TIPS ON WHAT THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY (SALONS/SPAS) NEED TO DO BEFORE THEY REOPEN
While the unintended spread of infection is not new to the world salons and spas, the devastating impacts of COVID-19 have made it clear that we can no longer take germs for granted.
“This is especially relevant to hairdressers, nail technicians, aestheticians and massage therapists who do not have the luxury of distancing themselves from their clients or working behind plexiglass,” says Jeff Alford, president of The CBON Group, Canada’s largest supplier of professional infection control products.
Alford continues, “ If beauty professionals are to return to their jobs and work in an environment that is safe for staff and clients alike, significant changes will need to take place representing a shift to a “new norm” or 2.0 version of the industry from which we may never go back. This transformative change will come with a need for significant investment, retraining and re-purposing of a salons and spas for a new life in the age of coronavirus and future outbreaks.”
Alford says the Professional Beauty industry will have to make changes and offers these tips for salons and spas for when they reopen.
It All Starts with Education
Beauty professionals apply their trade after having undertaken extensive schooling, on the job training and constant skills upgrading to offer their services in a highly competitive industry. Unfortunately, the knowledge acquired to address infection prevention has often times been inadequate and varied from learning institutions, licensing boards, regional bylaws and provincial health guidelines. While that is likely to change post coronavirus with more standardized regulation, returning workers will need to quickly get up to speed and become educated on the risks posed by germs to themselves and their clients if they are to confidently open their doors again. In addition to their stated profession, the role of "infection prevention practitioner” will accompany the “new norm" to allay the concerns and fears of an increasingly aware and scrutinizing customers.
Client Distancing
We have become accustomed to measures that maintain a safe space from others in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 like standing apart in checkouts, curb side pick-up and physical barriers that protect staff. However, in the close proximity, hands-on world of salon and spa treatments this may not always be possible. To minimize the risk of exposure, we may begin to see the elimination of waiting areas, reduction of the number of workstations, fewer appointments and other steps taken to distance clients from staff and each other. Every service may require different solutions: nail technicians working behind “sneeze guards”; hairdressers no longer offering blow dries, massage therapists wearing gloves, face shields for aestheticians, etc. There won’t a be a one-stop solution as each salon and spa will need to address their own levels of risk to take appropriate action.
Client Screening
It has long been a practice for under-the-weather clients to take a "spa day" as a bit of pampering indulgence. This activity was especially prevalent during the flu season when the spread of germs would lead to others being infected and in turn missing work. During the 2018-19 influenza period, nearly 50,000 cases were recorded in Canada. Given COVID-19’s contagiousness and no available vaccine, this behaviour cannot be allowed to continue. In the new 2.0 salon and spa world, customers can expect rigorous screening at the door that could include temperature taking, checklist for symptoms and required use of face masks while receiving service. Only in so doing can beauty professionals protect themselves, their clients and their business.
Increased Sanitation Practices
The virus that causes COVID-19 can remain viable on surfaces from hours to a few days. It will therefore be critical to undertake disinfection of all client touch points which will include workstations, treatment furniture, counters, waiting areas, washrooms, etc. This activity should take place between each appointment and be allowed the requisite contact time which can be anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes. Not all disinfectants are the same and salons and spa owners should undertake a full investigation of the options—for example, some disinfectants don’t come with a Health Canada approved claim against coronavirus. Others are accompanied by harsh side effects through prolonged exposure like eye and skin irritation or respiratory issues. The new salon "infection prevention practitioner" will need to become very familiar with precautionary label language, correct usage, compatibility issues to ensure germs, bacteria and viruses are being appropriately removed from their facilities.
Engagement
The post coronavirus age will represent a new partnership between businesses and consumers. We are experiencing unprecedented measures being taken to protect workers as we frequent retail stores and services, and in turn we practice social distancing and respect the steps taken to avoid the spread of infection. The professional beauty industry will have a similar relationship with their clients who are eager to return to receiving the treatments they’ve had to go without for some time. But this group is now more aware and will expect to see how their salons and spas are responding to these challenging times. The extra security may come with an ask for payment of a “coronavirus surcharge” or other considerations but these will be viewed as necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.
For Further Media Information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Professional Beauty Industry—Strategies to Survive COVID-19 and Beyond
Toronto, Ontario. As businesses across Canada prepare to re-open their doors, the personal services industry including medispas, hair and nail salons, and spas, are finding themselves in uncharted waters navigating preventive COVID-19 procedures and possible future outbreaks. The CBON Group, Canada’s largest supplier of professional infection control products is poised to deliver Pre-Opening and Post-Opening Protocol handbooks with precise educational solutions to support the industry’s infection-prevention needs, regulatory compliance, client communication, and general preparedness to address workplace risk, based on federal and provincial guidelines.
According to Jeff Alford, president of CBON, “For over a decade we have been the leaders in infection-control education for the beauty industry. In our field we are always concerned about client safety and that of our accounts and their staff—now more than ever before. Our current mission is to allay the fears of so many men and women hesitant to go back to their beauty professionals who they depend on, not only for their physical appearance, but in many cases, their emotional-wellness.”
“What’s required is a comprehensive plan that involves education, training, protective equipment strategies, and the right sanitation program that includes proper disinfection between each and every client service and treatment,” emphasises Christine Wickson, Nurse Practitioner and owner of Boost Clinics whose team of nurses perform cosmetic procedures in their business. “It’s required that these guidelines are designed by a resource who is familiar with our specific needs in the beauty industry.”
Alford says some key strategies and tips include:
1.Getting all staff to attend infection control classes,
2.Doing a pre-opening deep clean and disinfecting (including making sure hospital grade disinfectants such as Preempt are used).
3. Purchasing all PPE for staff and clients.
4.Clearly communicating with clients and staff what procedures must be followed during each client visit.
5. Recording name and telephone number of each customer in case of tracing needed.
“Our businesses are based on warmth and human-touch,” says Joe Romeo of Teknik Salon in Kitchener. “We don’t want to lose these crucial elements while still ensuring we uphold and maintain safety standards for our clients and staff.”
CBON’s website www.infectioncontroleducation.com and free downloadable before and after opening procedure manuals are designed to safely and comprehensively address the “new normal” while empowering the age-old indispensability of human connection.
Blood clotting a significant cause of death in patients with COVID-19
DUBLIN, April 30, 2020 -- A study led by clinician scientists at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has found that Irish patients admitted to hospital with severe COVID-19 infection are experiencing abnormal blood clotting that contributes to death in some patients.
The study, carried out by the Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, RCSI and St James's Hospital, Dublin, is published in current edition of the British Journal of Haematology. (DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16749)
The authors found that abnormal blood clotting occurs in Irish patients with severe COVID-19 infection, causing micro-clots within the lungs. They also found that Irish patients with higher levels of blood clotting activity had a significantly worse prognosis and were more likely to require ICU admission.
“Our novel findings demonstrate that COVID-19 is associated with a unique type of blood clotting disorder that is primarily focussed within the lungs and which undoubtedly contributes to the high levels of mortality being seen in patients with COVID-19,” said Professor James O’Donnell, Director of the Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, RCSI and Consultant Haematologist in the National Coagulation Centre in St James's Hospital, Dublin.
“In addition to pneumonia affecting the small air sacs within the lungs, we are also finding hundreds of small blood clots throughout the lungs. This scenario is not seen with other types of lung infection, and explains why blood oxygen levels fall dramatically in severe COVID-19 infection.
“Understanding how these micro-clots are being formed within the lung is critical so that we can develop more effective treatments for our patients, particularly those in high risk groups.
“Further studies will be required to investigate whether different blood thinning treatments may have a role in selected high risk patients in order to reduce the risk of clot formation,” Professor O’Donnell said.
Emerging evidence also shows that the abnormal blood-clotting problem in COVID-19 results in a significantly increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Professor O’Donnell led the cross disciplinary study, with joint first authors Dr Helen Fogartyand Dr Liam Townsend, along with Consultants from multiple specialities within St James’s Hospital and researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Trinity College Dublin.
Further research on these findings will continue under Irish COVID-19 Vasculopathy Study (iCVS) which has been jointly funded by the Health Research Board and Irish Research Council as part of the Irish government’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Research Funding.
Ranked number one globally for Good Health and Well-being in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2020, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is an international not-for-profit university, with its headquarters in Dublin.
RCSI is exclusively focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide. It is among the top 250 universities worldwide in the THE World University Rankings (2020) and its research is ranked first in Ireland for citations. RCSI has been awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for positive gender practice in higher education.
All Hands on Deck Needed to Stop Dangerous Disease
Save Your Skin Foundation is Creating a Healthier and More Sun Safe Canada During Melanoma Skin Cancer Awareness Month
TORONTO, April 30, 2020 /CNW/ - May is Melanoma Awareness Month and Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) is pleased to announce the launch of several new initiatives meant to bring greater awareness to the dangerous disease.
As May marks both Melanoma Awareness Month and the beginning of summer, it is imperative that communities across Canada be reminded of the importance of sun safety at this time of year. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many Canadians to stay home, but that doesn't mean they aren't spending time outside. In fact, many have more time than usual to enjoy the outdoors, making sun safety education as relevant as ever.
"COVID-19 has highlighted everyone's willingness to take drastic measures to preserve our health," says Kathy Barnard, stage 4 melanoma survivor and Founder of Save Your Skin Foundation. "Increased preventative efforts and methods of early detection, particularly in the form of public education, public policy and built environments are also needed to reduce skin cancer rates."
Skin Cancer in Canada is still on the rise
COVID-19 isn't the only disease whose rates can be drastically reduced through education and preventative measures. Skin cancer rates in Canada continue to rise, including melanoma, and non-melanoma skin cancers, despite being 90% preventable.
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. There are more new cases of skin cancer each year than the number of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers COMBINED[1]. While most forms of non-melanoma skin cancer can be surgically removed, melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer. The five-year relative survival rate of melanoma that has metastasized is just 18%.[2]
Despite these figures, many people seek sun without taking the recommended precautionary measures, or believe that only severe burns contribute to one's risk of skin cancer. In fact, any darkening of the skin, including a tan, is indicative of UV damage.
Melanoma Awareness Month Initiatives
Throughout the month of May, SYSF will be engaged in several initiatives to bring awareness to melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers, and ocular melanoma. The month will be starting out with a bang thanks to a new drawing contest aimed at youth. The contest's theme "This is what sun safety looks like", will encourage
participants to submit drawings depicting actions or environments which help prevent skin cancer. The winning entry will be determined through open voting once the May 15th deadline for submission has passed, with a $100 gift card going to the artist with the most votes.
SYSF will also be taking part in the Euro Melanoma 'Look Up' campaign, which invites people to use the full moon as a reminder to perform skin self-exams every month. Additionally, we will be hosting an educational webinar and posting special content on our social media channels every day. Finally, a PSA will be airing on Shaw Cable.
Municipal Proclamations
To increase the reach of SYSF's awareness campaign this year, a new proclamation initiative invited BC municipalities to take a stance against skin cancer and educate their communities on sun safety through mayoral proclamations.
SYSF is pleased to announce that seventeen BC municipalities, listed below, have accepted SYSF's invitation to proclaim the month of May 2020 'Melanoma Awareness Month'.
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City of Vancouver
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City of Kelowna
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City of Victoria
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Town of Comox
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City of Burnaby
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District of Saanich
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City of Richmond
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District of Central Saanich
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City of New Westminster
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City of Prince George
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City of Surrey
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City of Williams Lake
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City of Whistler
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District of Mission
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City of Nanaimo
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City of Langford
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City of Campbell River
Mayor of New Westminster, Jonathan Coté, was first to commit to proclaiming May 2020 as Melanoma Awareness Month, and decided to challenge other BC municipalities to follow his example. "Skin cancer is largely preventable, and yet there are more cases now than ever," said Coté. "This is why as Mayor of New Westminster, I'm happy to support this important initiative and challenge all BC municipalities to do the same."
"This is an important initiative, especially for hot, sunny communities like ours," said Mayor of Kelowna, Colin Basran. "Skin cancer is a serious public health concern, and incidences of the disease are only increasing."
About Save Your Skin Foundation Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) is a patient-led not-for-profit organization dedicated to the fight against non-melanoma skin cancers, melanoma, and ocular melanoma through education, advocacy, and awareness initiatives across Canada. SYSF is dedicated to providing a community of oncology patient and caregiver support throughout the entire continuum of care, from prevention and diagnosis to survivorship. Please visit saveyourskin.ca for more information.
Vaccine Candidate to Prevent COVID-19: Fonds de solidarité FTQ to Invest $7.5 Million in IMV
QUÉBEC CITY, April 30, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - The Fonds de solidarité FTQ (the "Fonds" will invest $7.5 million in IMV Inc. ("IMV") (Nasdaq: IMV); (TSX: IMV) to support the development of highly innovative immunotherapies and of a potential vaccine against COVID-19. A co‑lead investor with Lumira Ventures in this financing round, the Fonds has been a partner of IMV since February 2018.
IMV, whose management team is based in Québec, is currently working on a vaccine candidate against COVID-19. IMV is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a novel class of cancer-targeted immunotherapies and vaccines against infectious diseases based on its proprietary delivery technology, DPX. The unique mechanism of action of the DPX platform generates a specific immune response against a target, here the novel coronavirus. In clinical studies in oncology and infectious diseases, the DPX platform has demonstrated the potential to be used widely, including in older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Fully synthetic, the vaccine candidate has the potential for fast and large-scale manufacturing to supply a significant number of doses rapidly.
Intial studies for the candidate virus are ongoing with the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec and Université Laval's Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie. The first human clinical trials are planned for July, namely in collaboration with the McGill University Health Center.
"This investment by the Fonds de solidarité FTQ in IMV reflects our desire to support the development of innovative solutions for unmet medical needs. This has guided our involvement in the life sciences sector since our first investment in 1989 in Biochem Pharma, the Québec company that developed and commercialized 3TC against HIV/AIDS. Thanks to its world-class researchers, state-of-the-art research infrastructure and the availability of capital, Québec's biopharmaceutical industry is well positioned to take up today's human health challenges, and the Fonds de Solidarité FTQ will continue to support it," said Janie Béïque, the Fonds' Executive Vice-President, Investments.
"Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, the IMV team quickly identified a path for the development of a vaccine. This speaks to the vitality of the Québec life sciences sector. The arrival of Lumira Ventures as an investor, in addition to the CTI Life Sciences Fund which is reinvesting in the company, shows that homegrown companies can also get local financial support in these difficult times. When the investment ecosystem rallies together, great things can be accomplished, for the benefit of all," said Didier Leconte, Vice-President, Investments, Life Sciences and Funds of Funds at the Fonds.
The Fonds de solidarité FTQ has invested $1.6 billion since 1989 to support the Québec life sciences sector. With nine members, including a senior scientific advisor, its specialized life sciences team invests directly in companies and in specialized life sciences investment funds.
This private placement is subject to the usual closing conditions, including regulatory approval.
About the Fonds de solidarité FTQ
The Fonds de solidarité FTQ is a capital development fund that channels the savings of Quebecers into investments. With $16.7 billion in net assets as at November 30, 2019, the Fonds has helped create and protect more than 215,000 jobs. The Fonds has over 3,100 partner companies and upwards of 700,000 shareholders-savers.
SOURCE Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Virtual Fitness Platform My Virtual Mission Launches Race Host For Businesses
Organizations Around the World Can Now Host Virtual Fitness Events to Extend Customer Reach and Create a Lasting Revenue Stream
New Zealand –– April 30, 2020 –– COVID-19’s economic impact is widespread as businesses and organizations continue to cancel events and close doors. There is a significant surge in demand to implement virtual technologies to connect with audiences, expand customer market reach and gain back lost revenue during this time.
Virtual fitness technology leader, My Virtual Mission, released their Race Host platform today. The Race Host platform is designed for businesses, entrepreneurs and charities allowing them to host virtual fitness events to engage with target audiences, expand global market reach and generate revenue.
Created with advanced virtual technology, the Race Host platform offers an enormous opportunity to scale audience reach and increase revenue. The virtual platform allows businesses and charities to connect to existing target audiences as well as tap into new global markets. Race hosts can create a series of virtual challenges, determine the entry fee and promote sales directly through their website or mission page. Marketing is simplified with the platform’s self-service features, including the capability to share on social media and tailor the finisher’s email. Challenge pathways are fully customizable and can be set to any location in the world for a duration of one day to 18 months.
The Race Host platform provides challengers with engaging visual representations of progress toward a goal as they advance across the path – similar to a game board. As challengers advance along the mission path each time they perform an exercise such as walking, running or cycling, they see progress on the map with Google Street View, their mission surroundings and real-time weather information. The user-friendly interface allows challengers to easily sync workouts with connected apps and trackers including: Apple Watch & Health, Fitbit, Google Fit, Strava and Under Armour. Additionally, challengers can share images from their workout and comment to encourage and connect with other participants.
“COVID-19 has touched several lives and has forced us into new modes of operating business and day-to-day life,” said Adam El-Agez, founder of My Virtual Mission. “Our Race Host platform is our answer to stay motivated with fitness and wellness, increase business revenue, and engage your audiences. We are all in this together and will come out stronger and healthier from it.”
Currently, My Virtual Mission works with organizations from Fortune 500 companies to startups, major brands and small local businesses in order to provide an unmet need. Customers have reported increases in fitness engagement and positive reviews.
“We’ve been using virtual missions to engage with our clients over a couple of different challenges and the results have been fantastic!” said James Walker, director of Sustain Nutrition. “Because it’s gamified, it takes the boredom out of the cardio and it really incentivizes people to do more.”
"My Virtual Mission is user-friendly, easy to sync with other applications and a great addition to any online challenge,” said Ayman Hakky founder and managing director of The TriFactory. “We used at The TriFactory to launch a customized online marathon challenge for our followers, which was a great success and in which the My Virtual Mission app was a great part of the experience. The My Virtual Mission team is professional, responsive, and understanding, and we look forward to working with them regularly moving forward."
My Virtual Mission is the brainchild of Adam El-Agez. With 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, El-Agez was inspired to create My Virtual Mission, to keep people motivated to exercise through goal setting. Today, the platform is widely used in over 95 countries around the world. My Virtual Mission is set to be the top virtual fitness challenge provider globally due to its rapidly growing size and advanced technology.
Additional platform and customer updates will be announced in Q3 2020.
The Next Chapter in the COVID Story: A new global economy where knowledge becomes our most precious national resource
VANCOUVER and MONTREAL, April 30, 2020 /CNW/ - We are seeing the road maps being rolled out, province by province, on how to re-open the economy post COVID-19 – and we all know that there is a lot riding on our country and economy emerging from this crisis with strength and durability.
Gordon McCauley, President and CEO of adMare BioInnovations is available to speak on a path forward for the Canadian economy.
His argument is that Canadian research strength is an unappreciated innovative element of our economy.
Canadian researchers and businesspeople alike are rapidly collaborating to innovate and re-tool across borders to bring much-needed new diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, and other products to this COVID world
Our national life sciences ecosystem is a vital part of not only developing these new products to address the virus, but in reviving our economy for the long-term
Key to driving Canadians' future health and economy is securing not only domestic supply, but more critically, securing and exploiting our own domestic knowledge base
This means putting a laser-like focus on developing Canadian knowledge-driven talent, and ensuring our ability to translate research into innovation here in Canada – all while connecting with global capital and global markets.
Given how different this 'next normal' will be from anything we have known before, we had better spend considerable energy thinking through the long-term changes that will make it sustainable.
Gordon is a compelling speaker and an accomplished life sciences investor and executive with vast knowledge of the global life sciences industry. His bio is available at https://www.admarebio.com/people/gordon-c-mccauley/.
About adMare BioInnovations: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
SOURCE adMare BioInnovations
COVID-19 has unveiled shortcomings of US health policy, Baker Institute expert says
HOUSTON – (April 30, 2020) – When it comes to keeping the nation healthy, "medical care is actually a pretty small piece,” according to an expert in health policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Elena Marks, a nonresident fellow in health policy at the Baker Institute and the president and chief executive officer of the Houston-based Episcopal Health Foundation, is available to discuss how the U.S. can improve public health in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite our obsession with health care in this country, it’s actually social, economic and behavioral factors that are much more influential and more determinative of our health status and our health outcomes,” she said.
According to Marks, the drivers of public health don’t come from hospitals — health is largely related to factors such as education, income, family or social support, housing, pollution, diet and exercise, and community safety.
“It’s the nonmedical factors that have exacerbated the effects of (COVID-19),” Marks said. Social, economic and behavioral factors such as chronic conditions, employment, housing and food security have contributed to the spread and intensity of the virus among vulnerable populations, she argued.
Marks presented a webinar April 23 to explain how a lack of investment in public health in the U.S. has contributed to the coronavirus outbreak. Her research shows medical services account for over 97% of the nation’s $3.6 trillion in national health expenditures — including public, private, insurance, tax and government dollars — while only 2.6% is spent on public health.
“It’s the public health workforce that watches for patterns of disease, that plans for prevention and containment and promotes testing and contact tracing to stop the spread of infectious diseases,” she said.
Public health efforts — creating laws, policies and regulations that provide widespread access to preventative care and support healthy environments — are crucial, according to Marks.
“The inequities in our system grow even more so during disaster,” Marks said. “It’s time to deal with it.”
To schedule an interview with Marks, or for more information, contact Avery Franklin, media relations specialist at Rice, at averyrf@rice.edu or 713-348-6327.
Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks as the No. 2 university-affiliated think tank in the world and the No. 1 energy think tank in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blog.bakerinstitute.org.
Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,962 undergraduates and 3,027 graduate students, Rice’s undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 4 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.
Increase Cannabinoid Production Up to 200%
LOS ALAMOS, NM, April 29, 2020 / - Trait Biosciences Inc., a leading biotechnology research organization providing innovative technology to the hemp and cannabis industry, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademarks Office has allowed the company protection for its Trait Amplifiedtechnology that increases trichome production and up-regulates production of cannabinoids.
This is the newest of more than 90 patents held, applied for, or licensed to Trait within cannabinoid research. Specifically, the patent notes that:
Trait has identified a gene that, when expressed in a cannabis plant, increases trichome production by at least 30%, and increases total cannabinoid production by almost 200%.
For select cannabinoids like THC and CBD, the increased production was even greater, at 400% and 300%, respectively.
“This latest patent is an important advance in protecting our commercial partners who will utilize Trait’s technology to build competitive advantage for their businesses,” said Peter McDonough, Chief Executive Officer. “In the face of the challenges of operating during the disruption of COVID-19, the Trait team remains focused on unlocking the potential and power of cannabinoids for applications across consumer and health & wellness businesses. This recent patent reflects the continued advances being led by our renown team.”
This patent allowance reflects a major advancement in hemp plant transformation led by the scientists at Trait. While other research institutions have attempted without success to metabolically engineer the Cannabis sativa plant, Trait's achievement is the first time a hemp plant has been stably transformed and successfully grown roots and stems.
This science paves the way for Trait to commercialize its Trait Amplified technologies. Hemp plants grown under proprietary Amplified technology utilize greater photosynthetic efficiency, generate more trichomes, and can deliver cannabinoid yields that are 2x – 4x higher than conventional plants. In addition, Trait is developing proprietary technology which enables the plant to produce water-soluble cannabinoids that provide increased bioavailability and more rapid onset time than conventional plants.
About Trait Biosciences
With a team of internationally recognized scientists who are applying best-in-class technology and agricultural science, Trait Biosciences is an emerging biotechnology leader in the hemp and cannabis industries. Its consumer technology platforms provide breakthrough IP and science which produce enhanced cannabinoids featuring predictable onset timing, superior bioavailability, extended stability, and improved taste. Trait's patent pending technologies include a process for generating water-soluble cannabinoids that does not rely on emulsion or nanotechnology. The company's agricultural technologies increase crop yields and plant safety, including ultrahigh yield Amplified™ plants which dramatically increase a plant's natural cannabinoid productivity, and its Defence™ RNAi crop protection technology, which eliminates the need for pesticides or fungicides, providing higher quality, safer, CBD-infused nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Certain information contained in this press release, including any information as to Trait Bioscience Inc.'s (the "Corporation") strategy, projects, plans or future financial or operating performance, constitutes "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "will", "expect", "continue", "assess", "anticipate" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions; including material estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as at the date of this press release in light of each of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information.
Any forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although management of the Corporation believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
Centre of Excellence at Perley Rideau studies technology to decontaminate and sanitize medical face masks
Home-grown protection against COVID-19 for long-term care residents, staff and first responders
OTTAWA, April 29, 2020 /CNW/ - Ottawa's Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre has announced a major research study to test revolutionary new Canadian technology to decontaminate and sanitize medical face masks. Sold under the trade name Clēan Flow Health Care Mini, the technology has been licensed for the reprocessing of N95 respirators but has not yet been validated for use with the type of procedural masks more widely used in long-term care homes, hospitals and other venues for protection against the COVID-19 virus and other communicable diseases.
"The Ontario government challenged us to find innovative ways to address the COVID-19 pandemic. We think we have found one," says Perley Rideau CEO Akos Hoffer. "The Clēan Flow Health Care Mini™ promises to help us address the critical shortage of personal protective equipment at the same time as we find lasting, cost-effective, home-grown solutions to protect and promote the health and safety of our residents, long-term care staff, first responders, hospital and other essential workers."
"In times like these, it is wonderful to see not-for-profit long-term care providers taking bold steps to find solutions to benefit the broader sector," says Lisa Levin, CEO, AdvantAge Ontario. "The Perley Rideau is demonstrating incredible leadership in joining forces with Ontario-based Clēan Works to trial their innovative Clēan Flow Health Care Mini to sanitize N95 and procedural masks. The brave men and women on the frontlines of health care who are tirelessly battling COVID-19 deserve to know that personal protective equipment is there when they need it. We applaud the Perley Rideau for this valuable contribution to that effort."
In addition to validating the technology's three-step waterless process with procedural masks, the Centre of Excellence at Perley Rideau has issued a call for collaboration to researchers in government and elsewhere to establish reprocessing protocols for all types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Already, a research collaboration focusing on N95 respirators has been agreed with CHEO.
Quick Facts:
The research is being conducted under the direction of the Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care at the Perley Rideau in a specially-equipped, secure clean room on the long-term care home's Ottawa campus. https://bit.ly/2YbF13a
Research is being supported through donations to the The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre Foundation. www.perleyrideaufoundation.ca
The Clēan Flow Health Care Mini technology uses ultraviolet light, vaporized hydrogen peroxide and ozone to decontaminate and sanitize up to 800 masks per hour. It was developed by Clēan Works of Beamsville, Ontario, and adapted from technology used in the agri-food industry. www.cleanworkscorp.com
The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre received delivery of the first model off the Clēan Works production line on April 6.
The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre is one of the largest and most progressive long-term care homes in Ontario. In addition to the 450 long-term and short-stay care beds for Veterans and members of the public, the Perley Rideau campus includes a Seniors Village with independent-living apartments for 200 seniors. It employs a staff of more than 850.
Created in 2019, the Perley Rideau Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care is leading the way in elder care in Canada with developments such as the SeeMe™: Understanding frailty together assessment and treatment program and the ground-breaking hospital-to-home Sub-Acute Care Unit for Frail Elderly (SAFE Unit).
SOURCE Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care
Canadian pension regulators respond to COVID-19 crisis
An in-depth look at this and other subjects are covered in the current issue of the Morneau Shepell News & Views.
TORONTO, April 29, 2020 /CNW/ - Morneau Shepell released the April 2020 issue of its monthly newsletter, News & Views, in which the company looks at the following topics:
OSFI freezes defined benefit transfers and annuity purchases, extends regulatory deadlines – The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) has announced that it would implement certain regulatory adjustments in light of the extraordinary circumstances posed by the COVID-19 crisis. OSFI has announced a temporary freeze on portability transfers and annuity purchases relating to defined benefit provisions of pension plans. Additionally, the deadlines for certain actions and filing requirements under federal pension legislation have been extended.
FSRA releases COVID-19 response – The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) has announced that it will be accepting requests for filing extensions of up to 60 days. While FSRA does not have power to extend prescribed timelines for producing member statements, it has indicated it will not be penalizing administrators for non-compliance with deadlines for the time-being.
Quebec regulator introduces temporary relief measures – Retraite Québec has announced temporary measures to assist pension plan members and administrators in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Retraite Québec will offer a three-month extension of the deadlines for certain regulatory obligations, require pension plans to consider the estimated the solvency level for payments to be made from defined benefit plans, and allow for additional temporary withdrawals from life income funds for individuals under 70.
Western provinces announce regulatory extensions – Pension regulators in several western provinces have announced regulatory extensions and other changes in light of the COVID-19 situation. The Alberta regulator will also consider extensions for amortization periods for unfunded liabilities and/or solvency deficiencies and contribution remittances on a case-by-case basis. In addition, the Saskatchewan Superintendent of Pensions has announced a freeze on transfers and payments out of defined benefit plans.
Atlantic pension regulators respond to COVID-19 – Pension regulators in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador have announced extensions for Annual Information Returns and Actuarial Valuation Report whose filing deadlines are upcoming.
Adoption of revised commuted value standards delayed – On April 6, 2020, the Actuarial Standards Board of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries announced it would delay the adoption of its revised commuted value standards until at least December 1, 2020. The updated standards were published in January 2020 and had been previously scheduled to become effective as of August 1, 2020.
Minimum RRIF and variable benefit withdrawals reduced for 2020 – On March 25, 2020, Parliament passed Bill C-13, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act (Bill C-13), which reduces the minimum withdrawal requirements for registered retirement income funds (RRIFs), life income funds (LIFs) and locked-in retirement income funds (LRIFs) by 25 per cent for 2020. The bill also reduces the minimum withdrawal amount for an individual member's variable benefit account under a defined contribution provision of a pension plan by 25 per cent.
Tracking the funded status of pension plans as at March 31, 2020 – Morneau Shepell describes the funded status of pension plans since December 31, 2019 based on three typical investment portfolios. A graph shows the changes in the financial position of a typical defined benefit plan since the end of 2019. A table shows the impact of past returns on plan assets and the effect of interest rate changes on solvency liabilities of a medium duration pension plan.
The impact of pension expense under international accounting as at March 31, 2020 – Morneau Shepell has shown the evolution of the pension expense for a typical defined benefit pension plan. Since the beginning of the year, the pension expense has decreased by 19 per cent (for a contributory plan) mainly due to the increase in the discount rates, despite the poor returns on assets (relative to the discount rate).
About Morneau Shepell Morneau Shepell is the leading provider of technology-enabled HR services that deliver an integrated approach to employee well-being through our cloud-based platform. Our focus is providing world-class solutions to our clients to support the mental, physical, social and financial well-being of their people. By improving lives, we improve business. Our approach spans services in employee and family assistance, health and wellness, recognition, pension and benefits administration, retirement consulting, actuarial and investment services. Morneau Shepell employs approximately 6,000 employees who work with some 24,000 client organizations that use our services in 162 countries. Morneau Shepell is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.
SOURCE Morneau Shepell Inc.
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