Framework for Diabetes in Canada tabled in Parliament
TORONTO, Oct. 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today’s tabling of the Framework for Diabetes in Canada by the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, federal Minister of Health, in the House of Commons, is an exciting and welcome development that aims to address the complex condition and rising prevalence of diabetes in Canada. Diabetes Canada expresses thanks to the Minister, MP Sonia Sidhu, Chair of the all-party Diabetes Caucus, and her parliamentary colleagues, whose commitment and leadership helped make this tabling a reality.
For the past several years, Diabetes Canada has led the call for a strategy and framework, in collaboration with more than 100 groups and individuals from across the country, to address the growing and silent epidemic of diabetes which impacts more than 11.7 million Canadians and costs the health-care system almost $50 million to treat every day.
Diabetes Canada is pleased with the measures outlined in the much-anticipated Framework document and urges the federal government, and its provincial and territorial partners, to identify and dedicate the necessary investments in their 2023 Budgets (and successive years) to implement the Framework.
These investments should include improved access to treatments, risk reduction strategies, and enhanced research all with one ultimate objective—to improve health outcomes for people with diabetes. Diabetes Canada recommends that a convening and coordinating body that includes people living with diabetes, national experts in care and research, and public and private funding partners should be established to help drive the implementation and evolution of this Framework and report back on progress on an annual basis.
The Framework was developed in consultation with people impacted by diabetes, health groups, and all levels of government, and has the potential to prevent millions of diabetes diagnoses as well as ensure that all those living with diabetes have improved and equitable access to vital care.
More specifically, federal, provincial and territorial governments must invest in its implementation to support the following:
Access to Resources: make sure people who live with diabetes have timely and equitable access to the supports, medications, and devices they need.
Measurable Progress: create and fund a multisectoral coordinating body to drive and ensure accountability so effective actions are taken, progress is tracked, and best practices are used.
Comprehensive Data: scale up and expand current data sources, and increase data sharing, through new data connection points that will improve health outcomes.
Better Education: improve public understanding about diabetes as a disease with tools that are inclusive, focused on the individual, and reduce stigma and inequities.
More Research: renew innovation with comprehensive research into type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Quotes:
Laura Syron, President & CEO, Diabetes Canada and person living with type 2 diabetes
“We applaud the government for moving forward with a plan of action to support Canadians at risk of and living with diabetes. The release of today’s Framework for Diabetes in Canada provides a critical and foundational outline that will guide us in helping to improve access to care and treatment and ensuring better health outcomes for people in Canada. We must keep the momentum moving and look forward to collaborating with governments, health-care partners, and persons with diabetes to ensure the Framework is implemented through concrete investments as soon as possible.”
Stacey Livitski, person living with type 1 diabetes
“I am so thankful that this comprehensive plan is gaining traction to help address the growing impact of the diabetes crisis across our nation. I am hopeful that as a result people like me will be able to see and benefit from some long overdue changes that will provide us with more measurable and positive outcomes, helping to alleviate the burden on individuals as well as our already overburdened health-care systems. I am urging the government to invest and implement these strategies as soon as possible.”
Russell Williams, Senior Vice-President of Mission, Diabetes Canada
“As the Framework for Diabetes in Canada is implemented across the country, there will be direct applications and learnings for other chronic diseases, facilitating economies of scale, rapid knowledge-sharing and bringing transformative change that will be felt throughout the health-care system.”
About Diabetes Canada
A world free of the effects of diabetes is our vision. That’s why we’re working together to improve the quality of life of people living with diabetes. We’re sharing knowledge and creating connections for individuals and the health-care professionals who care for them; advocating through public policy; and funding research to improve treatments and find a cure to end diabetes.
For more information, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).
Largest study measuring extent of COVID-19 in Canadian children and teens now underway
MONTREAL, Oct. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In Canada, the vast majority of COVID-19 cases in the 0 to 18 age group have been mild or asymptomatic. This fact, combined with the reduction in routine COVID-19 laboratory testing across most of the country, means that the infection rates in children and adolescents are largely unknown. What’s more, since levels of transmission, vaccination and immunity are continually changing, ongoing surveillance is necessary to help guide public health policy.
To address the knowledge gap, the Government of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), through the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF), are providing $2.6 million to conduct the largest serosurvey of children and youth to date in Canada for SARS-CoV-2. The study, which benefits from the network established for an existing CIHR-funded project called Pediatric Outcomes Improvement through Coordination of Research Networks (POPCORN), is called COVID-19 seroepidemiology among children Using Retrieved POPCORN Site Leftover blood Samples (CURNLS). It is led by Drs. Soren Gantt and Caroline Quach-Thanh, investigators at CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre and professors at the Université de Montréal. POPCORN is also led by Dr. Quach-Thanh and brings together pediatric health researchers from 16 hospital research sites across Canada to monitor COVID-19 infections, vaccination, and social impacts among children and youth.
“The CURNLS study involves testing existing blood samples from patients aged 0 to 18 who visit hospital emergency departments across Canada with the goal of identifying whether they’ve had COVID-19 and whether they have immunity from infection or vaccination,” says Dr. Gantt. “We will combine this information with rates of transmission, hospitalization, vaccination, and use of public health measures to inform public health policy.”
“By including large numbers of children from the POPCORN network sites, which span eight provinces, the CURNLS study will provide relatively broad and representative seroprevalence data among children and youth across Canada,” says Dr. Quach-Thanh. By testing for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, including nucleocapsid (N), spike (S) and receptor-binding domain (RBD) antigens, the CURNLS researchers have several goals. “We aim to determine the rates of seropositivity due to infection and vaccination, the differences in seroprevalence among children of different ages and from different regions of Canada, and the associations between serologic measures and trends of viral transmission and vaccination rates,” says Dr. Quach-Thanh.
Five times during the coming year, approximately 7,200 samples will be obtained and tested through the new study. Analyses will be performed according to three distinct age groups within the 0 to 18 range.
“The CITF funds several studies, including among blood donors via Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, that provide valuable seroprevalence data for adults on an ongoing basis, but until now there has been no nationally representative and ongoing pediatric population included,” says Dr. Tim Evans, CITF Executive Director. “The CURNLS study is the first national serosurvey focussing on children and teens, and the data it generates on SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity will help predict future pandemic trends, understand the spectrum of disease arising from infection in this age group, the role of children in community transmission, and the need for additional vaccination and/or public health measures.”
About the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force
The Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) in late April 2020 to catalyze, support, fund, and harmonize research on SARS-CoV-2 immunity for federal, provincial, and territorial decision makers in their efforts to protect Canadians and minimize the impact of COVID-19. The Task Force and its Secretariat work closely with a range of partners, including governments, public health agencies, institutions, health organizations, research teams, other task forces, engaging communities and stakeholders. To date, the CITF has supported over 110 studies across Canada that are generating critical insights on the levels, trends, nature, and duration of immunity arising from SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination. The CITF is overseen by an Executive Committee of volunteers that includes leading scientists and policymakers from across Canada.
About Canadian Institutes of Health Research
At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada’s health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.
YBVR, TELUS, and MEDIAPRO Canada join forces to deliver a cutting-edge immersive viewing experience for Canadian Premier League soccer fans
Canadian soccer fans can now watch Canadian Premier League for free on the TELUS Sports app available on mobile devices through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- YBVR, a Silicon Valley technology startup and a global leader in Immersive Live Sports streaming, has joined forces with TELUS and MEDIAPRO Canada to pilot a fully-immersive Sports Metaverse service in Canada and redefine the way fans experience live sports. Beginning with OneSoccer and the Canadian Premier League (CPL), the TELUS Sports app brings Canadian soccer fans access to unique features allowing them to choose, in real time, between up to eight different camera angles, across multiple devices and from multiple viewers to offer the most immersive soccer viewing experience in the comfort of their home or on-the-go. TELUS Sports is free and available for download on mobile devices through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, select Android TVs for TELUS subscribers on Optik TV and Pik TV, and web browsers by visiting telussports.ybvr.com.
“YBVR is proud to partner with TELUS and MEDIAPRO Canada to offer a one-of-a-kind viewing experience to Canadian soccer fans,” said Hector Prieto, Co-Founder and CEO at YBVR. “YBVR is the technology provider behind the enhanced, immersive, multi-camera and hyper-personalized fan experience. It is an interactive and flexible solution that will be available for all October Canadian Premier League games. As soccer fever takes over Canada, the ending of this year’s season promises to be exciting, and TELUS, combined with the power of YBVR’s technology, will make it accessible for all Canadians.”
YBVR’s current portfolio of immersive sports tech initiatives includes projects with Wimbledon and the Australia Open tennis Majors, EuroLeague basketball, and Real Madrid, as well as partnerships with major players in sports broadcasting such as Verizon, Singtel, and Telefónica.
“As the sport with the highest participation levels among children and young people in Canada, soccer is embedded in our national mainstream. This project provides an exciting boost for fans by enhancing the Canadian Premier League’s digital content offering through the TELUS Sports app,” said Amit Nag, Vice-president, Entertainment and Education Services at TELUS. “By partnering together with YBVR and MEDIAPRO Canada, TELUS is piloting next-generation technology for the Canadian Premier League and enhancing soccer’s impact on the Canadian landscape.”
The new partnership is among the first to ride the wave of technological innovation into Canada, bringing immersive, personalized and interactive functionalities to soccer. The combined technological capabilities and experience of these three world-leading companies will bring a trailblazing new option to Canadian Premier League fans through the TELUS Sports app and OneSoccer.
“This new venture represents an extraordinary opportunity for OneSoccer and the Canadian Premier League and will vault the viewing experience to a whole new level,” said Oscar López, Chief Executive Officer at MEDIAPRO Canada. “In just four years, the CPL has developed into a compelling and competitive league with a dedicated fan base from coast to coast, and TELUS and YBVR have shown that they understand the popularity of soccer among Canadian families and sports fans, at a time when Canadian soccer is reaching new heights – not just at home but at a continental and global level. We’re delighted to join the likes of Real Madrid and Wimbledon in engaging viewers through the latest in technological innovation.”
The TELUS Sports app is available as a pilot for fans to watch the remaining nine matches in the season, for a total of four regular season matches and the five post-season fixtures which will determine the 2022 CPL champion.
About YBVR YBVR is a technology company that is re-defining the way fans experience live sports. YBVR enables a new immersive and interactive dialogue with sport fans, especially the new generations, engaging from home and in-venue. The expansive expertise of these companies brings about a fantastic opportunity for the Canadian Premier League and its fans.
About MEDIAPRO Canada MEDIAPRO Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of GRUP Mediapro, the Spanish media multinational, holds a long-term partnership with Canadian Soccer Business for the worldwide media rights to the Canadian Premier League, the country’s first-division men's professional soccer league; the Canadian Championship, Canada Soccer’s domestic soccer competition involving all professional soccer clubs in Canada including Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC, CF Montréal and the Vancouver Whitecaps; and the home friendly matches of Canada Soccer’s Women’s and Men’s National Teams. In 2019, it launched OneSoccer, a dedicated soccer channel available through TELUS Optik TV, fuboTV and the OneSoccer app.
About TELUS TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with $17 billion in annual revenue and 17 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. Our social purpose is to leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to drive social change and enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. The numerous, sustained accolades TELUS has earned over the years from independent, industry-leading network insight firms showcase the strength and speed of TELUS’ global-leading networks, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that make our lives better.
TELUS Health is Canada’s leader in digital health technology, improving access to health and wellness services and revolutionizing the flow of health information across the continuum of care. TELUS Agriculture provides innovative digital solutions throughout the agriculture value chain, supporting better food outcomes from improved agri-business data insights and processes. TELUS International (TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience innovator that designs, builds, and delivers next-generation solutions, including AI and content management, for global and disruptive brands across high-growth industry verticals, including tech and games, communications and media, ecommerce and FinTech, healthcare, and travel and hospitality. TELUS and TELUS International operate in 25+ countries around the world.
Driven by our determination and vision to connect all citizens for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired TELUS, our team members and retirees to contribute more than $900 million and 1.8 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world. Together, let’s make the future friendly.
CAN Health Network Provides National Access to Verto's Canadian-Made Digital Twin Technology
Verto's innovation accessible to national network of almost 30 healthcare organizations
TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2022 /CNW/ - After a successful commercialization project funded by the Coordinated Accessible Network (CAN) Health Network, Unity Health Toronto is implementing technology from Toronto-based digital health company, Verto, to help manage ambulatory patient flow, streamline consent management, and transform patient experience across dozens of ambulatory clinics.
Verto's Digital Twin Orchestration technology connects relevant pieces of information about patients across any IT system to build complex, dynamic profiles of each individual. The profile is then used to craft personalized care journeys, automating and orchestrating better experiences for individuals throughout their care.
"We are proud to deliver a solution that transforms Unity Health's patient experience," said Michael Millar, CEO & Founder of Verto. "Being 'powered by Verto' means we put control back in our clients' hands to innovate around challenges of legacy systems and workflows. In collaboration with CAN Health Network and Unity Health, we continue to build on our success with global consent management, vaccinations, and outpatient clinic engagement and are excited to accelerate our efforts to reach all of Canada."
Unity Health began working with Verto in 2018 to co-design solutions to improve patient experience and clinic flow across the organization. Last year, the organization realized the need to find novel ways to better coordinate and engage with patients before, during, after and in-between hospital visits.
"We were seeking a tool to support care pathway management and enhance the patient experience," said Frank Garcea, Executive Director, Information Technology, Unity Health Toronto. "A digital twin solution, like the one developed by Verto, allows us to do this, making sure that patients receive key information and engagement at appropriate times in their care pathway, while providing them with tools to better manage their clinic visits and interactions."
"The technology also supports the dissemination of digital surveys, which allow us to capture the patient experience in near real-time and then support immediate improvements to their experience," he said.
In 2020, Unity Health joined the CAN Health Network and launched a commercialization project with Verto to develop and implement a global consent model with a focus on digital communications. CAN Health Network's goal is to support the Canadian economy by identifying and introducing Canadian-made solutions in the healthcare marketplace.
Through commercialization projects like the one launched by Unity Health, companies like Verto get access to real-world environments, work closely with clinicians to validate their solutions, and benefit from the Network's unique procurement process.
On project completion, Unity Health launched a formal and competitive procurement process, ultimately selecting Verto as the best solution for their needs. As part of Unity Health's contract with Verto, all listed CAN Health Network members were given access to the solution without having to launch their own procurement process. This includes 27 healthcare organizations across Canada, comprising of health authorities and long-term care homes.
"This is what the Network is all about – validating Canadian technology solutions and making it easier for healthcare organizations to procure them," said Dante Morra, Chair, CAN Health Network. "Through leading-edge companies like Verto, we have the ability to solve our own problems with solutions made right here at home, benefitting all Canadians."
"Verto is another example of a fantastic Canadian company that has taken advantage of the CAN Health Network to deliver a solution that will help Canadians and improve patient experience. It's why we invested $30 million in the CAN Health Network in Budget 2022, to provide Canadian companies across the country even more access to a large, domestic marketplace where companies can scale up and be anchored in Canada," said Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development.
AboutVerto Inc. Verto Inc. is a rapidly growing Canadian digital health company offering a Digital Twin Orchestration Platform. Our patented machine learning technology consolidates data from nearly any technology or database to create normalized, contextual snapshots – 'Digital Twins' – of each patient's healthcare journey. Verto then automates actions across different systems while securely managing consent, data, and communication. Our team consists of health informaticians, technologists, and clinicians who are passionate about creating bold and disruptive solutions to help every person reach their best personal health outcome. Learn more at https://verto.health
About Unity Health Toronto Unity Health Toronto, comprised of St. Joseph's Health Centre, St. Michael's Hospital and Providence Healthcare, works to advance the health of everyone in our urban communities and beyond. Our health network serves patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education. Learn more at www.unityhealth.to.
About CAN Health Network The CAN Health Network is a Canada-first approach to technology adoption. It helps break down barriers to scaling in the health-care system and provides an environment for companies to scale to their full potential. Currently operating in Ontario, Western and Atlantic Canada, the CAN Health Network was recently awarded $30 million by the Government of Canada as part of Budget 2022 to expand into Quebec, the Territories and with Indigenous Communities. Learn more about the CAN Health Network at www.canhealthnetwork.ca.
Canadian charity invites you to take the plunge in the name of youth mental health
1,000 people across the country are expected to take part in Brainfreeze 2022, an invigorating polar dip in support of Jack.org’s work to address the youth mental health emergency
TORONTO, Oct. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jack.org and Surf The Greats are excited to welcome mental health heroes from coast to coast to join Brainfreeze 2022 with Presenting Sponsor, RBC Future Launch, in an epic in-person polar plunge in support of youth mental health.
Brainfreeze brings determined individuals together to smash through icy waters and fundraising goals in support of Jack.org, a Canadian charity that partners with over 3,000 youth leaders in every province and territory to provide them with the skills and resources they need to improve mental health outcomes in their communities.
Brainfreeze isn’t just about the physical plunge, but also the mental challenge that getting outside of your comfort zone presents. Whether participants decide to take the plunge or not, we’re challenging our community to do something that scares them in the name of mental health.
This year, we’re inviting these courageous Polar Bears to join our #BearItAll challenge and get real about the need for honesty and bravery when it comes to tackling the youth mental health emergency. And for the first time since before the pandemic, we’re able to welcome Polar Bears back to five in-person Brainfreeze events:
Polar Bears can either commit to a solo dip or bring family and friends to one of the in-person events for an unforgettable (and Instagrammable) team dip!
Can’t make it to the in-person events? Not to worry. Participants can register online, assemble their crew, and join the #BearItAll challenge wherever they call home. Whether they jump into the lake in their hometown, take an ice bath, or sign up for their first therapy session, each and every Polar Bear gets to choose something that pushes them out of their comfort zone while raising funds for Jack.org.
Receive a Brainfreeze Bundle when they raise $250+ for Jack.org
Get access to our 30-day meditation challenge led by the amazing Surf The Greats founder and CEO Antonio Lennert, a tidal flow yoga class, and a Wim Hof Method workshop before taking the plunge
This year, we’re aiming to challenge 1,000 Polar Bears to brave the cold across Canada to raise essential funds for youth mental health. All funds raised by these inspiring Polar Bears will go directly to Jack.org’s award-winning mental health resources and globally recognized youth mental health initiatives across Canada.
Rowena Pinto, President & CEO of Jack.org, said, “This will be my first big event with Jack.org and I couldn’t be more excited to participate in Brainfreeze. Thank you to the organizers and participants for your commitment to fuelling Jack.org’s work across Canada, supporting youth mental health education and peer-to-peer support.”
Michael Griffiths, a past Polar Bear, says the event is about much more than just the chill. “It is a gathering with other like-minded individuals who celebrate community, acceptance, and awareness to take a plunge into the icy Canadian waters,” he added. “We started with a group-led yoga session and then took off with our buddies into the water. Little did I know that my buddy would be first out, and I would be last in. All in good fun and for a great cause!”
To help uplift amazing Polar Bears like Michael across Canada, supporters are encouraged to visit our Donation page, hit “Donate” and search for their Polar Bear’s name. Anyone is eligible to join in on Brainfreeze 2022! Getting ready to #BearItAll starts with registering for free here.
About Jack.org Jack.org is the only Canadian charity that partners with young leaders in every province and territory to improve youth mental health outcomes in their communities. These incredible youth lead mental health conversations among their peers thanks to innovative programs that they helped design. Through Jack Talks, Jack Chapters, Jack Summits, Jack Originals, Be There, and BeThereCertificate.org, young leaders identify and dismantle barriers to positive mental health in their communities. Jack.org is working towards a Canada where all young people understand how to take care of their own mental health and look out for each other. A Canada without shame, where all those who need support get the help they deserve. With thousands of young leaders across every province and territory, the movement is only just getting started. To learn more, please visit Jack.org, BeThere.org and BeThereCertificate.org.
Aurora Spine Corporation Announces FDA 510(k) Clearance for its SiLO TFX™ MIS Sacroiliac Joint Fixation System
CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aurora Spine Corporation ("Aurora Spine" or the "Company") (TSXV: ASG) (OTCQB: ASAPF), a designer and manufacturer of innovative medical devices that improve spinal surgery outcomes, today announced it has received 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the patented minimally invasive SiLO TFX MIS Sacroiliac Joint Fixation System. The Aurora Spine SiLO TFX MIS Sacroiliac Joint Fixation System, is intended for sacroiliac joint fusion for conditions including sacroiliac joint disruptions and degenerative sacroiliitis. The SiLO TFX MIS Sacroiliac Joint Fixation System includes a Transfixing-Cone, an ilium screw, a sacrum screw and associated instrumentation. The SiLO TFX implants are designed to transfix the sacrum and ilium, providing stability for bony fusion.
“We are pleased with our continued commercial momentum as we expand our footprint for providing differentiated surgical devices in the sacropelvic/sacroiliac space,” said Trent Northcutt, President, and Chief Executive Officer. “We will make meaningful investments in our sales force and physician training, which we believe will enable us to further capitalize on the growth in outpatient surgery centers across the United States.”
Mr. Laszlo Garamszegi, Chief Technology Officer of Aurora Spine, added, "We are excited about this patented game-changing technology. Increased awareness of SI joint disruption as a significant contributor to back pain led us to develop a minimally invasive solution to treat the condition. It is a breakthrough for Aurora to offer a titanium version of our SiLO family of products, which offers additional fixation options to transfix the joint.”
"This is a significant milestone in the evolution of the treatment of SI joint dysfunction and clearly sets SiLO TFX apart from any other surgical options. This patented system transfixes the sacrum and ilium to provide superior clinical outcomes," said Dr. Michael Stoffman, Neurosurgeon at the University at Buffalo Neurosurgery. "The SiLO TFX clearance is an essential milestone for Aurora Spine as they are committed to helping patients experiencing chronic SI Joint pain."
About Aurora Spine
Aurora Spine is focused on bringing new solutions to the spinal implant market through a series of innovative, minimally invasive, regenerative spinal implant technologies. Additional information can be accessed at www.aurora-spine.com or www.aurorapaincare.com.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond the control of Aurora Spine, including, without limitation, those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information" in Aurora Spine's final prospectus (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information in this news release includes information concerning the proposed use and success of the company’s products in surgical procedures. Aurora Spine cautions investors of Aurora Spine's securities about important factors that could cause Aurora Spine's actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements included in this news release. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ unilaterally from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the expectations set out herein will prove to be correct and, accordingly, prospective investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release and Aurora Spine does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.
Immugenia Obtains Pre-Seed Funding from adMare BioInnovations, ACET Capital, and Sherbrooke Innopole to Develop a Cancer Treatment Which Would Prevent Relapses
SHERBROOKE, QC, Oct. 6, 2022 /CNW/ - Immugenia Inc. has announced that adMare BioInnovations, ACET Capital 2, and Sherbrooke Innopole have joined forces to support the development of immunity therapy programs based on the work of Dr. Elie Haddad, clinical researcher at CHU Sainte-Justine and professor at the Université de Montréal's pediatrics department.
Immugenia is developing a new generation of CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) therapy. Current CAR therapies involve taking immune cells from a cancer patient and modifying them to express a CAR, making it possible for them to recognize and kill cancer cells when injected back into the patient.
"Unfortunately, traditional CAR technologies have a limited lifespan, which allows for relapses. By modifying patients' own hematopoietic stem cells, rather than peripheral cells as is usually the case, Immugenia is creating immunotherapy that could last continuously, thereby decreasing the risk of relapse while reducing the risk of toxicity associated with too high doses of CAR-T," stated Dr. Elie Haddad. "Our innovative cell-specific promoter technology makes this stem cell strategy possible."
While traditional CAR-T therapy primarily targets liquid tumours such as leukemia, adding CAR to stem cells also allows patients to develop CAR-NKs, making the strategy more effective and expanding its indications to solid tumors.
"This cutting-edge technology will let us specifically induce and control these immune cells' activity and, as such, avoid the depletion of T cells we see in current therapies," mentioned Dr. Joseph Mancini, Vice President, Innovation - Biological Sciences at adMare. "The adMare scientific team has solid expertise in immunology and oncology. Through this research collaboration, we will leverage our induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC) platform to advance and accelerate the development of this new therapeutic approach."
Immugenia is also being supported by the ACET and Sherbrooke Innopole.
According to Martial Bilodeau, ACET's Investment Director, "ACET Capital 2 is pleased to be financially supporting this new, very promising company and its experienced team in their innovative approach in immunotherapy."
Sherbrooke Innopole's Director of Business Services (Life Sciences sector), Martine Courtemanche, stated, "When we learned about Immugenia, we quickly identified the very promising potential of the company's technology. We are pleased to have been able to act as a spark for this start-up by providing its first financing through our seed fund and our Sherbrooke International grant program, which is focused on business development outside Quebec and the search for partners."
"Our partners' contribution makes a big difference in our company's growth," added Stéphane Gagné, President and CEO of Immugenia. "Axelys, the Quebec public research-based innovation development and transfer company, has worked with us as we created the company and transferred the technology. The support from all our collaborators will help accelerate the advancement of our unique and promising treatment."
About Immugenia
Immugenia is an early-stage immuno-oncology company developing a novel approach to CAR therapy by engineering hematopoietic stem cells to treat cancer and prevent relapses. Its proprietary technology allows for the CAR to be expressed selectively in T and NK cells in order to leverage their synergistic activity against cancer. More information can be found at www.immugenia.com.
About adMare BioInnovations
With a strong track record of globally-competitive scientific discovery, Canadian life sciences are primed to lead the world. To make this a reality, adMare BioInnovations uses its scientific and commercial expertise, specialized R&D infrastructure, and seed capital to build strong life sciences companies, develop robust ecosystems, and foster industry-ready talent. It re-invests its returns into the Canadian industry to ensure its long-term sustainability. adMare currently has 28 portfolio companies that have attracted $1.4 billion of risk capital, have a combined value of $3 billion, and have created over 1,000 jobs in Canada. For more information, please go to www.admarebio.com.
About ACET Capital
ACET's mission is to identify innovative and bold technological projects, guide entrepreneurs in their development, and drive innovative new companies with a positive societal impact and the potential to be very successful in the future. Supported by a committed business community, ACET offers entrepreneurs personalized coaching from pre-startup to internationalization as needed, access to various sources of financing (including its own investment funds), the expertise of its market intelligence service, and the strength of its networks so that they can transform their passion, vision, and innovations into successful businesses. More information is available at www.acet.ca
About Sherbrooke Innopole
Sherbrooke Innopole is the para-municipal economic development organization for the city's industrial and high-value-added services sectors. Its mission is to accelerate the development of companies from the five key sectors – Advanced Manufacturing, Cleantech, Life Sciences, Information Technologies, and Micro-Technologies – and ensure that Sherbrooke offers an attractive and innovative business environment. It is funded by the City of Sherbrooke through its economic development coordination office (www.sherbrooke-innopole.com).
About Axelys
The Quebec government created Axelys on April 1, 2021. Its mission is to contribute to Quebec's economic and social prosperity by accelerating the development and transfer of high-potential innovations stemming from public research. It also contributes to the creation of scientific companies founded on the basis of public research discoveries.
SOURCE Immugenia
New national research report on menopause reveals the steep toll of silence and stigma on Canadian women
Menopause Foundation of Canada report shows women in the prime of their lives facing inequity in the healthcare system and at work; calls for action
TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2022 /CNW/ - Landmark new research of Canadian women going through the universal experience of perimenopause / menopause reveals the real-life impact and inequities women face in a stage of life long shrouded by secrecy. A shocking one in two (46%) feel unprepared for this stage of life and, in a world where no topic is off limits, more than half (54%) believe menopause is still a taboo subject. Despite menopause affecting 50% of the population, a remarkable four in 10 women in the national survey by the Menopause Foundation of Canada (MFC) reported feeling alone through their menopause experience.
The Menopause Knowledge Gap
The silence around menopause leaves too many of the estimated 10 million women in Canada over the age of 40i - those in perimenopause/menopause/postmenopause - searching for answers. They are trying to understand what is happening to their bodies, why they may be feeling the way they do, and whether treatment and support is available. It also leaves women unaware of the potential long-term health impacts of menopause.
Most women – 95% in MFC's survey – experience menopausal symptoms. While the majority of women were aware of hot flashes (84%) and night sweats (77%), two-thirds or more were not aware that urinary tract infections (82%) and heart palpitations (75%) were symptoms. Six in 10 did not know that headaches/migraines (58%), anxiety (58%), depression (56%) and memory issues (58%) were symptoms. Complicating the issue is determining whether these symptoms are the result of another condition.
"I have been treating menopausal women for decades and know the serious toll symptoms can have on their health and quality of life," said Dr. Wendy Wolfman, MD, FRCS(C), FACOG, NCMP, president of the Canadian Menopause Society and a member of the Medical Advisory Board of the Menopause Foundation of Canada. "Menopause is seen as something women must endure, like a woman's burden. This is unacceptable. Women deserve to feel healthy and they should not suffer in silence. There is preventative care, lifestyle choices, and safe and effective treatment options to help women thrive during their menopausal years."
Health Equity
The average Canadian women will spend up to half of her life in a menopausal state. While women report their family physicians are their most trusted source for information and advice about menopause, fewer than one-quarter said their family physician proactively discussed menopause with them. Of the 41% who decided to seek out medical advice themselves, 72% found that advice to be not helpful or only somewhat helpful, and four in 10 women felt their symptoms were undertreated.
"The hormonal changes associated with the onset of menopause can increase the risk for osteoporosis, heart disease and many genitourinary issues that can get worse over time if not managed appropriately," said Dr. Shafeena Premji, CCFP, MHA, BSc, MCMP, who operates menopause and women's health clinics in Alberta. "It is critical that family physicians deepen their understanding of menopause, including learning about the latest clinical practice guidelines, and proactively starting the menopause conversation with their patients."
Menopause Inclusive Workplaces
An estimated one-quarter – five million – of Canada's 19-million-person labour force are women over the age of 40ii. MFC's new research reveals that three-quarters of working women feel their employer is not supportive or do not know if they have support to help them manage this stage of life. Eighty-seven per cent of survey respondents believe working women need support through all stages of life, including menopause. Working women going through menopause are also dealing with the reality of ageism, with 3 in 10 fearing that their colleagues may see them as weak, old, or past their prime.
"Women in the prime of their lives should not be blindsided by menopause," said Janet Ko, president and co-founder of The Menopause Foundation of Canada. "Normalizing this natural part of life is long overdue and everyone has a role to play. Our hope is that by talking about menopause we break the taboo and empower women with evidence-based information. Improving health equity for women during this time of life and making sure that our workplaces are age and gender inclusive will go a long way towards ending the silence and the stigma of menopause."
The survey was conducted by Leger Canada between August 2 and August 11, 2022, using Leger's online panel. The survey of 1,023 Canadian women aged 40-60 is representative by region, education, income, and ethnicity among women that fall into this age range. This independent research report was made possible by supporters and volunteers, including educational funding from Lupin Pharma Canada, Organon, Astellas Pharma and Searchlight Pharma.
About the Menopause Foundation of Canada
The Menopause Foundation of Canada (MFC) is a national non-profit advocacy organization created to raise awareness of the impact of menopause on women and society. MFC's mission is to eliminate the social stigma and taboos associated with menopause and to ensure that this important women's health issue is fully supported by our health care system, government, business and the broader community. Learn more at MenopauseFoundationCanada.ca
What Does Your Daddy Do? Shows Kids the Cool Side of the Trades
Boston, October 5, 2022 — Career training opportunities and certifications offered in high school may not come soon enough for some students, posits Joshua Page, an electrician and author of the engaging new children’s book, What Does Your Daddy Do?
“For about the last five or six years, I was being asked to go to career days at high schools and speak about becoming an electrician,” Page said in a recent interview. “But I didn’t think I was making a big enough impact. I thought those kids were a little too old; they had already made up their minds; maybe they’re going to college.”
A children’s book seemed like the ideal way to reach an elementary school-aged audience.
What Does Your Daddy Do? introduces young readers to Ashton, whose fifth grade class is having career week. Ashton isn’t sure exactly what his dad does, so he goes home and asks him. Ashton then gets to learn about all the cool work his dad does as an electrician and all the interesting tools he gets to use. As career week continues, all the students get to share stories about what their parents do.
“I wrote this book to plant a seed in a younger generation’s mind about how ‘cool’ the trades are and to start the conversation young,” Page added.
About the Author
Joshua Page is a husband, father, electrician, entrepreneur and TEDx Speaker. With the release of his first book, What Does Your Daddy Do?, Page has also added “author” to his many titles.
An electrician by trade, Page is passionate about informing the younger generation of all the career options they have in addition to college. Page believes that choosing a trade and working with his hands saved his life and allowed him to have the life he loves. As a father of two, his mission is to teach his children and their generation about how fulfilling a career in the trades can be and to encourage them to follow their own path in life.
Launch of first-ever Canadian youth mental health platform will transform research and treatments
MONTREAL, Oct. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A pioneering youth mental health project will enhance Canada’s overall understanding of youth mental health needs and advance new assessment and treatment approaches. Each year, one of out every four youth in Canada needs mental health services, making an initiative such as this urgent and critical for the well-being of our young people. The “Canadian Youth Mental Health Insight (CYMHI) Platform” powered by RBC Future Launch, will use open data, machine learning and other methods to improve communication between youth and families, researchers, clinicians and other service providers with diverse mental health experiences and specializations.
A specialized research team has been awarded a $5.13-million grant to create this platform to optimize mental health with and for youth across Canada. Generous funding has been provided from RBC Future Launch, Power Corporation of Canada, and the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada, through Health Canada, and Brain Canada.
Led by Dr. Sean Hill, Director of the Krembil Centre of Neuroinformatics, and Senior Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the team brings together diverse organizations across the country including academic institutions, community-based mental health services, hospitals, and youth and family advisories from Foundry, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario, and other integrated youth services.
The Insight platform will provide an interactive web portal for youth, family members, clinicians, service providers, researchers, and policy makers to access shared data, analytics, and AI tools for optimizing mental health care. The portal will enable users to find data and connect insights from community and school prevention programs, youth mental health services, and clinical research studies. The portal will also provide access to AI-based services to help users navigate mental health services, personalized tools for monitoring mental health, identifying risks, and recommending services, and an interactive atlas of youth mental health service demand and availability to guide service providers and policymakers.
“Through this project, we are providing a state-of-the-art informatics platform that serves as a foundation to improve mental health for, and importantly, with youth across the country,” notes Hill. “It will facilitate high impact research and the development of youth mental health approaches that would otherwise not be possible.”
“The CYMHI is a fantastic development to empower youth and youth-involved initiatives to take ownership in paving the way for future mental health service implementation,” says Suchayte Bali, Youth Engagement Coordinator at Foundry. “At a grassroots level, this can allow for many youth-led not-for-profit organizations to garner an understanding for which supports are needed in their communities, now backed by machine learning data from across Canada.”
“Right now, 9 out of 10 provinces are funding services with research components, British Columbia can’t learn from New Brunswick, and Ontario is missing evidence from Saskatchewan and so on,” says CYMHI leadership team member Steve Mathias, Executive Director at Providence Health Care and leader of Foundry, a British Columbia network of centres that offer young people health and wellness resources, services and supports both in person and virtually. “It is about bringing everyone together to share and exchange what we are living, and learning.”
Mental illness disproportionately affects young people between the ages of 15 and 29 worldwide. It accounts for approximately half of the overall burden of disease in this age group, making it the leading cause of disability in Canada.
“More than ever, brain research is critical in helping us, as a community, recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its effects on the brain and our mental health,” says Dr. Viviane Poupon, Brain Canada President, and CEO. “We must invest in projects like these that will lead to concrete impacts on brain health for youth in Canada.”
“The stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionally impacted the mental health of young people in Canada. With so many children and youth still struggling, it is essential that we accelerate our efforts to ensure that young people have access to appropriate supports when and where they need them,” says The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health. “This ground-breaking mental health platform will continue to improve youth mental health services by listening to youth in order to base our response on a much better understanding of youth priorities, needs and treatment approaches.”
“It’s important to us that youth across Canada have the best opportunities to thrive and reach their fullest potential,” says Mark Beckles, Vice-President, Social Impact and Innovation, RBC. “Through our partnership with Brain Canada, we’re focused on increasing and accelerating access to services for youth who are facing mental health concerns, while facilitating digital solutions for practitioners and researchers.”
“At Power Corporation we recognize how critical it is to strengthen access to mental health services and supports for young Canadians and their families, wherever they live. We are proud to be able to support the Canadian Youth Mental Health Insight (CYMHI) Platform. This advanced digital platform and pan-Canadian partnership between researchers and practitioners promises to fill gaps in support and ultimately enhance the quality of youth mental health care in every region of the country,” says Paul Genest, Senior Vice President, Power Corporation of Canada.
This project was awarded funding through the 2021 open call for applications to the Brain Canada Youth Mental Health Platform, powered by RBC Future Launch, with generous support from Power Corporation of Canada.
Funding for the Brain Canada Youth Mental Health Platform has been made possible by the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada Foundation.
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