National Research Study by Egale Canada and INNOVATIVE Research Group finds LGBTQI2S people in Canada are Disproportionately Impacted during COVID-19 Health Crisis
TORONTO, April 6, 2020 /CNW/ -Egale Canada has partnered with Innovative Research Group (INNOVATIVE)to include LGBTQI2S communities in a national research study on the impacts of COVID-19 and the needs of Canadians during this health crisis. The newly released report, Impacts of COVID-19: Canada's LGBTQI2S Community in Focus, uncovers alarmingly disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable LGBTQI2S communities across several priority areas including household finances, job loss, mental and physical health, overall quality of life, and more.
"This research is the first of its kind in Canada and has given us a glimpse at the unique vulnerabilities and challenges that our LGBTQI2S people face in this crisis – This is only a starting point," said Helen Kennedy,Executive Director at Egale Canada. "The government needs to apply this timely research to decision making frameworks and policies that assist vulnerable LGBTQI2S communities across Canada."
The survey results show a telling contrast between Canada's LGBTQI2S community and the broader Canadian population. Although astonishing, the results are not unexpected. Below are some of the key findings;
More than half (52%) of Canada's LGBTQI2S households have faced lay-offs or reduced employment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 39% of overall Canadian households.
The perceived negative impacts on mental health over time increase exponentially for LGBTQI2S people with nearly 60% of LGBTQI2S respondents reporting that they expect their mental health to be negatively impacted in the next 2 months compared to only 42% of the general public
Additionally, LGBTQI2S people are significantly more likely to have a chronic illness or physical disability, both of which come with many barriers and risks during a time of crisis. The report also shows that over time, the perceived or expected impacts on LGBTQI2S people rises at an exponentially higher rate than the average Canadian – in some areas there is nearly a 25%increase in perceived or expected negative impacts for particularly vulnerable LGBTQI2S people.
"Everyone has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, the disproportionate numbers we see between the LGBTQI2S community and the general population is really quite astonishing." said Jason Lockhart, Vice President of INNOVATIVE. "We have only scratched the surface, but it is enough to signal that more research is needed with vulnerable communities to ensure that all Canadians are receiving the support they need during this difficult time."
"Every inch closer that we come to closing the data gap, is one step forward towards a more inclusive Canada,'' said Kennedy. "Our LGBTQI2S community is facing critical needs that show the potential to worsen over time – now is the time to be looking at the problems that are on the horizon, not just for LGBTQI2S people, but for everyone."
The survey was conducted online among a representative sample of 2,610 adult Canadians from March 24-29, 2020. The sample has been weighted by age, gender, region and sexual orientation to reflect the actual demographic composition of the Canadian and LGBTQI2S populations, resulting in an overall representative national sample size of 2,000 Canadians and representative national LGBTQI2S sample size of 300.
About Egale Canada Egale is Canada's only national organization working to advance LGBTQI2S human rights. Egale works to improve the lives of LGBTQI2S people in Canada and to enhance the global response to LGBTQI2S issues. Egale's vision is a Canada, and ultimately a world, without homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and all other forms of oppression so that every person can achieve their full potential, free from hatred and bias.
About INNOVATIVE Research Group INNOVATIVE is a full-service market research firm with offices in Vancouver and Toronto. www.InnovativeResearch.ca
SOURCE Egale Canada
Ontario’s Russell Alexander Law Firm Gives Back to First Responders, Restaurant Employees With New Food Initiative Divorce firm helps workers on the front line of the pandemic through its ‘Save a Slice’ effort
LINDSAY, ONTARIO—Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers has started a new weekly program to help two groups struggling during the coronavirus pandemic: first responders and restaurant workers. With its “Save a Slice” initiative, an effort to provide food for first responders, the Ontario family law firm is buying pizza from local eateries and sending it to health care professionals on the front lines of the response.
“We wanted to find some way to recognize the incredible work being done by our first responders,” said Alexander. “What better way to do that than by supporting a local restaurant?”
For its inaugural event today, April 4, the firm ordered 50 pizzas from Lindsay, Ontario Italian restaurant Pane Vino to be delivered to the emergency room of Ross Memorial, a local hospital, to feed doctors, nurses and support staff.
The firm, which helps families going through divorce with a collaborative approach, has also created a new Covid-19 and Divorce Information Centre to provide answers to common questions during the pandemic. On the website, Ontario residents can get answers to questions about how to work remotely with their attorneys, how the pandemic may affect court dates and even how to avoid sparking a divorce during the stress of quarantine.
With attorneys deemed an essential service, the Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers remains open, although staffers are working remotely for their safety and the safety of their clients.
Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers is committed to practicing exclusively in the area of family law in Ontario dealing with all aspects, including separation and divorce, child custody and access, spousal support, child support, and division of family property. A team of lawyers provide guidance from start to finish, helping clients identify and understand the legal issues as well as the options and opportunities available through the transition. The firm has offices in Lindsay, Whitby, Oshawa, Markham, Peterborough and Toronto, Ontario.
Historical evidence for bitcoin performing like digital gold
In the first days after the outbreak of the coronavirus crises in the West, crypto plunged like traditional asset classes. Bitcoin was pronounced dead. A historical analysis by SEBA Research of several assets indicates that except for this event, crypto does not correlate with stock markets.
In spite of BTC price drop, the underlying blockchain technology has operated well. Furthermore, the demand for stable coins is on the rise. Both observations indicate that crypto is supported by a robust technology and is here to stay.
Looking at the blockchain network fundamentals, significant drop in difficulty as it was the case last week, has historically been a reliable indicator for price bottom formation.
Zug, 3 April 2020 – In the recent crash, the independence of bitcoin relative to other assets has been challenged as it dropped by more than the S&P500 index. Many are tempted to conclude by saying the diversification argument does not hold anymore. The Research Department of SEBA Bank has a different opinion, based on an analysis of three examples of financial stress with a focus on gold. This precious metal is an asset revered as a classic diversifier and, like bitcoin, does not belong to the official monetary system.
BTC comparable to gold on the long run
During the financial crisis 2008, gold crashed 30%, in parallel with equities. But after three months, the correlation disappeared and gold served as a diversifier again. During the Black Monday crisis in 1987, the gold price went up in the beginning and then declined over several years while the opposite happened at the stock markets. An analysis of the dot-com bubble shows a high correlation during two to three months before gold and shares performed completely different for years. Being a classical diversifier on the long run does not necessarily mean anti-correlation during the first days of a crisis.
Bitcoin is now experiencing its first global crisis. During the general run on liquidity, bitcoin fell more than other markets which were supported by governments and central banks. After the sell-off, the correlation has declined. This behaviour is similar to what we have observed with gold and S&P 500 during the dot-com bubble burst.
“Does this mean that we know for certain that bitcoin is going to bounce regardless of what happens to other asset classes? Absolutely not. Only it is premature to conclude that diversification does not work. Bitcoin had been pronounced dead 380 times before the recent crash by prominent personalities. This will be bitcoin’s 381st death, and it will be resurrected for the 381st time”, says Yves Longchamp, Head Research of SEBA Bank.
High demand in stablecoins
Besides historical analysis of financial markets, cryptocurrencies are resisting the crisis. In 2020, stablecoins saw a steady rise of 20%, and during the recent sell-off, the demand for stablecoins has increased. Stablecoins are built on top of existing blockchains. The growing demand for stablecoins gives us confidence that space is, in fact, thriving.
Founded in April 2018 and headquartered in Zug, SEBA is a pioneer in the financial industry, building a progressive technological bridge between the digital and traditional asset worlds. In August 2019, SEBA received a Swiss banking and securities dealer licence – the first time a reputed, regulatory authority such as FINMA has granted a licence to a financial services provider with a main focus on digital assets and crypto. The wide and vertically integrated spectrum of services, as well as the high security standards make SEBA’s business approach unique. SEBA enables clients to invest, safely keep, trade and borrow against traditional and digital assets, as well as issue tokens, in one place.
Expansion of Covid-19 testing further complements exemplary reaction by India, says GlobalData
India’s agility so far in handling the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation is an exemplar, given its large population and the public healthcare challenges. As the country gears up to involve private partners for both testing and treatment of Covid-19, it is likely to aid further in containing the epidemic in the country, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. India imposed a lockdown of 21 days while the Covid-19 infection was still at local transmission stage to avoid reaching the community transmission stage. According to GlobalData Covid-19 dashboard, as of 02 April 2020, although India has 2,032 confirmed Covid-19 cases, incidence rate in India was 1.50 versus 120.4 worldwide and 59.16 in China. As of 02 April 2020, GlobalData forecasts 407,825 confirmed Covid-19 cases in India in a high transmission risk scenario versus 5,305 in a low transmission risk scenario by the end of lockdown on 14 April 2020. As part of the Fast Track Covid-19 Response Program, India has proposed Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project to respond to and mitigate the Covid-19 threat and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness in India and initiated sentinel surveillance to detect community transmission of Covid-19. Sasmitha Sahu, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “While the lockdown cannot eliminate the threat itself, it will be helpful in ‘breaking the chain of infection’ and containing further rampant spread of the virus. Although the new case count has been increasing, there has been certainly a delay in the onset of community transmission.” Recently, the government announced the expansion of testing facilities to private diagnostic laboratories as well as directed private healthcare facilities to initiate treatment of Covid-19 cases. Moreover, India has approved three polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based kits and one antibody detection kit while also allowing any FDA approved diagnostic kit to be used by private testing labs. Ms. Sahu adds: “India isolated the virus within a few weeks of its first Covid-19 case, which is pivotal to initiate research on diagnostic kits, vaccines and drugs. The expansion of testing will lead to quicker identification, enhanced surveillance and disease management which are further likely to prevent community transmission.” Furthermore, the government is extending support to expedite the production of low-cost diagnostic kits and ventilators as well as established Covid-19 Research Consortium to facilitate the development of vaccines and therapies. It has notified a Rapid Response Regulatory Framework to provide expedited regulatory approvals. The government has decided to cover Covid-19 related expenses under the national health insurance scheme for the deprived and also launched an insurance scheme for health workers fighting Covid-19 frontline. India is likely to participate in WHO’s multi-national SOLIDARITY trial to evaluate treatments for Covid-19. Ms. Sahu concludes: “These supportive measures by the government will likely ensure the accessibility of testing to the larger masses and prove crucial in combating the epidemic as well as facilitating the development of novel therapies and vaccines.” ENDSFor more informationTo gain access to our latest press releases: GlobalData Media CentreAnalysts available for comment. Please contact the GlobalData Press Office:EMEA & Americas: +44 (0)207 832 4399 Asia-Pacific: +91 40 6616 6809Email:pr@globaldata.comTo gain access to our latest press releases and expert analysis on developments in your industry, please connect with us on:GlobalData | LinkedIn | TwitterNotes to EditorsComments provided by Sasmitha Sahu, Pharma Analyst at GlobalDataThis press release is written using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis conducted by GlobalData’s team of industry expertsAbout GlobalData4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.
Storz & Bickel's Volcano Medic 2 Receives Medical Use Approval from Health Canada
SMITHS FALLS, ON and TUTTLINGEN, Germany, April 3, 2020 /CNW/ - Storz & Bickel is pleased to announce that Health Canada has issued a Medical Device Licence for the new Volcano Medic 2 (License No.: 103842), an advanced cannabis vapourizer device for medical use. This licence permits distribution to medical institutions, clinics, and patients in Canada – including distribution through Spectrum Therapeutics, the medical cannabis division of Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC). The device is currently available for purchase on Spectrum Therapeutics, Storz & Bickel's online shop, and various medical cannabis clinics across Canada.
Storz & Bickel is known for their long history of high quality vapourizer manufacturing and they were the first company to manufacture medically-certified cannabis vapourizers, including the iconic original Volcano Medic.
The Volcano Medic 2, which has been approved for medical use in Europe, Australia, and now Canada, includes improved features for patients such as tenfold faster heat up times, an alternative tubular (direct-to-mouth) inhalation method in addition to the standard Valve Balloon, and an intuitive touch display that allows patients to set their desired temperature directly on the device. Patients can expect the same high-quality materials, impeccable craftsmanship, and unparalleled safe and combustion-free vaporization experience they've become accustomed to with all Storz & Bickel devices with the new reinvented Volcano Medic 2. Alongside their medically approved cannabis vapourizers, Storz & Bickel is known for manufacturing non-medical vapourizers in accordance with international technical safety standards, ensuring premium quality for each component part.
Due to its classification as a licensed medical device, the Volcano Medic 2 is eligible for tax deduction benefits in Canada or cost reimbursements by health insurance companies in Germany, similar to its predecessor and the Mighty Medic.
"Storz and Bickel is internationally-known for its best-in-class device design and manufacturing," said Dr. Mark Ware, Chief Medical Officer, Canopy Growth. "This license will allow us to offer even more options for patients who may be interested in vapourizing whole-flower dried cannabis as an alternative method of medicating."
In the past 12 months, Storz & Bickel updated several products in their existing portfolio, adding new features, improvements, and adjustments designed to increase user and patient experience, including the new Volcano Hybrid that was released in June and the Crafty+ that launched in November.
About Canopy Growth Corporation Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED, NYSE:CGC) is a world-leading diversified cannabis, hemp and cannabis device company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms, as well as medical devices through Canopy Growth's subsidiary, Storz & Bickel GMbH & Co. KG. From product and process innovation to market execution, Canopy Growth is driven by a passion for leadership and a commitment to building a world-class cannabis company one product, site and country at a time. Canopy Growth has operations in over a dozen countries across five continents.
Canopy Growth's medical division, Spectrum Therapeutics is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of cannabis, and has devoted millions of dollars toward cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Spectrum Therapeutics sells a range of full-spectrum products using its colour-coded classification Spectrum system as well as single cannabinoid Dronabinol under the brand Bionorica Ethics.
Canopy Growth operates retail stores across Canada under its award-winning Tweed and Tokyo Smoke banners. Tweed is a globally recognized cannabis brand which has built a large and loyal following by focusing on quality products and meaningful customer relationships.
From our historic public listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange to our continued international expansion, pride in advancing shareholder value through leadership is engrained in all we do at Canopy Growth. Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names including cannabis icons Snoop Dogg and Seth Rogen, breeding legends DNA Genetics and Green House Seeds, and Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands, to name but a few. Canopy Growth operates eleven licensed cannabis production sites with over 7.5 million square feet of production capacity, including over one million square feet of GMP certified production space. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com
About Spectrum Therapeutics Spectrum Therapeutics, the medical division of Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED, NYSE: CGC), is dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, furthering the public's understanding of medical cannabis and its various applications, and cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Founded in Canada, Spectrum Therapeutics operates in Australia, South America, Africa and across Europe. Its products are available in a wide range of potencies and formats designed to simplify the dialogue around strength and dosage by applying a colour-coded spectrum to categorize medical cannabis according to THC and CBD levels.
Spectrum Therapeutics' offerings include whole flower cannabis, oils and new innovations such as Softgels in addition to single cannabinoid medicine Dronabinol under the brand Bionorica Ethics. Through product simplification, robust clinical research and ongoing education of healthcare professionals, Spectrum Therapeutics is committed to addressing the unmet medical needs of patients around the globe.
Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Examples of such statements include "an unparalleled vaporization experience".. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including product availability and such risks contained in the Company's annual information form dated June 24, 2019 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information or forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws.
SOURCE Spectrum Therapeutics
$4 M for MUHC Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Fund - Prominent Montreal families come together to fight the pandemic
MONTREAL, April 3, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - As cases of COVID-19 climb steeply and Quebec society grounds to a near halt, with all but essential services closed for weeks, the need to find treatments and ultimately a cure for the novel coronavirus is growing increasingly urgent.
"The COVID-19 Emergency Fund will allow our hospital and Research Institute to launch new research efforts and match institutional grants for greater impact," says Dr. Pierre Gfeller, President and Executive Director of the MUHC. "These last few weeks, we have been inspired by the mobilization of the global scientific community. Today, we are inspired by the generosity of our own community. Together, we will win this battle against COVID-19."
The gifts from The Hewitt Foundation, the late Elspeth McConnell, and the Trottier Family Foundation will allow the MUHC to rapidly launch critical research projects to end this virus, provide essential resources to isolated patients and support the tireless efforts of its hospital staff.
"Our MUHC teams are the hospital heroes on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. They're caring for patients, leading numerous clinical trials to prevent and cure the virus, and working tirelessly to develop a vaccine," says Julie Quenneville, MUHC Foundation President. "With these significant contributions to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund, we are getting closer to stopping the pandemic."
The MUHC, together in partnership with McGill University, has been at the forefront of the fight against infectious diseases for years. In 2017, the McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity (MI4) brought together over 250 researchers and 5,000 staff to address the threat of infection, and the next global pandemic.
"With the generosity and commitment of our community, our Foundation has been powering the researchers behind MI4 as they work to solve humanity's greatest health challenges," says Norman Steinberg, Chairman of the Board of the MUHC Foundation. "Now more than ever before, we need their leadership."
MI4 is currently working to tackle the current global health challenge and improve our preparedness for future pandemics.
"Thanks to the generosity of these leading health care philanthropists, the COVID-19 Emergency Fund will support the priorities identified by the hospital, ensure resources are available to society's most vulnerable, provide seed funding for new solutions and match funds for government grants," says Dr. Bruce Mazer, Executive Director (interim) at the Research Institute of the MUHC (RI-MUHC). "With this $4 million contribution to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund, we can take immediate action and focus on rapidly detecting, preventing and curing this disease."
SOURCE McGill University Health Centre Foundation
Fitbod Reports Bodyweight-Only Home Workouts Ramping up Quickly, Especially Among Millennials
SAN FRANCISCO (April 2, 2020) – Fitbod (https://fitbod.me), the popular iOS app that uses advanced data analytics to generate personalized workouts, has analyzed its workout trends. The company reports that since the COVID-19 outbreak, Fitbod’s bodyweight-only workouts routines, designed for working out at home, have become increasingly popular. Since March 1 more than 73% of new Fitbod users are setting up bodyweight-only profiles. Bodyweight-only workouts can be very effective and use only the user’s body weight for resistance, and no special equipment is needed. Fitbod observed that during the past two months, an increasing number of users are choosing Fitbod’s bodyweight-only feature to continue working out at home. To assist people in staying fit during this period, Fitbod is offering free bodyweight-only workouts through April. After downloading the app from the Apple Store, or at https://fitbod.me/coronavirus, they can choose “bodyweight-only” when configuring their user profile, and there will be no charge for using the app. “Two key takeaways from our data are first, that bodyweight-only routines and use of small equipment are growing in popularity, especially among intermediate and advanced level users—in other words, those who are most likely to want to keep in shape during this shelter-in-place period,” said Allen Chen, Fitbod CEO. “Secondly, the age group that has increased its use of our bodyweight-only feature the most is the 25 to 34-year old group, followed by the 18 to 24-year old group. We need to encourage folks over the age of 34 to pay more attention to their fitness, and these bodyweight-only exercises can be very helpful. During this COVID-19 pandemic—and afterward, of course—keeping one’s strength up is important to overall health.” In the two-month period from January 19 to March 19, the percent of all Fitbod users choosing bodyweight-only workouts rose from 18% to 61%, more than a three-fold increase. Much of the increase has taken place in March, when concern about the coronavirus has substantially risen. As of March 19, more than 35,000 users have set up their profiles to request bodyweight-only workouts, compared to approximately 7,000 users on March 2. What types of fitness goals do bodyweight-only workouts appear to support? While bodyweight-only can be effective for anyone, the highest interest is among users who have muscle tone increase or bodybuilding as their primary fitness goals, rather than people doing powerlifting or Olympic Weightlifting. “This makes sense, since users who are powerlifting or training at the Olympic level typically have well-equipped home gyms and don’t have to change their routines,” said Chen. Overall, users who consider themselves at the advanced fitness level are increasing their use of bodyweight-only workouts more than are beginners, although younger beginners (up to age 24) seem to take to bodyweight-only training, also. Fitbod is offering free bodyweight-only workouts through April.The Fitbod team believes it’s important for everyone to stay motivated to work out, even if they can’t go to the gym. Chen explains, “Fitbod’s bodyweight-only routines are very effective, so we hope more and more people will do them on a regular basis. Based on fitness science, these workouts are challenging yet appropriate to each user’s fitness level.” Use of small workout equipment has increased, too. Fitbod also tracked the number of Fitbod users who are taking advantage of workout routines that incorporate the kinds of small gym equipment that is easy to use at home, such as pullup bars, handle bands, foam rollers and mini loop bands. The percentage of people using these types of equipment has increased by more than 75% since March 8, with mini loop bands showing the biggest increase. Subscriptions for full use of the app, using gym equipment, are priced at $9.99 per month or $59.99 for an annual subscription ($6/mo.). Fitbod is an Apple Store Editors’ Pick for best fitness app and can be downloaded for iPhone or iPad at the Apple Store. An Android version is now in beta testing. Fitbod integrates with other fitness apps including Apple Health, Activity, Fitbit and Strava. About FitbodFitbod, Inc. is the developer of the Fitbod app, a technology platform that designs deeply personalized workout plans, allowing users to get maximum benefit from their fitness program. Using machine learning, data analytics, user data and exercise science best practices, the app creates optimized and personalized workout routines. In short, Fitbod helps users reach fitness goals efficiently and safely. Headquartered in San Francisco, Fitbod, Inc. is co-founded by Jesse Venticinque and Allen Chen. For more information about Fitbod, please visit the website at https://fitbod.me. Follow Fitbod:On Facebook at https://facebook.com/fitbodappOn Twitter at https://twitter.com/fitbodappOn Instagram at https://instagram.com/fitbodapp # # # Editor’s note: graphs and charts of Fitbod’s user trend data are available upon request. Press here for a downloadable Word version of this release. Press here for high-resolution screen shots.
Bodyweight-only workoutsWhen the user's profile is set to "bodyweight only," Fitbod will generate a customized bodyweight-only workout routine that takes in account the user's age, fitness level and fitness goals.
Fitbod data also shows increase in workouts using small gym equipment since the COVID-19 outbreak Popular gear includes pullup bars, handle bands, foam rollers and mini loop bands. The percentage of people using these types of equipment has increased by more than 75% since March 8, with mini loop bands showing the biggest increase.
Evotec Expands its iPSC-Based Cell Therapy Platform EVOcells Through Licensing Agreement with panCELLa
EVOTEC LICENSES PANCELLA'S STATE-OF-THE-ART IPSC TECHNOLOGIES IACT STEALTH CELL™ AND FAILSAFE™ FOR USE IN CELL THERAPY
ACCESS TO PANCELLA'S TECHNOLOGY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ENABLE SAFE AND OFF-THE-SHELF CELL THERAPY PRODUCTS AND LIFTS EVOTEC'S IPSC-BASED CELL THERAPY PLATFORM ("EVOCELLS") TO THE NEXT LEVEL
EVOTEC TAKES MINORITY SHAREHOLDING IN PANCELLA
HAMBURG, Germany and TORONTO, April 2, 2020 /CNW/ - Evotec SE (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, MDAX/TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) and the innovative biotechnology company panCELLa Inc. announced today that the companies have entered into a licensing and investment agreement.
Under the terms of the agreement, Evotec will receive a non-exclusive licence to access panCELLa's proprietary iPS cell lines "iACT Stealth Cells™", which are genetically modified to prevent immune rejection of derived cell therapy products ("cloaking"). Furthermore, Evotec will also have access to a new-generation cloaking technology known as hypoimmunogenic cells. In addition, the "FailSafe™" mechanism effectively addresses a key challenge in iPSC-based cell therapy, potential tumour formation by residual undifferentiated cells.
Using the cell lines, Evotec will be able to develop iPSC-based, off-the-shelf cell therapies with long-lasting efficacy that can be safely administered to a broad population of patients without the use of medication to supress the patients' immune system. With a growing portfolio of iPSC-based cell therapy projects at Evotec, access to research as well as GMP-grade iPSC lines modified with one or both of the panCELLa technologies significantly accelerates Evotec's cell therapy discovery and development efforts. Modified iPSC lines will be available for the development of cell therapy approaches across a broad range of indications by Evotec and potential partners. Furthermore, Evotec has made an investment to take a minority stake in panCELLa and has nominated Dr Andreas Scheel to join panCELLa's supervisory board.
Dr Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, commented: "Cell therapies hold enormous potential as truly regenerative or curative approaches for a broad range of different diseases with significant medical need. Integrating panCELLa's technology and cell lines into our ongoing proprietary research and development efforts strengthens Evotec's position in cell therapy. It is our goal to provide safe highly-effective cell therapy products to as many patients as possible. In addition to small molecules and biologics, cell therapy will become yet another major pillar of Evotec's multimodality discovery and development platform."
Mahendra Rao, MD, PhD, CEO at panCELLa, added: "We welcome the partnership with Evotec. Evotec's widely recognised expertise and existing portfolio of iPSC-related technology platforms will allow panCELLa to rapidly advance its own therapeutic interests in NK cell therapy, pancreatic islet production and iPSC-derived MSC platform, in addition to enabling panCELLa to make its platform technologies widely available. I believe that the investment by Evotec in our company is a strong validation of the leading role of panCELLa in the field of regenerative medicine and in the utility of its platform technologies. We welcome Dr Andreas Scheel to our Board."
No financial details of the agreement were disclosed.
About Evotec and iPSC Induced pluripotent stem cells (also known as iPS cells or iPSCs) are a type of pluripotent stem cell that can be generated directly from adult cells. The iPSC technology was pioneered by Shinya Yamanaka's lab in Kyoto, Japan, who showed in 2006 that the introduction of four specific genes encoding transcription factors could convert adult cells into pluripotent stem cells. He was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize along with Sir John Gurdon "for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent". Pluripotent stem cells hold great promise in the field of regenerative medicine. Because they can propagate indefinitely, as well as give rise to every other cell type in the body (such as neurons, heart, pancreatic and liver cells), they represent a single source of cells that could be used to replace those lost to damage or disease.
Evotec has built an industrialised iPSC infrastructure that represents one of the largest and most sophisticated iPSC platforms in the industry. Evotec's iPSC platform has been developed over the last years with the goal to industrialise iPSC-based drug screening in terms of throughput, reproducibility and robustness to reach the highest industrial standards, and to use iPSC-based cells in cell therapy approaches via the Company's proprietary EVOcells platform.
About cell therapy and panCELLa's FailSafe™ iPSC technology Cell therapy, one of the most promising regenerative medicine approaches, replaces a patient's missing or broken cells with functioning cells from a range of different sources, either from a donor, from the patient's own material, or from stem cells. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cells ("iPSC") has opened up stem cells as an almost unlimited source of consistent-quality material for such cell therapies. At the same time, differentiating cell therapies from a single validated source circumvents critical risks of contamination associated with administering both donor and patient cell material.
However, the patient's immune system will treat such iPSC-based transplant as "foreign" and use the body's immune system to counteract the therapy, thus undermining its long-term efficacy. While organ transplants require an often lifelong regimen of immunosuppressants, iPSC-derived cells used for cell therapies can be cloaked to make them undetectable by the patient's immune system, thus avoiding rejection and enabling effective long-term relief of the patient's symptoms.
To increase the safety of such iPSC-derived cell products, panCELLa's proprietary FailSafe™ technology is able to inactivate any iPSC-derived proliferating cell before and after transplantation through the use of a readily available anti-infective medication. FailSafe™ is the only quantifiable "safety switch" on the market which is expected to be critical for regulators, clinicians and patients to make informed decisions when evaluating treatment options.
About panCELLa Inc. Incorporated in August 2015, panCELLa (www.pancella.com) was founded by Dr Andras Nagy and Dr Armand Keating based on Dr Nagy's ground-breaking work in the area of stem cell research. Through panCELLa, Drs Keating and Nagy are seeking to create an effective cell therapy derived from stem cells, which are modified to provide a sufficient and very high level of safety before and after the cells are introduced to the patient. panCELLa serves those companies developing products from stem cells. panCELLa seeks to create universal "off the shelf" FailSafe™ Cells and to assist pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors to achieve such with their own cell lines. Targeted medical applications include deadly, debilitating, or aggressive diseases requiring immediate treatment where there is no time to cultivate a customized stem cell treatment from the patient (i.e. cancer, cardiac infarct, diabetes, stroke and spinal cord injury).
About Evotec SE Evotec is a drug discovery alliance and development partnership company focused on rapidly progressing innovative product approaches with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academics, patient advocacy groups and venture capitalists. We operate worldwide and our more than 3,000 employees provide the highest quality stand-alone and integrated drug discovery and development solutions. We cover all activities from target-to-clinic to meet the industry's need for innovation and efficiency in drug discovery and development (EVT Execute). The Company has established a unique position by assembling top-class scientific experts and integrating state-of-the-art technologies as well as substantial experience and expertise in key therapeutic areas including neuronal diseases, diabetes and complications of diabetes, pain and inflammation, oncology, infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, fibrosis, rare diseases and women's health. On this basis, Evotec has built a broad and deep pipeline of approx. 100 co-owned product opportunities at clinical, pre-clinical and discovery stages (EVT Innovate). Evotec has established multiple long-term alliances with partners including Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CHDI, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Sanofi, Takeda, UCB and others. For additional information please go to www.evotec.comand follow us on Twitter@Evotec.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Information set forth in this press release contains forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgement of Evotec as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
SOURCE panCELLa Inc.
Cruel Bear Bile Industry Thrives Despite Pandemic Risks Says World Animal Protection
TORONTO, April 2, 2020 /CNW/ - World Animal Protection is raising concerns over the recent news that the Chinese government is recommending the use of a bear bile product to treat severe symptoms caused by COVID-19.
In a new report from the global charity called Cruel Cures, this shocking development is described as both 'tragic and ironic,' given that the handling and consumption of wild animals is believed to be the source of the COVID-19 pandemic. World Animal Protection is urging the Chinese government to remove this drug from its recommended list and only include plant-based traditional medicines.
The report also reveals the abhorrent cruelty of bear farming and the unacceptable growth of the bear bile trade.
China has been farming bears since the 1980s to extract bile from their gall bladder, predominately for use in traditional medicine. It is used to treat a variety of ailments from liver disease to hangovers, but plant-based alternatives do exist.
The bile is extracted from live, suffering bears and is one of the most extreme forms of animal abuse in the world. The bears are largely bred in captivity and trapped in small, barren cages in factory farm style conditions for the duration of their long, miserable lives.
They suffer unthinkable traumas. Most commonly, their bile is drained from their gallbladder using a metal tube through a surgically created opening in the bear's abdomen. The intense, agonizing process that the bears are forced to endure causes them to cry out in agony.
The report also states approximately 24,000 bears are currently kept caged and farmed for their bile for traditional medicine products across Asia - including in China, Vietnam and Myanmar. This should raise major concern in the wake of the COVID-19 contagion, as 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, and of these 70% are thought to originate from wild animals. While COVID-19 is a pandemic like no other to date, collectively, zoonotic diseases cause over two million human deaths annually, as a result of people coming into close proximity with animals.
Melissa Matlow, Campaign Director for World Animal Protection Canada says:
"The COVID-19 pandemic is ringing the alarm bells that the consumption and trade of wild animals needs to end. Farming bears for their bile is cruel, endangers bears in the wild, carries serious public health risks and is completely unnecessary as plant-based traditional medicine alternatives are available. It's time to stop the intensive farming, consumption and trade of wildlife to end animal suffering and help to prevent another pandemic."
Matlow adds that bears are still hunted from the wild for their gallbladders and due to a depletion in Asiatic black bears, bears are being hunted in places such as Canada and Russia.
The report also found illegal bear bile products are still being sold in shops in Toronto and exported to countries in Asia. During the charity's investigation, six of the 25 stores visited were found to stock bear bile products or offered the opportunity to order a bear bile product.
Consumer research also shows that 1 in 14 Canadians have knowingly used traditional medicine containing animal parts. However, when informed of the cruelty involved, more than half surveyed were then against the use of animal parts in traditional medicine.
World Animal Protection is asking governments around the world, including the Canadian government, to support a global ban on the farming and trade of wildlife. Bear gallbladders and bear bile have been trafficked in Canada for decades and there is concern this latest recommendation by the Chinese government will increase the illegal trade here.
It is recommended Canada strengthen legislation and enforcement to ensure consistent protection for bears across the country and to ensure authorities have the support they need to crack down on the trade and sale of illegal bear bile products.
Recent developments in China and Vietnam have been encouraging, where both countries have banned the consumption of wild animals. Yet, the ban must be extended to include the use of wildlife in traditional medicine, preventing animals such as bears, tigers and pangolins from being abused. Not only will this drastically reduce the human health threat, it will prevent animal suffering too.
World Animal Protection will continue to promote better welfare for bears, while we move to end the bear bile industry for good.
About World Animal Protection
From our offices around the world, including Australia, Brazil, Kenya and Canada, we move the world to protect animals. Last year, we gave more than 3 billion animals better lives through our campaigns that focus on animals in the wild, animals in disasters, animals in communities and animals in farming. More information can be found at www.worldanimalprotection.ca
SOURCE World Animal Protection
Canadians are feeling unprecedented levels of anxiety, according to Mental Health Index
Pandemic has caused a dramatic 16-per-cent drop in Canadians' mental health, according to Morneau Shepell's Mental Health Index: a score of 63
TORONTO, April 2, 2020 /CNW/ - Morneau Shepell, the leading provider of total well-being, mental health and digital mental health services in Canada, announced today the results of its new Mental Health Index, which includes a measure of how the pandemic is impacting Canadian workers' mental health. The index will be released monthly.
The Mental Health Index found a statistically significant decrease in mental health, when compared to pre-COVID-19 benchmarks. The change represents a current score of 63 compared to the benchmark of 75. The size of the change is unprecedented in the three-year period when the benchmark data was being collected. An overall score of 63 is very concerning. Such a score is typically only seen in the subset of employees who have major life disruption and mental health risk. The largest negative change was seen in the measure of anxiety, followed by helplessness, optimism and isolation.
In addition to the overall assessment of mental health, the survey also specifically asked about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of respondents (81 per cent) reported that the COVID-19 pandemic is negatively impacting their mental health, ranging from some concern but an ability to cope (49 per cent) to feeling the crisis has a negative, very negative or significantly negative impact on their mental health (32 per cent).
"We can't ignore the reality that mental health concerns and anxieties will continue to worsen as COVID-19 escalates. Now is the time for business leaders and governments to take action, ramp up mental health efforts and help normalize the anxieties that individuals may be feeling," said Stephen Liptrap, president and chief executive officer. "We're proud to see our governments and many Canadian organizations stepping up to the plate to expand mental health offerings for those who need it, including individuals who have been laid off. We strongly encourage all Canadians to inquire about the services available to them through their current or former employer. Together, we can minimize long-term damage and ensure that we come out of this challenging time stronger than before."
The Mental Health Index also assessed the main COVID-19-related factors that are leading to these mental health concerns. The top concern having an impact on mental health relates to the financial impact of the pandemic (55 per cent), followed by the fear of getting ill or having a loved one pass away (42 per cent, respectively) and uncertainty around how the virus will impact family (33 per cent). Regardless of the concern, all have the potential to detrimentally impact mental health and well-being long after COVID-19 is contained.
"Perceptions of COVID-19 have changed drastically since the first case entered Canada in January, from initially viewing the virus as an unknown to now as a threat," said Paula Allen, senior vice president of research, analytics and innovation. "These findings confirm that COVID-19 is not just an infectious disease issue, we are looking at a mental health crisis. This survey is of working Canadians, which makes this pandemic as relevant for businesses as it is for public health."
Morneau Shepell will be publishing the national Mental Health Index on a monthly basis. It will assess change in mental health and the issues Canadians are most anxious about as the situation evolves, during and after the pandemic.
About the Mental Health Index The monthly survey by Morneau Shepell was conducted in English and French from March 27 to March 30, with 3,000 respondents in total. All respondents reside in Canada and were employed within the last six months. The data has been statistically weighted to ensure the regional and gender composition of the sample reflect this population. The margins of error for the survey are +/- 3.2 per cent, valid 19 times out of 20. Morneau Shepell will publish a full report in the coming weeks.
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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