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.

For further information, contact Mike Withrow, news@arevlifesciences.com 778-929-6536. For more information visit arevlifesciences.com.

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, an Associate 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 65^th 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.

New commitment to supporting sex and gender-based brain research in Canada

Brain Canada and Women’s Brain Health Initiative join forces to fund critical sex and gender brain research

MONTREAL, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Women’s Brain Health Initiative (WBHI) and Brain Canada have joined forces to launch the first ever Brain Canada-WBHI Expansion Grants: Considering Sex and Gender Program, a new initiative to support the implementation, or continuation, of sex and gender considerations for research funded by the two organizations. The projects focus on aging, neurodegeneration or stroke. Six grants of up to $105,000 will be awarded for a total investment of $630,000 in the amplification of sex and gender-based research.

“As a funding agency, we have a responsibility to support these considerations in the work we enable —we must all acknowledge that sex and gender differences exist,” says Brain Canada CEO and President Dr. Viviane Poupon. “Through this partnership with WBHI, we can together be a guiding light for researchers, and along the way inspire our partners and other agencies, to enable and encourage this aspect of research through funding.”

The distinction between sex and gender has become increasingly important in science and research due to the differences in risk for developing a disease as well as in treatment response.

"Women suffer from depression, stroke and dementia twice as much as men and an astounding 70 per cent of new Alzheimer's patients are women. Despite this, the vast majority of research into these conditions has focussed on male brains," says WBHI founder and president Lynn Posluns. "By incentivizing gender-based research, we are giving women a fighting chance to protect their brain health. This partnership is not just about funding — it's a call to action for gender equity in scientific research."

The Brain Canada-WBHI Expansion Grants are designed to encourage researchers to incorporate sex and gender-based analysis (SGBA)-driven research hypotheses into their existing work by contributing to overcoming barriers in research and creating a foundation for sex and gender considerations to become standard practice within the scientific community.

Evidence clearly shows that increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation, and creativity. Brain Canada and WBHI are committed to excellence through equity and encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to our funding opportunities.

Funding for the Brain Canada-WBHI Expansion Grant: Considering Sex and Gender Program has been made possible by WBHI's annual Stand Ahead Challenge fundraising campaign, and through the Canada Brain Research Fund, an innovative partnership between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada.

About Brain Canada:

Brain Canada is a national non-profit organization that enables and supports excellent, innovative, paradigm-changing brain research in Canada. It plays a unique and invaluable role as the national convener of the brain research community. Brain Canada understands that better insight into how the brain works contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of disorders of the brain, thereby improving the health outcomes and quality of life of all Canadians. To learn more, please visit braincanada.ca.

About Women’s Brain Health Initiative:

Women’s Brain Health Initiative (WBHI) is a Canadian and U.S. charitable foundation established in 2012 and is solely dedicated to protecting the brain health of women. WBHI helps protect women’s brain health by focusing its resources on research to combat brain-aging disorders that disproportionately affect women, and by creating compelling preventative health programs, grounded in science, so there is a greater understanding of the best ways to prolong our cognitive vitality. For more information, please visit womensbrainhealth.org

The weather is warming up and you’ve already watched everything on Netflix. Now’s the time to lace up your sneakers and head outdoors to get moving.

National Health and Fitness Day is coming up June 5, a time to celebrate the benefits of activity and share the ways we can move, feel good and really enjoy the great outdoors. Whether it’s a hike, a run, some yoga or calisthenics in the park, Canadians can find ideas to get moving for better mental and physical health.

To help you get started, or give you new ideas, six fitness professionals shared their favourite outdoor workout locations in cities across canada. All are available for interview to share their outdoor fitness tips and we would be happy to provide you with video to show what they do at these locations. Please let me know if you're keen to follow up for an outdoor fitness story. 

Thanks for your consideration.

Holly Dunn 782-640-1646

St. John’s

Maria Htee, personal trainer, GoodLife Fitness

Signal Hill - I would usually walk up the back of Signal Hill and sprint up the stairs for a few rounds. On a way up, you can feel and smell the fresh air from the ocean. You can also find some chairs on the way up to rest and take in the ocean view. If you are lucky, you may even catch a glimpse a nesting Eagle.

Mile One Stairs - A perfect place to get your cardio in. That is what saved me during the lockdown - I went there every morning to get my day started. You can bring bands and a skipping rope with you and super set a few exercises together to get a great workout.

Halifax

Michelle Ryder, group fitness instructor, GoodLife Fitness

Africville Park - I do a ‘choose your own adventure’ workout with whatever I find at the park. Sometimes it's a step or HIIT-style workout off of old concrete foundations. Other times it’s plyometrics in the field, running on the trails, or using the benches for box jumps. 

Fort Needham Park - Nothing refreshes my love for the city like running the stairs at Fort Needham park. It’s situated on a hilltop, giving you some awesome views of the city and the harbour. There are also great trails to run, and even an off-leash dog park if you want to get some exercise with a furry friend.

Ottawa

Abby Johnson-Bertran, personal trainer and fitness instructor, GoodLife Fitness

Mer Bleue Bog - With more than 20 km of trails, Mer Bleue is great for year-round hiking, and even snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. It’s a bigger space so my family has been visiting the trails more often during lockdown just to get out of the house and get some fresh air.

Chapman Mills Conservation Area - My favourite thing to do is to walk the scenic trails and stop at the lookouts and grassy spots. I usually find a quiet spot to do yoga at the end of my walk. It’s energizing to do practice your poses overlooking the Rideau River with the birds chirping and sun shining.

Toronto

Kathleen Fursey, personal trainer and group fitness instructor, GoodLife Fitness

Sunnyside Beach - Situated on the lakefront area of Toronto, it includes a beach and park along Lake Ontario’s Humber Bay. I enjoy walks along the boardwalk because it’s invigorating to hear and see the water close by, and even taking my shoes off to feel the sand between my toes to ground myself.

Riverdale Park - A spacious park that is on a slope… Great for hill running drills! It’s even more special when my workout is close to the end of the day and I can catch a gorgeous sunset as well, with a clear view of the downtown skyline.

Winnipeg

Kathryn McKenzie, kinesiologist, personal trainer & group fitness instructor, Surefire Fitness

Bishop Grandin Greenway - One of the best features of the city is the extensive trail system that extends to most areas. The wider paved paths are all excellent choices for a walk, run, pedal, or inline skate. Bishop Grandin is one of the longer ones, but Northeast Pioneers Greenway or Chief Peguis trail are great options too.

Terry Fox Fitness Trail - If your preference favours areas that are a bit more rugged, look no further than the trails that run along the riverbanks of the Red and Assiniboine. The Terry Fox Fitness Trail is a great one, and is outfitted with fitness equipment along the path for completing a full body training circuit.

Calgary

Inno Delarmente, group fitness instructor, GoodLife Fitness

Battalion Park Stairs - My ’go to’ cardio stair challenge is the Battalion Park Stairs. It’s one of Calgary’s more historic parks, featuring those giant stone regiment numbers you can see from all over the city. There are three sets of stairs that I run to get my heart rate up and stay in shape between classes, plus there’s an excellent view at the top.

Edworthy Park - Calgary is lucky to have so many parks with well-maintained outdoor fitness equipment. My favourite of these is probably Edworthy Park, right on the river. Outdoor ellipticals, chest press machines, pull-up bars – even a leg press. Plus it’s super ‘outdoorsy’ feeling with lots of trails and log-carved stairs for running.

Health Canada Approves ABECMA™ (idecabtagene vicleucel), the First and Only Anti-BCMA CAR T cell Therapy for Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma

ABECMA^TM is the first personalized cell therapy available to Canadian patients for the treatment of adults with multiple myeloma who have received at least three prior therapies and who are refractory to their last treatment ¹

MONTREAL, May 31, 2021 /CNW/ - Bristol Myers Squibb Canada (BMS) today announced Health Canada has granted conditional approval (NOC/c) for ABECMA^TM (idecabtagene vicleucel; ide-cel) as the first and only B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy for adults with multiple myeloma (MM). ABECMA^TM is indicated for MM patients who have received at least three prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 antibody and who are refractory to their last treatment.² This conditional approval is based on the results of the pivotal Phase II KarMMa study which demonstrated ABECMA^TM's ability to deliver rapid, deep and durable responses with a single infusion.³

"Today's approval is an important milestone in the treatment of multiple myeloma in Canada," says Dr. Christine Chen, Medical Director of Clinical Immune Effector Cell Therapy at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. "Unlike traditional treatments, ABECMA^TM is a one-time infusion. That means the therapy continues to put pressure on the disease while sparing patients the need for multiple treatment cycles. It offers them a treatment-free interval where they can experience a more normal life."

ABECMA^TM, a CAR T therapy, uses patients' T cells to create a personalized version of their own immune system, potentially improving the chances of anti-tumour response long after treatment administration.^4,5,6,7 As an anti-BCMA CAR T cell therapy, ABECMA^TM recognizes and binds to BCMA, a protein that is nearly universally expressed on cancer cells in MM, leading to the death of BCMA-expressing cells.⁸

"Nine Canadians are diagnosed with multiple myeloma every single day, but despite the growing prevalence, current treatment options are not enough and there continues to be a critical unmet need for patients who have received many therapies," says Martine Elias, Executive Director, Myeloma Canada. "Introducing CAR T therapy means there is now an important new option for Canadians living with advanced multiple myeloma."

MM is a hematologic cancer which develops when a buildup of malignant plasma cells forms in the bone marrow and limits the ability for other blood cells to develop and work normally.⁹ In 2020 alone, an estimated 3,400 Canadians were diagnosed with MM,¹⁰ and an estimated 7,460 currently live with MM.¹¹ An incurable disease that mutates over time, the natural progression of multiple myeloma is for patients to experience relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM). This results in an increased burden of disease and decreased depth and duration of response to each successive line of therapy.^{12,13,14,15,16,17} 

"ABECMA^TM is the first of a portfolio of CAR T therapies BMS currently has in development, addressing the needs of patients who have limited treatment options," says Al Reba, General Manager, Bristol Myers Squibb Canada. "Working with our network of treatment facilities across Canada, this approval is a critical step in our journey to bring innovative cell therapies to Canadians living with advanced blood cancers such as multiple myeloma."

Health Canada's approval of ABECMA^TM is based on the results of the Phase II KarMMa trial of 122 patients with RRMM who received at least three prior therapies including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor and an anti-CD38 antibody and who were refractory to their last treatment.¹⁸ The conditional approval is based upon the overall response rate, complete response rate, and durability of response.¹⁹ Patients included in the trial were heavily pretreated with 84% being refractory to all three classes of treatment.²⁰ The median duration of follow-up throughout the KarMMa trial was 13.3 months.²¹ ABECMA demonstrated an overall response rate of 74% and a complete response (CR) rate of 32%.²² The onset of response was rapid with a median time to response of one month.²³

Median duration of response was 11 months in those who achieved a partial response (PR) or better and 19 months for those who achieved a CR.²⁴ An improvement in progression-free survival or overall survival has not yet been established.²⁵

The safety profile of ABECMA^TM was generally manageable ²⁶ with, most adverse events occurring in the first 8 weeks of therapy, except for those of hypogammaglobulinemia and infections.²⁷ The most common nonlaboratory AEs included cytokine release syndrome (CRS), infections – pathogen unspecified, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, viral infections, encephalopathy, pyrexia, cough, decreased appetite, headache, edema and hypogammaglobulinemia.²⁸ Serious AEs occurred in 67% of patients.²⁹ The most common serious AEs included CRS, general physical health deterioration, pneumonia, and febrile neutropenia.³⁰ The most common Grade 3 or 4 nonlaboratory AEs were febrile neutropenia and infections – pathogen unspecified.³¹ In patients with persistent neutropenia the median time to recovery was 1.9 months.³² In patients with persistent thrombocytopenia, the median time to recovery was 2.1 months.³³

About Bristol Myers Squibb Cell Therapy Research
Through novel manufacturing approaches and a well-established supply chain platform across a broad network of state-of-the-art facilities, BMS is advancing cell therapy research. Having established immunotherapy manufacturing facilities with cutting-edge technologies and highly trained manufacturing teams, BMS works to make cell therapy possible for Canadian patients in need. 

BMS' investment into the use of next-generation technology to optimize the manufacturing process and capacity will serve to decrease complexities and turnaround time, improve product control and reduce manufacturing costs. These efforts ultimately reduce the cost of these novel therapies to ensure patients can receive their treatment as quickly and as safely as possible.

About Ide-cel
Ide-cel is a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed genetically modified autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy.³⁴ The ide-cel CAR is comprised of a murine extracellular single-chain variable fragment (scFv) specific for recognizing BCMA followed by a human CD8α hinge and transmembrane domain fused to the T cell cytoplasmic signaling domains of CD137 (4-1BB) and CD3ζ chain, in tandem.³⁵ Ide-cel recognizes and binds to BCMA on the surface of multiple myeloma cells leading to CAR-positive T cell proliferation, cytokine secretion, and subsequent cytolytic killing of BCMA-expressing cells.³⁶

About Bristol Myers Squibb Canada
Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb Company, a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb global operations, visit www.bms.com. Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. delivers innovative medicines for serious diseases to Canadian patients in the areas of cardiovascular health, oncology, and immunoscience. Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. employs close to 400 people across the country. For more information, please visit www.bms.com/ca.

SOURCE Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co.

Brain Cancer Canada Funds Groundbreaking Glioblastoma Treatment Research

TORONTO, May 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- May 31 marks the end of Brain Cancer Awareness Month. On this day, Brain Cancer Canada turns awareness into action by emphatically supporting groundbreaking research into brain cancer treatment. The charity has made $100,000 available to Dr. Sheila Singh and her research group at McMaster University to target recurrent Glioblastomas (GBMs) with generous support from sponsors, including Scotia Wealth Management, Yamana Gold, and Hampton Securities.

Dr. Singh and her team focus on stem-like cells driving recurrent GBMs' functionality, using CRISPR technology to identify a series of essential genes in cancer cells as potential points-of-attack. Specially targeting antibodies or immunotherapies could then disable the function of those genes, potentially offering a new method to treating recurrent GBMs.

"Brain Cancer Canada is stepping up to fund research that is in an uncertain but promising stage," said Dr. Sheila Singh, Pediatric Neurosurgeon at McMaster Children's Hospital and Professor of Surgery and Scientist at McMaster University's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. "Early-stage research is harder to get funded but is so essential to make a difference. The funding we are receiving today allows us to explore and solidify hopeful indications that there might be a viable therapy in our approach".

GBMs are the most aggressive and common primary brain cancers. The outcomes for patients are devastating. Most patients undergo surgical removal, radiation and chemotherapy, which can significantly affect their quality of life. On average, GBMs regrow seven to nine months after diagnosis. Most patients do not survive beyond fifteen months after diagnosis. The five-year survival rate is only between 5.5-6.8%.

Recurrent GBMs are significantly different from patients' original GBMs. They respond substantially less to treatment, causing them to be fatal. Successfully targeting the unique makeup of these recurrent GBMs could potentially mean a breakthrough.

"Our charity focuses on supporting the fight against brain cancers by funding research, treatment and technology," said Brain Cancer Canada Chair Angela Scalisi. "I am grateful to the generous donors that contributed to this research. We were able to put their donations to use on the day we closed Brain Cancer Awareness Month. That is an impressive result for an organization without any paid employment. It shows that we can quickly deliver as much of our funds where they belong, thanks to the bold efforts of our Volunteers, Ambassadors and Board Members."

"It has been over fifteen years since we have seen a breakthrough in treating brain cancers," said Marc Peeters, Director Partnerships and Stakeholders at Brain Cancer Canada. "Dr. Singh and her team at Sheila Singh Lab are taking an innovative, multidisciplinary approach to unlock new possibilities that are so needed. By supporting their work, we believe we can work step-by-step towards the next critical discovery that could help end this fight in favour of brain cancer patients. This is just a first step in our journey with Sheila Singh Labs and McMaster University, and we look forward to supporting more projects in the future".

Dr. Adam Kassam becomes president of the Ontario Medical Association

TORONTO, May 29, 2021 /CNW/ - Dr. Adam Kassam became the 140^th president of the Ontario Medical Association today, the youngest president in the association's history, the first physiatrist and first Ismaili Muslim.

Dr. Kassam's induction as president for a one-year term took place during the first Annual General Meeting following sweeping governance changes approved last fall.

Dr. Kassam said the three priorities for his presidency were advocating for physicians, working with partners to rebuild the health-care system after the pandemic, and modernizing the OMA to make it an even more transparent, accountable and effective organization for the province's 43,000 physicians.

"Through the hundreds of conversations I've had with doctors across Ontario this past year, whether in the hospital or clinic, during our vaccination drives or over Zoom, I have been inspired by your advocacy, work and sacrifice," Dr. Kassam said in his first presidential address. "Through it all, you have shown all of Ontario what can be accomplished through collaboration, compassion and courage. These are the key principles – the three Cs – that will underpin my work during my term as president."

The OMA's two-day meeting is being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as was last year's final meeting of the OMA Council. The 250 member-elected delegate Council is being replaced with a leaner General Assembly as part of governance changes aimed at making the OMA the most effective and modern organization possible. The weekend will conclude with an orientation session of the new General Assembly.

Dr. Kassam, who is 33, works as a physiatrist – a rehabilitation specialist -- and clinical associate at Runnymede Healthcare Center and Athlete's Care in Toronto and is a faculty lecturer at the University of Toronto's Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. His clinical practice focuses on musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation of patients who have had muscle, bone or nerve injuries. 

Dr. Kassam was born and raised in Toronto, the son of a Kenyan mother and Tanzanian father. He is the first in his immediate family to graduate from university and become a doctor. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, where he majored in neurobiology, and holds an MD from Dartmouth Medical School and a master's degree in public health from Columbia University. He completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Western University.

Dr. Kassam succeeds Dr. Samantha Hill as OMA president.  Dr. Hill's accomplishments as president included raising the profile and voice of physicians with the public, government and stakeholders to new heights. During her tenure she did about 350 media interviews, the majority of which focused on providing accurate information about COVID.  She also made equity, diversity and inclusion a pillar of her presidency, which included a groundbreaking report showing a substantial pay gap exists between male and female physicians. Dr. Hill will continue to serve the OMA as past-president. 

"They say, 'Let no crisis be wasted.' COVID was and is an international crisis of epic proportions, which presented opportunities to showcase members to the public, raise physician street cred, and promote awareness of all the ways you help Ontarians," Dr. Hill said in her farewell address. "COVID presented opportunities to reinforce the need for physician leadership in addressing health-care initiatives such as Ontario Health Teams, vaccinations, mental health and acute and chronic care backlogs. Sadly, COVID also presented an opportunity to raise the spectre of gender and race inequity within the profession and health care as a whole. All these opportunities came at tragic costs paid in human lives and human suffering. They could not be wasted, and I like to think we didn't."

"I want to thank Dr. Samantha Hill for her outstanding term as president," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "Dr. Hill was a tireless advocate for Ontario's physicians and played a key leadership role in the governance transformation work that will make the OMA a more effective, efficient and agile association."

In late April, OMA members chose Dr. Rose Zacharias to be their president-elect. She is the first president-elect chosen directly by OMA members. Previously, the OMA Council has made the final choice.

Dr. Zacharias is a family physician who for the last 20 years has practiced both as an emergency room physician, medical and psychiatry hospitalist and surgical assistant.  Primarily, she has been based at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, with a recent transition to Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care where she also leads wellness initiatives for physicians.   She has been a member of the OMA Board of Directors and the OMA Governance and Nominating Committee.  Dr. Zacharias will work closely with Dr. Kassam throughout his presidency.  

About the OMA

The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.

SOURCE Ontario Medical Association