Company Overview of University of Miami

Accera, Inc. announced a study in collaboration with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The study will examine the effects of Accera's medical food, Axona, on cognitive impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis. Axona is a prescription medical food intended for the clinical dietary management of the metabolic processes associated with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Drs. Melissa Ortega and Heather Katzen, two researchers at the Miller School, will serve as the primary investigators of the study. The project will be funded by Fast Forward, LLC, a nonprofit organization established by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. More than 2.1 million people are affected by MS worldwide, and cognitive problems commonly occur in individuals with MS. Symptoms vary in severity and may have a negative impact on relationships, work and quality of life. There are few treatment options available and there is a pressing need for new interventions for cognitive impairment in MS. The UM Miller School of Medicine and Accera, with support from Fast Forward, LLC, will be testing Axona as a unique strategy for improving cognitive function in individuals with MS to address this disabling symptom.

University of Miami won $16,496,717 federal contract from the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., for research and development in support of the Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing.

University of Miami announced that Blake James has been hired as Director of Athletics. James has served as the interim Director of Athletics since October 2012. James returned to UM for the third time in 2010 after spending seven years at the University of Maine, the last five as the Director of Athletics. During his tenure at Maine, athletics experienced tremendous success, including three trips to the Frozen Four for the men's ice hockey program and NCAA playoff berths for football, baseball (two), women's basketball and softball. Additionally, James implemented a comprehensive $17 million facility improvement plan, which included an indoor practice facility and numerous other facility upgrades and renovations.