More think opening businesses puts too many people at risk of COVID-19 and we need to wait
A majority of people in some hard-hit countries think jobs lost will not be recovered
A majority of people in nine out of 16 countries think opening businesses now puts too many people at risk of contracting COVID-19, according to the latest Ipsos suvey.
More people also say most jobs lost during the lockdown will not return, suggesting those that support reopening are doing so in spite of the risk rather than believing the risk is low.
In a poll of 16,000 people in 16 major countries conducted from May 21 to 24, people in Brazil (71%), India (69%), Mexico and South Korea (65%), Japan and the United Kingdom (62%) and the United States (60%) are most likely to say we need to wait at least a few more weeks before opening businesses, because opening now would put too many people at risk of contracting COVID-19.
But on the opposite end, those in hard hit countries of China (65%), Italy (64%), France (59%), Germany (57%) and Russia (55%) are most likely to say the health risk is minimal if people follow social distancing rules, and we need to get the economy moving again.
People most divided on taking this action are in Spain, Australia and South Africa with only 2 percentage points between those who think opening businesses now puts too many people at risk versus those who say the risk is minimal.
Added to this, a majority of people in France (69%), Spain (62%), South Korea and South Africa (61%), Italy (60%), Japan (58%), the U.K. (57%), and Russia (52%) don’t think most jobs lost during the pandemic will return as soon as the stay in place and lockdown restrictions are lifted.
A majority of respondents in India (73%) and Germany (51%) are the only ones out of 15 countries to believe most lost jobs will return once restrictions are eased.
A number of countries are divided on this question with only 2 points separating those who agree and disagree on whether jobs will be recovered in Australia and Mexico, followed by the U.S. (3), Brazil (7), Canada (9) and Germany (10).
About the Study
These are the results from Ipsos Essentials, a weekly global syndicated study examing the opinions and behaviours as countries move through the pandemic. These results were collected May 21st to 24th, 2020 using an online methodology 16,000 adults aged 18-74 in Canada and the United States and 16-74 in Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
The sample for this study consists of approximately 1,000 individuals in each country. The samples in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, the U.K. and the U.S. can be taken as representative of these countries’ general adult population over age 16 or 18 (as above) and under the age of 75. The sample in Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa is more urban, more educated and/or more affluent than the general population and should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more “connected” segment of the population. The data is weighted so that each market’s sample composition best reflects the demographic profile of the adult population according to the most recent census data.
Where results do not sum up to 100 or the ‘difference’ appears to be +/-1 more/less than the actual, this may be due to rounding, multiple responses or the exclusion of don't knows or not stated responses. The precision of Ipsos online polls is calculated using a credibility interval with a poll of 1,000 accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage points. For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website (www.Ipsos.com).
Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
Safeguard Your Emotional Health During Any Crisis With These 7 Practical Steps
Boulder, CO, June 4, 2020 — In our interconnected world, global events impact all of us in one way or another. Knowing how to help ourselves, our families and our organizations navigate a crisis can profoundly affect our emotional health and well-being.
7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis: A Practical Guide to Emotionally Dealing with Pandemics & Other Disasters is a must-read for anyone seeking to thrive during challenging times. Written by clinical psychologist Elia Gourgouris and change management expert Konstantinos Apostolopoulos, this easy-to-read book offers powerful, yet practical, insights to help minimize the negative emotional impact of pandemics, natural disasters, financial challenges and other major disruptions.
“Not only will individuals and families find the book helpful in a crisis, so will first responders, healthcare professionals, mental health counselors and wellness coaches,” said Dr. Gourgouris.
Drawing from their real-world experiences, Dr. Gourgouris and Apostolopoulos explain the following seven keys to navigating any crisis:
1. Start with self-care. Be aware of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs.
2. Practice awareness. Listen to your intuition or inner wisdom.
3. Choose flexibility so you can adapt, pivot and avoid unnecessary pain.
4. Act now! Preparation is key to your survival.
5. Take initiative by moving into action. Become the navigator in your life’s journey!
6. Cultivate a positive attitude filled with faith and hope.
7. Show kindness to others.
“Each chapter has an end section including points to ponder, questions to consider and action steps to take, so the reader can move beyond just surviving to thriving in a crisis situation,” added Apostolopoulos.
Author Elia Gourgouris, PhD, is the Founder of The Happiness Center, an organization of world-leading experts in the field of positive psychology. Dr. Elia's previous book, 7 Paths to Lasting Happiness, became an Amazon #1 best-seller. He is an international keynote speaker and happiness expert focusing on corporate wellness and leadership training. He holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a UCLA graduate. Dr. Elia is certified by the American Red Cross in Disaster Mental Health Services, having assisted in the 1994 Los Angeles and 2010 Haiti earthquakes, the 1999 Columbine High School shooting and other crises. He's the co-host of The Kindness Happiness Connection podcast and a Thrive Global contributor. Please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thehappinessdoctor/, https://www.instagram.com/dr.eliag/ or https://www.facebook.com/DrElia.
Co-author Konstantinos Apostolopoulos is the Founder and CEO of Fresh Biz Solutions, a performance consulting and training provider. As an award-winning facilitator and coach, he has successfully delivered hundreds of custom learning events in the US, Canada and Europe for diverse audiences and industries. He is a regular contributor to Thrive Global and other industry publications. As a young man in Greece, he experienced firsthand the devastation left behind by natural and economic disasters. As an adult, he was fortunate to help play a small part in the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Today, he helps others navigate the challenges brought by major events in their lives. Please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkon/.
Poor People’s Campaign calls for day of fasting & focus to mark upheaval in country
The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is calling for a National Day of Fasting and Focus on Monday to call Americans to repent of systemic racism and turn toward the work of building a more just and loving society for all people.
Bishop William J. Barber II, campaign co-chair and president of Repairers of the Breach, said the campaign seeks not merely a fasting from food, but also a national fasting from systemic racism, systemic poverty, the denial of health care and from other death-dealing policies.
"We must dedicate ourselves to breathing life into our Constitution and its promises and refuse to accept a civility that covers up injustice,” Bishop Barber said. “The very life of our democracy is at stake. Not the democracy that is, but the democracy that could be.”
The upheaval in the country has shown the power of social justice movements, said Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign.
“People across race, across geography, across age have seen that we cannot be silent anymore,” she said. “It is only when the people organize in radical and bold ways that we can build a society that actually takes care of the needs of the people.”
The campaign is asking people to stand still wherever they are at 5 p.m. Monday, June 7, and be still and focus for eight minutes and 46 seconds -- the amount of time that an officer held his knee on the neck of George Floyd, killing him on Memorial Day. They will then be asked to read a litany that the campaign will share on social media.
After that, Rev. Barber will speak to the nation from Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he is the minister. You can watch listen to his sermon here: https://www.facebook.com/anewppc/
People should also remember Ahmaud Abery, who was shot and killed by armed white men as he jogged in Georgia in February and Breonna Taylor, who died in March after she was shot eight times by police who used a battering ram to invade her apartment. As a sign that our collective repentance is real, people will also be invited to dedicate themselves to stay engaged, to vote, to hold elected officials accountable and to work for a moral agenda that addresses historic wrongs and policies that perpetuate inequality.
On Sunday, June 6, the campaign will hold a national interfaith service to recognize the more than 100,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19, especially poor and low-income workers. While President Trump wants to divert attention away from the pandemic and to his misinterpretation of protests in the streets, the Poor People’s Campaign will insist that the country doesn’t forget those who died.
The service will be co-led by Revs. Barber and Theoharis and Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Imam Omar Suleiman and Valerie Kaur. It can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/greenleaf.c.church/
The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, is building a generationally transformative digital gathering called the Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington, on June 20, 2020. At that assembly, we will demand that both major political parties address the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism by implementing our Moral Agenda
New Company to Advance Research into Made-in-Canada Therapy for Patients with Chronic Pain
MONTREAL, June 4, 2020 /CNW/ - adMare BioInnovations, Canada's Global Life Sciences Venture, along with partners McGill University and AmorChem II Fund l.p., a leading early-stage venture capital fund, is advancing made-in-Canada research that aims to provide new opiate-sparing pain-relieving drugs.
adMare and AmorChem have created a new company, Neurasic Therapeutics, based on breakthrough research from Dr. Philippe Séguéla, professor of neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal, that was validated and further advanced by adMare BioInnovations. Dr. Séguéla is a world-expert in ion channel biology and molecular pharmacology. His research lab at the Montreal Neurological Institute (the Neuro) is renowned for investigating genes, cells and circuits involved in pain perception and analgesia.
Neurasic's potential drug therapy targets acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), a gene family of neuronal receptors activated by protons that play a role in multiple neurological disorders. Early research has shown that blocking ASICs elicits analgesia (the inability to feel pain) in chronic pain conditions, therefore eliminating the need for opiate-based drugs. Dr. Séguéla and adMare have developed a proprietary method to identify molecules that block the ASICs.
"This drug development program is an excellent example of academic research that has the potential to provide the best-in-class treatments that patients need. adMare is proud to have been able to validate and advance this work, generate valuable IP and data, and bring together McGill and AmorChem to create a very commercially-attractive opportunity," says Gordon C. McCauley, President and CEO of adMare BioInnovations. "We are excited to maximize the potential of Dr. Séguéla's discoveries on ASICs, along with the return on public investment in research."
"We have been following Dr. Séguéla's work for a few years and see much promise in his research. The validation provided by the collaboration with adMare was an important factor in our decision to invest in this platform. We believe that Neurasic will benefit greatly from our three groups' combined expertise in early-stage investing and preclinical development in this field," added Maxime Ranger, General Partner at AmorChem and President of Neurasic.
"Early stage investing requires important financial resources and sustained collaborative work. It is therefore crucial to foster ties between Canadian stakeholders, and AmorChem is happy to partner with adMare and Dr. Séguéla in building a Canadian anchor company in the pain space. AmorChem is particularly pleased to be providing Neurasic with Maxime Ranger's solid start-up management experience," says Inès Holzbaur, Managing Partner at AmorChem.
Dr. Guy Rouleau, CEO, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) added, "Dr. Séguéla and I are thrilled with the launch of Neurasic Therapeutics. This drug development program paves the way towards innovative strategies to reverse the opioid crisis impacting Canadians countrywide. The creation of Neurasic also spearheads our vision that the Neuro could leverage its position as an open science institute to build attractive business models for its high-value technologies. Neurasic was enabled by NeuroSphere, McGill's neuroscience accelerator funded through HBHL, which was instrumental in driving this new endeavour and securing key partnerships to make this vision a reality."
"Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) is very proud to be part of Dr. Séguéla's efforts to find safer alternatives to opioids through Neurasic Therapeutics," said Krystle van Hoof, Managing Director and CEO, HBHL. "We're dedicated to fueling neuroscience discoveries and innovations at McGill, and NeuroSphere, our neuroscience accelerator, allows HBHL to proactively ensure that critical medical breakthroughs reach patients. We will continue to proudly support Dr. Séguéla and Neurasic in their efforts, and will build on this first success to help advance other ground-breaking innovations in the near future."
About adMare adMare BioInnovations is Canada's Global Life Sciences Venture, building the Canadian life sciences industry from sea to sea. We do this by sourcing therapeutically and commercially promising research from leading academic and biotech partners to create new companies of scale, providing specialized expertise and infrastructure to help existing companies scale up, and driving the growth of those companies into Canadian anchors by training the next generation of highly-qualified personnel. admarebio.com
About AmorChem AmorChem is a leading early stage venture capital fund, investing ground-breaking academic innovation. The AmorChem team utilizes its deep understanding of fundamental science to uncover its therapeutic potential and focuses its core expertise in translational research to accelerate therapeutic drug discovery and development across a broad spectrum of disease areas. The fund capitalises on both its venture capital expertise and its entrepreneurial experience to spark the creation of start-up companies and help shape them into the next generation of biotech companies. amorchem.com
About The Neuro The Neuro – The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – is a world-leading destination for brain research and advanced patient care. Since its founding in 1934 by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro has grown to be the largest specialized neuroscience research and clinical center in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. The seamless integration of research, patient care, and training of the world's top minds make The Neuro uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of nervous system disorders. In 2016, The Neuro became the first institute in the world to fully embrace the Open Science philosophy, creating the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute. The Montreal Neurological Institute is a McGill University research and teaching institute. The Montreal Neurological Hospital is part of the Neuroscience Mission of the McGill University Health Centre. theneuro.ca
About Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) aims to accelerate translational discoveries and create a global centre of excellence in neuroinformatics at McGill University. Supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Quebec's Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation and the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQS, FRQSC and FRQNT), HBHL builds on McGill's scientific excellence and global leadership in areas of neuroscience that hold great promise for delivering implementable, clinically effective outcomes in brain and mental health. mcgill.ca/hbhl
SOURCE adMare BioInnovations
C MASKS URGES THE PUBLIC TO PROTECT EACH OTHER WITH FASHIONABLE, NON-MEDICAL FACE MASKS
Skin-friendly fabrics and modern designs add allure to protective face coverings
Vancouver, B.C. (June 4, 2020):JC Masks is transforming non-medical face masks into must-have fashion accessories with skin-friendly fabrics and designs that add undeniable allure. The first mask manufacturer to use virtual 3D modelling to ensure a precise fit, the Vancouver-based company aims to make it easier for the public to follow recommendations by health authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Founded by designer and businessman Jeff Clark, who has spent three decades working in the fashion industry, JC Masks was born to address the mass shortage of non-medical face masks that resulted from consumers seeking to protect themselves and their loved ones during the global pandemic. Clark made 150 masks that were snapped up in two days – so, he launched JC Masks to share his products even more widely.
The masks are available in four size options – small, medium, large and youth – and each is crafted using virtual 3D modelling to ensure a perfect fit. The exteriors are made with skin-friendly fabrics like cotton, rayon from bamboo, Tencel, hemp, and organic blends. Each mask style offers unique benefits – for example, the Cannabis One line is made with hemp, which is weather-resistant, boasts excellent breathability and is one of the strongest materials available. The Knit Reusable mask is crafted with hypoallergenic and odour-resistant bamboo, which is ideal for workouts; it also keeps skin dry, cool and comfortable. “We need to do everything possible to control and defeat this virus – and an important step people can take is to wear a mask when they’re out in public,” said Clark. “Ultimately, it’s our responsibility to protect each other, and I hope these masks will make it easier to do so.”
Committed to giving back, JC Masks has pledged to donate masks and 10 percent of profits to Mission Possible, which helps people struggling with homelessness and poverty; Hogan's Alley Society, whose mission is to advance the social, political, economic and cultural well-being of people of African descent in Canada and the Pacific Northwest; and the Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver-Fraser, which champions recovery from mental illness and addiction in the community. JC Masks has also committed to provide support and donate masks to local charities and organizations in need.
JC Masks are made and manufactured in Vancouver, and can be shipped across North America, with free delivery on purchases over $50. Each mask is made-to-order, with prices starting from $18.95 CDN. For more information, visit www.jcmasks.com.
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About JC Masks: JC Masks was born to address the mass shortage of non-medical face masks that resulted from consumers seeking to protect themselves and their loved ones during the global pandemic. The company is transforming face masks into a must-have fashion accessory, with an impressive array of designs and skin-friendly fabrics that allow consumers to prioritize their health while staying fashionable. www.jcmasks.com
Lecturer and pals hoping to pedal into record books after non-stop 30-hour indoor cycleMammoth team effort to raise money for Motor Neuron Disease Association (MNDA) and Rugby League Cares, inspired by former rugby league player
04 June 2020 University of Bradford lecturer and clinical lead in the Faculty of Health Studies Jamie Moseley took part in an attempt to beat the world record for the longest static cycle ride.He was part of a 19-strong team, which included Super League stars Keith Senior, Ewan Dowes, Chev Walker, Wayne Godwin, and Gareth Carvell, among others, who between them cycled thousands of miles over a 30-hour period.Jamie, who is originally from Huddersfield and now lives in Rothwell, Leeds, managed just over 577 miles during his 30 hours - averaging over 19 miles per hour.The record attempt came about after Jamie and his friends decided to raise money for charity Rugby League Cares and Motor Neurone Disease Association after friend Rob Burrows was recently diagnosed with the life altering condition.Originally, they had planned to cycle 900 miles in five days from Headingley, Leeds to Toulouse, Spain in time for the Leeds Rhinos vs Catalan`s Super League fixture but the coronavirus outbreak meant they had to think of something else.Father-of-two Jamie, 45, who spent six years as a physiotherapist in Super League, with stints at Bradford Bulls and Hull FC, is part of the Physiotherapy and Sport Rehabilitation team at the University of Bradford, which has been recognised nationally with a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) from Advance HE, the most prestigious team award available for learning and teaching in Higher Education.This highly sought after award recognises the team’s creation of a pioneering Physiotherapy Clinic, developed in collaboration with employers, students and staff. It is open to the public and takes regular referrals from GPs, charging just £20 for six sessions, a fraction of the cost compared to the private sector. Their work has transformed teaching and practice in physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation and is being used as a positive example by other institutions.Jamie said: “The original plan was to cycle from Leeds to Catalan for the Leeds game as part of this but Covid put an end to that but rather than pack it in we took it indoors. The previous record was 28 hours continuous in a spin studio. We did 30.”The team cycled from 6.30am on Saturday May 30 all the way through to 12.30pm on Sunday, recording the event on the indoor cycling app Zwift, Garmin and Strava, data from which has now been sent to the Guinness World Records for verification.Jamie admitted the challenge was tougher than he expected: “I am a sporty person. I’ve done a few iron man challenges, I like to run and cycle, but this was one of the hardest challenges I’ve done.“I went through several rough patches, where I had no energy. It was tough to keep going, especially from 2am to 4am but then other times I suddenly found lots of energy. I think I did some of my best numbers from 4am to 6am.”At one point they had 20,000 people viewing them on YouTube.To keep him going during the marathon stint, he prepared 25 500ml bottles of water mixed with carbohydrates and electrolytes. He also munched his way through bananas, flapjacks, bagels and even packets of jelly babies, chocolate and crisps.He said: “The diet was designed to keep me going, not just physically but mentally, with lots of easy sugars, some salts and so on. I kept off caffeine during the day, so I could have some at night to keep awake.”Jamie, who took part in a cycling challenge from Barcelona to Leeds more than a decade ago, said he was proud of the achievement and was now having a well-deserved rest… ahead of his next challenge.“The day after, I could not stand up without feeling sick,” he said. “It was a bit easier the day after that. I don’t think I’ll be cycling as far again but I would like to do the North Coast 500.”You can still donate to the cause here.
COVID-19 Pandemic Spotlights the Need for Primary Care Physicians
Dwindling reliance on primary care physicians is burdening health care system
and limiting care resources
As soon as someone is exposed to Covid-19 or begins showing symptoms, the initial wave of questions hits them hard and fast. Do I have symptoms consistent with Covid-19? Should I get tested? If so, where? Is my case serious or can I wait this out? How do I protect the people around me? What is my most affordable care option?
The answers to these questions and the more that will follow lie in the hands of trained and ready primary care physicians (PCPs); a resource many Americans are overlooking in their battle to combat Covid-19. Rising demand for emergency and urgent care services is well documented, as are the consequences. For example, emergency department (ED) crowding, increased costs, pressure on services, and waiting times. Especially, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, hospital EDs are in most cases, not the ideal place to determine if your symptoms may be COVID-19. The excessive load that these non-essential visits place on an already over-taxed system in addition to subjecting oneself to others who are infected is less than ideal. One of the most notable reasons listed for visiting EDs is the lack of a designated PCP.
By far the most economical first step in diagnosing and treating Covid-19, PCPs have been increasingly underutilized in recent years. According to a 2019 study by Reuters Health, in a little over a decade, the number of patients in the U.S. with primary care providers dropped by 2%. While 2% may not seem like a big drop, the study's lead author, Dr. David Levine, an associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School, along with the co-authors; concluded that the drop in patients with primary care providers is equivalent to the population of New Jersey. The most dramatic decline was among those who were in their 60s and healthy with a 10% fall.
Primary care isn’t about healthy people getting an annual physical, it’s about having a relationship with a particular primary care provider, so that when you do get sick that doctor knows something about you. Additionally, having a relationship with a PCP ensures that they have all of your records and can better assist you with health issues or diagnosis.
PCPs are not just the first line of defense, but possibly the best equipped and readily accessible. PCPs are prepared to analyze Covid-19 symptoms as well as related respiratory illnesses that can also be confused with this illness like allergy, asthma, and various infections. They will see you through diagnostics and treatment options; plus, as generalists, they are also able to identify multiple, diverse pathologies, and refer patients appropriately to specialists when necessary.
To limit exposure and spread of Covid-19, PCPs are elevating telemedicine services as an effective way to initially vet patients concerned about COVID-19 symptoms. Additional practice procedures include examining patients outside to limit exposure and contagion, and providing additional in-office screenings for patients and staff.
The best action to take when combating Covid-19 is to call your PCP. It’s a critical step to getting personalized care while minimizing costs, decreasing exposure, and potentially skipping the overburdened hospital system.
About the AAAPC
The Academy of Allergy and Asthma in Primary Care (AAAPC) is a national non-profit organization, which supports innovative care models of allergy and asthma care in the primary care setting and assists physicians in expanding their role to provide allergy diagnostics and therapy to the under-served patient population.
New Company to Advance Research into Made-in-Canada Therapy for Patients with Chronic Pain
June 4, 2020 - adMare BioInnovations, Canada's Global Life Sciences Venture, along with partners McGill University and AmorChem II Fund l.p., a leading early-stage venture capital fund, is advancing made-in-Canada research that aims to provide new opiate-sparing pain-relieving drugs.
adMare and AmorChem have created a new company, Neurasic Therapeutics, based on breakthrough research from Dr. Philippe Séguéla, professor of neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal, that was validated and further advanced by adMare BioInnovations. Dr. Séguéla is a world-expert in ion channel biology and molecular pharmacology. His research lab at the Montreal Neurological Institute (the Neuro) is renowned for investigating genes, cells and circuits involved in pain perception and analgesia.
Neurasic's potential drug therapy targets acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), a gene family of neuronal receptors activated by protons that play a role in multiple neurological disorders. Early research has shown that blocking ASICs elicits analgesia (the inability to feel pain) in chronic pain conditions, therefore eliminating the need for opiate-based drugs. Dr. Séguéla and adMare have developed a proprietary method to identify molecules that block the ASICs.
"This drug development program is an excellent example of academic research that has the potential to provide the best-in-class treatments that patients need. adMare is proud to have been able to validate and advance this work, generate valuable IP and data, and bring together McGill and AmorChem to create a very commercially-attractive opportunity," says Gordon C. McCauley, President and CEO of adMare BioInnovations. "We are excited to maximize the potential of Dr. Séguéla's discoveries on ASICs, along with the return on public investment in research."
"We have been following Dr. Séguéla's work for a few years and see much promise in his research. The validation provided by the collaboration with adMare was an important factor in our decision to invest in this platform. We believe that Neurasic will benefit greatly from our three groups' combined expertise in early-stage investing and preclinical development in this field," added Maxime Ranger, General Partner at AmorChem and President of Neurasic.
"Early stage investing requires important financial resources and sustained collaborative work. It is therefore crucial to foster ties between Canadian stakeholders, and AmorChem is happy to partner with adMare and Dr. Séguéla in building a Canadian anchor company in the pain space. AmorChem is particularly pleased to be providing Neurasic with Maxime Ranger's solid start-up management experience," says Inès Holzbaur, Managing Partner at AmorChem.
Dr. Guy Rouleau, CEO, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) added, "Dr. Séguéla and I are thrilled with the launch of Neurasic Therapeutics. This drug development program paves the way towards innovative strategies to reverse the opioid crisis impacting Canadians countrywide. The creation of Neurasic also spearheads our vision that the Neuro could leverage its position as an open science institute to build attractive business models for its high-value technologies. Neurasic was enabled by NeuroSphere, McGill's neuroscience accelerator funded through HBHL, which was instrumental in driving this new endeavour and securing key partnerships to make this vision a reality."
"Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) is very proud to be part of Dr. Séguéla's efforts to find safer alternatives to opioids through Neurasic Therapeutics," said Krystle van Hoof, Managing Director and CEO, HBHL. "We're dedicated to fueling neuroscience discoveries and innovations at McGill, and NeuroSphere, our neuroscience accelerator, allows HBHL to proactively ensure that critical medical breakthroughs reach patients. We will continue to proudly support Dr. Séguéla and Neurasic in their efforts, and will build on this first success to help advance other ground-breaking innovations in the near future."
About adMare adMare BioInnovations is Canada's Global Life Sciences Venture, building the Canadian life sciences industry from sea to sea. We do this by sourcing therapeutically and commercially promising research from leading academic and biotech partners to create new companies of scale, providing specialized expertise and infrastructure to help existing companies scale up, and driving the growth of those companies into Canadian anchors by training the next generation of highly-qualified personnel. admarebio.com
About AmorChem AmorChem is a leading early stage venture capital fund, investing ground-breaking academic innovation. The AmorChem team utilizes its deep understanding of fundamental science to uncover its therapeutic potential and focuses its core expertise in translational research to accelerate therapeutic drug discovery and development across a broad spectrum of disease areas. The fund capitalises on both its venture capital expertise and its entrepreneurial experience to spark the creation of start-up companies and help shape them into the next generation of biotech companies. amorchem.com
About The Neuro The Neuro – The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – is a world-leading destination for brain research and advanced patient care. Since its founding in 1934 by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro has grown to be the largest specialized neuroscience research and clinical center in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. The seamless integration of research, patient care, and training of the world's top minds make The Neuro uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of nervous system disorders. In 2016, The Neuro became the first institute in the world to fully embrace the Open Science philosophy, creating the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute. The Montreal Neurological Institute is a McGill University research and teaching institute. The Montreal Neurological Hospital is part of the Neuroscience Mission of the McGill University Health Centre. theneuro.ca
About Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) aims to accelerate translational discoveries and create a global centre of excellence in neuroinformatics at McGill University. Supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Quebec's Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation and the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQS, FRQSC and FRQNT), HBHL builds on McGill's scientific excellence and global leadership in areas of neuroscience that hold great promise for delivering implementable, clinically effective outcomes in brain and mental health. mcgill.ca/hbhl
Musical Savant Inspires Heartbroken Pianist In Return Of The Song
San Antonio, TX, June 4, 2020 — Caroline Carlyle, a gifted pianist, has abandoned her unfinished compositions and traded her old ambitions for the comfort and familiarity of being the town’s favorite piano teacher. The music that once filled her heart died along with her fiancé in the floodwaters of Guatemala six years ago. Struggling with aching loss and a splintered faith, she has long since given up on rediscovering the inspiration that once came so easily.
Until, that is, a prodigious, musical savant enters Caroline’s life, shattering her glass cocoon, capturing the attention of many of the townsfolk, and awakening Caroline’s courage and sense of purpose. Inspired by her new acquaintance, Caroline embarks on a quest to track down the beloved rare piano she played as a child. Her search leads her to Rockwater, the Kentucky estate of a wealthy gentleman who will forever alter the trajectory of Caroline’s life.
Return of the Song is the compelling first book in the Rockwater Suite series from Phyllis Clark Nichols. Readers will find themselves immersed in the fictional town of Moss Point, Georgia, where quiet glimmers of romance and undercurrents of mystery complement the town’s Southern beauty and charm. They will discover the hope of life after loss and the rekindling of love and purpose.
With change in the air at Moss Point, secrets will be revealed, events will converge and characters will collide — all of it building to an unexpected crescendo. Who will ultimately help Caroline find the real music of her heart again?
Author Phyllis Clark Nichols weaves her faith and her Southern culture into character-driven stories that bring hope and light as they explore profound human questions. A classically-trained musician and retired cable executive, she enjoys art, books, nature, cooking, travel and stories about ordinary people who live extraordinary lives. In addition to the Rockwater Suite series, Phyllis is the author of the Family Portrait series and the inspirational Christmas novels, Christmas at Grey Sage and Silent Days, Holy Night. She and her husband live in the Texas Hill Country. Please visit her at www.phyllisclarknichols.com.
PharmaChoice Canada enters an Agreement with Infoway to offer PrescribeIT® to Its Network of Independent Pharmacies
TORONTO, June 4, 2020 /CNW/ - PharmaChoice Canada is pleased to announce an agreement with Canada Health Infoway, to offer PrescribeIT®, Canada's national e-prescribing service, to its network of independent retail pharmacies.
PrescribeIT® is a national e-prescribing service developed by Canada Health Infoway (Infoway), which enables prescribers to safely and conveniently transmit a prescription electronically between a prescriber's electronic medical record (EMR) and the pharmacy management system (PMS) of a patient's pharmacy of choice.
"PrescribeIT® enhances pharmacy workflows by streamlining clinical communication between prescribers and pharmacists allowing pharmacist to dispense with confidence" said Jamie Bruce, Executive Vice President, Canada Health Infoway.
The four-year agreement, signed with Infoway on April 30, 2020, covers more than 900 independently owned pharmacies across the PharmaChoice and RxHealthMed banners of PharmaChoice Canada.
"At PharmaChoice Canada, our independent pharmacies serve their communities by playing an active role within their patients' health care team and in the midst of this global pandemic continue to manage the safety of those patients and the pharmacy teams that care for them" said Kamran Nisar, Director, Pharmacy Services, PharmaChoice Canada. "PrescribeIT® seamlessly integrates our pharmacy management systems and streamlines communication with our patients' physicians. With PrescribeIT® prescriptions are electronically transmitted to a patient's pharmacy of choice which allows for facilitation of patient safety and continuity of care."
About PharmaChoice Canada
Founded in 1999, PharmaChoice Canada has more than 900 independently owned pharmacies representing both the PharmaChoice and RxHealthMed banners across the country. At the core of PharmaChoice Canada is our belief that locally owned pharmacies play a vital role in healthcare delivery to the more than 400 communities in which we serve.
Canada Health Infoway is working with Health Canada, the provinces and territories, and industry stakeholders to develop, operate and maintain the national e-prescribing service known as PrescribeIT®. PrescribeIT® will serve all Canadians, pharmacies and prescribers and provide safer and more effective medication management by enabling prescribers to transmit a prescription electronically between a prescriber's electronic medical record (EMR) and the pharmacy management system (PMS) of a patient's pharmacy of choice. Learn more at www.prescribeit.ca.
About Canada Health Infoway
Infoway helps to improve the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption and effective use of digital health across Canada. Through our investments, we help deliver better quality and access to care and more efficient delivery of health services for patients and clinicians. Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Learn more at www.infoway.ca.
Vancouver, B.C. (June 4, 2020): 
The masks are available in four size options – small, medium, large and youth – and each is crafted using virtual 3D modelling to ensure a perfect fit. The exteriors are made with skin-friendly fabrics like cotton, rayon from bamboo, Tencel, hemp, and organic blends. Each mask style offers unique benefits – for example, the Cannabis One line is made with hemp, which is weather-resistant, boasts excellent breathability and is one of the strongest materials available. The Knit Reusable mask is crafted with hypoallergenic and odour-resistant bamboo, which is ideal for workouts; it also keeps skin dry, cool and comfortable. “We need to do everything possible to control and defeat this virus – and an important step people can take is to wear a mask when they’re out in public,” said Clark. “Ultimately, it’s our responsibility to protect each other, and I hope these masks will make it easier to do so.”
