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LOOMIS Delivers a Dozen Awards for Texas Oncology Ad Campaign

LOOMIS

The LOOMIS Agency delivered big for client Texas Oncology, taking home 12 awards at the 38 th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards show, including the Gold Award for “Total Advertising Campaign.” The agency won five Gold, one Silver, four Bronze and two Merit awards for its “Right Here” campaign. “We are so pleased with the recognition,” said Steven Paulson, M.D, president and chairman of Texas Oncology. “The ‘Right Here’ campaign has been very well received by all of our stakeholders because it does a wonderful job communicating our important difference as a provider of oncology treatment and care.” Texas Oncology’s 500+ physicians deliver leading-edge cancer care at its 210 locations in communities across the state, so patients don’t have to travel far from home to receive the expert treatment they need. “That’s a big difference for Texas Oncology patients and it’s the basis of our campaign,” said LOOMIS account director Christina McKinney. “With Texas Oncology, patients don’t have to disrupt their lives to get the care they need,” McKinney said. “They can stay at home surrounded by the love and support of family and friends.” The campaign launched January 1, 2021 and is running statewide across all major media channels, including television, digital display and video, print, outdoor, search and social. There were more than 4,400 entries for this year’s Annual Healthcare Ad Awards, making it the largest healthcare advertising awards competition and placing it among the top 10 advertising awards shows in the country. About LOOMIS: LOOMIS is a full-service advertising agency in Dallas specializing in defining and leveraging strategic advantages for national and regional challenger brands. The agency was founded in 1984 by Paul Loomis, a composer and musician who earned a national reputation for brand-image music development. The agency was expanded in 1998 to meet growing client demand. Today, LOOMIS offers clients a unique blend of advertising and music production. Learn more at theloomisagency.com. About Texas Oncology: Texas Oncology is an independent private practice with more than 500 physicians and 210 locations across the state. Meeting the oncology needs of Texans for more than 35 years, the practice includes Texas Center for Proton Therapy, Texas Breast Specialists, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists, and Texas Center for Interventional Surgery. As a lead participant in US Oncology Research, Texas Oncology played a role in the development of more than 90 FDA-approved therapies, about one-third of all cancer therapies approved to date. For more information, visit TexasOncology.com. Contact Details LOOMIS Lauren Law +1 214-912-1543 lauren.law@theloomisagency.com Company Website https://theloomisagency.com

May 13, 2021 09:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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LevLane Announces Multiple Promotions and Role Changes

LevLane

LevLane, a full-service, award-winning ad agency, now in its 37th year, has announced multiple promotions as the agency continues to see strong growth. “We are so proud of this team. Over the past year we have experienced challenges we never anticipated and despite that our team has continued to deliver,” said Josh Lev, SVP | Brand Engagement of LevLane. “As we emerge from one of the most difficult times in memory, we are excited to look to the future and the team who will help to get us there.” Web Development Megan Hegarty has been promoted to Vice President, Digital Services. Senior Living Beth Simos has been promoted to Vice President, Director of Client Engagement. Creative Taylor Irwin has been promoted to Associate Creative Director. Steven Graziano has been promoted to Senior Art Director. Joe Schoppy has been promoted to Senior Copywriter. Digital Media Ed Stec has been promoted to Vice President, Paid Search Director. Sarita Shinde has been promoted to Digital Analytics Manager. Life Sciences MaryPat Siwak has been promoted to Account Director. Gina Gattis has been promoted to Account Supervisor. Samantha Spurrier has been promoted to Account Executive. Content & Digital Strategy Gabrielle Costello has been promoted to Director of Content. Michele Burns has moved into the role of Content Project Manager. Tyler Heileman has moved into the role of Digital Content Writer. Emily Glorioso has moved into the role of Social Media Specialist. About LevLane LevLane is an award-winning, full-service, independent advertising agency in Philadelphia, PA that has been building brands that people love for nearly 40 years. Contact Details LevLane Liz Weir +1 610-401-4825 lweir@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

May 13, 2021 07:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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MISSOURI GOP LEGISLATOR URGED BY PHYSICIAN & PATIENT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS TO ABANDON PLAN TO THWART PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER ACCOUNTABILITY

Alliance for Transparent & Affordable Prescriptions

Today the Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP) released a letter sent on behalf of its membership to Eric Burlison, a Missouri State Senator requesting he abandon a plan to allow the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry continue its abusive practices and jeopardize patients. Following up on information that Senator Burlison is planning to filibuster legislation including HB 834 and its companion bill SB 403 this week, concerns in the medical and patient advocacy community are growing – and many are voicing major concerns. “If successful, Senator Burlison’s filibuster will eliminate accountability on the PBM industry and place upward pressure on prescription drug pricing,” stated Dr. Robert Levin, ATAP President. “For far too long, PBMs generated significant profits while patients struggle to afford the cost of prescription drugs. It is time that elected officials and policymakers see what is really happening in our exam rooms and our patient’s wallets due to PBM interference.” ATAP has been an active advocate for patients in a variety of federal and state battles to amplify the voices of patients and physicians. The letter to Senator Burlison states, in part: “…the Trump administration proposed a rule through Health and Human Services (HHS), that would have eliminated the safe harbor that protects PBM rebates from the federal anti-kickback statute. This awesome proposal would have effectively eliminated the PBM rebate system… Regrettably, the new administration withdrew this essential patient protection. States can play a central role to ensure that patients are still protected from abusive PBM practices…” “A light is finally shining on the previously hidden profit motives of the PBM industry. Patients, physicians, and policymakers in Missouri have the power to effect meaningful change if Senator Burlison allows this legislation to be considered fairly,” Dr. Levin continued. “More transparency is desperately needed in the PBM industry, and this legislation provides it. It is truly a mystery why any elected official would prevent such accountability and stand in the way of fair drug prices and patient access to care.” The full letter to Senator Burlison is below and posted here. The Honorable Eric Burlison 201 W Capitol Ave., Rm. 221 Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 RE:MO HB 834 and SB 403 – Pharmacy Benefit Managers Reporting/Transparency Dear Senator Burlison: We are saddened and dismayed to learn of your recent stance regarding Missouri HB 834. We are painfully aware of a planned filibuster to MO HB 834 and its companion bill SB 403. As you may be aware, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are third-party entities that are hired by insurers and health plan sponsors to manage and administer prescription drug benefit plans. We are very concerned about the role PBMs play regarding the alarming price increases in the total cost and out of pocket costs of prescription drugs for patients, resulting in the loss of patient access to affordable and life-saving medications. HB 834 will help remedy many of these practices by: Ensuring oversight of PBMs by the Dir. of the MO Dept of Commerce and Insurance; Allowing for penalties for violations of this statute; Providing for reporting of rebates received by PBMs, including – where the rebates are being applied, and reporting of yearly aggregated rebate dollar amounts received; and Providing for freedom of choice for patients to choose their pharmacy As you may know, the Trump administration proposed a rule through Health and Human Services (HHS), that would have eliminated the safe harbor that protects PBM rebates from the federal anti-kickback statute. This awesome proposal would have effectively eliminated the PBM rebate system. Regrettably, the new administration withdrew this essential patient protection. States can play a central role to ensure that patients are still protected from abusive PBM practices. We ask that you help ensure that our patients and your constituents have affordable access to the medications which they so desperately need, by supporting MO HB 834 and its companion bill SB 403. Sincerely, The Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP) Member Organization ### ATAP continues to support efforts to force the PBM industry to disclose rebate data and encourage transparency and reporting requirements for all entities involved in the prescription drug supply chain – PBMs, insurers, and manufacturers. To schedule an interview with Dr. Levin or another ATAP spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357. Please visit http://www.atapadvocates.com ATAP's mission is to address prescription drugs costs and patient access to affordable treatment by regulating PBM practices and reforming the drug industry through educational outreach and grassroots advocacy initiatives at both the state and federal level. Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website http://www.atapadvocates.com

May 12, 2021 05:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video On Demand Technology Provider Intelivideo and CIPIO Partner to Increase Customer Retention in the Hybrid B2C Subscription Economy

CIPIO.ai

CIPIO, a B2C Subscription Customer Success company, today announced the start of a strategic partnership with Intelivideo, a Video on Demand (VOD) and Livestreaming digital platform provider for gyms, health clubs, and fitness operators. The partnership empowers Intelivideo’s customers with unmatched visibility and actionable intelligence into subscriber behavior, helping them increase subscriber engagement while proactively preventing churn. The partnership will enable Intelivideo’s customers to acquire a competitive advantage in the rapidly transforming fitness market, fighting its way through the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. In today’s fitness market, where 76% of all consumers have had to switch to at-home workouts to accommodate the constraints of social distancing, Intelivideo has helped brick-and-mortar gyms and health clubs rapidly transform themselves to serve the needs of customers, in the process solidifying its role as a frontrunner in the digital fitness space. “Our customers have a significant amount of data and customer signals. CIPIO's capability to package those signals up in Data Apps with hyper-personalized predictions and recommendations for the digital subscriber is a game-changer” said Adam Zietsiff, President and CEO of Intelivideo. “We are very excited to partner with CIPIO to help our customers grow exponentially by providing them with predictive recommendations to proactively prevent subscriber churn – thus closing out a critical loop when it comes to retaining subscriptions.” To move beyond the BI and AI status quo, health club operators need solutions that help them deliver real business value instead of getting them stalled by technology and implementation hurdles. CIPIO eliminates all the bottlenecks from Data to ROI, thus accelerating time to value for businesses. With over two million subscriber churn-specific algorithms and nearly code-free building blocks, CIPIO’s Data Apps use AI to unify all the siloed data lifecycle steps, operationalize automated workflows, and recommend insights directly into engagement systems. This empowers fitness stakeholders and non-technical users across levels to rapidly uncover trends and engagement patterns and make timely decisions to delight subscribers across all channels and devices consistently. “Following the pandemic, health and fitness are more important to consumers than ever before. We are obsessed with helping fitness operators with the critical task of serving the health and wellness crises that the COVID pandemic has created,” said Growson Edwards, CEO of CIPIO. “CIPIO’s Domain-Infused Data Apps Platform™ arms health club operators with unprecedented customer intelligence aimed at enhancing subscriber engagement and retention for continued growth.” CIPIO’s entry into the OTT market could not have happened at a better time when the segment is witnessing skyrocketing demand for media and entertainment, virtual fitness, elearning, and gaming. CIPIO’s Domain-Infused Data Apps helps OTT players manage subscription fatigue and offers incentivized retention recommendations to increase member loyalty and minimize churn. About Intelivideo: Established in 2013, Intelivideo is a Video On Demand (VOD) and digital technology platform for gyms and health clubs. Intelivideo is committed to developing strong partnerships with the fitness industry to help deliver premium on-demand and livestreaming experiences to clients' member bases. The platform's end-to-end solution helps clubs build a successful Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) business to complement brick-and-mortar facilities and services, helping them differentiate themselves from disruptive third-party digital fitness offerings in a hyper-local, hybrid fashion. About CIPIO: CIPIO is pioneering the Industry's first domain-infused Data Apps Platformâ¢ that humanizes and automates predictions and recommendations to increase Subscriber engagement, retention, and growth for B2C Subscription Companies. CIPIO's early adopters include Crunch Fitness, Industry's Gym, Xponential Fitness, Motor City Church, Pure Barre, Club Pilates, AKT, YogaSix, NCFit, Cyclebar, RowHouse, Stretch Lab, and Stride who have witnessed a significant return on investment in a short time. Contact Details CIPIO Chris Foudy +1 831-238-1905 chris@cipio.ai Company Website https://cipio.ai/

May 12, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

City of New York, Largest City in the US, to use Shatterproof’s Online Addiction Training as a Resource for Employees and their Families

Shatterproof

Today, the City of New York has made Shatterproof’s Just Five, an online education program about the disease of addiction, available to more than 335,000 employees and their families. Just Five is a self-paced, mobile-enabled program focused on increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and sharing important information about addiction prevention and treatment. It is available in both English and Spanish languages. Participants will learn who is at risk, how to discern whether a person has a substance use disorder, how to support loved ones with this disease, and more. Just Five includes six guided learning experiences that combine animated and expert videos, interactive learning, and supplemental materials. All lessons are woven together with a positive message that change is possible for everyone. “We are extremely proud to have the largest city in the United States, New York City, use Just Five to educate their employees” said Shatterproof Executive Vice President, Stephen D’Antonio. “Nearly one hundred million people in the US are impacted by substance use disorders, whether it is themselves or a loved one. Just Five provides easy access to critical information and resources giving employers and communities a simple and scalable tool to deliver both.” “NYC recognizes that substance misuse and addiction is a public health crisis.  We are committed to ensuring that all of our employees and their families have access to information, education, high quality treatment and support.  Just Five will be an excellent and accessible complement to our Employee Assistance Program, our unions’ member assistance programs and our WorkWell NYC health and well-being programs,” said Renee Campion, Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations. Rates of addiction and overdoses are at the highest ever seen in the United States in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC recently reported that between August 2019 and August 2020 nearly 90,000 people died on an overdose and those numbers are expected to rise. If you would like to learn more about this program, including how to make it available, please visit www.justfive.org or email justfive@shatterproof.org. About Shatterproof: Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. Shatterproof harnesses the models of business, the rigor of science and the power of a national movement to create change and save lives through three pillars of work: revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas and supporting and empowering our communities. To learn more visit www.Shatterproof.org. Contact Details Holly Jespersen +1 646-334-1024 hjespersen@shatterproof.org Company Website https://www.shatterproof.org/

May 12, 2021 09:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time

LevLane Announces Hiring of Chief Talent Officer, Adam Heagy

LevLane

LevLane announced today that it has hired Adam Heagy as its new Chief Talent Officer. Heagy is an experienced leader in HR and talent acquisition and development, and a veteran of the advertising talent world. Prior to joining LevLane, Heagy was President of Interactive Recruiting Consultants for nearly 10 years where he led all recruiting and talent efforts. “We’ve worked with Adam for years as our contract recruiter and he’s always been a true partner, providing reliable guidance and sending us fantastic talent,” said Josh Lev, SVP Brand Engagement at LevLane. “It was a natural fit to bring Adam into the LevLane family full-time to help us find the best talent for our future growth.” While at Interactive Recruiting Consultants, Heagy worked with a wide range of advertising and marketing agencies to source and recruit top talent. “LevLane has a phenomenal culture that is truly unique in the advertising world, said Heagy. “So, when the opportunity arose to join the team full-time, it was a no-brainer. I’m excited to be part of such a talented team and can’t wait to find that next generation of LevLane talent.” Heagy will be responsible for all talent acquisition and will head up the Human Resources Department, reporting to Chief Financial Officer, Nicole Landau. --- About LevLane LevLane is an award-winning, full-service, independent advertising agency in Philadelphia, PA that has been building brands people love for nearly 40 years. Contact Details LevLane Liz Weir +1 610-401-4825 lweir@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

May 12, 2021 07:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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GROUNDWORK BIOAG RAISES $11 MILLION TO ADVANCE BIOAGRICULTURE GLOBALLY

Groundwork BioAg

Accelerating Production Capacity to Meet Demand for Regenerative Agriculture Products Serving One Million Acres (400 KHa) in 2021 Groundwork BioAg announced today it raised $11 million in venture capital financing led by Ibex Investors with the participation of ProDelta and Future Foodways. Previous investors, including MoreVC, Middleland Capital, Axess Ventures and BPD Agri, materially participated in the round. With this new funding, Groundwork BioAg will accelerate and expand production of its mycorrhizal platform to meet global demand for natural, sustainable solutions that increase agricultural productivity while preserving soil health. Groundwork BioAg, a global bioagriculture technology company, produces highly effective mycorrhizal inoculants. Mycorrhizae are a cornerstone of regenerative agriculture best practices. In addition to increasing yields, these natural products reduce dependency on phosphorus fertilizer and improve carbon sequestration in soil. Through distribution partnerships in strategic markets across five continents, the company is helping farmers improve the efficiency of major crop production, including corn, soybeans, grains, bio-energy crops, fruits and vegetables, and cannabis. “Over the past few years, we have focused on building production capacity to support millions of hectares and solidify our global presence in the main agricultural markets. With this investment and strong sales, we will be able to fulfill our mission to bring mycorrhiza – the queen of biologicals – to mainstream agriculture and help farmers succeed while protecting our planet,” said Dr. Yossi Kofman, Co-Founder and CEO of Groundwork BioAg. “We look forward to working with our investors, strategic partners and distributors to continue bringing meaningful value to farmers around the world.” While naturally occurring in the Earth’s soil, mycorrhizae and other beneficial microbes have been destroyed by modern farming practices, including tilling, pasteurization and over fertilization. Following years of research and product development, Groundwork BioAg is the first to crack the code on mass production of highly concentrated, cost-effective mycorrhizal inoculants that improve yield and soil health. The company’s flagship products include Rootella® for commodity, organic and specialty crops, and DYNOMYCO® for cannabis. Following record sales in both the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons, the company is rapidly scaling up production to meet demand expected in 2022 and beyond. Approximately one million acres (400 Kha) will benefit from the company’s unique products in 2021. Disruptive Technology VC Chooses Groundwork BioAg As First Investment in AgTech “We are pleased to add Groundwork BioAg to our portfolio – not only because of its strong in-field performance and continued growth trajectory, but also because its technology provides the most compelling solution to increase yield while protecting our environment,” said Gal Gitter, Managing Director of Ibex Investors focused on growth stage investments. “With its high efficacy and broad applicability, Groundwork BioAg can feasibly treat over one billion hectares, nearly all of the world’s farmland, with these beneficial fungi.” Headquartered in Denver, Colorado with offices in Tel Aviv and New York, Ibex Investors is a multi-strategy investment firm targeting outsized returns through differentiated global strategies. Ibex invests internationally in Israel, which has the highest concentration of start-up companies outside Silicon Valley. The funding demonstrates Groundwork BioAg’s strong growth position and enables efforts to expand its platform technology and accelerate production capacity to meet global demand for regenerative agriculture products. About Groundwork BioAg Groundwork BioAg, a global bioagriculture company, leverages the natural power of mycorrhizal fungi to improve the productivity, sustainability and profitability of commercial agriculture and expand regenerative agriculture practices. Groundwork BioAg is the first to use innovative techniques to solve challenges inherent in high-volume mycorrhizal inoculant production. We will not rest until every hectare of arable land is protected by mycorrhizae and every farmer benefits from higher crop yields while preserving our soils. For more information, visit http://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

May 12, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

EDUCATORS CAN FOSTER TRUST IN SCIENCE THROUGH GLOBAL PLEDGE

International Day of Light Steering Committee

For more than a year, educators worldwide have been forced to transform the way they teach. However, advancements in science, specifically telecommunications, enabled the shift from a traditional classroom to remote learning environments. Today, scientific developments, including health advancements such as vaccines and testing, are allowing students to return to physical classrooms. The Trust Science pledge, a worldwide campaign to promote support for the scientific process and acknowledge the many benefits of science for society, offers a valuable teaching tool to help educators draw attention to the crucial role science plays in improving our quality of life. In celebration of this year’s International Day of Light on 16 May, the pledge is allowing people, particularly educators and students, around the world to affirm their support for science and the scientific process. Students can be leaders in understanding and defending science. Just as educators teach skills that build students’ scientific literacy to help them evaluate facts, they can offer ways for students to affirm confidence in the scientific process. “A dedicated effort to building—and in some cases, rebuilding—trust in science will prepare students to be the scientifically informed leaders we desperately need,” said Dr. Desiré Whitmore, Senior Physics Educator and Staff Physicist at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, CA. Additional resources for educators are available on the Trust Science website, including hands-on activity videos, lesson plans, posters to download, activities and lessons, links to online resources and the Laser Classroom. To date, the pledge has seen enthusiastic support worldwide with more than 2,500 signatures, including Nobel and Breakthrough Prize laureates, UNESCO L’Oréal For Women in Science prize winners, Presidents and CEOs of major scientific bodies, as well as scientists and students from more than 20 different countries. The Trust Science campaign is organized by the IEEE Photonics Society, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and The Optical Society (OSA), together with the International Day of Light Steering Committee. To sign the pledge and to learn more, please go to https://www.trust-science.org Contacts For questions about how you can engage with the campaign, please contact: info@trust-science.org For media inquiries, please contact: pr@trust-science.org Social media: please share using #TrustScience and #LightDay2021 Social media links: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter About the International Day of Light The International Day of Light (IDL) is a worldwide initiative that provides an annual focal point for the continued appreciation of light and the role it plays in science, culture and art, education and sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy. The International Day of Light is administered from the International Basic Science Programme (IBSP) of UNESCO by a Steering Committee that includes representatives from a broad range of international partners: the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the American Physical Society (APS), Bosca, the China International Optoelectronic Exhibition (CIOE), Chinese Optical Society (COS), the European Centres for Outreach in Photonics (ECOP), the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), the European Physical Society (EPS), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the IEEE Photonics Society (IPS), the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), lightsources.org - the international network of accelerator based light sources, Light: Science and Applications, The Optical Society (OSA), Tampere University, SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics, SESAME, Signify, Tampere University, Thorlabs, Transitions, the Université de Franche-Comté and Velux. For information about the International Day of Light, please visit www.lightday.org Contacts for IDL: John Dudley and Joseph Niemela 2021 Steering Committee Chairs Email: contact@lightday.org Bethany Downer 2021 Communications Coordinator Email: contact@lightday.org Media Contact for Trust Science: pr@trust-science.org About IEEE Photonics Society The IEEE Photonics Society is the professional home for a global network of scientists, engineers and allied professionals who advance laser, optoelectronics, and photonics technology. As a technical society representing the IEEE, it is a vital part of the world’s largest technical professional organization of more than 400,000 members dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, educational activities, and humanitarian initiatives, the IEEE Photonics Society provides its members in more than 160 countries the opportunity to grow professionally and stay on the forefront of transformational breakthroughs in photonics. PhotonicsSociety.org About SPIE SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 255,000 constituents from 183 countries, the not-for-profit society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. In 2020, SPIE provided more than $5 million in support of education and outreach programs. www.spie.org About The Optical Society Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and business leaders in light science and technology. The society serves over 432,000 customers and 22,000 members from more than 100 countries who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the field. OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts through world-renowned publications. For more information, visit osa.org. Contact Details pr@trust-science.org +1 703-907-0010 pr@trust-science.org Company Website https://www.trust-science.org

May 11, 2021 09:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Hong Kong Baptist University and Cornell University jointly develop a novel nano-carrier that increases the efficacy of Chinese medicine treatment for breast cancer

Hong Kong Baptist University

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 11 May 2021 - Researchers from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), in collaboration with Cornell University, have developed a novel targeted therapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) that uses a specially-designed nano-carrier to deliver the Chinese medicine compound gambogic acid (GA). The invention enhances the anti-cancer effect of GA and reduces its damage to off-target organs. The invention has the potential to become a more effective therapeutic option for TNBC. The study was supported by the Vincent and Lily Woo Foundation, and the research findings have been published in the international medical journal Frontiers in Oncology. GA as a breast cancer treatment and its limitations TNBC accounts for 10-24% of all breast cancer cases and it also grows and spreads faster than other types of breast cancer. There are limited treatment options for TNBC and it has a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. In the advanced stage of the disease, the five-year relative survival rate is only about 12%. GA is a herbal compound isolated from a dry, brownish resin called gamboge, which is derived from Garcinia hanburyi, a plant with a long history of medicinal use in Southeast Asia. Previous studies have shown that GA can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. However, its clinical application is limited by the fact that it is rapidly eliminated from the circulation system and has poor water solubility, which makes it difficult for GA to reach the cancer cells. Furthermore, high dosages of GA can cause damage to off-target organs due to its toxicity. Nano-carrier increases treatment efficacy of GA In the search for a more effective treatment protocol for TNBC when compared to existing options, Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, Director and Tsang Shiu Tim Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine Clinical Studies of the Clinical Division of HKBU’s School of Chinese Medicine (SCM) and Dr Kwan Hiu-yee, Assistant Professor of the Teaching and Research Division of SCM, together with the research team of Professor Chu Chih-Chang at Cornell University, designed a novel nano-carrier to enhance GA’s efficacy as a TNBC treatment and reduce its off-target toxicity. The researchers made a bio-degradable nano-carrier out of polyester urea urethane (PEUU), and they decorated it with folate (also known as vitamin B9) and arginine (an amino acid). Folate receptors are highly expressed in TNBC cells, and they can serve as a target for therapy. Arginine is a positively charged amino acid, and it can attract the nano-carrier to the negatively charged tumour surface. These features enable the nano-carrier to target and deliver GA effectively to TNBC cells. Treatment efficacy tested in mice The research team tested the efficacy of the GA-loaded nano-carrier as a TNBC treatment in a series of mouse experiments. Two groups of mice with TNBC were treated with the same dosage of GA, one in the form of the GA-loaded nano-carrier, and the other in the form of free GA. After 17 days of treatment, the average reduction in tumour weight of the GA-loaded nano-carrier group was 67.6% higher than the free GA group. The results showed that the GA-loaded nano-carrier is more effective at shrinking the tumours than the free GA. In addition, the group treated with the GA-loaded nano-carrier had 0.23 μg/mL of GA in their tumours two hours after injection, and the tumour GA concentration of the GA-loaded nano-carrier group was three times of the free GA group, showing that GA is being delivered to TNBC cells more effectively with the nano-carrier. Also, the concentration of GA in the plasma of the GA-loaded nano-carrier group two hour after injection was nearly three times of the free GA group, showing that the GA carried by the nano-carrier stays in the circulation system for longer. Reduced off-target damage to other organs Furthermore, when compared with free GA, the GA delivered by the nano-carrier caused less damage to the off-target organs of the mice including their hearts, livers and lungs. It also caused minimal damage to their kidneys and spleens as relatively low levels of GA were detected in these two organs. “As demonstrated in our study, the novel nano-carrier for GA offers many benefits when it comes to treating TNBC,” said Dr Kwan Hiu-yee. “The application of nanotechnology in this study modernises the delivery of Chinese medicine, thereby enhancing its therapeutic efficacy. We believe that our nano-carriers have great clinical potential to treat TNBC and other types of cancer,” said Professor Bian Zhaoxiang. Contact Details Hong Kong Baptist University Kevin Lau from the Communication and Public Relations Office kevinkflau@hkbu.edu.hk Company Website https://www.hkbu.edu.hk/

May 11, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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