METABOLIFE INTERNATIONAL, INC News

Metabolife Founder Discusses Prison Term

10News.com | 2/19/2009

In the late 1990s, Metabolife was a wonder drug. It was a "natural" food supplement that stripped away pounds without diet or exercise. Sales of the product zoomed to over $1 billion a year. However, that came to an end, as Metabolife was blamed for seizures, heart attacks and strokes. Ellis faced prosecution for tax evasion, weapons violations and lying to the FDA.

Michael Ellis Releases Metabolife Book

NewsReleaseWire.com | 2/14/2009

The timing of this controversial book’s launch coincides with the release from prison of Ellis. After numerous years of investigation, including allegations of $93 million in tax evasion, Mike Ellis was convicted last June of supplying misleading information to a government agency. Ellis details why despite millions of dollars, and years of investigation, the government was forced to create a charge, just to save face in the absence of any real criminal activity.

Metabolife Dieting Press Release

International Business Times | 12/31/2008

After successful dieting, the body can actually work against itself,slowing metabolism and making it harder to keep weight off. A patentpending combination of four common ingredients has been shown to help breakthrough the body's natural tendency to hold on to unhealthy fat and slowits metabolism after initial weight loss. This year, dieters get help tokeep their New Year's Resolution with the clinically tested andgroundbreaking formula of cayenne, green tea, caffeine and the amino acid,L-Tyrosine that is found in Metabolife's "Break Through." Break Through isthe first product of its kind that keeps the body's metabolism humming forat least 8 weeks after initial weight loss; just in time to help get pastthe temptations of the holidays. Metabolife®'s new Break Through isavailable online at www.MetaboLife.com and at drug and grocery retailersnationwide, including Walgreens, Kmart, RiteAid, CVS and Fred Meyer, for asuggested retail price of $29.99.

Metabolife in Newsweek

Newsweek | 7/7/2008

Launched four years ago by a former San Diego cop with no formal medical training, Metabolife is now one of America's best-selling herbal products. Enthusiasts peddle it from living rooms and kiosks, as well as retail shops. And Metabolife International, the privately held company that produces the stuff, says its sales will approach $1 billion this year--a figure that places Metabolife in the same league as such blockbuster pharmaceuticals as Prozac and Viagra. The catch is that the stimulants it contains can be dangerous: the Food and Drug Administration has warned that products like Metabolife can cause "cardiac arrhythmia and death." Several states have moved to ban or restrict their use, and a few users have filed lawsuits claiming injury. Yet consumers continue to down an estimated 225,000 pills every hour.

Metabolife Launches Two Stage Weight Management Program

Business Wire | 4/20/2008

Stage one products include Metabolife Ultra, a powerful formula that helps burn fat, curb hunger and boost energy; Metabolife Caffeine Free, to help reduce body fat and curb appetite without caffeine; and Metabolife Green Tea, which provides the added health benefits of green tea extract. These core products contain clinically-tested ingredients to help support healthy weight loss.

Judge Approves Metabolife Liquidation Plan

Insurance News Net | 10/8/2007

The settlement resolves 257 ephedra claims not covered by Metabolife's insurers. About $1.5 billion in ephedra claims were filed against the company, the company said in its liquidation plan.

Metabolife and its shareholders, including three of its owners, will provide $21.1 million to the settlement.

The rest of the contributing parties, including the debtor's insurers and retailers that sold Metabolife's ephedra products, will provide the remaining $34.7 million, according to the plan.

Metabolife in the San Diego Union Tribune

San Diego Union Tribune | 9/15/2007

AdvertisementAt times, approval of the plan, which took more than 2½ years to forge and negotiate, seemed a distant possibility. But about 20 attorneys representing the numerous and often feuding parties in the case acted almost as one to coax a reluctant judge to approve the plan. The proposed plan calls for Metabolife, its owners, insurers and the retailers who sold the company's now-banned ephedra product, Metabolife 356, to create a $56 million pool from which to pay claims. In return, those parties are seeking broad exemption from any ephedra-related claims in the future, including claims of “willful misconduct.”

Metabolife Plan To Be Approved

San Diego Union Tribune | 9/15/2007

At times, approval of the plan, which took more than 2½ years to forge and negotiate, seemed a distant possibility. But about 20 attorneys representing the numerous and often feuding parties in the case acted almost as one to coax a reluctant judge to approve the plan. The proposed plan calls for Metabolife, its owners, insurers and the retailers who sold the company's now-banned ephedra product, Metabolife 356, to create a $56 million pool from which to pay claims. In return, those parties are seeking broad exemption from any ephedra-related claims in the future, including claims of “willful misconduct.”

Metabolife successor wants to settle suits

New Kerala | 6/5/2006

In a bankruptcy court filing, San Diego-based MII Liquidation Inc. proposed using the $130.4 million in insurance proceeds to settle 21 suits and avoid a trial.

Approving the settlements and setting up streamlined procedures for future settlements "is in the best interest of creditors and the estates because claims are being resolved in an expeditious and cost-effective manner," The Wall Street Journal reported of MII's request.

After settling the suits, MII said it would have $57.1 million remaining in coverage through Evanston Insurance Co. and National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh.

Metabolife Seeks Settlement OK

Marketwatch | 5/31/2006

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The former Metabolife International Inc. is seeking bankruptcy court approval to settle $130.4 million in ephedra-related claims using insurance proceeds, and establish a framework for settling additional claims tied to the diet pills it once made. "Approving these settlements and establishing stream-line procedures for future settlements is in the best interest of creditors and the estates because claims are being resolved in an expeditious and cost-effective manner," the company, now known as MII Liquidation Inc., said in a recent court filing. The proposed settlements would end 21 lawsuits against the company, and eliminate $130.4 million in claims. The company said the settlements won't affect the interests of its other creditors because the deals will be funded entirely from insurance proceeds. Burdened by hundreds of personal injury lawsuits related to its ephedra-containing products, the company filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors in June 2005.