All posts by imreal

Greenberg Traurig Adds Well-Known Financial Markets Regulation Attorney Akihiro Wani in Tokyo


Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP continues its strategic expansion in Tokyo with the addition of Akihiro Wani, a well-known industry leader on financial markets regulation, who joins as senior counsel from Morrison & Foerster.

TOKYO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP continues its strategic expansion in Tokyo with the addition of Akihiro Wani, a well-known industry leader on financial markets regulation, who joins as senior counsel from Morrison & Foerster.

Wani, a licensed bengoshi in Japan, has wide-ranging experience with regulation for financial instruments, including derivatives and swaps, as he has served as counsel for the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) in Japan, and is a founding member of the Financial Law Board sponsored by the Bank of Japan. He has more than 30 years of experience representing Japanese as well as international clients on financial regulatory matters and transactions involving new financial instruments.

“At a time when the Japanese business climate is so exciting and stable, and so intertwined with our many other global locations and practices, I am excited to welcome a senior and widely respected industry leader such as Akihiro as another new member of our longstanding Tokyo office. His capital markets experience and knowledge of the regulatory framework governing financial instruments in Japan are uniquely important assets, strengthening our regulatory capabilities for client transactions and otherwise while allowing him to train and mentor younger lawyers,” said Richard A. Rosenbaum, the firm’s Executive Chairman.

“The addition of Akihiro Wani is a significant milestone for our Tokyo office. He is the fourth addition in 12 months. But more importantly, Wani’s deep understanding of how derivatives are regulated can assist clients such as Japanese banks and other financial institutions as well as benefit foreign financial entities operating in Japan,” said Koji Ishikawa, managing shareholder of the Tokyo office, and Koichiro Ohashi, co-chair of the Japan Practice. “During his lengthy career, he has managed innovative transactions such as advising on the first public offering of credit-linked securities in Japan and is also equally adept representing clients on corporate and cross-border matters.”

In addition to Wani, the Tokyo office has added three attorneys: Corporate Shareholder Hiroshi Miura, and two Real Estate Practice lawyers, Shareholder Yuko Ino and Of Counsel Koh Ueda.

Wani earned an LL.B from The University of Tokyo in 1975 and an LL.M in 1977 and was awarded an LL.M from Columbia University School of Law in 1982. He is admitted to practice law in New York and Japan. He has served as a professor of law at Tokyo’s Sophia Law School since 2004.

“Greenberg Traurig provides me with an opportunity to advise clients first-hand who need guidance with Japanese financial regulations, which I have always seen as an important aspect of my work as an attorney,” Wani said. He added that he was attracted to the firm because of its long history as well as its entrepreneurial and collaborative culture. “I am also looking forward to sharing my knowledge of the financial markets with younger attorneys and associates at the firm so they can benefit from my experience.”

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2650 attorneys in 47 locations in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm is a 2022 BTI “Highly Recommended Law Firm” for superior client service and is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100 and NLJ 500. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab. The firm is recognized for powering its U.S. offices with 100% renewable energy as certified by the Center for Resource Solutions Green-e® Energy program and is a member of the U.S. EPA’s Green Power Partnership Program. The firm is known for its philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com.

Media Contact
Bea Garcia, Greenberg Traurig, +1 305.579.7703, [email protected], https://www.gtlaw.com/en

SOURCE Greenberg Traurig

The Biden Administration Waves White Flag in FGA v. HHS Lawsuit on Drug Price Transparency


In response to its resounding legal victory in the federal lawsuit FGA v. HHS, FGA released the following statement:

“When the Biden administration decided to take the side of health insurers and drug manufacturers, FGA decided to take the side of patients and their families. We stood up to the federal behemoth in court, and we won,” said Tarren Bragdon, president and CEO at the Foundation for Government Accountability. “Because of this victory, millions of Americans will have transparent access to the information they need to make informed health care decisions.”

“Washington gridlock can make major policy advancements difficult to come by. But FGA is committed to finding ways to make a positive impact across the country and keep the American Dream alive. That’s why we fight, and that’s why winning matters so much,” added Bragdon.

The TiC rule aims to provide patients with critical information needed to make informed health decisions, improving health care quality by promoting free-market solutions through price transparency. The Biden administration’s refusal to allow agencies to enforce this rule without first following the formal process of withdrawing and amending the rule, which requires a lengthy and transparent notice-and-comment period, violated federal law.

“The Biden administration broke the law when they prohibited agencies from enforcing the drug price transparency rule, and they knew it. That’s why they caved in response to FGA’s lawsuit by formally reversing their non-enforcement policy on drug price transparency before a federal judge compelled them to do so,” said Stewart Whitson, legal director at FGA. “Whenever government officials willfully ignore the law, it’s crucial they be held accountable. But holding the administration accountable takes resources and skill that those suffering from this refusal often lack. That’s where FGA comes in. FGA is proud to step up on behalf of everyday Americans and use the power of the courts to hold elected officials and government bureaucrats accountable, especially when their actions harm patients and their families.”

“When FGA engages in a legal battle, we fight to win. Now that the Biden administration has surrendered their position of non-enforcement, and our objective has been fully achieved, it is time to drop our lawsuit and shift our focus to the next worthy battle,” added Whitson.

NARRATIVE BACKGROUND:

In 2019, The Trump administration announced the Transparency in Coverage (TiC) effort to create administrative rules requiring increased transparency and upfront disclosure of health care costs, including prescription drug pricing. The rule was finalized in 2020 and the drug price transparency provision was set to take effect on January 1, 2022. But before the rule could take effect, the Biden administration used an FAQ guidance document to block enforcement of the Transparency in Coverage rule.

In response, FGA filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury for prohibiting the enforcement of the drug price transparency rule. Due to pressure from FGA’s lawsuit, the Departments issued updated FAQ guidance reversing their previous position of non-enforcement.

For more information about FGA’s legal efforts, filing, and active lawsuits, click here.

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a non-profit, multi-state think tank that promotes public policy solutions to create opportunities for every American to experience the American Dream. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.

Media Contact

Adam Gibbs, Foundation for Government Accountability, 239.244.8808 x 165, [email protected], www.theFGA.org

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SOURCE Foundation for Government Accountability



Genomic Analysis Reveals Ancient Cancer Lineages in Clams


The study is published alongside an independent study of a transmissible cancer in cockles in Europe conducted by Jose Tubio, Ph.D., Adrian Baez-Ortega, Ph.D., and others at the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Together, these two studies enable scientists to learn what is different about individual transmissible cancers and what mechanisms they have in common, providing new information critical to understanding how cancer evolves.

Dr. Michael Metzger commented on the significance of these findings, stating, “This work offers us a window into the evolution of these amazingly long-lived cancers and changes our understanding of how cancer cells can survive to continue to infect their hosts despite massive genomic rearrangement and mutation.”

The genomic analysis of cancer in clams advances current knowledge of cancer biology and underscores the importance of studying contagious cancers in their natural settings.

Dr. Metzger added, “By understanding how these cancers evolve, and how the clams themselves evolve in response to these infectious cancers, we hope to gain insights that could help us develop novel strategies for blocking cancer in humans and other species. It’s a natural experiment that provides a unique opportunity to give us insight into cancer that we could not get anywhere else.”

About PNRI:
Pacific Northwest Research Institute (PNRI) is a nonprofit biomedical research institute, where scientists are using innovative approaches in genetics and genomics to tackle some of the most difficult problems in science and medicine. The institute was founded 67 years ago in Seattle, Washington, as a place where scientists were free to pursue discoveries that promised the highest chance of improving human health. The goal was at the beginning, and remains today, to conduct foundational science leading to impactful medical innovations. To learn more, visit https://pnri.org.

Media Contact

Louise Maxwell, Pacific Northwest Research Institute, 206-568-1479, [email protected], https://pnri.org

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SOURCE Pacific Northwest Research Institute



Arnel Manalo Joins Digital Silence as Chief Security Officer


As Digital Silence’s Chief Security Officer, Arnel supports the delivery of cybersecurity services to Financial Services, Mortgage Banks, Credit Unions, Healthcare, Media and Entertainment and other mid-market organizations to meet their cybersecurity objectives. In his previous roles as well as with Digital Silence, Arnel’s key focus is leading and building a team of world-class cybersecurity professionals to tackle adversaries, keep operations smooth, and to grow the maturity of cybersecurity programs.

About Digital Silence:

Digital Silence, based in Denver, was founded with one goal in mind — to do security consulting right. Consistency, commitment to quality, attention to detail, and unsurpassed client care are central to our company’s culture and ethos. We strive to be active contributors to the security community, and we have dedicated training and R&D programs staffed by passionate instructors and researchers.

Arnel Manalo, CISSP: With nearly two decades of progressive IT and cybersecurity experience, Arnel has developed and supported comprehensive cybersecurity programs around the globe within multiple organizations across various industries. He focuses on aligning compliance, reducing risk, and partnering with key stakeholders to meet business objectives.

Media Contact

JT Gaietto, Digital Silence, 1 888.715.3623, [email protected], https://digitalsilence.com/

SOURCE Digital Silence

Partner Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center Opens its Doors on Monday, October 2


“I am delighted to welcome Partner Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center to Frederick County,” County Executive Jessica Fitzwater says. “This state-of-the-art veterinary hospital creates new jobs for our residents and brings cutting-edge medical care for our beloved pets. The County’s Fast Track program makes our community attractive to businesses, and I’m excited to see a women-owned business taking advantage of this and other support programs.”

Dedicated to community care, the PVESC interlocking logo represents the Partner Team, Pet Families, and Primary Care Veterinarians. This synergy, combined with decades of experience in the veterinary profession, gives the Partner team the ability and resources to provide information, answer questions, and assist in navigating the care needed for pets.

“Being a local resident of Frederick, I was excited to bring another option for emergency and specialty care to pet owners,” states Christine Stafford, President. “Every single member of our team has worked so hard to make this hospital a reality, and they are more than ready to help service the community.”

To make an appointment, call 301-200-8185. To learn more about PVESC, visit partnervesc.com.

Partner Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center (PVESC) is a women-helmed business whose mission is to transform the veterinary profession. After spending 20+ years in veterinary emergency and specialty medicine, our founders, Christine, and Katie, set out to reinvent the standard approach to veterinary care. Building from the ground up, they are opening the first women-owned and led veterinary emergency and specialty care practice in Frederick, MD, with a second location opening in Richmond, VA by the end of 2023.

Media Contact

Stacy Walls, Partner Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center, 301.514.8690, [email protected], https://partnervesc.com/ 

SOURCE Partner Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center

Celebrating AutoRentals.com’s 11th Anniversary with Discounts up to 25%


AutoRentals.com sets itself apart by delivering a great experience for travelers and partners. Its comprehensive search results help travelers find the perfect car at the best price making it easy to compare results to make an informed choice. When a traveler searches, AutoRentals.com connects with its 215 active partners in real-time to get up-to-the-minute pricing and availability.

“As we celebrate AutoRentals.com’s 11th year, I stand proudly alongside our exceptional team as the leading independent car rental website in North America and we thank both our esteemed partners and travelers who rely on AutoRentals.com for their rental car needs. We look forward to many more years of redefining the car rental experience,” David Morton, CEO of AutoRentals.com, reflects.

To commemorate this milestone, AutoRentals.com has partnered with car rental companies to offer a limited-time discount up to 25% off. These exclusive deals are available from Avis, Budget, Sixt, York, Hub and GreenMotion. Additionally, BabyQuip, the baby equipment rental company, is offering $11 off any rental over $111. These offers are bookable from October 2nd to October 16th, with pick-up available through the end of the year. (Other restrictions may apply). Now is the perfect time to take advantage of these exclusive rates and finalize your Holiday travel plans.

To take advantage of these incredible offers, create an account at https://www.autorentals.com/11th.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Charlie Graham

Vice President Sales & Marketing

[email protected] 

About AutoRentals.com: 

AutoRentals.com is a leading online car rental booking platform, dedicated to providing travelers with a seamless and cost-effective rental experience. With a vast network of partners and a commitment to outstanding service, AutoRentals.com has become a trusted name in the travel industry. For more information, visit https://www.autorentals.com.

Media Contact

Charlie Graham, AutoRentals.com, 1 (831) 540-2198, [email protected], https://www.autorentals.com

SOURCE AutoRentals.com

BioFactura Funded $16 Million Contract Option for its Smallpox Biodefense Therapeutic


Dr. Darryl Sampey, President and CEO of BioFactura, stated, “Funding of this option moves the program into cGMP manufacturing to support clinical development. BioFactura is proud to partner with BARDA in providing advanced therapeutics that will protect US citizens.”

Jeffrey Hausfeld, M.D., M.B.A., BioFactura’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Medical Officer, stated, “We are taking lessons learned from the COVID pandemic to ensure preparedness and foresight when dealing with potentially lethal viral pathogens.”

Dr. Kimberly Clark, BioFactura’s Program Manager, added, “BARDA continues to be an excellent partner in this program. We have maintained a collaborative and scientific working relationship that has sustained the accelerated progress of the program towards the Investigational New Drug Application (IND) stage.”

This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under contract number 75A50119C00054.

About BioFactura, Inc.
BioFactura, Inc. (Frederick MD) develops and commercializes high-value biodefense medical countermeasures and biosimilars (i.e., follow-on biologics or generic biopharmaceuticals) using its patented StableFast™ Biomanufacturing Platform, the optimal system for bringing these drugs to market with faster, lower cost, superior-quality manufacture. For over 15 years, BioFactura has been advancing life-saving medicines from the research bench to the patient using its innovative drug development and manufacturing technologies. Current and past programs include biodefense drugs against smallpox and Ebola, novel medicines for cancer, and low-cost/high-quality biosimilars for autoimmune and infectious diseases.

Media Contact

Jeffrey N. Hausfeld M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S., BioFactura Inc., 301-792-8601, [email protected], www.biofactura.com

SOURCE BioFactura Inc.

Los Angeles Vascular Surgeon, Varicose & Spider Vein Treatment Specialist Dr. Rameen Moridzadeh Receives Castle Connolly’s 2023 Top Doctor® Award



Recipients of this prestigious award were nominated by their peers, and it is a highly selective list. Those who are among the very best in their specialties are chosen for inclusion.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Rameen Moridzadeh, M.D. has been selected as a 2023 Top Doctor® by Castle Connolly. He has earned this impressive award for his expertise as one of the top vein specialists and vascular surgeons in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Moridzadeh’s medical education, training, hospital appointments and disciplinary history were rigorously screened by the Castle Connolly physician-led research team. Castle Connolly publishes its list of Top Doctors at http://www.castleconnolly.com and in a wide variety of partner publications, magazines and affiliate websites. Around 5% of the nation’s licensed physicians have been selected as Castle Connolly Top Doctors in their regions for their specialties. Individuals do not and cannot pay to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Dr. Moridzadeh is a fellowship-trained and board-certified vascular and endovascular surgeon well-known for successfully treating conditions affecting veins, arteries and other blood vessels. He specializes in minimally invasive options and surgical procedures to improve vascular health and can offer an accurate diagnosis, delivering the best care possible. He has performed thousands of treatments for varicose veins, peripheral artery disease (PAD), carotid artery stenosis, aortic aneurysms, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), spider veins and chronic venous insufficiency at his clinics and hospitals. Dr. Moridzadeh offers RF ablation, sclerotherapy, laser therapy and vascular surgery for his patients, many of which require little to no downtime after the procedure.