The MUHC Foundation helps a terminally ill woman get home to India
MONTREAL, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kirandeep Kaur came to Montreal to study business in 2019. This strong and determined 25 year-old woman wanted to become a financial analyst. She and her husband Baljeet Singh Sidhu left their family in India to begin a life together in Canada.
In December 2020, Kaur was diagnosed with an aggressive form of appendiceal cancer that had spread. Despite the chemotherapy, she was admitted to the MUHC multiple times with complications caused by the cancer. It was surgical oncologist Dr. Sinziana Dumitra who treated her, and who realized there was nothing more anyone could do to save her.
“It wasn’t just like the disease came back a little bit,” says Dumitra. “It came back with a vengeance.” -Dr. Sinziana Dumitra, surgical oncologist, MUHC
Desperate to return home to India, Kaur’s medical team was unsure whether she would survive the 14-hour flight to Delhi, and another 8 hours by train to Punjab. Deeply affected by Kirandeep’s situation, the MUHC surgical oncology team looked at every option to send her home.
“There was a lot of distress from the nursing team and medical team about Kirandeep’s safety and wellbeing. She was so strong and brave to make the voyage to be with her family despite how sick she was.” -Celia Lombardo, Assistant Nurse Manager, MUHC
It was Friday night when MUHC Foundation President and CEO Julie Quenneville received a call from Dr. Dumitra.
“When I heard Kirandeep’s story, I knew we had to help. To lose someone so young and to be unable to grant her final wish is a tragedy. I was sure we could find donors as moved by the story as I was.” -Julie Quenneville, President & CEO, MUHC Foundation
Quenneville then called Mark Smith, France Chrétien and André Desmarais, all loyal donors to the MUHC Foundation. When they heard Kirandeep’s heartbreaking story, they quickly took action, not only donating the funds for Kirandeep to return home, but organized the entire journey. Kaur was flown to Toronto on a private jet, where she would board a flight to Delhi. A rush visa was secured for the nurse who would accompany her. 4 days after Quenneville received the call from Dr. Dumitra, Kaur was home in India.
“If the Foundation wasn’t there, we probably would not have been able to do any of this. They made her illness something that is bearable.” -Dr. Sinziana Dumitra, surgical oncologist, MUHC
“It was a miracle, I thank the people who helped us from the bottom of my heart.” -Baljeet Singh Sidhu, Kirandeep’s husband
Available for interviews:
Dr. Sinziana Dumitra, Surgical Oncologist, MUHC Sara Yassa, Assistant Nurse Manager Julie Quenneville, President & CEO, MUHC Foundation
About the McGill University Health Centre Foundation:
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation raises funds to support excellence in patient care, research and teaching at the McGill University Health Centre, one of the top university hospitals in Canada. Our Dream Big Campaign to change the course of lives and medicine is raising millions of dollars to solve humanity’s deadliest puzzles: infectious diseases; end cancer as a life-threatening illness; fix broken hearts through innovative cardiac care; detect the silent killers—ovarian and endometrial cancers—early; create the best skilled health care teams in Canada; and much more. We are rallying our entire community to solve the world’s most complex health care challenges.
Pathway Health Corp. Announces TSXV Conditional Approval and Filing Statement for its Qualifying Transaction with Colson Capital and Closing of Qualifying Transaction
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/
TORONTO, June 1, 2021 /CNW/ - Pathway Health Corp. (TSXV: PHC) (formerly Colson Capital Corp.) ("Pathway" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received conditional approval from the Exchange for the closing of, and has completed its previously announced "Qualifying Transaction" (as defined in Policy 2.4 of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") involving a share exchange transaction (the "Transaction") pursuant to which the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Pathway Health Services Corp. (formerly Pathway Health Corp.) ("Old Pathway") in exchange for common shares in the capital of the Company. As a result of the Transaction, Old Pathway became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In addition, the Company is pleased to announce the exchange of the subscription receipts ("Subscription Receipts") issued by Old Pathway in connection with the previously announced private placement offering of Subscription Receipts undertaken in connection with the Transaction as detailed in the Company's news release dated March 16, 2021. The Subscription Receipt offering was made through a syndicate of agents, led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., and included iA Private Wealth Inc. and Leede Jones Gable Inc., for aggregate gross proceeds of $13,800,000. In accordance with the terms of the agreement governing the Subscription Receipts, the net proceeds of approximately $12.6 million were released to the Company upon completion of the Transaction.
A Filing Statement in respect of the Transaction has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Exchange and has been filed under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Prior to the Transaction, the Company consolidated its issued and outstanding common shares on a 2.941 to 1 basis (each post-consolidation common share, a "Common Share") and changed its name from "Colson Capital Corp." to "Pathway Health Corp." The Company's new CUSIP number for the Common Shares is 70324L105 and the new ISIN for the Common Shares is CA70324L1058. Shareholders of the Company are not required to take any action with respect to the name change or consolidation, and are not required to exchange any existing certificates bearing the Company's old name. The Company's transfer agent, AST Trust Company (Canada), will send registered shareholders a new Direct Registration System advice ("DRS") representing the number of Common Shares held by such shareholders.
The Transaction was completed pursuant to the terms of the Share Exchange Agreement dated January 29, 2021, as amended, pursuant to which 90,252,819 Common Shares were issued to former shareholders of Old Pathway (including 27,600,000 Common Shares to former holders of Subscription Receipts), at a deemed price of $0.50 per Common Share.
Final acceptance of the Transaction will occur upon the issuance of the Final Exchange Bulletin by the Exchange. Subject to final acceptance by the Exchange, the Common Shares are expected to commence trading on the Exchange under the symbol "PHC" on or about June 10, 2021, and the Company will be classified as a Tier 2 issuer pursuant to Exchange policies.
In connection with the Transaction, the Company's incumbent board of directors has been reconstituted and is now comprised of the following individuals: Michael Steele, Kenneth Howling, Alison Wright and Ken Yoon. Additionally, the board has appointed Ken Yoon as Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Secretary, Aura Balboa as Chief Financial Officer, Wayne Cockburn as President, Kim Wei as Chief Commercial Officer, Renee John as Vice President – Clinic Operations, and Pram Sandhu as Vice President – Pharmacy Programs and Regulatory Affairs.
Capital Structure Upon completion of the Transaction, including the conversion of the Subscription Receipts, the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company consists of 93,108,990 Common Shares, including the 27,600,000 Common Shares issued upon conversion of the Subscription Receipts.
A total of 53,043,334 Common Shares will be subject to escrow agreements, including 816,048 Common Shares originally issued to the Company's principals upon listing the Company as a "capital pool company" (the "CPC Escrow Shares"), and 52,227,286 Common Shares issued to principals in connection with the Transaction (the "Value Escrow Shares"). All CPC Escrow Shares will be released from escrow as to 25% upon the date of the Final Exchange Bulletin, with an additional 25% every six months thereafter. The Value Escrow Shares are subject to a Tier 2 value security escrow agreement and will be released from escrow over 36 months from the date of the Final Exchange Bulletin, with 10% released upon listing.
A total of 52,227,286 Common Shares (the "Lock-up Shares") are subject to voluntary lock-up agreements (the "Lock-up Agreements") entered into in connection with the Subscription Receipt financing. Under the terms of the Lock-up Agreements, the Lock-up Shares are restricted from transfer and will be released in accordance with the following schedule: (i) 50% of the Lock-up Shares will be released on the date that is six months from the completion of the Transaction; and (ii) 50% of the Lock-up Shares will be released on the date that is one year from the date of the Transaction.
The Company also has 16,188,228 Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to exercise or conversion of:
(a)
13,800,000 Common Share purchase warrants;
(b)
2,096,228 broker warrants;
(c)
292,000 Common Shares that may be issued as contingent consideration payable pursuant to the terms of: (i) a convertible grid promissory note dated January 18, 2021 issued by Old Pathway in the name of NACM Management Ltd.; and (ii) an assumption and amending agreement dated January 18, 2021 between Old Pathway and National Access Canada Corporation.
For additional information concerning the Transaction and the foregoing matters, please refer to the Company's filing statement dated May 31, 2021, or the Company's press releases dated March 16, 2021, February 2, 2021, and November 30, 2020.
Investor Relations Contract The Company also announces that it has engaged The Howard Group Inc. ("TGHI") for the provision investor relations consulting services to the Company, consisting of marketing communications and advisory services, in compliance with the policies and guidelines of the Exchange. THGI will focus on expanding the Company's investor audience and online media management. Under the terms of the agreement, THGI will receive fees in the amount of $8,000 per month, for a one-year term expiring in February 2022.
TGHI is a Calgary, Alberta based company, providing investor and financial relations, business development solutions and in-depth strategic planning to public companies since 1988. The agreement with TGHI will be filed and available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
Certain Escrow Amendments
The Company also announces certain amendments to the escrow provisions undertaken by Colson Capital Corp. ("Colson") prior to and in connection with the Transaction, as summarized below.
Removal of the Consequences of Failing to Complete a Qualifying Transaction within 25 Months of the Listing Date
Prior to changes to the Exchange's Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies on January 1, 2021 (the "New CPC Policy"), there were certain consequences if a Qualifying Transaction was not completed within 24 months of the listing date of the capital pool company. These consequences included the potential for shares to be delisted or suspended, or, subject to the approval of the majority of the Company's shareholders, transferring shares to list on NEX and cancelling certain seed shares. The New CPC Policy has removed these consequences assuming disinterested shareholder approval is obtained. Disinterested shareholders of Colson voted in favour of the resolution to remove such consequences at its shareholder meeting held on March 31, 2021.
Amendments to the Escrow Agreement Prior to changes to the New CPC Policy, "Seed Shares" of a capital pool company were subject to a 36-month escrow in the event the Resulting Issuer (as defined in the New CPC Policy) was a Tier 2 issuer. The New CPC Policy permits such escrow period to be 18 months in duration assuming disinterested shareholder approval is obtained. At the March 31, 2021 meeting, disinterested shareholders of Colson voted in favour of the resolution to make certain amendments to the CPC escrow agreement, including allowing the Company's escrowed securities to be subject to an 18-month escrow release schedule as detailed in the New CPC Policy, rather than the 36 month escrow release schedule in the former CPC Policy. The amendments only apply to the escrowed securities issued prior to the completion of the Transaction, and the escrow agreement was amended and restated on May 28, 2021.
About Pathway Health Corp.
Pathway Health is one of the largest providers of out-of-hospital pain management services in Canada. The Company owns and operates 9 community-based clinics across 4 provinces where its team of health professionals work together to help patients through a variety of evidence-based approaches. Pathway Health's patient care programs utilize an interdisciplinary approach that is guided by trained pain specialists, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, nurses, and other healthcare providers. Pathway Health has also developed an expertise in harm reduction where medicinal cannabis is being used as an alternative to traditional opioids.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation, which may include by are not limited to statements with respect to obtaining the final bulletin from the Exchange. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and the results of operations. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Colson and Pathway disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Press Release. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.
SOURCE Pathway Health Corp.
CareCru Appoints Terry Burns as Vice President of Sales
Former Straumann executive to scale sales efforts across the US
MIAMI, Fla., June 1, 2021 /CNW/ - CareCru, the creator of Donna®, a virtual dental practice assistant, announced the appointment of Terry Burns as Vice President of Sales North America. In this role, Burns will be responsible for scaling CareCru's sales efforts Globally with an initial focus on the US market.
"Terry's strong background in SaaS sales and the dental space will be a significant asset to CareCru," says Lonny McLean, CEO and Founder of CareCru. "We are thrilled to have such a dynamic leader with this level of industry experience join our leadership team."
Burns brings over 15 years' experience in managing sales teams and software operations to his new role at CareCru. Most recently, Burns held the role of Senior Regional Director at Straumann, the #1 brand in global dentistry. Burns led a high performing-team positioning Straumann's innovative premium brand to specialty and general dental practices throughout Florida and the Caribbean. Under his leadership Burns' team delivered significant client growth. Burns currently serves as the Vice President of Medical Mission of Mercy, USA, a non-profit organization that provides free surgical, medical, dental and vision care for the underprivileged in developing countries throughout Asia and Central America.
"I wholeheartedly believe that intelligent automation that delivers a premium patient experience will be the next big breakthrough in dentistry," says Burns. "Practices that can leverage AI and automation are well-positioned for future growth and innovation. I'm excited to be joining the CareCru team to help bring Donna™ to practices across the country."
About CareCru CareCru is a growth and patient engagement platform for dental practices. CareCru's AI driven automation engine, Donna™, helps practices maximize their productivity and deliver an unparalleled patient experience. Hiring Donna is like adding three world-class team members to the practice - a front office assistant, a marketing specialist, and a practice consultant.
Women: Fuel Your Passion toInfluence, Impact and Inspire Others
Jacksonville, FL, June 1, 2021― Do you feel an innate desire to speak up, take charge and help make your organizations and communities stronger? Don’t ignore your instinct to lead— own it. It’s your superpower, and you should embrace it, nurture it and use it for powerful, positive outcomes, advises Pegine Echevarria, Power Women Worldwide founder.
Pegine, along with Mindy Gibbins-Klein, Diana Watson, Cindy Tschosik plus 14 other successful female leaders from diverse backgrounds share their stories, techniques and actionable tips in Called to Lead: Success Strategies for Women.
Timely topics such as Leading Unexpectedly in a Crisis, Mental Wellness, Cross-Cultural Leadership and Be the Trigger for the Change, plus many others, are covered through thoughtful, uplifting chapters from each contributing author.
The consortium of talented, powerful women featured in Called to Lead have thrived in their respective fields while enjoying vibrant personal lives. Each woman draws upon her unique strengths and experiences to deliver relevant, useful strategies to help other women grow and succeed while balancing family, relationships and self-care.
Called to Lead is organized into five sections, each comprised of several chapters:
1. The Power of Being Called to Lead;
2. The Power of Self-Mastery in Leadership;
3. The Power of Influential Leadership;
4. The Power of Emotions and The Mind in Leadership; and
5. The Power of Leadership Love.
Leadership is a calling. The guidance and mentoring from each of the influential female leaders in Called to Lead aims to help readers answer the call with know-how and confidence.
“You are a leader,” says Pegine. “Embrace your gift. Invest in yourself and your leadership skills. The world wants and needs women who lead. Be bold. Be brave. Be seen. Be heard. Be paid well. Be you.”
About the Authors
Pegine Echevarria, MSW, HoF, CVP
Quoted in The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and featured on Speaker andMinority Business Enterprise magazines, Pegine, who goes by her first name, is the only Latina in the Motivational Speakers Hall of Fame, alongside stars like Jack Canfield. Through Power Women Worldwide groups, she focuses on uplifting women in leadership. She is the founder and leader of multi-million-dollar businesses and a sought after speaker and presenter. Pegine has received business recognition from the Women’s Business Minority National Council, the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Small Business Administration, which named her a Women in Business Champion. www.powerwomenworldwide.com
Mindy Gibbins-Klein, MBA, CVP
Mindy Gibbins-Klein is a multi-award-winning international speaker, thought leadership strategist, book coach and publisher. She has authored and co-authored 10 books, and has presented to and coached over 50,000 business executives and entrepreneurs in 18 countries. Mindy created The Book Midwife® brand, and designed the methodology that has helped over one thousand leaders to take their ideas and turn them into thought-leading books.
“Am I Strange?” is Diana Watson’s most renowned presentation with over one million views within two weeks. As a bilingual professional, Diana also presents in Mandarin, and this one video transformed how the world views Black people who speak Chinese. Her first book, The Speaking Seed: Secrets to Successful Foreign Language Public Speaking, is the first book ever dedicated to foreign language public speaking. www.dianawatson.net
Cindy Tschosik
Cindy Tschosik is a certified ghostwriter, professional speaker and mental wellness advocate. For more than 25 years, Tschosik held leadership roles in legal, corporate, IT and nonprofits. In 2013, she launched SoConnected, a full-service marketing firm for business owners and professional speakers. During a challenging summer in 2008, Tschosik was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Her mission came out of her mental wellness journey.
EOSERA Informs on Benefits of Nasal Rinsing with New Product: NOSE WELL™ Backed by science, EOSERA educates on the advantages of nasal rinsing. EOSERA’s newest product, NOSE WELL™, is a gravity-fed device used to rinse out the sinus cavities, treating symptoms like congestion.
Fort Worth, TX, June 8th, 2021 - Studies show that rinsing the nasal passages may offer a variety of benefits, including improving sinus-related quality of life. Doctors recommend that anyone with allergies or sinus congestion use a nasal rinse like NOSE WELL to help rapidly clear the nose of allergens and debris. There are no known serious side effects and rinsing the nasal passages can even reduce the amount of medication patients with sinusitis routinely take[1].In addition to helping reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies and sinus congestion, clinical studies show that nasal rinsing devices can also help reduce nasal discomfort and may relieve symptoms of sinus pressure or infections[2]. However, only around 4% of people in the U.S. use a nasal rinse to help manage their allergy, cold, and flu symptoms[3]. NOSE WELL is here to help you breathe easier by removing discomfort and inconvenience from nasal care.EOSERA’S NOSE WELL Nasal Rinsing System uses innovative, gravity-fed technology to make your nasal rinsing process comfortable, easy, and efficient. NOSE WELL rinses your sinuses with a push of a button and eliminates awkward rinsing positions and cumbersome neti pots with its slim, sleek design and ergonomic features. Including 25 premixed packets that mix with distilled water, an ergonomically shaped bottle, and two nozzles (1 slow-flow, 1 regular flow) you have all you need to care for your nose. NOSE WELL Nasal Rinsing System will be available on www.MyNoseWell.com and Amazon in May 2021. How to use NOSE WELL™ Nasal Rinsing System[1] Rabago D et al. Efficacy of daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation among patients with sinusitis: A randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Family Practice. 2002 Dec; 51(12): 1049-1055.[2] Papsin B, McTavish A. Saline nasal irrigation Its role as an adjunct treatment. Canadian Family Physician. 2003 Feb; 49: 168-173.[3] Succar et al., International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, 2019 NOSE WELL: when being nosey isn’t a bad thing“NOSE WELL Nasal Rinsing System offers a unique rinsing experience. We tried and tested many types of nasal rinsing devices before developing what we think is revolutionary for the nasal category,” says CEO, Elyse Dickerson. EOSERA hit it right on the nose with NOSE WELLAbout EOSERAEOSERA®, Inc. is a multi-million-dollar, female-led biotech company committed to developing innovative products that address underserved healthcare needs.
AREV Life Sciences Expands its Extraction Results to Clinical Characterization of Compounds, Development of Advanced-Stage Therapeutic Foods and Discovery of Plant-Based Drugs
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AREV NANOTEC BRANDS INC. (CSE: AREV) (OTC: AREVF) (”AREV” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce it has expanded its extraction results to Clinical Characterization of Compounds and provides this update of corporate developments consistent with its news announcements and AREV’s transformed corporate website now located at www.arevlifesciences.com. The Company encourages its shareholders and interested parties to review the new website in light of this and recent news releases.
In the first five months of 2021, AREV has advanced its core competencies in extraction systems, functional ingredient production, and natural product formulations, expanding its know-how into innovative plant compound identification and medicinal characterization for utility in the Company’s development of advanced-stage nutritional foods and discovery of plant-based drugs (or phytomedicinalization). Working with noted experts recruited to AREV’s leadership and Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), AREV’s corporate team has also initiated collaborations and significant negotiations with third-party academic and business partners to enhance its participation in programs involving preclinical, clinical, and U.S. FDA-approved drugs.
Mike Withrow, AREV CEO, said, “AREV is becoming a fully integrated early-stage life sciences enterprise. I am pleased that AREV’s pursuit of its prior business model created the valuable shareholder opportunity on which the Company is quickly executing, from enhancement of AREV’s extraction innovations to its proprietary initiatives with the characterization of therapeutic compounds found in sea cucumber, Moringa, and other natural sources. AREV is in a substantial growth stage through its advancement of creative collaborations with the advice of its high-level appointments to the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board.”
AREV is invested in phytomedicinal discoveries of broad spectrum antivirals and has made significant commitments to human nutrition in areas of unmet need in strategic markets, including the development of an advanced-stage Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), branded as SUS-TAINN, and an Enteral Formula, RES-TORE. Through our SAB and our development of collaborations, with Voynich Biosciences, Inc. and Oyagen, AREV is connected to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University (OSU). AREV is engaging scientists to characterize compounds for its proprietary ingredients while building AREV’s team of preclinical drug discovery partners in the Company’s rational drug design, driven by molecular epidemiology.
“Our strategy is dedicated to generating revenue to support drug development both through novel therapeutic approaches to human nutrition in contexts of malnutrition and pandemic disease and through development of enhanced OTC products with validated claims developed with advanced, scientifically-characterized ingredients,” said Roscoe M. Moore, Jr., DVM, MPH, PHD, Assistant U.S. Surgeon General (retired), Chairman of AREV’s SAB.
On the second of these revenue strategies, through the recently announced collaboration with GVB Biopharma, AREV is preparing to launch two soft gel products containing proprietary, characterized ingredients derived from sea cucumber and hops infused with CBD.
Shocking Increase in Opioid-Related Overdoses Sparks Public Health Crisis & a Call to Action
Baltimore, MD, June 1, 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.
Delta 9 Partner Oceanic Releaf Receives Five New Retail Cannabis Store Licences
BURIN, Newfoundland, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DELTA 9 CANNABIS INC. (TSX: DN) (OTCQX: DLTNF) (“Delta 9” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that its strategic partner Oceanic Releaf Inc. (“Oceanic”) has been granted five new cannabis retail store licences in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador from The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC). Delta 9 owns a 5% equity stake in Oceanics’ production facility operations, existing retail store, and retail store expansion plans and has a 20-year supply agreement with Oceanic and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Oceanic on expanding their retail network in Newfoundland.” said John Arbuthnot, CEO of Delta 9. “The opening of five more Oceanic cannabis stores in Newfoundland will enable us to further understand the cannabis purchasing preferences from our customers and in turn will allow us to better tailor our product portfolio to the local market.”
Oceanic has a Strategic Cooperation Agreement (“SCA”) with Delta 9 that provides a variety of services relating to the cannabis production, development of standard operating procedures and sanitation programs, marketing services to develop the Oceanic brand and other services supporting the acquisition of Oceanic’s Health Canada license.
"This is an exciting day, and a major milestone for Oceanic as we continue to expand our retail footprint across Newfoundland – from one end of the Trans Canada Highway to the other,” said Taylor Giovannini, President of Oceanic. “We are very excited to be able to supply and service so many local communities with premium cannabis cultivated from our own 65,000 sq. ft. production facility as well as from the top cannabis producers in Canada. These new stores will be modelled after our 2,300 sq. ft. retail location in Burin – which also has Canada’s first cannabis drive-thru. We can’t wait to bring this and other innovative approaches to increasing accessibility across the province”
On May 28, 2021 the NLC announced eight names and locations of qualified applicants from the recent Licensed Cannabis Retailer (LCR) RFP and Oceanic was awarded five licences in: Avalon Business Park, Whitbourne, 6 Sweetland’s Hill, Bonavista, 20 High St., Channel-Oort aux Basques, 350 Torbay Road, St. John’s, and 134 Trans Canada Highway, Clarenville. The provincial agency announced earlier this year their plans for adding up to 16 new retail cannabis locations to its current count of 30. The RFP opened earlier this year and closed on May 11, with an expected open date for new stores on Sept 1, 2021.
For more information contact: Investor & Media Contact: Ian Chadsey VP Corporate Affairs Mobile: 204-898-7722 E-mail: ian.chadsey@delta9.ca
About Delta 9 Cannabis Inc.
Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company focused on bringing the highest quality cannabis products to market. The company sells cannabis products through its wholesale and retail sales channels and sells its cannabis grow pods to other businesses. Delta 9's wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta 9 Bio-Tech Inc., is a licensed producer of medical and recreational cannabis and operates an 80,000 square foot production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Delta 9 owns and operates a chain of retail stores under the Delta 9 Cannabis Store brand. Delta 9's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "DN" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "DLTNF". For more information, please visit www.delta9.ca.
About Oceanic
Based in the scenic rural setting of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Burin Peninsula, Oceanic is a vertically integrated cannabis company operating out of a 65,000 sq. ft. cultivation facility. Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, Oceanic will produce fresh, clean premium cannabis from one of the last unspoiled areas in the world. Oceanics’ vision is to deliver products and retail experiences that will reflect the best of what Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer: creativity, personality, and bravery – an uncommon experience for any cannabis consumer. With seven retail locations in development, Oceanic is closer than ever to delivering on this promise.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the Company’s future business plans and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements relating to the Company’s expansion plans. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including all risk factors set forth in the annual information form of Delta 9 dated March 31, 2021 which has been filed on SEDAR. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Purpose Investments Launches Longevity Pension Fund, the World’s First Income-for-Life Mutual Fund
Longevity Pension Fund was designed to address the growing social challenge around income security in retirement for Canadians
TORONTO, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose”) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Longevity Pension Fund (“Longevity” or the “Fund”), the first income-for-life mutual fund designed for Canadians in retirement. The Fund seeks to help all Canadians feel financially secure in retirement and have the freedom to enjoy their post-work years as they choose. Similar in design to a defined-benefit pension, the Fund distinguishes itself from other mutual fund products by incorporating longevity risk pooling in order to provide lifetime income to Canadian retirees, while also providing investors with the flexibility to redeem or invest more into the Fund at any time.
The launch of the Fund comes at an important time for all Canadians, but especially for those aged 55+, who have been struggling to find sustainable retirement solutions. According to a new survey from Purpose and Angus Reid, half of Canadians aged 55+ are not confident that they will have enough money to last them in retirement. And the pandemic has only intensified these fears, with one-in-five Canadians aged 55+ claiming they have had to withdraw funds, delay retirement, or stop contributions to their retirement savings due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, according to Statistics Canada, over 1,000 Canadians turn 65 every day, while at the same time the number of Canadians covered by a defined-benefit pension plan has steadily decreased over the past 30 years, creating a major social challenge around income security for Canadian retirees.
But finally, Purpose is proud to have innovated an important solution that tackles the issue of long-term income security.
Purpose Investments CEO and Founder, Som Seif, explains, “The financial services sector can be very good at helping people accumulate and save. But as life expectancies increase and corporate pension plans disappear, our industry has ignored the development of real solutions to support people in retirement and give them the financial security and confidence to know they will be okay.” Seif continues, “With Longevity, we want to solve this problem and democratize retirement by offering everyone a defined-benefit-like product, so they know a paycheque is coming for as long as they live.”
“Longevity combines the lifetime income model of an annuity with the flexibility and ease of use of a mutual fund, so Canadians no longer need to choose between having regular distributions and financial flexibility,” says Fraser Stark, President of the Longevity Retirement Platform at Purpose Investments. “The flexibility of Longevity means that an investor doesn’t have to make a decision at the start of their retirement that they can’t get out of if circumstances change in their lives.”
After working closely with Canadian securities regulators through a full review of the disclosure documents on a confidential pre-file basis, the Fund’s prospectus was issued a final receipt on May 31, 2021. The Fund is designed as a single-ticket solution for both segments of a person’s life – “accumulation” and “decumulation” periods. Although Longevity’s most significant innovation is the income-for-life decumulation feature that provides monthly lifetime distributions when investors are 65 years old or older, the Fund can also help investors younger than 65 years old save money pre-retirement. When an investor younger than 65 years old invests in the Fund, in the month following their 65th birthday, the transition between saving (accumulation) and receiving a lifetime income (decumulation) happens automatically and is not expected to trigger a taxable event.
Like any mutual fund, the Fund is available for every Canadian investor to own and can be held in both registered and non-registered accounts.
Longevity will also help revolutionize workplace defined-contribution and group plans by providing plan sponsors with a core decumulation option for their employees upon retirement.
“We see the Fund not only as a tool to empower investors but also a great solution for workplace defined-contribution and group plans,” says Stark.
Lifetime income targets will vary based on the class purchased. “Our hope with Longevity is that people will have a happier retirement because they will know that their income will last as long as they do regardless of whether they live 10 years or 40 years post retirement,” Seif concludes.
The Fund is the first product released as part of a new holistic retirement solutions platform launched by Purpose. To learn more about the Fund and Purpose’s mission to help Canadians embrace retirement with income for life, please visit www.retirewithlongevity.com.
About Purpose Investments Inc.
Purpose Investments is an asset management company with more than $11 billion in assets under management. Purpose has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation, offering a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Financial, an independent, technology-driven financial services platform which is reshaping the industry by connecting and creating opportunities across asset management, wealth management and small business financial services.
*Survey Methodology
An online survey of 1,503 Canadians was completed in May 2021, using Angus Reid’s online panel. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size has an estimated margin of error (which measures sampling variability) of +/- 2.4%, 19 times out of 20.
Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus and other disclosure documents before investing. Investment funds are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurance that the full amount of your investment in a fund will be returned to you. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Distributions are not guaranteed, and distribution levels may increase or decrease. The Fund has a unique mutual fund structure. Most mutual funds redeem at their associated Net Asset Value (NAV). In contrast, redemptions in the decumulation class of the Fund (whether voluntary or at death) will occur at the lesser of NAV or the initial investment amount less any distributions received.
Certain statements in this communication are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements (“FLS”) are statements that are predictive in nature, depend on or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate” or other similar expressions. Statements that look forward in time or include anything other than historical information are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results, actions or events could differ materially from those set forth in the FLS. FLS are not guarantees of future performance and are by their nature based on numerous assumptions. Although the FLS contained in this document are based upon what Purpose believes to be reasonable assumptions, Purpose cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these FLS. The reader is cautioned to consider the FLS carefully and not to place undue reliance on the FLS. Unless required by applicable law, it is not undertaken, and specifically disclaimed, that there is any intention or obligation to update or revise FLS, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
RYAH Medtech Inc. Completes Initial Shipment for Major UK-based Clinical Trial
TORONTO, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via InvestorWire – RYAH Group, Inc. (CSE:RYAH) (“RYAH” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has completed the first shipment of the RYAH Smart Dry Herb Inhalers which includes a delivery of approximately 10,000 RYAH Cartridges and QR Codes to an international clinic (the “Clinic”) undertaking one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive clinical trials in plant-based medicine. The initial shipment is designated to be used by the Clinic in a pilot run in preparation for the previously announced study, based out of the United Kingdom, on the safety and efficacy of cannabis and hemp for the treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain.
The 5-year study is expected to cover tens of thousands of patients suffering from chronic pain, which makes it one of the largest and most ambitious research projects to be conducted in the plant-based treatment arena. Given the size and scale of the study, RYAH has developed a custom software solution, using OAuth API-integration to protect the privacy of the participants in the study, with the goal of enabling a fully integrated, patient feedback and data collection capability. The combination of an IoT controlled device and direct API data integration with the Clinic’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is expected to enable scale and mitigate a number of variables associated with data collection and interpretation which are often performed manually for both dose measurement and patient feedback.
“We are pleased to bring RYAH’s IoT device and integrated data solutions to the United Kingdom, providing a new level of session accuracy, patient feedback consistency, and data integrity to the clinical framework in plant-based medicine research. We continue to evolve our product and software solutions to help clinicians and researchers unlock breakthroughs in clinical research and analytics,” said Gregory Wagner, CEO of RYAH Group, Inc.
The medicinal cannabis market within the United Kingdom keeps growing and by 2024 it is predicted to be worth nearly US$1.3 billion, servicing nearly 340,000 active patients. According to a report by the United Nation's International Narcotics Control Board, before legalization, the U.K. has emerged as the largest producer and exporter of legalized cannabis for medical and research applications.
About RYAH Group, Inc.
RYAH Group, Inc. (‘RYAH’) is a connected device and big data and technology company focused on valuable predictive analysis in the global medical plant and nutraceutical intake industry. Its robust artificial intelligence platform aggregates and correlates HIPAA-compliant patient data, which is intended to help doctors and patients personalize plant-based treatments to better predict treatment outcomes. The data collection is relevant for clinics, doctors, dispensaries and pharmaceutical companies and Licensed Processors (LPs) to monitor and manage formulation effects on patient and demographics. With a strong IP portfolio, RYAH gathers deep and insightful data on the complete patient session and formulation lifecycle.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute “forward-looking information” as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “potential,” “will,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect” and similar expressions (or the negative of these terms) are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements relating to (i) the Clinic's a pilot run and/or the previously announced study on the safety and efficacy of cannabis and hemp for the treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain, (ii) the projected size of the medicinal cannabis market within the United Kingdom, and (iii) RYAH's custom software solution, and in particular, its capacity to protect the privacy of the participants and to enable a fully-integrated, patient feedback and data collection capability. Readers are further cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the assumption that (i) the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events, (ii) there will continue to be a demand and market opportunity for the Company and its subsidiaries' product offerings, and (iii) current and future economic conditions will neither affect the business and operations of the Company nor its ability to capitalize on anticipated business opportunities, although considered reasonable by management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and result in actual results differing materially from those anticipated, and as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking information reflect the Company’s current views and intentions with respect to future events, and current information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information to vary from those described herein should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize. These risks include, without limitation, risks associated with or inherent in (i) the general business and economic conditions in the regions in which the Company operates, (ii) the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to execute on key priorities (including completion of acquisitions and strategic plans, and the retention of key executives), (iii) the ability of the Company to integrate newly acquired businesses, (iv) the expected benefits of RYAH’s user-generated, HIPAA-compliant data, and the anticipated results and experience of users may receive from using RYAH products, (v) the Company's ability to implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities, (vi) disruptions in or attacks (including cyber-attacks) on the Company’s information technology, internet, network access or other voice or data communications systems or services, (vii) the evolution of various types of fraud or other criminal behavior to which the Company is exposed, (viii) the failure of third parties to comply with their obligations to the Company or its affiliates, (ix) changes to, or the application of, laws and regulations legal and regulatory risks inherent in the cannabis industry, and (x) cannabis-related products manufactured for human consumption (including potential product recalls). Should any such factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release, and is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law.
This press release includes market and industry data that has been obtained from third party sources, including industry publications. The Company believes that the industry data is accurate and that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, but there is no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of this data. Third party sources generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there is no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of included information. Although the data is believed to be reliable, the Company has not independently verified any of the data from third party sources referred to in this press release or ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon by such sources.
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