Company provides outlook on near-term business goals
/THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES./
TORONTO, July 7, 2021 /CNW/ - Cubed Biotech Inc. ("Cubed" or the "Company"), a future psychedelic biotech manufacturing company, is pleased to announce the successful oversubscription of its fundraising rounds and Cubed's planned research & development strategic pathway to becoming a natural entheogen psychedelic medicine manufacturer with its own unique intellectual property ("IP") portfolio.
Cubed intends to develop & produce psychedelic medicine to disrupt the current treatments of mental illness & addiction. The Company plans to develop a pipeline to manufacture innovative treatments based on the following natural entheogens: Mushrooms, Cacti, and Ayahuasca. Cubed's executive team brings extensive regulatory operations & financing experience to Cubed's mission to develop avant-garde psychedelic medicine inspired by historical ethnobotany.
Cubed's Operational Plan
"We are hyper-focused on becoming a leading psychedelic medicine manufacturer and a trusted partner for pharmaceutical companies worldwide", states Founder & CEO, Adam Coape-Arnold.
To fulfill this vision, Cubed has 4 core objectives for the near-term:
cGMP Facility:
Build, license & operate a purpose-built cGMP facility with a Health Canada Dealers License that is compliant to cultivate, extract & synthesize psilocybin and other psychedelics.
Subsequently receive Drug Establishment License to manufacture pharmaceutical grade psychedelic medicines.
Drug Development: Work with a Contract Research Organization (CRO) in compliance with applicable laws to develop two stacked active pharmaceutical ingredient ("API") drugs:
Psilocybin / Mescaline Compound
Ayahuasca Compound (DMT with MAO inhibitors)
Stock Exchange Listing: Pursue a listing of Cubed's shares on a stock exchange through an initial public offering, direct listing or reverse takeover.
Research Collaborations: Enter into collaboration and/or research and development agreements with third-parties in order to research novel drug candidates and advance the Company's IP portfolio in accordance with applicable laws.
Cubed has raised over $3,000,000 in oversubscribed private placements since its launch in early February.
"Cubed has had tremendous capital markets success for an early staged company formed only 4 months ago. We've had the participation of numerous hedge funds, alternative medicine investor groups, family offices and a multitude of portfolio managers who are equally motivated to drive our business forward. We have a focused pathway to "Psychedelics 2.0": to cultivate, extract & synthesize psilocybin, which is the future of medicine manufacturing," states Anthony Rossi, Co-Founder and President of Cubed.
ABOUT CUBED BIOTECH INC. Cubed Biotech is a Canadian company working to become a Health Canada licensed Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization. Subject to required regulatory approvals and exemptions, the Company intends to cultivate, extract and synthesize natural entheogens (Psilocybin from Mushrooms, Mescaline from Cacti, along with DMT & MAO-inhibitors from Ayahuasca), manufacture pharmaceutical mental-health & addiction medicines and eventually develop its own proprietary novel stacked API compound through clinical trials in order to achieve to pharmaceutical-grade distribution and commercialization.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding the Company's planned research & development; the Company's development of its IP portfolio; the Company's future intentions and planned development pipeline; and the Company's core objectives for the near-term, including the pursuit of a listing of the Company's shares on a stock exchange.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: regulatory and licensing risks; limited operating history; changes in industry growth and trends; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; availability of additional capital; lack of product revenue; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to psychedelics, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; compliance with extensive government regulation, including the Company's interpretation of such regulation; difficulty associated with research and development; risks associated with clinical trials or studies; heightened regulatory scrutiny; early stage product development; clinical trial risks; regulatory approval processes; public opinion and perception of the industry; and the novelty of the psychedelic inspired medicines industry. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.
SOURCE Cubed Biotech Inc.
Study reveals children and youth had highest rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada before third wave
Visible minorities twice as likely to have caught the virus
MONTREAL, July 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada’s most representative study to date investigating how many Canadians have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, reveals a mere 2.6% of Canadians tested between November 2020 and April 2021 had developed antibodies resulting from a past infection. Another 1% of Canadians had antibodies due to vaccination, reflecting the fact that vaccination was not widely available during the survey period. This brings the total percentage of Canadians with some form of immunity before the third wave to 3.6%. These data come from Statistics Canada’s Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey (CCAHS), done in partnership with Canada’s COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF), the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Health Canada.
“More than 10,000 Canadians, 1 year of age and older from across Canada participated in this study by sending a dried blood spot (DBS) sample and answering a questionnaire, making it highly representative of the people in this country,” explains Ron Gravel, Director at Statistics Canada and lead on the project. “The study includes data from all 10 provinces and three territories, people from both rural and urban areas, and Canadians with varied health status.”
“One of the most interesting findings is the fact that seniors – those not in long-term care – were not the ones to have had the most SARS-CoV-2 infections in Canada,” says Dr. Catherine Hankins, CITF Co-Chair. “Younger age groups – and especially children and adolescents - had higher rates of antibodies in their blood suggesting a past SARS-CoV-2 infection.”
“The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 3.4% among children and youth 1 to 19 years of age between November and April 2021,” explains Mr. Gravel. “As vaccines had not yet been distributed to this age group at the time of the survey, nearly all of these children and youth had antibodies due to a previous infection. In comparison, 2.9% of Canadians 20 to 59 years of age, and 1.4% of Canadians 60 years of age and older, were found to have antibodies due to a past infection.” Estimates for the Canadian population 60 years of age and older do not include those living in an institutional setting, such as a retirement home or in a long-term care setting.
Overall antibody seroprevalence (the percentage of people with antibodies in their blood), including Canadians with both infection-acquired and vaccine-induced antibodies, was highest in adults 20 to 59 years of age (4.5%). Among those 60 years of age and older, overall antibody seroprevalence was 2.1%.
Visible minority Canadians more affected by the virus
Canadians belonging to visible minorities had a higher proportion of antibodies acquired through past infection (4.3%) compared to other Canadians (2.1%). This contributed to a higher overall SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence among visible minorities (4.8%) compared to other Canadians (3.3%).
“This study shows that Canadians belonging to visible minorities have had more SARS-CoV-2 infections,” explains Dr. Hankins. “Public health authorities, community groups, and employers must continue to focus efforts on ensuring they can receive two doses of vaccine.”
Many Canadians didn’t know they were previously infected
“About one in three (30.3%) Canadians who had antibodies due to a SARS-CoV-2 infection had never taken a PCR test - a nasal or throat swab test for an active infection,” reveals Mr. Gravel. Among those, 3 out of 4, (76.6%) indicated that it was because they never had symptoms.
“Asymptomatic infections are very real,” comments Dr. Hankins. “Many Canadians who tested positive for antibodies from a previous infection did not know they had COVID-19 and could very easily have spread it to others, although the numbers don’t tell us how much transmission there was. This reinforces that physical distancing measures and mask- wearing have been the best ways to control the virus, especially before the widespread distribution of vaccines.”
Antibody seroprevalence varied across the country
Before the third wave, the percentage of Canadians with antibodies (the seroprevalence) due to a previous infection was highest in Alberta (4.0%), followed by Quebec (3.2%), Saskatchewan (2.9%), Ontario (2.5%), Manitoba (2.4%) and British Columbia (1.6%). The Atlantic Provinces had only 0.5% seroprevalence due to past infection, while the number of residents in the Territories to have antibodies due to a past infection was too low to produce a reliable statistical estimate.
In addition to Canadians with antibodies due to a prior infection, about 33% of adults (more than 20 years of age) who tested positive for antibodies had antibodies from vaccination.
Antibody seroprevalence from both vaccination and past infection was highest in Alberta (5.6%), followed by Quebec (4.4%), Saskatchewan (4.1%), Ontario (3.3%), Manitoba (3.1%), British Columbia (2.4%) and finally the Atlantic provinces (1.3%).
Within the Territories and Atlantic region, most people with antibodies had acquired them through vaccination. Due to the early start of the vaccination campaign in the Territories, about 1 in 5 (21.1%) Territorial residents had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies due to vaccination.
“At no time has the role of better data been more important in driving better outcomes than during a pandemic,” said Anil Arora, Canada’s Chief Statistician, who leads Statistics Canada. “I wish to thank Canadians who voluntarily participated in this survey. They are playing an essential role in advancing the development of new diagnostic tools, treatments and clinical practices that could ultimately benefit all Canadians in the fight against COVID-19.”
Made-in-Canada testing technology
“Another really interesting aspect of this study is the use of dried blood spot (DBS) kits, also known as finger prick tests,” explains Dr. Hankins. “These test kits were sent to tens of thousands of Canadians in rural and urban parts of the country so they could give a blood sample from home by pricking their finger in a specific way. The CITF helped get this DBS method approved for use in Canada, which was important because Statistics Canada and other studies would not have been able to test Canadians in such a representative manner if they had had to draw blood the traditional way with a needle.”
The blood samples from the DBS kits were analyzed at the Gingras Toronto laboratory and the Langlois Ottawa laboratory using cutting-edge assays (tests) developed in Canada.
Products
The table “SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in Canadians, by age group and sex” is now available. This table provides national – as well as regional or provincial – estimates of the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among Canadians, by age group and sex.
Upcoming Townhall for more information
The CITF is hosting a townhall, in collaboration with Statistics Canada, open to all Canadians. Presenters from the CITF and Statistics Canada will provide more detailed data and will include an explanation of the CITF’s updated models regarding the progression of population immunity throughout the pandemic. “These data will further inform the CITF’s modelling efforts which will be updated for the townhall on July 15th,” says Dr. David Buckeridge, Scientific Lead, Data Management and Analysis for the CITF.
The event will take place on July 15, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT. The event is free and will be held via Zoom webinar. To register, send an email to media@covid19immunitytaskforce.ca.
About Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada produces statistics that help Canadians better understand their country—its population, resources, economy, society and culture. In addition to conducting a Census every five years, there are about 350 active surveys on virtually all aspects of Canadian life. Statistics Canada has accelerated data collection in response to the urgent need for information to help the country respond to, and recover from, the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.
Statistics Canada is highly committed to protecting the confidentiality of all information it collects and to ensuring that the information we deliver is timely, high quality and relevant to Canadians.
About the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force
The Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force in late April 2020. The Task Force is overseen by a Leadership Group of volunteers that includes leading Canadian scientists and experts from universities and healthcare facilities across Canada who are focused on understanding the nature of immunity arising from the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To that end, the CITF is supporting numerous studies to determine the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada (in the general population as well as in specific communities and priority populations), understand the nature of immunity following infection, develop improved antibody testing methods, and help monitor the effectiveness and safety of vaccines as they are rolled out across Canada. The Task Force and its Secretariat work closely with a range of partners, including governments, public health agencies, institutions, health organizations, research teams, other task forces, and engages communities and stakeholders. Most recently, the Task Force has been asked to support vaccine surveillance, effectiveness and safety as part of its overall objective to generate data and ideas that inform interventions aimed at slowing—and ultimately stopping—the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada. For more information visit: http://www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca
Top NYC Doctor on The Frontlines to Combat Health Care Disparities in People of Color
New York, NY, July 6, 2021 — Blindness caused by glaucoma is insidious. In most cases, there is no pain, and the loss of vision occurs slowly from peripheral to central. Many people do not even realize it’s happening until they have lost a substantial amount of peripheral vision. But Dr. Daniel Laroche, Director of Glaucoma Services and President of Advanced Eyecare of New York, wants you to know there is a way to prevent the devastating effects of glaucoma: Don’t skip your eyecare visits.
What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by three components:
1. Damage and loss of the retinal ganglions cells and optic nerve described as cupping
2. Loss of visual field
3. Increased eye pressure (the mean normal eye pressure is 15mmHG)
People at risk for glaucoma include the elderly, Blacks, people with elevated eye pressure, primary relatives with glaucoma, persons with high myopia, high hyperopia, history of eye trauma and diabetes.
The elevated intraocular pressure from glaucoma damages the optic nerve mechanically and creates decreased blood flow to the eye. The most identifiable cause of glaucoma is the enlarged lens or cataract in the eye. Early cataract surgery and trabecular bypass has become the best option to stop vision loss in patients with glaucoma. The current use of eyedrops and laser help to lower intraocular pressure but do not address the causative mechanism of the glaucoma being the enlarged lens. Incisional cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery is often needed to truly stabilize glaucoma.
All people should be screened regularly for glaucoma as part of a medical eye exam. Screening should consist of an eye examination consisting of gonioscopy (examination of the drainage angle), intraocular pressure measurement with Goldmann applanation tonometry and a dilated optic nerve examination. If there appears to be any damage to the optic nerve or abnormal pressure, then a visual field test should be performed, and optic nerve photos taken. Persons with thin corneas should be more aggressively monitored and treated for glaucoma as the disease tends to be worse in these patients.
If you have eye pressure or glaucoma and feel that you may be losing vision, Dr. Laroche recommends that you seek the care of a glaucoma specialist for a second opinion. DON’T GO BLIND FROM GLAUCOMA! People with conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy that could lead to blindness if left unchecked need to stay particularly vigilant with their checkups. The pandemic shouldn’t keep you from visiting your doctor, and everyone should get vaccinated for the Covid 19 virus. He also encourages people to wear face masks on visits and maintain social distancing, even if they are in a health clinic, and if you’re high-risk, consider adding eye protection when in public spaces.
“Eyesight or human vision is one of the most important senses. As much as 80 percent of what we feel comes through our sense of sight. By protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts.
About Dr. Daniel Laroche
Dr. Laroche is an exceptional glaucoma specialist in New York. He studied and received his bachelor's degree from New York University and a medical doctorate with honors in research from Weil Cornell University Medical College. He underwent a medical internship at Montefiore Hospital and finished his ophthalmology residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C., where he was the chief resident in his third year. He later completed his glaucoma fellowship at New York Eye and Ear.
Dr. Laroche is also the author of the new young adult book, How to Become a Successful Black Man, which educates and empowers young boys and men of African descent about their history, heritage and legacy. Dr. Laroche connects history to the present-day life experiences and challenges of the Black Man to instill self-confidence and personal growth to succeed. The book helps to address health and wealth disparities and can be ordered here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Successful-BlackMan/dp/0578841770/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=daniel+laroche&qid=1623702468&sr=8-2.
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The WiseGuide App: Gain Confidence, Find Happiness and Achieve Success
Fort Myers, FL, July 6, 2021 — Effective Learning Systems, the company that pioneered the practice of Productive Meditation more than 45 years ago, recently announced the launch of their first mobile app, WiseGuide, putting the company’s entire library of powerful, time-tested self-improvement techniques at everyone’s fingertips.
WiseGuide goes beyond the benefits of traditional mindfulness and meditation teachings to deliver a vast library of targeted, impactful programs that can help users achieve specific, life-changing personal and professional goals, including boosting athletic performance, building healthier relationships, cultivating better concentration and managing addictions.
“Most people experience positive results immediately and remarkable life-transformation with regular, consistent use,” said Effective Learning Systems founder Bob Griswold.
Features of the WiseGuide App include:
- Over 120 prescriptive titles that address specific goals, including smoking cessation, weight control, stress management, better sleep and much more
- A children’s collection for self-image and self-esteem
- Effective studying and test taking for children from grade school through college
- Programs to listen to while driving, exercising, working or even sleeping
- Works on any iOS or Android mobile device
It is never too late to break bad habits, overcome fears, manage stress or improve virtually any other aspect of life, and it’s never been easier. The WiseGuide App can help people use the power of their own minds to take control and make lasting improvements. And all they have to do is listen.
The WiseGuide App was developed by Effective Learning Systems, whose founder Bob Griswold has been helping people harness the power of their own minds to make transformative changes for more than 45 years. His unique approach to meditation, guided imagery, positive affirmations, relaxation, self-hypnosis and more make his programs uniquely effective.
Top NYC Doctor on The Frontlines to Combat Health Care Disparities in People of Color
New York, NY, July 6, 2021 — Blindness caused by glaucoma is insidious. In most cases, there is no pain, and the loss of vision occurs slowly from peripheral to central. Many people do not even realize it’s happening until they have lost a substantial amount of peripheral vision. But Dr. Daniel Laroche, Director of Glaucoma Services and President of Advanced Eyecare of New York, wants you to know there is a way to prevent the devastating effects of glaucoma: Don’t skip your eyecare visits.
What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by three components:
1. Damage and loss of the retinal ganglions cells and optic nerve described as cupping
2. Loss of visual field
3. Increased eye pressure (the mean normal eye pressure is 15mmHG)
People at risk for glaucoma include the elderly, Blacks, people with elevated eye pressure, primary relatives with glaucoma, persons with high myopia, high hyperopia, history of eye trauma and diabetes.
The elevated intraocular pressure from glaucoma damages the optic nerve mechanically and creates decreased blood flow to the eye. The most identifiable cause of glaucoma is the enlarged lens or cataract in the eye. Early cataract surgery and trabecular bypass has become the best option to stop vision loss in patients with glaucoma. The current use of eyedrops and laser help to lower intraocular pressure but do not address the causative mechanism of the glaucoma being the enlarged lens. Incisional cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery is often needed to truly stabilize glaucoma.
All people should be screened regularly for glaucoma as part of a medical eye exam. Screening should consist of an eye examination consisting of gonioscopy (examination of the drainage angle), intraocular pressure measurement with Goldmann applanation tonometry and a dilated optic nerve examination. If there appears to be any damage to the optic nerve or abnormal pressure, then a visual field test should be performed, and optic nerve photos taken. Persons with thin corneas should be more aggressively monitored and treated for glaucoma as the disease tends to be worse in these patients.
If you have eye pressure or glaucoma and feel that you may be losing vision, Dr. Laroche recommends that you seek the care of a glaucoma specialist for a second opinion. DON’T GO BLIND FROM GLAUCOMA! People with conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy that could lead to blindness if left unchecked need to stay particularly vigilant with their checkups. The pandemic shouldn’t keep you from visiting your doctor, and everyone should get vaccinated for the Covid 19 virus. He also encourages people to wear face masks on visits and maintain social distancing, even if they are in a health clinic, and if you’re high-risk, consider adding eye protection when in public spaces.
“Eyesight or human vision is one of the most important senses. As much as 80 percent of what we feel comes through our sense of sight. By protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts.
About Dr. Daniel Laroche
Dr. Laroche is an exceptional glaucoma specialist in New York. He studied and received his bachelor's degree from New York University and a medical doctorate with honors in research from Weil Cornell University Medical College. He underwent a medical internship at Montefiore Hospital and finished his ophthalmology residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C., where he was the chief resident in his third year. He later completed his glaucoma fellowship at New York Eye and Ear.
Dr. Laroche is also the author of the new young adult book, How to Become a Successful Black Man, which educates and empowers young boys and men of African descent about their history, heritage and legacy. Dr. Laroche connects history to the present-day life experiences and challenges of the Black Man to instill self-confidence and personal growth to succeed. The book helps to address health and wealth disparities and can be ordered here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Successful-BlackMan/dp/0578841770/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=daniel+laroche&qid=1623702468&sr=8-2.
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Opioid Deaths Continue to Rise as Cities Reopen
Baltimore, MD, July 6, 2021 — Tens of thousands of American lives end prematurely every year due to opioid overdoses, leaving families shattered. Dr. Paul Christo, anAssociate Professor in the Division of Pain Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, wants to remind those battling addiction to make use of telemedicine and tele-mental health services that emerged as valuable resources during the pandemic, and he adds, clinicians need to advocate to their patients that online treatment options are available.
Dr. Christo, who is on the frontlines working to curb the impact of the opioid crisis, also wants patients to know that critical medications for maintaining sobriety can now be prescribed by telehealth or telephone.
"The number of fatalities from opioid-related overdoses could be nearly 30 percent higher than reported due to missing information or incomplete death records,” he says. “The worst fear is that because of social isolation, people are not being found or treated immediately."
The opioid epidemic today progressed in three phases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first involves deaths caused by prescription opioids, the second, an increase in heroin use, and the third, a surge in the use of synthetic opioids or fentanyl. Experts say the U.S. is right in the middle of the third phase of the epidemic, due to the increasing availability of fentanyl and increasing rates of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids.
According to a recent study there were 632,331 drug overdoses between 1999 and 2016. Most of these deaths (78.2 percent) were drug overdoses with known drug classification. Moreover, 21.8 percent were unclassified drug overdoses. A further investigation revealed that for unclassified drug overdoses, 71.8 percent involved opioids, translating to 99,160 additional opioid-related deaths.
There were over 70,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017, according to an estimate from the CDC. Based on findings from the new study, over half of those deaths — about 47,000 — are suspected of having involved opioids.
Another study on opioid overdoses found that the number of drug overdose deaths decreased by 4 percent from 2017 to 2018. In 2018, more than 67,000 people died from drug overdoses, making it a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. Almost 70 percent involved a prescription or illicit opioid of those deaths.
“COVID 19 impacted the drug supply chain by closing borders on some regions, and it led to the higher death rate,” Dr. Christo explained. He added that drugs become more challenging to get, and the potency of overdose goes up. It also impacts the price, everything goes up, and in that sense, it becomes more deadly each day, according to Dr. Christo.
About Dr. Paul Christo
Dr. Paul Christo serves as Director of the Multidisciplinary Pain Fellowship Program at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is the author of Aches and Gains, A Comprehensive Guide to Overcoming Your Pain. Dr. Paul Christo also hosts an award-winning, nationally syndicated SIRIUS XM radio talk show on overcoming pain called, Aches and Gains®. For more information about Dr. Paul Christo. Please visit www.paulchristomd.com.
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Patricia’s Story: Surviving Stage IV Adolescent Cancer
Baltimore, MD, July 6, 2021 — “Pretty girls don’t get cancer,” the doctor assured M. Patricia Diaz over 30 years ago. At the age of just 16, Diaz was scared and uncomfortable. However, the doctor’s words were meant to reassure her — and at the time, they worked. Patricia had been bracing for bad news, and now she felt relieved.
Two months later, she was diagnosed with stage IV terminal cancer.
Pretty Girls Don’t Get Cancer is Diaz’s candid, compelling story of overcoming the medical odds and transforming herself — mind, body and spirit — as a way of nurturing her ongoing healing process. Diaz experienced a year of social isolation (due to her compromised immune system at the time) during what should have been the most carefree, enjoyable time in her young life. Her journey toward authentic recovery would require spiritual growth and the kind of introspection that typically comes with maturity and hindsight.
“Isolation, at first a burden, in time, turned into a precious gift,” Diaz reflects. “It gave me space and silence, and it shone the light into the corners of my soul that were comfortably dim. … I was alive — I was breathing, and that insight made all the difference for me to make the best of the time I had to spend with ‘me.’”
Pretty Girls Don't Get Cancer does not sugarcoat the agony of the tests and treatments that Diaz endured, but she keeps the narrative conversational and relatable, with Latin American nuances and sprinkles of adolescent humor. Part coming-of-age, part motivational memoir, her storyis a testament to the power of a strong community, personal resiliency and grains of faith in the face of a cancer diagnosis. Diaz shows readers how her illness affected her life, her family and the community, and how restoring her physical health was only the first step toward healing.
About the Author
M. Patricia Diaz is an author, health-supportive chef and human resources consultant. Her wellness journey began in 1989 when she was diagnosed with stage IV terminal cancer. During the most difficult time in her life, and with the help of friends, family and life mentors, she turned to yoga, plant-based diets and other alternative techniques to manage her crisis and then gently restore her health after cancer treatments.
The lessons Diaz learned, and years of yoga practice, led to an enthusiasm for well-being, a search for a depth of knowledge, and provided a compass for her life and career. She trained in a plant-based chef program at the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City and completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.
She is passionate about teaching the foundations of yoga and the basics of plant-based diets. She loves to help others connect with their inner wellness coach, and she believes that a genuine practice starts with a strong foundation honoring the principles of “ahimsa'” — first do no harm.
For more information, please visit https://mpatriciadiaz.com, or follow the author on Facebook (MPatriciaDiaz); Twitter (@mpatriciadiaz01); or Instagram (prettygirlsdontgetcancer).
Pretty Girls Don’t Get Cancer
Publisher: BookBaby
ISBN-10: 1098312244
ISBN-13: 978-1098312244
Available from Amazon.com, BN.com, Apple Books and many other online retailers
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Canada Diagnostic Centres and Novacap partner to accelerate the national expansion of one of Canada's largest medical imaging groups
MONTREAL, July 6, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Novacap, one of Canada's leading private equity firms, today announced it has invested in Canada Diagnostic Centres (CDC), an Alberta-based provider of medical imaging services, and one of the largest companies of its kind in Canada. Novacap intends to support CDC's goal to expand its services from coast to coast, reinforcing their reputation as a leading diagnostic imaging provider in Canada.
With a total of 18 outpatient clinics in Alberta and British Columbia, CDC provides care during 500,000 patient-visits annually for such services as ultrasound, mammograms, X-rays, MRI, CT scans, and image-guided pain management. Thanks to a sophisticated physician-led management team, the Centres have a robust operation in the competitive Alberta landscape.
CDC's leadership and shareholders will remain in place, leveraging the investment from Novacap to pursue their goal of providing patients throughout Canada with access to top level care and technology.
"I am incredibly proud of the high-quality patient care provided by my colleagues at CDC, including my fellow physicians, our superb team of technologists, and many other valued staff. We are very pleased to have Novacap recognize and support this work, and help us to extend the reach of this commitment to exceptional patient care further into other provinces and across Canada" said Dr. Robert Davies, Medical Director and CEO, CDC.
"Such an investment opens new doors and turns our ambitions into tangible objectives. We plan to start looking for great partners in other provinces who share our vision for quality, timely access to these services, and are interested in being part of a national collaboration of professionals making positive differences in patients' lives," said Lorne Paperny, President and Founder, CDC.
Novacap shares CDC's vision to create a physician-led national champion in diagnostic imaging and image-guided procedures.
"Today we announce a significant partnership with these exceptional radiology clinics. Our teams are committed to making CDC's vision come to life and to build its Canada-wide practice from their headquarters in Calgary," said Marc Paiement, Senior Partner, Novacap. "This marks Novacap's third investment in Alberta in the last 12 months and reaffirms our interest in growing partnerships in Western Canada," he added.
"Our investment in CDC is Novacap's second into the growing and diverse medical imaging sector," said Heather Shantora, Principal at Novacap, overseeing healthcare operations. "With the health care needs of Canadians continuing to grow over time, we believe that every province can benefit from CDC's high standards of quality and service."
Deloitte acted as the advisor for CDC.
About Novacap
Founded in 1981, Novacap is a leading Canadian private equity firm with more than C$8B of AUM that has invested in more than 100 platforms and 150 add-on acquisitions. Applying its sector-focused approach since 2007 in TMT, Industries and now Financial Services, Novacap's deep domain expertise can accelerate company growth and create long-term value. With experienced, dedicated investment and operations teams as well as substantial funding, Novacap has the resources and knowledge to build world-class businesses. Novacap has offices in Brossard, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario. For more information, please visit novacap.ca.
About Canada Diagnostic Centres
Every year 5,700 practitioners refer nearly 500,000 patients to Canada Diagnostic Centres (CDC) and trust their expert radiologists and clinicians to perform more than a million tests. CDC has worked to build that trust every day since opening its first clinic in 1993. Today, with more than 500 expertly trained professionals in 18 clinics across Alberta and British Columbia, CDC provides patients with services that include ultrasounds, mammograms, X-rays, MRI, CT scans, and image-guided pain management. For more information, please visit canadadiagnostics.ca.
SOURCE Novacap Management Inc.
New life sciences company takes aim at obesity, toxic effects of overnutrition
NIMIUM Therapeutics launches in Montreal
MONTREAL, July 6, 2021 /CNW/ - A new made-in-Canada life sciences company, Nimium Therapeutics, has been launched to develop novel therapies for patients with cardiometabolic diseases.
The company's foundational technology is based on the cutting-edge research of the laboratory of Dr. Marc Prentki, the Canada Research Chair in Diabetes and Metabolism, Director of the Montreal Diabetes Research Center, and Principal Scientist at the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM). Dr. Prentki is an internationally renowned expert in obesity and diabetes whose research team has discovered that an enzyme, glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatase (G3PP), plays a key role in sugar, fat and energy metabolism.
This research was further advanced by adMare BioInnovations, Canada's global life sciences venture, which identified multiple series of hits that activate the human G3PP enzyme. NIMIUM founders obtained the IP rights to the hits from adMare, and are now developing them for multiple cardiometabolic diseases.
NIMIUM is led by life sciences veteran, Dr. Philippe Walker, who has held numerous executive-level R&D roles with AstraZeneca, and was the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of the NEOMED Institute. He commented, "We are excited to launch this new venture based on the world-leading research of Dr. Prentki and his team. From obesity to type 2 diabetes, and other diseases such as chronic kidney disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, there is a global epidemic related to the toxic effects of overnutrition. Through NIMIUM, we aim to address this health crisis by developing a new therapeutic approach that will reduce the effects of excess caloric intake, and that should promote healthy aging."
Gordon C. McCauley, President and CEO of adMare added, "At adMare, our job is to build Canada's national life sciences industry by building new companies. NIMIUM is an excellent example of how we're successfully doing that – proactively identifying research at leading Canadian academic research institutions, and advancing it to the point it can form a solid foundation for a new life-sciences company. We are extremely pleased to be supporting the research of Dr. Prentki and the launch of NIMIUM; and look forward to seeing the impact the company is sure to have on Canada's life sciences ecosystem, and on the lives of patients worldwide.
ABOUT NIMIUM THERAPEUTICS NIMIUM Therapeutics is a Montreal biotech focused on the development of an innovative therapeutic to treat cardiometabolic diseases. The research is based on glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatase (G3PP), an enzyme found to play a central role in glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism. NIMIUM has partnerships with adMare BioInnovations, a Canadian organization that offers expertise, infrastructure, and capital to help build life-sciences companies. NIMIUM has received funding from Investissement Quebec. For more information, visit www.nimium.ca
ABOUT ADMARE BIOINNOVATIONS adMare BioInnovations is Canada's Global Life Sciences Venture, building the Canadian life sciences industry from sea to sea. We do this by sourcing therapeutically and commercially promising research from leading academic and biotech partners to create new companies of scale, providing specialized expertise and infrastructure to help existing companies scale up, and driving the growth of those companies into Canadian anchors by training the next generation of highly-qualified personnel. Our 20+ portfolio companies have attracted more than $1.2B of investment, and have a combined value of over $3B. For more information, visit www.admarebio.com
SOURCE adMare BioInnovations
The WiseGuide App: Gain Confidence, Find Happiness and Achieve Success
Fort Myers, FL, July 6, 2021 — Effective Learning Systems, the company that pioneered the practice of Productive Meditation more than 45 years ago, recently announced the launch of their first mobile app, WiseGuide, putting the company’s entire library of powerful, time-tested self-improvement techniques at everyone’s fingertips.
WiseGuide goes beyond the benefits of traditional mindfulness and meditation teachings to deliver a vast library of targeted, impactful programs that can help users achieve specific, life-changing personal and professional goals, including boosting athletic performance, building healthier relationships, cultivating better concentration and managing addictions.
“Most people experience positive results immediately and remarkable life-transformation with regular, consistent use,” said Effective Learning Systems founder Bob Griswold.
Features of the WiseGuide App include:
- Over 120 prescriptive titles that address specific goals, including smoking cessation, weight control, stress management, better sleep and much more
- A children’s collection for self-image and self-esteem
- Effective studying and test taking for children from grade school through college
- Programs to listen to while driving, exercising, working or even sleeping
- Works on any iOS or Android mobile device
It is never too late to break bad habits, overcome fears, manage stress or improve virtually any other aspect of life, and it’s never been easier. The WiseGuide App can help people use the power of their own minds to take control and make lasting improvements. And all they have to do is listen.
The WiseGuide App was developed by Effective Learning Systems, whose founder Bob Griswold has been helping people harness the power of their own minds to make transformative changes for more than 45 years. His unique approach to meditation, guided imagery, positive affirmations, relaxation, self-hypnosis and more make his programs uniquely effective.
