Lucky Iron Fish receives $250k in funding to help address iron deficiency anemia in Benin.
Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT), a program designed to support Canadian small and medium-sized organizations (SMOs), has chosen Lucky Iron Fish as one of the SMOs to be funded for testing innovative solutions that advance gender equality. The $250k funding will help improve nutritional outcomes for women and children in Benin.
Toronto, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lucky Iron Fish Enterprise (LIFe) is an impact-driven company that is on a mission to tackle iron deficiency globally using their innovative solutions designed to make iron intake more accessible to more people. In addition to selling directly to consumers, LIFe also partners with institutions, charitable organizations, and even community-based programs to work directly with undernourished families around the world.
For this project, LIFe will be working with their long-term partners at CARE Benin. With the help of the $250,000 funding, they will provide nutrition workshops and introduce the Lucky Iron Fish as a recommended addition to daily cooking in order to reduce prevalence of iron deficiency anemia. Since training can no longer be conducted in large group settings or by frontline workers at household level because of COVID-19, LIFe will be testing new digital tools and other innovations like “talking books” to provide information and influence behaviours to improve community health. This project aims to reduce women’s vulnerabilities due to the pandemic and also increase women’s decision-making roles in improving household nutrition.
Iron deficiency is a global health issue that impacts 1 out of 3 individuals (2+ billion worldwide), with women, girls, and children impacted at a disproportionately higher rate. It is a prevalent form of undernutrition that is directly linked to stunted cognitive development in children under 5; and in adults, it reduces work productivity, cognitive function, and can lead to poor pregnancy outcomes.
In fact, according to the World Bank, the economic costs of undernutrition, in terms of lost national productivity and lost economic growth, is 2%-3% of GDP in some countries and is as high as 11% of GDP in Africa and Asia each year.
In Benin alone, 62% of children under 5 and 47% of females of reproductive age suffer from iron deficiency anemia. Benin also ranks 26th in the world for its high maternal mortality which is commonly caused due to lack of access to health services and nutrition, among other things.
Addressing iron deficiency in undernourished communities goes hand in hand with addressing many of the sustainable development goals like gender equality, zero hunger, good health & well-being, reduced inequalities, and decent work & economic growth.
Switch Health reaches 1 Million COVID-19 tests in Canada's fight against COVID-19
TORONTO, June 30, 2021 /CNW/ - Switch Health today announced that it has conducted over one million COVID-19 tests in Canada since the beginning of the pandemic with its innovative at-home and mobile COVID-testing solutions.
Through its partnership with provincial and federal governments and some of Canada's top laboratories, Switch Health has provided testing with trusted healthcare professionals in Canadian homes, workplaces, airports, and multiple points of entry into the country throughout the pandemic. It has delivered reliable and accessible healthcare solutions across Canada, including remote areas, and provided dependable digital results to keep Canadians and their families safe.
"We are incredibly proud of this million-test milestone and the role we played in keeping Canadians safe during the pandemic," said Marc Thomson, Chief Operating Officer at Switch Health.
"We are a proudly Canadian company, driving Canadian-based innovation and technology, that has not only created over 2000 jobs during one of the most trying times in global history but also empowering Canadians to take more control of their health."
"We are transforming how Canada delivers healthcare through our patient-focused telehealth solutions that serve Canadians at their convenience," said Mary Langley, Chief Strategy Officer. "We look forward to bringing new services to Canadians to help address their healthcare needs for years to come."
Switch Health recently introduced AuraPass, a groundbreaking digital vaccine, and COVID-19 test result verification technology, as the next reliable solution in keeping Canadians safe, as the country begins to reopen for business. AuraPass will empower Canadians to share vaccination and testing status with partnering organizations to get back to favorite activities, whether that is attending a concert or hockey game, going to the movies, boarding a flight, or dining out at a restaurant.
About Switch Health
Switch Health Holdings Inc. (Switch Health) is an industry leader that is transforming how healthcare is delivered in Canada through cutting-edge decentralized next-generation diagnostics and patient-focused digital solutions. Switch Health developed an end-to-end, innovative, and accessible testing solution in Canada's fight against COVID-19, with its at-home and mobile collection kit to test Canadians safely, rapidly, and reliably for COVID-19. Switch Health offers its gold standard of rapid and PCR testing in over 200 languages from the comfort of peoples' homes or workplaces, with the guidance of trusted healthcare professionals and the delivery of results through some of Canada's top laboratories.
SOURCE Switch Health Inc.
Canada As One Inc. Announces Two-Million-Mask Donation to Frontline Workers
CALGARY, Alberta, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada As One Inc., a national mask distributor aligned with Breathe Medical Manufacturing, is donating two million medical and non-medical masks to frontline workers in Canada as a show of appreciation for their work throughout the pandemic. Frontline workers can individually access the free donation of masks on the Canada As One website. Access to the donation will remain open through August, or until supplies are fully distributed.
Canada As One is a mask distributor based in Calgary that works with Breathe Medical Manufacturing, a Kelowna-headquartered major mask manufacturer, to provide premium medical masks such as N95s and ASTM levels 1, 2 and 3 to healthcare and other organizations. Both companies were built on the premise that Canadians deserve timely access to quality protective masks. Their partnership arose as a response to the mask shortage that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic, during which time the Canadian government scrambled to import masks to supply frontline workers with the protection they urgently needed.
“It hurts knowing that our frontline workers once had to ration medical masks as they risked their lives each day. As a Canadian company, we feel a sense of responsibility to give back to those who have given so much to the public during the pandemic,” said David Lee, CEO of Canada As One. “The goal of Canada As One has always been to protect people with made-in-Canada masks, but we can continue to do so only if our governments choose to support Canadian mask manufacturing. We will be working tirelessly to conduct this rollout as smooth as possible. This mask giveaway is our sincere thank you to the millions of Canadian frontline workers for their continuing efforts on behalf of all Canadians.”
Over the next few months, the Canada As One team will be managing the mask giveaway program while also continuing to supply medical masks to critical healthcare and infrastructure organization and private business customers throughout Canada and around the world.
Frontline workers interested in receiving a no-charge giveaway of medical-grade masks from Canada As One can visit https://canadaasone.com/pages/thankyou.
About Canada As One Canada As One Inc. is a mask distributor licensed by Health Canada for national sales and distribution. The company was established in April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada As One has an exclusive relationship with Breathe Medical Manufacturing, one of the country’s largest mask producers. Together, they provide Canadians and the international community with masks that meet all national and international certifications and are manufactured using premium raw materials. Canadaasone.com.
4 Health Conditions You Can Help By Getting in Shape
If you want to take better control of your health, exercising more can point you in the right direction. By getting in better shape, you may even reverse certain medical conditions that you may have or at least alleviate some of their unpleasant symptoms. Exercise to lose body weight and achieve greater muscle development has been shown to help reduce the effects of these four medical conditions.
Arthritis
Extra weight on the body can put additional strain on the bones and joints, and this can be especially problematic if you have arthritis. By getting in better shape, you’ll reduce pressure on arthritic areas where pain may be felt more because of the excess fat surrounding them. Improving your fitness can also help strengthen areas around arthritic joints to give them better support so that they don’t ache as much.
Diabetes
Being overweight is one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes, and losing weight through diet and exercise may be enough to cure your diabetes altogether. Shedding the extra pounds can help lower your blood sugar levels and combat insulin resistance. If you’ve been diagnosed as prediabetic, starting afitness plan and working out as often as possible may be enough to prevent a full onset of diabetes.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that often disrupts breathing patterns while sleeping. If you have this condition, you may find yourself waking up frequently while gasping for air. The reason why you’re having trouble breathing while sleeping when you have obstructive sleep apnea is because your breathing passage gets blocked from your throat muscles relaxing too much. The condition is often worsened from being overweight, and losing even a few pounds can make a big difference. If you’ve improved your fitness but still struggle with obstructive sleep apnea, using one of the available CPAP machines can help prevent disruptions to your breathing.
High Blood Pressure
Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure occurs when too much force is exerted on the walls of blood vessels as blood flows through them. Being out of shape coupled with a high-fat, high-sodium diet can make your high blood pressure worse and may even be the exact cause of the problem. Losing weight and developing better muscle tone may be enough to reverse your hypertension and lower your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. Exercise can also help strengthen the heart so that it won’t have to work as hard to pump blood throughout your body, and this can lower your blood pressure significantly.
Changing your physical fitness for the better may hold the key to stopping the damaging effects of certain medical conditions. By working with your doctor to develop the best exercise plan possible, you may improve your health for the long term.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Optimi Health Corp. (CSE: OPTI) (OTC: OPTHF) (FRA: 8BN) (“Optimi” or the “Company”), a vertically integrated developer of mushroom products, is pleased to announce it has initiated corporate support as one of TheraPsil’s first Core Spore Supporters through a generous donation and ongoing advocacy to the TheraPsil Coalition (“TheraPsil”) in support of their continued national initiatives aimed at increasing patient access to psilocybin.
Based in Victoria, British Columbia and established in 2019, TheraPsil is a non-profit coalition of healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates dedicated to obtaining legal access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for Canadians in medical need. TheraPsil has facilitated precedent-setting and tangible progress in the fight for compassionate access to psilocybin therapy in Canada. It has helped Canadians suffering from end-of-life distress through advocacy efforts resulting in 'section 56 exemptions' granted directly from the Minister of Health, Patty Hadju, beginning on August 4th, 2020. These first exemptions represent a milestone event as the first instance of psilocybin being approved for patients since 1974 when it was made a controlled substance in Canada. TheraPsil has now successfully supported 31 patients in five Canadian provinces to gain access to legal, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is the professionally guided use of psilocybin in combination with psychotherapy. According to TheraPsil, research and anecdotal evidence has shown that psilocybin therapy can improve the quality of life and end-of-life care for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and hopelessness as a result of a life-threatening diagnosis.
The primary services of TheraPsil are patient-rights advocacy, assessment, and referral - connecting patients with exemptions with therapists trained in psilocybin assisted therapy. To this end, TheraPsil recognizes the importance of developing a pool of suitably trained and trusted clinical associates for referral purposes, and subsequently has created a training curriculum as the required context in which trainees may legally use psilocybin as part of their professional training. After 100 days of advocacy, on December 1st, 19 Healthcare Practitioners were granted their section 56 exemptions by Health Canada to legally consume psilocybin in the course of training. On March 1st, 2021 TheraPsil launched the beta-version of their training program, and to date, four training cohorts across the country have been launched with five more set to launch in the next three months.
Spencer Hawkswell, CEO of TheraPsil notes, “Natural psilocybin has been used for thousands of years, and now the science and medicinal benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy are being proven not just on the clinical side, but in real settings with patients, delivering real life-changing results. Greater access to psilocybin therapy to reduce Canadian’s suffering is needed, and we are grateful for Optimi’s support of our on-going initiatives to facilitate compassionate access to patients in medical need across the nation, alongside professional training, public education and research.”
TheraPsil is a non-profit, Canadian organization that relies on donations to continuously advocate for Canadians in medical need. Every dollar donated will help TheraPsil advocate for psilocybin regulations in Canada through public education, research, and patient advocacy. Individuals interested in supporting the legalization of psilocybin therapy in Canada can support their current online fundraiser by clicking here.Corporate donors who are interested in becoming one of TheraPsil’s Core Spore Supporters are encouraged to reach out to TheraPsil’s Development Officer, Robyn Broekhuizen at Robyn@therapsil.ca.
Optimi Health’s Chairman JJ Wilson states, “Compassionate care for patients seeking relief from end-of-life situations is an ever-growing need. Patients living with on-going anxiety, depression, and related traumas deserve timely access to both the medicine and the therapeutic support. The philosophy behind TheraPsil is certainly in line with our views of all-natural human optimization as we aim to bring consistent dosing to natural psilocybin upon receipt of our dealer’s license. We are proud to support their upcoming efforts and hope the growing number of Optimi followers will take a moment to support their cause by visiting the TheraPsil website to consider how you too might help the efforts of this excellent organization.”
On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Optimi Health Corp.
Mike Stier President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
ABOUT OPTIMI (CSE: OPTI) (OTC: OPTHF) (FRA: 8BN) Optimi is developing a sophisticated mushroom brand that focuses on the health and wellness markets. With a vertically integrated approach, Optimi intends to cultivate, extract, process and distribute high quality functional mushroom products at its two facilities comprising a total of 20,000 square feet nearing completion in Princeton, British Columbia. To fully investigate the science of mushrooms, the Company has received a research exemption under Health Canada Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) for the use of Psilocybin and Psilocin for scientific purposes via its wholly owned subsidiary Optimi Labs Inc. Optimi has also applied for a dealer’s license under Canada’s Narcotic Control Regulations governing possession, distribution, sale, laboratory analysis of and research and development of Psilocybin and Psilocin formulations. Optimi is committed to expert cultivation and quality production subject to and in accordance with the terms of all applicable laws and governing regulations to ensure safe, superior Canadian fungi production.
FORWARD‐LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward‐looking statements and forward‐looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward‐looking statements") that relate to Optimi’s current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result," "are expected to," "expects," "will continue," "is anticipated," "anticipates," "believes," "estimated," "intends," "plans," "forecast," "projection," "strategy," "objective," and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward‐looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward‐looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward‐looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward‐ looking statements pertaining to the dealer’s license application, activities proposed to be conducted under the Company’s research exemption and associated business related to Psilocybin and Psilocin and Optimi’s plans, focus and objectives.
Forward‐looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Optimi’s control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward‐looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact and progression of the COVID‐19 pandemic and other factors set forth under “Forward‐Looking Statements" and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Final Prospectus dated February 12, 2021. Optimi undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Optimi to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward‐looking statement. Any forward‐looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Optimi Health Supports Patient-Focused Psilocybin Advocacy by TheraPsil
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Optimi Health Corp. (CSE: OPTI) (OTC: OPTHF) (FRA: 8BN) (“Optimi” or the “Company”), a vertically integrated developer of mushroom products, is pleased to announce it has initiated corporate support as one of TheraPsil’s first Core Spore Supporters through a generous donation and ongoing advocacy to the TheraPsil Coalition (“TheraPsil”) in support of their continued national initiatives aimed at increasing patient access to psilocybin.
Based in Victoria, British Columbia and established in 2019, TheraPsil is a non-profit coalition of healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates dedicated to obtaining legal access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for Canadians in medical need. TheraPsil has facilitated precedent-setting and tangible progress in the fight for compassionate access to psilocybin therapy in Canada. It has helped Canadians suffering from end-of-life distress through advocacy efforts resulting in 'section 56 exemptions' granted directly from the Minister of Health, Patty Hadju, beginning on August 4th, 2020. These first exemptions represent a milestone event as the first instance of psilocybin being approved for patients since 1974 when it was made a controlled substance in Canada. TheraPsil has now successfully supported 31 patients in five Canadian provinces to gain access to legal, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is the professionally guided use of psilocybin in combination with psychotherapy. According to TheraPsil, research and anecdotal evidence has shown that psilocybin therapy can improve the quality of life and end-of-life care for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and hopelessness as a result of a life-threatening diagnosis.
The primary services of TheraPsil are patient-rights advocacy, assessment, and referral - connecting patients with exemptions with therapists trained in psilocybin assisted therapy. To this end, TheraPsil recognizes the importance of developing a pool of suitably trained and trusted clinical associates for referral purposes, and subsequently has created a training curriculum as the required context in which trainees may legally use psilocybin as part of their professional training. After 100 days of advocacy, on December 1st, 19 Healthcare Practitioners were granted their section 56 exemptions by Health Canada to legally consume psilocybin in the course of training. On March 1st, 2021 TheraPsil launched the beta-version of their training program, and to date, four training cohorts across the country have been launched with five more set to launch in the next three months.
Spencer Hawkswell, CEO of TheraPsil notes, “Natural psilocybin has been used for thousands of years, and now the science and medicinal benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy are being proven not just on the clinical side, but in real settings with patients, delivering real life-changing results. Greater access to psilocybin therapy to reduce Canadian’s suffering is needed, and we are grateful for Optimi’s support of our on-going initiatives to facilitate compassionate access to patients in medical need across the nation, alongside professional training, public education and research.”
TheraPsil is a non-profit, Canadian organization that relies on donations to continuously advocate for Canadians in medical need. Every dollar donated will help TheraPsil advocate for psilocybin regulations in Canada through public education, research, and patient advocacy. Individuals interested in supporting the legalization of psilocybin therapy in Canada can support their current online fundraiser by clicking here.Corporate donors who are interested in becoming one of TheraPsil’s Core Spore Supporters are encouraged to reach out to TheraPsil’s Development Officer, Robyn Broekhuizen at Robyn@therapsil.ca.
Optimi Health’s Chairman JJ Wilson states, “Compassionate care for patients seeking relief from end-of-life situations is an ever-growing need. Patients living with on-going anxiety, depression, and related traumas deserve timely access to both the medicine and the therapeutic support. The philosophy behind TheraPsil is certainly in line with our views of all-natural human optimization as we aim to bring consistent dosing to natural psilocybin upon receipt of our dealer’s license. We are proud to support their upcoming efforts and hope the growing number of Optimi followers will take a moment to support their cause by visiting the TheraPsil website to consider how you too might help the efforts of this excellent organization.”
On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Optimi Health Corp.
Mike Stier President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
ABOUT OPTIMI (CSE: OPTI) (OTC: OPTHF) (FRA: 8BN) Optimi is developing a sophisticated mushroom brand that focuses on the health and wellness markets. With a vertically integrated approach, Optimi intends to cultivate, extract, process and distribute high quality functional mushroom products at its two facilities comprising a total of 20,000 square feet nearing completion in Princeton, British Columbia. To fully investigate the science of mushrooms, the Company has received a research exemption under Health Canada Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) for the use of Psilocybin and Psilocin for scientific purposes via its wholly owned subsidiary Optimi Labs Inc. Optimi has also applied for a dealer’s license under Canada’s Narcotic Control Regulations governing possession, distribution, sale, laboratory analysis of and research and development of Psilocybin and Psilocin formulations. Optimi is committed to expert cultivation and quality production subject to and in accordance with the terms of all applicable laws and governing regulations to ensure safe, superior Canadian fungi production.
FORWARD‐LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward‐looking statements and forward‐looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward‐looking statements") that relate to Optimi’s current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result," "are expected to," "expects," "will continue," "is anticipated," "anticipates," "believes," "estimated," "intends," "plans," "forecast," "projection," "strategy," "objective," and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward‐looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward‐looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward‐looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward‐ looking statements pertaining to the dealer’s license application, activities proposed to be conducted under the Company’s research exemption and associated business related to Psilocybin and Psilocin and Optimi’s plans, focus and objectives.
Forward‐looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Optimi’s control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward‐looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact and progression of the COVID‐19 pandemic and other factors set forth under “Forward‐Looking Statements" and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Final Prospectus dated February 12, 2021. Optimi undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Optimi to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward‐looking statement. Any forward‐looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Dr. Catherine C. McCuaig becomes New President of Canadian Dermatology Association
OTTAWA, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Catherine C. McCuaig to the position of CDA President, effective June 28, 2021.
Dr. McCuaig brings to the Association her impressive leadership experience as seen in the Society for Dermatology of Montreal as president for nine years, chair of the Atlantic Dermatology meeting 2014, co-chair of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework, and fellowship director Sainte Justine UHC since 2013. In addition, Dr. McCuaig has spearheaded two multidisciplinary clinics in epidermolysis bullosa and lymphedema for children in Montreal. Dr. McCuaig has also authored over one hundred peer reviewed articles as well as 10 dermatology textbook chapters.
Dr. McCuaig earned her medical doctorate at Queens University, Kingston. She completed her residency training at University of Toronto, dermatology at McGill University, with a pediatric fellowship in dermatology and laser under Dr. James Rasmussen at the University of Michigan. Dr. McCuaig is currently a pediatric dermatologist at Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, and a clinical professor at the University of Montreal.
As President, Dr. McCuaig plans to focus on enhancing the life long dermatology medical specialty training in Canada. “I will work to ensure that education for residents and practicing dermatologists remains at the forefront of our Association.”
“Through the pandemic, we have learned how privileged we are to live in Canada, thanks to its public health care system, and governments that aid those in need…Evermore, we have learned how important it is to support each other, and grow through the exchange of ideas, practical tips, and knowledge in dermatology,” said Dr. McCuaig. “In addition, I will work hard to help the CDA be more active on social media platforms, as well as help to promote our specialty to our colleagues, media, and Canadian public.”
Dr. McCuaig begins as President, Canadian Dermatology Association for a one-year term, effective June 28, 2021.
ABOUT THE CDA
The Canadian Dermatology Association, founded in 1925, represents Canadian certified dermatologists. The association provides easy access to a reliable source of medical knowledge on dermatology. CDA exists to advance the science and art of medicine and surgery related to the care of the skin, hair and nails; provide continuing professional development for its members; support and advance patient care; provide public education on sun protection and other aspects of skin health; and promote a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. By doing so, CDA informs and empowers both medical professionals and the Canadian public. To learn more about what the work CDA does visit dermatology.ca and join the conversation on twitter.com/CdnDermatology, facebook.com/CdnDermatology, or instagram.com/canadiandermatologyassociation/.
Trillium Therapeutics Announces Dosing of First Patient in Phase 1b/2 Study of TTI-621 in Combination With Doxorubicin in Leiomyosarcoma
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trillium Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ/TSX: TRIL), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer, today announced that it has dosed the first patient with TTI-621 (SIRPα-IgG1 Fc), an investigational checkpoint inhibitor of the innate immune system, in combination with doxorubicin in a Phase 1b/2 study in leiomyosarcoma (LMS).
TTI-621 binds CD47, an innate immune checkpoint that binds SIRPα and delivers a "don’t eat me" signal to suppress macrophage phagocytosis. Overexpression of CD47 can allow tumor cells to escape immune surveillance. TTI-621 is a fusion protein consisting of the CD47 binding domain of SIRPα linked to the Fc region of human IgG1. It is designed to enhance phagocytosis and tumor cell destruction by blocking the CD47-SIRPα interaction and delivering an activating (“eat me”) signal to macrophages. The IgG1 backbone can also activate NK cell-mediated anti-tumor activity. Published preclinical studies suggest that anti-CD47 agents may exhibit anti-tumor activity against LMS cells.
“The dosing of this patient marks the beginning of the first Phase 1b/2 solid tumor clinical trial for Trillium,” commented Dr. Ingmar Bruns, Trillium’s Chief Medical Officer. “We’re committed to exploring solid tumors and build upon our potentially best-in-class initial hematologic malignancy datasets.”
For newly diagnosed LMS patients, doxorubicin is considered part of standard of care. In this open-label Phase 1b/2 study, Trillium is adding TTI-621 to frontline doxorubicin and enrolling approximately 60 newly diagnosed LMS patients. The primary endpoints are safety and overall response rate.
“Metastisized LMS, the most common form of soft tissue sarcoma, is a serious disease with significant unmet need. We believe that the combination of TTI-621 and doxorubicin has the potential to provide benefit for these patients where few therapeutic options exist,” added Dr. Bruns.
About Trillium Therapeutics
Trillium is an immuno-oncology company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer. The company’s two clinical programs, TTI-622 and TTI-621, target CD47, a “don’t eat me” signal that cancer cells frequently use to evade the immune system.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable United States federal securities laws and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). The use of words such as "may," "will, "could", "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "endeavor," "potential," "continue" or the negative of such words or other similar expressions can be used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, express or implied statements regarding the therapeutic potential of our programs, our clinical development plans and our expectations with respect to the timing of clinical development milestones, including with respect to enrolling patients in Phase 1b/2 studies in hematological and solid tumor malignancies. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Trillium has made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations, the effectiveness and timeliness of preclinical and clinical trials; and the completeness, accuracy and usefulness of the data. While Trillium considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant scientific, business, economic, competitive, market and social uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors that could cause Trillium's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. A discussion of risks and uncertainties facing Trillium appears in Trillium's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission, each as updated by Trillium's continuous disclosure filings, which are available at www.sedar.com and at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Trillium disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.
Lilly's SURPASS-2 results published in The New England Journal of Medicine show tirzepatide achieved superior A1C and body weight reductions compared to injectable semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes
All three doses of tirzepatide achieved superior A1C and weight reductions compared to semaglutide in data simultaneously presented at the American Diabetes Association's® 81st Scientific Sessions®
TORONTO, June 29, 2021 /CNW/ - Tirzepatide led to superior A1C and body weight reductions from baseline compared to injectable semaglutide 1 mg in 40-week results from Eli Lilly and Company's (NYSE: LLY) SURPASS-2 clinical trial, which were simultaneously published on June 25 in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)1 and presented in a late breaking poster presentation during the American Diabetes Association's® (ADA) 81st Scientific Sessions®.2 These results, which will also be featured during an ADA-sponsored symposium on Tuesday, June 29, showed that all three tirzepatide doses achieved greater A1C and weight reductions compared to semaglutide.
Additionally, a prespecified exploratory composite endpoint was evaluated, which comprised of participants who achieved an A1C level less than or equal to 6.5 per cent and weight loss of 10 per cent or greater, while not experiencing hypoglycemia less than 3 mmol/L or severe hypoglycemia. Across the three doses of tirzepatide, 32 per cent (5 mg), 51 per cent (10 mg) and 60 per cent (15 mg) of participants achieved this composite endpoint compared to 22 per cent of participants taking semaglutide 1 mg.1,2
The overall safety profile of tirzepatide was similar to the well-established glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist class. Across all treatment arms, the most commonly reported adverse events were gastrointestinal.
"Tirzepatide delivered superior A1C and weight reductions compared to semaglutide. The 15 mg dose of tirzepatide achieved less than or equal to 6.5 per cent combined with a weight loss of 10 per cent or greater, in 60 per cent of patients, without clinically significant hypoglycemia. The ability to achieve these challenging treatment goals is highly meaningful to clinicians and people living with type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Alice Cheng, MD, FRCPC, Endocrinologist, Trillium Health Partners & Unity Health Toronto, Associate Professor, University of Toronto. "These are impressive findings, and if approved, tirzepatide will be an exciting and promising new treatment option for Canadians with type 2 diabetes."
Tirzepatide is a novel investigational once-weekly dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonist that integrates the actions of both incretins into a single molecule, representing a new class of medicines being studied for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and 1 mg is the highest dose of semaglutide that is approved by Health Canada for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
SURPASS-2 was a 40-week, randomized, open-label trial comparing the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide to semaglutide as an add-on to metformin in adults with type 2 diabetes. The study randomized 1,879 participants, who had a mean duration of diabetes of 8.6 years, a baseline A1C of 8.28 per cent and a baseline weight of 93.7 kg.
For both estimands,i all three doses of tirzepatide demonstrated superior A1C and body weight reductions compared to semaglutide 1 mg. Specifically, results in the efficacy estimandii showed:
Percentage of participants achieving A1C <5.7%: 29% (5 mg, not controlled for type 1 error), 45% (10 mg), 51% (15 mg), 20% (semaglutide)
The treatment-regimen estimandiii results were consistent with topline results and showed that tirzepatide led to A1C reductions of -2.01% (5 mg, p=0.018), -2.24% (10 mg, p<0.001) and -2.30% (15 mg, p<0.001) compared to semaglutide at -1.86%, and weight reductions of -7.6 kg (5 mg), -9.3 kg (10 mg) and -11.2 kg (15mg) compared to semaglutide at -5.7 kg, all p<0.001.
For the treatment-regimen estimand,iii all three doses of tirzepatide delivered superior A1C and body weight reductions compared to semaglutide. Greater percentages of participants achieved an A1C of less than 7 per cent across all three doses compared to semaglutide, with statistical significance met for 10 mg and 15 mg, but not for 5 mg. Specifically:
Hypoglycemia less than 3 mmol/L was reported in 0.6 per cent (5 mg), 0.2 per cent (10 mg) and 1.7 per cent (15 mg) of participants in the tirzepatide arms and in 0.4 per cent of participants in the semaglutide arm.
In an additional exploratory endpoint, all three doses of tirzepatide led to favorable changes from baseline in fasting lipids. Specifically, at the highest dose of tirzepatide (15 mg): triglycerides were reduced by 24.8 per cent, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol was reduced by 23.7 per cent, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was increased by 7.1 per cent.2
The most commonly reported adverse events across all treatment arms were gastrointestinal and mostly mild- to moderate, including nausea (17.4 per cent [5 mg], 19.2 per cent [10 mg], 22.1 per cent [15 mg], 17.9 per cent [semaglutide]), diarrhea (13.2 per cent [5 mg], 16.4 per cent [10 mg], 13.8 per cent [15 mg], 11.5 per cent [semaglutide]) and vomiting (5.7 per cent [5 mg], 8.5 per cent [10 mg], 9.8 per cent [15 mg], 8.3 per cent [semaglutide]). Treatment discontinuation rates due to adverse events were 6.0 per cent (5 mg), 8.5 per cent (10 mg), 8.5 per cent (15 mg) and 4.1 per cent (semaglutide).
"These data position tirzepatide as an innovative, new treatment option that could change the treatment landscape for type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Doron Sagman, vice president, R&D and Medical Affairs, Eli Lilly Canada. "The exceptional results from this study suggest that tirzepatide could help people with type 2 diabetes and their healthcare providers achieve their A1C and weight treatment goals."
SURPASS-2 is the second of five global registration studies for tirzepatide in type 2 diabetes, all of which have been completed. Lilly intends to submit the full registration package to regulatory authorities by the end of 2021.
About tirzepatide Tirzepatide is a once-weekly dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that integrates the actions of both incretins into a single novel molecule. GIP is a hormone that may complement the effects of GLP-1. In preclinical models, GIP has been shown to decrease food intake and increase energy expenditure therefore resulting in weight reductions, and when combined with a GLP-1 receptor agonist, may result in greater effects on glucose and body weight. Tirzepatide is in phase 3 development for blood glucose management in adults with type 2 diabetes and for chronic weight management. It is also being studied as a potential treatment for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
About SURPASS-2 and the SURPASS clinical trial program SURPASS-2 (NCT03987919) is a 40-week, multi-center, randomized, parallel, open-label trial comparing the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg to semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with ≥1500 mg/day metformin alone. The trial randomized 1,879 study participants across Canada, the U.S., Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Israel, Mexico and the UK in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive either tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg or semaglutide 1 mg. The primary objective of SURPASS-2 was to demonstrate that the two higher doses of tirzepatide (10 mg and/or 15 mg) led to non-inferior A1C reductions from baseline compared to semaglutide after 40 weeks in people with type 2 diabetes. Key secondary objectives included non-inferior A1C reductions from baseline for tirzepatide 5 mg; superior A1C and body weight reductions from baseline and greater percentages of participants achieving an A1C less than 7 per cent across all three tirzepatide doses; and greater percentages of participants achieving an A1C less than 5.7 per cent for tirzepatide 10 mg and 15 mg compared to semaglutide. Additional secondary endpoints not controlled for type 1 error included percentage of participants achieving an A1C less than 5.7 per cent for tirzepatide 5 mg compared to semaglutide. Study participants had a mean A1C between 7 per cent and 10.5 per cent and a BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m2. All participants in the tirzepatide treatment arms started the study at a dose of tirzepatide 2.5 mg once weekly and then increased the dose in a step-wise approach at four-week intervals to their final randomized maintenance dose of 5 mg (via a 2.5 mg step), 10 mg (via steps at 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 7.5 mg) or 15 mg (via steps at 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg and 12.5 mg). Participants in the semaglutide treatment arm started the study at a dose of semaglutide 0.25 mg once weekly for four weeks, then increased the dose to 0.5 mg for four weeks and then reached the final dose of 1 mg.
The SURPASS phase 3 global clinical development program for tirzepatide has enrolled more than 19,000 people with type 2 diabetes across 10 clinical trials, five of which are global registration studies.
About Diabetes Approximately 11 million Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes. Roughly 90 per cent of people living with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.3
About Lilly Diabetes Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world's first commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those who care for them. Through research, collaboration and quality manufacturing we strive to make life better for people affected by diabetes and related conditions. We work to deliver breakthrough outcomes through innovative solutions—from medicines and technologies to support programs and more.
About Eli Lilly Canada Eli Lilly and Company is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by Colonel Eli Lilly, who was committed to creating high quality medicines that meet people's needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to people who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and contribute to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.
Eli Lilly Canada was established in 1938, the result of a research collaboration with scientists at the University of Toronto, which eventually produced the world's first commercially available insulin. Our work focuses on oncology, diabetes, autoimmunity, neurodegeneration, and pain. To learn more about Lilly Canada, please visit us at www.lilly.ca.
For our perspective on issues in healthcare and innovation, follow us on twitter @LillyPadCA and @LillyMedicalCA.
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about tirzepatide as a potential treatment for patients with diabetes and reflects Lilly's current beliefs. However, as with any such undertakings, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of drug development and commercialization. Among other things, there can be no guarantee that future study results will be consistent with the results to date, that tirzepatide will prove to be a safe and effective treatment for diabetes, that tirzepatide will receive regulatory approvals or authorizations, or be commercially successful. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from Lilly's expectations, please see Lilly's most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.
REFERENCES
1. Frias, J.P, et. al. (2021). Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide Once Weekly for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine, www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2107519.
2 Frias, J.P. Efficacy and Safety of Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide Once Weekly as Add-On Therapy to Metformin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Abstract 84-LB. Presented virtually at the American Diabetes Association's 81st Scientific Sessions; June 25-29.
i Treatment differences for two estimands – efficacy and treatment-regimen – were evaluated for three tirzepatide doses (5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg) compared to semaglutide 1 mg.
ii Efficacy estimand represents efficacy prior to discontinuation of study drug or initiating rescue therapy for persistent severe hyperglycemia.
iii Treatment-regimen estimand represents the efficacy irrespective of adherence to the investigational medicine or introduction of rescue therapy for persistent severe hyperglycemia.
SOURCE Eli Lilly Canada Inc.
What Are Signs Of Insulin Resistance And How Can You Reverse It?
Three-Time Champion Fitness Competitor Available For InterviewsChristine Hronec, an award-winning chemist and three-time champion fitness competitor, nutrition, and exercise expert is available for interviews.
1. Hemoglobin A1c test
The best way to determine whether or not someone has insulin resistance conclusively is to get your hemoglobin A1c tested. Just keep in mind, that when you get your A1c levels tested, it's an average of what's going on in your blood in the last thirty days. If your A1c levels are under 5.7, you are fine. Between 5.7 and I'd say about 6.4 is pre-diabetic. I'd say over 6.4 is diabetic.
2. Your fasting blood glucose
If your fasting blood glucose is over 100, that's also an indicator. But outside of the actual numbers, if you eat carbohydrates, and when you eat carbohydrates, you still feel hungry afterwards, and you feel like once the hunger switch is turned on, it does not go off, this is a very good sign that you have insulin resistance. And the reason why is because when you consume carbohydrates, it causes your blood sugar to go up. When your blood sugar goes up, what needs to happen is insulin is a messenger hormone, which is required to shuttle the glucose out of the blood and into the cells. However, some individuals do not have... that process doesn't go smooth for them. So, what that means is insulin is grabbing onto the glucose molecule, knocking on the door of yourself and trying to escort it inside. And what ends up happening is the cells are non-responsive. They're not answering the door. It's like they don't have a secret knock. And when that happens, the pancreas creates more insulin and more insulin and more insulin. We're trying to barge down the doors of these cells to get the glucose out of the bugs. It's a toxic system, a toxic state to have high blood sugar. So, when all of that occurs, you're starving on the cellular level, because we think of the food we consume, we think the end user of food is what? The stomach. No, the end user of that food is your cells. So, your cells still have not received energy, even though you are eating. So, if the cells are not receiving energy, they can't send the signal to the brain to tell you that you're full. So, you're going to keep eating and eating and eating, and it's just a recipe for disaster. Brain fog, just tired, hungry all the time - just crazy cravings.
How to reverse insulin resistance The only way to really get in front of it and intercede it is to break that cycle. And it's going to be hard at first, because a lot of people have to go through a sugar detox process, or they really need to start fueling their body off of healthy fats for fuel instead of carbs. But it can be treated with proper nutrition. I see people reverse out of the diabetic and pre-diabetic state using nutrition alone.
About Christine HronecChristine Hronec (https://gaugelife.com) is an award-winning chemist and three-time champion fitness competitor, nutrition, and exercise expert. Since founding her company Gauge Life in 2013, Christine has helped approximately 40,000 women transform their bodies and switch to a body-positive self-image. Her YouTube channel has over 25 million views. Christine has received awards from the American Chemical Society and was published in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Christine was part of the team that created Time magazine’s “Invention of the Year” for her work in the biotech field.
The Chopped Leaf invites you to savour summer
With fresh dishes perfect for the season
Oakville, ON, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The weather is heating up and The Chopped Leaf is ready to cool you down. Today, the brand announced the addition of two new limited-time salads and wraps to their menu. Focusing on fresh, quality ingredients that are paired perfectly with their exclusive signature dressings, these new chef-designed creations invite you to soak up and savour summer.
With record setting temperatures and a new season upon us, customers are looking for new, light and refreshing options they can enjoy in the sunshine. Hot temperatures and warm climates are known to suppress the appetite as a way to regulate the body temperature. People also naturally start to increase their water intake in order to stay hydrated. Drawing from this knowledge, bringing two fresh salads and wraps to their menu is a seamless fit for the season. Each of these dishes incorporates ingredients that their customers know and love, while introducing combinations the brand has never done before.
Chef Derek Easton, The Chopped Leaf’s Product and Development Manager, explains “the inspiration behind these dishes is simple: they are a combination of fan favourites and global trends. Utilizing fresh fruits and vinaigrettes in a salad as the months heat up, as well as incorporating plant-based protein are the two essential parts of each dish. These new menu items have been designed to help people feel fueled yet refreshed during the months when people tend to opt for lighter options.”
The Chopped Leaf launched their Summer Salad Naming Contest last month and gave customers the opportunity to submit their own creative entries for the chance to win a prize. This strategic move not only expanded the awareness of these new limited-time items coming to their menu, but engaged their audience and made them feel empowered.
Introducing The Chopped Leaf’s newest menu additions:
Meet Sun Goddess:
A fresh blend of chopped mix, tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, carrots, green onions, crushed falafel, mozzarella and pita chips tossed in their savoury signature goddess dressing. It’s the fattoush salad, chop-style.
Meet Berry Breeze:
A sweet blend of spinach, cranberries, blueberries, pecans, red onions, feta, apples and pita chips, tossed in their fruit vinaigrette dressing.
For more information on this and other delicious, fresh menu offerings, visit the menu.
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