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Focus on Food Security: Seven Talented Women Scientists from the Global South Awarded the 2023 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards

Elsevier

Seven researchers have been awarded the 2023 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their contributions to research that is helping meet the challenge of food security and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger, which focuses on agricultural productivity and sustainable food production. The winners’ research explores a wide range of ways that food insecurity can be tackled, from crop disease resilience to improved child nutrition, and indigenous plant use to increase productivity. The prize also acknowledges the scientists’ commitment to leadership, mentoring and engagement within their communities, including the use of innovative technologies in their research. Jennifer Thomson, President of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) said “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could achieve SDG2, Zero Hunger? Our amazing awardees for 2023 are trying to do their bit to bring this about – and what a ‘bit’ that is! Just read about the research they are doing in their regions of the developing world and I am sure you will be as impressed as I was when we selected them as the winners. We wish them every success in their endeavors.” This year’s winners are: Renuka Attanayake, of the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka: plant and molecular biology; crop disease identification and management Carla Fabiana Crespo Melgar, of the Universidad Mayor de San Andres, Bolivia: biotechnology and microbiology; increasing agricultural productivity Haneen Dwaib, of the Palestine Ahliya University, Palestine: nutrition and dietetics; obesity and dietary interventions Eugenie Kayitesi, of the University of Pretoria, South Africa: food science and technology; improved use of indigenous plant-based foods Gabriela Montenegro-Bethancourt, of the Maya Health Alliance, Guatemala: life sciences and nutrition; maternal mortality and child malnutrition Munkhjargal Tserendorj, of the Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Mongolia: veterinary medicine, animal and food hygiene; diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases Yeyinou Laura Estelle Loko, Université Nationale des Sciences, Technologies, Ingénierie et Mathématiques, Benin: entomology, plant genetic resources and crop protection; insect pests and resistant crops “With these awards, our vision is to celebrate these impressive women scientists who are helping to make real progress towards the UN SDGs,” explained Ylann Schemm, Executive Director of the Elsevier Foundation. “We know that a quarter of all women are engaged in agriculture, which makes them more vulnerable to both climate change and resource scarcity. By focusing on food security in 2023, we want to spotlight the important research undertaken by women who are inspiring role models for communities most affected by this issue.” First awarded in 2013, the award is given in partnership by the OWSD and Elsevier Foundation. OWSD chairs a panel of distinguished scientists to select the winners, and the Foundation awards a cash prize for each winner of USD $5,000, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the 2024 5 th Global Food Security conference to provide them with vital networking opportunities. The winners will also have the opportunity to publish their work in STAR Protocols, an open access, peer-reviewed journal from Cell Press which offers structured, transparent, accessible, and repeatable step-by-step experimental and computational protocols from all areas of life, health, earth and physical sciences. Past Award winners have been invited to meet their country’s presidents, and have been celebrated by local, national and international media, while other winners have gone on to receive other prestigious awards and fellowships including L’OREAL-UNESCO’s For Women in Science Fellowships. --- Notes for editors Photos and reference sheets for each award winner, with a more extensive biography and description of their work, are available upon request, please contact the Elsevier Newsroom at newsroom@elsevier.com. For interview requests, journalists can contact Rebecca Clear, Corporate Responsibility Communications Director at r.clear@elsevier.com. Short bios of the 2023 winners: Prof Renuka Attanayake, Sri Lanka Renuka Attanayake is a plant pathologist working on crop disease identification and management in Sri Lanka. Her projects include the optimization of a rapid detection method of coconut phytoplasma in Sri Lanka, and the identification of genetic diversity of white mold pathogen on cabbage and black mold on onions. With her work, she is contributing to the development of resistant inducer treatments and farmers' education to reduce the negative effects of some of the most common crop diseases in her country. Dr Carla Fabiana Crespo Melgar, Bolivia Carla Fabiana Crespo Melgar is a biochemist focused on increasing agricultural productivity as a crucial step to alleviate hunger. With her research, she is investigating the potential of using beneficial microorganisms and application protocols as biocontrollers, biofertilizers, bioinoculants and growth promoters for crop production in Bolivia and the region, with the aim of exploring ways that they can be produced locally by communities or small companies, once the technology and application protocols are validated. Dr Haneen Dwaib, Palestine Haneen Dwaib has a background in Nutrition and Public Health, and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. She is investigating dietary interventions to tackle obesity as a case of disguised hunger, since the lack of a decent, well-balanced diet causes deficits in the majority of micronutrients and occasionally macronutrients. Her research focuses on studying the gut microbiota and to find non-invasive early detection biomarkers of premature cardiovascular dysfunction and adipose tissue inflammation in pre-diabetic laboratory rats. Prof Eugenie Kayitesi, Rwanda Eugenie Kayitesi is a food scientist, who is trying to improve nutrition, diet diversity and food security in Africa developing unique products from underutilized food sources, as well as improving their nutritional composition and health promoting constituents. The core of her research relates to indigenous, underutilized African plant-based foods, such as legumes, cereals, green leafy vegetables and fruits. Her work has highlighted the importance of using readily available and affordable food crops to create food products with improved nutritional, functional and sensory quality. Gabriela Montenegro-Bethancourt, Guatemala Gabriela Montenegro-Bethancourt is a nutritionist and food scientist whose work contributes to strengthen primary health care in rural Guatemala. She works in the most impoverished communities in Guatemala’s to provide health care in Mayan languages and contribute to reducing maternal mortality and child malnutrition, overcoming barriers to the treatment of complex medical conditions, providing optimal care to children and adults with chronic conditions, and promoting access to clean water. Her research is designed to take into consideration nutrition’s broad strategic possibilities, such as empowering women, increasing the availability of nutrient-rich foods, improving access to health services, and design effective policies. Dr Munkhjargal Tserendorj, Mongolia Munkhjargal Tserendorj is a Veterinary Doctor with a PhD in Animal and Food Hygiene, who is helping Mongolia to control economically important tick-borne diseases. She has conducted national and international projects for strengthening capacities in the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases, especially vector-borne diseases, leading to the development of effective strategies to decrease severe economic losses in the small ruminants' population in Mongolia. Data from these studies is now used as base information for initiating prevention and control programs. Dr Yeyinou Laura Estelle Loko, Benin Yeyinou Laura Estelle Loko is an Entomologist with a PhD in plant genetic resources and crop protection committed to the reduction of losses caused by insect pests. She develops control methods that respect human health and the environment, favoring the use of naturally resistant varieties, medicinal plants with insecticidal properties, entomopathogenic microorganisms, and predators. She is also working on the development of a digital toolbox and an intelligent monitoring system adapted to smallholder farmers for effective pest management in Benin. To find out how the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award helps shape our understanding of the Global South, find out more about 2022’s winners here. About OWSD The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world. Headed by eminent women scientists from the South, OWSD has more than 9,000 members and runs various programs, including a PhD fellowship programme with over 360 successful graduates from Least Developed Countries and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as an Early Career fellowship programme providing research grants of up to USD$50,000 in addition to leadership training. OWSD is the only international forum to unite women scientists from the developing world with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. OWSD is affiliated with The World Academy of Science (TWAS), a program unit of UNESCO, and is based in Trieste, Italy, with national chapters throughout the developing world. www.owsd.net About The Elsevier Foundation The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate not-for-profit 501(c)(3), funded by Elsevier, a global information analytics business specialized in science and health. Since 2006, the Elsevier Foundation provides over $1.5 million USD a year in grants to knowledge-centered institutions around the world, which address the UN Sustainable Development Goals through tech-enabled innovations in inclusive health and research. The Foundation offers a comprehensive matching gift and volunteering fund to enable employees to work with Foundation partners and support their communities. The Elsevier Foundation is part of Elsevier’s larger corporate responsibility program which centers on our unique contributions to sustainable development in gender, health, climate and reducing inequalities. elsevierfoundation.org 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 8,700 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 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 over 2,700 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell; our over 43,000 eBook 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 Contact Details Elsevier Rebecca Clear +44 7919 396403 r.clear@elsevier.com OWSD Giulia Signori-OWSD Communications communications@owsd.net Company Website https://www.elsevier.com/

February 21, 2023 03:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Comcast Plans Major Network Expansion in Texas

Comcast Houston

Comcast announced today it will significantly expand its next-generation network, the Xfinity 10G Network, in a major way across several southeast Texas counties in 2023. The media and technology company said it will invest more than $100 million to install at least one thousand miles of new fiber-rich highways that will reach up to 80,000 homes and businesses by the end of this year. The planned expansions add to Comcast’s ongoing $2.8 billion investment in Texas over the last three years. Network expansion efforts will begin in Kingwood, Pinehurst, Prairie View, Waller, New Caney and Conroe. Construction will continue in other communities that have ongoing network infrastructure builds in the Houston area. Construction has started in Kingwood, which will be the largest expansion of the year; it is expected to be complete by the end of 2023 and will reach nearly 24,000 Kingwood homes and businesses. These locations will have the foundational next-generation network in place to begin deploying DOCSIS 4.0, setting the stage for the introduction of new symmetrical multi-gigabit Internet options. “We will bring our fiber-rich network to twice the number of homes and businesses this year compared to the number we passed last year,” said Ralph Martinez, Senior Regional Vice President of Comcast’s Texas Region. “Southeast Texas’ rural and suburban communities have been growing fast, and we are building out our next-generation Comcast network in tandem with the growth. We will continue to expand to even more rural communities in the next few years.” Once complete, Comcast, the nation’s largest provider of 1.2 Gigabit per second speeds, will give consumers access to reliable and fast Xfinity Internet and Xfinity Mobile service that outperforms its competitors. Comcast engineers have also developed multiple artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies that make the network faster and more reliable while delivering up to 100 Gbps for Comcast Business customers. In addition, Comcast’s next-generation technology provides multiple layers of security that automatically detect and block hundreds of thousands of cyber events every second, and a Smart Network that automates many core network functions and dramatically reduces the number of outages. “Access to reliable internet and telecommunications services is something that we cannot go without in our day-to-day activities,” said Houston Mayor Pro-Tem and Kingwood resident, Dave Martin. “Comcast and their new construction project in Kingwood is a perfect example of a business working to bridge the gap to connect more people to much-needed services while increasing accessibility to much-needed services and their dependability. I appreciate Comcast’s partnership and commitment to District E.” Comcast is also committed to addressing digital equity in communities we serve, through Project UP, the company’s $1 billion dollar commitment to help tens of millions of people connect to the internet and build futures of unlimited possibilities. Last year, Comcast Texas invested more than one million dollars to help local community organizations provide personalized digital skills training, offer workforce development/readiness workshops and other tech education to students, adults, and people with disabilities. The funding also supports ongoing efforts to build awareness about connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which offers eligible households up to $30/month credit, or up to $75 for households on tribal lands, for home Internet. Comcast proudly participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program, and offers Internet Essentials Plus, a $29.95/month home Internet service that is effectively free for eligible households, once the ACP credit is applied. Interested customers can visit Xfinity.com/ACP or call 1-800-Xfinity to learn more about this program and find out if they qualify. For more construction details and updates, visit ComcastTexas.com/Expansion. Powered by the Xfinity 10G Network Comcast’s next-generation network and Internet experience are powering homes today and into the future: · Ultimate Capacity: Xfinity customers connect nearly 1 billion devices across the company’s network annually. The Xfinity 10G Network with the next-generation Xfinity gateways deliver the most advanced WiFi technology carrying three times more bandwidth to power streaming, gaming, videoconferencing, and more, simultaneously. · Fastest Internet: 10 million+ Xfinity Internet customers subscribe to gigabit speed products, and Ookla rated Xfinity the fastest Internet provider at the end of 2022*. Symmetrical gig speeds to the first homes are planned for later this year. · Unprecedented Coverage: The latest Xfinity Gateway provides a more reliable connection throughout the home. Customers can get wall-to-wall WiFi coverage with a powerful xFi Pod that extends coverage to hard-to-reach areas, with plans for an offering of increased support for in-home WiFi through a “boost guarantee” later this year. · Most Reliable Connection: Comcast is scaling the nation’s largest and most reliable network – the Xfinity 10G Network – that passes 60 million homes and business and counting. The company plans to launch a new device that is “storm-ready” with cellular and battery backup to help keep customers connected even when the power goes out. · Ultra-Low Latency: The Xfinity 10G Network and the latest xFi Gateway are a powerful combination that deliver ultra-low latency for those moments when response times matter most like video games, a fast-growing category with Xfinity households averaging more than one gaming console per home. For local businesses, Comcast Business offers a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Ookla’s SpeedtestTM Market Index report shows that Xfinity delivered the fastest median download speeds to its Internet customers in the United States for the final quarter of 2022. Contact Details Comcast Steve Campion +1 832-920-2001 Steve_Campion@Comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

February 20, 2023 10:08 AM Central Standard Time

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Kadimastem Submits IND Application to the FDA for its Phase IIa Clinical Trial with AstroRx® for the Treatment of ALS

Kadimastem Ltd.

Kadimastem Ltd. (TASE: KDST), a well-known biotech company in the field of cellular therapy, which is in the clinical development stages of innovative products for the treatment of ALS and potential cure for diabetes, has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an approval for a multi-site phase IIa clinical trial to test its lead neurological cell therapy product, AstroRx ® for the treatment of patients with ALS. Pending the FDA approval of the IND submission, the planned multi-site phase IIa clinical trial intends to examine for the first time the repeated administration of AstroRx® every 3 months in order to prolong the therapeutic effect observed in the first in human phase I/IIa clinical trial conducted by the company in Israel at Ein Kerem Hadassah Hospital from 2018-2020. AstroRx® was injected into the spinal cord fluid using a single standard lumbar puncture procedure, in which they demonstrated a good safety profile and clinically meaningful decline in the disease progression during the first 3-month follow-up period. The results of the clinical trial were published in February of 2023 in the prestigious scientific Journal of Translational Medicine. AstroRx® contains functional, healthy astrocytes (nervous system supporting cells) derived from human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC) that aim to protect diseased motor neurons through several mechanisms of action. The goal is to nourish and support the malfunctioning motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord of patients suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), in order to slow the progression of the disease, improve quality of life and extend life expectancy for these patients. Kadimastem Founder and Chief Scientific Officer Professor Michel Revel said, “The submission of an IND to the FDA is a major milestone. It is very exciting to have arrived at this juncture. We eagerly await the approval to start this trial and wanting to help ALS patients as soon as possible.” Kadimastem CEO Asaf Shiloni said, “I’d like to congratulate our scientific team on the extremely important IND submission to the FDA. I would like to thank our VP of R&D Dr. Michal Izrael, our Regulatory Affairs Manager Dr. Vered Morad, our Director of Clinical Affairs Dr. Guy Slutsky, for their special effort and quality submission to the FDA. It is an enormous undertaking which brings great hope for the future. In 2022 we were awarded multiple patents worldwide, including from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Japanese and Israeli patent offices for our cell therapy technology for treating ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as patents based on our cell therapy for diabetes. In addition, we have been engaging in very high-level discussions with various potential partners to advance both our ALS and diabetes programs.” Kadimastem Executive Chairman of the Board Ronen Twito said, “For the last year, we’ve reported our plans to submit an IND to the FDA with AstroRx ® for the treatment of ALS. The Submission of the IND marks a significant milestone for the company, and subject to the approval of the FDA we hope to commence this very important multi-site trial and to bring this potential life enhancing therapy to the market and to patients as soon as possible. In addition, we are moving forward with our plans to list on the NASDAQ when conditions allow, in order to expose the company to the American markets and the significant analytical capabilities of the major investment banks.” About AstroRx ® & ALS Kadimastem’s flagship product, AstroRx®, is a breakthrough technology that is comprised of a unique and large cell population of astrocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells. The cells are intended to support the survival of motoneurons (the neurons control the motor-capability) in the central nervous system (CNS, brain, and spinal cord). These neurons are damaged in ALS, due to the harsh conditions in the CNS of the ALS patient and the consequential and eventual malfunctioning of the patient’s own astrocytes. This situation hampers and annuls the neuromuscular signaling, which leads to eventual paralysis and death. In December 2020, Kadimastem announced the results of the first of its kind, Phase I/IIa clinical trial, in which healthy and functioning astrocyte cells (AstroRx®) were injected into the spinal fluid of 10 ALS patients. Data showed that AstroRx® has the potential to slow the progression of ALS, as indicated by a clinical score called ALSFRS-R. Kadimastem plans to test repeated doses every three months of AstroRx® to achieve a continuous delay of the disease. Based on data that the company has to date, the company estimates that approximately 3 years after the completion of the upcoming clinical trial and receiving marketing approval, the marketing potential of AstroRx® in ALS patients in the US could reach approximately 0.5 billion dollars annually[1]. In addition, the product would be marketed in additional markets while concomitantly being tested in clinical trials in other neurodegenerative indications in the US. 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. [1] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/als/conditions/als_amyotrophic_lateral_sclerosis.html. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/als/conditions/als_amyotrophic_lateral_sclerosis.html. Based on data from the aforementioned source (there are 30,000 ALS patients in the US, as well as 5,000 new cases of ALS that are diagnosed each year), and under the following assumptions: (1) gradual entry into the market after receiving approval for the product; (2) each cellular treatment in the US will cost the payer at least about 25,000 US dollars (based on the benchmark work performed by the company); (3) Each ALS patient in the US will require about 4 cellular treatments from the company in one year, that is, an annual cost of at least about 100,000 US dollars. 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). 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 the Company'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 For more information and/or a meeting with the company's management: Lior Gottlieb, lior@gotlive-ir.co.il, 050-9200194 Contact Details Kadimastem Ltd. Asaf Shiloni s.bazak@kadimastem.com Company Website https://www.kadimastem.com/

February 20, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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SkinCell Advanced Emerges As The Leading Brand To Treat Skin Tags and Moles In The Market

Allied PR

SkinCell Advanced is a corrector serum that is deemed to be a fast and effective solution to any kinds of blemishes such as moles and skin tags. It delivers results as soon as eight hours after applying the serum on the affected area. The serum provides such products by triggering a rush of white blood cells or leukocytes in the user's body to the mole or skin tag's location. White blood cells are the immune system of our body, and they protect our bodies against foreign particles. With the white blood cells' added efforts, the serum starts removing the blemish and subsequently healing it as well. Click here to find more on SkinCell Advanced Sanguinaria Canadensis, one of the main ingredients in the SkinCell Advanced serum, is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant initially found in the eastern parts of North America. This plant, commonly known as bloodroot, was essentially used by Native Americans to treat various clinical conditions and was deemed an effective natural remedy for centuries. The Sanguinaria Canadensis flower's primary function is to stimulate the immune system and trigger white blood cells to the injured or influenced portion of the human body and begin the process of healing. The SkinCell Advanced serum uses this particular function of the flower and triggers the white blood cells to rush to the area where it is applied. Skin tags and moles often spurts up in unwanted places, and people go to new extents every day to remove them. SkinCell Advanced offers a safe and natural way to remove them without the hassle of costly surgeries and repetitive clinic appointments. On the serum application, it first alerts the immune system of the body by irritating the area containing the blemish and then triggering white blood cells to that area. The irritation is done by Zincum Muriaticum, which is known for its powerful skin irritating properties. This mineral is found in the Earth's crust and acts as a strong disinfectant and has superior antiseptic qualities. Then the serum, with the help of this mineral creates a slight inflammation over the blemish, and a small scab will form over it. The SkinCell Advanced company says that this scab will be formed after eight hours of application. Once the scab is formed over the blemish, the human immune system sees it as an injury which it has to heal and thus the body’s natural process of healing begins. The bloodroot flower extract facilitates the healing process as it helps create a concentration of white blood cells under the scab. These white blood cells will notice the scab on the user’s skin and immediately start healing it. As soon as the scab forms on the blemish, the user must stop applying the SkinCell Advanced serum and let their natural immune system do the rest of the healing. The scab which had formed over the blemish must be left alone. The user should let the scab fall off naturally. Any amount of picking at the scab or even scratching it can act as a risk of scarring. To ensure that no scars form under the scab, SkinCell Advanced advises their users not to touch the scab until it has fallen off entirely and use a Neosporin type product to limit the risk of scarring. The company has also manufactured a Repair Cream which acts as a catalyst in the healing process and ensures that the mole or skiing tag does not leave a scar. If the user does the whole process correctly, SkinCell Advanced makes sure that the blemish will disappear entirely and show no returning signs. The serum treats a wide variety of skin blemishes, including skin tags, dark moles, small warts, light moles, and even big warts. These blemishes, especially those in painful areas such as on armpits and the neck, can become frustrating to deal with. More often than not, these blemishes can become irritated from rubbing against one's clothing and cause them even more discomfort. SkinCell Advanced offers an ultimate solution to such people with their effective serum which shows quite impressive results in under eight hours. Contact Details Melissa support@jollofnews.com

February 18, 2023 11:53 AM Eastern Standard Time

Algernon Pharmaceuticals subsidiary completes first dosing in Phase 1 clinical study of DMT

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Algernon Pharmaceuticals CEO Christopher Moreau joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company’s subsidiary Algernon NeuroScience has announced it has completed the first dosing in its Phase 1 clinical study of an intravenous formulation of AP-188 or DMT. Moreau told Proactive the safety review committee has approved moving the study forward with an escalated dose after observing no safety or tolerability issues. This study will include up to 60 healthy volunteers, including both psychedelic experienced and psychedelic naïve subjects. Contact Details Proactive Canada +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

February 17, 2023 11:25 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Unicycive: The Company Developing Key Kidney Therapies

Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.

Doug Jermasek, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy for Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNCY), was recently interviewed by Benzinga. Unicycive is a biotechnology company focused on solutions for important and underserved renal diseases. The company currently has two key technologies in the development pipeline. UNI-494 works primarily to help the mitochondria in cells perform better, which in turn may help with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). The company’s other technology, Renazorb, is currently being developed as an Investigative New Drug (IND). If approved, the drug will help patients significantly reduce their daily pill burden in the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. Watch the full interview here: Featured photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash Unicycive Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel treatments for kidney diseases. Unicycive’s lead drug, Renazorb, is a novel phosphate binding agent being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. UNI-494 is a patent-protected new chemical entity in late preclinical development for the treatment of acute kidney injury. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Anne Marie Fields - Stern Investor Relations +1 212-362-1200 annemarie.fields@sternir.com Company Website https://unicycive.com/

February 17, 2023 10:35 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Nation’s Transplant System Acts to Maximize Organ Use

United Network for Organ Sharing

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the non-profit that contracts with the federal government to serve as the nation’s Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), is driving efforts to maximize organ acceptance and use. In its role as the OPTN, UNOS recently launched a predictive analytics tool, which adult kidney transplant programs can now use to augment decision-making and improve organ acceptance. Concurrently, the largest cohort of transplant organizations involved in an OPTN collaborative convened in Orlando, Florida recently to kick off a project focused on improving organ offer acceptance rates. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) recommended the use of predictive analytics as well as improving organ offer acceptance rates in their Feb. 2022 report on the nation’s organ donation and transplantation system. In 2022, 19.14% of all organs successfully recovered from selfless donors were not transplanted into a recipient, a statistic that UNOS is working with the entire organ donation and transplant community to improve. The new efforts signify important actions on behalf of the over 104,000 patients currently on the transplant waitlist. Predictive Analytics Tool This new tool shows physicians the predicted impact that accepting or declining a donor kidney offer could have on their patient, supplementing data already available to find the best-fit organ. This resource, offered to all adult kidney transplant programs across the country at no charge, aims to support decision-making, ultimately increasing the number of kidney transplants. Developed in collaboration with Accenture Federal Services, the tool is already providing physicians two key data points: the predicted length of time that their patient may wait for a similar kidney offer, and the patient’s likelihood of survival over the next three years without a transplant. “When we can use technology to supplement sound clinical judgement, we are best serving patients waiting for the gift of life,” said UNOS CEO Maureen McBride. “The new predictive analytics tool will help support the transplant teams making critical decisions on behalf of their patients.” Predictive analytics is the use of data, statistics and modeling to predict the likelihood of future outcomes. The NASEM report recommended using predictive data to improve organ acceptance rates in their 2022 recommendations. “Accenture is proud to be involved in the design and development of predictive analytics models which promise to improve offer acceptance in decision support tools,” said Accenture Federal Studio Design Director Ben Cannon. “We appreciate the willingness of the OPTN leadership to engage in a build-test-learn approach to address this challenge and for their close collaboration with specialists from various disciplines across both organizations - data science, human centered design, behavioral science, and technology. We are excited to continue our work and scale the predictive analytics program.” After a pilot phase that began in early 2022, UNOS used input provided by participating transplant programs to improve the tool before the national launch. An advisory panel will continue evaluating community feedback. Offer Acceptance Collaborative UNOS recently brought together transplant programs from a third of the country’s transplant hospitals to kick off the OPTN Offer Acceptance Collaborative in Orlando, Fla. The largest UNOS-led collaborative to date, this six-month effort focuses on improving responses to organ offers as well as defining and revising acceptance criteria. This collaborative will also help programs prepare for the use of a new offer acceptance metric to evaluate transplant program performance. UNOS will begin using this metric as a component of OPTN transplant program performance monitoring in July of this year. "If you look at the history of donation and transplantation, innovation is how we got here,” said Offer Acceptance Collaborative participant Deborah Maurer, who serves as Transplant Services Program Administrator at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “It's our obligation to keep innovating, not just the scientific or clinical practices, but also the quality improvement processes and practices. This collaborative is a perfect example of giving the community the opportunity and mechanism to drive that innovation." Organ offers are an integral part of the nation’s organ donation and transplant system, but acceptance rates vary across the United States. The NASEM report identified offer acceptance as a “key area for improvement for transplant centers.” “UNOS is proud to convene transplant programs from across the country for this important collaborative project,” said McBride. “By strengthening our practices, constantly reevaluating what works as a community and asking tough questions about how and what we can do better, we can best serve the patients and families who rely on us.” About UNOS United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit, charitable organization that serves as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) under contract with the federal government. The OPTN helps create and define organ allocation and distribution policies that make the best use of donated organs. This process involves continuously evaluating new advances and discoveries so policies can be adapted to best serve patients waiting for transplants. All transplant programs and organ procurement organizations throughout the country are OPTN members and are obligated to follow the policies the OPTN creates for allocating organs. Contact Details United Network for Organ Sharing Anne Paschke +1 804-782-4730 anne.paschke@unos.org Company Website https://unos.org

February 16, 2023 04:25 PM Eastern Standard Time

Coya Therapeutics’ Expansion Of Exclusive Worldwide Licensing Agreement With ARscience Biotherapeutics Could Have Outsized Impact On Neurodegenerative And Autoimmune Diseases Treatments

Coya Therapeutics Inc.

By Ernest Dela Aglanu, Benzinga Houston, Texas-based Coya Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: COYA) has just taken a giant leap in making effective proprietary treatments focused on certain neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases available to more patients, as it announced the expansion of its exclusive worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of COYA 301 — the company’s low-dose IL-2 subcutaneous administration product candidate. For industry watchers, including investors, this might be very important, especially as multiple autoimmune diseases have largely unmet medical needs. A deep dive into the statistics by the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) shows that an estimated ~50 million Americans have one or more autoimmune diseases. More worryingly, AARDA further said approximately 75% of those affected are women and tend to cluster in families, impacting multiple family members and generations. Autoimmune diseases are among the top 10 leading causes of death among American women. Expansion Of Its Exclusive Worldwide Rights The statistics around autoimmune diseases are certainly worrying. To help make a difference, players like Coya are actively ramping up and expanding their therapies to address the needs of the market. Coya just announced the expansion of their exclusive worldwide rights with ARScience Biotherapeutics Inc. for the development and commercialization of COYA 301, Coya’s low-dose IL-2 subcutaneous administration product candidate. Since 2020, the clinical-stage biotechnology company has been developing multiple therapeutic platforms to enhance T cell (Treg) function, including biologics and cell therapies. COYA 301 is an immunomodulatory cytokine for subcutaneous administration intended to enhance regulatory Treg function in vivo to treat the systemic and neuro-inflammation underlying certain autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. Under the expanded terms of the agreement with ARScience, Coya reports that it has been granted the rights to develop and commercialize COYA as a combination therapy across multiple therapeutic areas and disease conditions and as a monotherapy for various neurodegenerative disorders and autoimmune diseases. The company expatiated that these additional rights expand on the rights provided in the original license, which allowed Coya to develop and commercialize the product candidate as monotherapy for a number of neurodegenerative conditions and as a combination Treg-based therapy across multiple therapeutic areas. “We believe that Treg dysfunction is a common characteristic in certain neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. The expansion of the license agreement enables our development of COYA 301 in a potentially larger group of patients suffering from progressive diseases characterized by sustained inflammation,” Howard Berman, Ph.D., CEO of Coya, said in a statement. According to him, the company’s strategy is to develop COYA 301 as a monotherapy and in combination with other immunomodulatory drugs ( COYA 302 ) to potentially mitigate persistent inflammation. Carlos Banado, CEO of ARScience Biotherapeutics, also commenting on the licensing agreement, noted, “there is not currently an approved recombinant human low-dose IL-2 for therapeutic use. The development of a low-dose IL-2 formulation, delivered via a subcutaneous injection, may provide effective treatment in a wide range of diseases characterized by increased inflammation. We are confident that Coya Therapeutics has the expertise to develop and commercialize this asset in multiple indications, and we look forward to a successful collaboration.” The licensing agreement could be significant, especially as dysfunctional Tregs are the underlying cause behind numerous conditions, including neurodegenerative, metabolic and autoimmune diseases. This cellular dysfunction may lead to sustained inflammation and oxidative stress resulting in a lack of homeostasis of the immune system. Luckily, Coya says its investigational product candidate pipeline leverages multiple therapeutic modalities aimed at restoring the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions of Tregs. The company’s therapeutic platforms include Treg-enhancing biologics, Treg-derived exosomes, and autologous Treg cell therapy. The expansion of exclusive worldwide licensing agreement could give Coya an edge while having a positive impact on the global autoimmune disease diagnostics market with players like Exagen Inc. (NASDAQ: XGN), Oncimmune Holdings PLC (LON: ONC), and Retromer Therapeutics. With the global market estimated to be worth $4.7 billion in 2021 and expected to reach about $8 billion by 2027 growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%, the company appears well positioned for continued growth. This article was originally published on Benzinga here. About Coya Therapeutics, Inc.Headquartered in Houston, TX, Coya Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: COYA) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing proprietary treatments focused on the biology and potential therapeutic advantages of regulatory T cells (“Tregs”) to target systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation. Dysfunctional Tregs underlie numerous conditions including neurodegenerative, metabolic, and autoimmune diseases, and this cellular dysfunction may lead to a sustained inflammation and oxidative stress resulting in lack of homeostasis of the immune system. Coya’s investigational product candidate pipeline leverages multiple therapeutic modalities aimed at restoring the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions of Tregs. Coya’s therapeutic platforms include Treg-enhancing biologics, Treg-derived exosomes, and autologous Treg cell therapy. Coya’s 300 Series product candidates, COYA 301 and COYA 302, are biologic therapies intended to enhance Treg function and expand Treg numbers. COYA 301 is a cytokine biologic for subcutaneous administration intended to enhance Treg function and expand Treg numbers in vivo, and COYA 302 is a biologic combination for subcutaneous and/or intravenous administration intended to enhance Treg function while depleting T effector function and activated macrophages. These two mechanisms may be additive or synergistic in suppressing inflammation. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice Contact Details David S. Snyder David@coyatherapeutics.com Company Website https://coyatherapeutics.com/

February 16, 2023 09:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

Healixa Inc and WATERisLIFE Collaborate to Address the Global Water Scarcity Crisis with Global AquaDuct® Deposition Water Harvesting™ Technology

Healixa Inc.

McapmediaWire -- Healixa, Inc. (OTC: EMOR ) (“Healixa,” or the “Company”), a technology company focusing on building and acquiring innovative and disruptive technologies in the health-tech, clean water, and green-tech industries and WATERisLIFE, a global non-profit organization working to end the world water crisis, today announced their collaboration. The two organizations agreed to work together to respond to the growing water scarcity challenges in North America and internationally following recently completed demonstration of Healixa's proprietary Global AquaDuct® Deposition Water Harvesting™ Technology ("DWH ™ ") for multiple current and former US government officials and humanitarian experts. Healixa's DWH ™ technology is the world's first and only water vapor harvesting technology that can produce potable water directly from the earth's atmosphere by leveraging multiple proprietary advancements including phase-change, thermal deposition, and drawing operating power from on-grid or off-grid (solar) sources. Global AquaDuct® is a revolutionary approach to atmospheric water harvesting, providing a turnkey, sustainable, primary source of potable water in a compact form factor (only 12 sq. ft.), capable of directly addressing the significant limitations of competing technologies, to deliver substantially improved operational performance including energy efficiency, no relative humidity dependency, and constant reliable yield. Ken Surritte, Chairman, and founder of WATERisLIFE, said "Access to clean water is quickly becoming one of the most critical global challenges facing mankind. Water scarcity and droughts knows no borders and is increasingly threatening farmlands and communities in the developed world, just as it has in historically water-challenged geographies such as in Africa and the Middle East. Having seen first-hand the capabilities of Healixa's Global AquaDuct® technology, we believe this impressive and innovative solution has the potential to radically improve the lives of millions of people around the world. That is why are so excited to work with the Healixa team to showcase the impact that Global AquaDuct® can have in assisting communities around the global address their water insecurity challenges." "Healixa is dedicated to the development and commercialization of technologies that can positively impact the lives of millions. Having recently completed early-stage commercialization and testing of our Global AquaDuct® water harvesting technology, we are confident in its unmatched capabilities and potential. We are pleased to work alongside leading humanitarian organizations such as WATERisLIFE as we expand the awareness of our unique DWH ™ technology and advance our commercialization efforts with potential customers," added Ian Parker, Chairman and CEO of Healixa. About Healixa, Inc. Healixa is a technology company focusing on building and acquiring innovative and disruptive technologies in the health-tech, clean water generation and green-tech industries. Healixa embraces innovation by combining its intellectual properties, patents, strategic collaborations, and partnerships to create a "LaunchPad" of disruptive sustainable products. For more information, visit www.healixa.com. About WATERisLIFE WATERisLIFE is a 501 (c)(3) public charity bringing life-changing water solutions to the areas of the world that need it the most. For nearly two decades, WATERisLIFE has been working with the UN and the sustainability goals established by the UN for bringing safe water around the world. We aim to solve the world water crisis through better WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programs in developing countries. WATERisLIFE brings cutting-edge technologies to the 47 countries we have been doing projects in. WATERisLIFE water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions have reached more than 60,000,000 people worldwide since inception. For more information, visit the website at www.WATERisLIFE.com Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. For example, forward-looking statements are used when discussing our expected research and development programs, and more. These forward-looking statements are based only on current expectations of management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the risks and uncertainties related to the progress, timing, cost, and results of Partnerships and product development programs; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approval or patent protection; and competition from other companies. Except as otherwise required by law, Healixa, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Healixia Contact: Bret Hedges SVP of Strategic Partnerships 833-432-5492 Bret@healixa.com WATERisLIFE Contact: Director of Communications Cote@WATERisLIFE.com Contact Details Healixia Bret Hedges +1 833-432-5492 Bret@healixa.com WATERisLIFE Director of Communications Cote@WATERisLIFE.com

February 16, 2023 08:52 AM Eastern Standard Time

Healthcare