Body Fat Distribution Linked to Higher Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer
In the first prospective study of directly measured body fat distribution and prostate cancer risk, investigators found that higher levels of abdominal and thigh fat are associated with an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings may lead to a better understanding of the relationship between obesity and prostate cancer and provide new insights for treatment.
Previous studies have shown that obesity is associated with an elevated risk of advanced prostate cancer and a poorer prognosis after diagnosis. Also, emerging evidence suggests that the specific distribution of fat in the body may be an important factor.
To provide high quality evidence, Barbra Dickerman, PhD, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and her colleagues analyzed body fat distribution using the gold-standard measure of computed tomography imaging and assessed the risk of being diagnosed with, and dying from, prostate cancer among 1,832 Icelandic men who were followed for up to 13 years.
During the study, 172 men developed prostate cancer and 31 died from the disease. The accumulation of fat in specific areas—such as visceral fat (deep in the abdomen, surrounding the organs) and thigh subcutaneous fat (just beneath the skin)—was associated with the risk of advanced and fatal prostate cancer. High body mass index (BMI) and high waist circumference were also associated with higher risks of advanced and fatal prostate cancer.
“Interestingly, when we looked separately at men with a high BMI versus low BMI, we found that the association between visceral fat and advanced and fatal prostate cancer was stronger among men with a lower BMI. The precision of these estimates was limited in this subgroup analysis, but this is an intriguing signal for future research,” Dickerman noted.
Additional studies are needed to investigate the role of fat distribution in the development and progression of prostate cancer and how changes in fat stores over time may affect patients’ health. “Ultimately, identifying the patterns of fat distribution that are associated with the highest risk of clinically significant prostate cancer may help to elucidate the mechanisms linking obesity with aggressive disease and target men for intervention strategies,” said Dickerman.
An accompanying editorial notes that lifestyle interventions—such as diet and exercise—that target fat loss may also reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Additional informationNOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. A free abstract of this article will be available via the Cancer News Roomupon online publication. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact:Penny Smith +44 (0) 1243 770448 (UK) newsroom@wiley.com Follow us on Twitter @WileyNewsFull Citations:“Body fat distribution on CT imaging and prostate cancer risk and mortality in the AGES-Reykjavik Study.” Barbra A. Dickerman, Johanna E. Torfadottir, Unnur A. Valdimarsdottir, Edward Giovannucci, Kathryn M. Wilson, Thor Aspelund, Laufey Tryggvadottir, Lara G. Sigurdardottir, Tamara B. Harris, Lenore J. Launer, Vilmundur Gudnason, Sarah C. Markt, and Lorelei A. Mucci. CANCER; Published Online: June 10, 2019 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32167). URL Upon Publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/cncr.32167“Obesity, visceral and prostate cancer: What is the role of lifestyle interventions?” Celina H. Shirazipour and Stephen J. Freedland. CANCER; Published Online: June 10, 2019 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32165).URL Upon Publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/cncr.32165Contact for Dickerman: Todd Datz, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Communications Office at +1 617-432-8413 or tdatz@hsph.harvard.eduAbout the Journal CANCER is a peer-reviewed publication of the American Cancer Society integrating scientific information from worldwide sources for all oncologic specialties. The objective of CANCER is to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of information among oncologic disciplines concerned with the etiology, course, and treatment of human cancer. CANCER is published on behalf of the American Cancer Society by Wiley and can be accessed online.Follow us on Twitter @JournalCancerAbout Wiley
Wiley drives the world forward with research and education. Our scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals and our digital learning, certification, and student-lifecycle services and solutions help students, researchers, universities, and corporations to achieve their goals in an ever-changing world. For more than 200 years, we have delivered consistent performance to all of our stakeholders. The Company's website can be accessed at www.wiley.com
Paves the path for the development of enhanced hemp and cannabis plants
that are healthier, more robust and higher yielding
LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO, June 12, 2019 / - Trait Biosciences Inc. ("Trait" or the "Company"), North America's leading research laboratory in hemp and cannabis innovations, today announced that it has completed the first-ever successful stable genetic transformation of the Cannabis sativa (hemp) plant.
The achievement was completed by Trait’s team of more than 40 scientists and researchers, led by Dr. Richard Sayre, from its licensed facility in Los Alamos, New Mexico. While efforts have been made by other researchers and companies to metabolically engineer the Cannabis sativa plant, Trait’s achievement is believed to represent the first time a hemp plant has been stably transformed and successfully grown roots and stems.
This scientific achievement paves the way for Trait Biosciences to begin its efforts to commercialize its Trait Amplified™, Zero™ and Tailored™ technologies.
“Successful transformation of the hemp plant is a pivotal milestone for our company,” said Dr. Sayre, Chief Science Officer of Trait. “For us, it is the foundation on which we will be able to develop strains of hemp and cannabis with novel traits, including our Trait Amplified™ technology. Plants grown with Amplified are expected to have more trichomes, have greater photosynthetic efficiency and are expected to generate cannabinoid yields 2x – 5x higher than conventional plants for whole plant extracts, in addition to being able to produce water-soluble cannabinoids, which have far greater bioavailability and onset time than fat-soluble cannabinoids.”
The successful transformation was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and gene sequencing of the gene of interest, with the frequency of the transformation event being 6.7%.
Peter McDonough, Chief Executive Officer of Trait Biosciences, added “This is a major development for Trait and for all who use hemp and cannabis products. For patients who rely on cannabinoid therapies to improve their health, as well as those adult-use customers who use hemp and cannabis for recreational purposes, this means they will soon have access to products that will be more affordable, have better quality and deliver more predictable, repeatable experiences than anything that is on the market currently.”
About Trait Biosciences
With a team of internationally recognized scientists who are applying best-in-class technology and agricultural science, Trait Biosciences is an emerging biotechnology leader in the hemp and cannabis industries. Its consumer technology platforms provide breakthrough IP and science which produce enhanced cannabinoids featuring predictable onset timing, superior bioavailability, extended stability and improved taste. Trait's patent pending technologies includes a process for generating water-soluble cannabinoids that does not rely on emulsion or nanotechnology. The company's agricultural technologies increase crop yields and plant safety, including ultrahigh yield Amplified™ plants which dramatically increase a plant's natural cannabinoid productivity, and its Defence™ RNAi crop protection technology, which eliminates the need for pesticides or fungicides, providing higher quality safer CBD infused nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Certain information contained in this press release, including any information as to Trait Bioscience Inc.'s (the "Corporation") strategy, projects, plans or future financial or operating performance, constitutes "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "will", "expect", "continue", "assess", "anticipate" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions; including material estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as at the date of this press release in light of each of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information.
Any forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although management of the Corporation believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
Four Canada Finalists Named in IsaBody Challenge to Compete for CA$10,000
Health and Wellness Competition Inspires Total-Mind and Body Transformations
GILBERT, Ariz. (June 12, 2019) — Isagenix International, a global health and wellness company providing nutrition and lifestyle solutions, has announced the first four Canada finalists of its annual total-body transformation program, the IsaBody Challenge®. The first Judging Period’s finalists are Cristin Richardson of Guelph, Ontario; Laurie Barkman of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Murray Marchak of Victoria, British Columbia; and Paul Starling of Lindsay, Ontario.
These four individuals were selected out of the thousands of people across Canada who completed the IsaBody Challenge during the most recent judging period. Each finalist has won CA$3,000 and the chance to compete for the grand prize of CA$10,000. Finalists will also receive a CA$200 product coupon, a photo shoot, an all-expenses-paid trip to the IsaBody™ Escape for themselves and a guest, and other prizes to recognize their achievements.
Each finalist will be introduced onstage at the Isagenix Canada Celebration 2020 in February in Montreal, Quebec, in front of thousands of attendees. The grand prize winner will be announced at the event. The IsaBody Challenge and Canada Celebration are both hosted by Isagenix.
“Our Canada finalists have demonstrated a resilience and strength of character that is truly exemplary,” said Travis Ogden, chief executive officer of Isagenix. “We’re proud to honor their commitment to transforming their lives and the example they set for others as they pair discipline with our exceptional nutrition solutions. We congratulate them knowing they’ll continue to inspire as they continue on this path to enhanced wellness.”
Meet the Finalists
Cristin Richardson, Ontario
Age: 39
Total Challenges Completed: 3
Total Weight Loss Over Completed Challenges: 19 pounds*
One year ago, Cristin was exhausted, sick, and just trying to survive physically and emotionally as a mother to her young son. She credits Isagenix in helping her regain her energy and mental balance to cope with the challenges motherhood has thrown her way and with becoming an athlete again. Now she’s able to hike and go on adventures with her son, and she’s smashing new physical goals as a recent Black Belt Grand Champion in her dojo, competing and winning against people half her age.
Laurie Barkman, Manitoba
Age: 53
Total Challenges Completed: 3
Total Weight Loss Over Completed Challenges: 38 pounds*
Tired, overweight, and unenergetic, Laurie still had the strength to say, “Enough!” and make drastic changes that allowed her to finally like what she sees in the mirror. Nearly 40 pounds down,* she’s regained confidence and determination and replaced fat with lean muscle to become stronger and healthier. Her newfound confidence affects all areas of her life, pushing her to speak up, reach out, try new things, and inspire others. She’s even competed in her first-ever bikini competition at age 53, placing fourth and meeting her goal of finishing in the top five.
Murray Marchak, British Columbia
Age: 48
Total Challenges Completed: 9
Total Weight Loss During Completed Challenges: 30 pounds* Murray always considered himself an average guy with a body he wasn’t proud of but wasn’t really worried about until a doctor’s visit where he was told to lose weight and lower his cholesterol, or he’d be put on daily medication. This lit a fire in Murray to make dramatic changes in his lifestyle that included losing more than 70 pounds (30 total during IsaBody Challenges). More importantly, he now uses an online forum to inspire more than 600 other average guys just like him who are trying to improve their overall health and wellness to accomplish their goals.
Paul Starling, Ontario
Age: 52
Total Challenges Completed: 7
Total Weight Loss Over Completed Challenges: 50 pounds*Prior to Isagenix, Paul wasn’t able to stick with a diet for more than two weeks. Now, he’s down 50 pounds* and loving the simplicity of the wellness program that allows him to maintain his newfound physique. Paul is focused on gaining lean muscle and toning as he increases energy and strength with early-morning visits to the gym. While he once dreaded these visits, he now enjoys them so much he goes to the gym almost every day.
To read more about the finalists and see their before and after photos, visit the Isagenix blog. To learn more about Isagenix, visit the Newsroom, like the company on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram.
*Weight loss, muscle gain, lifestyle, and other results depicted here reflect exceptional individual experiences of Isagenix customers and should not be construed as typical or average. Results vary with individual effort, body composition, eating patterns, time, exercise, and other factors, such as genetic and physiological makeup. A two-phase 2016 study published by researchers at Skidmore College showed an average weight loss of 24 pounds after 12 weeks. The study evaluated the use of Isagenix products in men and women for weight loss followed by weight maintenance. During the weight maintenance phase, the subjects who continued the calorie-controlled program using Isagenix products better maintained their weight loss in comparison to those who transitioned to a traditional diet after 52 weeks.
About the IsaBody Challenge
The IsaBody Challenge is a 16-week contest that rewards participants for their total-body and life transformations. Participants are judged on their before and after photos as well as their personal essays describing their journeys. The contest looks for the most inspirational and motivational stories about how participants have made healthy body and life transformations. The IsaBody Challenge is open to all Isagenix customers and members over the age of 18 in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, Colombia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and South Korea. For more information, visit the IsaBody Challenge page.
About Isagenix International
Established in 2002, Isagenix provides systems for weight loss, performance, vitality and well-being, personal care and beauty, and financial wellness. With nearly 600,000 customers worldwide and more than 100 life-changing products, packs, and systems globally, the company is committed to producing Solutions to Transform Lives™. Isagenix shares its products and solutions through a network of independent distributors in 18 markets: the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, Colombia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and South Korea. Isagenix is a privately owned company with headquarters in Gilbert, Arizona. For more information, visit Isagenix.com.
The Fourth of July is a day for BBQ’s, pool parties, good food, time with family and friends, and enjoying the outdoors. To make this holiday perfect, we have compiled a list of products to make this Independence Day one for the books. On this list are unique snacks and drinks that you would never think of to elevate this years party or get-together. Please let me know if you are interested in more information or sampling any of the following. - Katie
To kick off your day and keep you going strong the whole time, you’ll be obsessed with the coffee from Fire Dept. Coffee! Veteran and Firefighter owned and operated, Fire Dept. Coffee is the fresh, andinnovative coffee company with heart and service backing their brand Breaking the classic coffee mold, the true magic happens with FDC’s more unique flavors; bourbon, whiskey, rum and tequila infused coffee! There four spirit-infused blendspack in all the flavor and energy needed to keep your energy up all day; unique blends with a punch! Each blend is unique and freshly made with lots of flavor -- it’s sure to be your new favorite go-to beverage this holiday! Each batch is roasted to order, ensuring every cup is as fresh and flavorful as possible for when it's needed most. FDC also offers a line of mugs and apparel as well. With honor and reverence in mind, FDC offers 15% off every order for all military and first responders. The team also donates 10% of proceeds from every order towards supporting ill or injured firefighters and first responders. Weather kickstarting your day with a bold blend or unwinding at the end with a delicious cup, Fire Dept. Coffee has the perfect roast for this Fourth. Enjoy coffee made by veterans’ whose heart is to continue to serve our communities. Website: https://www.firedeptcoffee.com/
Be the talk of the party with one of the delicious mixes fromGood Dee’s! Opt for a healthier, yet just as tasty version of your favorite craveable foods this summer with homemade mixes you’ll be obsessed with. From keto and low-carb to gluten-free and dairy-free, Good Dee’s mixes offers consumers living an alternative dietary lifestyle a bold new approach to baked goods that doesn’t involve deprivation. There is finally a delicious and guilt-free way to indulge on your favorite sweet treats with one of the many Good Dee’s mixes. Good Dee’s offers mixes for brownies, cookies, cakes, pancakes, muffins, and cornbread that are diabetic friendly, low-carb, gluten-free, wheat-free, and easy to bake. Dairy-free and nut-free options are also available. The holiday, enjoy sandwichesCorn-Free Cornbread Sandwich BunsorCornbread Dogs! These mixes are the perfect healthy homemade treat! Website: www.gooddees.com
Bubba’s Fine Foods is rewriting the script on boring health food. This brand of delicious gluten-free, grain-free, paleo snacks is giving the people what they want: real food snacks that satisfy real-world cravings. Bubba’s Fine Foods is dedicated to creating healthy and delicious foods that nourishes the body while still tasting amazing! Bubba’s Fine Foods means that health food doesn’t have to be flavorless anymore. Bubba’s is standing apart from other paleo snacks by honing in on what the people want most: an addictive crunch, simple real-food ingredients, no refined sweeteners and healthy snack food that doesn’t taste like it’s healthy. The team has created Snack Mixes, crunchy ‘Nana Chips, and addictive UnGranolas. Their best selling 'Nana Chips Variety Pack is the perfect snack for the kids or health conscious friends. To feed the whole party, try the The Full Family Variety Pack with all three of the Bubba’s hits, making the perfect snack for everyone! All of Bubba’s Fine Foods’ snacks are proudly made in America and are paleo, grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, and free of refined sugars and artificial flavorings. Website: www.bubbasfoods.com
Emerging Pain Relief Solution from Nutmeg Oil Blend Endorsed by Physical Therapists
Grenada Nut Company’s 100 percent natural nutmeg pain relief oil soothes pain and inflammation in joints, muscles, and more.
MegRelief from Grenada Nut Company is a high-quality nutmeg blend essential oil for muscle pain and stiffness. The oil is certified organic and ISO registered and uses 100 percent natural, raw ingredients.
Arthur and Danette Toole, the founders of Grenada Nut Company, say, “At Grenada Nut Company, we believe no one should be forced to live in pain, nor be forced to take additional medicine. We created MegRelief to be a natural answer to joint and muscle pain. We literally searched all over the globe to find the perfect oils to blend together to provide relief for people like our family members, who suffer from joint and lower back pain.”
Grenada Nut Company was born after Danette took Arthur to visit her father’s home country of Grenada and found nutmeg oil, an oil used for chronic pain. The company’s philosophy is that no one should suffer needlessly when there are natural remedies available.
Grenada Nut Company has partnered with gyms to give customers a better workout experience. Physical therapists, massage therapists, and personal trainers also use the oil on their patients during their rehab sessions.
The founders are so confident in MegRelief, they offer a satisfaction guaranteed policy for all Grenada Nut Company purchases. If the customer is not completely satisfied with the product, they can return it for a full refund. In their first 85 days, Grenada Nut Company had over 290 orders and no joint or muscle pain-related returns.
Grenada Nut Company
Grenada Nut Co. was birthed from pain…literally. While in her family’s home country of Grenada, Danette’s husband had been battling knee pain for 6 months. After several doctor’s visits, scans, physical therapy visits, pain medications, and more scans, the pain still wouldn’t subside.
While there, her parents provided a natural remedy that worked immediately. Then the thought hit them-Why aren’t more people aware of the beautiful and amazing things that Grenada has to offer?
From that thought, Grenada Nut Company was born. Grenada Nut Company seeks to share the wonders of Grenada with the world. From spices and cocoa to fruit and nuts, Grenada is one of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean.
Our philosophy is that no one should suffer needlessly when there are natural remedies available.
WEATHERSFIELD, VERMONT – June 12, 2019 -- Cannatrol today announced the launch of its patent-pending Cannatrol Dry/Cure System, the first-ever to bring technology, science, and complete control to the cannabis finishing process.
Drying and curing ready-to-market legal cannabis harvests today is plagued by over-drying, inconsistent quality, waste, mold, sub-optimal profitability, and overall poor consumer experience. Over-drying results in significant declines in production revenue, while controlled, proper drying can boost margins by as much as 5 percent.
The Cannatrol™ Dry/Cure system provides a controlled, repeatable, chemical- and heat-free drying and curing solution resulting in superior terpene retention, consistent-quality, visually appealing cannabis products for all regulated medical and recreational applications. The Cannatrol system helps producers deliver a premium product, highly differentiated from competitors.
“Cannatrol’s patent-pending technology, takes the guesswork out of cannabis drying and curing to the benefit of growers, processors and end-users,” said David Sandelman, Chief Engineer at Cannatrol and a serial tech innovator. “Cannatrol eliminates heat, over-drying, the challenges of moist coastal air versus dry mountain environments, poor quality, and low profitability from the cannabis finishing process and replaces it with cool air, proven science, and easy to use technology.”
Proven Vaportrol™ Technology
The technology inside Cannatrol was originally developed to solve a drying and aging problem at one of the top cheese makers in the US. Today, the patent-pending technology is being used in hundreds of cheese and cured-meat aging rooms across the country and is the proven standard for high-quality in the food industry. Vaportrol maintains proper vapor pressure throughout the drying and curing process for the food industry and now, through Cannatrol, for the cannabis sector.
How Cannatrol Works
Growing a quality product is a significant financial commitment. Genetics, nutrients, power, and labor all get calculated into the cost of the grow cycle. With that much investment in the grow process, it is critical to assure the product is dried and cured in a clean, correct environment. Anything less can result in a total loss of harvest.
The Cannatrol process starts with gentle, controlled water removal. A typical dry cycle might last from 3-6 days, depending on the cultivar and desired preferences. Users first program the temperature and dew point conditions and the length of time. Second, using the 'ramp' function (with up to 5 settings), Cannatrol gently controls the rate of water loss.
Third, glide into the cure mode. Select temperature and dew point and let the system hold the harvest in a perfectly controlled environment. No maintenance is required. When the cure is complete, finished product can be stored in a sealed container or held in the Cannatrol system until it is packaged and distributed.
The Cannatrol Dry/Cure System
The Cannatrol Dry/Cure system is available for large-scale and commercial growers, as well as a smaller Cool Cure system for small, home growers. The Cool Cure system will dry up to 1 kilo of wet flowers and deliver the same consistent results as the commercial system.
Cannatrol commercial boxes dry/cure from 80 kilos and up and are fitted with an integrated scale to monitor real-time water weight loss, and up to five different settings per dry/cure cycle. Other features of the commercial system to give reliable, repeatable results:
Multi sensor technology
Easy to navigate 7" color touch screen
Remote operating capability via iPhone/Android
Control heat and moisture without supplementary dehumidification
Food grade construction materials
Manual overrides
Installation and tech support/training
Advisory Panel on the Implementation of National Pharmacare Highlights Importance of Biosimilar Medicines
TORONTO, June 12, 2019 /CNW/ - The Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare's Final Report highlights the importance of biosimilar medicines in the sustainable implementation of a national pharmacare program.1
The Report states that "Biosimilars are biologic drugs proven to have the same clinical effect as more expensive brand name biologic drugs already authorized for sale. Canada's use of biosimilars has been very low relative to other countries due to a combination of factors, including limited awareness of the clinical and scientific evidence supporting the use of biosimilars and aggressive marketing techniques used by brand name biologic companies to retain their market share."
The Council recommends formulary management policies that "support the use of biosimilars and encourage patients and prescribers to choose the most cost-effective therapies to ensure the sustainability of national pharmacare. Prescribers and patients should be better supported with information reinforcing the safety, efficacy and benefits of biosimilars." While the report makes reference to the "substitution" of biosimilars, the term is not defined in the report.
"Switching or transitioning patients from original biologic treatments to their corresponding biosimilar medicines is the responsible choice for those who manage drug budgets," said Jim Keon, President of Biosimilars Canada. "Such policies are also consistent with Health Canada's recommendation that decisions should be made by the treating physician in consultation with the patient and taking into account available clinical evidence and any policies of the relevant jurisdiction."
"Biosimilars Canada also supports the recommendation that the new Canadian drug agency should work to increase prescriber and public awareness about the equivalency of generics to brand name drugs and the rationale for greater use of generics and biosimilars to keep pharmacare affordable," Keon added.
Canadian payers recognize that enhanced policies are needed to fully realize the value of biosimilar medicines. Biosimilar transitioning or "switching" initiatives have already been implemented in Canada.
In December 2018 private insurance company Green Shield Canada concluded a successful biologic transitioning pilot project.2
In May 2019 the Government of British Columbia announced a new biosimilar transitioning or "switching" initiative where about 20,400 B.C. PharmaCare patients will work with their health-care team to transition from the biologic to the biosimilar drug within six months. The transitioning of a further 2,700 patients should commence this summer. The projected savings allowed for the province to immediately expand coverage to include two additional drugs, and expand access for existing treatments.3
About Biosimilar Medicines A biosimilar biologic drug, or biosimilar, is a drug demonstrated to be highly similar to a biologic drug that was already authorized for sale.4 Health Canada evaluates all the information provided to confirm that the biosimilar and the reference biologic drug are similar and that there are no clinically meaningful differences in safety and efficacy between them.5 Health Canada's rigorous standards for authorization mean that patients and health care providers can have the same confidence in the quality, safety and efficacy of a biosimilar as any other biologic drug.6
About Biosimilars Canada Biosimilars Canada is a national association representing the biosimilar medicines industry in Canada. Its member companies are at the forefront of the global development and marketing of biosimilar medicines. Biosimilar medicines are approved by Health Canada as being as safe and efficacious as their reference biologic drugs, and are developed to the same quality standards. Biosimilar medicines present a significant opportunity to embrace cutting-edge therapies while addressing the cost-effectiveness demands on healthcare systems in Canada. Biosimilars Canada is a division of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association. Visit us at www.biosimilarscanada.ca.
1
Recommendations #31 and #32 pertain to biosimilar medicines.
CGPA Statement on the final report from the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare
TORONTO, June 12, 2019 /CNW/ - The following is a statement by Jim Keon, President of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA), on the Final Report of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare:
"The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association and its member companies welcome the recommendations in today's final report from the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare for increasing the use of cost-saving but equally effective generic prescription medicines.
Making prescription drugs more affordable and accessible is the key value proposition of Canada's generic pharmaceutical industry.
In particular, CGPA is pleased with recommendations for mandatory generic substitution policies to encourage patients and prescribers to choose the most cost-effective therapies, and increase patient and prescriber awareness about the equivalency of generic and brand-name prescription medicines.
CGPA estimates that for every one percent increase in the use of generic medicines, Canadians save an additional $586-million. In the United States, for example, generics are dispensed to fill 90 percent of all prescriptions. If the use of generic medicines in Canada was equal to U.S. levels, Canadians would have saved an additional $11-billion in 2018.
Strategies such as charging lower copayments for generic equivalents and addressing the negative impact of brand-name coupon cards are also important initiatives, and CGPA is pleased that the council has stated its support for these measures.
Generic prescription medicines are providing tremendous value and savings for Canadians, largely due to CGPA's initiative with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA).
Data released on May 29, 2019 by the federal government's Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) shows that in 2018 Canadian prices for generic prescription medicines dropped to five percent below average or mean prices in comparator countries.
The PMPRB's data also shows that, since 2007, the average price of generic prescription medicines in Canada has fallen by nearly 60 percent, with prices of some of the top-selling generics dropping by an average of 80 percent. While prices of generic medicines have fallen in markets around the world, Canada has experienced the steepest decline of all OECD countries."
About the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) represents Canada's generic pharmaceutical industry. The industry plays an important role in controlling health-care costs in Canada. Generic drugs are dispensed to fill 73 percent of all prescriptions but account for account for less than 20 percent of the $29-billion Canadians spend annually on prescription medicines.
SOURCE Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association
Waterloo Region now home to Canada's first industry-led medical technology hub dedicated to helping Canadian start-ups scale globally
KITCHENER, ON, June 13, 2019 /CNW/ - Intellijoint Surgical, a Waterloo Region-based medical device company manufacturing and commercializing smart navigation for total joint replacements, leads the creation of Canada's first industry-led hub dedicated to supporting southern Ontario medtech start-ups achieve global scale while keeping their headquarters in Waterloo Region. Opening this month, MIX - Medical Innovation Xchange - will occupy 30,000 square feet of the west side of the building at 809 Wellington Street North, Kitchener. Intellijoint Surgical is the anchor tenant and will be joined by Penta Medical, Vena Medical, and Bloom Care Solutions; together, they currently employ nearly 100 people. Integrated, community workspace for local health care professionals and smaller medtech companies will also be created. At full capacity, this hub will house 200 people of the local medtech industry.
The number of new Canadian medtech companies starting up in Waterloo Region has grown dramatically in the last 10 years thanks to significant public investment in early-stage research, as well as, the entrepreneurial spirit embraced by so many in the Region. As these companies grow past the start-up phase, they face significant challenges in scaling up successfully within Canada. These challenges are well documented and are headlined by a lack of access to talent, customers and capital. This leads to many start-ups leaving Canada to seek access to the resources they so desperately need.
"Our goal is to create a thriving local medtech ecosystem that supports local companies in achieving scale without having to relocate to Boston, Houston, or any other city outside of the Region," explained Armen Bakirtzian, Intellijoint Surgical CEO & Co-founder. "Launching MIX is the first step to creating an ecosystem that enables the Region to retain and develop talent, create local customers, and attract capital. If we don't fill this gap, we risk the loss of our local medtech companies to the established ecosystems in the US. It's time we create our own ecosystem, retain and develop our highly skilled start-ups, and commercialize Canadian medtech innovations in Canada!"
MIX will connect and unite the medtech community within Waterloo Region, creating a natural collision space for members to share know-how, leverage experience, and ultimately, achieve scale. Members will have direct access to intelligent mentorship and local health care professionals and administrators all housed in this state-of-the-art facility. Access to such resources will help to combat the exodus of Canadian innovation, intellectual property (IP), biomedical engineering talent, and economic value created by maturing medtech companies. The hub will complement the current start-up programming landscape of Waterloo Region and is intended to bridge the gap as start-ups scale.
"The evolution of the local health and medical technology ecosystem is demonstrating the strength of collaboration between the innovation community and clinicians," commented Elliot Fung, Executive Lead, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network.
"These collaborations have produced new, exciting disruptive health technologies that are improving patient outcomes, wellness and making it easier for clinicians to do what they do best. Co-locating so many innovative scale-ups will allow for health innovators to learn from each other, share successes and mentor each other so that they can maximize opportunities for improvements to patient care. We are very excited to support this next step in establishing Waterloo Region and the province of Ontario as a world class centre for health innovation."
"As medtech companies in the Region mature and phase out of start-up incubators, they are left without the resources they need to continue to develop their product and enter commercialization," said Alexa Roeper, CEO & Founder, Penta Medical. "The collaborative hub of MIX fills this gap through access to affordable lab space, industry-specific knowledge sharing, and one-to-one mentorship centred around the unique challenges that medtech companies face when scaling. MIX has created the option for many local medtech entrepreneurs to remain in the Region and scale successfully."
A grand opening of MIX will be held in the early fall inviting government officials, members of the medtech community and media to tour the facility. To see photos and learn more about Canada's first industry-led hub for medtech scale-ups, visit: www.medicalinnovationxchange.com
Intellijoint Surgical® develops and commercializes surgical navigation solutions. It is committed to improving patients' lives by providing every surgeon with effective, easy-to-use technology. Intellijoint's flagship product, Intellijoint HIP®, provides surgeons with real-time, intraoperative measurements to ensure accurate positioning of orthopaedic implants during total hip replacements.
Bloom was created as an easy to use and innovative reinvention of home health care, ensuring access to quality Health Care Professionals (Care Pro's), improving accountability & efficiencies, facilitating automated scheduling – while enabling technologies to ensure real time communication with both family and care team.
Bloom connects people with Health Care Professionals by combining technology with the highest quality, fully vetted Care Pro's to help facilitate easy scheduling, higher wages, and better service outcomes. All ongoing care is easily managed through the platform – enabling flexibility, real time communication, and responsive service delivery. Bloom is for those seeking the highest quality home care that is fast, safe, secure, and affordable.
Penta Medical has developed PentaVO, a small device which allows patients to treat themselves at home for conditions including arthritis, postoperative recovery, and muscle and tendon tears. It collects biometrics to allow the user to be remotely monitored by their care provider for signs of complications, to improve outcomes through better patient adherence.
Vena Medical is creating a suite of tools to change the way physicians perform minimally invasive neurosurgery. Its flagship product is the world's smallest camera that gives physicians a live imaging-feed from inside veins and arteries within the brain. We've proven the usefulness of this new product in stroke treatment (a $1B market opportunity in the US alone) through a pre-clinical trial performed at the Baylor College of Medicine. Vena Medical has built an advisory team of leading physicians in minimally invasive treatment like Dr. Peter Kan, Chief of Neuroendovascular Service at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, and veterans of the medical technologies industry like Maria Aboytes, founder of Medina Medical.
SOURCE Intellijoint Surgical Inc.
Nanalysis secures key strategic investor, Factors Group
CALGARY, June 13, 2019 /CNW/ - Nanalysis Scientific Corp. (TSXV: NSCI), is pleased to announce it has closed a non-brokered private placement with the Chairman of Factors Group.
The Chairman of Factors Group stated "We are very pleased we are investing in Nanalysis Scientific. Factors Group is committed to producing the highest quality products possible and seeing worldwide improvement of testing in all areas of product quality. The bench-top NMR technology that Nanalysis produces will provide our company with an invaluable tool to confirm source botanical identity and to monitor key active concentrations as products move through the production system and indeed is distributed to our customers, ensuring highest possible safety, potency, purity, and quality. We will be working with Nanalysis and other partners to develop software and reference standard databases that will assist regulatory authorities make progress with their mandates of ensuring nutraceutical authentication, and we will be promoting Nanalysis' products throughout our global network."
This offering is in addition to the concurrent non-brokered unit private placement for gross proceeds of approximately $5,000,000 that was disclosed in the Company's Filing Statement dated May 24, 2019 and closed on June 4, 2019. Pursuant to this Offering, the Company issued 2,500,000 units ("Units") at $0.60 per Unit for a total gross proceeds of $1,500,000. Each Unit consists of one common share of Nanalysis ("Common Share") and one half of one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional Common Share for a period of two years following the date of issuance of the Warrant.
The Company will use the net proceeds of the offering for SG&A associated with the global expansion of the Nanalysis' sales organization and distribution network and for working capital.
All securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance.
About Factors Group
Factors Group has been a producer of the highest quality Natural Health Products and dietary supplements for over 50 years. Factors Group operates across nine locations in North America: housing offices, manufacturing and production facilities, laboratories, distribution centers, and extensive warehouses. The company also grows on its own pristine farm land. Factors' head office is in Coquitlam, BC with a US office in Monroe, Washington. The company's mission is to enhance the well-being of its customers through research, development, and delivery of effective nutritional supplements and other health-building products. http://factorsgroup.com
About Nanalysis Scientific
Nanalysis (TSXV:NSCI) has been in business for 10 years developing/manufacturing portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers for the laboratory instrumentation market. Nanalysis products are used by industry (oil & gas, chemical, pharma, biotech, food science, atomic agencies) and are category leaders in teaching/research. http://www.nanalysis.com/investor-relations
Nanalysis Scientific Corp. seeks safe harbor for any forward-looking statements in this release. Investors should not rely on information in this release to make any investment decisions but rather should consult an independent financial advisor.
SOURCE Nanalysis Scientific Corp.
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