News Hub | News Direct

Healthcare

Addiction Biotech Cannabis Genetics Healthcare Medical Devices Pharmaceutical Science Veterinary
Article thumbnail News Release

PathAI Introduces TumorDetect, an AI Solution to Automate Tumor Assessment and Case Prioritization for Anatomic Pathology Laboratories

PathAI

PathAI, a global leader in AI-powered pathology, today announced TumorDetect on AISight™, PathAI’s digital pathology image management system. TumorDetect is an AI-powered feature of AISight which automates the assessment and quantification of tumor across diverse tissue types. This product transforms pathology workflows by enabling case prioritization based on tumor content, helping pathologists to expedite case review, accelerate ordering of additional tests, and improving overall case turnaround time. As cancer incidence and corresponding cancer biopsy volumes continue to rise year-over-year, TumorDetect is designed to ensure that pathologists’ focus is guided to cases with highest likelihood of cancer with the goal of more rapid confirmation of tumor presence (for example, through downstream IHC assessment). In addition to identifying cases and slides likely to contain tumor, the product generates overlay visualizations and slide-level quantifications to facilitate pathologist review. PathAI will be expanding this pilot across its network of 50+ laboratory and early access partners across diverse tumor types globally. "Pathologists are facing increasing demands for faster case turnaround time, against a backdrop of increasing workload. TumorDetect is a game-changer in the field of pathology, empowering pathologists to efficiently prioritize cases based on tumor content," said Andy Beck, MD, PhD, Cofounder & CEO, PathAI. "Our AI-powered solution is designed to expedite the case review process but also facilitates faster turnaround times for labs." “AI-enabled assist tools such as TumorDetect can help pathologists perform important daily tasks – tumor detection and cellularity assessment, which are crucial for biomarker testing and precision medicine,” said Marilyn Bui, MD, PhD, Senior Member in the Departments of Pathology and Machine Learning at Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. “I am excited about the potential for AI-assisted tumor assessment to augment pathologists’ effectiveness in delivering quality results and streamlining pathology workflows.” TumorDetect’s assessment and prioritization criteria are customizable, allowing pathologists to set personalized tumor content thresholds in line with their unique preferences and requirements. In addition to tumor cell quantification, TumorDetect also generates overlay visualizations highlighting hotspots of possible tumor on whole slide images (WSI). TumorDetect was developed on a dataset comprised of over 100,000 WSIs with over 6 million hand-drawn annotations from expert board-certified subspecialist pathologists, capturing the diversity of ways in which cancers appear in pathology WSIs. This feature, delivered through AISight, significantly aids pathologists during hotspot reviews, allowing for a more focused and targeted analysis of potentially cancerous regions. This announcement follows the launch of several AI algorithm products including AIM-PD-L1™ and AIM-HER2™ for reproducible biomarker and disease severity assessment, ArtifactDetect™ for automated quality control, and AIM-TumorCellularity™ (AIM-TC) for whole-slide level assessment of tumor cellularity. PathAI’s comprehensive suite of eight AI product offerings is designed to power pathologist decision making while optimizing laboratory efficiency. To learn more about AISight, PathAI’s image management system, or TumorDetect and its capabilities, please contact digitaldx@pathai.com About PathAI PathAI is the only AI-focused technology company to provide comprehensive precision pathology solutions from wet lab services to algorithm deployment for clinical trials and laboratory use. Rigorously trained and validated with data from more than 15 million annotations, its AI-powered models can be leveraged to optimize the analysis of pathology samples to improve efficiency and accuracy of pathology interpretation, as well as to better gauge therapeutic efficacy and accelerate drug development for complex diseases. About AISight AISight, introduced earlier this year by PathAI, is a comprehensive digital pathology image management system, currently offered for Research Use Only. AISight provides best-in-class image and case management, ingestion, and viewing while seamlessly enabling access and deployment of AI applications. AISight can also be integrated bidirectionally with laboratory information systems for streamlined workflow adoption. Anatomic pathology laboratories of all sizes and specialties – including health systems, reference laboratories, independent pathology labs, and academic medical centers – may utilize AISight. TumorDetect, AISight, AIM-PD-L1, AIM-HER2, ArtifactDetect, and AIM-TumorCellularity are For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. Contact Details SVM Public Relations and Marketing Communications Maggie Naples +1 401-490-9700 pathai@svmpr.com Company Website https://www.pathai.com/

December 14, 2023 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

The Vaccine Group appoints advisory board in partnering push

Frontier IP Group PLC

Frontier IP Group PLC (AIM:FIPP, OTC:FGPPF) portfolio company The Vaccine Group (TVG) CEO Jeremy Salt speaks to Proactive after announcing that TVG has established an advisory board comprised of what the company describes as three high-ranking veterinary experts with strong business experience and connections. Salt explains that the board has been established to "help us scale up our novel herpes virus-based vaccine platform technology, which is the basis of our company." He also reveals more about the wider partnering and commercialisation drive. The following information regarding the members of the advisory board has been provide by TVG. Christophe Barnier-Quer. Christophe works for Merck Life Science in its Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations branch. He has a PhD in pharmaceutical science from Leiden University, an MBA from HEC Paris and 15 years' experience in vaccine R&D, including as R&D director for GALVmed. Johan Dreesen. A doctor in veterinary medicine, Johann runs an animal health consultancy with a focus on start-ups, animal health pharmaceuticals and non-government organisations. He is a member of the Advisory Council to Kela Pharma and sits on the GALVmed board. He received his doctorate from Ghent University and worked in veterinary practice before leading businesses within Pfizer Animal Health and Zoetis. Vaughn Kubiak. Vaughn has more than 40 years' experience in global animal health in a wide range of senior technical and managerial roles in major companies across R&D, quality assurance and quality control, regulatory affairs, product management and commercial operations. Before retirement in 2019, he spent 17 years at Zoetis. Vaughn now works as a consultant and sits on several technical advisory boards. He has a Master of Science degree in microbiology from Emory University and is involved in the Scientific Committee of the International Alliance for Biological Standardisation. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

December 14, 2023 09:09 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video
Article thumbnail News Release

Celebrating the Greatest Gift this Holiday Season

United Network for Organ Sharing

Donate Life America (DLA) and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) invite the public to join the National Tree of Life virtual event to honor the gift of life and remember the generosity of organ, eye and tissue donors and their families. On Dec. 19, at 6:30 p.m. ET, the National Tree of Life event will honor the legacy of organ donors in each state who gave the gift of life in 2023 and celebrate the tens of thousands of lives they saved. The event will be livestreamed on Donate Life America’s Facebook page. As part of this year’s event, you’ll hear from: Donate Life Youth Ambassador Sabine Balentine, who promotes organ donation and registration in honor of the heart and lung donor who saved her father, Jeff Heart recipient Dr. Lonnie Thompson, who has spent the past 50 years climbing the world’s tallest mountains to bring back ancient ice from the glaciers to learn about the climate of the past. Lonnie’s journey, made possible by a donor, is featured in the documentary film Canary. Donna Murrell’s daughter, Natasha, who gave the gift of a kidney to Ashley Schmitt. Ashley's family is at the heart of the new film Ordinary Angels, being released in February. Ashley had the opportunity to meet Donna, and they shared their connection and journey together. The virtual event is an opportunity to recognize the lives and gifts of more than 21,000 selfless organ donors - and thousands of cornea and tissue donors - from 2023 and their courageous families, while also celebrating the lives of recipients across the country. Each state’s donor numbers will be shared during the event as volunteers with connections to the transplant community hang ornaments on trees that represent the trees of life. “We are thankful for donors and their families every day of the year. That feeling is heightened during this season of giving: For organ donation is truly the greatest gift a person can give another,” said UNOS CEO Maureen McBride, Ph.D. “Our hope is that this ceremony can be a source of solace for families and friends who are grieving the loss of a loved one, and for all who may experience a greater sense of loss during the holidays.” David Fleming, Donate Life America’s president and CEO, said, “We invite everyone across the country whose lives have been touched by donation and transplantation, as well as the dedicated organ donation and transplant professional communities, to join as we honor organ donors and their families and as we celebrate their roles in making our shared lifesaving missions possible.” Watch the event on the National Tree of Life Facebook event page: https://bit.ly/NationalTreeofLife. For more information on how to register to be an organ donor, visit: DonateLife.net About Donate Life America Donate Life America is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization leading its national partners and Donate Life State Teams to increase the number of donated organs, eyes and tissues available to save and heal lives through transplantation while developing a culture where donation is embraced as a fundamental human responsibility. DLA owns, manages and promotes Donate Life℠, the national logo and brand for the cause of donation; motivates the public to register as organ, eye and tissue donors; provides education about living donation; manages the National Donate Life Registry at RegisterMe.org; and develops and executes effective multi-media campaigns to promote donation. About United Network for Organ Sharing United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the mission-driven non-profit serving as the nation’s transplant system under contract with the federal government. We lead the network of transplant hospitals, organ procurement organizations, and thousands of volunteers who are dedicated to honoring the gifts of life entrusted to us and to making lifesaving transplants possible for patients in need. Working together, we leverage data and advances in science and technology to continuously strengthen the system, increase the number of organs recovered and the number of transplants performed, and ensure patients across the nation have equitable access to transplant. Contact Details United Network for Organ Sharing Anne Paschke +1 804-782-4730 anne.paschke@unos.org Donate Life America Hilary Kleine +1 804-377-3584 hkleine@donatelife.net Company Website https://unos.org

December 13, 2023 01:38 PM Eastern Standard Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

William DeCourcy Named AmeriLife’s Chief Lead Generation Officer

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, announced today that it has named William “Bill” DeCourcy to the newly created role of Chief Lead Generation Officer. Previously AmeriLife’s senior vice president of AmeriLife’s Growth Marketing & Customer Acquisition team, DeCourcy is charged with nurturing and growing AmeriLife’s suite of lead acquisition and performance platforms while ensuring a rigorous approach to generating, securing and managing leads without compromising quality. ‘While we remain relentlessly focused on consistency and volume in support of our affiliates and their agents, it’s also critical that our leads platforms and services adhere to the ever-changing and highly regulated compliance landscape,” said DeCourcy. “I’m excited for this new opportunity and grateful for AmeriLife’s continued focus and investment on what is – without question – the lifeblood of our insurance agents.” Over the course of his career at AmeriLife, DeCourcy has helped pioneer many impactful lead generation efforts, such as helping to establish its direct-to-consumer martech space; creating AmeriLife’s first, real-time lead generation and distribution platform, LeadStar; and representing AmeriLife as president of the Insurance Marketing Coalition. Prior to AmeriLife, DeCourcy worked in progressively senior performance marketing and business insights roles with Marriott Vacations Worldwide, Consumers Energy and Electronic Arts (EA). He holds an MBA from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. “Over the past year, AmeriLife has made significant strides in the lead acquisition and performance space,” said Ovi Vitas, Chief Marketing Officer for AmeriLife. “The company has introduced new platforms – such as LeadStar and yourDigitalLab – providing agents, marketers, and principals with diverse, high-quality leads, from mail and digital to self-generated and inbound, and more. We look forward to continuing to enhance and expand these always-on platforms to better serve our business under Bill’s leadership.” ### About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as a leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and 120 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols +1 727-726-0726 pnichols@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

December 13, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

hVIVO secures fresh contract to round out "wonderful" year

hVIVO PLC

hVIVO PLC (AIM:HVO) chief executive Mo Khan speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive after the specialist contract research organisation announced it has signed a £16.8mln full-service human challenge contract with a top-five global pharmaceutical company. Khan explains that the contract focuses on a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) strain. The project includes manufacturing and dosing steps, aiming to confirm the infectivity rate. He says the majority of the revenue from this project will be recognised in 2024 and 2025. Kahn highlights the significance of RSV in hVIVO's growth as a Contract Research Organization (CRO). He noted that their work with this strain has aided clients in achieving Fast Track designation and, in one instance, marketing authorisation for an RSV vaccine. This contract marks a shift in clinical trial approaches, moving from traditional drug versus placebo trials to multi-cohort trials. This innovative approach allows for the examination of drug efficacy at various doses and the implementation of triggered dosing, which mimics real-world treatment scenarios. Finally, Kahn shared positive financial news, stating that hVIVO is trading ahead of expectations for what he describes as a "wonderful" year, with EBITDA margins surpassing 20%, exceeding previously published guidance. A comprehensive update is expected in January of the next year. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

December 13, 2023 04:46 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video
Article thumbnail News Release

ProSomnus CEO Len Liptak unveils game-changing device and promising clinical trial results for 2024

ProSomnus

ProSomnus Inc CEO Len Liptak joined Steve Darling from Proactive to discuss the company's groundbreaking intramural mouth guard, which has received FDA clearance as a medical device for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. The ProSomnus device effectively positions the jaw forward during sleep, preventing airway collapse and addressing sleep apnea issues. Liptak emphasized the significance of the FDA clearance, which allows for insurance reimbursement and categorizes the ProSomnus device as a therapeutic solution for sleep apnea and snoring. The company is strategically targeting the substantial market of individuals who discontinue the use of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines, estimated at 3 to 4 million people annually. In light of the recent Philips CPAP recall, ProSomnus is positioning itself as a leading alternative to CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. The company has a strong foundation of scientific data supporting the efficacy of its device. Financially, ProSomnus has reported record revenues and a remarkable 46% year-to-date growth, demonstrating its commitment to cost reduction and maintaining a robust bottom line. Looking ahead to 2024, ProSomnus has ambitious plans for continued growth. These initiatives include FDA filings to expand labeling for the device and the development of a next-generation device featuring an oxygen sensor for real-time patient monitoring. The company prioritizes personalized manufacturing to ensure optimal treatment effectiveness and has achieved promising results in clinical trials, with a manuscript set for release in 2024. In summary, ProSomnus is dedicated to making sleep apnea treatment more accessible and technologically advanced, offering an innovative solution to improve the lives of those affected by sleep apnea and snoring. Contact Details Proactive Investors +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

December 12, 2023 02:17 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video
Article thumbnail News Release

Tonix Pharmaceuticals shared details of IND clearance for Phase 2 trial of TNX-2900

Tonix Pharmaceuticals

Tonix Pharmaceuticals CEO Dr Seth Lederman joined Steve Darling from Proactive to delve into the significant development involving the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s clearance of the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for TNX-2900. This innovative drug represents a proprietary magnesium-enhanced formulation of intranasal oxytocin, designed to address Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) in children and adolescents. Dr Lederman was quick to highlight the importance of this milestone, noting that TNX-2900 had already been granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA back in 2022. The IND clearance paves the way for a crucial Phase 2 study, aimed at determining the optimal dosage for TNX-2900 in treating PWS. This study will involve approximately 36 PWS patients, thoughtfully divided into four distinct groups, each comprising around nine patients. Within these groups, one will receive a placebo, while the remaining three will be administered varying dosage regimens of TNX-2900. Tonix Pharmaceuticals' strategic plan includes the intention to collaborate with a partner to further advance TNX-2900 through its clinical development for PWS. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment to addressing a pressing medical need, as PWS stands out as the most common genetic cause of life-threatening childhood obesity. Importantly, PWS affects both males and females equally, spanning all races and ethnicities. This complex syndrome arises due to the absence of expression of specific genes located on the paternally acquired chromosome 15. In essence, this groundbreaking development in the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of better outcomes for children and adolescents grappling with this challenging condition, demonstrating Tonix Pharmaceuticals' dedication to advancing medical science and improving the lives of those affected by rare diseases. Contact Details Proactive Studio +1 347-449-0879 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

December 12, 2023 01:40 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video
Article thumbnail News Release

Professor David Nutt presents his insights into psychedelic medicine - Neural Therapeutics

Neural Therapeutics Inc.

Neural Therapeutics Scientific Advisory Board Member Professor David Nutt presents fascinating insights into psychedelic medicine and its potential uses. His pioneering research, influencing Australia's adoption of psychedelic medicines, underscores a pivotal moment in mental health care. Nutt highlighted the historical journey of psychedelics, from widespread research in the 1950s and 60s to their banning due to misperceptions about safety and efficacy. This ban, tied to political motives, stifled research for decades. Recent studies, however, have rekindled interest, demonstrating the low harm and high efficacy of psychedelics compared to other substances, particularly in clinical settings. Professor Nutt's work reveals significant breakthroughs in treating conditions like treatment-resistant depression, addiction, and alcoholism using psychedelics like psilocybin and mescaline. His team's studies show unprecedented success rates, often with just a single dose, offering hope for those with chronic mental health issues. These findings are supported by neuroimaging studies that illustrate how psychedelics promote neuroplasticity, enabling the brain to forge new, healthier thought patterns. This revival of psychedelic research marks a revolution in mental health treatment, offering new pathways for those who have not benefited from traditional therapies. The Australian regulatory body's recent approval of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression exemplifies this shift. Nutt's presentation, a blend of historical context, scientific evidence, and a call for compassionate use, heralds a new era in mental health care, emphasizing the potential of psychedelics to transform lives. For further reading, Nutt recommends his co-edited book on psychedelics in psychiatry and a forthcoming book for the general public. The presentation is introduced by Neural Therapeutics CEO and Director Ian Campbell. Neural Therapeutics is a drug-discovery company focusing on plant-based active substances with the goal of delivering beneficial, over-the-counter dietary supplements and psychedelic-based therapeutic medicines to treat serious mental ailments where no significant treatment is available today. Contact Details Proactive Investors +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

December 12, 2023 10:22 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video
Article thumbnail News Release

New Report Highlights Weight Stigma in Media and Calls for Change

Media Empathy Foundation

A new national survey conducted for the Media Empathy Foundation sheds light on pervasive weight stigma in media, revealing that individuals with higher body weight perceive negative stereotypes, body shaming, weight blaming and exclusion from leading roles in TV and other forms of media. The report, titled “Weight Stigma and Media: Assessing the Impact”, draws attention to harmful impact and emphasizes the need for more inclusive and respectful representations across all channels. The study surveyed more than 1,200 U.S. adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, a demographic that accounts for 42% of American adults within the range of obesity according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings reveal a concerning pattern of problematic media portrayals with potentially detrimental consequences and underscores the need for consistent, compassionate, and accurate representation of individuals with higher body weight in media. The findings were discussed by a panel of leaders in media (Deborah Roberts, Al Roker and David Sloan) and academia (Rebecca Puhl, PhD and Holly Lofton, MD) at the Edge in NYC. “Weight stigma in the media exists in both blatant and subtle ways, reinforcing harmful attitudes and societal weight bias of people with higher body weight. There is a clear need for more respectful and compassionate media portrayals of people of diverse body sizes,” said Rebecca Puhl, PhD, Deputy Director for the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health and Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Connecticut. Key findings from the report include: High Prevalence: Most respondents assert that social media (73%), TV shows and movies (65%) and TV news (55%) often or sometimes perpetuate negative stereotypes about individuals with higher body weight. Only a small minority (5% or less) feel that this never happens. Health News Stereotyping: Respondents say that health news reports tend to blame people for their weight (70%) and suggest that all people with higher body weight are unhealthy (79%). Terminology Matters: A notable 88% of those surveyed find the term “fat” to be offensive or inappropriate, more so than “morbidly obese”, while “plus-size” and “overweight” are seen as appropriate by more than half. Negative Personal Impact: One in three respondents report that media portrayals have made them feel disrespected, with about as many reporting negative effects on their body image and self-esteem. One in four report negative effects on their mental health. Desired Change: Respondents are calling on creators to focus on character attributes beyond body type and to eliminate weight-based stereotypes, humor, or derogatory portrayals, advocating for more inclusive roles and realistic character development, as well as emphasizing health and wellness without resorting to shaming. Holly Lofton, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Surgery and Director of the Medical Weight Management Program at NYU Langone Health added, “It’s important that health news media more consistently report on the complex causes of obesity rather than assuming it’s the result of poor willpower or self-discipline.” “The media industry shapes the way we think and has the power to create a more aware and supportive culture for people with higher body weight,” said Helene Ellison, Founder and President of the Media Empathy Foundation. “That’s our hope in bringing weight stigma to the forefront.” The report was produced for the Media Empathy Foundation by Langer Research Associates and was made possible thanks to the support of Novo Nordisk Inc. For more information on the Media Empathy Foundation and to access the full survey findings, please visit: https://www.mediaempathy.org/. For more information on obesity, visit the Obesity Action Coalition at: https://www.obesityaction.org/. For PR Inquiries and more information on the upcoming panel discussion, contact: Kristen Long Communications, Kristen@kristenlongcommunications.com About the Media Empathy Foundation: The Media Empathy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded with the mission to reduce health stigma by promoting empathy, compassion, and inclusivity in all forms of media. Contact Details Media Empathy Foundation Helene Ellison info@mediaempathy.org Company Website https://www.mediaempathy.org/

December 12, 2023 09:04 AM Eastern Standard Time

1 ... 3031323334 ... 266