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| PICS (Personal Improvement Computer Systems), Inc. is a research and
development firm in Reston, VA specializing in the development and evaluation
of health behavior and health communication technologies designed to improve
health and well-being. PICS has developed, evaluated, and distributed a number
of consumer products including LifeSign and QuitKey for smoking cessation, and
DietMate for dietary modification. PICS also has developed, evaluated, and
produced computer technologies for health professionals including DietMate Pro
for monitoring dietary intake, and CERTAS for general self-monitoring purposes.
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PICS has an active research division which has been awarded over 50 grants from
the National Institutes of Health, primarily in the areas of smoking cessation,
dietary management, exercise, insomnia, and behavioral monitoring.
Major Strengths
Highest Scientific Standards. All of our products have been
developed in close collaboration with leading scientists, health educators,
computer specialists, and marketing professionals.
NIH Backing. Each of our products has been supported, in part, by
grant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). To date, we have
received over 40 grants from the various institutes of NIH, including the
National Cancer Institute; the National, Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; the
National Institute of Mental Health; the National Institute of Diabetes,
Digestive and Kidney Disease; the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke; and the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Clinical Validation. Clinical studies, funded by the above grants
and conducted by major medical institutions, prove that QuitKey is
effective in helping people quit smoking and chewing tobacco. Other studies
prove our DietMate products are effective for weight and cholesterol reduction.
Consequently, PICS is in a unique position to make strong scientific claims
(see Summary of Clinical Studies).
Broad Distribution. Our products lend themselves to distribution
through multiple marketing multiple marketing channels. PICS has benefited
from a variety of consumer marketing channels including direct response,
retail and business to business marketing. PICS also distributes products
through three reseller categories: (1) Insurance companies, (2) Health
Maintenance Organizations, and (3) Diet Industry companies.
Global Reach. Health is a universal concern, consequently PICS
markets it's products Internationally. Our products have enjoyed
great success in Canada, Latin America, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and many
European countries. Support material has been translated in all major languages
including French, Spanish, German, Hebrew, Russian, Japanese, and Swedish.
Proprietary Position. To date, after 15 years in the market, no
one has attempted to copy our product line because of its strong intellectual
property protection. PICS products are protected by strong patents and
trademarks. Another barrier to entry for potential competitors is the time and
money required to establish product efficacy claims that are validated by
scientific studies. In addition, PICS has accumulated a large marketing asset
in the form of the LifeSign and DietMate brand names, a million customer
database, a large inventory of testimonials, over 1500 major corporate
customers, and an international distribution network.
For more information about PICS products or research activities, visit the
corporate website at www.lifesignusa.com.
We welcome your comments and suggestions. If you have other information you
would like to see included on this site or recommendations to improve the site,
contact us via email.
Send
us a message
PICS, Inc.
12007 Sunrise Valley Dr.
Suite 480
Reston, VA 20191
703-758-1400
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