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Breakthrough Rapid-Action Coronavirus and Bacteria Disinfection Technology for Passenger Luggage at Airports Stops Local Outbreaks from Becoming Global Pandemics

WarpUV

We are all familiar with the x-ray machines that provide traveler security at every airport in the world. Now, imagine comparable machines that provide 99.99% disinfection from current and future viruses on carry-on and checked bags, including the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus, COVID-19, and unpredictable mutations, as well as bacteria and spores. In 2021, biohazard disinfection startup WarpUV® will deliver just such a machine, known as AirFort ®, to airports, putting the company at the forefront of preventing present and future global pandemics and serving as a “disinfection firewall” that will contain the spread of contagions from the common cold and seasonal influenzas to deadly viruses, including the newly identified B.1.1.7 COVID-19 mutation recently discovered in the United Kingdom and the 501.V2 strain, which is spreading like wildfire across the world. In less than 30 seconds the multi patent-pending WarpUV AirFort machines rapidly disinfect all surface contamination from carry-on and checked bags, personal items and oversized bags and parcels before they enter an airport concourse or the plane’s cargo hold – both for incoming and outgoing flights -- ensuring passenger safety from a broad spectrum of pathogens. AirFort utilizes a proprietary 3-D array of ultraviolet lights designed to achieve all-angle “360° x 360°” disinfection of all baggage surfaces. The machines were designed with airports and airlines in mind and integrate seamlessly into airport operations, even during periods of high footfall traffic. Such biosecurity is urgently needed to contain the spread of rapidly emerging Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus variants that are more contagious or can prolong the pandemic. With research indicating that fighting COVID-19 could cost 500 times as much as pandemic prevention measures, World Health Organization (WHO) senior advisor Bruce Aylward warned earlier this year that “We need to get ready for something that may even be more severe in the future.” Background, Resources & Stats: The COVID-19 pandemic has been and will remain costly, with experts predicting it may be with us for at least 10 years. During that timeframe, other virus and flu strains likely will emerge, exacerbating the need for travel solutions that help stop their spread. According to the University of Cambridge (England), the global economy could take a hit of some $82 trillion over the next five years in a worst-case scenario from the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that if the recovery is faster, an "optimistic loss" of $3.3 trillion is likely. The COVID-19 vaccine is not a panacea. Ugar Sahin, BioNTech CEO, reported the deadly virus is going to stay with us for the next decade at least. According to AirportWatch, global air traffic dropped by 60% in 2020 amid travel restrictions due to COVID-19. With more than 17,500 commercial airports globally serving more than 925 million passengers on nearly 39 million flights in 2019, and with each passenger carrying one or two pieces of luggage onto planes annually, air travel remains one of the most vulnerable means for spreading airborne infectious diseases. “Airport biosecurity has become an urgent and critical staple of airport security since the COVID-19 containment shut down the vast majority of air traffic, introducing global economic fragility and disrupting mobility,” said WarpUV CEO Amir Fischer, a serial entrepreneur who spent four years in airline and airport security at London Heathrow airport. “With AirFort, airports and airlines can restore passenger safety and help prevent future local outbreaks before they become global pandemics.” WarpUV sees enormous market potential for AirFort, and the company will scale up quickly. A WarpUV proof-of-concept device is already deployed for efficacy testing at Tel Aviv University’s Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, at the Microbial Pathogenesis Laboratory headed by world-renowned microbiologist Prof. Anat Herskovits. “We are already seeing conclusive confirmation that the WarpUV device achieves rapid and comprehensive disinfection of Corona viruses, as well as other viruses and bacteria,” Prof. Herskovits said. She also serves as WarpUV’s head of microbiology. WarpUV’s business model uses a modest ticket surcharge in lieu of burdening airport authorities with capital expenditures. Airports briefed on the devices have expressed a great deal of interest in WarpUV. With access to nearly one hundred airports via two leading industry distributors, WarpUV already has deals underway representing more than $100 million in revenue. About WarpUV Warp Technologies and it’s AirFort® devices are the frontline of prevention of the spread of pandemic by luggage and baggage in airports worldwide and serve as a “disinfection firewall” for continents, countries, and regions. The company was formed in 2020 by veteran Israeli entrepreneurs Amir Fischer, Eitan Haimovich, and Gil Luxenbourg. For more information, visit www.warpUV.com. Contact Details Rainier Communications Alan Ryan +1 508-577-6635 alanryan@rainierco.com Rainier Communications Joanne Stanway +1 978-273-1473 jstanway@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.warpuv.com

February 16, 2021 07:57 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Knowledgehook to boost maths attainment across Australia

Stockwood Strategy

Knowledgehook, the world’s most comprehensive mathematics learning platform, has launched in Australia as the nation’s teachers turn a corner in addressing low maths attainment levels for young people. It is now available to schools across the country for children in Year 3 to Year 10 classes, through The Learner First, a consultancy working with schools across Australia. The latest TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) found that Australia’s achievement in mathematics has improved since 2015. However, Year 4 mathematics achievement has not changed since 2007. One of the biggest challenges facing educators is to find better ways to meet the learning needs of the many students who fall behind in schools, failing to meet year-level expectations (often year after year) and, as a consequence, become increasingly disengaged. Knowledgehook’s proprietary technology harnesses the power of data to track where students are on their math journey. Their programmes connect a child’s at-home learning with in-school education, providing real-time insights to teachers on learning gaps. This empowers teachers to develop an understanding of the maths concepts related to their students’ challenges, enabling them to adjust instruction and monitor student progress. As Knowledgehook launches across Australia, former Australian Mathematics Curriculum leader, Margaret Bigelow, commented: " Australia's results in international testing are improving. The impact of a national approach to teaching and learning Mathematics has impacted on this improved outcome. Teachers need to be supported to maintain this trajectory of improvement by having the ideas and tools to enhance the engagement of their students to develop critical and creative thinking and further mathematical skills. This will enable students to adjust to the ever-changing demands and challenges of life in the future." “Knowledgehook was inspired by my own struggle with maths as a child,'' explained Co-Founder and CEO of Knowledgehook, Travis Ratnam. “Having the right, personalised guidance makes all the difference and every student deserves to have a teacher who has access to the best pedagogical tools, and parents who have insights into their learning. Our platform is not a game, it pulls together a 360 view on a child’s learning journey enabling people around them to improve the child’s math experience and outcomes. In launching Knowledgehook across Australia, Joanne McEachen, Founder and CEO of The Learner First commented: “I love the fact maths support is available 24/7 so when a learner struggles with a math’s concept, the teacher can access professional learning and development to help support both the learner and the teacher on the spot. Moreover, it helps teachers retrace their approach and identifies what may have been missed allowing them to recover and embed essential skills and concepts. Quite simply, it is what we have been missing for years and it will certainly complement the current trajectory of further improving math’s performance and disposition in Australian students.” Knowledgehook’s AI-enabled platform has grown to support schools across the US, Mexico, and the UK. It is designed to scale across multiple countries and languages developing teacher capacity while engaging students and providing actionable insights for parents. Over the years, Knowledgehook’s research-based solution has garnered industry-leading partnerships and investments from the most recognised global education bodies, notably from the University College of London (UCL), the global leader in education research. Knowledgehook actively collaborates with governments around the world while also working directly with schools and their suppliers, to offer curriculum-aligned solutions. The company currently empowers teachers in more than 100,000 schools. In 2021, it is anticipated the solution will reach 50,000,000 students globally. “We have received growing interest for our technology and expertise to be applied to other subjects and we look forward to expanding our solution to empower more educators and support the learning of students to become the problem-solvers of tomorrow,” Qamar Qureshi, President and Chief Business Officer added. Ends About Knowledgehook Knowledgehook, a leading educational technology company, empowers hundreds of thousands of teachers and parents to collaboratively support the mathematics learning journey of millions of students worldwide. Winner of Google’s Game Changer Award and named Top Disruptor by BNN, its platform analyses student understanding through engaging assessments, providing real-time personalised solutions to close learning gaps between classroom teaching and at-home learning. Designed by leading numeracy and research experts, Knowledgehook’s Instructional Guidance System is known for reinventing how online technology supports education and educators, while inspiring the problem solvers of tomorrow. Contact Details Knowledgehook Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.knowledgehook.com/

February 15, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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The U.S. Chamber Discover & Deliver initiative is Fighting Covid-19 with Innovation and Technology

YourUpdateTV

Defeating the global pandemic is truly an all-of-nation effort. Across the nation, America’s innovation community has mobilized like never before to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Right now, our nation’s brightest scientific minds, most innovative companies, and leading universities are moving at unprecedented speed to deliver the COVID-19 treatments, vaccines, diagnostics, and cures we need. The scope is as impressive as the speed. To date, scientists are conducting over a thousand clinical trials in the United States for potential pandemic ending solutions, in all 50 states, from big cities to small towns. The U.S. Chamber Discover & Deliver initiative is telling the story about the private sector’s role in bringing the science to life and bringing it to people. It is a nationwide, cross-industry effort that involves our brightest scientific minds, the most innovative companies, and the nation’s leading universities—all working together toward the common goal of leading the global community out of this crisis. Discover & Deliver is conducting virtual events in communities across the United States to engage local leaders, share the latest information, and provide a “boots on the ground” view of progress underway. To help illustrate this story, the U.S. developed an interactive map, to show what’s happening across our country—in communities large and small—as innovation works to identify the solutions we need to solve the coronavirus pandemic. Visit www.USChamber.com for the latest resources and insights into the all-of-nation effort underway to beat this pandemic. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 11, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Industrial Defender Launches ASM CopilOT Service™ to Address Cybersecurity Talent Shortage for Critical Infrastructure Companies

Industrial Defender

As the volume, variety, and sophistication of cybersecurity threats increases, smaller critical infrastructure companies struggle to maintain security operations centers staffed with highly skilled personnel and resources due to a shortage of cybersecurity talent, as well as budget constraints. To help correct this problem, Industrial Defender, a pioneer in operational technology (OT) security, today announced that they will offer a managed service to help regional utilities, ports, and facility management teams better leverage the Automation Systems Manager® (ASM) platform to assess and remediate risk in their OT environments. Armed with in-depth knowledge and expertise in industrial control system cybersecurity, Industrial Defender’s team of engineers and analysts use data from the ASM to help companies apply cybersecurity best practices, manage device configuration changes and streamline regulatory compliance, without taxing in-house resources. The offering includes the deployment, maintenance and support of ASM infrastructure, and a weekly review of log, event and audit data in a report summarizing critical issues and cybersecurity recommendations. “The ASM CopilOT Service™ will not only enhance our customers’ cybersecurity defenses, but will also lower their total cost of ownership and maximize ROI from their ASM deployments”, said Jim Crowley, CEO at Industrial Defender, “This offering will be especially important for industries who are just getting started with OT cybersecurity, such as maritime companies and organizations with complex building management systems.” To learn more about the ASM CopilOT Service™ visit https://www.industrialdefender.com/asm-copilot-service/. About Industrial Defender Since 2006, Industrial Defender has been solving the challenge of safely collecting, monitoring, and managing OT asset data at scale, while providing cross-functional teams with a unified view of security. Their specialized solution is tailored to complex industrial control system environments by engineers with decades of hands-on OT experience. Easy integrations into the broader security and enterprise ecosystem empower IT teams with the same visibility, access, and situational awareness that they’re accustomed to on corporate networks. Learn more at www.industrialdefender.com. Contact Details Industrial Defender Erin Anderson +1 877-943-3363 eanderson@industrialdefender.com Company Website https://www.industrialdefender.com

February 10, 2021 11:06 AM Eastern Standard Time

Kaia Health unveils complete musculoskeletal care solution with Kaia Gateway and Premium Partners

Kaia Health

Digital therapeutic company, Kaia Health, unveils the next-generation, complete musculoskeletal (MSK) care solution for employers and health plans. Kaia Gateway will include a case review service and clinical triage algorithms, while Kaia Premium Partners will provide native interoperability with select providers - all within Kaia’s existing solution. The new treatment concept is based on what Kaia has already evaluated in the industry’s largest randomized controlled trial (RCT). Kaia’s next generation offering also expands support to chronic, acute, and presurgery care for back, neck, hip, knee, shoulder, hand/wrist, and foot/ankle pain. All this is backed by Kaia’s claims-based 2:1 ROI guarantee. Up until today, Kaia Health’s digital MSK program has treated 450,000 patients with evidence-based care. Kaia Health’s MSK app features patented Motion Coach™ computer vision technology, which tracks the body by measuring thousands of data points every minute during exercising and a functional movement test. It provides ongoing support and real-time, automated PT-grade exercise feedback, creating a more personalized, effective, and engaging experience than sensor straps or tele-PT video calls once per month. Introducing the all-new Kaia Gateway Accessed via Kaia Health’s existing digital MSK program, Kaia Gateway will be the new front door for all MSK patients. Each will be screened using a clinical triage algorithm, which analyzes various clinical dimensions to identify patients at risk of needing more invasive or intense treatment. Those with medical issues, or likely to elect into surgery, will be directed to a Kaia Health medical provider for further consultation. An AI-enabled escalation algorithm will monitor patients longitudinally for clinical and behavioral patterns that might warrant an intervention by a Kaia Health medical professional or health coach. Integrating a case review service will reduce costs, as the likelihood of unnecessary elective surgery varies drastically depending on whom patients speak with first¹. “Kaia Gateway creates an unprecedented level of understanding of MSK patients and their progression,” says Justin Yang, Kaia Health’s U.S. Chief Medical Officer. “The algorithms now include Motion Coach™ data in addition to self-reported and adherence data. The Motion Coach™ insights thus now drive our clinical decision making in addition to patient engagement. This richer dataset will offer a more informed user case review and allow Kaia Gateway to make better patient choices in the treatment app or via one of our partners.” Introducing Premium Partners Already today, Kaia Health coaches refer out to other medical services in an employer or health plan’s ecosystem using pathways configured during implementation. Premium Partners will take this one stage further and set a new precedent for employee benefits interoperability by offering the most sophisticated integration option available in the MSK market. Premium Partners will have access to detailed treatment history including insights from Motion Coach™, disease progression, exercise level information, and medical surveys. Kaia has already built out bi-directional referrals and warm transfers, single sign-on capability, incentive program integrations and automated data exchange APIs with first Premium Partners. Additional Premium Partners offerings include other evaluated general and specialty care solutions, such as digital interventions, disease management programs, PT, telemedicine, care navigation, and expert medical opinion services. “Kaia Health is the next-generation MSK solution to integrate with the existing care landscape, one that addresses MSK cases across an expanded MSK care spectrum,” says Jonas Duss, Kaia Health’s U.S. CEO. “Our goal is to create a happier, healthier and less-costly workforce together with our Premium Partners.” Kaia Health has among the industry’s most robust clinical evidence with the largest published randomized control trial [ source ], and a rigorous claims-based ROI methodology [ source ]. In a recent regional health system deployment, Kaia Health’s MSK app use resulted in a 22% medical claims net cost saving and a 50% decrease in MSK pain level. For employers, Kaia Health’s MSK app has demonstrated a more than 20% decrease in medical spend with a 1.6x - 3x average ROI in the first year [ source ]. MSK conditions affect 126.6 million Americans², which results in annual costs to U.S. employers of $120 billion ³. MSK conditions cost businesses an average of $425 per employee per year⁴ in medical bills, affect 25% of their workforce and account for 16% of overall medical spend. Most of Kaia’s next generation solution will be available starting Q3 2021 with Kaia Gateway (Case Review service, Triage & Escalation algorithms, and expanded joint coverage). Premium Partners will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. The preventative program will conclude the rollout on January 1, 2022. ENDS Media interviews Jonas Duss, Kaia Health’s U.S. CEO, and Justin Yang, Kaia Health’s U.S. Chief Medical Officer, are available for interview References 1. Lenza M, Buchbinder R, Staples MP, et al. Second opinion for degenerative spinal conditions: an option or a necessity? A prospective observational study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):354. 2. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2016): One in two Americans have a musculoskeletal condition 3. Northeast Business Group on Health (2017): Preventing and Treating Musculoskeletal Disorders: New Strategies for Employers 4. Source: internal data received by Kaia from 130+ large employers About Kaia Health Kaia Health is a digital therapeutics company that creates accessible, evidence-based treatments for a range of disorders including back pain, COPD and osteoarthritis. Working with experts in various medical fields, the company uses machine learning to deliver individualised app interventions that aim to empower and motivate patients to take control and self-manage their condition with digital alternatives from their home using devices they already own (i.e. smartphones and tablets). Kaia Health has enrolled more than 450,000 users to date in their digital therapy program. Kaia Health is a member of the Digital Therapeutics Alliance (DTA), an international non-profit trade association of industry leaders and stakeholders engaged in the evidence-driven advancement of digital therapeutics. Kaia has offices in New York and Munich. Learn more at www.kaiahealth.com Contact Details Hot Cherry PR Harry Cymbler harry@hotcherry.co.uk

February 10, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CMMC Center of Excellence Announces Engagement Agreement with Ignyte Assurance Platform

Interoperability Clearinghouse

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Center of Excellence ( CMMC COE ), hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public-private partnership serving the public and private sectors for more than 15 years, is excited to announce a partnership with Ignyte Assurance Platform, a leading provider of software and consulting expertise for cyber risk, cyber compliance, and cybersecurity standards mapping and assurance. This unique partnership will extend efforts to identify and include proven capabilities within the CMMC COE Marketplace to improve cybersecurity protection and resilience for the global defense industrial base network of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. Ignyte Assurance Platform delivers a software product to assist with data collection, analysis, and to help streamline processes across multiple security frameworks at once. The capability developed by Ignyte Assurance Platform supports an organization’s efforts around security, governance, risk management, and compliance and provides a tested and proven range of solutions to improve overall cybersecurity protection and resilience while meeting requirements of standards such as CMMC. The executed Engagement Agreement establishes a collaborative engagement between Ignyte Assurance Platform and the CMMC COE to partner in the furthering of their respective and complementary missions and objectives regarding the adoption, use, and expansion of CMMC based cybersecurity practices, risk management, and compliance for the DIB contractor, vendor, and supplier community of providers creating a broader CMMC ecosystem globally to improve security and resilience. “This is exciting opportunity for us”, said Mr. John Weiler, Chairman of the Board at CMMC Center of Excellence, “This new partnership will further help advance the goals and objectives for improving the supply chain security and resilience of the US Department of Defense (DoD)”. “While CMMC seems like a brand-new framework for someone outside the industry, we’ve been working on automation of its predecessor legislative and industry requirements such as DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST 800-171 and FedRAMP since 2012, eliminating manual components and automating governance processes” said Mr. Max Aulakh, Founder and CEO of Ignyte Assurance Platform. “We recommend implementing NIST 800-171 for now, because it’s the first logical step in CMMC adaptation. NIST domains cover 110 controls out of 130 required for Level 3 of CMMC. Joining IT-AAC / COE in this initiative, we are not just bringing educational resources to the table, but have the means to utilize our technology to speed up and simplify CMMC adoption for the DoD Supply Chain” Specific actions will include: The co-development of CMMC advisory services, cyber training and education programs to accelerate CMMC certification, increase cyber adoption and improve cyber protection & resilience. Co-sponsor symposiums, training programs and podcasts leveraging their combined cyber and IT expertise. Host regular working groups, with other partners, to enable collaboration and communications. Source qualified CMMC/ cyber professionals to serve as advocates. Establish an independent Industry Cyber Security Advisory Council with peer organizations to advise and educate leaders across government and industry on the continued evolution and effectiveness of CMMC. The CMMC-COE ( http://cmmc-coe.org ) and Ignyte Assurance Platform partnership will focus on bringing together the many disparate cyber and national security communities of interest to reduce complexity, improve awareness, and accelerate industry effort to become more cyber resilient against the growing threats from nation states and criminal enterprises. The CMMC-COE establishes both a Market Place and Knowledge Clearinghouse that will include resources that support the overall effort, including white papers; tutorials; recorded webcasts; presentations; and more that will help reduce the cost and burden on small and medium size contractors already struggling from the impact of COVID. For more information on the CMMC COE, please visit http://cmmc-coe.org email info@cmmc-coe.org or call 703-863-3766 For more information on Ignyte Assurance Platform, please visit https://ignyteplatform.com/ About Us ---------- CMMC-COE.ORG is a unique non-profit public-private partnership, with a vision to accelerate Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMM) adoption, and reduce time & cost for security compliance for our partners by leveraging commercial best practices, CMMC standards, and innovative solutions for a measurable success. Our mission, focused on DOD mission objectives, cost containment and expeditious CMMC compliance, is to help the DIB improve cyber posture and resilience, and simplify its acquisition. The CMMC-COE is hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public/private partnership (P3) chartered in 2007 as an honest broker to reach outside the confines of the Federal IT advisories that lack dynamic reach into the Global IT Market, and dedicated to the adoption of commercial IT management standards of practice and innovations emanating from the Global IT market. Team IT-AAC has already demonstrated the value of its decade long investment, and provides a unique value to agencies seeking to achieve accelerate the transformation of legacy processes and systems. Our Just-in-Time SMEs apply an innovative suite of Technology Business Management and Agile Acquisition Processes needed to assure the business value of commercial IT. The Interoperability Clearinghouse (ICH), is the managing partner that make up the 24 NGO/SDO organizations that make up the IT-AAC. ICH provides the contract vehicles, clearances, and critical resources proven to guide sustainable, measurable and repeatable processes needed to drive better investment decisions as the speed of mission need, while aligning existing processes, methods and workforce with IT reform mandates contained in Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, IT MGT Act, EO13838. Contact Details Bob Dix +1 703-975-6633 bob.dix@it-aac.org Company Website https://cmmc-coe.org

February 08, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

MarketFinance Business Booster Fund announces first winners of grants

Stockwood Strategy

Fintech business lender MarketFinance has today made three grants of £5,000 each to winners of the MarketFinance Business Booster Fund. Over 500 virtual pitches were received and 5 were shortlisted. These businesses were put to a social media vote before three winners were selected. The three winning entries came from ethical breastfeeding clothing brand The Bshirt, smart food labelling specialist BlakBear and independent children’s literacy charity The Economist Educational Foundation. Inner city young people’s charity XLP and creative agency Collaborative Creations were the other two businesses to make the shortlist. Anil Stocker, CEO of MarketFinance commented: “We launched this initiative as a small boost to help the successful businesses pivot, scale or grow in 2021. We want to support more of the UK’s hardest working and most exciting SMEs. In addition to the grant, we will offer the time and skills of our expert staff to help their leadership teams. Whether they need tech, marketing, finance or communications support, we will provide the resources to help them get to where they want to go. The winners' applications were highly commended and we wish them all the very best for the year ahead. ” On being the first beneficiaries of grants from the MarketFinance Booster Fund, the winners’ comments: Lisa Lessaware, co-founder of The Bshirt said: “This means so much to our business. This grant will be used to launch exciting new ethical products to help women breastfeed more comfortably and ultimately for longer.” Michael Kasimatis, co-founder at BlakBear said: “We’re thrilled to receive this grant. It will help drive the technical and regulatory development. Initiatives like this truly help deliver research and innovation to the market. Thank you, MarketFinance". Harriet Boland, Fundraising & Partnerships manager, at The Economist Educational Foundation said: “We are delighted to receive a grant from the MarketFinance business booster fund! This money will help us grow and reach thousands more young people and enable them to have inspiring discussions about current affairs in schools." The Business Booster Fund was established in December 2020 and forms part of a commitment from MarketFinance to SMEs. The Fund makes grants of £5,000 available to UK small businesses, along with expert advice from MarketFinance’s team. The fund has been designed to develop innovative entrepreneurs even further. MarketFinance looked for entrepreneurs that represent our community as a whole, and is keen to support companies that value diversity, inclusion and giving back. Anil Stocker added: “We know that the winners, and all SMEs in general, face challenging times as we deal with both the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic challenges ahead. For that reason, it has been exciting to see a very wide range of innovative approaches from so many applicants to grow their businesses. It was difficult to narrow the awards down to a small number of outstanding winners and we look forward to supporting them with a variety of talent and resources at MarketFinance”. ENDS About MarketFinance MarketFinance is a business finance company with offices in London and Manchester. The online platform enables businesses to access a range of flexible finance solutions - quickly and easily. This smart technology is backed by help from real people so business owners can save time and focus on growing their business. Since 2011, MarketFinance has advanced over £3 billion to companies across a range of sizes and sectors, providing working capital and finance for everything from paying staff and suppliers to launching new products or services and accelerating growth. MarketFinance is backed by Barclays, Santander InnoVentures, European venture capital fund Northzone (invested in Klarna, iZettle and Trustpilot), and private equity group MCI Capital (also invested in iZettle, Azimo and Gett). Contact Details MarketFinance Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@marketfinance.com Company Website https://marketfinance.com/

February 03, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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GRYT Health Celebrates Five Year Anniversary

GRYT Health

On February 4, 2021, GRYT (“grit”) Health, a digital oncology company that empowers people to be in charge of their own health, is celebrating its five-year anniversary. Launched in 2016 on World Cancer Day with a purpose of helping those with cancer avoid isolation, GRYT Health today has grown to offer support services through connection and education, as well as the ability for patients, survivors and caregivers to share their experiences through one of GRYT Health’s research projects to improve healthcare. “When we started GRYT Health five year ago it was out of loneliness and a deep-rooted desire to help other patients avoid the way we had felt let down and unsupported during our own experiences with cancer,” said Dave Fuehrer, co-founder and chief executive officer of GRYT Health and two-time cancer survivor. “Even as a patient experience researcher myself, I felt unequipped to navigate the intricacies of the patient journey and treatment regimen during my two battles with testicular cancer. I knew we had to do something to help others.” More than 10,000 people have downloaded the GRYT Health app, which today is also available on a desktop platform at www.grythealth.com, creating more than 1.3 million interactions on the GRY Health platform. Additionally, the GRYT Health website offers a host of resources, including articles on issues relevant to the cancer journey and is a place where community members are empowered to share their stories. Users can also access Vivibot, a mental health chatbot that listens, 24/7 on the platform. To learn more and create a free GRYT Health account, visit www.grythealth.com. Growing from four co-founders in 2016 to a staff of 14 (and growing!) today, GRYT Health is comprised of cancer survivors, caregivers and researchers. In addition to the app, the organization offers a number of virtual conferences, including the cornerstone Global Virtual Cancer Conference and the COVID Advocacy Exchange, which not only help to educate attendees, but provide a platform for sharing experiences. In total, GRYT Health has hosted more than 120 virtual conferences; highlighting 300 industry, patient, survivor, caregiver, researcher and providers as presenters; and uniting 11,000 people who have registered for a GRYT Health event. “I am so proud of the company GRYT Health has become today,” said Co-Founder and Chairwoman of GRYT Health, Shelley Nolden, who is also an AML survivor. “We are truly empowering our community of patients, survivors and caregivers to find and use their voice to elevate healthcare.” Currently, working in collaboration with half of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies, GRYT Health also champions patient experience research and clinical trial recruiting. Through The GRYT Project, community members have the opportunity to participate in relevant, compensated research opportunities where they are able to share their experiences to improve quality of life and outcomes. Nearly 1,000 patients, survivors and caregivers have participated in a GRYT Health research project today. “For the past five years, we have followed three principles in everything we have done: permission, transparency and partnership,” said Darcy Flora, Ph.D., chief research officer. “As a company founded and run by cancer survivors and caregivers, we have a relentless focus on the patient experience and work with companies who do the same. It is an honor to share others’ experiences and we are thankful for the work that we do and the differences we can make in healthcare, together.” In celebration of GRYT Health’s five-year anniversary, and in recognition of all we have achieved because of our community, GRYT Health is hosting a virtual birthday celebration via Zoom on February 4, 2021 at 7 pm ET. All are welcome to the free event, which will include entertainment from Aaron O’Brien, comedic magician, the premiere of the GRYT Health impact video made from community member submissions, games and prizes. To learn more and register, visit www.grythealth.com. GRYT Health is a digital oncology company that empowers people to be in charge of their own health through education, engagement and support. We offer a community free from judgment that focuses on humanity and the value each person brings. Our mission is to improve quality of life and increase survival for people facing cancer through the relentless focus on patient experience. We put patients first and work with healthcare organizations that do the same. We use the patient voice to enhance drug development and access; and together, we are helping to move healthcare forward. Visit www.grythealth.com to learn more. Contact Details GRYT Health Nichole Owens +1 315-263-4618 nichole@grythealth.com Company Website https://www.grythealth.com

February 02, 2021 09:03 AM Eastern Standard Time

New Research Finds Pregnant Women Who Live in Areas with High Social Vulnerability at Greater Risk of Giving Birth Prematurely

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: Jan. 28, 2021 5:15 p.m. EST Premature or preterm birth ― defined as delivery before the 37th week of pregnancy — and complications that result are the leading cause of death of babies in the United States. Babies born prematurely are at greater risk of experiencing serious short-term and long-term health problems. In a new study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting™, researchers will unveil findings that suggest that an individual’s risk of preterm birth increases as the social vulnerability in the area they live in during pregnancy increases. The research was funded by grants from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The study analyzed electronic medical records of 50,998 women in the University of North Carolina health system from 2014-2020. Each woman’s home address was geocoded and assigned to a census tract, and then linked at the census track level to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) publicly available Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). The SVI includes 15 different measures of social vulnerability and groups them into four categories, called “themes.” These are: 1) Socioeconomic, 2) Household Composition and Disability, 2) Minority Status and Language, and 4) Housing Type and Transportation. Typically, the SVI is used to help communities determine how prepared they are to meet population needs during natural and human disasters. Of the 50,998 women analyzed, 8.6 percent delivered before 37 weeks of pregnancy, 2.8 percent delivered before 34 weeks of pregnancy, and 1.0 percent delivered before 28 weeks of pregnancy. Applying CDC’s SVI, the study found that women who delivered prematurely were more likely to live in an area with a higher overall SVI and higher social vulnerability in each SVI theme. More specifically, the association between preterm birth and SVI were largest in themes 1 (Socioeconomic) and 2 (Household Composition and Disability). “Our research has shown a new use for the CDC’s SVI tool and how it can help to identify women who are at a greater risk of delivering their baby prematurely,” said one of the study’s lead authors, Matthew Givens, MD, a resident physician in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “It may also help individual communities identify areas of relative weakness to improve pregnancy outcomes.” “This research highlights the influence of multiple aspects of one’s neighborhood environment during pregnancy,” said another of the study’s lead authors, Tracy A. Manuck, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist, director of the Prematurity Prevention Program, and associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “If individual communities can identify areas of relative weakness where additional support is needed, it may improve pregnancy outcomes. This is important since studies on prematurity show it’s not just an issue that affects the infant. Because of the potential for long-term health problems, preterm births can affect the entire family and community for years to come.” For a copy of the study, please contact Karen Addis at karen@addispr.com; 301-787-2394. ### The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) is a non-profit, membership organization based in Washington, DC. With more than 5,000 physicians, scientists, and women’s health professionals around the world, the Society supports the clinical practice of maternal-fetal medicine by providing education, promoting research, and engaging in advocacy to optimize the health of high-risk pregnant women and their babies. SMFM hosts an annual scientific meeting in which new ideas and research related to high risk pregnancies are unveiled and discussed. For more information, visit SMFM.org and connect with the organization on Facebook and Twitter. For the latest 2021 Annual Meeting news and updates, follow the hashtag #smfm21. Contact Details Karen Addis +1 301-787-2394 KAREN@ADDISPR.COM Company Website https://www.smfm.org/

January 28, 2021 10:35 AM Eastern Standard Time

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