Digital Asset DirectNuformix hoping to "initiate discussions with major pharma" in 2023
Nuformix PLC
Contact Details Proactive Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com
December 20, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
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Digital Asset Direct
News ReleaseKadimastem and iTolerance’s Proposed Collaboration Further Strengthened With Receipt of US $1 Million BIRD Foundation Grant
Kadismastem
The Kadimastem (TASE: KDST) and iTolerance Inc.’s proposed collaboration to develop a potential cure for diabetes was further strengthened today with the approval of NIS 3.5 million (US$1 million) budget grant by Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial R&D Foundation (BIRD) to support their joint project to develop and commercialize a breakthrough regenerative technology to cure diabetes without the need for chronic immuno-suppression. The project will receive 3.5 million NIS (US $1Million) grant from BIRD that will cover half of the proposed project budget and will be allocated over a period of 30 months. This project is based on Kadimastem’s diabetes product called IsletRx, which is comprised of clinical-grade clusters of human pancreatic islet like cells (ILCs). Preclinical studies have shown that the cells are able to detect the sugar levels in the body and to produce, and secrete glucose dependently, the required amounts of insulin and glucagon, just like a healthy pancreas and enables the insulin dependent patient to avoid an abnormal drop in sugar level (hypoglycemia). In addition, the method of production and selection of the cells enables their implantation in various types of smaller size devices, suitable for maximum comfort for people living with diabetes. A key challenge, however, is possible immune rejection of the ILCs by the patient’s body. iTolerance, headquartered in Miami, Florida, has developed an innovative platform technology (iTOL-100) intended to enable the transplantation of allogeneic cells without tissue matching and without the need for chronic treatments that suppress the immune system of the transplant recipient (immunosuppression). This platform technology was successfully demonstrated in preclinical experiments in large animals (non-human primates), where diabetes was cured by allogeneic transplantation, without the need for long-term immunosuppressive treatments. The funding will be used to support the joint project that combines the aforementioned technologies towards clinical application of iTOL-102, an allogeneic cell product that can be transplanted without the need for chronic immunosuppressive treatments. Kadimastem CEO Asaf Shiloni said, “We are exploring various ways with different partners to develop our stem cell-based treatments to cure diabetes. We would like to thank the BIRD Foundation for its support for our program with iTolerance. This milestone will enable us to move at a quicker pace, with the goal of starting the clinical trials of iTOL-102 within the 30-month grant period and ultimately to bringing to market in the U.S, Israel and worldwide, a cure for diabetes.” To the best of Kadimastem’s knowledge, BIRD is considered one of the leading funds in its expertise in all branches of technology. During its 39 years of activity, the foundation has invested more than $300 million dollars in projects that generated direct and indirect sales in the amount of more than $10 billion dollars. The BIRD Foundation's support for the Kadimastem-iTolerance project is an expression of high confidence in the unique technologies of the companies. It is also an important recognition of the ongoing dialogue between the two. BIRD supports approximately 20 projects annually with the goal of stimulating, promoting and supporting industrial R&D of mutual benefit to the U.S. and Israel. All approved projects have a company headquartered in Israel, with the partner company based in the United States. Kadimastem Chairman of the Board Ronen Twito said, “The BIRD grant is good news all around. Kadimastem can now continue its important journey to develop a cure for diabetes. Those with diabetes can trust that indeed a cure is on the way. And a win for Kadimastem and the patients it serves means a big win for Kadimastem’s shareholders. Yes, good news all around.” Kadimastem Chief Scientist, Professor Michel Revel said, “We always knew that cell therapy had high potential to provide a cure for diabetes. It is with great expectations that we watch this process unfold. Many thanks to the BIRD Foundation for helping to make it possible.” About Kadimastem Kadimastem is a clinical stage cell therapy company, developing and manufacturing "off-the-shelf", allogeneic, proprietary cell products based on its technology platform for the expansion and differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) into functional cells. AstroRx®, the company's lead product, is an astrocyte cell therapy in clinical development for the treatment for ALS and in pre-clinical studies for other neurodegenerative indications. IsletRx is the company's treatment for diabetes. IsletRx is comprised of functional, insulin and glucagon producing and releasing pancreatic islet cells, intended to treat and potentially cure patients with insulin-dependent diabetes. Kadimastem was founded by Professor Michel Revel, CSO of the company and Professor Emeritus of Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Professor Revel received the Israel Prize for the invention and development of Rebif®, a multiple sclerosis blockbuster drug sold worldwide. Kadimastem is traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE: KDST). About iTolerance, Inc. iTolerance is an early-stage privately held regenerative medicine company developing technologies to enable tissue, organoid or cell therapy without the need for life-long immunosuppression. Leveraging its proprietary biotechnology-derived Strepavidin-FasL fusion protein/biotin-PEG microgel (SA-FasL microgel) platform technology, iTOL-100, iTolerance is advancing a pipeline of programs using both allogenic pancreatic islets and stem cells that have the potential to cure diseases. The company’s lead program, iTOL-101 is being developed for Type 1 Diabetes and in a pre-clinical non-human primate study, pancreatic islet cells co-implanted with iTOL-101 exhibited long-term function with control of blood glucose levels and restoration of insulin secretion without the use of chronic immune suppression. The company’s second lead candidate, iTOL-102, is leveraging significant advancements in stem cells to derive pancreatic islets which allows an inexhaustible supply of insulin-producing cells. Utilizing iTOL-100 to induce local immune tolerance, iTOL-102 has the potential to be a cure for Type 1 Diabetes without the need for life-long immunosuppression. Additionally, the company is developing iTOL-201 for liver failure and iTOL-301 as a potential regenerative protein and cell therapy that leverages stem cell sources to produce proteins or hormones in the body in conditions of high unmet need without the need for life-long immunosuppression. For more information, please visit itolerance.com. Forward Looking Statement: This document may include forward-looking information as defined in the Securities Law, 5728 – 1968. Forward-looking information is uncertain and mostly is not under Kadimastem’s control and the realization or non-realization of forward-looking information will be affected, among other things, by the risk factors characterizing the company's activity, as well as developments in the general environment and external factors affecting the company's activity. The company's results and achievements in the future may differ materially from any presented herein and the company makes no undertaking to update or revise such projection or estimate and does not undertake to update this document. This document does not constitute a proposal to purchase the company's securities or an invitation to receive such offers. Investment in securities in general and in the company in particular bears risks. One should consider that past performance does not necessarily indicate performance in the future.Social Media: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Contact Details Kadimastem Asaf Shiloni +972 73-797-1613 a.shiloni@kadimastem.com Must Have Communications Marjie Hadad +1 917-790-1178 marjie@mhc-pr.com iTolerance Investor Contact Jenene Thomas +1 833-475-8247 iTolerance@jtcir.com iTolerance Media Contact Susan Roberts +1 202-779-0929 sr@roberts-communications.com Company Website https://www.kadimastem.com/
December 20, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
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Digital Asset DirectEmpower Clinics partners with European medical device company to help fuel growth in North America
Empower Clinics Inc.
Contact Details Proactive Canada Proactive Canada +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com Company Website https://www.proactiveinvestors.ca/
December 20, 2022 03:20 AM Pacific Standard Time
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News ReleaseWhy New Year's Resolutions Fail
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Studies show that by February, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions have been abandoned. So how do you make sure yours are among the 20 percent that are kept longer than a couple of months? Psychologists say it’s important to focus not on the goal but on the process of change. New Year’s resolutions often fail because they encourage a goal-oriented, rather than a process-oriented approach. It’s not about achieving a single goal, it’s about developing a habit or set of habits that result in the desired goal(s). “The process of change starts with understanding that a behavior is producing negative consequences,” says Dr. Michele Nealon, Psy.D., President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. “Then comes the internal negotiation—evaluating the pros and cons of changing. When you decide to change, then comes preparation, and this is critical—set yourself up for success.” “Next, decide your action steps and how you plan to maintain or modify these steps over time,” she adds. “Finally, plan for falling off the wagon—and get right back on track.” According to Dr. Nealon, this process can take weeks or months, so that is another reason why New Year’s resolutions often don’t work. “It’s difficult to wake up one day and suddenly decide you will change a long-held habit or practice,” she says. “Better to give yourself some time to think over the entire process and make sure that you are committed to change." She offers five tips for increasing chances of successful change include: Make change actionable and measurable Create a plan for incremental change; taking small steps to start Challenge yourself to be accountable or find an accountability partner Be forgiving; when you inevitably fall off the wagon, get back up About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: Integrating theory with hands-on experience, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology provides education rooted in a commitment to innovation, service, and community for thousands of diverse students across the United States and globally. Founded in 1979, the nonprofit, regionally accredited university now features campuses in iconic locations across the country (Chicago, Southern California, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Dallas) and online. To spark positive change in the world where it matters most, The Chicago School has continued to expand its educational offerings beyond the field of psychology to offer more than 30 degrees and certificates in the professional fields of health services, education, counseling, business, and more. Through its engaged professional model of education, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and an extensive network of domestic and international professional partnerships, The Chicago School’s students receive real-world training opportunities that reflect their future careers. The Chicago School is proud to be a part of TCS Education System, a nonprofit, integrated system of colleges and universities that works collaboratively to advance student success and community impact. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. Contact Details Vivien Hao +1 323-893-4743 vhao@thechicagoschool.edu
December 19, 2022 09:00 AM Pacific Standard Time
News ReleaseHong Kong Baptist University develops new aptamer drug for bone anabolic therapies
Hong Kong Baptist University
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 19 December 2022 - A research team led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has identified a molecular target for bone anabolic therapies using a selected aptamer that serves as an inhibitor of sclerostin, a protein that prevents bone growth. The discovery offers hope for the development of an effective next-generation treatment for osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta that is free of cardiovascular risk compared to the marketed antibody drug. The research findings have been published in the international academic journals Nature Communications and Theranostics. The New drug is at the pre-clinical trial development stage, and the research team plans to start clinical trials in the US and on the Mainland in 2024. Current medication increases cardiovascular risk Osteoporosis is a metabolic condition which leads to a reduction in bone density, resulting in weakened bones that are more fragile and likely to break. O steogenesis imperfecta, also known as “brittle bone disease”, is a rare congenital genetic disorder characterised by extremely fragile bones. Sclerostin has been identified as a therapeutic target for both diseases. In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the monoclonal antibody against sclerostin for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Studies have also shown that sclerostin antibody enhances bone mass and bone strength of mice with osteogenesis imperfecta. However, as sclerostin plays a protective role in the cardiovascular system, it was seen that sclerostin antibody increased the risk of heart attacks, stroke and cardiovascular death during clinical trials. Therefore, a black box warning for potential cardiovascular risks is required by FDA. A research team led by Professor Lyu Aiping, Dr. Kennedy Y.H. Wong Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicineand Director of the Institute of Integrated Bioinformedicine and Translational Science at HKBU; Professor Zhang Ge, Director of the Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases at HKBU; and Dr Yu Yuanyuan, Manager of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area International Research Platform for Aptamer-based Translational Medicine and Drug Discovery and Assistant Professor of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, endeavoured to develop alternative drug options. “loop3” identified as a new therapeutic target Sclerostin suppresses bone formation by antagonising the “Wnt signalling pathway”. The “Wnt signalling pathway” modulates the stem cells responsible for skeletal tissue regeneration. Therefore, inhibition of sclerostin promotes bone growth. The research team discovered that a “loop3 domain” in the core region of sclerostin can be used as a molecular target to inhibit sclerostin. Through genetic studies, it was shown that deficiency of the loop3 domain can inhibit sclerostin’s antagonistic effect against the Wnt signalling pathway, but it does not affect the cardiovascular protective effect of sclerostin. The result suggests that the loop3 domain can serve as a molecular target for inhibiting sclerostin while preserving its cardiovascular protective function. The researchers then proceeded to screen aptamers that can specifically inhibit sclerostin loop3. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that can selectively bind to molecular targets such as proteins. After binding with specific proteins, aptamers may inhibit protein–protein interactions and thereby elicit certain therapeutic effects. Through a combinatorial technology, an aptamer “aptscl56” was selected as a potential sclerostin inhibitor that targets the loop3 structure. Aptamer selected as effective and safe sclerostin inhibitor The research team examined aptscl56’s therapeutic functions with osteoporotic rat models and osteogenesis imperfecta mouse models. They found that aptscl56 effectively promots bone formation. On the other hand, the application of aptscl56 does not increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as aortic aneurysms and atherosclerotic development in both models. The medical use of aptamers confers certain advantages, such as thermal stability and ease of synthesis. However, they are prone to rapid degradation and renal filtration. The research team therefore modified aptscl56 to produce an aptamer named “Apc001” with a longer half-life. The team demonstrated that Apc001 promotes bone formation, increases bone mass, improves bone microarchitecture integrity, and enhances bone mechanical properties in rats with osteoporosis and mice with osteogenesis imperfecta. Clinical trials due to start in 2024 “Searching for reliable and safe alternatives to overcome the limitations of the currently available drugs is crucial to help patients who need bone anabolic therapies. Our ongoing studies, which span from identifying molecular targets for sclerostin inhibition to aptamer drug discovery, offer hope for the development of next-generation sclerostin inhibitors in the near future,” said Professor Zhang Ge. “Our search for alternative drugs for bone anabolic therapies is a good example of tripartite collaboration between academia, industry and the government. The research work was partly conducted in collaboration with a local biotechnology company, and it was supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund. Some biotechnology companies in the Mainland were engaged in certain aspects of developmental research for the aptamer, such as toxicology tests. The collaborative efforts will continue to create more synergy and fruitful results,” said Professor Lyu Aiping. The therapeutic aptamer Apc001 was granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for the treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta in 2019. Contact Details Communication and Public Relations Office, HKBU Christina Wu hkbunews@hkbu.edu.hk
December 19, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
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Digital Asset DirectVoyager Life pays "very fair price" for CBD facility in Poland
Voyager Life PLC
Contact Details Proactive Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com
December 19, 2022 08:10 AM Eastern Standard Time
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Digital Asset DirectProactive research analyst on Numinus Wellness' annual results
Numinus Wellness Inc.
Contact Details Proactive Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com
December 19, 2022 08:02 AM Eastern Standard Time
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News ReleaseCleverTap appoints Satyadeep Mishra as Chief Human Resources Officer
CleverTap
CleverTap, the World's #1 Retention Cloud today announced the appointment of Satyadeep Mishra as their new Chief Human Resources Officer. He joins from the hospitality-technology platform, OYO where he worked as the Chief Human Resources Officer for its technology, product, global functions and international markets teams. With over two decades of experience working with the likes of Jio, Barclays and Bajaj Finserv among others, Satya brings with him a demonstrable history of leading teams and conceptualizing innovative HR strategies across domains of talent acquisition, training & development, and performance management. He also played a pivotal role in the transformational growth journey of Jio’s core telecom and digital initiatives. “We are excited to have Satya onboard. Having nurtured some of the industry’s leading experts, quality talent has always been a top priority for CleverTap. And with Satya’s immense experience, I have no doubt that he will lead our People Strategy and continue to build on our culture which puts employees first, as we go from strength to strength in our journey as global MarTech leaders”, said Sidharth Malik, Chief Executive Officer, CleverTap. “It's an absolute pleasure to be part of such a dynamic and exuberant team. The growth of CleverTap over the past few years is a testament to the capabilities and dedication of everybody involved with the team. The roles that HR functions play, not just in people strategy, but even in business, have become significant for more companies, especially within the era of work from anywhere. I am elated to be working with like-minded individuals that understand the importance of retaining and nurturing bright talent. I am confident that together, we can scale new heights and break conventional barriers while creating value not only for our customers but also for our employees the world over”, said Satyadeep Mishra, Chief Human Resource Officer, CleverTap. About CleverTap CleverTap is the World's #1 Retention Cloud that helps app-first brands personalize and optimize all consumer touch points to improve user engagement, retention, and life-time value. It's the only solution built to address the needs of retention and growth teams, with audience analytics, deep-segmentation, multi-channel engagement, product recommendations, and automation in one unified product.The platform is powered by TesseractDB™ - world’s first purpose-built database for customer engagement, offering both speed and economies of scale. CleverTap is trusted by 1500 customers, including Gojek, ShopX, Electronic Arts, TED, English Premier League, TD Bank, Carousell, AirAsia, Papa John’s, and Tesco. Backed by leading investors such as Sequoia India, Tiger Global, Accel, and CDPQ the company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with presence in San Francisco, New York, São Paulo, Bogota, London, Amsterdam, Sofia, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, and Jakarta. For more information, visit clevertap.com or follow on LinkedIn and Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements in this press release may represent CleverTap's belief in connection with future events and may be forward-looking statements, or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. CleverTap cautions that such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties that could result in the actual outcome being absolutely different from the results anticipated by the statements mentioned in the press release.Factors such as the development of general economic conditions affecting our business, future market conditions, our ability to maintain cost advantages, uncertainty with respect to earnings, corporate actions, client concentration, reduced demand, liability or damages in our service contracts, unusual catastrophic loss events, war, political instability, changes in government policies or laws, legal restrictions impacting our business, impact of pandemic, epidemic, any natural calamity and other factors that are naturally beyond our control, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different, from those anticipated by such statements. CleverTap does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or updated or revised status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will CleverTap and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction Contact Details Sony Shetty sony@clevertap.com Company Website https://clevertap.com/
December 19, 2022 07:59 AM Eastern Standard Time
Digital Asset DirectSkinBioTherapeutics will "continue to be flexible enough to adapt to opportunities"
SkinBioTherapeutics PLC
Contact Details Proactive Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com
December 19, 2022 06:14 AM Eastern Standard Time
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