Campaign launched to improve quality of life for people with severe dementia

#SeePainMoreClearly shares evidence-based practices

TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2019 /CNW/ - A campaign launched today on National Seniors Day and the International Day of Older Persons aims to improve quality of life for people with severe dementia who live in long-term care by sharing best approaches for evaluating and managing pain in these residents.

"Pain is under-assessed and under-treated in long-term care because people with severe dementia have limited ability to communicate what they are feeling," says Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos, who holds a Research Chair in Aging and Health at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan. 

Under-recognized pain can have serious consequences. Pain in dementia can lead to agitation and aggression. When these types of behaviours are misattributed to a psychiatric problem, people are often given psychotropic rather than analgesic medications, says Dr. Hadjistavropoulos. Research has shown that psychotropic medications may increase the risk of earlier death in these individuals, he says.

To raise awareness, he created a social media campaign in collaboration with national and provincial organizations as well as older adults, caregivers and health-care professionals. #SeePainMoreClearly includes a video and a website with information and resources, such as a pain checklist for seniors with limited ability to communicate, developed by Dr. Hadjistavropoulos's team. 

Dr. Hadjistavropoulos says he took the unorthodox step of launching a grassroots campaign because he wanted to go directly to health professionals, family caregivers, people with dementia and the general public. Typically, he says, it takes many years to disseminate research findings in a way that they become part of widespread practice. 

"We want to share evidenced-based practices now to optimize the quality and frequency of pain assessments. Overworked frontline staff want to do the best for their patients but are constrained by limited resources. Moreover, there's a clear need for continuing pain education for staff to make sure everyone is familiar with the newest methods." The website also has links to resources for families and patients.

Filmed with actors in Regina, the video depicts a scene involving health professionals and a long-term care resident living with dementia. It is based on Dr. Hadjistavropoulos's research and work in applied health psychology. The video campaign is supported by AGE-WELL and the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan. The Canadian Association on Gerontology and the Chronic Pain Network are partners in the campaign as well.

"By raising awareness, we have a real opportunity to make sure that people with late-stage dementia get the treatment they need, when they need it."

Dr. Hadjistavropoulos points to studies that indicate that people living with severe Alzheimer's are less likely to receive an analgesic medication than older adults in general. 

"We aim to address under-recognized pain and, in turn, this will mean improved quality of life for long-term care residents, fewer incidents of agitated behaviour and lower stress levels for hard-working staff and for families." 

As part of his work with the AGE-WELL network, Dr. Hadjistavropoulos co-leads a research team that is developing technology-based solutions to improve pain management in long-term care residents who are living with dementia. This includes knowledge mobilization efforts using social media.

About AGE-WELL:

AGE-WELL NCE Inc. is Canada's Technology and Aging Network. The pan-Canadian network brings together researchers, older adults, caregivers, partner organizations and future leaders to accelerate the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians. AGE-WELL researchers are producing technologies, services, policies and practices that improve quality of life for older adults and caregivers, and generate social and economic benefits for Canada. AGE-WELL is funded through the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence program. www.agewell-nce.ca.

SOURCE AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE)

COLD WEATHER HEALTH MYTHS BUSTED!

There are endless winter health myths that we have heard from well intentioned grandparents and parents. They have become so ingrained in us that we take them as cold hard facts. Many of these myths have no more basis in reality than Santa Claus.  Of course, everyone wants to stay as healthy as possible during the frosty months. In order to do so sensibly, we turned to Board Certified NYC internist and gastroenterologist Dr. Niket Sonpal. 

Myth: Allergies go away in the winter 

Allergies might be the real source behind your stuffy nose and scratchy throat this season. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, one in five people suffer from indoor/outdoor allergies, and the indoor variety can actually be worse in the winter. Dr. Sonpal cautions that, “If your symptoms last longer than 10 days or ease up after taking an antihistamine, it might be time to visit an allergist.”

Myth: I wash my hands all the time with hand sanitizer, so I should be fine.

Hand sanitizer will kill most viruses, but not all. You must make sure you use the right amount of hand sanitizer and let it dry completely. Dr. Sonpal points out that,” Some viruses, like norovirus, which causes vomiting, is not killed by hand sanitizer. Soap and water are best to get rid of all bacteria and viruses, but the hand sanitizer is better than nothing at all.”

Myth: It’s cold out, I don’t need sunscreen.

The sun’s rays are just as strong in the winter months as they are in the other seasons. Snow and ice can reflect even more sunlight, up to twice as much. Grab the SPF 30 and put it on, regardless of the temperature. Don’t forget those sunglasses to keep your eyes safe as well. 

I’ll just drink some alcohol to keep myself warm.

Although it may feel like drinking alcohol is making you warmer, it does not. Dr. Sonpal says that, “when you drink, the blood vessels dilate or get bigger, and blood flows to your skin and away from your internal organs. So, it may feel like you are getting warmer, but you are not.”

Myth: The Flu Shot Gives You the Flu

According to a new survey from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and Rite Aide, 44 percent of American women view the flu as a serious threat to their health. Yet nearly half (49 percent) do not intend to get a flu shot this year because they believe the vaccine can give them the flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu shot for anyone older than 6 months of age. Dr. Sonpal stresses that, “The shot does not contain a live virus, making catching the flu from it impossible.” 

Winter weather makes you store fat and gain weight

Our bodies do not go into some kind of winter hibernation mode, stockpiling every ounce of fat to use for the lean times. It seems logical, like a throwback to our days living in caves foraging for food, but in reality, any weight gain comes from our winter habits. Dr. Sonpal points out that, “we tend to exercise less in winter. We eat more hearty meals and comfort foods, including more sugary snacks and desserts (especially around the holidays).” 

Myth: You Lose Most Heat Through Your Head

The saying goes “we lose 90 percent of our body heat through our heads.”  But a 2006 study found that the head accounts for about 7 percent of the body's surface area, and that heat loss in the region is fairly proportional, according to LiveScience. "Your head is another extremity, and it's susceptible to cold, so you should wear a hat, but it doesn't lose any more heat than another part of your body," says Dr. Sonpal. 

Myth: Chicken Soup Will Cure Colds 

Many cultures teach us to drink warm liquids like tea, hot apple cider, and soups when we’re dealing with colds. It’s true that something like chicken soup may help soothe and ease congestion, but much like vitamin C, hot soup won’t do immediate wonders.

Myth: Being Cold Gives You a Cold

No matter what your grandma might have told you, spending too much time in the cold air doesn’t make you sick. One study found that healthy men who spent several hours in temperatures just above freezing had an increase in healthy, virus-fighting activity in their immune systems. In fact, you’re more likely to get sick indoors, where germs are easily passed.

Myth: Feed a cold, starve a fever

Dr. Sonpal says that, “This is another myth that comes from a time when people didn't understand the science of body chemistry. The thought was that if you had a cold, food would warm you up. Conversely, if you had a high fever, not eating would cool you down. This is just patently bad medical advice. In both cases, good nutrition gives your body the fuel it needs to fight infections and recover from an illness. When you have a fever, your body is burning energy at a rapid rate, and that needs to be replenished. So, by all means feed your cold; but also feed your fever, or any other illness. Even if you have stomach issues, find a way to take in lost fluids and electrolytes.” 

About Dr. Niket Sonpal: 

Dr. Niket Sonpal is a native of Long Island NY and a graduate of Medical University of Silesia – Hope Medical Institute in Poland. After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, he was selected to be the 2013‐2014 Chief Resident at Lenox Hill Hospital–Northshore LIJ Health System. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and Clinical instructor at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn. Dr. Sonpal has completed his Fellowship in gastroenterology & hepatology at Lenox Hill Hospital and will continue his work in the field of medical student and resident test preparation. He now serves as the associate program director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Brookldale University medical center. 

He is the co‐author for the best-selling Master the Boards: USMLE Step 2 CK, Master the Boards Step 3, And Master the Boards: Internal Medicine. He is also the Chief Operating Officer for Medquest Test Prep, Director of Medical Education for Picmonic Test Prep, and a recognized expert on medical test prep.

Study: One-third of Americans are sleep deprived

MUNCIE, Indiana – Nearly a third of Americans are getting inadequate sleep -- including police offices, healthcare workers and truck drivers --  and it is getting worse with every passing year, says a new study from Ball State University.

“Short Sleep Duration in Working American Adults,” an analysis of more than 150,000 working adults from 2010 to 2018, found that prevalence of inadequate sleep — 7 hours or less — increased from 30.9% of respondents in 2010 to 35.6% in 2018. The study was posted Monday by the Journal of Community Health.

The study also found that the people who report getting the fewest hours of shut-eye include native born Americans, who are female, have children at home, work for the government, and live in the South.

“Inadequate sleep is associated with mild to severe physical and mental health problems, injury, loss of productivity, and premature mortality,” said Jagdish Khubchandani, lead author and a health science professor at Ball State. “This is a significant finding because the U.S. is currently witnessing high rates of chronic diseases across all ages, and many of these diseases are related to sleep problems.”

The study found that in 2018, professions with the highest levels of poor sleep including those in the police and military (50%), health care support occupations (45%), transport and material moving (41%), and production occupations (41%).

“There is no definitive cause found for these trends in sleep duration in working American population,” Khubchandani said. “We see the workplace is changing as Americans work longer hours, and there is greater access and use of technology and electronic devices, which tend to keep people up at night. Add to this the progressive escalation in workplace stress in the United States, and the rising prevalence of multiple chronic conditions could be related to short sleep duration in working American adults.”

The study also found:

• For men, about 30.5% reported getting 7 or less hours of sleep in 2010 and by 2018 about 35.5% reporting inadequate sleep.
• Among women, those reported too little sleep grew from 31.2% in 2011 to 35.8% in 2018.
• By race and inadequate sleep prevalence, the trend from 2010-2018 was 29.2 to 34.1% for whites, 40.6 to 46.5% for African-Americans, 29.5 to 35.3% for Asians, and 35.2 to 45.2% for multiracial adults.
• From 2010 to 2018, the largest increases in sleep deprivation were reported by men, multiracial individuals, older adults, those living in the western U.S., and widowed, divorced, or separated people.

Khubchandani believes that employers should take steps to make sure their workers are getting enough rest.

“Employers have a major responsibility and should use health promotion strategies to ensure that workers who struggle with sleep problems are assisted,” he said. “We all suffer when our bus and truck drivers, doctors, and nurses are sleep deprived.”

Khubchandani also warns that the use of over-the-counter medications may be making life miserable for millions of Americans.

Many of these medications can have side effects, including worsening of insomnia when inappropriately prescribed or used. Even in primary care, insomnia is frequently misreported, ignored, or the treatment could be suboptimal, despite access to standard treatment interventions, he said.

Khubchandani also suggests that from a public health perspective, chronic sleep problems need management by qualified professionals.

“There is a need for increasing awareness and improving the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders,” he said, “and there needs to be emphasis on public education, training for health professionals, and monitoring.” 

Infoway Releases Request for Expression of Interest for PrescribeIT® Standalone Solution

TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2019 /CNW/ - To foster innovation, Canada Health Infoway has issued a Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for a standalone solution to complement the core integrated offering and further expand PrescribeIT^® in Canada. Infoway is inviting all interested parties to review the document and participate in the process. The aim of the REOI is to elicit solutions/proposals that will meet our technological, marketing/sales and outreach goals while helping us better understand the capabilities of the broader market.

"We look forward to expanding the PrescribeIT^® service by offering a standalone solution to prescribers," said Michael Green, President and CEO of Infoway. "We encourage the health care industry and private sector partners to respond with creative and innovative proposals that will enable more Canadians to benefit from the convenience, efficiency, safety and security of e-prescribing."

Interested parties may download the REOI at https://infoway-inforoute.bonfirehub.ca.

About PrescribeIT®

Canada Health Infoway is working with Health Canada, the provinces and territories, and industry stakeholders to develop, operate and maintain the national e-prescribing service known as PrescribeIT^®. PrescribeIT^® will serve all Canadians, pharmacies and prescribers and provide safer and more effective medication management by enabling prescribers to transmit a prescription electronically between a prescriber's electronic medical record (EMR) and the pharmacy management system (PMS) of a patient's pharmacy of choice. Visit www.prescribeit.ca. 

About Canada Health Infoway

Infoway helps to improve the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption and effective use of digital health across Canada. Through our investments, we help deliver better quality and access to care and more efficient delivery of health services for patients and clinicians. Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Visit www.infoway.ca

Media Inquiries: 
Karen Schmidt
Director, Corporate/Internal Communications
Canada Health Infoway
416.595.3167 

Follow @Infoway
Email Us

Inquiries about PrescribeIT^®: 
Tania Ensor
Senior Director, Strategy, Marketing & Stakeholder Relations, PrescribeIT®
Canada Health Infoway
416.595.3411

Follow @PrescribeIT_CA
Email Us

SOURCE Canada Health Infoway

Wacky Jet Stream Brings Both Cold and Heat to the US

How climate change destabilizes the jet stream and creates abnormal conditions

An early season, record-breaking storm brought up to 4 feet of snow to parts of Montana over the weekend, prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency.  A bend in the jet stream, a signal of climate change, allowed for Arctic air to dip into Montana and created winter-like conditions. The same jet stream (highlighted in the image below) is causing “record-challenging” heat in the East.

Jennifer Francis, Senior Scientist at Woods Hole Research Center explains the image below:
“The southward dip in the jet stream just to Montana's west is formed as a rebound to the big northward swing into Northwest Canada that was almost certainly being boosted by the very warm ocean temperatures along the west coast of North America and north of Alaska. Those warm waters near Alaska are connected to the extreme sea-ice loss that occurred there this summer, which allowed a great deal of extra solar energy to be absorbed rather than reflected to space by ice.”



Climate models suggest that early autumn extreme snowfall events in the Northern Great Plains are less likely due to human-caused climate change. This average trend, however, does not rule out extreme weather outbreaks tied to Arctic warming and a destabilized jet stream. These outbreaks of Arctic air can break cold-temperature and snowfall records even as the average temperature increases. Here’s what we know for sure:

Climate change destabilizes the jet stream. This fast-moving, high-altitude river of wind determines weather patterns across much of North America, and is powered by the temperature differential between the frozen Arctic and warmer climate farther south. However, climate change is warming the Arctic much faster than areas farther south. That reduces the temperature difference between the two regions, cutting off the fuel required for the jet stream to maintain its tight, circular path  As the Arctic rapidly warms, the jet stream slows and weakens, and favors a more meandering north-south path.

“When you’ve got one kind of extreme in one place, most likely you’re going to find extremes of other types also occurring at the same time because of these bends in the jet streams,” said Francis in a video explaining jet streams with Climate Signals in 2018.

The blizzard in Montana is due to this wavy jet stream pattern, which is also responsible for “record-challenging heat in the East” and “dramatically cooler conditions in the West.” Warmer-than-average temps could break records throughout the Midwest and East Coast this week.

Climate change increases the frequency of extreme storms. Warmer air holds more moisture and causes more intense rain and snow storms. NOAA scientists, examining 120 years of data, found that there were twice as manyextreme regional snowstorms in the US between 1961 and 2010 compared to 1900 to 1960.

800 Riders Raise Over $861,548 at Ride for Cancer

NOTE TO EDITORS: Video, photo, and interview opportunities of Ride for Cancer participants crossing the finish line today between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. at LED Roadway Lighting, 115 Chain Lake Drive, Halifax. 

HALIFAX, Sept. 28, 2019 /CNW/ - On Saturday, September 28, a community of over 800 riders, 210 volunteers, sponsors, and supporters came together and raised over $861,548 net for cancer care in this region – and that number is still growing.  

Ride for Cancer powered by BMO Bank of Montreal is Atlantic Canada's largest one-day fundraising cycling event and is hosted in partnership by the QEII Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.

Since the event began four years ago, Ride for Cancer powered by BMO Bank of Montreal has raised more than $2.56 million. 

"Funds raised through Ride for Cancer make a tangible impact here at home," says Bill Bean, President and CEO, QEII Foundation. "The community support for this event continues to grow and make a big impact on a disease that touches so many of us."   

This year, the ride honoured the late Dr. Stephen Couban, former QEII hematologist. Sue Pleasance, Ride participant and cancer survivor, worked alongside Dr. Couban for many years. Sue took the stage to pay tribute to Dr. Couban during the event's opening ceremonies.  

"I want to honour a remarkable man who would be here today if cancer had not taken his life," says Sue. "On January 9, 2019, Stephen advised us of his diagnosis – pancreatic cancer.  Two months later, we received the devastating news, he was gone. How could this happen to a man who gave so much of himself to fight against this disease," said Sue to a teary-eyed crowd.

With fond memories of the first time the QEII's hematology team took part in Ride during its inaugural year in 2015, Sue says "Stephen was the first one to cross the finish line that year – he gave it his all and I know he would want us to do the same today."

Riders took to the road or the Rum Runners Trail from Mahone Bay to Halifax – with distance options ranging from 25 kilometres all the way to 160 kilometres. No matter the distance, the goal was the same – supporting Atlantic Canadians battling cancer.

Funds raised from the 2019 Ride for Cancer event will support local cancer care to fund state-of-the art cervical cancer diagnostic and treatment equipment and help fund Atlantic Canada's first surgical robotics system at the QEII, which will treat a range of cancers with a laser focus on prostate cancer. Research to discover new treatments for blood cancer patients and individualized patient and family support programs will also be funded through this year's ride.

Presenting sponsor of Ride for Cancer for the fifth year in a row, BMO Bank of Montreal has played an integral role in the success of the annual cycling event.

To learn more about the impact of Ride for Cancer, visit YourRideForCancer.ca.

SOURCE QEII FOUNDATION

Extra amino acid could work wonders
Rice U. chemist uses designer amino acids in search for new cures  

HOUSTON – (Sept. 27, 2019) – There are 20 amino acids in the standard genetic code. A Rice University professor wants to know what one can do with 21.

Rice chemist Han Xiao has landed a $1.8 million National Institutes of Health grant to learn how a custom-designed 21st amino acid could be employed to make life-saving substances — and how to get genetically programmed cells to make them. 

Xiao won a renewable R35 grant, issued through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The five-year grant will help enable the design of “unnatural organisms,” cells customized to produce a library of 100 or more designer amino acids that could in turn produce novel proteins for therapies. 

“It’s an old question: Why do we have 20 amino acids?” said Xiao, Rice’s Norman Hackerman-Welch Young Investigator and an assistant professor of chemistry, who joined Rice in 2017 with funding from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). “Why don’t we have 21? And if we have a 21st amino acid, can we evolve a protein with some new function?

Xiao said it will be challenging to engineer bacteria with DNA that encodes a "noncanonical," or custom-made amino acid.

“We would need several steps,” he said. “No. 1, we need to have a cell that can make this non-canonical amino acid. No. 2, we need a special codon for this new building block. And No. 3, we need a whole new translational mechanism to incorporate this building block. 

“People have done a really good job for No. 2 and 3, but we’re still missing the first part, the cell,” Xiao said. “If we can couple them, we can create a totally unnatural organism to make a noncanonical amino acid and use it for the translational target. My lab wants to put these puzzle pieces together.” 

The Xiao lab had already introduced a method to use noncanonical amino acids as relays in labeling target proteins, for instance to add fluorescent tags to antibody proteins. Now Xiao wants to take the process a step further and design cells to make the amino acids — and the antibodies. 

If he succeeds, bioscientists will have a new tool to make custom proteins that can treat disease. 

“I think there are a lot of applications,” Xiao said. “For example, you can make switchable chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) cells for immunotherapy, or you can make antibody drug conjugates. Along with addressing fundamental evolutionary questions, these would have a big impact on the pharmaceutical industry.

“It’s pretty challenging to make something this complicated, but I think we have a good platform and a good team,” he said.

-30-

Read the abstract at https://projectreporter.nih.gov/project_info_description.cfm?aid=9797768&icde=46653010&ddparam=&ddvalue=&ddsub=&cr=8&csb=FY&cs=DESC&pball=.

This news release can be found online at https://news.rice.edu/2019/09/27/extra-amino-acid-could-work-wonders/

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Related materials:

Antibodies get easy upgrade withy pClick: http://news.rice.edu/2018/11/05/antibodies-get-easy-upgrade-with-pclick-2/

Xiao Lab: http://xiao.rice.edu/People/hanxiao/hanxiao.html

Department of Chemistry: https://chemistry.rice.edu

Image for download:

Health Canada approves Dupixent™ as the first biologic for the treatment of adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis

• Dupixent™ can significantly reduce the constant itch and improve the skin's overall condition¹

TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2019 /CNW/ - Health Canada has approved Dupixent™ (dupilumab) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in adolescent patients aged 12 years and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable.² Treatment with Dupixent™, the first targeted therapy for moderate-to-severe AD, demonstrated a significant improvement in the signs and symptoms of the condition and certain quality of life measures in adolescent patients.³

Dupixent™ was first approved by Health Canada on November 30, 2017 for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD.⁴

"Dupixent™ has been used safely and effectively to treat thousands of adults living with atopic dermatitis, here in Canada and other countries," says Dr. Perla Lansang, Dermatologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. "It's so important that this treatment option is now available to help adolescents who suffer from this life-altering disease."

The adolescent indication for Dupixent™ is based on the findings from a pivotal Phase 3 trial presented at the 27^th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Paris, France in 2018.

Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, is a chronic inflammatory disease.⁵ In its moderate-to-severe form, it is characterized by rashes that can potentially cover much of the body, and can include intense, persistent itching, skin lesions and skin dryness, cracking redness, crusting and oozing.⁶ Inadequately controlled atopic dermatitis can have a physical, emotional and psychosocial impact, causing sleep disturbance, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and feelings of isolation.⁷

"Atopic dermatitis has no cure. Patients living with this disease are in desperate need of effective medications today," says Marissa Poole, General Manager, Sanofi Genzyme Canada. "Dupixent™ is a novel treatment that can help reduce the severe itching associated with atopic dermatitis, effectively clear skin and improve quality of life for adolescent patients. This treatment offers hope for a better life for patients living with this condition."

About Dupixent™

Dupixent™ (dupilumab) – the first biologic therapy in Canada to target the root cause of atopic dermatitis (AD) was first approved by Health Canada on November 30, 2017 for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable.⁸ Clinical studies showed an acceptable safety profile with a significant improvement in the condition of patients' skin and reduction in itch within the first four months of biweekly treatment.⁹ The long-term safety profile of Dupixent™ observed in adolescents was consistent with that seen in adults with atopic dermatitis.¹⁰ The medicine is jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement.

Dupixent™ showed positive results in the pivotal Phase 3 trial presented at the 27^th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 

The findings from the Phase 3 trial showed the potential of Dupixent™ to significantly improve the constant itch and certain quality of life measures in adolescents aged 12 years and older whose AD is inadequately controlled with topical therapies or for whom topical treatment was medically inadvisable. The data was presented at the 27^th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Paris, France.

This late-breaking presentation at EADV indicated the co-primary endpoint outside of the U.S. had a 75 per cent improvement in the Ezcema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75), and included the following significant improvements:¹¹

• 41.5 per cent of patients who received Dupixent™ every two weeks and 38 per cent of patients who received Dupixent™ every four weeks achieved 75 per cent or greater improvement (EASI-75) compared to 8 per cent with placebo (p less than 0.001).¹²
• 24 per cent of patients who received weight-based dosing of Dupixent™ every two weeks (200 mg or 300 mg) and 18 per cent of patients who received a fixed dose of Dupixent™ every four weeks (300 mg) achieved the primary endpoint – clear or almost-clear skin (IGA; score of 0 or 1) – compared with 2 per cent with placebo (p less than 0.001).¹³

About Sanofi, Canada

Sanofi, Canada employs more than 2,000 people. In 2017, we invested in $123 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunities throughout the country.

Follow us on Twitter and YouTube. 

About Sanofi

Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.

With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.

Sanofi, Empowering Life 

References

SOURCE Sanofi Canada

FULL STEAM AHEAD!

BREAKING GLASS PICTURES ANNOUNCES THE US RELEASE OF ECO-TERRORIST: THE BATTLE FOR OUR PLANET ACROSS THE US STARTING OCTOBER 1, 2019

Breaking Glass Pictures brings Peter Jay Brown’s follow-up to the multiple-award-winning, behind-the-scenes feature-documentary on Captain Paul, Whale Wars and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and dives into the depths of environmental movement to audiences across the US on October 1, 2019“A freedom fighter”Bill Maher“So rascally in tone you might expect "yo-ho-ho's" and festive eye-patches."  Dennis Harvey, Variety"Eco-Terrorist takes Whale Wars Up a Notch"WiredClick here to view the trailer  LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (September 26, 2019) — Breaking Glass Pictures is thrilled to announce the US release of director and producer Peter Jay Brown’s (Entertainment Tonight, Real People, Confessions of an Eco-Terrorist) latest no-holds-barred environmental feature documentary, Eco-Terrorist: The Battle for Our Planet on October 1, 2019.
“Breaking Glass Pictures is excited to be distributing Eco-terrorist: The Battle for Our Planet to help spread the word about the dire situation in which we find our planet. There is no reason, in 2019, to hunt such beautiful and intelligent mammals and to impose any further damage on the earth’s eco-system that is already hanging in the balance. It’s time for everyone to do their part.” Said Rich Wolff, CEO of Breaking Glass Pictures.Eco-Terrorist: The Battle for Our Planet follows the most wanted environmentalist today, Captain Paul Watson. In this unique and groundbreaking film, Brown takes a deeper look into what really goes on behind the scenes in the deep waters of our world.  After 40 years on the frontlines, Brown exposes more pranks, the glory of successful missions, and fierce encounters with some of the most infamous and illegal marine hunters, while stopping at nothing to protect wildlife on a global scale. The film takes the audience right to the frontlines of the modern day environmental movement via those who started it.  According to Brown, “My films and television shows on the environment were all about how we started a revolution on a shoestring of tactics and often deceit. Eco-Terrorist: The Battle for Our Planet shows how the struggle has been eclipsed by eco-corporations and money that have overshadowed the efforts of the true activists. Saving the planet involves each and every one of us. This why I have returned to grass roots activism, and am beyond thrilled that audiences will now have a chance to join the good fight and get a first-hand glimpse into the belly of the beast of the eco-movement.” Filmmaker and longest-serving Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) crewmember, first mate to Captain Paul Watson and a captain in his own right, Peter Jay Brown reunites his ruthless cast in this Post Whale-Wars feature documentary that captures all sides of the SSCS from its inception to this very day. Included is even more never-before-seen footage of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society campaigns featuring renegade environmentalists and their guerilla tactics.  Sneaking about, trouble-making, and at times humorous tricks play a role in trying to put an end to the brutal slaughter of these helpless animals.   Eco-Terrorist: The Battle for Our Planet will be available for audiences across the US starting October 1, 2019 on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu, FandangoNOW, DirectTV and Dish Network/Dish Signal, and through local cable & satellite providers. The film will also be available on DVD at fine distributors everywhere. Film credits include: Director/producer Peter Jay Brown, producer Elora West, writer Timothy Wade Huntley and executive producers Lon Haber and Lawrence Mortoff with music composed by Drew Schnurr.