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Bloom Healthcare Named a Direct Contracting Entity (DCE) by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center)

Bloom Healthcare

Bloom Health Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bloom Healthcare Inc. (“Bloom Healthcare”) an industry leader in comprehensive home-based primary care and behavioral health integration, has been named a Direct Contracting Entity (DCE) by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center). Bloom Healthcare began participating in the new Global and Professional Direct Contracting (“Direct Contracting”) model on January 1 st of this year and is one of eight (8) DCEs serving a High Need Population in the new model. High Needs Population DCEs use a model of care specifically designed to serve Medicare beneficiaries with complex medical needs, in particular those that are homebound or reside in assisted living facilities. The Direct Contracting model enables participating organizations, like Bloom Healthcare, to reduce medical expenditures and improve quality of care and health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with complex, chronic conditions and advanced stage illness. In addition, the model aims to improve how Medicare patients experience healthcare by reducing administrative burdens and increasing time spent with their primary healthcare provider. “Bloom Healthcare is redefining how our patients and partners experience healthcare by transforming the way care is delivered in the communities we serve. Our mission fully aligns with the goals and objectives of the Innovation Center’s Direct Contracting model and is yet another example of Bloom’s commitment to continuously innovate, improve quality of care and health outcomes for our patients” said Thomas Lally, M.D., CEO of Bloom Healthcare. Bloom Healthcare will be accountable for the cost and quality of services provided to their patients who are Medicare beneficiaries participating in the new model. The Direct Contracting model offers participating DCEs, like Bloom Healthcare, increased flexibilities, such as the ability to directly contract with other types of healthcare providers, develop preferred provider relationships and aligned incentives to improve care coordination. As a DCE, Bloom can offer benefit enhancements and additional services to eligible Medicare patients, which are not traditionally covered by the Medicare program. “Our participation in this new Innovation Center model will enable Bloom Healthcare and our participating primary care providers to provide their most vulnerable and medically complex patients with a level of value-based care that heretofore has not been possible in the traditional Medicare program. It builds on our organization’s success in other value-based care model partnerships, such as with Medicare Advantage organizations” said Franke P. Elliott, President of Bloom Health Network, Bloom Healthcare’s DCE. Bloom Healthcare enhances the quality of life and well-being of seniors and their caregivers by providing high quality healthcare wherever they choose to live – at home, or in senior housing, such as an assisted living facility. Patients are cared for by a primary care provider who is supported by a robust multidisciplinary care team, consisting of administrative coordinators, nurse clinical coordinators, social workers, pharmacists, behavioral health specialists and complex case managers, who provide care in accordance with a comprehensive care plan developed with patients and their families, with a focus on maximizing quality of life and meeting patients’ goals. For information about Bloom Healthcare and our participation in the Direct Contracting model, please visit https://bloomhealthcare.com/bloom-dce/ Disclaimer: The statements contained in this document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CMS. The authors assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this document. Contact Details Angela Fulcher +1 512-470-1970 afulcher@growthstrategy.ai

March 15, 2022 08:40 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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4D Path, PathPresenter Announce Partnership to Advance AI-enabled Digital Pathology for End-to-End Breast Tumor Profiling

4D Path

PathPresenter, a pioneer in the development of digital pathology software, and 4D Path Inc., developer of a pan-cancer diagnostic and precision oncology platform enabling AI-based biomarker typing and prognostication from H&E images, are announcing today a global partnership to distribute 4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast within PathPresenter’s new Clinical Workflow Platform, ClinPx. 4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast provides histopathologists with an adjunct technology to potentially improve diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer features (e.g., its invasiveness, grades, ki-67 status, etc.) solely from digitized histopathology images obtained via biopsies or resections. Through this partnership, pathologists will have the ability to run the 4D Q-Plasia OncoReader Breast directly within the ClinPx whole slide image viewer. Embedding this AI technology within PathPresenter’s emerging ClinPx platform – a scanner-agnostic digital pathology workflow solution – could accelerate the adoption of AI tools within clinical workflows. “We believe that the integration of these two technologies will redefine how AI can be adopted by everyday pathologists,” said Rajendra Singh, M.D., Founder of PathPresenter. The primary purpose of integrating 4D’s proprietary algorithms within the ClinPx platform is to potentially improve the throughput, reliability, and quality of consultations provided by physicians. Additionally, users from pharmaceutical organizations could also benefit from the enablement of the standardized central pathology review of certain biomarkers within the context of clinical trials leveraging the ClinPx platform. “This unique partnership is very much needed to make the most of the increasing investment in digital pathology,” said Tathagata Dasgupta, Founder and President of 4D Path. “While PathPresenter offers a software platform made by pathologists to serve pathologists in their digital workflow, it will have at its heart the 4D Path-driven end-to-end tumor profiling white-box solution that can produce synoptic reports to potentially assist clinical reporting.” To advance the adoption of digital pathology worldwide, 4D Path and PathPresenter have created exclusive educational content to teach current and future pathologists about how evaluation of breast cancer features prior to downstream genomic and molecular testing can potentially improve patient care. This information will be available to PathPresenter’s 40,000 global users at PathPresenter.net. *4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast has not been approved by the FDA or the EMA for primary diagnosis. 4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast is for Research Use Only (RUO) About PathPresenter PathPresenter has been a pioneer in the development of digital pathology software since 2017. Originally known for its education platform, PathPresenter has evolved into a suite of interconnected digital pathology products that enable the use of digital pathology images for clinical care, medical education, and research. With over 40,000 registered users adopting its technologies around the world, PathPresenter enables a global clinical and data network for AI-driven precision medicine to define a new standard of care. Visit https://pathpresenter.net/ to learn more. About 4D Path 4D Path’s mission is to democratize precision diagnostics and oncology by unveiling previously hidden information purely from cellular snapshots of tissue ( e.g., histology) or liquid ( e.g., cytology) without the use of antibody stains. The company’s cloud-based 4D Q-Plasia OncoReader (QPOR) is a U.S. patented pan-cancer precision diagnostic and oncology platform which is being designed to extract diagnostic data from routine cytology and histology images. Its beachhead product, the 4D QPOR Breast, has been awarded FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for potentially improving diagnostic accuracy over the current standard of care. This end-to-end solution provides an adjunct tool, which aims to accelerate diagnostic turnaround times, reduce cost, and improve diagnostic accuracy in a single step. In addition, this technology is being designed to identify an overall biologic cancer signature to guide therapeutic management from as early as pre-treatment biopsy/resection specimens. This single test will not require the multiple additive signatures that multi-omics platforms depend upon, with their additional burdens of cost, diagnostic delay, and reliance on specialized equipment. This approach toward tumor profiling could lead to the 4D QPOR becoming an efficient and universally accessible platform to better predict and stratify patient response to therapy. The platform can integrate seamlessly into any existing clinical workflow without altering current practices. Visit https://4dpath.com to learn more. Contact Details SVM Public Relations & Marketing Communications Jordan Bouclin +1 401-490-9700 Jordan.bouclin@svmpr.com Company Website https://4dpath.com/

March 15, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Doctors and nurses worldwide point to roadmap to future-proof healthcare

Elsevier

Thousands of doctors and nurses from across the globe reveal what is needed to fill gaps and future-proof today’s healthcare system in a new report from Elsevier Health. Published two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, the comprehensive “Clinician of the Future” report, conducted in partnership with Ipsos uncovers just how undervalued doctors and nurses feel, and their call for urgent support such as more skills training — especially in the effective use of health data and technology; preserving the patient-doctor relationship in a changing digital world; and recruiting more healthcare professionals into the field. Their voices have been elevated in this first global, multiphase research report to not only understand where the healthcare system is following the COVID-19 pandemic, but where it needs to be in 10 years to ensure a future that both providers and patients deserve. “Doctors and nurses play a vital role in the health and well-being of our society. Ensuring they are being heard will enable them to get the support they need to deliver better patient care in these difficult times,” said Jan Herzhoff, President of Elsevier Health. “We must start to shift the conversation away from discussing today’s healthcare problems to delivering solutions that will help improve patient outcomes. In our research, they have been clear about the areas they need support; we must act now to protect, equip and inspire the clinician of the future.” There has never been a greater need for lifting the voices of healthcare professionals. The global study found 71% of doctors and 68% of nurses believe their jobs have changed considerably in the past 10 years, with many saying their jobs have gotten worse. One in three clinicians are considering leaving their current role by 2024, with as many as half of this group in some countries leaving healthcare entirely. This comes on top of the existing global healthcare workforce shortage, where clinicians continue to experience severe levels of fatigue and burnout since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. “As a practicing doctor, I am acutely aware of the struggles today’s clinicians face in their efforts to care for patients,” said Charles Alessi, MD, Chief Clinical Officer, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). “This comprehensive report from Elsevier Health provides an opportunity for the industry to listen — and act — on the pivotal guidance given by those on the frontlines. I commend this important initiative and look forward to next steps in supporting our doctors and nurses.” What today’s clinicians want for the clinician of the future The “Clinician of the Future” report includes a quantitative global survey, qualitative interviews and roundtable discussions with nearly 3,000 practicing doctors and nurses around the world. The data helps shed light on the challenges impacting the profession today and predictions on what healthcare will look like in the next decade, according to those providing critical patient care. To ensure a positive shift moving into the future—and to fill current gaps—clinicians highlight the following priority areas for greater support: Enhancing health technology skills: Clinicians predict that over the next 10 years “technology literacy” will become their most valuable capability, ranking higher than “clinical knowledge.” In fact, 56% of clinicians predict they will base most of their clinical decisions using tools that utilize artificial intelligence. However, 69% report being overwhelmed with the current volume of data and 69% predict the widespread use of digital health technologies to become an even more challenging burden in the future. As a result, 83% believe training needs to be overhauled so they can keep pace with technological advancements. A greater focus on the patient-provider relationship: Clinicians predict a blended approach to healthcare with 63% saying most consultations between clinicians and patients will be remote and 49% saying most healthcare will be provided in a patient’s home instead of in a healthcare setting. While clinicians may save time and see more patients thanks to telehealth, more than half of clinicians believe telehealth will negatively impact their ability to demonstrate empathy with patients they no longer see in person. As a result, clinicians are calling for guidance on when to use telehealth and how to transfer soft skills like empathy to the computer screen. An expanded healthcare workforce: Clinicians are concerned about a global healthcare workforce shortage, with 74% predicting there will be a shortage of nurses and 68% predicting a shortage of doctors in 10 years’ time. This may be why a majority of global clinicians agree that a top priority will be to increase the number of healthcare workers in the coming decade. Clinicians require the support of larger, better equipped teams and expanded multidisciplinary healthcare teams, such as data analysts, data security experts and scientists, as well as clinicians themselves. “While we know that many nurses are leaving the profession due to burnout, we also know that the pandemic has inspired others to enter the field because of a strong desire for purposeful work,” said Marion Broome, PhD RN, FAAN, Ruby F. Wilson Professor of Nursing at the School of Nursing, Duke University. “We must embrace this next wave of healthcare professionals and ensure we set them up for success. Our future as a society depends on it.” Looking to the future Findings from this research will be leveraged to provide strategic insights and solutions for physicians, nurses, educators, healthcare administrators and policymakers as Elsevier Health establishes initiatives designed to address the gaps highlighted: Provide an annual Elsevier Health “Clinician of the Future” pulse survey to ensure these voices continue to be front-and-center. Convene a Global Coalition of healthcare leaders and institutions to explore solutions at the medical school and clinical practice level. Explore the issue of patient empathy in partnership with our trusted research journals and subject matter experts. “Ultimately, we asked clinicians for what they need, and now it’s our responsibility as a healthcare industry to act,” said Thomas (Tate) Erlinger, MD, MPH, Vice President, Clinical Analytics, Elsevier Health. “Now is the time for bold thinking — to serve providers and patients today and tomorrow. We need to find ways to give clinicians the enhanced skills and resources they need to better support and care for patients in the future. And we need to fill in gaps today, to stop the drain on healthcare workers to ensure a strong system in the next decade and beyond.” Research methodology Elsevier and Ipsos collaborated to develop this study with Ipsos conducting the three phases of research cumulatively leading to the explorations in this report. The phases included (1) 60-minute online qualitative interviews with 23 key opinion leaders from around the world to uncover trends and expectations for the future state of clinician roles and to inform quantitative design (run from Aug. 11 until Sept. 10, 2021). Participants were recruited from databases supplied by Elsevier and its flagship medical journal, The Lancet, in addition to clinicians recruited directly from Ipsos’ network (REACH – Thought Leadership); (2) a 15-minute online global survey completed by 2,838 1 clinicians to measure attitudes and uncover the paradigm shifts expected to most impact how healthcare is delivered (run from Oct. 15 until Dec. 13, 2021). The 2,838 respondents included a mixture of doctors and nurses from around the world. All participants who took part chose to do so, and individuals invited to participate were drawn from a number of sources, including clinicians who had published recently, who were randomly selected from a database of published authors across 9,000 health titles (including journals and books) from various publishers, clinicians on a third-party panel, and users of Elsevier solutions aimed at doctors and nurses. Data generated from this study was weighted using a regional weighting efficiency of 77.7% and a doctor-to-nurse weighting efficiency of 93.0%; (3) three qualitative virtual roundtables with 13 key opinion leaders in the US (5 participants), UK (4 participants) and China (4 participants) to gather reactions to the findings and provide expert points of view on the clinician of the future (run Nov. 22, 2021, Dec. 7, 2021, and Jan. 13, 2022). A global medical student roundtable with 12 participants was also conducted to capture the voice of the next generation of clinicians (run Feb. 15, 2022). For these roundtables, participants were recruited from databases supplied by Elsevier and The Lancet, in addition to clinicians recruited directly from Ipsos’ network (REACH - Though Leadership), a global social impact organization. To read the “Clinician of the Future” report in its entirety, click here. Notes for editors [1] Full base size Total (n=2838), Doctors (n=1691), Nurses (n=1108) Total (n=2838). Females (1465), Males (1300), Other (73) Total (n=2838), USA (n=434), UK (n=604), China (n=499), India (n=161), DE (n=162), JP (n=63), FR (n=82), ES (n=239), AUS (n=46), Mexico (n=50), NOAM (n=445), EUROPE (n=1255), APAC (n=842), MEA (n=128), South America (n=168); Doctor (n=1691), USA (n=261), UK (n=411), China (n=209), India (n=69), DE (n=69), JP (n=61), FR (n=24*), ES (n=130), AUS (n=30), Mexico (n=39), NOAM (n=268), EUROPE (n=755), APAC (n=433), MEA (n=105), South America (n=130); Nurses (n=1108), USA (n=164), UK (n=190), China (n=289), India (n=92), DE (n=86), JP (n=2*), FR (n=55), ES (n=106), AUS (n=16*), Mexico (n=9*), NOAM (n=168), EUROPE (n=481), APAC (n=408), MEA (n=21*), South America (n=30). About Elsevier Health Elsevier Health is a new brand identity that elevates our unique position to leverage knowledge, data, and technology to help clinicians, leaders, educators and students globally. Through our research, we have identified Five Pillars to Shape the Future of Health, which will guide our actions for the future. These pillars focus on the need to improve access to evidence-based information to tackle the infodemic; prepare more future health professionals with effective tools and resources; provide insights that improve patient outcomes; deliver healthcare that is truly inclusive; and support a more personalized and localized healthcare experience. Elsevier Health supports healthcare professionals throughout their career journey from education through clinical practice by providing current, accessible, evidence–based information, that can help empower clinicians to provide the best healthcare possible. About Elsevier As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems. In everything we publish, we uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity. We bring that same rigor to our information analytics solutions for researchers, health professionals, institutions and funders. Elsevier employs 8,100 people worldwide. We have supported the work of our research and health partners for more than 140 years. Growing from our roots in publishing, we offer knowledge and valuable analytics that help our users make breakthroughs and drive societal progress. Digital solutions such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath support strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support and health education. Researchers and healthcare professionals rely on our 2,500+ digitized journals, including “ The Lancet ” and “ Cell ”; our 40,000 e-Book titles; and our iconic reference works, such as “Gray’s Anatomy.” With the Elsevier Foundation and our external Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board, we work in partnership with diverse stakeholders to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world. Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.elsevier.com Media contact Teresa Mueller, VP Communications, Elsevier Health Elsevier Communications t.mueller@elsevier.com Contact Details Elsevier Communications, UK Teresa Mueller t.mueller@elsevier.com Company Website https://www.elsevier.com/

March 15, 2022 09:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk is Back on the Course in 2022

Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk

The annual Boston Marathon ® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai will be returning to the historic course in person on Sunday, October 2 nd, to defy cancer. The Jimmy Fund Walk is the only organized walk permitted on the famed course and participants have the flexibility to choose from four distance options: 5K Walk (3.1 miles from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), 10K Walk (6.2 miles from Newton), Half Marathon Walk (13.1 miles from Wellesley), or Marathon Walk (26.2 miles from Hopkinton). Participants can also choose to join the event virtually by “ walking their way ” from wherever they are most comfortable—in their neighborhood, on a favorite hiking trail, or on a treadmill at home. Virtual programming and supporting materials will be available. “Throughout the Jimmy Fund Walk’s 33-year history, we have raised money to support our lifesaving mission, and the pandemic didn’t stop us,” said Zack Blackburn, Director of the Jimmy Fund Walk. Over the past two years, we saw our teams walk virtually and celebrate in their own unique way. Now, we welcome them to walk the course in person. We are back, and we are stronger than ever.” The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $155 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its 33-year history. Funds raised from the Walk support all forms of adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Anyone interested in additional information can email JimmyFundWalk@DFCI.Harvard.edu or call 866-531-9255. Along the course, walkers are treated to 12 refueling stations as well as poster-sized photographs of patients – Jimmy Fund Walk Heroes – displayed at each mile marker and half-mile marker as inspiration. All four routes of the Jimmy Fund Walk end at the Copley Square Finish Line with a celebration complete with food, music, and a speaking program. To register for the Jimmy Fund Walk (#JimmyFundWalk) or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Registrants can enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee. All registered walkers will receive a bib, medal, and a Jimmy Fund Walk T-shirt. About the Jimmy Fund The Jimmy Fund, established in Boston in 1948, is comprised of community-based fundraising events and other programs that, solely and directly, benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults. The Jimmy Fund is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children's Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow the Jimmy Fund on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @TheJimmyFund. Contact Details Brodeur Partners Kaitlynn Cooney +1 609-351-5944 kcooney@brodeur.com Company Website https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?fr_id=1840&pg=entry

March 15, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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College of DuPage Awarded Illinois CRSS Success Program Grant to Support Individuals with Mental Health or Substance Use Recovery

College of DuPage

Students with lived experience of mental health or substance use recovery can now earn a certificate in behavioral health at College of DuPage thanks to a newly awarded grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health. Launching in fall 2022, the 16-hour Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) program will prepare students for an entry level position in the behavioral health workforce, specifically in the areas of substance abuse and mental health disorder recovery. Certified Recovery Support Specialists use their lived experience to help others gain hope and achieve specific life and recovery goals. Students in the program will receive full funding to overcome practical barriers to success, including tuition, textbook costs, application fees, childcare and transportation. COD Human Services Associate Professor Jason Florin said that there is a critical and growing need for mental health support professionals in DuPage County. “The rapidly growing peer workforce is an integral part of behavioral health treatment,” he said. “Increasingly in the last decade, these highly trained and competent peers are being hired in a variety of different health care settings, non-profits and other recovery-oriented systems.” Certified Recovery Support Specialists bring not only their expertise, but compassion, hope, and honesty to any team offering treatment and recovery services, said COD Human Services Professor Andrea Polites. “The new CRSS program at COD creates a win-win scenario,” she said. “The organization hiring someone in recovery gains an employee with competency in utilizing their life experiences to help others, and upon completion of our program, the student is qualified for gainful employment, where they can leverage their lived experience to support and mentor others, while expanding their skillset,” she said. Program graduates can sit for two certification exams through the Illinois Certification Board—Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). For more information about the CRSS program, contact Florin at florin@cod.edu or (630) 942-2043. Learn more about the COD Human Services Program. Watch a video of Florin discussing the importance of the new CRSSS program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QInT4eauXfs ### Contact Details Angela Mennecke +1 630-942-3134 menneckea@cod.edu

March 14, 2022 08:00 AM Central Daylight Time

GROUNDWORK BIOAG NAMED THIRD MOST INNOVATIVE FOOD COMPANY IN THE WORLD BY FAST COMPANY

Groundwork BioAg

Groundwork BioAg® has been selected by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Food Companies for 2022. The bioagriculture company was recognized for tackling grand challenges facing humankind today: food security, soil health and climate change. Groundwork BioAg ensures farmers have access to its cost-effective mycorrhizal inoculants that increase yield while reducing the use of phosphorus, protecting against drought and permanently sequestering carbon. The company’s Rootella® product line sets the standard for quality, concentration and predictability through its mass production technology innovation. This translates to greater in-field performance to help farmers grow more productive and resilient crops. “We are honored to stand with this prestigious group of companies recognized by Fast Company for innovation that is transforming the world today,” said Dr. Yossi Kofman, CEO and Co-Founder, Groundwork BioAg. "As commercial agriculture reconciles societal shifts and climate change realities, the industry is adopting more regenerative practices that reduce farmers’ dependence on toxic and expensive chemical fertilizers. For the health of our planet and all who live here, we remain committed to restoring the world’s soils with the mainstream application of mycorrhizae – the Queen of Biologicals.” Applied on more than one million acres in 2021, Groundwork BioAg accelerated global production and expanded product formulations and application methods. Previously, the biotechnology and manufacturing processes were too complex and costly to produce a highly effective and affordable inoculant for mainstream agriculture. “The industrial agriculture revolution only took society so far and its potential has been exhausted. Groundwork BioAg’s innovations are at the epicenter of the next agricultural revolution — the bioagricultural revolution — and it will grow, as healthy plants do, from soil rich in mycorrhizae,” said Kofman. As part of its annual process, Fast Company ’s editors and writers sought out the most groundbreaking businesses across the globe and industries. The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company ’s signature franchise and provides both a snapshot and a roadmap for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the global economy. “The world’s most innovative companies play an essential role in addressing the most pressing issues facing society, whether they’re fighting climate change by spurring decarbonization efforts, ameliorating the strain on supply chains, or helping us reconnect with one another over shared passions,” said Fast Company Deputy Editor David Lidsky. Fast Company ’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2022) is available online and on newsstands beginning March 15. About Groundwork BioAg Groundwork BioAg, a global bioagriculture company, leverages the natural power of mycorrhizal fungi to improve the productivity, sustainability and profitability of mainstream 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. Contact Details AgTech PR for Groundwork BioAg Jennifer Goldston +1 816-260-0040 jennifer@agtechpr.com Company Website https://www.groundworkbioag.com

March 09, 2022 07:30 AM Central Standard Time

MyYogaTeacher Launches Official 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program Online

MyYogaTeacher

MyYogaTeacher announces the launch of a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program, which will be offered three times each year, and features live instruction by a group of highly-skilled, certified, India-based and -trained instructors. Unlike the self-paced, pre-recorded, video-based packages sold online, which offer digital materials, videos, and only a handful of live sessions led by an instructor, MyYogaTeacher’s courses are 100% live, taking place daily over a period of 95+ days. MyYogaTeacher was named one of “The 6 Best Online Yoga Classes of 2022” by Byrdie. “Our students have a wide range of reasons for pursuing teacher training,” says Jitendra Gupta, the Indian-born CEO of MyYogaTeacher, who co-founded the company with Mexican-American entrepreneur Will Allen, after pursuing yoga to improve his personal physical and mental well-being. “Some definitely have a desire to teach yoga, but others simply want to improve their practice and challenge themselves a bit further by expanding their yogic knowledge and taking their physical practice to the next level.” The program is open to students of all levels. The Yoga Alliance-certified teacher training program features 6 highly-qualified MyYogaTeacher instructors, and is led by Rohan Shroff, who earned a Masters in Science in Yoga from SVYASA University in Bangalore and has over 1300 hours of yoga teacher training from well-known and respected institutions in India. Rohan has graduated over 500 students from online and in-person teacher training programs, including over 100 MyYogaTeacher students, and he also teaches Pranayama, Meditation, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Yoga Sutras, and Methodology, at MyYogaTeacher. Besides live instruction on a variety of topics–yoga history, theory, anatomy and physiology–in addition to asana practice, pranayama, chanting, meditation, yoga sutras, and more, the program includes a 150-page e-book, recordings of the classes so students can return to each session and review, plus a community setting that keeps students engaged, motivated and energize. They can also live chat with instructors (Bodhi Abishek Singh, Gomati Woli, Stuti Asher, Umesh Balavaradaraju, Bharath Ram) and fellow students. “What’s great is that your investment in teacher training is nowhere close to the cost you will incur by traveling to India during our post-Covid era,” says Gupta. “And we offer students a 14-day free trial so if they are not happy with the coursework, they can cancel.” The first round of this YTT program runs from March 5 to May 28, and the program will be offered 3 times each year. The next round will take place in the summer of 2022. Learn more about the program and featured instructors here. About MyYogaTeacher MyYogaTeacher is reconnecting yoga to its roots and sharing it through live lessons taught by the world’s foremost teachers who studied yoga at India’s most elite universities and schools. With over 100,000 registered U.S. students, it offers over 40 group classes daily, and provides private sessions, along with over one million minutes of live interactions each month. The Cupertino, California-based company was co-founded in 2018 by Jitendra Gupta and Will Allen. Gupta is the successful former co-founder of Punchh, who turned his struggle with burnout into a platform to help others. Allen is a former mechanical engineer who left the lucrative aerospace industry to travel the world, and pursue yoga and meditation over the past decade. MyYogaTeacher recently received $3 million in seed round funding, led by TSVC, with participation from Leonis Investissement, Weekend Fund, All Access Fund, and Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments. For more information, visit MyYogaTeacher.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii PR Carolyn Kamii +1 310-251-0550 carolyn@carolynkamii.com Company Website https://www.myyogateacher.com/

March 09, 2022 04:30 AM Pacific Standard Time

Fine Hygienic Holding recognized as one of few Global Top Employers for the first time

Fine Hygienic Holding

In recognition of its excellent work environment, Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), the world leading wellness group and manufacturer of hygienic paper products and long-lasting germ protection solutions, has been recognized as a global Top Employer for 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute. FHH was named Top Employer Middle East 2022, as one of few employers worldwide recognized at the awards for its outstanding human resources strategy as well as employees’ experience and culture. The group’s operations in Egypt, Jordan, KSA and the UAE all achieved the highest global benchmark of HR practices which cover the areas of People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, Well-being and Diversity & Inclusion. Marking the group’s latest achievement, James Michael Lafferty, FHH’s CEO, said, “We are very proud of being recognized as a top employer in the field of FMCG. Attaining this certificate proves yet again that our motto – if we take care of our people, the business will take care of itself – is being put into action every single day. We know that our success as a company derives from the strength of our most important asset, our Fine people. That is why we are constantly working to create an environment that attracts and retains the very best, and always celebrate employees who excel both in their performance and in embodying our company values.” Fine Hygienic Holding has around 3,000 employees from more than 40 nationalities spread among its operations in the MENA region with two headquarters: Amman and Dubai. To achieve the “Top Employer” award, the company went through a multi-stage certification program. Companies from all over the world wishing to participate in the award are required to fill a detailed survey covering six HR domains consisting of 20 topics and undergo extensive auditing for each HR process. The Top Employers Institute specializes in the alignment of practices and policies through a global program based on benchmarking best HR practices to grant the global workforce with full outstanding people practices. About Fine Hygienic Holding: Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading wellness groups and MENA’s leading manufacturer of hygienic products, serves consumers in more than 80 countries around the world. Originally established as a paper manufacturer, FHH has transformed into a wellness company dedicated to enhancing global health and wellbeing. Committed to becoming “the shining star of the Arab FMCG business world,” the Group focuses on wellness, sustainability, pioneering CSR programs, and state-of-the-art production processes. Fine Hygienic Holding offers a diverse array of award-winning products including sterilized facial tissues, napkins, kitchen towels, toilet paper, baby diapers, adult briefs, jumbo rolls, as well as away-from-home products to accommodate all types of private and public institutions, in addition to its advanced range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and long-lasting germ protection solutions, it also brings Nai natural iced teas and innovative nutritional supplements, Motiva, to the market. Along with multiple accolated and awards over the years, particularly for its products and CSR initiatives, the company was recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. Contact Details Rana Kawalit │ Corporate Communication & PR Director Rkawalit@finehh.com Company Website https://www.finehh.com/

March 08, 2022 11:24 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Data from pre-clinical study of OCT461201 shows positive results

Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings Plc

Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings plc (LSE: OCTP, OTCQB: OCTHF), the pharmaceutical company developing prescription cannabinoid medicines targeting the US$ multi-billion pain market is pleased to announce positive results from a pre-clinical pain study for its lead compound, OCT461201, targeting the global Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (“CIPN”) treatment market valued at US$1.61bn in 2020 and forecasted to reach US$2.37bn by the year 2027. CIPN is a peripheral neuropathy resulting from the neurotoxic effects of common chemotherapeutic drugs. The hallmarks of CIPN are pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities. On average, an estimated 60 per cent. of people undergoing chemotherapy are affected by CIPN at 3 months. CIPN can be progressive and enduring, leading to years of debilitation and suffering. The results from OCTP’s recent study show that OCT461201 successfully reduces pain in a pre-clinical animal model of CIPN induced by paclitaxel, a widely used chemotherapy agent. Two common symptoms of CIPN are pain caused by innocuous stimuli, like light touch (mechanical allodynia) and heat or cold (thermal hyperalgesia). In the study, OCT461201 significantly reduced pain from both mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia compared to untreated animals. Globally, there is an urgent need for new therapies to treat CIPN as there are currently no approved therapies for this condition. The current standard of care is the off-label use of gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) and antidepressants (e.g. duloxetine), drugs associated with serious side effects. Furthermore, in some cases their overall clinical effectiveness is inadequate, leaving cancer patients in pain, with a reduced quality of life and the prospect of having to change or stop their chemotherapy altogether. Commenting on the results of the experiment, OCTP Chief Executive John Lucas said: “To obtain such a positive result in this study is significant and provides further evidence that OCT461201 could be an effective therapy in the treatment of CIPN in cancer patients. Based on previously completed pre-clinical safety experiments, the Directors believe the administered dose of OCT461201 could have been increased by over three times. The results of this study demonstrate the opportunities open to OCT461201 in treating a major and common side effect experienced by so many cancer patients and we are more excited than ever to be starting phase 1 clinical trials early next year. These latest results reaffirm the potential of OCT461201 across multiple indications.” Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings plc is the holding company of Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Ltd, a pharmaceutical company developing prescription cannabinoid medicines for approval by key medicines regulatory agencies worldwide and targeting the U$ multi-billion pain market (together the “Group”). Cannabinoids are compounds found in the cannabis plant that have been shown to have a range of therapeutic effects on the body, including pain relief. The Group has a clearly defined path to commercialisation, revenues and growth. The Group is developing drug candidates through clinical trials to gain regulatory approval (FDA/MHRA/EMA) that will enable medical professionals to prescribe them with confidence.The Group’s portfolio aims to balance risk, value and time to market, whilst ensuring market exclusivity around all its key activities. The Group’s lead compound, OCT461201, is a highly potent and selective CB2 agonist and is being developed by OCT in a solid oral dosage form. OCT is conducting pre-clinical testing and development with clinical trials scheduled for Q1 2023. The Group’s product pipeline also uses a balanced drug product strategy that employs both natural and synthetic compounds for the treatment of rare diseases and includes chemically modified phytocannabinoids with improved drug-like characteristics and a proprietary library of cannabinoids. OCTP operates a partnership model with external academic and commercial partners. Caution regarding forward looking statementsCertain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ''believe'', ''could'', "should" ''envisage'', ''estimate'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''potentially'', "expect", ''will'' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Contact Details Harbor Access Jonathan Paterson +1 475-477-9401 jonathan.paterson@harbor-access.com Investor Relations Ricahrd Leighton +1 475-477-9403 Richard.Leighton@Harbor-Access.com Company Website https://www.oxcantech.com/

March 08, 2022 03:26 PM Eastern Standard Time

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