Revolutionary New Clinical Study Proves Upcoming Physician CME Conference Curriculum Reduces Burnout and Stress Dramatically


Leonard Perlmutter (Ram Lev), conference director and curriculum developer

“Life changing! Everyone should experience this curriculum. I’m so grateful for your bringing this truth to doctors with love and compassion. This is a light the world needs to see.” — Pamela Shervanick DO, Family Medicine, Maine

The American Meditation Institute’s (AMI) acclaimed healthcare curriculum, proven to reduce burnout and stress in a recent peer-reviewed clinical study, will be presented at the 12th annual Heart and Science of Yoga conference October 17-21, 2023 at the Equinox Resort and Spa in Manchester, Vermont. This comprehensive training in Yoga Science as Holistic Mind/Body Medicine, accredited by the American Medical Association for 34 CME credit hours, will be offered simultaneously in-person and virtually on Zoom.

In recent years, healthcare professionals in the United States have begun experiencing high burnout rates. Burnout is a condition fundamentally driven by workplace stress, in which workers experience perpetual exhaustion and lack of mental resilience. Although this condition is present in all professions, its rising incidence among medical professionals is a matter of considerable concern. In fact, according to the Medscape Physician Burnout & Depression Report 2023, 63% of all female physicians are currently experiencing burnout symptoms.

As a dramatic step toward lowering today’s unprecedented burnout rates and promoting holistic mind/body healing among the medical community, a clinical study published in the November 2022 issue of “Lifestyle Medicine” reported that the proprietary curriculum taught at AMI physician conferences reduced physician Burnout levels 23.3%, reduced Secondary Traumatic Stress levels 19.9%, and increased Compassion Satisfaction levels 11.2%.

According to curriculum developer and AMI founder Leonard Perlmutter, “The ‘Heart and Science of Yoga’ conference curriculum represents the oldest and most effective Holistic Mind/Body Medicine to relieve and prevent burnout, heal disease, manage addictive habits, alleviate stress and inflammation, while balancing work and family time. In addition to helping countless physicians and other healthcare providers reduce burnout and stress, many have already begun applying their new skills and knowledge to preventing and even reversing chronic degenerative disease.”

Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of how Yoga Science as mind/body medicine can heal disease, manage addictive habits, alleviate stress, inflammation and physician burnout;

2. Develop equanimity, discrimination, will power, creativity and energy through a daily practice of AMI MEDITATION and diaphragmatic breathing;

3. Incorporate long-term strategies for healthy lifestyle choices using Yoga Psychology;

4. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of both Ayurveda and Epigenomics;

5. Identify yogic practices to transform trauma and increase resilience;

6. Utilize Food as Medicine (diet and nutrition) to maximize personal wellbeing;

7. Demonstrate knowledge on the research and therapeutic modalities of yoga and meditation as mind/body medicine;

8. Recognize the physiological benefits of Easy-Gentle Yoga and to identify and disable chronic pain mechanisms for improved exercise, health and pain relief;

9. Help themselves and patients reduce conditioned habits of negative thinking and other symptoms of burnout through the healing powers of AMI MEDITATION and mantra science;

10. Use Chakra Psychology (subtle emotional/mental causes of stress) to diagnose and treat dis-ease;

11. Recognize how AMI MEDITATION and meditation-in-action change the neural pathways in the brain to help manage pain;

12. Identify altered pathways in the brain due to addiction and the ability of Yoga Science and AMI MEDITATION to assist brain chemistry and circuitry to heal and rebuild itself; and,

13. Use the tools of Yoga Science to create a personal and medical culture of health and wellbeing.

The dedication, enthusiasm, and teaching methodology of the entire AMI faculty create a dynamic and interactive course for their students. Each faculty member is committed to the advancement and training of Yoga Science as Holistic Mind/Body Medicine. In addition to faculty director Leonard Perlmutter other presenters include: Mark Pettus MD, board certified internist and nephrologist and Director of Medical Education and Population Health of Berkshire Health Systems; Kristin Kaelber MD, PhD, board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics; Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote, MD, Medical Director of the Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center; Anthony Santilli MD, board certified in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Jesse Ritvo MD, Assistant Medical Director, Inpatient Psychiatry, University of Vermont Health Center; Joshua Zamer, MD, Medical Director for Addiction Medicine at Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center and Chairman of the Department of Family Practice; Gustavo Grodnitzky PhD, Chair of the AMI Psychological Education Committee; Jenness Cortez Perlmutter, faculty member of The American Meditation Institute; Anita Burock-Stotts, MD, board certified in Internal Medicine; and Janine Pardo MD, board certified in Internal Medicine.

According to Claudia Coplein DO, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, and returning alumni of the “Heart and Science of Yoga” conference, “This was the best CME course I’ve ever attended. It provided useful information and practices for my patients, and taught me how to focus on my own health and well-being.”

-30-

About the American Meditation Institute

The American Meditation Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization devoted to the teaching and practice of Yoga Science, AMI Meditation® and its allied disciplines as Mind/Body Medicine. In its holistic approach to wellness, AMI combines the healing arts, philosophy, and spirituality of the East with the practicality of modern Western medical science. The American Meditation Institute offers a wide variety of courses, conferences, and webinars. AMI also publishes “Transformation” a bi-monthly journal of meditation as Holistic Mind/Body Medicine.

Call 518.674.8714 for interviews and a snail mail or email subscription.

Media Contact:

Robert Washington

PO Box 430

Averill Park, NY 12018

Tel: 518-674-8714

Fax: 518-674-8714

Share article on social media or email:

Catalent to Present on Integrated UpTempoSM Gene Therapy Development Platform at Upcoming ASGCT Annual Meeting


Catalent, the leader in enabling the development and supply of better treatments for patients worldwide, today announced that George Buchman, Ph.D., Vice President, Pre-Clinical and Process Development, will present at the upcoming 26th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT), which is being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 16-20, 2023.

Dr. Buchman’s presentation, on Friday, May 19, at 4:30 p.m. PDT, is entitled “One-stop Integrated Viral Vector Platform for Speed to Clinic,” and will focus on a consolidated and standardized platform to help fast-track AAV vectors to the clinic with a scalable CGMP-ready process. The complete UpTempo℠ AAV platform, which was re-launched in its expanded form in March 2023, provides increased consistency and efficiency, reducing the time to manufacture clinical-quality drug product to just nine months, while delivering a process that will readily advance to late-stage CGMP manufacture.

Dr. Buchman works in Catalent’s Cell & Gene Therapy business, which provides research services and process development and enables the translation of programs into clinical trials and commercial CGMP manufacturing. He has worked more than 30 years in the biotech industry, including at Life Technologies (now Thermo Fisher Scientific), Celera Genomics, and GeneLogic. Dr. Buchman obtained his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Albright College, Reading, Pennsylvania, and his doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Maryland.

Catalent will also be exhibiting at the conference, in booth 229. To find out more information about this event, visit https://www.catalent.com/events/asgct-annual-meeting-2023/ and to find out more about Catalent’s UpTempo AAV platform, visit Catalent.com/UpTempo.

About Catalent Cell & Gene Therapy 

Catalent Cell & Gene Therapy is an industry-leading technology, development, and manufacturing partner for advanced therapeutics. Its comprehensive cell therapy portfolio includes a wide range of expertise across a variety of cell types including CAR-T, TCR, TILs, NKs, iPSCs, and MSCs. With deep expertise in viral vector development, scale-up and manufacturing for gene therapies and viral vaccines, Catalent is a full-service partner for plasmid DNA, adeno-associated viral (AAV), lentiviral and other viral vectors, and oncolytic viruses. As an experienced and innovative partner, it has a global network of dedicated, development, clinical, and commercial manufacturing facilities, including an EMA- and FDA-licensed viral vector facility, and fill/finish capabilities located in the U.S. and Europe. With integrated solutions for plasmid DNA, viral vectors, and autologous and allogeneic cell therapies through clinical trial packaging and logistics, Catalent can provide full supply chain control, helping innovators get their advanced therapies to patients, faster.

About Catalent

Catalent is the global leader in enabling pharma, biotech, and consumer health partners to optimize product development, launch, and full life-cycle supply for patients around the world. With broad and deep scale and expertise in development sciences, delivery technologies, and multi-modality manufacturing, Catalent is a preferred industry partner for personalized medicines, consumer health brand extensions, and blockbuster drugs.

Catalent helps accelerate over 1,000 partner programs and launch over 150 new products every year. Its flexible manufacturing platforms at over 50 global sites supply around 80 billion doses of nearly 8,000 products annually. Catalent’s expert workforce of approximately 18,000 includes more than 3,000 scientists and technicians.

Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, the company generated nearly $5 billion in revenue in its 2022 fiscal year. For more information, visit http://www.catalent.com.

More products. Better treatments. Reliably supplied.™

Share article on social media or email:

Cancer Nursing Today Announces Its Inaugural CARE Award


Cancer Nursing Today, a Mashup Media, LLC property, is pleased to announce the inaugural Cancer Nursing Today CARE Award, a recognition created to thank and give back to the oncology nurses who provide such important cancer care across the continuum.

Cancer Nursing Today knows that patients rely on their oncology nurses and understands the leadership role nurses have on multidisciplinary teams. Cancer Nursing Today is also aware of the implications of “The Great Resignation” of 2021, wherein 1 in 4 health care workers resigned. The nature of cancer care and the extreme demands of the job had already caused many oncology nurses to experience burnout, and combined with the impact of The Great Resignation, the loss of nursing staff was and continues to be tremendous.

“It takes a village to fight cancer. For me, it has been a privilege to be an oncology nurse and to celebrate the recognition of my peers through this new Cancer Nursing Today CARE Award,” said oncology nurse and Cancer Nursing Today contributor Elaine S. DeMeyer, RN, MSN, AOCN®, BMTCN®, owner of beyond Oncology Education, LLC.

Cancer Nursing Today established the CARE Award to remind and affirm for these nurses that resilience and role modeling are not only necessary but essential to providing high-level patient care.

“It is important for us to recognize the essential work oncology nurses do and the significant contributions they make to patient care and the oncology community,” said JC Landry, CEO of Mashup Media. “The CARE Award is a way for us to show our support for these indispensable members of the health care team.”

The award recognizes an oncology nurse who demonstrates:

  • Commitment to professional growth
  • Attention and dedication to role modeling
  • Resilience in uncertain and strenuous times
  • Emotional intelligence in every situation

Nominees should demonstrate role modeling and/or advocacy within their community or organization related to clients, patients, colleagues, or the environment.

“This Cancer Nursing Today CARE Award is different from other oncology nursing awards, as the peer nomination process is simple; there’s no lengthy essay required. Nurses in all areas of practice along the cancer care continuum are eligible to win,” said DeMeyer.

The winner of the Cancer Nursing Today CARE Award will receive a prize (valued at $1,000) and be recognized by Cancer Nursing Today for their commitment to this incredibly important profession.

Nominate a deserving colleague now through May 31 at 11:59 PM EST.

Visit the https://cancernursingtoday.com/Cancer Nursing Today website to learn more.

###

About Mashup Media, LLC

Mashup Media, based in Manalapan, NJ, is a multimedia publishing company passionate about providing health care professionals with a platform to further publicize their work. Driven by data and analytics, Mashup Media produces cutting-edge products that deliver content from trusted sources and industry thought leadership. To learn more, visit mashupmediallc.com.

About Cancer Nursing Today

Cancer Nursing Today (CNT) delivers critical news and information to support oncology nurses throughout their education and careers, with the goal of advancing oncology treatments and care and promoting the nurse’s role in enhanced patient outcomes and quality of life. The robust digital platform provides cutting-edge cancer research, conference proceedings, practice updates, and published literature. In addition to its powerful website, CNT leverages e-newsletters and social media to highlight the best content from key opinion leaders in the field. Learn more at https://cancernursingtoday.com/cancernursingtoday.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Ideal Option Launches Mobile Addiction Clinic in Rural Idaho


Ideal Option, a national leader in evidence-based medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder, has been awarded grant funding from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) to operate a mobile clinic for addiction treatment and prevention of HIV, STI and Hepatitis. The mobile clinic will be providing services in the parking lot of the Albertsons® grocery store in Rexburg on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The mobile clinic is staffed with a registered nurse and medical assistant who will provide information about SUD treatment and prevention of HIV, STI and Hepatitis. They will also facilitate lab testing and access to an addiction medicine provider via telehealth. Patients can enroll in the Ideal Option program and start on FDA-approved medications for substance use disorder, filled by Albertsons pharmacy, on the same day. In addition to the mobile clinic at Albertsons, Ideal Option has opened a satellite office location in Rexburg – also grant-funded – where patients can be seen on Thursdays, or if inclement weather prevents operation of the mobile clinic.

“Ideal Option’s mission has always been to deliver low-barrier services to underserved communities,” said Yuki Yang, VP of behavioral health and partner operations. “We are therefore excited to partner with the Idaho DHW on this innovative approach to expanding access to life-saving prevention and treatment for SUD and associated risk in rural Idaho.”

The Ideal Option mobile clinic is now seeing new and existing patients on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and is located in the Albertsons parking lot at 490 N 2nd E, Rexburg, ID 83440. The satellite office location is seeing new and existing patients on Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and is located at 124 E. Main St., Rexburg, Idaho 83440.Most forms of insurance are accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, and patients who wish to stop using pain pills, fentanyl, heroin, alcohol or other substances, including methadone, are welcome.

Patients can walk-up to the mobile clinic to make an appointment or be seen same-day, or schedule an appointment in advance by calling 1.877.522.1275 or visiting http://www.idealoption.com.

About Rexburg Grant Funding

The project described was supported by Grant 93.788 State Opioid Response from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

About Ideal Option

Headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped more than 65,000 patients through a network of over 90 office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 11 states. With a mission to serve under-served communities, Ideal Option accepts most forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Financial assistance and payment plans are also available. Ideal Option’s team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, OB/GYN, and Family Medicine, among other specialties. The company also employs social workers, caseworkers, counselors, and mental health practitioners. This holistic approach helps drive positive outcomes, including family stability, stable housing, improved overall health, and reduced rates of recidivism. In all the communities it serves, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care. This approach includes partnerships with emergency rooms and county jail systems, where individuals with substance use disorder often appear, as well as collaborating with numerous support agencies and municipal programs addressing social needs such as housing, mental health, and nutrition support.

Share article on social media or email:

Inheritance of Hope encourages all to be intentional on National Legacy Day™


Inheritance of Hope believes that “every family deserves a legacy.” No matter your age or season of life, your legacy matters and should be shared with others.

On May 21, 2023, Inheritance of Hope will celebrate its third annual National Legacy Day™.

Inheritance of Hope (IoH) was founded on May 21, 2007 by Kristen and Deric Milligan. Faced with a rare terminal illness, Kristen looked for resources for her young family but surprisingly found none. She and her husband decided to create resources of their own and share them with others. 16 years later, the national charity continues to inspire hope and encourage all to build an intentional legacy. Each year on May 21, IoH celebrates its founding with National Legacy Day™ – a day focused on legacy and being intentional.

This year, all are invited to join in on social media by sharing and tagging someone who has impacted their life. Everyone has been impacted by someone and IoH encourages you to share with others. Visit NationalLegacyDay.org for a downloadable social media graphic to share & tag on National Legacy Day™ with #NationalLegacyDay #InheritanceOfHopeInheritance of Hope believes that “every family deserves a legacy.” No matter your age or season of life, your legacy matters and should be shared with others.

Join in on National Legacy Day™! Learn more >>

Share article on social media or email:

LM Medical NYC – (Facial Plastic Surgery and Dermatology Specialists) Physicians are Selected as a Castle Connolly 2023 Top Doctors®


News Image

“We are so honored to be recognized by our peers for this award,” says Dr. Lesley Rabach.

For patients seeking non-surgical medical treatment for dermatological needs or wanting to explore cosmetic surgery, LM Medical NYC offers the best of both worlds. As founders of the practice, Dr. Lesley Rabach, facial plastic surgeon, and Dr. Morgan Rabach, a dermatologist, provide the highest-quality medical, surgical and cosmetic care for patients. They are both proud to be featured as “Top Doctors” for 2023 by Castle Connolly in their medical fields. Physicians who receive this impressive award are among the very best in their specialties. The education, training, hospital appointments and disciplinary history of Dr. Lesley Rabach and Dr. Morgan Rabach were rigorously screened by the Castle Connolly physician-led research team. Castle Connolly publishes its list of Top Doctors at http://www.castleconnolly.com, as well as in a wide variety of partner publications, magazines and affiliate websites. The doctors who are listed in their books and directories were nominated by peers and put through an extensive evaluation process.

At LM Medical NYC, patients receive the benefit of access to two top physicians in their respective medical fields, all at one state-of-the-art facility. Dr. Lesley Rabach is an Ivy League trained expert facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and board certified in both facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Her surgical training included a fellowship sponsored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery and a residency and internship in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital. She received her Medical Degree from Drexel University College of Medicine and her undergraduate degree from Brown University. Her extensive education, training and experience have earned accolades in her field, and she has been published in various medical journals. Dr. Morgan Rabach has been nationally recognized for her many accomplishments in dermatology and aesthetics. In addition to her private practice, she is a clinical assistant professor of Dermatology at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. She graduated from Brown University with Honors in Biology, earned her medical degree from NYU- School of Medicine, completed her medical internship at Yale New Haven Hospital and she served as chief resident during her dermatology residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Dr Morgan Rabach has received many top rankings in her field and has a substantial media presence in well-known beauty publications around the world.

“We are so honored to be recognized by our peers for this award,” says Dr. Lesley Rabach.

More about LM Medical NYC:

LM Medical NYC’s clinic is located at 33 Fifth Avenue #1B in New York, NY, and provides cutting-edge cosmetic surgery and skin care treatments As sisters and founders of the practice, Dr. Lesley Rabach and Dr. Morgan Rabach combine their expertise in facial plastic surgery and dermatology, to provide a customized approach to meet each patient’s personal needs. LM Medical NYC has created a comfortable, upscale atmosphere, providing many services, ranging from the latest in clinical dermatology treatments to non-invasive cosmetic injections and youthful makeovers with plastic surgery. For more information or to schedule a consultation or appointment, please call 212-770-2272, or visit http://www.lmmedicalnyc.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Hammes ranked as No. 1 developer in 2023 Modern Healthcare Construction & Design Survey


News Image

To be ranked as the nation’s top developer by Modern Healthcare’s Construction & Design Survey for 20 years is an incredible accomplishment that reflects the collective expertise and value that Hammes brings to our healthcare provider clients.

The Modern Healthcare 2023 Construction & Design Survey recognized Hammes as the nation’s No. 1 healthcare developer. This marks the 25th consecutive year in which Hammes was ranked as one of the top healthcare developers, with 20 of those years being in the No. 1 position.

The annual Modern Healthcare Construction & Design Survey, first published in 1980, ranks development firms based on the dollar volume of healthcare construction projects completed in the previous calendar year. Projects include outpatient and inpatient projects spanning new construction as well as expansions and renovations.

Last month, Hammes was also ranked as the No. 1 developer in the Revista 2023 Outpatient Healthcare Real Estate Development Report, which measures outpatient development activity. This is the first year the same company ranked as No. 1 in both surveys since the inception of the annual Revista report in 2017.

“To be ranked as the nation’s top developer by Modern Healthcare’s Construction & Design Survey for 20 years is an incredible accomplishment that reflects the collective expertise and value that Hammes brings to our healthcare provider clients,” said Nancy Connolly, President of Hammes Healthcare. “We are grateful to our incredible team members as well as our clients and industry partners who we have the privilege to work with on truly transformative healthcare projects.”

About Hammes

Founded in 1991, Hammes is a vertically integrated real estate solutions platform specializing in healthcare real estate strategy and planning, project management, development, investment, and property management. As a testament to our deep healthcare industry experience, Hammes has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading healthcare developers by Modern Healthcare’s Construction & Design Survey for 25 consecutive years—including 20 years as No. 1— and by Revista’s Outpatient Healthcare Real Estate Development Report. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Hammes provides services through a network of regional offices strategically located across the United States. http://www.hammes.com

Share article on social media or email:

Caring Transitions Signs Agreement for New Location in Carrollton Continues Impressive Momentum


“Now, we want to accelerate growth because we believe there should be a Caring Transitions location in every market to serve seniors and their families through life’s stages,” said Caring Transitions President Ray Fabik.

Caring Transitions, the franchise that provides older adults and their families with the most trusted, respected and comprehensive downsizing, right-sizing, estate sales and online auctions, and move management solutions in the industry, is continuing its recent momentum with the signing for a new location in Carrollton, Texas. In 2022, the brand signed over 40 new franchise owners and entered 20 new cities, making significant strides towards its goal of reaching 400 units in the next five years. So far this year, Caring Transitions has signed 12 new franchise agreements across the country.

“Our growth just keeps getting better every year,” said Caring Transitions President Ray Fabik. “I hear phrases like pandemic-proof and recession-proof, and while I don’t like to use those words, our brand has certainly shown itself to be very resilient. We are really an essential service. When the economy turns even a little bit, people still need to take care of their parents. Our business continues to accomplish big things in light of whatever happens out there. When you look back at the last three years, it has been challenging, but we continue to have double-digit growth year after year.”

As the nation’s largest provider of senior-relocation services, Caring Transitions is increasingly making waves in the $832.8 billion industry, as there are very few businesses specifically equipped to help seniors move from their homes to a care facility or to manage the relocation or sale of all personal belongings. Caring Transitions helps seniors relocate by spending time at their homes, helping them pack and organize their belongings, then moving those belongings to the new home and setting them up in a way that feels comfortable.

Willette Glenn, the franchise owner behind the new Carrollton signing, says they are excited to bring these much-needed services to their community. The deal was closed by Shawn Harrison, Director of Franchise Development.

Glenn is a IT Director for Pepsico. Her emphasis on customer satisfaction has resulted in many awards and accolades throughout her 26 year career. Glenn resides in Little Elm, TX with her husband and their two daughters.

Glenn joins a powerhouse group of owners in the North Dallas Suburbs. While the Fort Worth area is saturated with owners, there are still more opportunities to own a Caring Transitions in the metro-Dallas neighborhood.

Now, with more and more qualified and passionate franchisees like Glenn signing on to join the system, Fabik says Caring Transitions shows no signs of slowing down.

“We know that we have a great brand and that Caring Transitions ownership can be a great fit for someone who is tired of their corporate job and wants control of their own destiny, wants to own a business that is truly making a difference in communities, or wants to apply their skill set to working in the senior or auction space,” Fabik said. “Now, we want to accelerate growth because we believe there should be a Caring Transitions location in every market to serve seniors and their families through life’s stages.”

Caring Transitions has identified these states as priorities for franchise development: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Vermont.

Fees to open a Caring Transition range from $58,912 to $82,712. To learn more about franchising with Caring Transitions, visit https://strategicfranchising.com/caring-transitions/.

ABOUT CARING TRANSITIONS:

Caring Transitions provides older adults and their families with the most trusted, respected and comprehensive downsizing, right-sizing, estate sales and online auctions, and move management solutions in the industry. Founded in 2006, the brand is committed to helping people in a compassionate and caring manner during life’s many transitions while providing a total and easy solution for clients in their time of need. Through their proprietary online sales platform, CTBIDS, Caring Transitions also prepares clients for the process of liquidating assets through their own online estate sales auction site. With over 250 locations, Caring Transitions’ compassionate, experienced professionals minimize stress and relieve the burdens of life’s transitions. To learn more visit https://www.caringtransitions.com/

Share article on social media or email:

A-Alpha Bio and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory expand collaboration to accelerate antibody discovery and development for biothreats


A-Alpha Bio

“Our collaboration with the A-Alpha Bio team leverages their platform and expertise toward state-of-the-art computational models that will accelerate drug discovery.”

A-Alpha Bio, a synthetic biology and machine learning company that measures and engineers protein-protein interactions, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), a federally funded research and development center, today announced their intention to collaborate to combat multiple pathogen families of concern. To enable this work, A-Alpha Bio has been awarded an additional $2.4M sub-contract from the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) in support of the Generative Unconstrained Intelligent Drug Engineering (GUIDE) Program, which the company will use to generate large-scale and quantitative protein-protein interaction (PPI) data and support LLNL’s advanced high-performance computational models for antibody discovery and development.

In support of DOD, over the past year, A-Alpha and LLNL have measured tens of millions of protein interactions between antibodies and coronavirus variants using A-Alpha Bio’s AlphaSeq platform. The experimental data has proven valuable for building and refining LLNL’s computational models for predicting antibody sequences that bind to current and possible future variants of concern. Beyond the pandemic, there is a well-recognized need to ensure preparation for other potential biological threats. Under the GUIDE program, A-Alpha and LLNL will focus their efforts to generate antibody-antigen binding data and train predictive Machine Learning (ML) models for multiple pathogen families prioritized by the DOD.

A-Alpha Bio’s AlphaSeq platform represents the first large-scale and quantitative approach for measuring protein-protein interactions. The AlphaSeq platform can simultaneously measure millions of interactions between antibodies and antigens to determine properties like affinity, specificity, cross-reactivity, and epitope engagement. These data are particularly valuable for training and validating ML models aimed at predicting desirable antibody sequences for therapeutic development. Under the new funding, the teams will work on 5 selected pathogen families that are considered biothreats.

Antibody libraries from LLNL and others will be synthesized and cloned into the AlphaSeq platform to measure all pairwise interactions between each antibody and a library of antigen variants. LLNL will use the binding data to train and refine ML models that learn the affinity landscape across antibody and antigen sequence space. Antibodies with desirable in silico binding profile predictions will be synthesized and tested in subsequent AlphaSeq assays for validation and refinement. Highly predictive ML models will enable computational design of antibodies against never before seen pathogen variants, reducing the response time for future biothreats.

“Based on our experience working with the LLNL team and the computational resources and knowhow that they bring, we are excited to tackle multiple pathogen families beyond COVID,” said Dr. David Younger, Co-Founder and CEO of A-Alpha Bio. “This expanded scope underscores the value of large-scale and high-quality antibody-antigen binding data for training ML models and the importance of rapid experimental iteration to test and refine those models.”

LLNL’s platform integrates world-class high-performance computing and simulation, machine learning, structural bioinformatics, and multi-objective optimization to perform in silico antibody and antigen design and optimization. Critical to these computational models is antibody-antigen binding data that can be experimentally determined using AlphaSeq.

“The AlphaSeq platform can rapidly measure millions of antigen-antibody binding affinities, providing data for our high-performance computational models and enabling accurate binding predictions,” said Daniel Faissol, Principal Investigator for AI-Driven Development of Biologic Countermeasures at LLNL. “Our collaboration with the A-Alpha Bio team leverages their platform and expertise toward state-of-the-art computational models that will accelerate drug discovery.”

About A-Alpha Bio

A-Alpha Bio uses synthetic biology and machine learning to measure, discover, predict, and engineer protein-protein interactions.

The company’s AlphaSeq platform applies synthetic biology to experimentally measure millions of protein-protein interaction affinities simultaneously. Protein binding data is incorporated into the company’s AlphaBind platform to train machine learning models that predict binding from sequence. A-Alpha Bio uses both platforms to discover and optimize high-impact therapeutics for their own pipeline and in partnership with industry leaders.

A-Alpha Bio is based in Seattle and was founded in 2017 at the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design and Center for Synthetic Biology. To learn more, please visit: https://www.aalphabio.com/

About Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory provides solutions to our nation’s most important national security challenges through innovative science, engineering and technology. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.

About the JPEO-CBRND

The Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) mission is to provide an integrated layered chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense capabilities to the Joint Force across combined Joint All-Domain Operations. JPEO-CBRND’s goal is to enable the Joint Force to fight and win unencumbered by a CBRN environment. This contract was funded by the Joint Project Lead for CBRND Enabling Biotechnologies (JPL CBRND-EB) in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE) under agreement # A2210-021-089-033253. To learn more about JPEO-CBRND, visit: https://www.jpeocbrnd.osd.mil/, or follow JPEO-CBRND on social media @JPEOCBRND.

Share article on social media or email:

Caring Transitions Signs Agreement for New Location in Raleigh, NC, Continues Impressive Momentum


“We know that we have a great brand and that Caring Transitions ownership can be a great fit for someone who is tired of their corporate job and wants control of their own destiny,” Caring Transitions President Ray Fabik said.

Caring Transitions, the franchise that provides older adults and their families with the most trusted, respected, and comprehensive downsizing, right-sizing, estate sales, and online auctions, and move management solutions in the industry, is continuing its recent momentum with the signing for a new location in the Raleigh suburb of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. In 2022, the brand signed over 40 new franchise owners and entered 20 new cities, making significant strides toward its goal of reaching 400 units in the next five years. So far this year, Caring Transitions has signed 12 new franchise agreements across the country.

“Our growth just keeps getting better every year,” said Caring Transitions President Ray Fabik. “I hear phrases like pandemic-proof and recession-proof, and while I don’t like to use those words, our brand has certainly shown itself to be very resilient. We are really an essential service. When the economy turns even a little bit, people still need to take care of their parents. Our business continues to accomplish big things in light of whatever happens out there. When you look back at the last three years, it has been challenging, but we continue to have double-digit growth year after year.”

As the nation’s largest provider of senior-relocation services, Caring Transitions is increasingly making waves in the $832.8 billion industry, as there are very few businesses specifically equipped to help seniors move from their homes to a care facility or to manage the relocation or sale of all personal belongings. Caring Transitions helps seniors relocate by spending time at their homes, helping them pack and organize their belongings, then moving those belongings to the new home and setting them up in a way that feels comfortable.

Becky and Steve Shelton, the franchise owners behind the new Fuquay-Varina signing, say they are excited to bring these much-needed services to their community. The deal was closed by Susan Walker, Senior Director of Franchise Development.

The Sheltons have been residents of the Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs area for over 30 years. Becky spent the majority of her career as a Sales and Catering Manager for a Hotel & Convention Center in the Research Triangle Park. She was recently employed in an administration role for the Public School System, and later with White Electrical in Apex. Steve is a CPA and previously worked in Public Accounting. He has been in health care Finance, primarily non-profits, for the past 14 years. The Sheltons will be joining two other Caring Transitions owners in the Raleigh area.

Now, with more and more qualified and passionate franchisees like the Sheltons signing on to join the system, Fabik says Caring Transitions shows no signs of slowing down.

“We know that we have a great brand and that Caring Transitions ownership can be a great fit for someone who is tired of their corporate job and wants control of their own destiny, wants to own a business that is truly making a difference in communities or wants to apply their skill set to working in the senior or auction space,” Fabik said. “Now, we want to accelerate growth because we believe there should be a Caring Transitions location in every market to serve seniors and their families through life’s stages.”

Caring Transitions can still accommodate several more owners in the Raleigh area.

Caring Transitions has identified these states as priorities for franchise development: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont.

Fees to open a Caring Transitions range from $58,912 to $82,712.

To learn more about franchising with Caring Transitions, visit https://strategicfranchising.com/caring-transitions/.

ABOUT CARING TRANSITIONS:

Caring Transitions provides older adults and their families with the most trusted, respected, and comprehensive downsizing, right-sizing, estate sales, online auctions, and move management solutions in the industry. Founded in 2006, the brand is committed to helping people in a compassionate and caring manner during life’s many transitions while providing a total and easy solution for clients in their time of need. Through their proprietary online sales platform, CTBIDS, Caring Transitions also prepares clients for the process of liquidating assets through their own online estate sales auction site. With over 250 locations, Caring Transitions’ compassionate, experienced professionals minimize stress and relieve the burdens of life’s transitions.

To learn more visit https://www.caringtransitions.com/

Share article on social media or email: