Montreal Heart Institute creates first-of-its-kind diabetes prevention clinic in Canada
Major donation of $450,000 from Sun Life Financial
MONTREAL, Nov. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - In celebration of World Diabetes Day, the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Diabetes Prevention Clinic supported by Sun Life Financial. The only one of its kind in Canada, this multidisciplinary program will launch in December at the Montreal Heart Institute's EPIC Center, the largest center for cardiovascular disease prevention in the country. This initiative is made possible by a major donation of $450,000 from Sun Life Financial.
Dr. Martin Juneau, Director of Prevention at the Montreal Heart Institute, will be the clinic supervisor. He will lead a multidisciplinary team consisting of a nurse, kinesiologist, nutritionist and medical staff including cardiologists, internists and general practitioners.
The program will meet a growing demand for preventive services for patients with diabetes and prediabetes, chronic conditions currently affecting 1 in 3 Canadians. Cardiovascular disease is the most common complication and leading cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes1. Fortunately, many studies show that type 2 diabetics who make lifestyle changes, including a high-quality diet, regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, no tobacco use and moderate alcohol consumption, reduce their risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease.
"Creation of the Diabetes Prevention Clinic supported by Sun Life Financial highlights the need to prioritize this disease, which is affecting a growing number of Quebecers," says Lino A. Saputo, Jr., Board Chair of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation. "This new diabetes prevention clinic will have a significant impact in the community, and is an excellent example of our Foundation's key focus on prevention and cardiovascular health."
"This project aligns perfectly with the Institute's focus on prevention of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease," says Josée Noiseux, President and CEO of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation. "It is more timely than ever today, on World Diabetes Day, to raise awareness among the public and stress the importance of healthier lifestyles in the prevention of type 2 diabetes."
"Since 2012, Sun Life has committed more than $25 million in the fight against diabetes in Canada and around the globe. We believe that awareness and prevention is key to helping people live a healthy lifestyle. Our $450,000 donation to the Montreal Heart Institute will provide resources to help reduce the number of people that develop type 2 diabetes, a disease that can have very serious complications," says Sun Life Canada President Jacques Goulet.
"It's possible to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, or reduce its negative impacts, through lifestyle changes," states Dr. Martin Juneau, the Montreal Heart Institute's Director of Prevention. "Lifestyle is better than medication for treating diabetes, and doesn't involve the side effects frequently associated with medication. The clinic will deliver the best tools to patients, so they can minimize complications related to their disease."
A tailored program to meet growing demand
The clinic will be open to patients of the Montreal Heart Institute and EPIC Center with blood sugar levels near or above 7 mmol/L, as well as to the EPIC Center's 3,000 primary prevention and 1,600 secondary prevention members. Current estimates suggest that 20 to 50% of patients hospitalized at the Montreal Heart Institute are diabetic.
Diabetes is the 5th-leading cause of premature death in the world. Hyperglycemia from the onset of diabetes has multiple adverse effects on cardiovascular risk factors, including atherosclerosis, hypertension and dyslipidemia. These issues, together with the damage hyperglycemia causes to small blood vessels, mean type 2 diabetes increases the incidence of coronary heart disease by 2 to 4 times2.
Sun Life Financial in the community
At Sun Life Financial, we are committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life and we're proud to hold the Caring Company designation from Imagine Canada. Community wellness is an important part of our sustainability commitment and we believe that by actively supporting the communities in which we live and work, we can help build a positive environment for our Clients, Employees, advisors and shareholders. Our philanthropic support focuses on two key areas: health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives through our Team Up Against DiabetesTM platform; and arts and culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More AccessibleTM program. In Quebec our sponsorship and donation initiatives also focus on home economics and financial education.
We also partner with sports properties in key markets to further our commitment to healthy and active living. Our Employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering over 29,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada.
About the Montreal Heart Institute
Founded in 1954 by Dr. Paul David, the Montreal Heart Institute constantly aims for the highest standards of excellence in the cardiovascular field through its leadership in clinical and basic research, ultra-specialized care, professional training and prevention. The Montreal Heart Institute is one of the three best cardiology centres in the world. It has the first Prevention Branch in Canada, a cardiovascular genetics centre, and Canada's first simulation-based education program focused on cardiology. The Institute is affiliated with the University of Montreal and has more than 2,000 employees, including 225 CMDP doctors and more than 80 researchers. We practise more than 2,300 surgeries each year.
About the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation
Founded in 1977, the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation raises and administer funds to support the Institute's priority and innovative projects and fight cardiovascular diseases, the world's number one cause of mortality. Its philanthropic events and the contributions of its donors have enabled this leading cardiovascular health care organization to become the largest cardiac research centre in the country. Since its creation, the Foundation has raised nearly $260 million in donations. Its 27,350 donors helped make important discoveries and support specialists, professionals and researchers of the Institute to provide care at the cutting edge of technology to tens of thousands of patients in Quebec.
About the EPIC Center
The MHI's EPIC Center is the largest centre for cardiovascular disease prevention in Canada, with more than 5500 registered members. The Center has a bit more than 80 employees and is part of the Prevention Branch of the Montreal Heart Institute. The centre is for healthy people who wish to keep it that way (primary prevention) as well as for patients who had a cardiac accident (readaptation and secondary prevention). The staff includes physicians, cardiologists, internists, emergency physicians, a physiologist, visiting professors, nurses, nutritionists, kinesiologists and rescuers.
Source :
Marine Kaysen
Communications and Marketing Director
Montreal Heart Institute Foundation
panCELLa's Exclusive FailSafe™ Improves Cell Therapy Safety
TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - panCELLa is proud to announce the publication of "Linking a cell division and a suicide gene to define and improve cell therapy safety" in the November 21st 2018 issue of Nature.
Cell therapies hold enormous promise of new treatment and cures for many currently devastating degenerative diseases, including diabetes, arthritis, blindness, heart and lung diseases. "Even our own cells are intrinsically dangerous", said Dr. Andras Nagy, the principal investigator of the paper, Senior Scientist at Sinai Health System's Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, President and Chief Scientific Officer of panCELLa. "They can change into cancerous cells, lead to severe disease and cause death. Cells that are manufactured and expanded outside the body and used for cell therapies can be even riskier because they constantly mutate and may not be eliminated by the immune system. We took up the challenge of maximizing the safety level of therapeutic cells to a higher level than our own cells by building a molecular kill-switch placed among the genes of the cells, which enables the efficient elimination of dangerously dividing cells that may cause cancer."
Dr Nagy added "We are certain that our ability to estimate the risk will further accelerate cell therapies as a promising way to treat, or even cure, devastating diseases. We recognized the importance and impact of the translational aspect of our research and established panCELLa Inc. to help pave the road from the bench to the bedside".
"This paper validates Dr. Nagy's research in cell therapy at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and is the cornerstone of our mission at panCELLa," said Mark Krembil, Chair of panCELLa's Board. "We are confident that research will continue to show panCELLa offers unparalleled safety for therapeutic cell products, ultimately advancing cell therapies to the clinic."
"Dr. Nagy's research in this Nature publication outlines panCELLa's first steps in transforming current approaches to cell and gene therapy for many diseases and will have a great impact on patient care" stated Dr. Armand Keating, a founding director and Chief Medical Officer of panCELLa.
"This is an affirmation of over seven years of research and a milestone for our Company, the cell therapy market and, most importantly, for patients," Mr. Krembil went on to note. panCELLa's FailSafeTM Cells mitigate the risk of therapeutic cells going awry. This is the only quantifiable "safety switch" currently available for cell therapies thereby allowing regulators to determine the risk of a given cell therapy, doctors and clinicians to quantify the level of risk and patients to make an informed decision.
About panCELLa
Incorporated in August 2015, panCELLa (www.pancella.com) was founded by Dr. Andras Nagy and Dr. Armand Keating based on Dr. Nagy's ground-breaking work in the area of stem cell research. Through panCELLa, Drs. Keating and Nagy are seeking to create an effective cell therapy derived from stem cells, which are modified to provide a high level of safety before and after the cells are introduced to the patient. panCELLa seeks to create universal "off the shelf" FailSafeTM Cells and to assist the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors to achieve such with their own cell lines. Targeted medical applications include deadly, debilitating, or aggressive diseases requiring immediate treatment where there is no time to cultivate a customized stem cell treatment from the patient (i.e. cancer, cardiac infarct, stroke and spinal cord injury).
SOURCE panCELLa Inc.
ACCESS 2022: A Movement to Inspire a New Day in Health Care
MONTREAL, Nov. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) today announced the launch of ACCESS 2022, a movement to promote a future where all Canadians have access to their health information through the availability and use of digital health tools and services, which will empower patients and improve health outcomes.
Beginning today, all health system stakeholders — including clinicians, allied health care professionals, government bodies, technology and industry partners, patients and caregivers — are invited and encouraged to commit to the vision and join the ACCESS 2022 movement.
"As Canadians, we're proud of our health care system. For 50 years it has stood for equality and compassion. But Canada is no longer a world leader in health care. We're in the innovation age, but our health care has not kept up, and for all our sakes, we need to change," said Michael Green, President and CEO, Infoway, a federally funded, not-for-profit organization that drives access to health care through digital health solutions.
"ACCESS 2022 will bring together the collective expertise of an agile technology sector, the knowledge base of health system experts, and the insights and experiences of patients and caregivers, to ultimately meet and exceed the demands of Canadians in the 21st century. Starting today, we are asking all Canadians to join us in this movement," Green said.
In today's digital age, Canadians are shopping, banking and booking travel online because it's convenient and efficient. Overwhelmingly, they want a digital system that is easier to navigate and more patient-centric with better service and access to their health information. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Infoway found that only 22 per cent of Canadians have access to their health information online, and 73 per cent of those who don't, want it.
Green announced the launch of ACCESS 2022 at Infoway's annual Partnership Conference. Held during Digital Health Week, the conference brings together system stakeholders and partners to celebrate the successes and address challenges in transforming health service delivery.
"It all starts by making a pledge and working together. For this vision and effort to be successful, we need engagement and activation across the entire health sector," Green said.
To learn more and join the movement, visit www.Access2022.ca.
About Canada Health Infoway:
Canada Health Infoway helps to improve the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption and effective use of digital health across Canada. Through our investments, we help deliver better quality and access to care and more efficient delivery of health services for patients and clinicians. Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government.
Media Inquiries:
Axelle Techer
Senior Account Manager
Tel: (438) 390-3803
SOURCE Canada Health Infoway
Montreal Heart Institute creates first-of-its-kind diabetes prevention clinic in Canada
Major donation of $450,000 from Sun Life Financial
MONTREAL, Nov. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - In celebration of World Diabetes Day, the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Diabetes Prevention Clinic supported by Sun Life Financial. The only one of its kind in Canada, this multidisciplinary program will launch in December at the Montreal Heart Institute's EPIC Center, the largest center for cardiovascular disease prevention in the country. This initiative is made possible by a major donation of $450,000 from Sun Life Financial.
Dr. Martin Juneau, Director of Prevention at the Montreal Heart Institute, will be the clinic supervisor. He will lead a multidisciplinary team consisting of a nurse, kinesiologist, nutritionist and medical staff including cardiologists, internists and general practitioners.
The program will meet a growing demand for preventive services for patients with diabetes and prediabetes, chronic conditions currently affecting 1 in 3 Canadians. Cardiovascular disease is the most common complication and leading cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes1. Fortunately, many studies show that type 2 diabetics who make lifestyle changes, including a high-quality diet, regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, no tobacco use and moderate alcohol consumption, reduce their risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease.
"Creation of the Diabetes Prevention Clinic supported by Sun Life Financial highlights the need to prioritize this disease, which is affecting a growing number of Quebecers," says Lino A. Saputo, Jr., Board Chair of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation. "This new diabetes prevention clinic will have a significant impact in the community, and is an excellent example of our Foundation's key focus on prevention and cardiovascular health."
"This project aligns perfectly with the Institute's focus on prevention of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease," says Josée Noiseux, President and CEO of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation. "It is more timely than ever today, on World Diabetes Day, to raise awareness among the public and stress the importance of healthier lifestyles in the prevention of type 2 diabetes."
"Since 2012, Sun Life has committed more than $25 million in the fight against diabetes in Canada and around the globe. We believe that awareness and prevention is key to helping people live a healthy lifestyle. Our $450,000 donation to the Montreal Heart Institute will provide resources to help reduce the number of people that develop type 2 diabetes, a disease that can have very serious complications," says Sun Life Canada President Jacques Goulet.
"It's possible to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, or reduce its negative impacts, through lifestyle changes," states Dr. Martin Juneau, the Montreal Heart Institute's Director of Prevention. "Lifestyle is better than medication for treating diabetes, and doesn't involve the side effects frequently associated with medication. The clinic will deliver the best tools to patients, so they can minimize complications related to their disease."
A tailored program to meet growing demand
The clinic will be open to patients of the Montreal Heart Institute and EPIC Center with blood sugar levels near or above 7 mmol/L, as well as to the EPIC Center's 3,000 primary prevention and 1,600 secondary prevention members. Current estimates suggest that 20 to 50% of patients hospitalized at the Montreal Heart Institute are diabetic.
Diabetes is the 5th-leading cause of premature death in the world. Hyperglycemia from the onset of diabetes has multiple adverse effects on cardiovascular risk factors, including atherosclerosis, hypertension and dyslipidemia. These issues, together with the damage hyperglycemia causes to small blood vessels, mean type 2 diabetes increases the incidence of coronary heart disease by 2 to 4 times2.
Sun Life Financial in the community
At Sun Life Financial, we are committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life and we're proud to hold the Caring Company designation from Imagine Canada. Community wellness is an important part of our sustainability commitment and we believe that by actively supporting the communities in which we live and work, we can help build a positive environment for our Clients, Employees, advisors and shareholders. Our philanthropic support focuses on two key areas: health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives through our Team Up Against DiabetesTM platform; and arts and culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More AccessibleTM program. In Quebec our sponsorship and donation initiatives also focus on home economics and financial education.
We also partner with sports properties in key markets to further our commitment to healthy and active living. Our Employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering over 29,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada.
About the Montreal Heart Institute
Founded in 1954 by Dr. Paul David, the Montreal Heart Institute constantly aims for the highest standards of excellence in the cardiovascular field through its leadership in clinical and basic research, ultra-specialized care, professional training and prevention. The Montreal Heart Institute is one of the three best cardiology centres in the world. It has the first Prevention Branch in Canada, a cardiovascular genetics centre, and Canada's first simulation-based education program focused on cardiology. The Institute is affiliated with the University of Montreal and has more than 2,000 employees, including 225 CMDP doctors and more than 80 researchers. We practise more than 2,300 surgeries each year.
About the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation
Founded in 1977, the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation raises and administer funds to support the Institute's priority and innovative projects and fight cardiovascular diseases, the world's number one cause of mortality. Its philanthropic events and the contributions of its donors have enabled this leading cardiovascular health care organization to become the largest cardiac research centre in the country. Since its creation, the Foundation has raised nearly $260 million in donations. Its 27,350 donors helped make important discoveries and support specialists, professionals and researchers of the Institute to provide care at the cutting edge of technology to tens of thousands of patients in Quebec.
About the EPIC Center
The MHI's EPIC Center is the largest centre for cardiovascular disease prevention in Canada, with more than 5500 registered members. The Center has a bit more than 80 employees and is part of the Prevention Branch of the Montreal Heart Institute. The centre is for healthy people who wish to keep it that way (primary prevention) as well as for patients who had a cardiac accident (readaptation and secondary prevention). The staff includes physicians, cardiologists, internists, emergency physicians, a physiologist, visiting professors, nurses, nutritionists, kinesiologists and rescuers.
Source :
Marine Kaysen
Communications and Marketing Director
Montreal Heart Institute Foundation
Good Oral Health is Key to Prevent and Control Diabetes
SUNSTAR and the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) launch the 'Perio & Diabetes' Campaign on World Diabetes Day'
- There is a bi-directional relationship between oral health and diabetes: people with periodontal disease have a 20-30% higher risk of developing diabetes
- Both diseases are highly prevalent: over 415 million people have diabetes and 750 million people have periodontal disease worldwide
- SUNSTAR, a holistic healthcare company, has been supporting research into the two-way relationship between oral health and diabetes for over 30 years
ETOY, Switzerland, Nov. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - There is a bi-directional relationship between oral health and diabetes: people with periodontal disease have a 20-30% higher risk of developing diabetes, and those who have diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to develop gum disease. The good news is that good oral health in people with diabetes can help reduce blood sugar levels. This is just one of the powerful links revealed by the 'Perio & Diabetes Campaign' that SUNSTAR and the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) are launching today on World Diabetes Day.
(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/781181/SUNSTAR_EFP.jpg )
Approximately 80% of people over 30 years old have some form of gum disease (gingivitis in its mild form, and periodontitis in its severe form). This corresponds to 750 million people worldwide with gum problems. The situation is no more positive if we examine data for diabetes: 415 million people worldwide suffer from the disease and an estimated 212 million people are living with undiagnosed diabetes.
In addition, these two diseases are strongly linked. If you suffer from both conditions at the same time, there is an increased risk of developing complications from diabetes earlier, since gum problems are inflammatory diseases that increase general inflammation in the body. In turn, this increases insulin resistance and leads to poorer blood sugar control. As a result, both disorders worsen and are harder to control.
How can gum disease be prevented?
According to experts, the first signs of gum disease include red or swollen gums, bleeding or blood after brushing, longer-looking teeth, and increased spaces between teeth. Whether or not some of these signs are spotted, basic oral care recommendations are to visit the dentist twice a year, brush twice a day, and pay extra attention to interdental brushing. As SUNSTAR experts explain, interdental hygiene cleans 85% of the mouth, while toothbrushes only clean 60%.
As Dr Marzia Massignani, Sr Manager Scientific Affairs and Corporate Comms at SUNSTAR, states: "Early diagnosis of both diabetes and periodontal disease is essential if we want to improve prevention and treatment. It is therefore vital to raise awareness about this existing relationship and provide useful tools to patients, professionals and people at risk."
As a result, SUNSTAR is also supporting pioneering research in the field that aims to detect undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes conditions in the dental office. The primary objective is to establish a protocol that helps oral care professionals to identify signs of diabetes in their patients with gum problems. Another goal is to help improve coordination with physicians in order to detect and treat this global issue earlier. This project is led by the Complutense University in Madrid and supported by the Spanish Society of Periodoncy and Osseointegration (SEPA).
Over 30 years supporting research into the relationship between oral health and diabetes
The holistic healthcare company is not new to the field of oral health and diabetes. SUNSTAR has been promoting and supporting research for over 30 years now due to the personal story that links diabetes to the Kaneda family (the founders of the company). SUNSTAR's founder, Kunio Kaneda, passed away due to a complication of diabetes in his fifties. In 1986, the company held the SUNSTAR Portside Symposium, where Hiro Kaneda, Kunio's son, raised the question of a possible link between periodontal disease and systemic diseases. He suffers from both diseases and felt they were somehow connected. This was the first step towards the recognition of the relationship between oral health and general health.
Ever since, the company, through the Sunstar Foundation, has been contributing to research and raising awareness about the two-way relationship between oral health and general health, particularly about periodontal disease and diabetes. Under #ThePerioLink project, SUNSTAR is also giving visibility to the many impacts of poor oral health, spanning cancer to sports performance.
ABOUT SUNSTAR
SUNSTAR is a Japanese company founded in 1932 in Osaka. With an eye to the future, SUNSTAR's vision is to pioneer a new era of innovation, champion new invigorating partnerships, and speak to the heart of a new generation of global consumers. As a result of years of innovation, SUNSTAR now operates in four growing sectors with the objective of building a better and healthier tomorrow: oral care, health and beauty, healthy living environment & safety support and high technology. The company has 4000+ employees worldwide and is present now in more than 90 countries. SUNSTAR's headquarters are located in Etoy (Switzerland).
Based on our corporate motto "Always strive to help people everywhere achieve better health and enhance their quality-of-life", the SUNSTAR Group will continue to be attentive and responsive to the varied needs and expectations of our global consumers. http://www.sunstar.com/company/philosophy.
SOURCE Sunstar
New Online Program Helping Healthcare Professionals Respond to Opioid Crisis
OTTAWA, Nov. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - Healthcare providers have a new online program to help them respond to the growing opioid crisis in Canada.
In virtually every jurisdiction across the country, opioid-related overdoses and deaths have reached crisis levels. Through a new, case-based e-learning program from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, healthcare providers can learn from experts in pain management about the best ways to deal with these increasingly complex cases.
The online program is one of three new self-assessment programs being offered as part of an innovative pilot collaboration between the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the mdBriefCase Group. These self-assessment programs are available at no additional charge for Fellows of the Royal College and MOC MAINPORT ePortfolio users. The two other self-assessment programs available are on the topics of CanMEDS and research ethics.
Other healthcare professionals in Canada and abroad will be able to access the programs at a cost of $65 CAD. All programs are available online as of today. Click here to register.
Developed by leading specialists and peer-reviewed by experts in the field, these accredited programs offer unique learning opportunities in English and French, combined with the flexibility and convenience of online delivery.
"Opioid therapy is one of the most controversial and challenging issues facing healthcare professionals today," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, Royal College CEO. "Through this course, our Fellows will get the latest information on screening practices, identifying patients at risk of harm, ongoing monitoring, and knowing how to discontinue or taper opioids at the appropriate time."
The program was developed based on a needs assessment of medical and surgical specialists who identified a number of recurring, complex issues that they face when managing or prescribing opioids for patients with acute or chronic pain.
"It's a very practical program built around three clinical scenarios that will challenge participants and foster learning through expert feedback," added Jason Flowerday, CEO of mdBriefCase Group. "This program will be of tangible benefit to any specialist or surgeon prescribing opioids. And, as a member of mdBriefCase, participants will also have free access to our comprehensive library of online accredited courses in more than 20 therapeutic areas."
About the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada is the home of specialty medicine in Canada, setting the standards for postgraduate medical education, supporting the continuing professional development of 50,000+ Fellows and affiliates, and supporting health system innovations nationwide. To find out more, please visit royalcollege.ca.
About mdBriefCase Group
The mdBriefCase Group specializes in accredited, online continuing professional development (CPD) programs, custom tailored for specific international markets and available on a convenient online platform. All content is developed by leading specialists and peer-reviewed by experts at respected institutions, which keeps more than 200,000 global healthcare professionals at the forefront of the latest evidence and protocols worldwide. mdBriefCasegroup.com
SOURCE mdBriefCase Group Inc.
Zucara Therapeutics – Helping people with diabetes sleep safely and soundly
- Typically occurring overnight, hypoglycemia puts approximately 8.3M people globally at fatal risk during their sleep.
- Current therapies offer hypoglycemic treatment only once an episode occurs.
- Zucara is working on the first treatment to prevent hypoglycemia which can kill patients in their sleep.
November 14, 2018 - Vancouver, Canada: On World Diabetes Day, Zucara Therapeutics is raising awareness about hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that can cause serious complications and even death for people with diabetes. Currently, no therapy to prevent hypoglycemia exists, leaving patients to rely on rescue therapies, such as glucose or glucagon, typically used after the patient is already suffering from a potential fatal hypoglycemic episode. Preventing hypoglycemia will dramatically change Type 1 diabetes disease management, improving both patient health and quality of life.
Zucara is developing the first once-daily therapeutic to prevent hypoglycemia in people with Type 1 diabetes and other types of insulin-dependent diabetes. Zucara’s lead drug candidate “ZT-01” is moving towards Phase 1 clinical trials in late 2019 after demonstrating efficacy and safety validated in multiple preclinical models of hypoglycemia. The company is now defining the clinical trial plan for Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies.
Michael Midmer, Chief Executive Officer for Zucara Therapeutics explained, “Hypoglycemic episodes are an important concern for people with diabetes, in the most severe cases, they are life threatening, and are a particular source of fear and anxiety for patients. Our technology is aimed at creating the first treatment to prevent clinically significant low blood sugar. We are extremely happy with the results achieved so far to advance our lead drug “ZT-01” and are excited to start Phase 1 clinical trials in 2019. We are currently raising funding to conduct our first clinical studies, and appreciate the support we have received to date from leading institutions and diabetes organizations.”
Zucara has raised US$7M in funding to date from various organizations including its founding institutions: CDRD and MaRS Innovation; leading diabetes organizations: The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and JDRF International; and other funders including the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), and Accel-Rx Health Sciences Accelerator. The funding has helped Zucara complete a robust preclinical program enabling its lead drug “ZT-01” to be further advanced towards clinical trials.
About Zucara Therapeutics Inc.
Zucara Therapeutics is developing the first drug therapy to prevent hypoglycemia in people with diabetes. The Company’s first-in-class therapeutic, ZT-01, is aimed at inhibiting a hormone in the pancreas called somatostatin, which does not function properly in Type 1 diabetes. Preventing hypoglycemia will dramatically change diabetes disease management, improving both patient health and quality of life. www.zucara.ca
Significant advances in diabetes medicine have been made, but many unmet needs remain, says GlobalData
Advances in diabetes medicine, such as anti-diabetic oral medications, incretin therapies, and novel insulin formulations have been made over the past century, but many unmet needs remain for this complex and difficult-to-treat disease, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
World Diabetes Day (14th November) aims to improve awareness of hyperglycemia (the major hallmark of the disease) and its effects.
According to interviewed Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), there are four pressing unmet needs in the diabetes space. These unmet needs apply broadly for both Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).
Dr. Jesus Cuaron, Managing Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “There is a need for additional treatments that provide both glycemic and non-glycemic benefits, especially since the control of diabetes comorbidities is less than optimal in most patients. Incretin-based therapies and Sodium Glucose Cotransporter Inhibitors (SGLTIs) are partially addressing this need in T2D, by inducing weight loss, lowering blood pressure, and providing CV benefit.”
Reducing the occurrence of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels, in insulin-dependent diabetic patients is another vital area in the diabetes space that requires ongoing attention. Currently, all available insulin therapies are associated with the risk of hypoglycemia, despite the fact that new generation insulins such as Novo Nordisk’s Tresiba have lowered the risk.
Dr. Cuaron continues: “The issue of significantly decreased compliance among patients using injectable therapies such as insulin continues to be partially addressed by drug developers. Hypoglycemia is one of the top safety concerns associated with diabetics taking insulin. But most attempts to bring a commercially successful non-injectable insulin to market have been met with failure, as seen with Pfizer’s Exubera.”
The most pressing unmet need in the diabetes space is the development of breakthrough treatments that address the underlying cause of the disease. In T1D, this would be a treatment that would interfere with either the etiology or the pathogenic processes involved in the eradication of the β cells. In T2D, the treatment would have to effectively target the root of the disease, insulin resistance.
Dr. Cuaron concludes: “Whether or not a truly curative treatment will be discovered and developed is yet to be seen. In the meantime, developers should continue focusing on tackling the multiple unmet needs that remain in this space.”
How Diabetes Affects Your Bones?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that’s very serious, and unfortunately, is a widespread disorder affecting millions.
However, what most people don’t know is that diabetes can affect your bones by damaging their overall health, increasing the risk of fracture, and more.
Additionally, diabetes can increase your risk of developing many bone or joint disorders.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a well-known disorder that can develop due to diabetes as well. People with osteoporosis have weak bones that are prone to fractures, which are, as we have already mentioned, probable complications caused by type 1 diabetes.
There’s both bad and good news when it comes to this disorder. The bad news; rarely is it noticed before it gets to more advanced stages. But the good news is that a simple, healthy lifestyle can be enough to treat it. Enough light exercise, a healthy diet with lots of vitamin D and calcium will be more than enough. Medications do exist, but the need for them only arises in more extreme cases.
Neuropathic Arthropathy
More commonly known as Charcot joint; this is a disorder that occurs when a joint gets injured due to nerve damage, which is a common complication of diabetes. The disease usually affects the feet and can be noticed when the joints start feeling numb, warm, red, and swollen.
The symptoms usually look worse than they are and can be treated easily through light exercises and with the use of orthotic support, as long as discovered early.
Frozen Shoulder
The frozen shoulder condition usually affects one side of the back, and the common symptoms are pain and a limited range of movement. The cause is unknown, but diabetes is one of the risk factors.
If the problem is caught early on, with aggressive physical therapies, the shoulder can still function normally.
Diabetic Hand Syndrome
As the name implies, the syndrome is connected to diabetes because it most commonly occurs in people with the disease, but the exact cause of the disorder is unknown.
Here; the skin on the hand becomes waxy and thickens which eventually causes limited finger movement.
Unfortunately, the effects of diabetic hand syndrome sometimes cannot be cured, but with physical therapy and management of blood glucose levels, the progression can be slowed.
Other Effects
Several other bone conditions commonly are caused by diabetes, but most of them come as a result of other changes in the body caused by diabetes.
The main thing here is that diabetes can and does cause problems for your bones and joints, which is why it’s essential that you manage the disorder. What’s more, a healthier lifestyle is also vital if you want to keep your bones in good condition and less prone to fractures or certain loss of their strength.
If you want to know more, or if you require help with bone-related issues, feel free to contact the Florida Orthopaedic Institute and consult with one of our specialists at your earliest convenience.
EYE OPENING WAYS TO GET YOUNGER LOOKING PEEPERS THROUGH SURGICAL AND AT HOME SOLUTIONS
www.psspecialists.com
Your eyes are not only the windows to your soul, but your age as well. In fact, studies have shown that when strangers are asked to judge how old a person is, the eye area is one of the biggest influences. The delicate skin around our eyes is usually the first place to get noticeable fine lines/wrinkles and even brown discoloration. The causes are exposure to sun and pollution, stress, and late nights. Here are some doable tips from Board Certified San Francisco area plastic surgeon Dr. Stanley Poulos to keep the skin around your eyes protected and combat premature-aging.
Be preventative- Botox and fillers can dramatically improve the appearance of the eye area without surgery. “If a patient has a volume loss or tear trough (deep groove) under the eyelids, we inject fillers such as Juvéderm or Restylane,” says Dr. Poulos. Dr. Poulos adds, “This produces volume to the area and provides support and lift to smooth out lines and wrinkles. Botox and other neuromodulators relaxes muscles to soften lines and to slow down their deepening by weakening the way they wrinkle the skin like an accordion. The cost depends on amount injected and number of injection sites.”
No Injection Cosmetic Procedures- There are a variety of laser treatments available that allow skincare professionals to target certain areas and treat certain conditions. Dr. Poulos explains that, “Resurfacing lasers, like Fractionated Erbium or CO2 can tighten the skin around the eyes with up to a week of downtime.
The Surgical Route- Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids. Surgery can be performed on either the upper and lower lids, or both.
Whether you want to improve your appearance or are experiencing functional problems with your eyelids, eyelid surgery can rejuvenate the area surrounding your eyes.
Specifically, eyelid surgery can treat:
Loose or sagging skin that creates folds of the upper eyelid, sometimes blocking vision
Excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the eyelids
Bags under the eyes
Drooping lower eyelids that reveal white below the iris
Excess skin of the lower eyelid
Target Key Spots: “There’s a muscle under the tail of the eyebrow that pulls the brow down, so a tiny drop of Botox, placed very precisely, helps pop up the brow and give you more of an arch in a few days. Dr. Poulos also likes Juvederm under the outer half of the brow. He explains, “We lose fat in our eyebrows over time, which makes everything sag. Replacing the fat pad with filler helps prop up the brows and lids back where they used to be.”
Non- Surgical Routes
Protect yourself from the Sun- Wear a broad-brimmed hat and use UV-protective sunglasses with lenses large enough to protect the eyes and the eyelids. Polarize lenses reduce glare and are particularly important when driving. Use sunscreen designed specifically for around the eyes to avoid stinging and burning. UV rays can penetrate clouds, so protect your eyes and eyelids every day.
Eye Cream- In addition to moisturizing, eye creams can offer other benefits, as well. Dr. Poulos says to, “Eye creams with growth factors and retinal can help increase cell turnover. Retinol helps to combat wrinkles, thicken the dermis, boost collagen, and distribute pigment more evenly. Use an eye cream containing retinol at night because it’s light-sensitive.”
Eating too much salt- Some people notice their eyes get puffy when they eat a lot of salt. Under eye bags are intensified when you have a diet that is high in sodium. To reduce puffiness and swelling, put something cool over eyelids, like cucumber slices, slices of raw potatoes, moist, refrigerated tea bags, or chilled spoons.
Over plucking your eyebrows- Repeated tweezing can result in scarring of the hair follicles, preventing hair from ever re-growing. “Be judicious when plucking,” says Dr. Poulos. “With age, eyebrow hairs become thinner.”
Eat an Iron-Rich Diet
An iron deficiency could be the reason for your under-eye bags and dark circles. Make them go away by incorporating iron-rich foods like spinach, kidney beans and dark chocolate into your diet.
Relax With Green Tea
Fight eye bags with tea bags! Resting cold green tea pouches will help reduce the appearance of puffiness. The combination of a cool compress with the tannins in the tea may help constrict the blood vessels and reduce swelling. Caffeine in the tea also helps reduce swelling.
To Minimize Dark Circles
Seek Out Vitamin C: Dr. Poulos suggest that you, “Look for an eye cream with ascorbyl glucoside, a potent vitamin C derivative that lightens dark circles and reverses aging dyspigmentation. Also, if you have volume loss under the eyes, light can get trapped in the folds and give the impression of shadows. In this case, we will often utilize a transfer of your own fat from abdomen or hips, mix it with your centrifuged blood (protein rich plasma or prp) and inject via a tiny needle to add thickness and minimize the light reflex “erasing” the dark circles.
Strengthen With Retinol: “Dark circles can be caused by the under-eye skin getting thin over time, so the underlying muscle is visible. Dr. Poulos often prescribes Renova to build collagen and help thicken the skin around the eyes. If you have sensitive skin, start with an over the counter retinol-containing product.
About Dr. Stanley Poulos
Dr. Poulos is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Co-Founder with Yngvar Hvistendahl, M.D of Plastic Surgery Specialists recognized as one of the premier aesthetic surgery clinics in Northern California.
Dr. Poulos helped pioneer the quick lift facial rejuvenation surgery in California and has extensive experience in body contour procedures. With over 30-years’ experience in aesthetic procedures, Dr. Poulos has been on the forefront of innovative procedures such as the quick-lift facial rejuvenation, mommy makeover, and vaser lipo-contouring. Dr. Poulos combines his consistent knowledge of new treatment options with his mastery of facial and body symmetry.
His recent focus has been on the gastric balloon, a groundbreaking, non-surgical, medically assisted, outpatient procedure offering weight loss to those seeking to lose between 30 and 75 pounds who may be ineligible for the more invasive gastric bypass surgery. This exciting new procedure allows patients to achieve optimal health and, when combined with exercise and proper nutrition, the results have been exceptional.
A graduate of the University of Texas Medical School, Dr. Poulos completed his internship and residency at UC San Francisco. He completed surgery and plastic surgery training in San Francisco prior to entering private practice in Marin County where he co-founded PSS (www.psspecialists.com)
