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U.S. on pace to top 40,000 transplants in a single year for first time

United Network for Organ Sharing

In just the first half of 2021, 21,061 organ transplants have been performed in the U.S. according to data from United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which serves as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network under federal contract. Organ donation from deceased donors is up 15% over last year. There were 900 more deceased donors -- people who provided one or more organs to save and enhance the lives of others -- between January 1 and June 30 of 2021 than there were during the same period in 2020. The drop in donors caused by the pandemic beginning in the middle of March last year was offset enough by high numbers early in the year that there were still 242 more donors in the first half of 2020 than in the first half of 2019. Organ transplants from deceased donors are also up -- by 11%. A total of 17,821 deceased donor transplants were performed in the U.S. in the first half of 2021 compared to 15,933 in the first six months of last year. 2020 marked the 10th consecutive record breaking year for organ donation from deceased donors and the 8th in a row for deceased donor transplants. “This significant increase in donation and transplantation as we continue to fight COVID as a nation is a bright spot that inspires hope. At the same time it’s not enough because so many patients continue to wait. We must renew our commitment to work together to improve the best transplant systemin the world by continuing to innovate and promote donation,” said Matthew Cooper, M.D., president of the UNOS Board of Directors. “In doing so we honor the gift of every donor and donor family whose lifesaving decisions make transplantation possible.” As of today, 106,602 men, women and children are on the waiting list for a transplant, which is the lowest it has been since 2009. The list topped 124,000 at its height in 2014. “Everyone of us has the potential to save multiple lives by registering to be an organ, tissue and eye donor,” Cooper said. Learn more about organ donation and transplantation and how to register to be a donor at www.unos.org. Dr. Cooper is a transplant surgeon and the director of kidney and pancreas transplantation at MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. ### About United Network for Organ Sharing United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit, charitable organization that serves as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) under contract with the federal government. The OPTN helps create and define organ allocation and distribution policies that make the best use of donated organs. This process involves continuously evaluating new advances and discoveries so policies can be adapted to best serve patients waiting for transplants. All transplant programs and organ procurement organizations throughout the country are OPTN members and are obligated to follow the policies the OPTN creates for allocating organs. Contact Details United Network for Organ Sharing Anne Paschke +1 804-782-4730 anne.paschke@unos.org Company Website https://unos.org

August 09, 2021 01:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Cloud Conventions & MCI Group Partner with Medical Professionals to Deliver Virtual/Hybrid Events

Convey Services

Cloud Conventions, an enterprise virtual/hybrid event platform and the MCI Group, a leading global event management firm are partnering to deliver virtual and hybrid event solutions for medical organizations to complement their live events. The American Thoracic Society, a nonprofit organization focused on improving care for pulmonary diseases with more than 16,000 members worldwide, launched their annual conference in April 2021 as a 100% virtual event. They selected the MCI Group as its event management partner and Cloud Conventions as its virtual event platform. This August, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses(AORN), guided by an abundance of caution from the recent surge in COVID cases, transitioned their hybrid conference to a fully virtual event under the guidance of the MCI Group. Their new virtual event will educate and engage attendees and exhibitors using the Cloud Conventions virtual/hybrid event platform. “Audiences for conferences hosted by medical professional groups have unique requirements and a heightened awareness of the risks imposed by the pandemic,” said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of Convey Services, parent company of Cloud Conventions. “Medical professionals not only want to stay up-to-date on scientific advances, but they also need to complete continuing medical education (CME) to maintain licensure. A virtual, on-demand option for engagement plus education ensures attendees have a safe environment to meet their educational needs, interact virtually with other attendees and engage live or on demand with suppliers and sponsors.” The American Thoracic Society’s all-virtual conference in April brought together 9,000 registered attendees for 140 clinical and scientific sessions, 71 special networking events and over 3800 presentation sessions and scientific posters. The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses will offer on-demand and live sessions, a networking and innovation lounge, an exhibitor solutions center hosting in-booth sessions, product showcases along with an innovation theater. “Striking the balance between a live and virtual event environment is a strategic decision that medical professional groups must make as they consider event design today and even more in the future,” said James Kelley, Director at the MCI Group. “Our customers rely on MCI to guide them to deliver the best options that engage audiences before, during and after the event ensuring that virtual environments complement and not conflict with the on-site program.” A recent research study, “Association Trends: from Disruption to Opportunity” by Community Brands, revealed that 85% of association event professionals plan to invest more in virtual events in the next 12 months. This trend is driven by a 48% increase in members engaging more with their associations due to increased virtual options and on-demand education. The Tagoras 2020 “Virtual Conference Report” detailed that 75% of those delivering virtual events did so to reach audiences who could not otherwise attend. With the increase in COVID cases driven by variants, medical professional groups are now pressed to include virtual alternatives that are specifically geared to the industry, as they enter the busy fall conference season. Download the Case Study: “The 2021 American Thoracic Society Virtual Event” for free at: https://cloudconventions.com/page/135834/ats-customer-success-story. Show organizers and event managers can learn more about Cloud Conventions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com and the MCI Group by visiting http://www.mci-group.com/usa. About The MCI Group MCI is a global engagement and marketing agency. We design human-centric solutions that unleash the power of people to deliver innovation and growth for our clients. Our offering includes live & virtual events, strategic & digital communications, consulting & community solutions. We help brands, companies, associations, and not-for-profits solve their challenges, bringing their people together to shape their tomorrow. MCI is an independently owned company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with a global presence in 60 offices across 31 countries. www.mci-group.com MCI’s US headquarters is in the Washington, DC area with offices in New York, Baltimore, Dallas, and Chicago. www.mci-group.com/usa About Cloud Conventions Cloud Conventions from Convey Services is Cloud Conventions is an enterprise virtual/hybrid event management platform that redefines the exhibitor and attendee experience to allow companies to provide easy access to in-depth product information, showcase their brands with graphics and videos, create calls to action and generate immediate sales leads. Used around the world for large managed events and smaller self-directed meetings, conferences and corporate kickoffs, Cloud Conventions automates exhibitors and virtual booths, continuing education, speaker sessions and reminders, invitations and email communication, while at the same time producing detailed analytics on attendee, session and exhibitor activity. Cloud Conventions supports multiple languages and currencies, internal, external and single-sign on registration, and supports all conferencing carriers and platforms. Trade Associations and event managers can explore all of the Cloud Conventions solutions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com or contacting info@cloudconventions.com or call 888-975-1382. Cloud Conventions™, Community™, Cloud Kickoffs™, Conduct™, One-Touch Email Share™, Hub & Spoke™, 360° Virtual Exhibit Hall & Lobby Experience™ and ListLock™ are trademarks of Convey Services LLC Contact Details Convey Services Bruce Ahern +1 770-580-0810 bahern@conveyservices.com Company Website https://cloudconventions.com

August 04, 2021 03:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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GROUNDWORK BIOAG AND NOVATERO SET THE STANDARD FOR BIOLOGICALS IN BRAZIL

Groundwork BioAg

Groundwork BioAg and its exclusive Brazilian distribution partner, NovaTero BioAg, announced another strong year of increased yield results from farmers who applied Rootella BR™ to their corn and soybean fields – setting the standard for biologicals in Brazil. Increased corn hybrid yields between 8 to 39 percent and increased grain productivity in commercial soybean cultivars between 5 to 22 percent during the last three seasons over several soil types and climatic conditions across Brazil. Rootella BR is the only mycorrhizal inoculant granted definitive commercial registration in Brazil, among the most important biologicals market with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34 percent between 2018-2020. The Brazilian biological market is projected to show a double digit CAGR in the coming years. National sales of Rootella BR increased by 50 to 80 percent each year since preliminary commercialization in 2018 and delivered consistent year-over-year growth 2019-2021. “Brazil remains a key part of Groundwork BioAg’s global strategy. With continued global market expansion, we are on track to fulfill our mission to bring mycorrhiza – the queen of biologicals – to mainstream agriculture and help protect our planet,” said Dr. Yossi Kofman, Co-Founder and CEO of Groundwork BioAg. “As farmers aim to reduce the impact of climate change on farm productivity, we anticipate an increase in adoption of sustainable technologies – like our commercial scale mycorrhizal bio-platform – to support regenerative as well as conventional farming practices.” Mycorrhizae naturally increase yield, reduce dependency on phosphorus and improve carbon sequestration in soil. The Rootella® product line offers tens of thousands of endomycorrhizal propagules per gram at a consistently accessible price point. “Since we started to use Rootella BR in our seed treatment, we began to observe along crop cycles that plants were healthier, roots were bigger, and the grain was better than in the non-treated parcels. Typically, it is difficult to see an immediate and continuous difference in the plants with other products,” said Gilberto Matanna, a well-known soybean and wheat farmer in Sertão, Rio Grande do Sul. “With soybeans, we had an increased yield of 9 sacks per hectare (13.2%) and in wheat we had a yield improvement of 9.3 sacks per hectare (21%).” For the past three years, the companies’ exclusive partnership has delivered value to Brazilian farmers by providing access to this natural, cost-effective inoculant – and planted a flag for biologicals in Brazil’s over R$1 billion (over US$190 million) biologicals market. “Based on consistent in-field product performance, farmers across Brazil are benefiting from Rootella’s proprietary formulation thereby ensuring significant yield increase and a complete return on investment,” said Bernardo Arnaud, NovaTero Chairman. “We’ve built a strong network of resellers across the country who are helping farmers access this novel sustainable bio-platform. When we began, everybody said it would be impossible to make this a household name for Brazilian farmers; now Rootella BR is recognized as one of the most versatile biological inputs in the country and we will grow more than 300% in 2021.” About Groundwork BioAg Groundwork BioAg, a global bioagriculture company, leverages the natural power of mycorrhizal fungi to improve the productivity, sustainability and profitability of commercial agriculture and expand regenerative agriculture practices. Groundwork BioAg is the first to use innovative techniques to solve challenges inherent in high-volume mycorrhizal inoculant production. We will not rest until every hectare of arable land is protected by mycorrhizae and every farmer benefits from higher crop yields while preserving our soils. For more information, visit www.groundworkbioag.com. About NovaTero NovaTero is the exclusive Brazilian distributor of inputs of Groundwork BioAg’s flagship mycorrhizal inoculant for agricultural crops, Rootella BR™, a cost-effective inoculant based on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). NovaTero is now the only company allowed to supply the giant agricultural market of Brazil with mycorrhizae, so that Brazilian farmers can take advantage of the same natural method of crop enhancement that foreign farmers use for soy, corn, wheat, rice, barley, oat and black beans, with its best seller product, Rootella BR. NovaTero is committed to bringing the best solutions to Brazilian farms so that farmers can have cleaner soil, stronger crops and better results per hectare than ever before. For more information, visit www.rootellabr.com.br. Contact Details Groundwork BioAg Hanan Dor, Chief Commercial Officer +972 77-502-0806 info@groundworkbioag.com NovaTero BioAg Rodrigo Moreira - Chief Commercial Officer +55 47 3013-3333 info@novatero.com.br Company Website https://www.groundworkbioag.com

August 04, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Cyvatar Launches First-Ever Cybersecurity Side Hustle

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced the release of the CydeHustle, a customer referral program that helps everyday people earn extra money on the side by referring organizations in their network to Cyvatar. The CydeHustle is easy work you can do in your spare time. In just a few minutes, you can not only bring in more money for yourself, but you can also enable people from all walks of life to help tip the cyber scales in favor of the good guys by stopping threat actors from breaching the brands and businesses we love. Organizations face more than 100,000 malicious websites and 10,000 malicious files every single day. Last year, malware increased by 358% and ransomware by 435% -- in fact, ransomware alone is now a multibillion-dollar industry staffed with expert researchers, strategists, technologists, and front-line hackers. Cyvatar’s ground-breaking cybersecurity as a service (CSaaS) levels the playing field so that any organization regardless of size or budget can combat threat actors. Joining the CydeHustle means you can enjoy the rewarding experience of keeping the businesses in your network safe... and get paid for it. "The Cyvatar CydeHustle program is a no-brainer, and the corresponding partner portal makes it easy to earn money on the side,” said CydeHustler Chris W. “Just as much as Cyvatar simplifies cybersecurity management for customers, it’s absolute simplicity to earn easy commissions with Cyvatar, even while juggling a full-time position and family responsibilities. Now anyone can be a deal-making machine!" Every CydeHustle referral that becomes a sale earns money for the person who introduces them: 20% of the sale price when the contract is signed, 10% of any upgrades purchased in the first year, and an additional 5% each year the referral renews. It’s easy money. Everybody needs better security, and Cyvatar’s CSaaS enables organizations to get better security outcomes fast. “The CydeHustle is so easy and so lucrative that we’ve already paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to CydeHustlers,” said Edward Preston, vice president of sales at Cyvatar. "Partners get paid for referring companies in their networks, those businesses get a game-changing cybersecurity program, and our world becomes safer from the onslaught of cyber threats.” Importantly, Cyvatar CSaaS is both accessible and affordable: For as little as $20 a month, customers receive out-of-the-box cybersecurity that includes products and services, a platform to manage them, and an expert team to support them -- all for one fixed monthly price. What’s more, Cyvatar sells itself -- it’s one of the 50 Most Trustworthy Companies recognized by the Silicon Review and has won 20 awards for cybersecurity innovation and excellence. CydeHustlers can keep their day jobs or Hustle between classes, after work, or from the far reaches of the world, because the Hustle is real -- and risk-free. Cyvatar keeps individual participation completely private unless participants explicitly choose to share their activity publicly. So what are you waiting for? Make a difference. Make an introduction. Make the world a safer place by keeping threat actors away from the businesses you know and love. All you have to do is sign up. Share the Cyvatar story. And get paid. Sign up and start earning today! About Cyvatar Cyvatar is committed to effortless cybersecurity for everyone. As the industry’s first subscription-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, it’s our mission to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions. We empower our members to achieve successful outcomes by providing expert advisors, proven technologies, and a strategic process roadmap to guarantee results that map to their business drivers. Our approach is rooted in proprietary ICARM (installation, configuration, assessment, remediation, maintenance) methodology that delivers smarter, measurable security solutions for superior compliance and cyber-attack protection faster and more efficiently, all at a fixed monthly price. And because we’re a subscription, members can cancel anytime. Cyvatar is headquartered in Irvine, California with locations around the world. Begin your journey to security confidence at cyvatar.ai and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact Details Cyvatar KC Higgins +1 303-434-8163 kc@cyvatar.ai Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

August 03, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Vingroup collaborates with Arcturus Therapeutics to establish a manufacturing facility in Vietnam for Arcturus’ mRNA Covid-19 vaccine

Vingroup

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach – 2 August 2021 - Supported by the Vietnamese Government and Health Ministry, Vingroup (HOSE: VIC) and Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ARCT) announced a contract regarding a collaboration to establish a manufacturing facility in Vietnam for the manufacture of Arcturus’ mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate for sales and use in Vietnam. With a planned capacity of up to 200 million doses per year, Vingroup is expected to produce its first batches of the COVID-19 vaccine in early 2022. Arcturus Therapeutics is a leading clinical stage company focused on messenger RNA (mRNA) medicines - one of the most advanced medicinal technologies in the world. Under the terms of the arrangement, VinBioCare - a member of Vingroup - will, with consultation from Arcturus, build out a manufacturing facility in Vietnam; and Arcturus will provide to VinBioCare access to proprietary technologies and processes for the final drug product manufacturing of Arcturus’ investigational COVID-19 vaccine. Arcturus will provide VinBioCare with an exclusive license to manufacture the vaccine at the Vietnam facility solely for sales and use in Vietnam. VinBioCare’s vaccine factory is located inside VinSmart’s electronic equipment complex in Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park (Thach That District, Hanoi), with a total estimated investment of 200 million USD and capacity of 200 million doses per year. Currently, VinBioCare has already signed equipment procurement contracts for this factory. As planned, all equipment will be transported to Vietnam via special flights to ensure timely arrivals in September 2021. So far, construction has also completed while the installation of equipment is expected to be finalized in November 2021. To ensure the highest production standards, VinBioCare has cooperated with Rieckermann (Germany) - one of the leading machinery & industrial solution providers in the pharmaceuticals industry - to promptly carry out the construction of the 8,807m2 factory following GMP requirements. “In response to the Vietnamese Government’s guideline on COVID-19 vaccine supply for Vietnam in the time of limited source of supply and outbreaks, Vingroup has proactively looked for prestigious international partners for cooperation and conducted procurement and construction of the vaccine factory as quickly as possible.” - said Vingroup’s Vice Chairwoman Le Thi Thu Thuy. “Vingroup really expects to make a modest contribution to the fight against COVID-19 in Vietnam and the world, so that all people can live a normal life again.” Arcturus investigational COVID-19 vaccines utilizes Arcturus’ lipid-mediated delivery system called LUNAR® delivery system, and Arcturus’ self-amplifying mRNA technology, known as STARR™. This self-amplifying technology is designed to promote a prolonged immune response using a lower dose compared to conventional mRNA vaccines. mRNA vaccine technology enables rapid modification of the antigen that could help to accelerate the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Notably, the vaccine candidate, called VBC-COV19-154 domestically, can be made in a lyophilized powder form which is favorable for packaging, storage, transport, distribution and supply. As planned, VinBioCare will coordinate with the Vietnamese Health Ministry’s Administration of Science Technology & Training to carry out Phase 1/2/3 clinical trials of VBC-COV19-154 vaccine on 20,000 people in August 2021. In December 2021, VinBioCare plan to complete and submit procedures to the Health Ministry to ask for approval for VBC-COV19-154 vaccine for emergency use in Vietnam. Once produced domestically, VBC-COV19-154 is expected to be cheaper than products of similar segment in the market. Notably, VinBioCare will provide COVID-19 vaccine at break-even price excluding investment costs in Vietnam during the time of pandemic. About Arcturus Founded in 2013 and based in San Diego, California, Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ARCT) is a clinical-stage mRNA medicines and vaccines company with enabling technologies: (i) LUNAR® lipid-mediated delivery, (ii) STARR™ mRNA Technology and (iii) mRNA drug substance along with drug product manufacturing expertise. Arcturus’ diverse pipeline of RNA therapeutic and vaccine candidates includes mRNA vaccine programs for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and Influenza, and other programs to potentially treat Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OTC) Deficiency, and Cystic Fibrosis along with partnered programs including Glycogen Storage Disease Type 3, Hepatitis B Virus, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Arcturus’ versatile RNA therapeutics platforms can be applied toward multiple types of nucleic acid medicines including messenger RNA, small interfering RNA, replicon RNA, antisense RNA, microRNA, DNA, and gene editing therapeutics. Arcturus’ technologies are covered by its extensive patent portfolio (222 patents and patent applications, issued in the U.S., Europe, Japan, China and other countries). Arcturus’ commitment to the development of novel RNA therapeutics has led to collaborations with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, CureVac AG, Synthetic Genomics Inc., Duke-NUS Medical School, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For more information visit www.ArcturusRx.com. In addition, please connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn. About Vingroup and VinBioCare As the largest private conglomerate in Vietnam and one of the largest in Asia, Vingroup is currently doing business in three core sectors namely technology, industry and services. In all sectors it has participated in, Vingroup is always a pioneer that leads market trends and creates world-class products and services of Vietnam. Find out more at: https://www.vingroup.net/enVinBioCare Biotechnology JSC (a member company of Vingroup) is a Vietnamese business working on vaccine and biological products. VinBioCare’s major resources are transferred from Viet A Corporation – a specialist in biotechnology with substantial market shares in Vietnam. The corporation was also Vietnam’s first producer of real-time PCR test kit for SARS-CoV-2 and is currently the supplier to about 90% of health care centers throughout the country. Contact Details Vingroup +84 24 3974 9999 v.chidqd@vingroup.net Company Website https://www.vingroup.net/en

August 02, 2021 11:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Amgen Joins American Kidney Fund’s Corporate Membership Program at ‘Champion’ Level

American Kidney Fund

The American Kidney Fund (AKF) today announced that Amgen has joined the 2021 class in its Corporate Membership Program as a Champion-level member, helping to support AKF’s broad range of programs and services that fight kidney disease on all fronts and help people live healthier lives. “We are thankful to Amgen for once again joining us as a Champion-level member in the AKF Corporate Membership Program,” said LaVarne A. Burton AKF President and CEO. “Amgen’s generous support of our lifesaving initiatives helps AKF raise awareness of kidney disease, support clinical research that improves the quality of care for kidney patients and directly assist one out of every six U.S. dialysis patients with health care expenses.” Amgen’s membership will help to fund AKF’s work to advance kidney disease awareness, prevention, early detection, treatment and research. With 97 cents of every donated dollar spent on patients and programs, not overhead, AKF directly touches the lives of more people with kidney disease than any other nonprofit. AKF and Amgen have a long history of partnership in the fight against kidney disease. For more than three decades, Amgen has been a strong supporter of AKF’s patient-focused programming. Most recently, Amgen has supported AKF’s education initiative on secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT ), which is commonly caused by kidney failure. Over the years, Amgen has also provided significant support for AKF’s Disaster Relief Program, which provides emergency grants to dialysis patients affected by natural disasters. Amgen’s membership will also support AKF’s programs for kidney health care professionals. Recently, Amgen supported AKF’s dietitian roundtable discussions about navigating healthy eating for kidney disease patients. “Amgen is pleased to join the American Kidney Fund’s Corporate Membership Program at the Champion level and help AKF enable all people with kidney disease to live their healthiest lives,” said Ned Endler, Executive Director at Amgen. “We are proud to support AKF’s meaningful programs and resources, including kidney disease management education, award-winning public and professional materials, accredited continuing education courses and webinars.” The Corporate Membership Program is open to institutional partners that support AKF’s mission of fighting kidney disease and helping people live healthier lives. For more information, contact Daniel Green, corporate engagement manager, at dgreen@kidneyfund.org or 301-984-6675. ### About the American Kidney Fund The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nation’s leading kidney nonprofit. AKF works on behalf of the 37 million Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through transplant. With programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy, no kidney organization impacts more lives than AKF. AKF is one of the nation’s top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and holds the highest 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. For more information, please visit KidneyFund.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Contact Details Stefanie Tuck +1 202-470-1797 +1 978-390-1394 AKF@jpa.com Company Website http://www.kidneyfund.org/

July 29, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

American Kidney Fund Releases Roadmap for Addressing the Unknown Causes of Kidney Disease

American Kidney Fund

The American Kidney Fund (AKF) today announced the Roadmap for Addressing the Unknown Causes of Kidney Disease, a comprehensive guide that outlines how to improve diagnosis of the root causes of kidney disease. The Roadmap summarizes the barriers to identifying the causes of kidney disease; the challenges that not having a clear diagnosis cause in patients’ lives; and the potential solutions that can improve diagnoses, ultimately improving care and slowing the progression of kidney disease. Identifying the root cause of patients’ kidney disease is often important for making treatment decisions, but studies suggest the cause of kidney failure is unknown for between 5% and 20% of patients. To address this challenge, AKF developed the Roadmap, identifying four areas that are critical to improving diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease: Improving access to genetic testing for people with kidney disease to increase the number of clear diagnoses; Developing national standards related to genetic testing through a consensus-driven process leveraging best practices; Expanding provider education and realigning financial incentives to prioritize definitive diagnosis of the cause of kidney disease; and Educating patients about kidney disease and testing in an effective, culturally competent manner. “Each step along the kidney care journey can be overwhelming and complicated, particularly for people who know they have kidney disease, but do not know why. Discovering the root cause of a patient’s kidney disease can provide clinical insights for the provider and have life-saving implications for the individual,” said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. “We’re eager to continue leading the kidney community in reducing the number of patients unaware of the origins of their kidney disease.” The Unknown Causes of Kidney Disease Project is supported by Leadership Sponsors Natera, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., Sanofi Genzyme and Vertex, and Champion Sponsors Alexion and Travere. The Roadmap builds off the growing body of research that suggests a sizable portion of undiagnosed causes of kidney disease could be identified through genetic testing and screening. The research highlights the importance of increasing access and coverage for genetic testing and diagnostic tools, like biopsies and imaging, while also ensuring that national standards are established. To implement the Roadmap’s recommended strategies, AKF will work with providers and other stakeholders to develop accessible resources for providers, patients and caregivers to pursue a diagnosis for the root causes of kidney disease or failure and to have clear conversations about genetic testing. These comprehensive and inclusive resources will help patients with their kidney care journey, while also empowering them to seek critical answers when they are confronted with kidney disease or failure with an unknown cause. “Currently there is a lack of standards, best practices and uniform data collection for genetic testing for kidney disease of unknown cause,” said Dr. Ali Gharavi, AKF Unknown Causes of Kidney Disease Project steering committee member. “It is our hope that by following this Roadmap, we can start initiatives that can improve quality of care for patients regardless of where they may reside or seek treatment.” The Roadmap was developed based on expert insights that were discussed during AKF’s Unknown Causes of Kidney Disease Summit in December 2020. By following the Roadmap, AKF and the broader kidney community can promote systemic change in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease. The Roadmap can be viewed at KidneyFund.org/summit. ### About the American Kidney Fund The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nation’s leading kidney nonprofit. AKF works on behalf of the 37 million Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through transplant. With programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy, no kidney organization impacts more lives than AKF. AKF is one of the nation’s top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and holds the highest 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. For more information, please visit KidneyFund.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Contact Details Stefanie Tuck +1 202-470-1797 AKF@jpa.com Company Website http://www.kidneyfund.org/

July 27, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Distinguished Cannabis Industry Expert Joins Phase 4 Services as VP of Business Development

Phase 4 Services

Hemp and cannabis testing laboratory management and consulting firm Phase 4 Services has tapped Jonathan Wani of MCR Labs as their latest VP addition and leader of the group’s business development consulting team. As VP of Business Development, Wani will draw on his 7 years of experience in the cannabis testing space as well as more than a decade’s worth of knowledge and connections gathered advocating for medical marijuana and fighting against cannabis prohibition. He will assist Phase 4 clients with establishing footholds in new and expanding markets. “We knew how to figure out the science and chemistry we needed to start MCR Labs, but Jon was the x-factor that got us real traction in the industry,” said Michael Kahn, founder and CEO of MCR Labs, a cannabis testing lab operating in several legal cannabis markets. “He knew about the products we’d be testing, and he could talk the talk with all the growers we needed to be testing for.” Wani is known in the cannabis space for his awareness of industry shifts and knowledge of production processes and product lineages. His connections with influencers, cannabis cup organizers, and prominent growers and extractors have enabled him to establish strong relationships with some of the largest multistate operators in the expanding cannabis industry. He is also a sought-after speaker for educational and industry-focused events. Adding Wani to the team allows Phase 4 Services to offer their clients valuable industry insights and networking opportunities that guide strategy implementation and facilitate expansion initiatives. About Phase 4 Services: Phase 4 Services is a scientific consulting and laboratory management firm dedicated to growing, supporting, and enhancing hemp and cannabis testing laboratories. Founded by experts in analytical testing, pharmaceutical chemistry, business administration, and development strategy, our team is equipped with the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure partner laboratories are successful in their pursuit of advancing public health and safety for cannabis patients and consumers. For more information visit http://phase4services.com. Contact Details Phase 4 Services Joe Crinkley +1 857-230-0839 PR@phase4services.com Company Website https://phase4services.com/

July 27, 2021 10:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time

AS&K Group Sets Science Based Targets for Emissions Reduction

AS&K Group

Medical communications group AS&K has set ambitious emissions reduction goals using the Science Based Target initiative’s (SBTi) framework for SMEs. This global organization provides companies with a clearly defined pathway to future-proof growth by specifying how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By joining more than 1,000 visionary businesses from all industries including major pharmaceutical companies, AS&K is leading the way in the medical communication sector in this important worldwide effort to tackle the climate crisis. AS&K has set a group-wide goal of 50% reduction in GHG emissions, which is in line with the most stringent goal of the Paris Agreement to keep global warming to 1.5C and prevent the most damaging effects of climate change. “AS&K understands the urgent need for companies to take action to address the climate crisis. We’re absolutely committed to doing all that we can, and will also work with our clients to reduce the climate impact of their medical communication activities,” said Simon Gee, AS&K Agency Head. As well as reducing emissions, AS&K is aiming to become net zero before 2030 by supporting programs that mitigate the effects of their remaining emissions. “The climate crisis is one of the most important issues of our times and we’re passionate about taking meaningful steps to reduce our carbon footprint. Joining the SBTi and setting emissions reduction goals is a critical first step in getting to net-zero as soon as we can,” added Katherine Vik, Senior Digital Project Manager and Chair of AS&K’s Climate Committee. “We are also running a number of workstreams to help our clients reduce the environmental impact of their medical communications.” More information about AS&K’s commitment is available on the SBTi website. About AS&K Group: The AS&K Group is an independently owned group of medical communications agencies who collaborate with leading pharmaceutical and medical device companies. As strategic partners and subject matter experts, the AS&K Group transforms complex scientific information into compelling programs that inform and educate healthcare professionals. The AS&K Group comprises three innovative companies: Remedica, AS&K Communications and The Corpus. Follow our journey on Twitter @asandkgroup and Linkedin Contact Details AS&K Group Alana Zdinak +44 7766 706656 alana.zdinak@asandk.com Remedica Alejandro Potes +44 20 7428 2996 alejandro.potes@remedica.com Company Website https://asandk.com/

July 27, 2021 10:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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