New York/Heidelberg, 13 December 2005-->December 13, 2005 — The Arthritis Foundation and Springer will co-publish the Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases, one of the leading professional books on the topic. This marks the beginning of a relationship between Springer and the Foundation to produce similar and derivative works aimed at the medical community. The Primer will continue to carry the imprimatur of the Foundation, but will also be co-branded with the Springer imprint. Springer will also undertake all marketing and publishing activities. M&A advisory firm Whitestone Communications represented the Arthritis Foundation in its negotiations with Springer.
The Primer, now in its 12th edition, was first published in 1934 by the Arthritis Foundation, and is edited by John H. Klippel, MD, president and chief executive officer of the Foundation. More than 120 physicians contributed to the 12th edition and Springer plans to release a new, 13th edition in 2007.
"We are delighted with the new relationship between the Arthritis Foundation and Springer since it expands our reach into the rheumatology and primary care communities through Springer's global distribution network, including its cutting edge electronic delivery," said Dr. Klippel.
William F. Curtis, Ph.D., Vice President of Clinical Medicine at Springer, commented, "We see this new partnership as the basis for expanding the primary book to create derivative products for physicians, residents and students interested in the field of rheumatic diseases."
The Arthritis Foundation is the only national non-profit health organization helping people take greater control of arthritis by leading efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis — the nation's leading cause of disability. Its activities focus on research, health education and government advocacy to make life with arthritis easier and less painful for those coping with it on a daily basis.
Springer is one of the leading international scientific publishing companies and was founded in 1842. It is the second largest science, technology and medicine (STM) publisher in the world and publishes over 140 medical journals for clinicians. Springer is part of the specialist publishing group Springer Science+Business Media, which owns 70 publishing companies in 19 countries throughout the world and employs some 5,000 people. It publishes 1,450 journals and over 5,000 new books every year.
For more information about Springer, please go to www.springer.com. For information about the Arthritis Foundation, please see www.arthritis.org.
