Post-Traumatic Thriving Shares Essential Elements for Authentic Healing
Los Angeles, CA, March 19, 2021 — Trauma has a way of showing up when we least expect it, and society sends many signals telling us that it’s admirable to put on a brave face and soldier on. But our grief is normal — even healthy, says world-renowned expert on disasters and trauma Dr. Randall Bell.
“The hallmark error is to continually dodge the pain. There is a time and place for avoidance. However, to heal and grow, we cannot doge the pain forever …,” he writes in his new book, Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience. “Suffering is our opportunity to stare our moral compass in the eye and deal with the problem in a dignified way.”
Dr. Bell undertook unprecedented research, and juxtaposes outcomes of scientific studies with stories of real people (many of them familiar) who have used their trauma as their fuel to thrive to reveal common denominators. He divides his remarkable insights into three sections: The Dive Stage, The Survive Stage and The Thrive Stage, and outlines a step-by-step process toward authentic healing.
To inspire and connect with readers who’ve experienced trauma, he shares stories of remarkable resilience, including the following:
• A deaf man with a glass eye invented the electric guitar and became a household name, remarkably wealthy and most importantly, happy.
• A convicted murderer took responsibility for the damage he caused, graduated with honors from college, became a minister and turned around the hearts of the most hardened criminals.
• A girl born with cerebral palsy landed the world’s first starring role on national television and spoke at the White House three times.
• A woman hid in a basement for years and lost her entire family in the Holocaust. She eventually found true love and paints stunning artwork.
• The sister of a murder victim helped millions of women in toxic domestic relationships.
• A woman’s car crash resulted in an addiction to prescription drugs, a divorce, a loss of her children and a cot in a homeless shelter. She has rebuilt it all back and more.
• A man set to go to the Olympics had his hopes dashed by Jimmy Carter and went on to build a worldwide business empire.
Ultimately, Dr. Bell documents the science of happiness, as well as the individual styles and common thread that all post-traumatic thrivers have to emerge with a fulfilling life. When trauma hits, your most significant decision will be to dive, survive or thrive. If you choose to thrive, this book is for you.
As an economist, Dr. Randall Bell has consulted on more disasters on earth than anyone in history and is widely considered the world’s top authority in the field of post-traumatic thriving. His clients include the Federal Government, State Governments, International Tribunals, major corporations and homeowners. Dr. Bell believes that “the problem is not the problem — the problem is how we react to the problem.”
Often called the “Master of Disaster,” Dr. Bell is squarely focused on authentic recovery and resilience. His research has been profiled on major television shows and featured in numerous magazines and the international media. More information can be found at www.posttraumaticthriving.com.
Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience
Survey: Half of Canadians aren't confident public spaces are being properly disinfected
Clorox On-The-Go Disinfecting Wipes allows Canadians to take matters into their own hands
TORONTO, March 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Despite Canadians' excitement to re-engage and be out in the world in the months ahead, there are still concerns that high-touch public areas aren't being disinfected properly according to a Leger Survey commissioned by Clorox Canada (NYSE: CLX).
Over half of Canadians say they are uncomfortable with how often public bathrooms (57%), door handles (54%), gas station pumps (51%), and elevator buttons (51%) are disinfected. And many would rather take matters into their own hands just to be on the safe side.
Half (51%) say they wish they were able to disinfect surfaces outside their homes, especially women, and those with younger children. Six-in-ten (62%) of those surveyed agree they would be more confident going out if they knew they had a disinfecting wipe or spray with them while on-the-go.
"Canadians are patiently waiting to get back to some semblance of normalcy," says Melanie Plaz Casado, Vice President of Marketing for Clorox Canada. "While there are no guarantees about how the world will look in the months ahead, the survey has shown the key to being confident is being cautious – and Clorox On-The-Go Disinfecting Wipes allow Canadians to disinfect the surfaces they come in contact with."
The disinfecting wipes are bleach-free and kill 99.99% of bacteria and viruses. Built for on-the-go, the wipes can support with a number of hard, non-porous surfaces such as cell phones*, door handles, credit or debit machines, elevator buttons, laptops*, gym equipment, light switches and certain children's toys.
"A lot of Canadians rely on public transportation, ridesharing and cabs, they need to drop their kids off at school and daycare, they're out running errands and grocery shopping," says Casado. "This gives them an option to carry disinfecting wipes in their cars, purses and bags so they can feel reassured as they re-engage."
The survey of over 1,500 Canadians was completed between February 19-21, 2021, using Leger's online panel and offers fresh insights on Canadians attitudes towards disinfecting while on-the-go.
Highlights include:
Six-in-ten say they disinfect at least one surface when they are outside their homes, with the average being nearly three surfaces, especially shopping cart handles (42%) and cell phones (33%).
Women are significantly more likely to disinfect most items when outside the home, and those with children under 18-years-old in the home more likely to disinfect many surfaces compared to those with no children.
Three-quarters keep disinfecting wipes in one or more locations outside the home; half keep some in two or more areas.
Clorox On-The-Go Disinfecting Wipes launched in January 2021. Suggested Retail Price 15 count- $1.99-$2.49 30 count - $2.99 - $3.29
Available at Walmart, Costco, Amazon, Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro, Save On Foods, London Drugs, Dollarama and Canadian Tire.
* For electronics check manufacturer guide for cleaning instructions
Note on Survey; No margin of error can be associated with a non-probability sample (i.e. a web panel in this case). For comparative purposes, though, a probability sample of 1,524 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20.
Leger's online panel has approximately 400,000 members nationally and has a retention rate of 90%.
SOURCE Clorox Canada
For further information:
For more information or high res images, please contact Adrienne Harry, Adrienne@devonconsulting.ca, 905-464-4167.
Improve Your Life and Career by Making the Most of Happy Accidents
San Diego, CA, March 19, 2021— Perhaps you were meant to read this article and it was meant to change your life. Serendipity is all around us, and it’s up to us to be aware of it, to explore its potential impact on our lives and to follow its gentle nudge toward positive outcomes whenever possible.
“Most people go through life believing that unexpected, fortuitous events that often bring fame and fortune happen to only a lucky few individuals,” says Neil J. Farber, MD. “The truth is that unexpected events frequently happen to all of us. They may not bring tremendous fame or fortune, but they can be recognized and utilized to significantly improve one’s professional and personal life.”
Dr. Farber’s new book, Serendipity: Utilizing Common Unexpected Events to Improve Your Life and Career, thoroughly explores the role that serendipity could play in our lives and explains that recognizing serendipitous events is better achieved with a certain set of skills.
“You have to have a mind-set that allows you to think that such events canhappen,” he explains, adding that by practicing self-awareness and cultivating keen visual and auditory observational skills, we are more likely to spot even the most subtle of serendipitous happenings.
Serendipity describes how to understand the different types of serendipitous events and how they are common to all of us; how to recognize these events when they do occur; how to acquire the skills necessary to become more aware of serendipity; how to “connect the dots” to bring the serendipitous event to a fortuitous conclusion (that is, what skills, assistance and resources may be necessary); and what to do with the end product or idea if it is profitable, or as sometimes happens, when it is not.
Dr. Farber uses events recorded in literature and the history books, as well as events that have occurred in his own personal and professional life to create a helpful guide for recognizing and turning common events into meaningful moments.
Author Neil J. Farber is a Professor Emeritus of Clinical Medicine at University of California, San Diego, and a docent at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. He has been an academic internal medicine physician for 40 years, teaching, researching and providing patient care in medical schools initially on the East Coast. For the past 12 years, he was Professor of Clinical Medicine at University of California, San Diego, retiring at the end of April 2019. He has received numerous awards, including Top Doctor of San Diego five times, and is a member of the FDA Non-Prescription Drug Advisory Committee. He has published over 60 research papers and has had a multitude of serendipitous events occur, which have significantly (and positively) influenced his career and his personal life.
Serendipity: Utilizing Common Unexpected Events to Improve Your Life and Career
Oldest Outdoor Group in US Challenges You to Spend 2 Hours Outside Each Week—6 Survival Tips
New York City, NY, March 19, 2021 — This winter, the Appalachian Mountain Club (www.outdoors.org), the oldest outdoor group in the United States, challenges you to spend two hours of outdoor exercise every week (social distancing, of course). Even though the entire country is experiencing two fewer weeks of snow cover compared to 100 years ago, wherever you live in America, getting outdoors regularly will provide mental benefits as well as physical ones. Despite the fact winter may be fundamentally shifting, AMC’s Colby Meehan, Leadership Training Manager, reveals six survival tips for thriving, surviving and basking in everything Mother Nature has to offer during winter 2021:
1. Plan your adventure: Avoid a 911 emergency by mapping out your exact route, choosing an alternate route for emergencies and calculating how long your roundtrip excursion will be. Make a trip plan and bring things like high-energy snacks and water for a more enjoyable day out.
2. Find the forecast:Check the forecast before you go by listening/watching/reading your favorite weather predictions in advance. This will help you prepare for the appropriate climate while you are out and about. Observe weather changes as they emerge and change your plan for the day as needed to avoid severe weather.
3. Dress appropriately: Carry the right gear based on the weather predictions to pack appropriately. Understanding how to layer for winter makes a world of difference. Avoiding fabrics like cotton and opting for ones like polyester or wool can turn a miserable, risky outing into a pleasant one. For good measure, take extra pairs of gloves, mittens and socks for especially cold temperatures.
4. Build a safe and protected outdoor living space: To guarantee a fun and safe small gathering under COVID conditions, you can create the perfect outdoor living space on a variety of different budgets. Fire pits are affordable, secure heat sources, and waterproof seating offers comfort while keeping you dry. Prep meals in advance so you can focus on fun and enjoy your time outside. Maintain social distancing guidelines (at least 6 feet apart) from other campsites when making your own.Finally, remember the Leave No Trace principles when you leave, which ask you to carry out anything that does not belong in nature.
5. Outdoor recreation and wellness: Winter brings a multitude of activities and sports. It can be as advanced as snowboarding and skiing; but you can also have a blast without snow by jogging, picnicking or hiking. Studies show that spending at least 120 minutes outdoors every week boosts your well-being.
6. Explore the city outdoors: City dwellers also have ways to revel outside during COVID. Whether you decide to walk around your neighborhood for 20 minutes a day, take up birdwatching in a local park for an afternoon or even study the surrounding architecture, time spent outside is good for you.
The mission of the Appalachian Mountain Club is to foster the protection, enjoyment and understanding of the outdoors. They envision a world where our natural resources are healthy, loved and always protected, and where the outdoors occupies a place of central importance in every person’s life. For more information, please visit www.outdoors.org.
Oldest Outdoor Group in US Challenges You to Spend 2 Hours Outside Each Week—6 Survival Tips
New York City, NY, March 19, 2021 — This winter, the Appalachian Mountain Club (www.outdoors.org), the oldest outdoor group in the United States, challenges you to spend two hours of outdoor exercise every week (social distancing, of course). Even though the entire country is experiencing two fewer weeks of snow cover compared to 100 years ago, wherever you live in America, getting outdoors regularly will provide mental benefits as well as physical ones. Despite the fact winter may be fundamentally shifting, AMC’s Colby Meehan, Leadership Training Manager, reveals six survival tips for thriving, surviving and basking in everything Mother Nature has to offer during winter 2021:
1. Plan your adventure: Avoid a 911 emergency by mapping out your exact route, choosing an alternate route for emergencies and calculating how long your roundtrip excursion will be. Make a trip plan and bring things like high-energy snacks and water for a more enjoyable day out.
2. Find the forecast:Check the forecast before you go by listening/watching/reading your favorite weather predictions in advance. This will help you prepare for the appropriate climate while you are out and about. Observe weather changes as they emerge and change your plan for the day as needed to avoid severe weather.
3. Dress appropriately: Carry the right gear based on the weather predictions to pack appropriately. Understanding how to layer for winter makes a world of difference. Avoiding fabrics like cotton and opting for ones like polyester or wool can turn a miserable, risky outing into a pleasant one. For good measure, take extra pairs of gloves, mittens and socks for especially cold temperatures.
4. Build a safe and protected outdoor living space: To guarantee a fun and safe small gathering under COVID conditions, you can create the perfect outdoor living space on a variety of different budgets. Fire pits are affordable, secure heat sources, and waterproof seating offers comfort while keeping you dry. Prep meals in advance so you can focus on fun and enjoy your time outside. Maintain social distancing guidelines (at least 6 feet apart) from other campsites when making your own.Finally, remember the Leave No Trace principles when you leave, which ask you to carry out anything that does not belong in nature.
5. Outdoor recreation and wellness: Winter brings a multitude of activities and sports. It can be as advanced as snowboarding and skiing; but you can also have a blast without snow by jogging, picnicking or hiking. Studies show that spending at least 120 minutes outdoors every week boosts your well-being.
6. Explore the city outdoors: City dwellers also have ways to revel outside during COVID. Whether you decide to walk around your neighborhood for 20 minutes a day, take up birdwatching in a local park for an afternoon or even study the surrounding architecture, time spent outside is good for you.
The mission of the Appalachian Mountain Club is to foster the protection, enjoyment and understanding of the outdoors. They envision a world where our natural resources are healthy, loved and always protected, and where the outdoors occupies a place of central importance in every person’s life. For more information, please visit www.outdoors.org.
Novartis' KISQALI® (ribociclib) product monograph in Canada now includes MONALEESA-3 data demonstrating statistically significant improvement in overall survival in postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer
KISQALI® is currently the only CDK4/6 inhibitor that has demonstrated statistically significant improvement in overall survival (key secondary endpoint) with various endocrine treatment partners and the broadest spectrum of patients in two Phase III trials in advanced breast cancer.1
At the time of the second interim overall survival analysis, the MONALEESA-3 study met its key secondary endpoint demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in overall survival for the overall population.1
In Canada, 88% of all new breast cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals over the age of 50, and approximately 10% of women diagnosed will have an initial diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer.2,3
DORVAL, QC, March 18, 2021 /CNW/ - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. (Novartis) is pleased to announce that statistically significant overall survival (OS) results for KISQALI® (ribociclib) in combination therapy have been approved within the KISQALI® Product Monograph. This is the second Phase III trial in which KISQALI®combination therapy met the secondary endpoint of OS at the pre-planned interim analysis.1
The pivotal Phase III MONALEESA-3 was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of KISQALI® in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer who had received no or only one line of prior endocrine treatment. These OS results have now been approved within the KISQALI® Product Monograph.
At the time of the second interim OS analysis, the study met its key secondary endpoint demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in OS for the overall population and was consistent for the prior endocrine therapy subgroups and across all other subgroups.1
"It is compelling to see consistently significant overall survival findings among pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women," said Dr. Christine Brezden-Masley, Medical Oncologist, Mount Sinai Hospital. "These results lend an added level of confidence to help oncologists make more informed treatment decisions for their advanced or metastatic breast cancer patients."
For women living with metastatic breast cancer, also known as Stage IV breast cancer, the cancer has spread beyond the breast to other areas of the body. Cancerous cells can spread anywhere in the body, but they most commonly spread to the bones or other common sites such as, the liver, brain, lungs and skin. This may happen before or after treatment, or it may develop from reoccurring breast cancer.4Although there have been advancements in early detection and treatment, there is still no cure for metastatic breast cancer.5
"The element of time is front-and-centre for all women living with advanced or metastatic breast cancer, but for women diagnosed at an older age, navigating their disease may require different considerations which can impose an additional layer of concern and worry," said Cathy Ammendolea, Chair of the Board of Directors, Canadian Breast Cancer Network. "Increased overall survival benefit in postmenopausal women offers new hope to many."
KISQALI® is indicated in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for the treatment of pre/perimenopausal or postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer, as initial endocrine-based therapy. In pre/perimenopausal women, the endocrine therapy should be combined with a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist. KISQALI®is also indicated in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer, as initial endocrine-based therapy or following disease progression on endocrine therapy.1
"At Novartis, we are proud of the previously shared MONALEESA-7 and the recently added MONALEESA-3 overall survival data," said Daniel Hébert, Vice-President, Medical Affairs, Oncology, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. "In a world where 5-year survival rates in metastatic breast cancer remain persistently low, these data sets represent additional steps toward a future in which we hope to envision advanced or metastatic breast cancer as a chronic disease."
About KISQALI®(ribociclib) KISQALI® is a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, a class of drugs that help slow the progression of cancer by inhibiting two proteins called cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6). These proteins, when over-activated, can enable cancer cells to grow and divide too quickly. Targeting CDK4/6 may play a role in ensuring that cancer cells do not continue to replicate uncontrollably. KISQALI® was developed by the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) under a research collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals.
KISQALI® first received Health Canada approval for use with letrozole on March 2, 2018, for the treatment of postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer as first-line endocrine-based therapy based on findings from the pivotal MONALEESA-2 trial.
About Novartis in Advanced Breast Cancer Novartis tackles breast cancer with advanced science, collaboration and a passion for transforming patient care. We've taken a bold approach to our research by including patient populations often neglected in clinical trials, identifying new pathways or mutations that may play a role in disease progression and developing therapies that not only maintain, but also improve, quality of life for patients. Our priority over the past 30 years and today is to deliver treatments proven to improve and extend lives for those diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.
About Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., a leader in the healthcare field, is committed to the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products to improve the well-being of all Canadians. In 2020, the company invested $45 million in research and development in Canada. Located in Dorval, Quebec, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,000 people in Canada and is an affiliate of Novartis AG, which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. For further information, please consult www.novartis.ca.
About Novartis Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach more than 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 110,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at www.novartis.com.
National Poison Prevention Week campaign calls on Canadian residents to #CheckForPoisons among ordinary household items
Launching March 21 to 27, Parachute will be calling on Canadian households to #CheckForPoisons and ensure they are stored safety to prevent harm.
TORONTO, March 18, 2021 /CNW/ - With many potential poisons in Canadian homes and families spending more time there, it's more important than ever to know how to safely use and store items such as household cleaners, medications and cannabis products. Parachute is joining forces with our partners across the country to show all Canadians they have the power to #CheckForPoisons and prevent unintentional poisoning at home.
"Each year, more than 4,000 people in Canada lose their lives and more than 20,000 are hospitalized due to poisoning," says Pamela Fuselli, President and CEO for Parachute, Canada's national charity dedicated to injury prevention. "To prevent poisonings from unintended exposures to household items, prevention is in your hands: we recommend storing products in their original, child-resistant packaging and keep items tempting to young children, such as pills that look like candy, both out of reach and locked away."
While cleaning products are not new to Canadian homes, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased focus on handwashing, cleaning and disinfecting. "The number of calls to poison centres regarding hand sanitizers, bleaches and disinfectants grew significantly in 2020, compared to 2019," says Dr. Margaret Thompson, President of the Canadian Association of Poison Control Centres." She recommends people review the labels on such products and don't mix together cleaning products, which can cause chemical reactions that produce dangerous gases.
Every household should have the number of their local poison centre readily available, whether stored in your cellphone or in a visible location, such as on the fridge. "A recent survey conducted by Parachute found that only 40 per cent of Canadian parents know about local poison centres, and the advice they can provide if a child is exposed to a potential posion," says Fuselli. Go to parachute.ca/poisoning for a complete list of poison centre numbers across Canada.
Other new poison issues to emerge in recent years that impact children include:
Cannabis edibles, which often resemble common snacks (e.g., cookies, brownies, gummy candies). A young child may be unable to tell the difference and unknowingly consume a large amount.
Liquid nicotine refills for e-cigarettes, which are sold in flavours that may be appealing to children. Nicotine can be harmful to a child if they put it in their mouth, swallow it or spill it on their skin
Colourful, transparent laundry detergent pods may look like candies or toys to children. These can harm a child if ingested, or if the liquid squirts into their eyes.
All these should be stored securely out of children's reach.
Check out our Poison Prevention Week resources:Parachute.ca/PoisonPreventionWeek and join in our awareness campaign on social media using the hashtags #CheckForPoisons and #NPPW2021.
This program is made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada; the views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
About Parachute Parachute is Canada's national charity dedicated to reducing the devastating impact of preventable injuries. Injury is the No. 1 killer of Canadians aged 1 to 34, where on average one child dies every day due to injury. Through education and advocacy, Parachute is working to save lives and create a Canada free of serious injuries. For more information, visit us at parachute.ca and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
SOURCE Parachute
Improve Your Life and Career by Making the Most of Happy Accidents
San Diego, CA, March 18, 2021 — Perhaps you were meant to read this article and it was meant to change your life. Serendipity is all around us, and it’s up to us to be aware of it, to explore its potential impact on our lives and to follow its gentle nudge toward positive outcomes whenever possible.
“Most people go through life believing that unexpected, fortuitous events that often bring fame and fortune happen to only a lucky few individuals,” says Neil J. Farber, MD. “The truth is that unexpected events frequently happen to all of us. They may not bring tremendous fame or fortune, but they can be recognized and utilized to significantly improve one’s professional and personal life.”
Dr. Farber’s new book, Serendipity: Utilizing Common Unexpected Events to Improve Your Life and Career, thoroughly explores the role that serendipity could play in our lives and explains that recognizing serendipitous events is better achieved with a certain set of skills.
“You have to have a mind-set that allows you to think that such events canhappen,” he explains, adding that by practicing self-awareness and cultivating keen visual and auditory observational skills, we are more likely to spot even the most subtle of serendipitous happenings.
Serendipity describes how to understand the different types of serendipitous events and how they are common to all of us; how to recognize these events when they do occur; how to acquire the skills necessary to become more aware of serendipity; how to “connect the dots” to bring the serendipitous event to a fortuitous conclusion (that is, what skills, assistance and resources may be necessary); and what to do with the end product or idea if it is profitable, or as sometimes happens, when it is not.
Dr. Farber uses events recorded in literature and the history books, as well as events that have occurred in his own personal and professional life to create a helpful guide for recognizing and turning common events into meaningful moments.
Author Neil J. Farber is a Professor Emeritus of Clinical Medicine at University of California, San Diego, and a docent at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. He has been an academic internal medicine physician for 40 years, teaching, researching and providing patient care in medical schools initially on the East Coast. For the past 12 years, he was Professor of Clinical Medicine at University of California, San Diego, retiring at the end of April 2019. He has received numerous awards, including Top Doctor of San Diego five times, and is a member of the FDA Non-Prescription Drug Advisory Committee. He has published over 60 research papers and has had a multitude of serendipitous events occur, which have significantly (and positively) influenced his career and his personal life.
Serendipity: Utilizing Common Unexpected Events to Improve Your Life and Career
A New Study by Novateur Ventures Provides Global Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccines
March 18, 2021: A new study by Novateur Ventures provides a comparative analysis of twelve COVID-19 Vaccines that had initiated or announced the Phase III clinical trial stage by early November 2020. The study highlights the early successes, as well as the hurdles and barriers yet to be overcome for ending the global COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 vaccines analyzed for the study
messenger RNA - Moderna and Pfizer/BioNtech
Viral Vector-based (non-replicating) Vaccines - Astra Zeneca/University of Oxford, CanSino Biologics, Gamaleya Research Institute, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (J&J)
Recombinant Protein-based Vaccines - Novavax and Medicago
Inactivated Virus - Three Chinese conglomerates and one Indian company
“The global concerted effort to develop vaccines to fight COVID-19 and deliver it to millions of citizens around the world in less than a year is an unprecedented feat in the history of medicine and a triumph for vaccine research and development said study co-author Ali Ardakani, Founder & Managing Director at Novateur Ventures. “Vaccination-mediated herd immunity will play a key role in helping us in returning to a world unhampered by restrictions and to global prosperity.”
COVID-19 Vaccines belonging to four different platforms were analyzed in five different categories using a “harmonized” target product profile (TPP) version of guidance from the World Health Organization, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). Key analysis from the study -
Vaccine Efficacy - mRNA vaccines were a clear winner with efficacy in the 95% range and across a spectrum of ages, followed by the protein subunit platform with an efficacy of just under 90% in the UK. The inactivated virus platform ranks lowest based on currently available variable data.
Dosing regimen - All but two (CanSino and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) of the 12 vaccines in the various platforms analyzed in this study use a two-dose regimen.
Logistics - mRNA vaccines rank lowest with their burdensome cold-chain requirements.
Safety/reactogenicity – The inactivated virus platform was the top performer. The viral vector platform scores below the other three platforms due to some lingering concerns related to paused trials and adverse events.
Target price/accessibility - The production of mRNA vaccines can be scaled-up at a reasonable pace, but they are currently among the most expensive COVID-19 vaccines; the viral vector vaccines are the cheapest to prepare. The inactivated virus vaccines are relatively easy to produce and are cheap if one considers Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN. However, there are some indications that the pricing of the vaccines made in China are very high.
The below ranking chart compares how well the vaccines match with the harmonized TPP using a scoring system of 1-5 and a weighting parameter for each category to provide a value out of 100 –
“Ten out of twelve vaccines we analyzed have already received some form of authorization for use in different countries in a period of less than a year. This is a remarkable achievement,” said study co-author Colin D. Funk, Scientific Lead at Novateur Ventures. “We hope that SARS-CoV-2 viral variants, emerging at an alarming rate in various countries, will not derail the successful vaccine efforts to date.”
The study has also identified three main barriers/hurdles for ending the global COVID-19 pandemic -
While we know that antibody levels induced by natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 last several months, we do not know if there will be a requirement for repeat vaccine dosing on an annual (or other timeframe) basis. If repeat booster doses are required, especially related to the viral vector platform, will antibodies be directed to the vector and will this diminish vaccine efficacy?
Determining an immunological correlate of protection against SARS-CoV-2 is an important objective that still has not been achieved and will be crucial in facilitating future COVID-19 vaccine development and licensing.
Public perception and compliance in vaccine administration are also very large hurdles to surmount in order to achieve herd immunity in some countries/populations. While not discussed in this review, this is a key point that cannot be overlooked.
“The process of developing a vaccine from scratch normally takes place over several years but it’s truly amazing that we already have approved vaccines to fight the spread of COVID-19. This speaks volumes about the efforts various countries have put into pandemic preparedness and response,” said co-author Craig Laferrière, Head Vaccine Development at Novateur Ventures. This was made possible through concurrent pre-clinical and early Phase I studies, strategic risk measures and adaptive trial designs.”
About Novateur Ventures
Novateur is an established global life sciences advisory with extensive experience related to business development and product development of therapeutics, medical devices and digital health products. For more information, visit: http://www.novateur.ca
Post-Traumatic Thriving Shares Essential Elements for Authentic Healing
Los Angeles, CA, March 18, 2021 — Trauma has a way of showing up when we least expect it, and society sends many signals telling us that it’s admirable to put on a brave face and soldier on. But our grief is normal — even healthy, says world-renowned expert on disasters and trauma Dr. Randall Bell.
“The hallmark error is to continually dodge the pain. There is a time and place for avoidance. However, to heal and grow, we cannot doge the pain forever …,” he writes in his new book, Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience. “Suffering is our opportunity to stare our moral compass in the eye and deal with the problem in a dignified way.”
Dr. Bell undertook unprecedented research, and juxtaposes outcomes of scientific studies with stories of real people (many of them familiar) who have used their trauma as their fuel to thrive to reveal common denominators. He divides his remarkable insights into three sections: The Dive Stage, The Survive Stage and The Thrive Stage, and outlines a step-by-step process toward authentic healing.
To inspire and connect with readers who’ve experienced trauma, he shares stories of remarkable resilience, including the following:
• A deaf man with a glass eye invented the electric guitar and became a household name, remarkably wealthy and most importantly, happy.
• A convicted murderer took responsibility for the damage he caused, graduated with honors from college, became a minister and turned around the hearts of the most hardened criminals.
• A girl born with cerebral palsy landed the world’s first starring role on national television and spoke at the White House three times.
• A woman hid in a basement for years and lost her entire family in the Holocaust. She eventually found true love and paints stunning artwork.
• The sister of a murder victim helped millions of women in toxic domestic relationships.
• A woman’s car crash resulted in an addiction to prescription drugs, a divorce, a loss of her children and a cot in a homeless shelter. She has rebuilt it all back and more.
• A man set to go to the Olympics had his hopes dashed by Jimmy Carter and went on to build a worldwide business empire.
Ultimately, Dr. Bell documents the science of happiness, as well as the individual styles and common thread that all post-traumatic thrivers have to emerge with a fulfilling life. When trauma hits, your most significant decision will be to dive, survive or thrive. If you choose to thrive, this book is for you.
As an economist, Dr. Randall Bell has consulted on more disasters on earth than anyone in history and is widely considered the world’s top authority in the field of post-traumatic thriving. His clients include the Federal Government, State Governments, International Tribunals, major corporations and homeowners. Dr. Bell believes that “the problem is not the problem — the problem is how we react to the problem.”
Often called the “Master of Disaster,” Dr. Bell is squarely focused on authentic recovery and resilience. His research has been profiled on major television shows and featured in numerous magazines and the international media. More information can be found at www.posttraumaticthriving.com.
Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience
