Two Dad’s find a simple way to limit time kids spend in gaming, entertainment, and social media across all devices.
When Bill Connors and Ryan Gallagher found themselves arguing with their kids about screen time every night, these tech-savvy dads wanted to do something about it. That’s how the Sofia Family (TM) Digital Activity Manager was born.
“As a father of four teenagers, I was frustrated for years at how difficult it had become to manage the time my kids spend in digital activity - especially gaming. I tried every type of product available, and none of them could help me manage simple rules across all of our devices,” reflects Bill Connors, President and Chief Product Officer at Sofia Family and father of four. With our new Sofia Family Digital Activity Manager, that’s all about to change for families everywhere.”
Today, Sofia Family goes live so parents can be some of the first to use this groundbreaking new product with their own families, particularly as they become increasingly worried about how to keep their kids focused during this year of COVID- related online school or hybrid schooling. The Sofia Family Digital Activity Manager is a welcome solution.
“As we face the real possibility of hybrid schooling for part or most of the school year, I feel relieved that Sofia Family is now ready and deployed at home and working well,” says Ryan Gallagher, father of two and the company’s Chief Technology Officer.
Gallagher has been testing the Sofia Family Digital Activity Manager with his own family for months now, which uses the Sofia Family Hub, a small piece of smart home hardware that sits near your TV or media center. The Hub manages access to the TV, and to all the video devices connected to the TV with HDMI cables (such as game consoles, media streamers, cable / satellite TV boxes, disc-players). In combination, the Sofia Family Hub and App provide one complete simple time management solution that works across all device types kids use, whether they’re on or offline, and cannot be circumvented by smart, sneaky kids.
Then, parents manage all devices, including mobile and computer devices, as well as devices around the entertainment center, from one place: their own smartphone or tablet.
Connors knows that the Sofia Family Digital Activity Manager is not a replacement for parenting. “It is, however, a smart tool to help make our jobs as digital parents a little easier, and more importantly, raise kids who will be screen-balanced adults.”
Patient Advocate Offers New Hope for Those with Autoimmune Disorders
Chicago, IL, September 30, 2020 — People shouldn’t have to choose between buying groceries and paying for their medications, when effective, less expensive alternatives may be available.
Ever since her husband’s death from a brain tumor in 2005, Julia Schopick has dedicated her life to patient advocacy and to sharing information about potentially lifesaving alternative and off-label medical treatments. She broke new ground with her first book, Honest Medicine, in which she offered valuable insights supported by patient testimonials regarding the use of four underutilized lifesaving treatments: Silverlon, for non-healing wounds; intravenous alpha lipoic acid, for liver disease; the Ketogenic Diet, for epilepsy; and Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), for autoimmune diseases.
Julia’s passion for patient advocacy continues in her follow-up book, The Power of Honest Medicine (with Don Schwartz), which focuses solely on LDN—a safe, inexpensive, often dramatically effective alternative to the costly, often-toxic treatments that doctors routinely prescribe for autoimmune and other diseases.
“There is lots of evidence that LDN is a groundbreaking treatment for autoimmune diseases, helping many patients with these conditions to achieve remission,” Julia writes. “In some cases, it can slow or stop the progression of their diseases. In many cases, patients experience a life-changing relief of symptoms.”
In spite of its documented benefits, the use of LDN to treat autoimmune conditions remains largely unknown among the medical community and the public. Julia is committed to changing that.
The Power of Honest Medicine contains contributions from 18 people from around the world (the U.S., the U.K. and Europe), all of whom are eager to spread the word about how LDN helped alleviate their symptoms of serious conditions—such as chronic fatigue syndrome, Crohn’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and fibromyalgia—when the higher priced, often-toxic medications they had been taking didn’t work. Also, with many of these conditions, the drugs doctors prescribe can cost thousands of dollars a month, compared with LDN, which costs around a dollar a day.
Additionally, The Power of Honest Medicine contains a section dedicated to helping readers understand LDN and why it has the potential to positively impact those suffering from autoimmune disorders. Plus, the book includes a chapter with strategies for helping readers convince their doctors to prescribe LDN—information Julia has been asked for again and again by her readers and by those who have heard her speak.
Julia’s husband survived 12 years beyond any doctor’s prognosis, and she attributes this to the innovative treatments she uncovered for him. It’s been her passion since then to prevent others from suffering unnecessarily and having to juggle the side effects of toxic medications with the debilitating symptoms of their health conditions.
“I believe that LDN would be the standard of care for autoimmune diseasesif Big
Pharma didn’t rule doctors’ prescribing decisions,” she adds.
Julia Schopick is the bestselling author of Honest Medicine and her follow-up book, The Power of Honest Medicine. She is a seasoned radio talk show guest who has appearedon over 200 shows and is often invited back. Julia’s goal is to empower patients to make the best health choicesfor themselves and their loved ones by teaching them about little-known but promisingtreatments their doctors may not know about. Julia’s articles have been featured in numerous publications, including American Medical News (AMA), Alternative & Complementary Therapies, the British Medical Journal and the Chicago Sun-Times.
Canadians Urged to Stop Asking the Wrong Question About Lung Cancer
New campaign reveals ways that stigma slows progress against Canada's #1 cancer killer
TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2020 /CNW/ - The Lung Health Foundation and Lung Cancer Canada have joined forces to highlight the hurtful and deadly effects of lung cancer stigma through Stop Asking the Wrong Question, a powerful new awareness campaign launched Canada-wide today.
That "wrong question" refers to the phenomenon wherein people sharing news of their lung cancer diagnosis are immediately probed on their smoking history – leaving them fighting stigma before they are offered support or compassion, even from loved ones. In a disease with a mere 19% five-year survival rate, that compassion is crucial to helping patients cope.
"The first thing they would ask is, 'Have you ever smoked, were you around a lot of second hand smoke?' Not many people first asked how are you doing, how are you feeling, is everything okay," recalls Joseph Neale, singer and lung cancer advocate, in his heartfelt campaign video. Diagnosed at just 20-years-old, he experienced lung cancer stigma from the very moment his journey began with lung cancer.
Joseph is among the 19 Canadians sharing their personal stories and experiences with lung cancer stigma on thewrongquestion.ca. There, new patient and caregiver stories will be unlocked every week through mid-November, and visitors can be a part of the solution through donations to a new joint lung cancer research fund. Canadians are being asked to follow along and share their own experiences using hash tag #thewrongquestion, too.
"We are shifting the conversation from blame and shame to care and compassion," says George Habib, President and CEO of the Lung Health Foundation. "We shouldn't be asking lung cancer patients or their loved ones if they smoked. It's the wrong question, and the answer doesn't matter. A person with lung cancer deserves support, regardless of whether they smoked or not. The wrong question forces many to go through cancer alone out of fear of judgment and feeling less worthy of help. To a person newly diagnosed with lung cancer, the right question is simply, 'How can I be there for you?'"
In addition to being hurtful to the nearly 30,000 Canadians diagnosed each year, the myth that lung cancer is solely a "smoker's cancer" creates a stigma that stalls funding for everything from research to support programs. Despite being the largest cause of cancer death in Canada, lung cancer is the least funded.
To fill these gaps, the Lung Health Foundation and Lung Cancer Canada have released a new policy report, Start Asking the Right Questions About Lung Cancer: A Roadmap for Lasting Change. Available on thewrongquestion.ca, the report demonstrates the devastating impact of lung cancer stigma, and offers innovative solutions to some of the top challenges that stand in the way of lung cancer progress.
"Through this campaign, we are highlighting the hard questions we should be asking. Questions about lack of funding, limited screening, medication affordability, innovative treatment access, and the availability of programs that support those in the fight for life," says Shem Singh, Executive Director, Lung Cancer Canada.
Stop Asking the Wrong Question runs until November 20.
About the Lung Health Foundation The Lung Health Foundation is the leading health charity dedicated to improving lung health through a uniquely integrated approach that identifies gaps and fills them through investments in ground-breaking research and urgently needed programs and supports; policy and practice change; and promoting awareness about lung health issues affecting all Canadians.
About Lung Cancer Canada Lung Cancer Canada is a national charitable organization that serves as Canada's leading resource for lung cancer education, patient support, research and advocacy. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Lung Cancer Canada has a wide reach that includes both regional and pan-Canadian initiatives. Lung Cancer Canada is a member of the Global Lung Cancer Coalition and is the only organization in Canada focused exclusively on lung cancer.
SOURCE Lung Health Foundation
Redefining the possibilities of cardiac care with an intelligent hybrid operating room
LONDON, ON, Sept. 30, 2020 /CNW/ - The new cardiac Hybrid OR at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) in London, Ontario represents a new frontier in cardiac surgery. The customized operating room (OR) features a 3-D imaging system with an integrated OR table that together improve workflow, increase efficiency and ensure a high-level of infection control.
Hybrid ORs are comprised of a suite of digitally connected technologies that can accommodate several surgical techniques, interventional techniques and diagnostics in one room at the same time. It is designed to support the workflow of an entire team of surgeons, anesthetists, nurses and technicians.
"Our Hybrid OR is patient-focused. Both systems integrate together well providing a seamless and efficient experience for the patient and entire cardiovascular team," says Dr. Michael Chu, Chair/Chief of Cardiac Surgery and the Head of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery at LHSC. "We have the largest minimally invasive cardiac program in Canada and access to this Hybrid OR really allows us to advance the future of minimally invasive and hybrid operations that we have pioneered here in London. We are able to deliver innovative, world class care that has transformed our field and patient expectations here in London and across Canada."
The Hybrid OR can accommodate current health care trends and challenges, ranging from an aging population with multiple health conditions to patients who are clinically obese and need proper support during surgical procedures.
The heart of the Hybrid OR is the Siemens Healthineers ARTIS Pheno® C-arm and fully integrated Hillrom TruSystem® 7500 Hybrid OR Table. Working in collaboration, the system provides the surgical team with the most accurate data and flexible equipment for an optimal patient outcome.
The Siemens Healthineers ARTIS Pheno® C-arm allows for image-guided surgery, providing a 3-D image of the patient without interfering with the team's workflow. The floor mounted C-arm also maintains a small footprint in the operating room, while making a big impact on patient outcomes with the most accurate data available to the surgeon before, during and after surgery.
Connected digitally to the C-arm, the Hillrom TruSystem® 7500 Hybrid OR Table provides precise patient positioning at every point during a surgical procedure. Able to handle up to 500 pounds (225 kilograms), the TruSystem® OR Table is designed to accommodate intraoperative imaging and imaging equipment that can scan through the bed, allowing for a 3-D image of the patient.
"Working together, we can find solutions to address the needs and challenges of our customers," said René Boyer, Sr. Director, Sales & Marketing of Diagnostic Imaging at Siemens Healthineers. "Faced with constantly changing demographics, including older patients with more health issues, we need to be prepared for more requests for diagnostic imaging and intervention. This partnership between LHSC, Hillrom Canada and Siemens Healthineers will benefit patient outcomes."
"Hillrom Canada is a leader in operating room table technology and Siemens Healthineers is a leader in imaging technology," said Michael Hamilton, Vice-President and General Manager of Hillrom Canada. "So, when we're able to put these technologies together, and they work in concert, it really allows the surgeons to operate at their best. It's an exciting opportunity to push the frontiers of medicine and redefine cardiac care in Canada."
Siemens Healthineers AG (listed in Frankfurt, Germany: SHL) is shaping the future of Healthcare. As a leading medical technology company headquartered in Erlangen, Germany, Siemens Healthineers enables healthcare providers worldwide through its regional companies to increase value by empowering them on their journey towards expanding precision medicine, transforming care delivery, improving the patient experience, and digitalizing healthcare. Siemens Healthineers is continuously developing its product and service portfolio, with AI- supported applications and digital offerings that play an increasingly important role in the next generation of medical technology. These new applications will enhance the company's foundation in in-vitro diagnostic, image-guided therapy, and in-vivo diagnostics. Siemens Healthineers also provides a range of services and solutions to enhance healthcare providers' ability to provide high-quality, efficient care to patients.
In fiscal 2019, which ended on September 30, 2019, Siemens Healthineers, which has approximately 52,000 employees worldwide, generated revenue of €14.5 billion and adjusted profit of €2.5 billion. Further information is available at www.siemens-healthineers.com.
SOURCE Siemens Healthineers
Sebia Opens Its New Affiliate in Canada
Location allows Sebia to dedicate a full team to deliver high quality service and expertise to answer customers' needs
After a long-term distribution partnership with Somagen Diagnostics, which represented Sebia in the Canadian market for many years, the new Canadian Sebia team is excited to engage with customers directly to provide a world-class service and clinically differentiated innovations. The Sebia Canada team will be dedicated and ready to support laboratories across the country with sales, application specialists and after sales engineers. Sebia Canada will also provide scientific services, technical and clinical education, and a "Knowledge Center" service to daily support and assist laboratories in interpreting Sebia laboratory tests.
Sebia Canada is an important step forward in the development of the global company and is fully supported by its shareholders Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, CVC Capital Partners and Téthys Invest.
"Starting our direct operations in Canada will enable Sebia to successfully strengthen its undisputed leadership in multiple myeloma management, to continue its development in the diagnostic and monitoring of diabetes and propose other innovative biomarkers using our core technology." says Jean-Marc CHERMETTE, CEO at Sebia.
About Sebia
Sebia a global specialty diagnostic company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes IVD tests and analyzers dedicated to the in vitro diagnosis of cancer, inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and hemoglobin disorders. Sebia's focus on electrophoresis techniques enables it to maintain a sustained R&D program, providing access to genuine innovations in any lab. Both agarose gel and capillary assays, and their dedicated automation, are designed to be integrated into the same routine workflow; for gel (Assist, Hydrasys 2 Scan) and for capillary electrophoresis (Capillarys 3 family instruments , stand alone or in work cell configuration up to three instruments with tube loader, Minicap Flex Piercing).
Mobile Rapid Response Teams Among Other Measures Recommended to Tackle Regional COVID-19 Flare-ups
TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2020 /CNW/ - As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to spike, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) is recommending the immediate creation of mobile rapid response teams to quickly identify and contain localized flare-ups.
Today, the OMA released A Prescription for Ontario: Maintaining Vigilance as We Learn to Live with COVID-19, a plan which contains recommendations for both the public and the government. The plan addresses our need to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while also tackling the ongoing backlog of medical services. As we go forward it is important to understand that success is a shared responsibility between government and individuals - everyone has a role to play.
The OMA is urging the government to:
Adopt a strategy to address COVID-19 flare-ups early. This may include local short-term, non-essential closures.
Prepare and deploy mobile rapid response teams so trained personnel can identify and contain COVID-19 flare-ups through clinical support, testing, contact tracing and isolation.
Use pop-up testing to bring COVID-19 assessment capacity to hot spots and vulnerable communities as well as support mobile response teams in those communities.
Identify COVID-19 hospitals in each region to allow non-COVID-19 hospitals to ramp up clinical activity and address clinical backlog.
"Mobile rapid response teams will place skills and equipment where they are most needed, while allowing capacity within the system to address the backlog of patient services and better prepare for the flu season," said OMA President Dr. Samantha Hill. "Ontario doctors are deeply concerned about the dramatic rise in the number of COVID-19 cases and are calling on the government to move quickly to contain the spread of the virus and take a regional approach rather than a province-wide one. Timely, graduated and proportionate responses to localized outbreaks will ensure resources are preserved for where they are most needed, a dimmer-switch instead of a sledgehammer."
Dr. Hill said the pandemic is a fluid and constantly changing situation that will vary by region, population and even individuals. "We should not expect the "new normal" to be a return to our pre-COVID normal; the situation will continuously change as the pandemic evolves and the system responds," she said. "That means all of us must be aware and ready to adapt to changing circumstances, guidance and recommendations."
In addition, the OMA is recommending that individuals:
Get tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms or come into contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Wear a face covering or mask in all indoor public spaces and outdoor spaces when physical distancing may be difficult.
Continue with proper hygiene practices, including handwashing.
Avoid closed spaces or crowded places.
Download and use the COVID-19 alert app.
Continue to seek care for non-COVID-19 related conditions, including mental health concerns.
Get a flu shot when they become available.
Balance the benefits to your mental, social, developmental, physical, and financial wellbeing against decisions that may put you and/or others at risk.
Create a plan for managing essential needs, should you need to self-isolate.
"Tackling COVID-19 is a shared responsibility between all parts of the system and individuals and we are pleased to release a full plan that addresses all sides," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "As localized outbreaks increase, the role and expertise of regional and local public health officials is more important that ever. Ontario's doctors will continue to work with them and with all stakeholders to protect Ontarians during this pandemic and provide them with the best possible care."
About the OMA
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000 plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
How Drug-Testing Has Changed in the COVID-19 Era
Employment expert discusses drug testing and how employers can monitor substance use among WFH employees
A recent survey revealed that positive drug tests among American employees reached a record high in 2019. But drug testing employees in 2020 will be much different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. How can employers monitor substance abuse among workers when millions of employees are working-from-home?
“We know that alcohol use has skyrocketed during the pandemic, and presumably drug use has as well, although those statistics are harder to track,’ says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and an employment trends expert. “Understandably, many employers are concerned about substance use among their workers, especially if it is occurring on the clock. Since so many people are working from home, it can be really hard to know if an employee is abusing drugs or alcohol during work hours, yet by the same token, drug-testing can also feel risky during a time when people are afraid to go to the doctor or health clinic or expose themselves to unnecessary germs.”
So how can employers safely continue drug testing their employees while still respecting the very real dangers of the pandemic?
“Mail-in drug tests are a good option for employers who want to monitor employees without requiring the employee to attend an in-person clinic,” says Wilson. “This may be a good option particularly for employees who are high-risk and very concerned about being exposed to the virus.”
For in-person testing, Wilson suggests having a healthcare professional perform the test on-site at your company location.
“Stagger testing times so that employees are able to practice social distancing and aren’t lining up close to one another,” says Wilson. “Have cleaning staff on hand to keep the bathroom sanitized between uses and help employees feel safe.”
Wilson also advises employers to be vigilant about staying in touch with their WFH employees and ensuring that daily timesheets and duties are monitored in order to keep workers on track.
“Daily conference calls or video calls can help to create a feeling of connection as well as help employees to feel seen and valued by their managers,” says Wilson. “Clear expectations and regular, scheduled contact throughout the week will help employees stay on track and create a sense of normalcy and routine that can be very valuable for mental health and for a company’s bottom line.”
Last, Wilson encourages employers to invest in mental health resources for employees and to normalize self-care as part of company culture.
“We know that 1 in 10 Americans struggle with addiction. It’s a disease that often requires outside assistance and treatment in order for the person to find healing and recovery. Drug testing is just one way that employees can monitor substance abuse, but even better is to add complementary practices like offering therapy or addiction recovery information to employees, as well as incentivizing exercise and other physical health measures.”
Jessica Buchanan, Kidnapping Victim Turned Mental Health Advocate, to Headline Brave B.A.S.H.
Humanitarian aid worker was held captive by Somali Pirates; Accelerated Resolution Therapy relieved her PTSD symptoms
TAMPA (Sept. 30, 2020) – Jessica Buchanan was working as a humanitarian aid worker in Somali when she was kidnapped by pirates and held in the desert for 93 days, subsisting on a single daily meal and suffering through extreme heat and cold.
Eventually, Navy SEALs stormed the compound, freeing Buchanan and killing the bandits who had tormented her. But Buchanan’s ordeal did not end upon her return home. She was plagued by nightmares, anxiety and panic attacks and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—symptoms that caused her suffering until she tried an innovative therapy called Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).
“I call it surviving survival,” says Buchanan. “In a lot of ways, the past eight years have been harder than the 93 days I was held in captivity. Once a trauma event is over, you start living in a whole different way. Your brain functions differently. The way you see yourself changes. The way you see others changes.”
Buchanan tried many different types of therapy before undergoing ART an evidence-based treatment for PTSD, trauma, anxiety and other mental health issues. ART has been extensively used with both veterans and civilians to reframe troubling memories and relieve the physical and emotional symptoms of trauma.
“ART was life-changing for me,” said Buchanan, who lives in Alexandria, Va. with her husband and children. “It was pretty profound. I moved a lot of blockages I didn’t know I had. I got in touch with my purpose again. I feel like I’ve been carrying around a heavy backpack and I finally got to take it off.
Buchanan will be speaking at Brave B.A.S.H., an annual gala for ART International, a Tampa-based nonprofit devoted to increasing access to ART. ART International has helped thousands of veterans, civilians, first responders and other trauma survivors receive this life-changing treatment. This year’s Brave B.A.S.H. will take place both in-person and virtually on Oct. 24. Tickets for both experiences are available at artherapyinternational.com or by calling (813) 435-1374. The event will be emceed by Rebekah Gregory, a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing, who has also found relief from her trauma through ART.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Buchanan feels that it is even more urgent to share her story. “We are collectively experiencing a prolonged trauma,” she says. “Peoples’ lives have changed dramatically. But for there is hope for people dealing with trauma. You don’t have to live with these symptoms for the rest of your life.
UK REPORTEDLY HOSTING FIRST COVID-19 HUMAN CHALLENGE TRIALS; MOMENTUM GROWS IN CANADA
A GROWING PETITION, SPONSORED BY MP MARCUS POWLOWSKI, CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE COVID-19 HUMAN CHALLENGE TRIALS
The Financial Times reported on September 23rd that London, UK would host the first COVID-19 human challenge trials in January. In such a trial, healthy volunteers are exposed to a virus under controlled conditions to quickly test vaccines and learn more about the disease, potentially saving tens of thousands of lives.
1,660 Canadians have also volunteered to be deliberately exposed to the coronavirus with 1Day Sooner, an organization that advocates on behalf of these “human challenge trial” volunteers.
Now, over 300 Canadians have signed apublic petition calling on the Government of Canada to “publicly announce a plan for COVID-19 human challenge trials.” The petition is sponsored by MP Marcus Powlowski of Thunder Bay-Rainy River and signed by the below Canadian scientists. This comes after MP Marcus and nearly a dozen other MPs and scientists penned a Toronto Star op-ed on August 24th urging the government to green-light COVID-19 human challenge trials.
Below you can find the pictures, first names, locations, and quotes of signatories of the new petition.
###
To connect with any of the below, or any Canadian human challenge trial volunteers, or a 1Day Sooner team member,please email media@1daysooner.org.
Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Rainy River
“There are few issues more important in the world right now than developing a successful vaccine for COVID-19. Governments globally should seriously consider the use of challenge trials as a way to speed up the vaccine development process and, by doing so, potentially save thousands of lives and billions of dollars in lasting economic damage."
Dr. Anand Kumar, Professor of Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, Sections of Infectious Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, at the University of Manitoba.
Dr. Micheal Silverman, Chair and Chief of Adult Infectious Disease at Western University
Dr. Bill Cameron, Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of Ottawa at The Ottawa Hospital
Conor Barnes, 1Day Sooner volunteer from Kelowna, Canada.
“Sometimes you should take one for the team, and this is a very big team.”
DECN SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH US-BASED LABORATORY AS TESTING PARTNER FOR GENVIRO! SALIVA SWIFT KIT TESTING FOR ADDITIONAL FDA CE MARK AND RUSSIAN FEDERATION SUBMISSIONS
fda & clia certified laboratory will begin testing of the Genviro! 10.5 Sec. Saliva Swift Kit, with full results expected to be reported to regulators in usa, eu and Russian Federation, and will be included in product package inserts
LOS ANGELES, CA—September 30, 2020 / Decision Diagnostics Corp. (OTC: DECN) www.decisiondiagnostics.co, a leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of diabetic test strips engineered to operate on legacy glucose meters through its subsidiary Pharma Tech Solutions, Inc., today announced it has signed an agreement with a certified US-based testing partner to undertake a feasibility study as well as required testing for FDA EUA and European Union CE Mark certification as well as with the Russian Federation for submission of the Genviro! Covid-19 Saliva Swift Kit. The company expects the lab to report its results to DECN, who will include these results in their upcoming FDA EUA applications in Q4 2020, as well as parallel applications with the EU and Russian Federation, as DECN continues its international efforts to make its detection technology available globally. The international product launch commenced on September 26, 2020 at the pricing previously announced. On that date the company received its first large order.
“Coming on the heels of the announcement of having our first international distributor order in place as of September 26, 2020,I am encouraged that the signing of a testing partner in the US will accelerate our efforts to get the Genviro! Covid-19 testing technology authorized by the FDA and in the US market,” said CEO Keith Berman. “Initially slated to be tested for professional use, once we secure FDA authorization we will make the push for our individual at-home use that requires much the same testing. That is what we and the rest of the world truly want to see. In anticipation of this our instructional videos which we are distributing to the international markets were completed for both professional and at-home individual use. As I have repeatedly stated, the test strip and meter reader testing modality upon which our Covid-19 testing technique is based has been used by diabetics to test themselves worldwide for years, so we have every reason to believe that the GenViro! Saliva Swift Kit will be readily accepted in the professional and individual user testing marketplaces for truly rapid Covid-19 testing anywhere, anytime.”
In addition to the signing of a US testing partner and extensive testing already undertaken in Korea, DECN is going to begin a third round of testing in Korea as a semi-finalist participant for the respected XPRIZE, www.xprize.org. XPRIZE is the world’s leader in designing and operating incentive competitions to solve humanity’s grand challenges. It operates in collaboration with OpenCovidScreen, a non-profit founded by scientists and business leaders, to drive needed innovation through “Open Science”. XPRIZE, OpenCovidScreen and a coalition of partners call on the global community to develop frequent, fast-turnaround, reliable, and easy-to-use screening tests to detect Covid-19 occurrences before they become outbreaks. The $5 million XPRIZE Rapid Covid Testing competition is designed to accelerate the development of high-quality Covid-19 testing that is low cost, accurate, easy to use, and provides a fast-turnaround, enabling frequent testing.
To meet the XPRIZE requirements, DECN will be testing samples containing both contrived, non-infected and contrived infected samples supplied by the organization. The samples will be shipped to Korea for testing and the results will be available once the XPRIZE committee announces its winning selection. The organization expects to report finalists in November 2020 and Grand Prize Winners in Q1 2021.
ABOUT DECISION DIAGNOSTICS CORP
Decision Diagnostics Corp. is the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of diabetic test strips engineered to operate on legacy glucose meters. DECN's products are designed to operate efficiently and less expensively on certain glucose meters already in use by almost 7.5 million diabetics worldwide. With newly inspired technology diabetic test strips already in the final stages of development, DECN products compete on a worldwide scale with legacy manufacturers currently selling to 71+ percent of a $15+ billion at-home testing market. The company's new GenViro!™ product designed to test for Covid-19, is not yet available in the United States or Puerto Rico, but Emergency (EUA) Waivers are in process with the U.S. FDA. On September 30, 2020 the company began the launch of its International package versions of its GenViro! Swift Kit and Swift Meter. In addition, the company reports that its international distributor for the Russian Federation will be taking on the Genviro! products, will handle registration for emergency use approval in the Russian Federation, and has requested a non-exclusive agreement or waiver for expansion into the European Union as well.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This release contains the company's forward-looking statements which are based on management's current expectations and assumptions as of September 29, 2020, regarding the company's business and performance, its prospects, current factors, the economy, and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, circumstances, and results.
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