4 Types of Clothing that Will Boost Your Workouts

Exercise can take many forms. It can range from competing in a triathlon down to a few minutes of stretching your legs after couple of hours stuck at your desk. There is as much variety in workout clothing as there is in the types of workouts, but almost any type of physical activity will be more productive and more comfortable with these four types of clothing.

Workout Gloves

We say “No pain, no gain!”, but sometimes the pain can interfere with the gain. If your exercise is causing blisters or scrapes on your hands, you will get a lot more gain by purchasing some quality workout gloves. They’re designed for working out, not being out working, so they’re optimized for exercise. Good workout gloves will flex with you, protect you from injuries, and breathe to keep your skin cool.

Compression Gear

Another area of discomfort during workouts is from your clothes. Bulky garments may be necessary to keep you warm, but they interfere with good form and will increase fatigue. Baggy cotton garments will also get tangled and uncomfortable. Ordinary socks will ride up, ride down, or wear through. Exercise apparel like compression socks for men and womenwill ensure that your clothing stays comfortably in place and doesn’t interfere with free movement.

Modern Rainwear

Bad weather is a good excuse for skipping a daily walk or run. Back when nylon was the only choice for rainwear, it was actually a legitimate excuse, because the material trapped body heat and humidity, quickly making you hot and miserable. Investing in gear made with modern materials can resolve this problem. They turn rain away but allow body heat and moisture to radiate out, keeping you comfortable despite the precipitation.

Wicking Fabrics

The days of sweaty shirts plastered to athletes’ bodies are over. Modern moisture-wicking fabrics help that perspiration move away from the garment and the wearer, resulting in better evaporative cooling that helps maintain a safe, comfortable body temperature. No matter what activity you use for working up a sweat, these materials will work the sweat away from you.

The motivation to work out is vital to a successful exercise program. So is the development of a specific routine. With the right clothes to keep you at the optimum temperature without rubbing you the wrong way or getting you wet, your exercise routine will be easier to maintain and will lead to better results.

BTG receives Health Canada Medical Device License for the ICEfx™ Cryoablation System

New technology provides physicians in Canada with a minimally invasive alternative to current tumour cryoablation procedures

OTTAWA, Aug. 15, 2019 /CNW/ - BTG International Canada Inc., part of the global specialist healthcare company BTG plc (LSE: BTG), today announced it has received a medical device license from Health Canada for the ICEfx™ Cryoablation System. 

Cryotherapy (also known as cryosurgery or cryoablation) is a minimally invasive procedure that involves cooling the tip of a very thin needle to extremely low temperatures using compressed argon gas. This process forms an ice ball at the tip of the needle, which engulfs the targeted tissue and destroys diseased cells. Cryotherapy ablation is widely used in patients with prostate cancer, kidney cancer and pain applications. To date, more than 200,000 cryotherapy procedures have been performed around the world. 

The ICEfx™ Cryoablation System
The ICEfx™ Cryoablation System is a compact design for use by interventional radiologists thatprovides a minimally invasive alternative procedure for patients with certain cancers. The ICEfx™ Cryoablation System is simple to use with an intuitive interface that is also compact, portable, and is a powerful alternative to existing larger cryotherapy systems.

Introduced globally in the fall of 2018 at the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) meeting, the ICEfx™Cryoablation System is now available for use by interventional radiologists across Canada.

"BTG is pleased to add the most advanced cryoablation technology to the portfolio of minimally invasive therapies it offers to Canadian interventional radiologists and their Canadian patients. Around the globe BTG continues to demonstrate its commitment to interventional oncology,  and has added the most advanced cryoablation technology to its portfolio of minimally invasive therapies and is currently supporting a number of active clinical research studies of cryoablation in bone, kidney, lung, pain and prostate," states Brad Pearson, BTG VP Commercial Operations for Canada and Latin America. 

About BTG IO Ablation (Cryoablation)
BTG Interventional Oncology is a global leader in delivering innovative interventional oncology ablation solutions. BTG's cryoablation products address patient conditions across multiple specialties and clinical research priorities including, conditions affecting bone; kidney; liver; lung and prostate as well as pain applications. Product indications vary by country. For a full list of indications, instructions for use and important safety information, please visit www.ioablation.com

About BTG Interventional Oncology
BTG Interventional Oncology is transforming the way cancer is treated with wide-ranging solutions consisting of minimally-invasive, highly targeted therapies that can be personalized to each patient's needs. Our products are used to treat or provide symptomatic relief for people with cancer and benign tumors. To learn more about BTG Interventional Oncology, please follow @BTGIO on Twitter or visit: btgplc.com.

SOURCE BTG International Canada Inc.

For further information:

Eileen Tobey, beSPEAK Communications Inc., eileen@bespeakcommunications.com, 416 540 4047; Chris Sampson, BTG plc Corporate Communications Director, media@btgplc.com, +44 20 7575 1595, Mobile: +44 7773 251 178

Willing to Risk Your Life?

Concerns Over Health Screenings and the Aging Population

We’ve all heard it, “early detection saves lives,” so why do so many people put off health screenings that could identify cancer before it has the chance to end their life? Right now, 52% of people blame health system barriers like scheduling and timeliness for a lack of screenings. Among that 52%, 40% of those patients aren’t getting Colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings. CRC is the second leading cause of death due to cancer in the United States.  

The even bigger problem, demand for screenings is expected to increase with an aging population as well as with changes in legislation through the Affordable Care Act. With that, there are serious concerns surrounding the efficiency of existing screening capacity resources and then being able to absorb the increased demand in the future.

New research in the INFORMS journal Service Science offers solutions. Study researchers have written an article that provides necessary insight to health professionals and patients.

If you are interested in running this article exclusively, please reach out to me. The authors are also available for interviews.

About INFORMS and Service Science

Service Science is a premier peer-reviewed scholarly journal focused on covering state-of-the-art research, education, practice and breakthroughs. The work crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries to make sense of interactions that create value in complex service systems. It is published by INFORMS, the leading international association for operations research and analytics professionals. More information is available at www.informs.org or @informs.

CMPA supports appropriate use of artificial intelligence in healthcare

OTTAWA, Aug. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) led an engaging discussion on Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare today in Toronto during its Annual Meeting and Conference. During the session, CMPA members and stakeholders were given a sense of the current state of the AI/Deep Learning technology and its potential application in healthcare/health research.

Dr. David Naylor, Professor of Medicine and President Emeritus, University of Toronto, outlined some of the advantages and pitfalls of AI in the health realm, including its current and future applications to practice. Dr. Hartley Stern, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer at the CMPA, reviewed the medical-legal implications of AI in healthcare. These presentations set the stage for an engaging question and answer period on AI's potential influence on medical practice.

Dr. Naylor advocated for a well-considered approach to incorporating AI in healthcare, including evaluating the appropriateness of AI tools, and exercising judgment in clinical decision-making. Both Drs. Naylor and Stern emphasized that the objective of using AI-based technology should be to enhance patient care and complement the physician-patient relationship – not replace physician decision-making.

"Physicians are encouraged to understand the relationship between Deep Learning and related data sciences so they can make the best possible use of AI systems," said Dr. Naylor. "This rapidly developing technology has tremendous potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and enhance access to care."

"As AI applications continue to improve, the healthcare industry will undergo a significant shift," said Dr. Stern. "The CMPA urges governments, regulators, and industry to put in place the appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks to support safe adoption of AI and we are eager to contribute to this process. In addition, we will continue to support physicians by providing advice to minimize medical-legal risk as they adopt or are impacted by AI technologies."

From patient care to clinical research, AI applications are revolutionizing healthcare delivery and contributing toward safe medical care. The speakers emphasized that AI is still developing and has yet to be widely adopted. While evidence about the effectiveness and reliability of the practical applications of AI continues to be limited, there are promising opportunities for healthcare. Both speakers concluded that effective AI adoption requires a well thought-out and balanced approach.

For further details, please see Can I get an [artificial] second opinion? on AI in healthcare. More information and resources are available on the Association's website or by request.

How the CMPA provides value: 

The CMPA delivers efficient, high quality physician-to-physician advice and assistance in medical-legal matters, including the provision of appropriate compensation to patients injured by negligent medical care (fault in Québec). Our evidence-based products and services enhance the safety of medical care, reducing unnecessary harm and costs.

As Canada's largest physician organization and with the support of our 100,000 physician members, the CMPA collaborates, advocates, and effects positive change on important healthcare and medical-legal issues. 

www.cmpa-acpm.ca

SOURCE Canadian Medical Protective Association

Want to Work From Home?  There May Be Some Pitfalls, 

According To An NYC Neuropsychologist

www.comprehendthemind.com

Dr. Sanam Hafeez,  NYC neuropsychologist,  points out some essential things to consider before choosing to work from home. 

Studies, surveys, and census information show that about 8 million Americans work from home at least part of the week.  This amount is considerably higher today than it was back in the early 2000s. This section of the workforce is expected to grow in the coming years as online resources continue catering to this setup. The improvement of internet connectivity, collaborative applications, and software, as well as the proliferation of studies showing increases in employee productivity when working from home, have contributed to the general change of mind on this work/lifestyle choice. 

But is working from home for everybody? What characteristics make for a more successful remote employee? What are some of the drawbacks for individuals working at home? 

Dr. Sanam Hafeez is a Neuropsychologist in NYC with a Faculty Appointment at Columbia University. She points out that “as online tools and telecommuting become more commonplace, more conversations need to be had about what characteristics and job responsibilities a team member needs to have in order to carry out their duties successfully while working from home.”

Dr. Hafeez explains that not all personalities are the same and that employees need to be assessed in order to “determine where they would, not only feel happiest but also be more productive.” 

Here Is What You Should Take Into Account If You Are Thinking Of Working Remotely: 

1. Isolation

Everyone who has ever had to wake up to go to work on a Monday with little sleep, low energy or a personal issue gnawing at their mind, has felt the annoyance of having to go to the office and attend a Monday meeting. This does not mean, however, that working from home is ideal for you, explains Dr. Sanam Hafeez.  “Nearly everyone will experience that feeling of wanting to stay home instead of heading into work. For the majority of people going to work adds meaning and stimulation to their day. Introverts may have an easier time acclimating to the lack of human interaction in a work-from-home situation, but for extroverts, the lack of camaraderie and the isolation they may feel at home may be an essential deterrent that leads them to opt for an on-site position,” says Dr. Hafeez. In a 2-year Standford University study on productivity and remote work, more than half of the study group felt too isolated at home and indicated their change of heart when it came to working from home 100 percent of the time. 

1. Little Separation of Home and Work

Home is where the heart is. For many of us, opening the door to our house or apartment after a long day brings a feeling of calmness from the constant stimuli of the workday. “For people who consistently work at home there might be issues separating work from play, rest and family,” says Dr. Hafeez. For an organized person who can confine their work to an established workstation within the home, this might be less of an issue but for those of us who study in bed, or like to work on the dinner table or couch this presents a challenge. “Sleep Hygiene is one of the areas where this also comes to play because our bed should be for sleep and sex.  If you are scattering papers across the place you sleep and spending hours upon hours working in bed, there is no signaled change to the brain that the bed is for sleep.  Making it difficult later on to wind down,” explains Dr. Hafeez. 

1. Distractions

A cardinal rule for determining whether to work at home or in the office should always be, know thyself. “This means you are being honest with yourself as to your abilities to navigate and ignore temptations and distractions on your own without the structure of an office and team environment,” says Dr. Hafeez. People who are self-disciplined tend to do well working from home because their personality is conducive to holding themselves accountable. But if you know that in the absence of a manager or co-workers you would fall victim to distractions like the TV, food, or other to-do items, then choosing to stay in office may be an important self-reflective decision you need to make for you and your career. 

1. The Dependance of Family on Your Time

One problem with working at home if you have a lot of dependents or people that count on you is the perception to those around you that you are not busy. “This means that if you are at home and something comes up, even if not urgent, you may be asked to deal with it,” warns Dr. Hafeez. This is something to consider and a conversation to be had with those you care about. People who are people-pleasers may have a difficult time adhering to their work in a moment when someone they care about needs a favor. If you still decide to work from home “consider having systems in place to deal with needs that come up. Such systems might include pharmacy delivery services, food delivery and medical transport for older adults. This may help in navigating some issues,” suggests Dr. Hafeez. 

1. A Decrease In Company Rapport

For those of us with an invested interest in growing within a company and investing in our career, working from home may not be the best choice in lieu of an office option. While many companies are growing off of a collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit of remote work, companies that have headquartered spaces need people present. “Presence breeds familiarity and familiarity drives rapport,” affirms Dr. Hafeez. If a big client crisis happens, the first to know are those in the office, and if you are at home, working remotely, you might lose out on the opportunity to give your input. While people who are great multitaskers may still be able to navigate these types of situations by checking in with the in-office team regularly, those who tend to stick to their to-do list and work more reactively may find themselves plateauing with the company after some time. 

About Dr. Sanam Hafeez: 

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is an NYC based licensed clinical neuropsychologist,

a teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University

Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of

Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a

neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan

and Queens. Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience

connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s

common issues such as body image, social media addiction,

relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar,

schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works

with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),

learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr.

Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in

New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz. Connect with

her via Instagram @drsanamhafeez or

www.comprehendthemind.com

Hawaiian Ethos Medical Cannabis Is Sun-Grown and Sustainable

Kailua-Kona—One of just two licensed medical cannabis growers and distributors on the Big Island of Hawai‘i , Hawaiian Ethos utilizes sustainable growing practices which are better for patients, the planet, and the medicine. 

Sungrown on Hawai‘i Island

“In Hawaiʻi, natural light is an abundant resource, so we designed our cultivation facility to harness as much of it as possible,” says Diana Hahn, Hawaiian Ethos Communications Director.

Using the sun allows Ethos to significantly cut down on artificial lighting, one of the biggest energy expenditures in the cultivation of indoor cannabis.

Quality of Hawaiʻi Sunlight = Increased THC Production 

Sunlight in Hawai’i is unique, both in its intensity and spectrum. Because Hawaii is near the equator, the sun's rays are a lot stronger than in other places. For example, Hawai‘i is exposed to more UV than anywhere else in the United States—routinely at 9-10 on the UV index. UV light has been shown to increase cannabinoid production in plants—specifically THCA. UV can also lower bacterial and fungal populations, which keeps plants clean. 

“All medical cannabis sold on the island has to be grown locally, and all Hawaiian Ethos cannabis is sun-grown,” says Hahn. 

The structure and orientation of Ethos’ cultivation facility lets in high elevation sunlight via efficient light-transmitting panels, allowing diffuse, broad spectrum sunlight to shine down on the plants. By growing with sunlight as the primary energy source, Ethos uses 1.3M less KwH and saves over $650,000 per year compared traditional indoor growing methods. 

“Growing with the sun reduces the carbon footprint of Ethos’ operation substantially as artificial lighting also requires extra cooling. We’ve also seen that sun-grown cannabis has more ‘character.’ Unique traits in the structure of the flower as well as its cannabinoid and terpene profile are enhanced by the wide spectrum light provided by the sun,” adds Hahn.

Sustainable Packaging

Along with using the sunlight, Hawaiian Ethos is also the first dispensary in the state to introduce recyclable, compostable packaging. Rather than plastic, Ethos uses childproof cardboard boxes to meet state requirements for the majority of its products. Even the resealable inner sleeves used to keep flower fresh are compostable. 

“Hawaiian Ethos strives to produce the best medicine, in order to maximize the impact we make in the lives of patients and minimize the impact we make on the earth,” said Hahn.

Traveling to Hawai’i?

Hawaiian Ethos is permitted to serve out-of-state medical cannabis patients. 

Residents of the United States with a government-issued Medical Cannabis Registration Card may apply for an out-of-state medical cannabis card here.

Location/Hours

Hawaiian Ethos’ first dispensary is located on Olowalu Street in Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Hawaiian Ethos is open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday.  A Hilo location will be announced soon.

Hawaiian Ethos Medical Cannabis Is Sun-Grown and Sustainable

Kailua-Kona—One of just two licensed medical cannabis growers and distributors on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Ethos’ vision is to create an example for the world that shows sustainable growing practices are better for patients, the earth, and the medicine. 

Sungrown on Hawai‘i Island

“In Hawaiʻi, natural light is an abundant resource, so we designed our cultivation facility to harness as much of it as possible,” says Diana Hahn, Hawaiian Ethos Communications Director.

Using the sun allows Ethos to significantly cut down on artificial lighting, one of the biggest energy expenditures in the cultivation of indoor cannabis.

Quality of Hawaiʻi Sunlight = Increased THC Production 

Sunlight in Hawai’i is unique, both in its intensity and spectrum. Because Hawaii is near the equator, the sun's rays are a lot stronger than in other places. For example, Hawai‘i is exposed to more UV than anywhere else in the United States—routinely at 9-10 on the UV index. UV light has been shown to increase cannabinoid production in plants—specifically THCA. UV can also lower bacterial and fungal populations, which keeps plants clean. 

“All medical cannabis sold on the island has to be grown locally, and all Hawaiian Ethos cannabis is sun-grown,” says Hahn. Growing with the sun reduces the carbon footprint of Ethos’ operation substantially as artificial lighting also requires extra cooling. 

The structure and orientation of Ethos’ cultivation facility lets in high elevation sunlight via efficient light-transmitting panels, allowing diffuse, broad spectrum sunlight to shine down on the plants. 

By growing with sunlight as the primary energy source, Ethos uses 1.3M less KwH and saves over $650,000 per year compared traditional indoor growing methods.

“We’ve also seen that sun-grown cannabis has more ‘character.’ Unique traits in the structure of the flower as well as its cannabinoid and terpene profile are enhanced by the wide spectrum light provided by the sun.” 

Sustainable Packaging

Along with using the sunlight, Hawaiian Ethos is also the first dispensary in the state to introduce recyclable, compostable packaging. Rather than plastic, Ethos uses childproof cardboard boxes to meet state requirements for the majority of its products. Even the resealable inner sleeves used to keep flower fresh are compostable. 

“Hawaiian Ethos strives to produce the best medicine, in order to maximize the impact we make in the lives of patients and minimize the impact we make on the earth,” added Hahn.

Traveling to Hawai’i?

Hawaiian Ethos is permitted to serve out-of-state medical cannabis patients. 

Residents of the United States with a government-issued Medical Cannabis Registration Card may apply for an out-of-state medical cannabis card here.

Location/Hours

Hawaiian Ethos’ first dispensary is located on Olowalu Street in Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Hawaiian Ethos is open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday.  A Hilo location will be announced soon.

For more information, please visit https://www.hawaiianethos.com and @hawaiianethos on social media.

N.B. Product story attached. For current product list see this link: https://secure.hawaiianethos.com/products

ProMIS Neurosciences Announces Second Quarter 2019 Results

Company continues to expand its portfolio of highly selective antibodies targeting root cause of Alzheimer's, ALS and Parkinson's disease 

TORONTO and CAMBRIDGE, MA, Aug. 13, 2019 /CNW/ - ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (TSX: PMN) (OTCQB: ARFXF), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, today announced its operational and financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.

"Over the course of the first half of 2019, the breadth and depth of our unique discovery and development platform was further evidenced as ProMIS made considerable progress in expanding its portfolio of opportunities in neurodegenerative diseases," stated Eugene Williams, ProMIS' Executive Chairman. "In the second quarter of this year, we were able to identify novel antibodies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) with selectivity for the neurotoxic form of tau. This is in addition to the prior identification of antibody candidates selectively targeting toxic forms of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) for Parkinson's disease (PD) and toxic, aggregated forms of TDP43 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)."

Narrated updates relating to ProMIS' unique approach and capabilities can be found on the ProMIS website by clicking on the links below:

• Click here for Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Kupiec's update on demonstrating early proof-of-concept with biomarkers and focused patient populations 
• Click here for Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Neil Cashman's overview of ProMIS' unique capability to design and develop antibodies selectively targeting toxic misfolded proteins that are a root cause of neurodegenerative diseases 
• Click here for Chief Development Officer, Dr. Johanne Kaplan's podium presentation at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2019 showing selective targeting of toxic oligomers by PMN310, a monoclonal antibody rationally designed for greater therapeutic potency in AD

Corporate Highlights

• In June 2019, the Company completed a private placement of 4,680,000 common share units at a price of $0.25 per unit resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $1,170,000 ($1,093,492 net of share issuance costs). Each unit consisted of one common share and one common share warrant. The common shares are subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance. Each warrant is exercisable into one common share at a price of $0.35 per share at any time for five years.
  
  
• In May 2019, ProMIS announced the identification of novel antibodies for AD with selectivity for the neurotoxic form of tau. ProMIS leveraged its proprietary drug discovery and development platform to identify several novel antibodies that selectively bind toxic oligomers of tau. The platform produced antibodies that meet a key success factor for a viable Alzheimer's disease therapy: the ability to selectively target the neurotoxic form of a protein, while sparing the normal forms of the protein, a challenge that has contributed to recent late-stage clinical trial failures. The platform not only generates high-quality antibody candidates, it delivers powerful, validated candidates in months versus years. Used in combination with new biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, researchers could dramatically improve the success and speed of future therapy development efforts.
  
  
• In June 2019, ProMIS presented key data on monoclonal antibody PMN310 for AD at the Keystone Symposium on Neurodegenerative Diseases: New Insights and Therapeutic Opportunities. For nearly fifty years, the conference has attracted the world's most accomplished researchers in neurodegenerative diseases to discuss future directions in therapy and care. ProMIS Chief Development Officer Dr. Johanne Kaplan presented data showing that PMN310 possesses superior selectivity for amyloid beta toxic oligomers and improved therapeutic potential compared with other amyloid beta-directed antibodies.
  
  
• Scientific Advisory Board Appointment
  
  In June 2019, the Company appointed C. Warren Olanow, MD, FRCPC, FAAN, FRCP(Hon) to its scientific advisory board (SAB). Dr. Olanow has dedicated his career to the study of neurodegeneration, particularly Parkinson's disease, through his work in academia, scientific research, clinical trials and professional societies. He is the previous Henry P. and Georgette Goldschmidt Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and is presently Professor Emeritus in the Department of Neurology and in the Department of Neuroscience. He also serves as Chief Executive Officer of CLINTREX, a pharmaceutical advisory firm that has designed numerous clinical trials in neurodegenerative disease for the pharmaceutical industry. 

Financial Results

Results of Operations – Three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2019 was $1,858,530, compared to a net loss of $2,214,861 for the three months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.  Included in the net loss amount for the three months ended June 30, 2019 were non-cash expenses of $153,461, representing share-based compensation and amortization of an intangible asset, compared to $173,544 for the three months ended June 30, 2018.  The decrease in the net loss in the three months ended June 30, 2019 reflects a decrease in costs associated with external contract research organizations for internal programs, patent costs and share-based compensation offset by increased consultant salaries and associated costs and general corporate expenditures. 

Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2019 were $1,042,618, as compared to $1,531,075 in the three months ended June 30, 2018. The decrease in research and development expense for the three months ended June 30, 2019 is primarily attributed to decreased costs associated external contract research organizations for internal programs and patent costs offset by higher contracted research salaries and associated costs, and higher share-based compensation. 

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2019 were $815,937, as compared to $683,786 in the three months ended June 30, 2018.  The increase in general and administrative expense for the three months ended June 30, 2019 is primarily attributable to increased consultant salaries and associated costs and general corporate expenditures offset by decreased share-based compensation.

Results of Operations – Six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 

Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was $4,305,107, compared to a net loss of $3,771,733 for the six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.  Included in the net loss amount for the six months ended June 30, 2019 were non-cash expenses of $417,334, representing share-based compensation and amortization of an intangible asset, compared to $502,555 for the six months ended June 30, 2018.  The increase in the net loss in the six months ended June 30, 2019 reflects the costs associated with operating the Company's AD therapeutics program, increased contracted research and consultant salaries and associated costs and general corporate expenditures.   

Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 were $2,813,271, as compared to $2,229,082 in the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase in research and development expense for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is primarily attributed to increased spending on external contract research organizations for internal programs, higher contracted research salaries and associated costs, and higher share-based compensation offset by reduced patent costs.   

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 were $1,491,861, as compared to $1,542,656 in the six months ended June 30, 2018.  The decrease in general and administrative expense for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is primarily attributable to decreased share-based compensation offset by increased consultant salaries and associated costs, general corporate expenditures and foreign exchange.

Outlook

The Company will continue to build on its unique, proprietary discovery and development platform to further characterize the potential benefits of its programs selectively targeting toxic aggregates of TDP43 and SOD1 in ALS, toxic forms of α-syn in PD and other α-syn-related disorders, and toxic forms of tau and amyloid beta in AD and other dementias to further support ongoing pharmaceutical partnering discussions.

About ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc.

ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. is a development stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing antibody therapeutics selectively targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The Company's proprietary target discovery platform is based on the use of two complementary thermodynamic, computational discovery engines -ProMIS and Collective Coordinates – to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique precision approach, the Company is developing novel antibody therapeutics for AD, ALS and PD. ProMIS is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ProMIS is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PMN, and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol ARFXF.

Company documents relating to the fiscal year 2018 annual report and fiscal year 2019 quarterly reports can be viewed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at the link below:

Visit us at www.promisneurosciences.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This information release contains certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE ProMIS Neurosciences Inc.

Health Canada approves Tecentriq® (atezolizumab), first new treatment in 20 years for aggressive form of lung cancer(1)

Data show Tecentriq in combination with carboplatin and etoposide helped patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer live longer, with a 30% reduction in the risk of death²

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 13, 2019 /CNW/ - Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) announced today that Health Canada has approved Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) in combination with carboplatin and etoposide for the first-line treatment of adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC),³ representing the first new treatment for the disease in more than two decades.⁴ Tecentriq is the first and only approved cancer immunotherapy agent in Canada for first-line small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada, with an average of 78 Canadians diagnosed every day.⁵ It is also the leading cause of death from cancer.⁶ SCLC is the most aggressive form of lung cancer, characterized by fast growing tumours and early metastasis, and accounts for approximately 15% of all lung cancer cases in Canada – the equivalent of 4,300 new patients each year.⁷ Of all new SCLC cases, two-thirds are diagnosed as extensive-stage.⁸ The prognosis for patients with ES-SCLC has historically been extremely bleak, with an estimated five-year survival rate of 3%.⁹

"Atezolizumab in combination with chemotherapy provides a clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival when compared to chemotherapy alone, while most importantly improving quality of life for patients. This is an important milestone, since previously, there were limited treatments available," says Dr. Rosalyn Juergens, Associate Professor of Oncology at McMaster University. "The Health Canada approval of the Tecentriq regimen represents a new option and we are optimistic about the role it can play for this challenging to treat patient population in the future."

This approval is based on results from the Phase III IMpower133 study, which is the first Phase III study with an immunotherapy-based combination to show improvement in overall survival and progression-free survival in first-line treatment of ES-SCLC. The study showed that Tecentriq in combination with carboplatin and etoposide helped people live longer, compared with chemotherapy alone (median overall survival [OS] was 12.3 versus 10.3 months; hazard ratio [HR] was 0.70; 95% CI: 0.54–0.91; p=0.0069) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population, corresponding to an estimated 30% reduction in the risk of death. The 1-year overall survival rate was approximately 13% higher in the atezolizumab group than in the placebo group (51.7% vs. 38.2%). Median progression free survival [PFS] was 5.2 months versus 4.3 months; HR was 0.77; 95% CI:0.62-0.96; p=0.017.¹⁰

"The unmet need in small cell lung cancer is very high as the majority of patients are diagnosed at a late stage," says Shem Singh, Executive Director Lung Cancer Canada. "New treatment options are needed and the approval of atezolizumab provides a new tool for Canadians living with small cell lung cancer to manage the disease and spend more time with their families."

About the IMpower133 study¹¹
IMpower133 is a global randomized, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase I/III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Tecentriq in combination with carboplatin and etoposide versus carboplatin and etoposide alone in adults with chemotherapy-naïve ES-SCLC. A total of 403 people were enrolled in the study.

The co-primary endpoints were PFS and OS in the ITT population.

The safety profile of the Tecentriq in combination with carboplatin and etoposide was consistent with the known risks of the individual treatment components. The most common adverse reactions in people receiving Tecentriq in combination with carboplatin and etoposide were: anemia (43.4%), nausea (37.9%), decreased appetite (27.3%), fatigue (27.3%), vomiting (19.7%), thrombocytopenia (16.7%), platelet count decreased (12.6%), hypothyroidism (10.1%), dyspnea (10.1%), and pyrexia (10.1%).

The IMpower133 regimen is now included as the preferred treatment option for previously untreated ES-SCLC in the 2019 NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for SCLC.¹²

About Tecentriq® (atezolizumab)
Tecentriq is a monoclonal antibody designed to directly bind to PD-L1 expressed on tumour cells and tumour-infiltrating immune cells.¹³ This blocks the interactions of PD-L1 with other cell-surface receptors which regulate the activation or suppression of T cells, a type of white blood cell that protects the body from infection and disease, including cancer.^{14, 15}

Currently, Roche has twelve Phase III lung cancer studies evaluating Tecentriq as monotherapy or in combination with other medicines.

In Canada, Tecentriq is approved in combination with bevacizumab and paclitaxel and carboplatin for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumour aberrations, and no prior systemic chemotherapy treatment for metastatic non-squamous NSCLC. Tecentriq is also approved for the second-line treatment of adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumour aberrations should have disease progression on a therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving Tecentriq. In addition, under the Notice of Compliance with conditions (NOC/c) policy, Tecentriq is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum containing chemotherapy.

About Roche in Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a major area of focus and investment for Roche, and we are committed to developing new approaches, medicines and tests that can help people with the disease. Our goal is to provide an effective treatment option for every person diagnosed with lung cancer. In Canada, we currently have four approved medicines to treat certain kinds of lung cancer and a range of additional medicines under development to target the most common genetic drivers of lung cancer or to boost the immune system's ability to combat the disease.

About Roche
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalized healthcare - a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.

Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. 

Founded in 1931, Roche Canada is committed to searching for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases while making a sustainable contribution to society. The company employs more than 1,200 people across the country through its Pharmaceuticals division in Mississauga, Ontario and Diagnostics, as well as Diabetes Care divisions in Laval, Quebec.

Roche aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. Roche Canada is actively involved in local communities through its charitable giving and partnerships with organizations and healthcare institutions that work together to improve the quality of life of Canadians. For more information, please visit www.RocheCanada.com.

All trade-marks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

© Copyright 2019; Hoffmann-La Roche Limited

REFERENCES

SOURCE Roche Canada