giving effect to the Revised Offer, which is of significant value and brings immediate certainty to Cypress and its stockholders.  The terms would include the following:

1. All cash offer of $5.50 per share.
2. The financing condition of the existing tender offer would be removed, including any requirement for future due diligence.
3. A seller-friendly second-step merger agreement with limited representations and warranties.
4. V&O Acquisition would be willing to close on the tender offer as soon as legally permissible, i.e., 10 business days after the announcement of the execution of the definitive merger agreement subject to Hart-Scott-Rodino (“HSR”) approval.  V&O Acquisition is prepared to seek early termination of the waiting period under HSR.  V&O Acquisition is also prepared to reduce the 90% stock tender condition to 50.1% of the outstanding Common Stock upon execution of the merger agreement if the parties can negotiate an appropriate top-up option and subsequent offering period to facilitate a short-form second step merger.
5. V&O Acquisition is willing to provide a broad fiduciary out in the merger agreement for any higher or better offer received prior to the closing of the tender offer, with the breakup fee on the low end of fairness, i.e., two percent (2%) of transaction value.

Time is of the essence. The above offer is subject to the condition that Cypress commences exclusive negotiations with V&O Acquisition no later than Friday, December 10, 2010 and enters into a definitive merger agreement by no later than Sunday, December 12, 2010.

V&O Acquisition appreciates that the Board of Directors and its financial advisors have fashioned a process by which Cypress has had the opportunity to fully explore strategic alternatives.  We believe stockholders are expecting the Board of Directors to bring this process to a prompt conclusion with a transaction that provides a high degree of certainty that they will receive immediate full and fair value for their shares.  The benefits of the Revised Offer should be clear to all concerned.

We look forward to hearing from you.  We are prepared to meet with you immediately to commence negotiations around a definitive merger agreement.

Very truly yours,

Jeffrey C. Smith

Ramius V&O Acquisition LLC

For further information regarding Ramius’ tender offer, shareholders can visit www.tenderforcypressbio.com.  Otherwise, to contact Ramius directly, stockholders can email contact information to cypbtender@ramius.com.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE TENDER OFFER

Ramius V&O Acquisition LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ramius Value and Opportunity Advisors LLC, has commenced, along with certain of its affiliates, a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Cypress at $4.25 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest.  The offer is now scheduled to expire at 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on December 17, 2010, unless the offer is extended.

Innisfree M&A Incorporated is the Information Agent for the tender offer and any questions or requests for the Offer to Purchase and related materials with respect to the tender offer may be directed to Innisfree M&A Incorporated.

THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO BUY OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SHARES.  THE SOLICITATION AND THE OFFER TO BUY CYPRESS’ COMMON STOCK IS ONLY BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED MATERIALS THAT RAMIUS VALUE AND OPPORTUNITY ADVISORS LLC HAS FILED (AND WILL FILE) WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.  STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD READ THESE MATERIALS CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER.  STOCKHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED MATERIALS WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER FREE AT THE SEC’S WEBSITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV/ OR FROM RAMIUS LLC BY CONTACTING INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED TOLL-FREE AT (877) 717-3936 OR COLLECT AT (212) 750-5833.

The offer is now scheduled to expire at 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on December 17, 2010, unless extended.

About Ramius LLC

Ramius LLC is a registered investment advisor that manages assets in a variety of alternative investment strategies. Ramius LLC is headquartered in New York with offices located in London, Luxembourg, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Munich.

MFRI (MFRI) Reports Third Quarter Sales Up 11.9% and Net Income Up Sharply From Corresponding Period Last Year

NILES, IL — (Marketwire) — 12/10/10 — MFRI, Inc. (NASDAQ: MFRI) announced today sales and earnings for the quarter and nine months ended October 31, 2010. Third quarter net sales increased 11.9% to $58.8 million, from $52.6 million in the corresponding quarter of the prior year; net income was $3.6 million or $0.52 per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.7 million or $0.10 per diluted share, in the prior-year’s quarter.

THIRD QUARTER:

SALES — Sales increased 11.9% to $58.8 million, from $52.6 million for the prior-year’s quarter. Sales increased in all reportable segments.

GROSS PROFIT — Gross profit for the quarter increased to $13.6 million or 23.0% of sales from $12.5 million or 23.8% of sales in the corresponding prior year’s quarter. Gross profit increased in all reportable segments.

EXPENSES — Operating expenses decreased to $10.5 million or 17.9% of sales from $10.7 million or 20.3% of sales in the prior year’s period. The decrease in expenses was primarily due to staffing reductions and expense control measures.

NET INCOME — Net income rose to $3.6 million or $0.52 per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.7 million or $0.10 per diluted share in the prior-year’s quarter, primarily due to the increase in sales and income from the joint venture. The annual effective income tax rate was less than the statutory U. S. federal income tax rate mainly due to the impact of income tax free earnings in the United Arab Emirates (“U.A.E.”).

YEAR-TO-DATE (NINE MONTHS):

SALES — Sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 were $170.6 million, 5.9% less than the $181.3 million for the prior-year’s first nine months. Year-to-date sales increased in the industrial process cooling and filtration products businesses while slightly decreasing (1.6%), in the piping systems business. The prior year’s period for the piping systems business included higher sales related to the India pipeline project, completed in the fall of 2009, and a stronger Dubai market. The heating, ventilating and air conditioning (“HVAC”) business, included in Corporate and Other, decreased in the current year, primarily because new construction activity was adversely affected by the soft economy.

GROSS PROFIT — Year-to-date gross profit decreased to $38.1 million or 22.3% of sales from $45.8 million or 25.3% in the prior year. Gross profit decline occurred in the piping systems business, due primarily to reduced volume in the U.A.E. and the completion of the large project in India, and in the HVAC business, due to the slowdown in local construction activity. The filtration products and industrial process cooling businesses each experienced an increase in their gross profit for the period. This increase in gross profit was primarily due to increased volume and margin and contributed towards reversing the operating losses of recent years for the continuing activities.

EXPENSES — Year-to-date operating expenses decreased to $32.4 million, or 19.0% of sales, in 2010 from $34.4 million, also 19.0% of sales, in the corresponding period in 2009, primarily due to lower profit-based management incentives, lower legal expenses, reduced costs in connection with staff reductions and an absence of foreign exchange losses, partially offset by an increase in deferred compensation expense and South African closing costs.

NET INCOME — Net income was $6.0 million or $0.87 diluted earnings per share, compared to $10.5 million or $1.53 diluted earnings per share in the prior-year period. This decrease was primarily due to the lower volume of the piping systems business related to reduced economic activity in the U.A.E., the completion of the India pipeline project in 2009, and sharply reduced profits from the HVAC activities because of the decline in construction activity in the Chicago area. The annual effective income tax rate was less than the statutory U. S. federal income tax rate mainly due to the impact of income tax free earnings in the U.A.E.

CURRENT STATUS:

BACKLOG — The Company’s backlog on October 31, 2010 was $75.1 million, an increase of 2.4% from January 31, 2010, principally the result of increased activity in the U.S. Much of this backlog is not expected to result in sales until the second or third quarter next year, postponing any profit realization on those contracts until after the first quarter of 2011.

PIPING SYSTEMS — In the fall of 2009, the Company completed its work insulating a 600 kilometer (370 mile) hot oil pipeline project in India. The Company received an additional order in January 2010, to insulate and jacket approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) of additional pipe for the same project. Production of this material began in the second quarter of 2010 and was substantially completed by the end of the third quarter 2010. A poor economic climate, particularly in Dubai, has been a major cause of our decreased business activity in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (“GCC”). Piping systems’ domestic sales and earnings are seasonal, typically higher during the second and third quarters due to favorable weather for construction over much of North America, and are correspondingly lower during the first and fourth quarters.

FILTRATION PRODUCTS — Industrial markets show some improvement, which was indicated by a 21.0% increase in net sales and a 35.6% increase in gross profit from the prior-year’s third quarter. The third quarter resulted in operating income of $120,000 compared to an operating loss of $889,000 in last year’s third quarter. Year-to-date sales rose 3.5%, and the operating loss was reduced by 69.4%. Excluding the South African operating losses and closing costs, the filtration products business year-to-date operating loss would have had a small operating profit. The Company intends to continue to invest in new product development and geographic expansion to improve its competitive position in this very challenging climate.

INDUSTRIAL PROCESS COOLING — Market conditions for industrial process cooling also show some signs of improvement. Net sales grew 1.5% for the quarter and 12.0% year-to-date versus last year. Gross profit grew 15.6% and the gross margin percentage improved 3.1 percentage points from last year’s third quarter. This improvement, coupled with expense control, resulted in a modest profit for the nine months. Quoting activity and recent orders show increased strength over the past several quarters, both domestically and internationally, but market conditions remain uncertain.

David Unger, CEO, commented, “Maintaining our diversified product mix and geographic view has helped mitigate some of the effects of a difficult economic climate. We believe market conditions will remain challenging for some time. We plan to continue to make strategic investments to facilitate growth for the long term. One example is our recently announced initiative to establish a pipe insulation facility in Saudi Arabia, to capture a greater share of the growing market in that country and nearby GCC.”

Brad Mautner, President and COO, said, “We are happy to report that the third quarter continued to deliver year-over-year operating profit improvement in both the industrial process cooling and filtration segments. The piping systems segment also showed modest operating profit growth even though margins were lower than the prior year’s quarter due to pricing pressures in the U.A.E., U.S. and ongoing development expenses for expansion into Saudi Arabia. The expected timing for work in the backlog coupled with the usual winter slow period for piping systems is anticipated to produce another difficult fourth quarter, but we expect results better than last year. Given a slowly improving U.S. business climate and a backlog with some large projects due for execution next year, 2011 shows promise for improvement compared to 2010.”

MFRI, Inc. is a multi-line company engaged in the following businesses: pre-insulated specialty piping systems for oil and gas gathering, district heating and cooling and other applications; custom-designed industrial filtration products to remove particulates from dry gas streams; industrial process cooling equipment to remove heat from molding, printing and other industrial processes; and installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning for large buildings.

Form 10-Q for the period ended October 31, 2010 will be accessible at http://www.sec.gov/. For more information visit the Company’s website www.mfri.com or contact the Company directly.

Statements and other information contained in this announcement which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “may,” “will,” “expect,” “continue,” “remain,” “intend,” “aim,” “should,” “prospects,” “could,”” position,” “future,” “potential,” “believes,” “plans,” “likely,” ” seems,” “promise,” and “probable,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, constitute “forward-looking statements” 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 and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These statements should be considered as subject to the many risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions, market demand and pricing, competitive and cost factors, raw material availability and prices, global interest rates, currency exchange rates, labor relations and other risk factors.

MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Statements of Operations and Related Data (Unaudited)

                                    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
(In 000's except per share data)        October 31,         October 31,
Operating Statement Information       2010      2009      2010      2009
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
Net sales
  Piping Systems                    $ 31,073  $ 25,704  $ 89,449  $ 90,887
  Filtration Products                 21,159    17,481    61,318    59,221
  Industrial Process Cooling           6,022     5,934    18,529    16,550
  Corporate and Other                    583     3,467     1,278    14,613
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total                             58,837    52,586   170,574   181,271
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
Gross profit
  Piping Systems                       9,181     8,506    25,451    33,963
  Filtration Products                  2,912     2,147     7,990     6,007
  Industrial Process Cooling           1,498     1,296     4,899     3,799
  Corporate and Other                    (36)      541      (290)    2,077
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total                             13,555    12,490    38,050    45,846
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
Income (loss) from operations
  Piping Systems                       5,601     5,398    14,524    22,214
  Filtration Products                    120      (889)     (913)   (2,984)
  Industrial Process Cooling             (53)     (471)      128    (1,254)
  Corporate and Other                 (2,650)   (2,227)   (8,058)   (6,511)
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total                              3,018     1,811     5,681    11,465

Income (loss) from joint venture         695        40       574       (66)

Interest expense, net                    371       371     1,060     1,589

                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
Income before income taxes             3,342     1,480     5,195     9,810

Income tax benefit                      (223)      785      (768)     (642)

                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
Net income                          $  3,565  $    695  $  5,963  $ 10,452
                                    ========  ========  ========  ========

Weighted average common shares
 outstanding
Basic                                  6,842     6,826     6,839     6,820
Diluted                                6,842     6,856     6,865     6,852

Earnings per share:
Basic                               $   0.52  $   0.10  $   0.87  $   1.53
Diluted                                 0.52      0.10      0.87      1.53

                                                    October 31, January 31,
Backlog:                                               2010        2010
                                                    ----------- -----------
Piping Systems                                      $    39,678 $    48,770
Filtration Products                                      20,027      21,397
Industrial Process Cooling                                4,306       2,377
Corporate and Other                                      11,089         788
                                                    ----------- -----------
    Total                                           $    75,100 $    73,332
                                                    =========== ===========

See the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period for notes to financial statements.

NASDAQ Panel Grants FUQI International’s (FUQI) Request for Continued Listing