New Anti-Choking Device Offers Life-Saving Solution for Children and Adults

August 15, 2024

Choking is a leading cause of injury and death, particularly among children. Each year, thousands of individuals experience choking incidents, which can lead to severe outcomes if not promptly addressed. To combat this pressing issue, Sonmol is excited to introduce an innovative anti-choking device designed to save lives and provide peace of mind.
Choking Rescue Device applies the principle of negative pressure suction to create an automatic vacuum environment that instantaneously extracts foreign matter from the throat and upper airway. Various anti-choking devices are available on the market, and they all function similarly by providing suction to clear airway obstructions. However, the operator must apply pressure to these devices by pressing and pulling the handle. If the operator is not in good physical condition, they may not be able to provide enough pressure to suck out the foreign matter.
The advantage of this Choking Rescue Device is that all the operator needs to do is place it correctly and press the trigger button—it provides safe, steady, and robust pressure to help with choking rescues. If the Heimlich maneuver fails and care centers are far away, it can be considered an alternative way to deal with choking emergencies before an ambulance comes.

Our device, featured on Sonmol’s official website, offers a simple yet highly effective solution for choking emergencies. With a focus on ease of use and rapid response, anyone can operate it, making it an essential addition to homes, schools, restaurants, and public spaces.

Key Features:

User-Friendly Design: The device is intuitive, allowing untrained individuals to administer aid quickly and effectively.
Compact and Portable: Its lightweight construction ensures it can be carried and stored conveniently, ready for use immediately.
Proven Efficacy: Clinical trials and real-world applications have demonstrated the device’s high success in clearing obstructed airways. The double one-way valve prevents air from pushing the obstruction deeper.
FDA Registered: USFDA, Thai FDA, CE approved
Three masks packed: One for toddlers, one for children, and one for adults.
Easy to Use: Place and Press. User-friendly for individuals with limited hand strength.

Why It Matters:

Choking can occur unexpectedly, and the ability to respond immediately is critical. Traditional methods like the Heimlich maneuver are effective but require proper execution and can sometimes fail. Our anti-choking device addresses these challenges, providing a reliable alternative that enhances safety in various environments.

Frequently asked questions:

How to use Choking Rescue Device in an emergency?

In a choking emergency, you should first call for medical help. While waiting for help to arrive, you can use the choking rescue device. Always follow the instructions provided with your device kit.

Can Choking Rescue Device be self-administered?

Yes. If you are unable to breathe or cough effectively, and you’re alone, it may be necessary to use a choking rescue device on yourself. Place the face mask over your mouth and nose, ensuring a tight seal to allow for effective suction. Push the trigger to release suction power.

Is shipping worldwide? And how long does shipping take?

Yes! For the United States it typically takes 2-5 days (and a little longer for Canada).

For the Rest of World it can take 10-15 days depending on location.

You will get our tracking number.

Does it come with a warranty?

Sure we do. We offer a 1-year warranty on our device.

Is contract manufacturing and OEM service available?

Yes! We will help design and adjust the device’s color and send the original package design to contract buyers as a reference for their own package.

Is masks and tubes available if used out?

Yes! We will provide masks and tubes in different shapes on our website.

Learn More:

Visit Sonmol’s official website for detailed information about our product, including instructional videos, testimonials, and purchasing options. Together, we can reduce the risk of choking incidents and save lives.

Kevin McGowan Hired at Chemify as Chief Business Officer to Scale Commercial and Business Growth of Digital Chemistry Technology

August 14, 2024

Chemify, a deep tech chemical science company combining chemistry, robotics and AI at scale to digitally design, discover and make new molecules, announced today that Kevin McGowan, PhD, MBA, will join the company as Chief Business Officer (CBO).

As an expert in pharmaceutical business development, platform technology strategy, sales and marketing, Kevin McGowan will help Chemify scale its commercialization and operations and further expand into U.S. markets.

“At Chemify, we offer our partners push button digital chemistry for on-demand small molecules from design to synthesis. With his expertise in platform technology development in the biopharma industry, Kevin will allow us to expand our business operations and scale our growth, especially in the U.S. We welcome Kevin to the Chemify team,” said Dr. Lee Cronin, CEO of Chemify.

Before joining Chemify, Kevin McGowan made significant strides as VP of BioPharma Growth at Blink Health, responsible for building partnerships in the pharmaceutical sector through BlinkRx. His impressive career also includes his role as SVP of Commercial at Evozyne, where he spearheaded business development and strategic initiatives in therapeutics and sustainability. Additionally, McGowan’s extensive background includes serving as Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he advised top-tier clients across specialty chemicals, advanced materials and life sciences industries. He earned his MBA from Duke University, PhD in Chemistry from the University of Florida and BS in Chemistry from Duke University.

Kevin McGowan said:

“Chemify is building the infrastructure to digitize and automate chemistry, which will radically change chemical innovation. The company’s revolutionary platform transforms small molecule R&D and will enable our partners to discover drugs and materials more efficiently and exponentially faster.”

Current workflows and syntheses of molecules and materials are slow, complex and expensive, preventing the scalability of discovery and chemical manufacturing. By leveraging decades of chemistry experience, hardware robotics and artificial intelligence, Chemify’s Chemputation technology provides an end-to-end workflow for molecular discovery, optimization and synthesis to help accelerate improvements in medicines and advanced materials.

Ryan Reynolds Announces More to Parkinson’s® Campaign

August 14, 2024

Ryan Reynolds, a world-renowned actor/entrepreneur and Parkinson’s disease advocate, with Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAD) today announced the launch of a multi-faceted disease education campaign, More to Parkinson’s^®, to raise awareness among caregivers, patients and their care providers about a common, yet under-recognized aspect of Parkinson’s disease – Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and delusions.

Notably, around half of the people living with Parkinson’s disease may develop hallucinations or delusions over the course of their disease, but up to 90% of people currently do not proactively tell their physicians about these symptoms.^1-3 By sharing their experiences caring for Ryan’s father, James “Jim” Reynolds, who passed away nearly a decade ago, Ryan and his mother Tammy, aim to raise awareness, educate and drive conversation between people with Parkinson’s disease, their families and their doctors about how best to talk about and treat these non-motor symptoms.

“My father experienced hallucinations and delusions. At the time, we didn’t know any of these types of symptoms were part of his Parkinson’s disease,” Ryan Reynolds explains. “Like a lot of caregivers, my mom mostly tried to carry these burdens alone. I wish I’d known Parkinson’s disease wasn’t limited to only motor symptoms. I think people and families affected by Parkinson’s can be better prepared to manage hallucinations and delusions if they’re talking early and often about this lesser-known aspect of the disease.”

“In my experience, most people living with Parkinson’s disease who experience hallucinations and delusions do not proactively tell their physicians about them unless specifically asked,” explains Dr. Yasar Torres-Yaghi, attending physician, director of Parkinsonism and Dementia Clinic at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C., a Parkinson’s Center of Excellence. “They may be frightened, embarrassed, or fear they are losing touch with reality. It’s important for people who are living with Parkinson’s and their loved ones to discuss all symptoms, motor and non-motor, with a doctor as there are treatment options available.”

More to Parkinson’s is an educational campaign, sponsored by Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc., that aims to increase awareness among caregivers and patients of the existence of hallucinations and delusions as common parts of Parkinson’s disease. The campaign is anchored by a series of stories shared by Ryan and his mother, Tammy, as they relay their personal experiences from the perspective of a son and caregiver as well as a wife, mother, and caregiver, over the course of Jim’s disease. The multichannel campaign includes videos spanning a wide range of topics focusing on Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and delusions, covering who is at risk, what symptoms may look like, how to discuss symptoms and treatment options with a doctor, and more. The campaign will strive to reach the Parkinson’s disease community through digital media, social media and connected TV.

“There is a significant gap in awareness and understanding that hallucinations and delusions can be part of the progression of Parkinson’s disease,” said Steve Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Acadia. “As Ryan’s family story makes evident, the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, including hallucinations and delusions, are often more distressing and disruptive than the motor symptoms associated with the disease. We are honored that Ryan and Tammy are willing to share their powerful story. Their experiences will open the door to desperately needed conversation and encourage people to speak with their healthcare providers about managing these symptoms.”

To learn more, visit MoretoParkinsons.com to find resources, including doctor and family discussion guides, and hear stories from people who have been affected by Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and delusions.

About Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinson’s-Related Hallucinations and Delusions

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects about one million people in the United States.^4,5 The signs and symptoms can vary with people experiencing both motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms such as hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or experiencing things that others don’t) and delusions (false beliefs). Physicians may refer to these Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and delusions as Parkinson’s disease psychosis.^3,6,8 Around 50 percent of people living with Parkinson’s disease may experience hallucinations or delusions during the course of their disease.¹ Non-motor symptoms, as a whole, can be more troublesome than motor symptoms, in terms of quality of life.³ Parkinson’s disease psychosis may add to the burden of caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease.^9-11

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Acadia is advancing breakthroughs in neuroscience to elevate life. For 30 years we have been working at the forefront of healthcare to bring vital solutions to people who need them most. We developed and commercialized the treatment options for people living with hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease and Rett syndrome. Our clinical-stage development efforts are focused on treating, Prader-Willi syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and multiple other programs targeting neuropsychiatric symptoms in central nervous system disorders. For more information, visit us at Acadia.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

References

¹ Forsaa EB, Larsen JP, Wentzel-Larsen T, et al. A 12-year population-based study of psychosis in Parkinson disease. Arch Neurol. 2010;67(8):996-1001.
² Fénelon G, Mahieux F, Huon R, Ziégler M. Hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease: prevalence, phenomenology and risk factors. Brain. 2000;123(Pt 4):733-745.
³ Chaudhuri KR, Prieto-Jurcynska C, Naidu Y, et al. The nondeclaration of nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease to health care professionals: an international study using the nonmotor symptoms questionnaire. Mov Disord. 2010;25(6):704-709.
⁴ Parkinson’s Foundation. What is Parkinson’s? Retrieved from https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Statistics. Accessed March 1, 2024.
⁵ Marras C, Beck JC, Bower JH, et al.; Parkinson’s Foundation P4 Group. Prevalence of Parkinson’s disease across North America. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2018 Jul 10;4:21.
⁶ Ravina B, Marder K, Fernandez HH, et al. Diagnostic criteria for psychosis in Parkinson’s disease: report of an NINDS, NIMH work group. Mov Disord. 2007 Jun 15;22(8):1061-8.
⁷ Martinez-Martin P, Schapira AHV, et al. Prevalence of Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease in an International Setting: Study using Nonmotor Symptoms Questionnaire in 545 Patients. Mov Disord. 2007; 22(11): 1623-1629.
⁸ Olanow CW, Schapira AHV. 2012. Parkinson’s Disease and Other Movement Disorders. Fauci AS (Ed), Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (18th ed.).
⁹ Martinez-Martin P, Rodriguez-Blazquez C, et al. The Impact of Non-Motor Symptoms on Health Related Quality of Life of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease. Mov Disord. 2011;26(3):399-406.
¹⁰ Aarsland D, Bronnick K, Ehrt U, et al. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease and dementia: frequency, profile and associated care giver stress. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2007;78:36-42.
¹¹ Schrag A, Hovris A, et al. Caregiver-burden in parkinson’s disease is closely associated with psychiatric symptoms, falls, and disability. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders. 2006;12:35-41.

Prolific Machines Receives Grant to Develop a Platform to Produce Affordable Monoclonal Antibodies to Prevent Infectious Disease in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

August 14, 2024

Prolific Machines, a biotechnology innovator harnessing light to deliver unprecedented cellular control, has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to leverage its pioneering platform to produce more affordable mAbs. The company’s technology has the potential to reduce mAb production costs while enhancing product quality, making these drugs more accessible and affordable for the prevention of infectious diseases like malaria, HIV, and RSV in LMICs.

MAbs are revolutionizing how diseases are treated and even cured, creating a profound impact on human health. Unlike vaccines, which rely on the body’s ability to generate a strong immune response over time to develop a high level of protective antibodies, mAbs can provide protection almost immediately after administration and work even in immunocompromised individuals.

High manufacturing costs make mAbs prohibitively expensive to much of the developing world, with access to these life-changing therapies largely limited to high-income countries. While 80% of the sales of monoclonal antibodies are in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, 85% of the world’s population live in LMICs according to an International AIDS Vaccine Initiative report.

mAbs are among the most promising therapies to prevent and block malaria transmission. The World Health Organization estimated over 600,000 people worldwide died from malaria in 2022. More than 75% were children under age five.

Optogenetics is a promising biomanufacturing tool for mAb and difficult to express (DTE) protein production as it provides precise, highly tunable control over any biological process. Harnessing optogenetics for mAb production could lower the cost per dose, increasing accessibility and preventing diseases such as malaria, HIV and RSV in the poorest countries.

Prolific Machines, with support from the foundation, will use its expertise in optogenetics to demonstrate the production of mAbs . If successful, the methods could readily be applied to address unmet medical needs in LMICs, and the eventual drug could lead to broad implementation to the most vulnerable people by making safe and effective mAbs more affordable so they can be used to prevent infectious diseases where they are needed most.

“Our platform offers massive potential to produce better biologics and cell-based therapies using light. We’re honored to be receiving support from the Gates Foundation to reimagine how these medicines are made so that we can open up access to these critical therapies,” said Deniz Kent, PhD Prolific Machine’s Co-Founder & CEO. “We look forward to leveraging our learnings from this grant to ensure the success of future programs.”

Learn more about Prolific Machines’ technology and capabilities at prolific-machines.com, and contact partners@prolific-machines.com to explore partnership opportunities.

Medicus IT Announces Supplier Agreement with EyeProGPO to Enhance Services Reach

August 14, 2024

Medicus IT (“Medicus” or “the Company”), the leading healthcare-focused IT managed services provider, today announced that it has signed a strategic supplier agreement with EyeProGPO to significantly enhance its services reach across the nation within the ophthalmology segment. This collaboration aligns the shared mission of both organizations to improve patient outcomes through innovative, scalable, and secure IT solutions.

Through this partnership, Medicus IT, already a leader in the ophthalmology space and renowned for aiding ophthalmology practices nationwide with cutting-edge technology tailored to the needs of providers, patients, and staff, will expand its reach to over 1100 members of EyeProGPO. This expansion further solidifies Medicus’ position as the premier IT solutions provider dedicated to healthcare and the unique complexities of maintaining secure IT environments.

EyeProGPO members will now benefit from exclusive access to Medicus’ suite of comprehensive services and competitive pricing, enhancing their operational efficiency and patient care quality. Additionally, members will gain insights into leveraging IT for optimized practice operations, leading to cost savings and improved patient satisfaction.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone for Medicus and its membership in specialty-focused GPOs,” said Daniel Livschutz, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Medicus IT. “By leveraging the extensive network of EyeProGPO, we are positioned as the healthcare IT solutions partner of choice within their membership group. This allows us to reach over 1,100 eye care facilities with technology solutions designed to foster growth and improve patient outcomes. We’re also excited to provide an opportunity for our customers to learn more about the savings and efficiency EyeProGPO brings to their healthcare organizations. This partnership allows both organizations to continue winning together.”

“Medicus IT is such a great fit for EyeProGPO. We are steadfast in our commitment to offer our members unrivaled value and savings. Through this new partnership, we’re ensuring that our members have access to the best IT services and support on the market. We believe our combined strengths will increase value for healthcare providers across the nation,” says Phil Meyer, COO of EyeProGPO.

This agreement underscores Medicus’ unwavering commitment to fostering alliances that drive innovation and growth in the healthcare industry. As we continue to expand our capabilities, we remain dedicated to enabling healthcare providers to focus on their patients by ensuring their IT infrastructure is secure, efficient, and scalable.

Tampa General Hospital Ranked One of America’s Top Specialized Hospitals for Cancer, Cardiac and Orthopaedic Care

August 14, 2024

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is ranked as one of America’s Best Specialized Hospitals for 2024, according to Newsweek and Statista. The magazine’s list ranked the nation’s 200 leading cancer hospitals, 175 leading cardiac hospitals and 175 leading orthopedic hospitals in the U.S., with the TGH Cancer Institute listed among the top 10 cancer hospitals in Florida for the second consecutive year.

For the first time, Tampa General Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute and Orthopaedic Institute are each ranked among the top five cardiac and orthopedic hospitals in Florida, respectively, making Tampa General the only hospital in the Tampa Bay region to be ranked on all three lists.

“At Tampa General, we are proud to say that we don’t just practice medicine – we define it,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. “As the region’s only academic-based health system, our continued recognition and exceptional rankings in multiple specialties and from leading national news sources, such as Newsweek, reinforces that our team across the enterprise is truly setting the standard for the delivery of world-class specialty and academic-based care.”

The TGH Cancer Institute continues to revolutionize cancer treatment as one of the state’s few cancer centers powered by university-affiliated academic medicine in partnership with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Staffed by some of the world’s most renowned medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists and researchers, the TGH Cancer Institute offers unmatched access to state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and therapies.

The Institute is also accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC), a quality program established by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) in recognition of meeting 34 quality care standards, taking a multidisciplinary approach to delivering high-quality, patient-centered cancer care and demonstrating a commitment to improving patient outcomes and quality of life for all cancer patients.

“Cancer treatment is a journey unique to each individual, requiring not only specialized expertise, but also deep empathy and understanding,” said Dr. Eduardo M. Sotomayor, director of Tampa General’s Cancer Institute. “It’s an honor to be recognized nationally not only for how we go above and beyond to extend and enhance the lives of our patients, but to grow and strengthen our Institute, and in turn, define the future of cancer care and therapy discovery for our region.”

“We believe exceptional cancer care goes hand-in-hand with groundbreaking research,” said Dr. Abraham Schwarzberg, executive vice president, chief of oncology and president of the Tampa General Provider Network (TGPN), and vice president of clinical and translational research. “This latest recognition is a testament to our collective team’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of what innovation looks like in oncology.”

Tampa General’s 200-bed Heart & Vascular Institute is staffed by 86 dedicated and highly experienced specialists across seven centers of excellence and houses 15 subspecialties, all collaborating to provide the highest possible level of patient care.

The TGH Heart & Vascular Institute leverages multidisciplinary collaboration to provide the highest level of patient care through its seven centers of excellence and programs, including:

A comprehensive, hybrid, complex coronary program – a partnership between cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology – where partner physicians meet together with patients and collaborate on the best treatment approach for each patient.
A dedicated limb preservation and complex peripheral arterial disease (PAD) program, which is the first and only of its kind in the Tampa Bay region offers a true multidisciplinary, integrated and evidence-based approach to prevent amputations and improve quality of life for patients managing complex PAD.
One of the most robust heart transplant programs in Florida and one of the busiest programs in the nation, which is home to the state’s first and only cardiogenic shock program with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation in the catheterization laboratory and is a recognized leader in mechanical circulatory support therapy.
A women’s heart program which is devoted exclusively to meeting the unique needs of women through high-quality, evidence-based care and is staffed by highly specialized, academic and multidisciplinary cardiac specialists who are experts in identifying, preventing and treating heart conditions in female patients throughout their lifespans.

“We know patients and their loved ones count on these rankings to make the best and most-informed decisions about which hospitals and providers to entrust with their health, and we don’t take that lightly,” said Dr. Murray Shames, interim co-chief of the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute and professor and chair of the Department of Surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “We are proud to deliver truly award-winning care that makes a difference for our community and every patient we serve.”

“Because our Institute is part of the region’s only university-affiliated academic health system, we are uniquely positioned to address our community’s most complex health needs with unmatched clinical expertise and breakthrough research,” said Dr. Benjamin Mackie, interim vice president and co-chief of TGH Heart & Vascular Institute, medical director of HVI Heart Failure Center of Excellence and medical director of Heart Transplantation.

The TGH Orthopaedic Institute, which received notable recognition from Newsweek and Statista for its hip replacement surgery outcomes and is the region’s leading provider of orthopaedic care, uses advanced technology and treatment options to provide high-quality care and positive outcomes for even the most complex orthopaedic conditions, including hip and knee arthritis, bone fractures, spinal deformities, musculoskeletal tumors, joint infection and shoulder, foot and hand disorders. Four centers of excellence make up the Institute, which also offers comprehensive programs for hip and knee replacements, shoulder, ankle and elbow conditions

Staffed by highly specialized, board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians, the Institute offers innovative, minimally invasive options for joint replacement procedures by harnessing robot-assisted technology and 3D printing, enabling greater surgical precision and reducing post-surgical pain and patient recovery time. As Tampa Bay’s only Level I Trauma Center, Tampa General also offers emergency orthopaedic care and reconstructive surgery for traumatic injuries.

“Our ranking as one of the top orthopaedic institutes in the nation demonstrates our relentless pursuit of excellence, both in the quality of care we deliver and in setting a new standard for innovation in orthopaedic surgery,” said Dr. Roy Sanders, chief of the TGH Orthopaedic Institute, professor and chair in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and president of the Florida Orthopaedic Institute. “Our exceptional team of providers and caregivers represent the very best of what academic medicine offers patients in our community and beyond.”

Newsweek and Statista selected the list of America’s top cancer, cardiac and orthopaedic hospitals based on the following data sources:

A Nationwide Online Survey: Health care professionals and hospital managers with knowledge about the respective medical field were asked to recommend the leading specialized hospitals in the U.S.
Hospital Quality Metrics: Hospital quality metrics with a focus on indicators and accreditations relevant to oncology, cardiac care and orthopaedic care were considered.
Results from Patient Surveys: Publicly available data from hospital patient surveys were also used to analyze the patient experience.

The recognition Tampa General earned from Newsweek is the latest in a series of awards, recognitions and milestones celebrated, including:

Becker’s Hospital Review Great Hospitals in America – August 2024
U.S. News & World Report 2024-2025 Best Hospitals #1 hospital in Tampa Bay, #2 hospital in Florida and among the nation’s top 50 hospitals in eight medical specialties – July 2024
Becker’s Hospital Review 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart Programs – July 2024
Newsweek Best Maternity Hospitals – May 2024
Forbes Magazine America’s Best Large Employers – March 2024
Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals – March 2024
U.S. News & World Report Nation’s Best in Maternity Care – January 2024
Becker’s Hospital Review Top 20 Largest Hospitals in the Nation – January 2024
Fourth in the Nation for Transplants by Volume – January 2024
Newsweek #2 Best-in-State Hospital – October 2023
Becker’s Hospital Review 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Orthopedic Programs – October 2023
Becker’s Hospital Review 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs – November 2023

Genprex Announces Positive Clinical Study Updates from Acclaim-1 and Acclaim-3 Phase 1/2 Clinical Trials in Lung Cancer

August 14, 2024

Genprex, Inc. (“Genprex” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients with cancer and diabetes, today announced positive clinical study updates for its Acclaim-1 and Acclaim-3 clinical trials for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), respectively, and plans to re-focus its oncology clinical development program.

Patients in the Company’s lung cancer clinical trials are being treated with the Company’s lead drug candidate, Reqorsa® (quaratusugene ozeplasmid) Gene Therapy. Two patients in the Acclaim-1 study have had prolonged Progression Free Survival (PFS) and importantly, the first treated patient in the Acclaim-3 study attained a Partial Remission (PR) from the start of maintenance therapy.

Ryan Confer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Genprex, commented on the update:

“We are excited by these early and promising patient responses to REQORSA treatment, particularly as these patients represent some of the most difficult to treat lung cancer patient populations. There is significant unmet medical need for patients afflicted with lung cancer, as nearly all patients’ disease progresses following treatment, even when treated with today’s most advanced targeted therapies and immunotherapies. This leaves patients with limited therapeutic options. We are thrilled our novel gene therapy treatment for lung cancer, REQORSA, is demonstrating early evidence of efficacy with a favorable safety profile. We look forward to continuing to evaluate REQORSA in our lung cancer clinical trials while we advance our efforts to bring new therapies to those battling cancer.”

Acclaim-1

The Acclaim-1 clinical trial is evaluating the combination of REQORSA and AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso® to treat patients with late-stage NSCLC who have activating EGFR mutations and disease progression after treatment with Tagrisso. The Acclaim-1 clinical trial has received an U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Fast Track Designation for late-stage NSCLC patients whose disease progressed after treatment with Tagrisso.

Two patients from the Phase 1 dose escalation portion of the study have had prolonged PFS and are still continuing to receive treatment on the study. One of them has received the treatment combination of REQORSA and Tagrisso for more than two years. This patient, who was previously treated with Tagrisso and chemotherapy and who continues to receive REQORSA and Tagrisso treatment, attained a PR after the second course of REQORSA and Tagrisso, and has maintained this response for more than two years. The second patient has had stable disease without disease progression for more than 15 months, and is also continuing to receive REQORSA and Tagrisso treatment.

Mark Berger, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Genprex, discussed the positive outcomes:

“We are very pleased with the positive early efficacy results for these patients. It is very compelling that one of the patients in our Acclaim-1 clinical trial has continued to see benefit from REQORSA treatment for more than two years and it’s been documented that the side effects of REQORSA have diminished, rather than increased, over time.”

The Phase 2a expansion portion of the study was designed to have two cohorts with 33 patients each. One cohort was for patients who have previously received only Tagrisso treatment, and one cohort was for patients who had previously received both Tagrisso treatment and chemotherapy. Based on resource prioritization and to focus on the patients for whom REQORSA is most likely to show a benefit, the Company has decided to limit its enrollment efforts moving forward to patients who received only prior Tagrisso treatment and to cease enrollment of the second cohort (patients who received prior Tagrisso treatment and chemotherapy). The Phase 2a expansion portion of the trial with one cohort is now expected to enroll approximately 33 patients. The Phase 2b randomized portion of the study, in which patients progressing on prior Tagrisso treatment will be randomized 1:1 to either REQORSA and Tagrisso combination therapy or to platinum-based chemotherapy, will remain unchanged.

Genprex will conduct an interim analysis following the treatment of 19 patients in the Phase 2a expansion portion who had previously received only Tagrisso treatment. The Company expects to complete the enrollment of the first 19 patients in the Phase 2a expansion portion of the study and conduct an interim analysis in the first half of 2025.

Acclaim-3

The Acclaim-3 clinical trial is evaluating the combination of REQORSA and Genentech’s Tecentriq® as a maintenance therapy to treat patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) who did not develop tumor progression after receiving Tecentriq and chemotherapy as initial standard treatment. The FDA has granted Fast Track Designation for the Acclaim-3 population of patients and has also granted Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of SCLC.

In this study, patients receive maintenance therapy with REQORSA and Tecentriq until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity is experienced. Following completion of the Phase 1 dose escalation portion of the study, which the Company expects to complete during the second half of 2024, Genprex then expects to start the Phase 2 expansion portion of the study in the second half of 2024.

The first patient treated in the Phase 1 dose escalation portion of the Acclaim-3 clinical trial experienced an initial positive response after enrollment and dosing commenced in May. The patient had a PR, which is defined as at least a thirty percent (30%) decrease in tumor size, from the time the patient had a baseline CT scan after induction therapy and prior to the start of maintenance therapy, to the time of the CT scan performed after two cycles of maintenance therapy. As the maintenance therapy consists of REQORSA and Tecentriq, and the patient had already received four cycles of Tecentriq during induction therapy and thus responses to Tecentriq would likely have occurred earlier, which suggests that REQORSA may be providing clinical benefit. A recent CT scan, performed after four cycles of maintenance therapy (three months), confirms that the patient had a 30% decrease in tumor size in measurable lesions; however one lesion not previously measurable had grown in size, thus leading to a conclusion of disease progression at three months.

Dr. Berger commented on these compelling results:
“This patient’s response was not expected during maintenance therapy with Tecentriq alone, and we believe these results are promising and a positive early indication for the study. Once ES-SCLC patients begin maintenance therapy with Tecentriq, median PFS is very short; only 2.6 months, and further tumor regression rarely occurs. The ES-SCLC patient in the Acclaim-3 clinical trial treated with our combination therapy experienced PR, but asymptomatic disease progression was diagnosed by CT scan three months after the start of maintenance therapy. We find this positive result to be promising, particularly because this patient was treated with the lower of two doses planned for the Phase 1 portion of this clinical trial, and we are hopeful that the combination of REQORSA and Tecentriq will improve outcomes and help extend the lives of these very difficult to treat lung cancer patients.”

Genprex’s novel cancer treatment platform re-expresses tumor suppressor genes in cancers. Tumor suppressor genes are often deleted or inactivated early in the process of cancer development. The key component of REQORSA is a plasmid that expresses TUSC2, a tumor suppressor gene protein which plays a vital role in cancer suppression and normal cell metabolism. Nearly 100% of SCLCs have reduced or no TUSC2 protein expression, and 41% completely lack TUSC2 protein expression, thus restoring TUSC2 expression in SCLC has a strong biologic rationale. Nonclinical studies in mice support the hypothesis that re-expressing the TUSC2 protein in combination with Tecentriq may lead to improved clinical efficacy in SCLC.

Oncology Program Update

Mr. Confer and the executive team have evaluated resource allocations to ensure streamlined, focused strategies to support expeditious regulatory submissions for REQORSA and will implement the following changes to the Company’s oncology clinical development plans in order to prioritize resources and focus on the most promising aspects of the Acclaim-1 and Acclaim-3 lung cancer clinical trials.

The Acclaim-2 clinical trial, a Phase 1/2 trial evaluating the combination of REQORSA and Merck & Co’s Keytruda® in patients with late-stage NSCLC whose disease has progressed after treatment with Keytruda, will cease enrollment of new NSCLC patients. Current patients in the Phase 1 dose escalation portion of the study will continue to be treated until disease progression. The Company made this decision based on a number of factors, including enrollment challenges and delays due to competition for eligible patients with numerous other trials involving the same patient population.
As described above, the Company will limit its enrollment efforts for the Phase 2a expansion portion of the Acclaim-1 study moving forward to patients who received only prior Tagrisso treatment and cease enrollment of the second cohort (patients who received prior Tagrisso treatment and chemotherapy). The Phase 2a expansion portion of the trial with one cohort is now expected to enroll approximately 33 patients. The Company continues to evaluate ways to optimize its clinical and research programs and operational strategies, as part of its ongoing prioritization initiative.

Commenting on the decision, Mr. Confer stated:

“The decision to discontinue the Acclaim-2 clinical trial is driven in part by the fact that there are hundreds of Keytruda combination lung cancer clinical trials, which made it difficult to recruit patients and investigators due to the volume of competing trials. We thank the clinicians and patients who participated in this study and look forward to potentially reviewing this patient population again at a future time, as we fully stand behind REQORSA’s potential to treat late-stage NSCLC patients whose disease progressed after treatment with Keytruda.”

Additionally, Genprex reports that the Company is collaborating with an academic research partner to discover, develop and utilize biomarkers to: select the patient population most likely to respond to REQORSA; predict and measure target engagement; and
enable decisions on progression of the Company’s drug candidates to the next phase of development.

The Company’s academic research partner is currently analyzing biomarkers that would indicate lack of response in lung cancer that could enrich the Company’s population of responders in its clinical trials and enhance patient screening and enrollment in order to increase the likelihood of potential success of the Acclaim studies.

Mindray Launches New Nerve Block Educational Series for Regional Anesthesia in Partnership with Dr. Richard Teames

August 14, 2024

Mindray, a leading global developer of healthcare technologies and solutions specializing in patient monitoring, anesthesia, and ultrasound, has announced that it is partnering with renowned anesthesiologist and educator Richard Teames, MD, BSN, to release an educational video series on regional anesthesia and nerve blocks using its revolutionary TE X Ultrasound System.

Block Show Video Series — The Block Show video series offers tips and tricks for the upper extremity, thorax and abdomen, and lower extremity using ultrasound imaging over the course of several videos and downloadable best practice guides in partnership with Dr. Richard Teames.

Mindray notes this medical education series is aimed at the growing demand within the anesthesiology community to integrate ultrasound and AI technology at the bedside, demonstrating the company’s commitment to advancing ultrasound training and technology adoption.

The video series, “The Block Show with Dr. Teames,” will offer tips and tricks for the upper extremity, thorax and abdomen, and lower extremity using ultrasound imaging over the course of several videos and downloadable best practice guides. The series aims to address the growing demand for innovative point of care ultrasound (POCUS) technology in anesthesiology by educating clinicians on best practices and techniques with the TE X Ultrasound System.

The TE X Ultrasound System continues to redefine the limits of POCUS by further expanding its clinical use scenarios. Initially aimed at the Emergency Medicine (EM) and Critical Care markets, the TE X has made significant strides in the Anesthesia market. In response to this growing demand, Mindray has recently introduced a new version of its TE X Ultrasound System, the TE X Flex Procedural Edition. This innovative flexible solution is designed to address the diverse and evolving needs in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia while offering anesthesiologists a powerful tool for performing nerve blocks and providing real-time guidance for vascular access, ultimately improving patient safety and outcomes.

“The TE-Series, particularly the TE X, has truly taken the POCUS community by storm,” said Jim Berry, Senior Marketing Manager for Point of Care Ultrasound at Mindray North America. “It is opening new doors, enabling novice users to quickly become proficient with imaging and AI tools, thereby enhancing both the quality and efficiency of patient care.”

The educational partnership underscores Dr. Teames’ and Mindray’s mutual commitment to providing clinicians with resources that elevate patient care and complement their clinical workflow. With over 20 years of experience in trauma and critical care environments, Dr. Teames has cultivated exceptional regional skills and ultrasound techniques in multiple nerve block modalities. He received anesthesia training as a resident at Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, one of the busiest level one trauma centers in the United States, serves as an anesthesiologist in the United States Army Reserve, and has held several other prestigious positions, including his current one as Director of Regional Anesthesia and National Clinical Director of Regional Anesthesia. Throughout his career, he has been enthusiastic about educating others about clinical anesthesia.

“The Block Show with Dr. Teames” is now available for viewing. The training videos can be accessed here: https://www.mindray.com/na/campaign/block-show/.

Brain-CA Technologies Secures Patents for Innovative AI based on Cellular Automata

August 14, 2024

Brain-CA Technologies has secured patents for a new AI solution based on Cellular Automata that will revolutionize the AI industry. This new technology paves the way for more powerful AI systems that consume much less energy while increasing portability and scalability.

Brain-CA Technologies, a leading innovator in artificial intelligence solutions, is proud to announce the issuance of US Patent No. 11847386B1 and US Patent No. 12050846B1, unveiling their latest breakthrough in AI technology. The company has successfully secured patents for cutting-edge advancements that promise to reshape the landscape of artificial intelligence. These newly patented technologies represent a significant leap forward in AI, showcasing Brain-CA Technologies’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Key Features of the New Brain-CA Technology

Brain-CA Technology is a novel AI solution based on Cellular Automata. The highly sophisticated system can learn from a training set to predict future outcomes based on correlations between data streams without using complex mathematical computations.

An Estimator characterizes the data stream to make predictions without a CPU, thereby avoiding the Von Neumann bottleneck that plagues current AI technologies.

Industry Excitement

BRAIN-CA’s groundbreaking technology was recently introduced to AI experts at the LLM-GNN workshop, part of the International Symposium on Computer Architecture (ISCA) 2024 Conference, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In their paper entitled: “Casting Off the Old Guard: Achieving Superior A.I. Performance through Simplification”, the founders proposed a new approach to reduce the complexity of current AI technology and significantly reduce energy consumption.

Brain-CA has introduced the term “Teleomorphic computing” to define its methodology and differentiate it from current approaches. Teleomorphic computing refers to a computing paradigm that prioritizes a system’s end goal or function in its design, rather than attempting to replicate biological structures. This approach contrasts with other bio-inspired computing methods, such as neuromorphic computing, that aim to emulate the structure and function of biological neural systems.

Quote from Jon Salisbury, CEO/Nexigen

“Current AI methodologies are not sustainable as models continue to grow and demand more energy. Brain-CA’s fresh approach is a game changer for the AI industry.” Nexigen provides comprehensive managed IT and cybersecurity support services.

Benefits and Impact

Today’s computing technology was developed almost 80 years ago by John Von Neumann and was designed to perform mathematical calculations. It was NOT conceived for AI functions like learning and making predictions. Brain-CA Technologies were designed to observe, learn, and make predictions as their primary function – without doing mathematical conversions. Our innovations will move the state-of-the-art forward for AI by significantly driving down the power required while improving performance, resulting in lower cost, increased portability, and phenomenal scalability.

Another key advantage of the BRAIN-CA™ technology over Neural Network AI solutions is the ease of training. It doesn’t require the configuration of weighting parameters and hidden layers, thereby reducing the implementation effort. The BRAIN-CA technology can also support complex use cases that require correlations based on rhythmic or seasonal patterns. Furthermore, the same model can be used for training and inference and can be extended with new training data resulting in significant cost savings.

The Northwell Kidney Transplant Program Is Nation’s Best In 2 Survival Metrics

August 14, 2024

The Northwell Transplant Institute at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) has been rated the nation’s No. 1 adult kidney transplant program in two key survival metrics, according to new data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR).

NSUH, which completed 195 adult kidney transplants in 2023, is ranked best in the nation for 90-day patient survival. This ranking is based on the hospital’s hazard ratio of 0.35 for the 322 transplants performed between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023. NSUH was tops among the 215 hospital programs that perform adult kidney transplants nationally.

In addition, NSUH’s living donor transplant survival rate is best in the U.S., with 100 percent kidney function three years after transplant. Northwell’s overall three-year patient survival hazard ratio for all adult kidney transplants is 0.46, which is among the top 5 percent of U.S. programs and the best in New York State.

“This SRTR report reflects the outstanding care delivered at the Northwell Transplant Institute,” said Nabil Dagher, MD, vice president and director of the Northwell Transplant Institute, “Our entire transplant team is dedicated to helping our patients heal and get back to their best lives.”

The SRTR provides solid organ transplant data in the United States under license from the Health Resources and Services Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. More than 46,000 organ transplants were performed in 2023, nearly 28,000 of them kidneys, both record highs in the U.S. There were 90,000 people awaiting a kidney transplant during that period.

“Getting a transplant quickly is important, but equally important is making sure the transplant lasts,” said Vinay Nair, DO, medical director of the adult kidney transplant program at the Northwell Transplant Institute. “Having a short time to transplant coupled with some of the best 3-year outcomes in the nation is a testament to the success of our center.”

“A kidney transplant is the gold standard of care for individuals with kidney failure. Transplantation requires a multidisciplinary approach and a dedicated team of transplant professionals,” said Niraj Desai, MD, surgical director of the kidney transplant program at the Northwell Transplant Institute. “We are proud to serve the world’s most diverse population and provide equitable access to care. No one does it better – the evaluation, surgery, postoperative care and long term follow up – than the Northwell Transplant Institute.”

Northwell started performing adult kidney transplants at NSUH in 2007 and established its pediatric kidney transplant program at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park in 2017. Today, NSUH offers comprehensive solid organ transplantation services for adult heart, kidney, liver and lung.

For more information or to book an appointment, call 516-472-5800 or go to: https://nsuh.northwell.edu/transplant-center/contact-us

1...222324...923 Page 23 of 923

Chemify, a deep tech chemical science company combining chemistry, robotics and AI at scale to digitally design, discover and make new molecules, announced today that Kevin McGowan, PhD, MBA, will join the company as Chief Business Officer (CBO).

Brain-CA Technologies has secured patents for a new AI solution based on Cellular Automata that will revolutionize the AI industry. This new technology paves the way for more powerful AI systems that consume much less energy while increasing portability and scalability.

Key Features of the New Brain-CA Technology

The Northwell Transplant Institute at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) has been rated the nation’s No. 1 adult kidney transplant program in two key survival metrics, according to new data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR).

Medical Device News Magazine