Mural dedicated to late teen hockey player to be unveiled at QEII Health Sciences Centre today

Wall hopes to inspire other families facing inherited heart disease in Atlantic Canada

HALIFAX, July 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Tonight, a heart clinic at the QEII Health Sciences Centre becomes home to a larger-than-life mural dedicated to the late Jordan Boyd; the 16-year-old hockey player who tragically lost his life to a rare, inherited heart disease that went undetected. 

In August 2013, while attending the hockey training camp of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, Jordan's life came to an unexpected end after he collapsed on the ice. It was later determined that Jordan had an undiagnosed heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC).

Over the past six years, the annual hockey tournament organized in memory of the Bedford teen has raised more than $855,000 net to fund inherited heart disease research at the QEII, as well as increase automated external defibrillator (AED) access and awareness in Nova Scotia and from coast-to-coast. In late 2017, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced it would improve first-aid protocols in the wake of Jordan's death – a testament to the Boyd family's fierce efforts to reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest in individuals living with known, or suspected, genetic heart conditions.

On Thursday, July 25, members of the media are invited to attend the official unveiling of the wall mural, which will be seen each day by patients and families living with ARVC and other inherited heart conditions.

SOURCE QEII FOUNDATION

Ransomware Can Put Healthcare Providers —  And Patients — in Critical Condition

 A healthcare organization can find itself in critical condition if attacked by ransomware — a type of malware that prevents or limits users from accessing their files unless a ransom is paid.

Verizon’s 2018 Data Breach Investigations Report discovered that ransomware accounts for 85 percent of all malware targeting the healthcare industry. Ransomware attacks have been numerous in hospitals and other health facilities recently, and the consequences can be dire for providers and patients, who are denied access to their files and cannot receive the care they need. 

“Many healthcare offices are not prepared to combat cyber attacks,” says Alex Zlatin, CEO of Maxim Software Systems and author of Responsible Dental Ownership (alexzlatin.com). “It can be a life-or-death situation if they can’t access data. So, they are more likely to pay up. 

“Healthcare organizations are prime targets because of all the patients’ personal information they have to offer cyber criminals. It’s imperative they get up to speed on how to prevent such a nightmare scenario and know how to deal with a ransomware attack quickly.”

Zlatin offers ways for healthcare organizations to prevent or reduce the risks of ransomware attacks, and how they should respond if infected:

If attacked by ransomware

• Isolate the infected computer immediately. “Infected systems should be removed from the network as soon as possible to prevent ransomware from attacking network or shared drives,” Zlatin says.
• Isolate or power-off affected devices. Those devices that have not been completely corrupted should shut down or be isolated. Zlatin says this can provide time to recover data and contain the damage.
• Secure backup data or systems by taking them offline. “You’ll want to ensure backups are free of malware before using them to restore inaccessible data,” Zlatin says. 
• Change online account passwords and network passwords. “After removing the system from the network, do this, and change all system passwords once the malware is removed,” Zlatin says. 

   To prevent attacks and mitigate risks

• Train employees on cyber hygiene. “This is a healthcare organization’s best defense against ransomware,” Zlatin says. “Cyber hygiene is not putting yourself in a situation where you're surrounded by malicious links — like surfing the internet for personal reasons, opening emails from unfamiliar sources, going on Facebook or checking your Twitter feed from a workstation.”
• Keep all systems secure. To remain compliant with HIPPA regulations in the U.S. and Canadian ones like PIPEDA, PHIPA and Alberta’s IHA, all systems that contain protected health information are required to stay up to date. “To protect against a ransomware threat, a similar approach must be taken so that all systems are secured against any potential vulnerabilities,” Zlatin says.
• Monitor network traffic and file access. “Data breaches can be discovered by monitoring for unusual behavior within the systems,” Zlatin says. “Detecting outbound connections can pinpoint the location of an infection.”
• Back up all data. “If some or all of a system’s files get encrypted, restoring the files from a backup is the only recovery option,” Zlatin says. “Making sure that the backup restores properly is as important as having a backup from the get-go.”
• Adopt additional protection. “Ransomware sometimes goes undetected by many antivirus tools,” Zlatin says, “and IT departments must apply safeguards to block suspicious emails and deploy additional filters that block potential harmful sites,” Zlatin says.

“Providers can’t just hope an attack doesn’t happen to them,” Zlatin says. “They must do everything they can to prevent it.”

About Alex Zlatin

Alex Zlatin, author of the book Responsible Dental Ownership (alexzlatin.com), had more than 10 years of management experience before he accepted the position of CEO of dental practice management company Maxim Software Systems. He earned his MBA at Edinburgh Business School and a B.Sc. in Technology Management at HIT in Israel.

His company helps struggling dental professionals take control of their practices and reach the next level of success with responsible leadership strategies. 

AbbVie is committed to the elimination of hepatitis C in Canada by 2030

• Everyone has a part to play in making hepatitis C (HCV) elimination the next public health success story. 
• Partnerships are essential to solving some of the most pressing challenges.

MONTREAL, July 25, 2019  /CNW/ - AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global, research and development-based biopharmaceutical company, supports a wide range of efforts to help elevate and prioritize hepatitis C (HCV) elimination because achieving the shared goal of elimination by 2030 will take more than medicine. It will take transparent and collaborative partnerships with healthcare professionals, governments and community organizations to remove barriers to care and to help simplify treatment options, especially for the Priority populations, which include people who inject or use drugs, as well as immigrants and newcomers to Canada.¹

"HCV elimination starts with demonstrating our commitment to the World Health Organization 2030 goal," explains Stéphane Lassignardie, General Manager, AbbVie Canada. "Through partnerships with stakeholders, we are working to find sustainable solutions that allow more patients to be screened, linked to care, and treated in a shorter period of time. We have engaged with governments across Canada to lower the price of hepatitis C treatments so that every patient cured accelerates the path to elimination. This is because we have a shar ed commitment and by working together, we can eliminate this disease."

In Canada, an estimated 250,000 people are living with chronic hepatitis C but as many as 44% are not aware that they have it.¹ Left undiagnosed and untreated, chronic hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure. Currently, hepatitis C is the leading indication for liver transplant in Canada.² Of the people who inject drugs, 66% have past or current HCV infection. ¹

Cool Aid Community Health Centre based in Victoria, British Columbia, provides integrated primary health care services within a multidisciplinary team to treat illness and promote wellness. "Because HCV disproportionately affects marginalized populations in Canada, our nurse-led model for the treatment of HCV focuses on community outreach and intensive case management in order to successfully treat those living with HCV who require a high level of support. In addition, we work with the HCV treatment providers to develop education and awareness tools specific to this population," says Tamara Barnett, Primary Care Nurse Clinician at Cool Aid Community Health Centre.

Up to 35% of all HCV infections in Canada are among immigrants and newcomers, especially those from countries where HCV is common.¹ Although voluntary HCV screening after arrival in Canada is included in existing national recommendations, immigrants and newcomers are less likely to access the healthcare system than Canadian-born residents, and healthcare providers may be unaware of countries where HCV is common.¹

"At the Jewish General Hospital, we see thousands of people on a yearly basis with a variety of liver diseases. A significant number of them are immigrants and newcomers. Hepatitis C is one of the common diseases that we find among this population. I must say that we have a great referral system with our local community health centres," explains Dr. Nir Hilzenrat, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. "Today, we have the right treatments to eliminate hepatitis C, but if we are to reach the goal set by the World Health Organization, we need to work on prevention, as well as screening and linking to care people living with this disease. For me, it's important to work with the Priority populations to educate them in order to remove any barriers and facilitate understanding so that they can be successfully treated and cured."

Sunday, July 28, marks World Hepatitis Day. Ahead of this date, AbbVie held an HCV Awareness and Screening Day for its employees providing an opportunity to learn more about the disease and to get tested on a voluntary basis. On July 18, close to 30% of head office employees participated seeking to get answers to better understand the myths, facts and stigma surrounding this devastating and deadly disease.

About AbbVie 

AbbVie is a global, research and development-based biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative advanced therapies for some of the world's most complex and critical conditions. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to markedly improve treatments across four primary therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, virology and neuroscience. In more than 75 countries, AbbVie employees are working every day to advance health solutions for people around the world. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.ca and www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvieCanada and @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page. 

SOURCE AbbVie Canada

Plastic Surgeon Warns: “Sunburn Tattoos' Could Be the Worst Viral Challenge Ever

www.Drmanishshah.com

Instagram is full of all kinds of viral challenges. Some of them are charitable such as “The Ice Bucket Challenge,” some are silly like the Kyle Jenner “Lip Challenge,” others are fitness oriented such as planking in obscure places. The sunburn tattoo challenge which has its own hashtag on Instagram is downright dangerous. 

What it is: Young people are putting stencils or stickers on their skin, then they lay in the sun without sunscreen. After they burn and take the stencil off – what’s behind is an outline known as the “sunburn tattoo.”  Other sunbathers do the inverse and use a stencil to hide some skin from the sun while burning the surrounding area. 

The dangers: Dr. Shah says, “At first glance it may look like harmless fun in the sun. The bottom line is that sunburn tattoos are extremely dangerous and can put you at serious risk of skin cancer.” What makes this more dangerous than a ‘standard burn’ explains Dr. Shah is that in order for the stencil, or tattoo, to be visible, you would have to damage the surrounding tissue enough that it either tans heavily or burns. By intetionally keeping the area sunscreen-free will do harm to the DNA in the skin cells.  Dr. Shah warns that, “sitting out in the sun without the appropriate protection could not only cause life-long damage, but could also double the risk of skin cancer.”

Is there a safe way to get a sunburn tattoo? Dr. Shah has 3 kids and he would rather see them get an actual tattoo than use this method. “There is no safe way to get a sunburn tattoo. That is major misconception. There is no such thing as a safe tan. A lot of these sunburn tattoos are being done by kids. When you have young skin like that, it is especially vulnerable to ultraviolet rays. You are more likely to see signs of ageing.”

A Safe Way: You can order all kinds of temporary designs online, ask for an airbrush design from a tattoo shop, and if you’re want the tan tattoo look, just put a sticker on your arm before rubbing on self tanner. 

Modern Pick Entertainment in Acquisition Talks with Slightly Mad Studios – Esports and AAA-Racing Technology Developers

Modern Pick Entertainment intends to acquire the assets of Slightly Mad Studios, developers of chart-busting AAA games with leading VR technology at a triple-million-digit valuation. 

The deal would transfer substantial shares of Slightly Mad Studios, the games development studio, which has captured global recognition for its Madness engine, Project CARS franchise, and Esports gaming technology portfolio, and sold over 25 million units of its games in the last ten years. 

Ian Bell, CEO of Slightly Mad Studios said, “This is a fantastic achievement for us. This will bring about new opportunities and new ideas. We are excited about the future.”

Denis Gamobramov is a serial entrepreneur in the entertainment and media industry with over 15 years of global successful experience. Also a founder of Massa Innovations together with Victoria Palatnik.

“Slightly Mad Studios fits perfectly with our mission to create and develop truly competitive, highly-emotional non-violent eSport games,” Gamobramov said. 

Slightly Mad Studios technology utilizes the design talent of a remarkable team of people – a globally-based workforce, gamers, and real-world racing drivers who create VR technology that allows people to experience real-time simulated action with unprecedented perception of speed, clarity and spatial awareness. SMS technology is modular, scalable, multi-genre and its mobile engine operates on iOS, and Android. The Madness engine has been adopted by a wide array of automotive companies, while the Project CARS franchise was one of the reference games for the Oculus VR headset, now owned by Facebook. 

For more information https://www.slightlymadstudios.com/

Modern Pick is a publisher with a special focus on competitive racing games and eSports. The company is originally based in Europe, while having offices in London, Barcelona, Moscow, and Singapore.

For more information http://www.modernpick.com/

Slightly Mad Studios collaborated with Porsche to create a unique Project CARS VR platform called the “Porsche 911 VR-Racing Experience” for the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. 

The mobile version of the Project CARS franchise is due in 2020.

Learn more - Experience Project Cars sim racing yourself here: https://youtu.be/jCK6QQrMsIg  

How to Keep Cool When Working Out in The Heat - In Cat’s words:

The #1 priority is to reduce your risk of heat exhaustion, which can lead to nausea, fatigue, and more from overheating. And there’s no greater risk of heat exhaustion than the combination of summer heat, humidity, and high core temperatures due to exercise. So, make sure you’re following these steps:

When to Exercise in the Summer

Avoid working out during the hottest part of the day, which is usually midday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We recommend working out early in the morning, when the sun’s still rising, or after it goes down in the early evening.

Sunblock

Exercising outdoors? Make sure to wear sunblock – even if it’s overcast. Always look for broad-spectrum sunscreen, and remember to keep re-applying it every 2 hours. It’s not just a safeguard against skin cancer – nothing heats up your skin like sunburn.

Stay Hydrated

We can’t stress this enough: you need to stay hydrated. Always carry a cold, full water bottle with you wherever you go, and especially when you exercise.

But that’s not all: you also have to maintain your electrolyte and salt levels, because you lose a lot of salt when you sweat. In that case, a traditional sports drink might help you a little better.

Know When to Stop

When you’re dealing with exercising in extreme heat, you have to know when to call it quits, or risk overheating. You need to throw in the (hopefully cold water-drenched) towel when you start to feel:

• Weak
• Headaches
• Racing heart
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Light-headed

What You Should Wear

Opt for workout clothes that not only breathe, but also wick sweat away to keep your body dry. That means materials like cotton, or special-performance fabrics. If you’re not on a Spin bike, try to wear loose clothing.

Buddy Up

Grab that partner and swing ‘em around, not literally, but if you are going to workout outside when it’s warm, do it with a friend or group so that if anything does happen, someone is there to help.

More about Cat: Fitness expert and entrepreneur, Cat Kom, is the founder of Studio SWEAT onDemand*, an online fitness platform that brings fitness to the masses. Selected by the Huffington Post as one of the 99 “Limit Breaking Female Founders”, Cat has dedicated the last 20 years of her career to empowering people and creating community through fitness classes. Her fitness platform has been named one of the best indoor workout apps by Men’s Journal and best YouTube workout videos by Shape Magazine. 

Got a Sprained Ankle? 4 Ways to Brace It While It Heals

Got a sprained ankle? The first step is to apply ice to reduce pain and swelling. Then see your doctor to make sure it’s just a sprain and not something more serious like a fracture. Once your injury is stabilized, it should be kept supported and immobilized so it can heal. Read on to learn about four ways to brace a sprained ankle while you recover.

Wrap It with a Bandage

The first line of treatment for a sprained ankle is usually a cloth elastic bandage. Choose a wide bandage between one and three inches. Begin at the inside of your foot and wrap the bandage firmly around your ankle. Then secure it in place with clips or medical tape. Gauze or cotton can be used as padding if needed.

Support It with a Brace

If bandaging isn’t sufficient to support your sprain, consider using an ankle brace. You can purchase one from any pharmacy. Make sure to choose the right type for your foot size and the level of support you need. A lace-up brace provides the most support, but wrap-around and velcro braces are more convenient. For those who need to stay active while recovering, a stirrup brace is ideal.

Compress It with Socks

Compression socks may provide adequate support for a sprained ankle that is mild or partially healed. Socks for ankle compressionare usually a short, thick design and are often open at the toe and heel so they can be worn with most types of shoes. Look for a sock with a high compression rating to best support your injury. Pair your socks with comfortable, supportive shoes and avoid high heels.

Immobilize It with a Boot or Splint

If the above methods fail to relieve the pain of your sprained ankle, consider using a boot or splint. You can buy boots and splints online and in some pharmacies or see your doctor to get fitted with a high-quality one. Unlike bandages, braces and socks, an ankle boot or splint completely immobilizes the injury. A boot also allows you to keep walking and maintain mobility, which makes it a great choice for people who need to stay on their feet.

Remember, a sprain isn’t always just a sprain. Keep an eye on your injured ankle while it heals and see your doctor if you experience any changes or increases in pain. A sprained ankle is in a weakened state and can easily sustain a fracture or further injury.

Chief Medical Officer Responds to Article: 
‘There's a Global Surgery Crisis and it Has an Obvious Solution’

Keir Thelander, Chief Medical Officer of the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons(PAACS), is available for comment and an interview to respond to the recent CNN ‘There's a Global Surgery Crisis and it Has an Obvious Solution’ which highlights the importance of finding solutions to bringing safe and affordable surgical and anesthesia care to the 5 billion people in the world who are without access. The article points out that that “robust untapped source of the potential surgical workforce: women.”

Thelander is available to speak to PAACS’ 23-year history of training male and female African physicians to become surgeons in their home countries, as well as the success PAACS has had with its female surgeon graduates.

Keir Thelander, Chief Medical Officer of the PAACS, a non-denominational, multinational service organization that trains African physicians to become surgeons, said:

“The emphasis on bringing more women into the fold of surgical training is one component of a larger and more comprehensive approach to improving the perception of a woman’s value within a culture. We must be very careful that we do not oversimplify the causes that have impacted the gender disparity in the medical field without addressing the larger discussion of cultural norms that contribute to the result.”

“PAACS’ will continue its 23-year history has been driven by the belief that education and engagement within the training of physicians in their home countries ​is ​the best way to serve a nation’s long term needs. To date, PAACS has issued 88 graduate certificates to African surgeons who have gone on to serve across twenty countries on the African continent. A little over 10% of our trainees are women — we would like to see that number increase. The balance of that is a greater impact of PAACS for the world.”

Keir Thelander, Chief Medical Officer of the PAACS, a non-denominational, multinational service organization that trains African physicians to become surgeons, said:

“The emphasis on bringing more women into the fold of surgical training is one component of a larger and more comprehensive approach to improving the perception of a woman’s value within a culture. We must be very careful that we do not oversimplify the causes that have impacted the gender disparity in the medical field without addressing the larger discussion of cultural norms that contribute to the result.”

“PAACS’ will continue its 23-year history that has been driven by the belief that education and engagement within the training of physicians in their home countries is the best way to serve a nation’s long term needs. To date, PAACS has issued 88 graduate certificates to African surgeons who have gone on to serve across twenty-one countries on the African continent. A little over 10% of our trainees are women — we would like to see that number increase and continue to implement strategies to achieve that goal. The balance of that is a greater impact of PAACS for the world.”

Keir is available for comment at your convenience.

Contact: Tamara@Tamaraedwards.co

About PAACS

The Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) is a strategic response to the need for surgeons in Africa. We are a non-denominational, multinational service organization training African physicians to become surgeons who are willing to remain in Africa to meet this need. PAACS also disciples these residents to share the love and gospel of Jesus Christ with their patients. The surgical and spiritual training of these residents is offered at several well-established mission hospitals in Africa, under the direction of experienced, board-certified missionary surgeons.

4 Safety Measures for Biking in the Mountains 

Mountain biking can be a fun and freeing experience, but you could also find yourself in danger when you least expect it. Knowing what to do in dangerous situations can help you get through the ordeals safer. You may also be able to avoid a lot of these dangers by taking some additional precautions beforehand. Here are four safety measure to take for biking in the mountains.

Bring an Emergency Kit

An emergency kit containing adhesive bandages, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment and other first aid supplies can come in handy if you get into an accident and hurt yourself. Tweezers, scissors and gloves will also be good to have in your kit. The best kits feature multiple compartments that are clearly labeled to make finding specific items easier. These kits can be stored in a backpack or even clipped to the side of your bike.

Wear Protective Gear

Wearing protective gear will be especially important when mountain biking. A durable helmet should always be worn, but gloves along with protective shorts or pants can also keep parts of your body safeguarded. Knee, elbow and shin pads can help cushion your body if you happen to fall off your bike. Wearing sunglasses or some other type of safety glasses is also advisable. Even the clothesyou wear can effect your safety and should be taken into consideration.

Know the Nearest Emergency Facility

Knowing the name and exact location of the nearest emergency facility will make it easier for you to reach it or be transported there by someone else if you require urgent medical care. It’s a good idea to map out your route to learn where the nearest urgent care centersare and exactly how far they’re located from specific points along your route. Bringing a phone that won’t lose service while you’re in the mountains will allow you to call for help if you need to be rescued.

Don’t Venture Solo

Going alone on your bike ride through the mountains will leave you especially vulnerable to dangers that may be lurking. Having a buddy ride with you or joining a group of other mountain bikers can make your time in the mountains safer. If you happen to get injured or find yourself in another situation that’s potentially dangerous, the person or people who are with you can get you the necessary help much quicker. 

Going on a bike ride in the mountains can be a much safer and more enjoyable experience if you do everything possible to keep yourself out of harm’s way. Taking the extra time to prepare yourself for your journey properly can go a long way in keeping you safe. 

Alnylam Launches ONPATTRO® (patisiran) for the Treatment of Polyneuropathy in hATTR Amyloidosis, the First-Ever RNAi Therapeutic Approved in Canada

ONPATTRO^® is the Only Treatment that Demonstrated Improvement, Relative to Baseline, in both Polyneuropathy and Quality of Life Measures in Patients^{1, 2} with hATTR Amyloidosis

MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 23, 2019 /CNW/ - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), the leading RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics company, today announced the Health Canada approval and immediate availability of ONPATTRO^® (patisiran) for the treatment of polyneuropathy in adult patients with hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis³. ONPATTRO is the only treatment in Canada indicated for all stages of polyneuropathy associated with hATTR amyloidosis, a progressive, debilitating, chronic and often fatal disease. ONPATTRO is based on Nobel Prize-winning science and is the first ever RNAi therapeutic to be approved in Canada.

"hATTR amyloidosis can progress quickly becoming severely debilitating, and often leads to premature death," said Dr. Vera Bril, Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Director of Neurology at University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital and the Krembil Family Chair in Neurology. "Having a treatment that can potentially reverse the course of this life-threatening disease marks a major advance for my patients, many of whom have crippling neuropathic pain, struggle to walk unaided and suffer from countless other symptoms, like diarrhea and vomiting, that interfere with normal activities of daily living."

hATTR amyloidosis is a multisystemic, progressive disease caused by mutations that interfere with the way the body manufactures a specific protein formed in the liver. Known as gene silencing, RNAi is a new approach to the treatment of the disease, targeting the faulty protein that causes the disease.

"As a cardiologist with several hereditary TTR amyloidosis patients with both polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy, the approval of ONPATTRO provides a new option for this devastating disease," said Dr. Diego Delgado, Cardiologist at the Peter Munk Cardiac center at the University Health Network. "Many of my patients have significant disease burden not only in their heart, but also the nerves. It is exciting to have an opportunity to halt or even reverse the progression of a disease that my patients have experienced as a slow march to disability and death."

Symptoms of hATTR amyloidosis can vary from person to person, depending on which organs or tissues are affected and can worsen as the disease progresses. Parts of the body that are typically affected are the peripheral nervous (nerves), cardiac (heart) and gastrointestinal (digestive) systems resulting in polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy. Specifically, neuropathic changes result in sensory-motor issues, with challenges in activities of daily living. Autonomic nerve involvement can lead to low blood pressure, diarrhea, impotence, and bladder disturbances, while cardiac symptoms include heart failure and arrhythmias.⁴

"Imagine looking ahead to a future where your body deteriorates and you are unlikely to survive the next 5 years! No treatment, only symptom management. Until recently, this has been the case for many hATTR patients and their families," said Marsha McWhinnie, Founder of the Canadian Amyloidosis Support Network (CASN) and Anne Marie Carr, Founder of the Hereditary Amyloidosis Canada (HAC) in a joint statement. "Canadian physicians now have another new treatment option to change the future for their patients, to give them meaningful improvement in their lives, to give them hope."

The Health Canada approval was based on results of the APOLLO Phase 3 study, the largest-ever study in patients with hATTR amyloidosis. In the pivotal, placebo-controlled study, 148 patients received 0.3 mg/kg of ONPATTRO and 77 patients received placebo administered once every 3 weeks via intravenous infusion for up to 18 months, with a mean ONPATTRO exposure of 17.7 months. All patients received premedication with a corticosteroid, acetaminophen, and H1 and H2 blockers.⁵ The primary endpoint of the APOLLO study was the change from baseline in the modified Neuropathy Impairment Score +7 (mNIS+7), which assesses motor strength, reflexes, sensation, nerve conduction and postural blood pressure. In the APOLLO study, ONPATTRO demonstrated significant improvement versus placebo in polyneuropathy, quality of life, walking, nutritional status and activities of daily living. More than half of ONPATTRO patients improved over their own baseline for polyneuropathy and quality of life with some patients reducing dependence on or no longer requiring walking aids. The mean (±SD) mNIS+7 at baseline was 80.9±41.5 in the patisiran group and 74.6±37.0 in the placebo group; the least-squares mean (±SE) change from baseline was −6.0±1.7 versus 28.0±2.6 (difference, −34.0 points; P<0.001) at 18 months. The mean (±SD) baseline Norfolk QOL-DN score was 59.6±28.2 in the patisiran group and 55.5±24.3 in the placebo group; the least-squares mean (±SE) change from baseline was −6.7±1.8 versus 14.4±2.7 (difference, −21.1 points; P<0.001) at 18 months.⁶

The most frequently occurring adverse reactions reported in ONPATTRO-treated patients (≥ 10% of patients and occurring ≥ 3 percentage points more frequently than in placebo-treated patients) were peripheral edema and infusion-related reactions.⁷ ONPATTRO is the only approved treatment in Canada that does not require additional safety monitoring via blood tests.

ONPATTRO was granted Priority Review status by Health Canada, which is intended for new potentially life-saving treatments where there is no existing medicine in the Canadian market or where the new medicine represents a significant improvement in the benefit/risk profile over existing products.⁸

"Health Canada's approval of ONPATTRO underscores our commitment to deliver innovative medicines with the potential to transform the lives of patients suffering from hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy," says Jeff Miller, Country Manager, Alnylam Canada. "It marks a major milestone in Alnylam's history, as the company's first treatment approved in Canada, but we believe this is just the beginning. Our vision is to harness the power of RNAi therapeutics to increase the number of treatment options available for patients with serious, life-threatening rare diseases where there are currently limited or no available treatment options. We take pride in working with the medical and patient community to increase awareness, enable diagnosis and provide important education and support services."

About hATTR amyloidosis⁹
Hereditary transthyretin (TTR)-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR) is an inherited, progressively debilitating, and often fatal disease caused by mutations in the TTR gene. TTR protein is primarily produced in the liver and is normally a carrier of vitamin A. Mutations in the TTR gene cause abnormal amyloid proteins to accumulate and damage body organs and tissue, such as the peripheral nerves and heart, resulting in intractable peripheral sensory-motor neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, and/or cardiomyopathy, as well as other disease manifestations. hATTR amyloidosis, represents a major unmet medical need with significant morbidity and mortality affecting approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The median survival is 4.7 years following diagnosis, with a reduced survival (3.4 years) for patients presenting with cardiomyopathy.

About RNAi
RNAi (RNA interference) is a natural cellular process of gene silencing that represents a promising and rapidly advancing frontier in biology and drug development that has the potential to transform the care of patients with genetic and other diseases. It was awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.

About ONPATTRO (patisiran)
Patisiran is an intravenously administered RNAi therapeutic targeting transthyretin (TTR) for the treatment of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. It is designed to target and silence specific messenger RNA, potentially blocking the production of TTR protein before it is made. Patisiran blocks the production of transthyretin in the liver, reducing its accumulation in the body's tissues in order to halt or reverse the progression of the disease.¹⁰

About Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Alnylam (Nasdaq: ALNY) is leading the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) into a new class of innovative medicines with the potential to improve the lives of people afflicted with rare genetic, cardio-metabolic, hepatic infectious, and central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Based on Nobel Prize-winning science, RNAi therapeutics represent a powerful, clinically validated approach for the treatment of a wide range of severe and debilitating diseases. Founded in 2002, Alnylam is delivering on a bold vision to turn scientific possibility into reality, with a robust discovery platform. Alnylam has a deep pipeline of investigational medicines, including five product candidates that are in Phase 3 clinical trials and one in registration. Looking forward, Alnylam will continue to execute on its "Alnylam 2020" strategy of building a multi-product, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company with a sustainable pipeline of RNAi-based medicines to address the needs of patients who have limited or inadequate treatment options. Alnylam employs over 1200 people worldwide and is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. Alnylam Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario with established operations since June 2018.

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Alnylam Forward Looking Statements
Various statements in this release concerning Alnylam's future expectations, plans and prospects, including, without limitation, Alnylam's plans to launch ONPATTRO in Canada, the potential benefits for patients in Canada for whom ONPATTRO is indicated, and expectations regarding its "Alnylam 2020" guidance for the advancement and commercialization of RNAi therapeutics, constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results and future plans may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, Alnylam's ability to discover and develop novel drug candidates and delivery approaches, successfully demonstrate the efficacy and safety of its product candidates, the pre-clinical and clinical results for its product candidates, which may not be replicated or continue to occur in other subjects or in additional studies or otherwise support further development of product candidates for a specified indication or at all, actions or advice of regulatory agencies, which may affect the design, initiation, timing, continuation and/or progress of clinical trials or result in the need for additional pre-clinical and/or clinical testing, delays, interruptions or failures in the manufacture and supply of its product candidates, obtaining, maintaining and protecting intellectual property, Alnylam's ability to enforce its intellectual property rights against third parties and defend its patent portfolio against challenges from third parties, obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval, pricing and reimbursement for products, progress in establishing a commercial and ex-United States infrastructure, successfully launching, marketing and selling its approved products globally, Alnylam's ability to successfully expand the indication for ONPATTRO in the future, competition from others using technology similar to Alnylam's and others developing products for similar uses, Alnylam's ability to manage its growth and operating expenses, obtain additional funding to support its business activities, and establish and maintain strategic business alliances and new business initiatives, Alnylam's dependence on third parties for development, manufacture and distribution of products, the outcome of litigation, the risk of government investigations, and unexpected expenditures, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" filed with Alnylam's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in other filings that Alnylam makes with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Alnylam's views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Alnylam explicitly disclaims any obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.