The established site for our new facility and multi-phase expansion strategy enables VGXI to continue to grow and support the success of our clients’ products as these industries mature.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (PRWEB)
August 06, 2020

VGXI, a highly regarded CDMO supporting the gene therapy and DNA vaccine industries, announces it has closed on the purchase of greenfield for a new, expanded manufacturing facility. The site is located in Deison Technology Park in Conroe, TX and includes over 21 acres in the initial acquisition, with an option to purchase an additional 21 acres for future expansion. In collaboration with design-build partner BE&K, the Design Development phase of the project is well underway with groundbreaking planned in 3Q 2020 and substantial completion targeted by 3Q 2021. The first phase of the facility is expected to be operational by January 2022.

Multiple manufacturing trains are incorporated into Phase 1 of the design to achieve over 500% increase in capacity immediately upon completion, with established timelines for continued, rapid growth in the facility and production capabilities. In addition, there is flexibility within each GMP suite to support a wide range of projects from early clinical through commercial supply. The facility will also include micro processing suites for small scale projects and dedicated areas for GMP RNA manufacturing.

“Demand for high quality and reliable plasmid manufacturing services has increased dramatically as DNA immunotherapy and gene therapies demonstrate success in clinical studies,” stated VGXI CEO Young Park. “The established site for our new facility and multi-phase expansion strategy enables VGXI to continue to grow and support the success of our clients’ products as these industries mature.”

ABOUT VGXI, INC.

VGXI, Inc. is a leading provider of manufacturing and development services for DNA vaccines and gene therapies. The company has a reputation of success in manufacturing DNA products under cGMP conditions for clinical trials in the US, EU, Asia, Canada, and Australia, and its cGMP and non-GMP products have passed rigorous reviews by several international regulatory agencies. VGXI’s ability to work with unique requirements and create custom manufacturing solutions is based on its patented manufacturing process, flexible cGMP production facility, and experienced development team. VGXI, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary CDMO of GeneOne Life Science, Inc. To learn more or request a quote, visit http://www.vgxii.com.

ABOUT GENEONE LIFE SCIENCE

GeneOne Life Science Inc. (“GeneOne” KOSPI: 011000) is an international DNA vaccine and product developer, and leading contract manufacturer of DNA plasmid-based agents for pre-clinical and clinical trials for global companies and institutions. It researches and develops DNA vaccines and products to prevent and treat incurable diseases in South Korea and internationally. The company is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. VGXI, Inc., GeneOne’s wholly-owned manufacturing subsidiary located in Texas, is the largest pure-play cGMP DNA plasmid manufacturing facility in the world. For more information, visit http://www.genels.com.

CAUTIONARY FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

Materials in this press release contain information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances or future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective products or product approvals, future performance or results of current and anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, and financial results. Any or all of our forward-looking statements here or in other publications may turn out to be incorrect. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining our actual future results. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and forward-looking statements may be adversely affected by factors, including general market conditions, competitive product development, product availability, current and future branded and generic competition, federal and state regulations and legislation, manufacturing issues, timing of the elimination of trade buying, patent positions, litigations and investigations. Our actual results may vary materially, and there are no guarantees about the performance or valuation of GeneOne stock. It is also important to read the disclosure notice contained in many of the individual GeneOne documents available on the website, as many contain important information on such cautionary factors as of the date of the individual document. We undertake no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our reports.

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The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology game is shown on a smartphone.

“The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology game can be used to asynchronously introduce critical concepts related to the flow of information from DNA to RNA to proteins, which are fundamental to understanding biology, evolution and human health.”

SEATTLE (PRWEB)
August 06, 2020

Molecular biology is complicated business, and teaching core concepts to students is undoubtedly challenging — even in non-pandemic times.

In response to this problem, ISB researchers have created a video game that teaches secondary students (grades 6-12) the key tenets of molecular biology in a fun, interactive and engaging way, and can be used by teachers as a supplemental aide to assist with complex lessons.

“The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology game can be used to asynchronously introduce critical concepts related to the flow of information from DNA to RNA to proteins, which are fundamental to understanding biology, evolution and human health,” said ISB Research Scientist Dr. Jacob Valenzuela. The game is free and web-based, and can operate on any smartphone or computer browser — though the game creators say it works best with a touchscreen.

EQUAL ACCESS TO STEM CONCEPTS

Valenzuela and his colleagues created this game with STEM equity in mind, and it directly addresses the challenge of scalability in STEM education. “We knew a web-based game would provide access to millions of students across the country and around the globe, particularly as internet connectivity continues to rise,” he said.

Initial indications of the game’s efficacy and engagement are extremely promising. Early beta test results showed that nearly 80 percent of students that played the game were more interested in learning about the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology. Nearly 90 percent of students said they had fun playing the game, which is important to maintaining engagement.

“It was super fun! The music is super catchy,” said one high school senior.

“I think it’s cool that it shows the idea of mutation. I can definitely see it being a helpful tool for a freshman year biology class,” said another student.

Plus, teachers can monitor the performance of their students, and address specific areas that are proving to be a challenge.

“We spend a lot of time teaching the central dogma and how DNA codes for specific proteins,” said one high school teacher who teaches Agricultural Science and Biology. “This game would be so much fun to either use as a friendly competition within the class or as a supplemental activity to help solidify the ideas of the central dogma. It is awesome!”

FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology is ISB’s first iteration of a gaming platform, but there are a number of educational avenues to pursue with it as a template. For example, developers can create gaming frameworks for systems medicine, gut microbiome health, environmental sustainability, and any other topic area. “The opportunities are limitless. If we can think of it, we can create it,” Valenzuela said.

This work came about thanks to the Innovator Awards Program, which was created to catalyze the development of collaborative research for innovation and discovery within ISB. Valenzuela is the lead investigator of this project, and he worked closely with his collaborators Becky Howsmon, Wei-Ju Wu, Nyasha Chambwe, Jen Eklund and Lauren Bricker. Importantly, University of Washington undergraduate students did most of the coding for the game. Working to develop a game was a unique experience for the students, who gained valuable experience working with a diverse team, similar to a fast-paced startup environment.

The team’s expertise includes systems thinking, molecular biology, software development, and STEM practices.

“Thanks to funding from the Innovator Award Program, a cross-disciplinary team of scientists from several labs within and outside of ISB were able to work together with a common goal,” Valenzuela said.

About ISB

Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) is a collaborative and cross-disciplinary non-profit biomedical research organization based in Seattle. We focus on some of the most pressing issues in human health, including brain health, cancer, sepsis and aging, as well as many chronic and infectious diseases. Our science is translational, and we champion sound scientific research that results in real-world clinical impacts. ISB is an affiliate of Providence Health System, one of the largest not-for-profit health care systems in the United States. Please visit our website at http://www.isbscience.org.

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“We are delighted to have Eric and Jessica join Alucio. Their individual expertise helps round out our executive team to ensure we build the company and deliver substantive value to our customers,” said Tom O’Connell, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Alucio.

SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB)
August 06, 2020

Alucio™, a fast-growing provider of cloud-based software for the life sciences industry, is pleased to announce that Eric Chen and Jessica Wong have joined the company’s leadership team as Vice President of Engineering, and Vice President of Product Management & Strategy, respectively.

Eric Chen heads development efforts for Alucio’s flagship product, Beacon, an innovative cloud-based content management and presentation tool specifically designed for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and other field medical professionals. “I’m excited to join Alucio and lead our capable team of developers. We’re applying the latest cloud-based technologies in a unique way to build a platform that advances scientific exchange,” explained Eric.

Eric brings over 15 years of experience leading development teams, including building highly-regarded SaaS applications in the life science and healthcare industries. Most recently, he was the lead architect for CancerLinQ, the real-world data initiative of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Eric was also a member of the founding teams at Oration and Medrio – two successful healthcare SaaS companies where he was responsible for building the engineering teams and products.

Jessica Wong is a seasoned healthcare marketer with over 16 years of experience in the Biopharma industry across both U.S. and global markets. Jessica sets product requirements, defines the roadmap and leads overall strategy for Beacon. “It’s really rewarding to help create a product that addresses a clear market gap and brings tangible value to MSLs and the medical affairs function. We’ve made these users our priority and I’m thrilled about what the future holds,” said Jessica.

In her previous positions, Jessica has implemented numerous mission-critical and user-centric digital solutions to enable HCP disease and therapeutic education, as well as patient treatment access and adherence support. Prior to joining Alucio, Jessica held leadership roles at major organizations including Roche Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Omnicom, closerlook and Accenture.

“We are delighted to have Eric and Jessica join Alucio. Both bring a wealth of knowledge to the company with proven track records within the life science industry. Their individual expertise helps round out our executive team to ensure we build the company and deliver substantive value to our customers,” said Tom O’Connell, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Alucio.

About Alucio:

Alucio is dedicated to the development of innovative software applications specifically for the life sciences industry. Alucio’s flagship product, Beacon, is a cloud-based content management and presentation platform that enhances scientific exchange between life science companies and healthcare professionals. For more information, please visit the company’s website http://www.alucio.io or contact: Lisa Amin Gulezian lgulezian@alucio.io (925) 788-3533

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Xtalks Life Science Webinars

Successful manufacture of HPAPIs includes containment design and installation considerations, Best Industrial Hygiene Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, and the process of characterizing, challenging, and verifying isolator performance.

TORONTO (PRWEB)
August 05, 2020

In this webinar, Tom Evans, MS, CMMS, an expert in hazardous manufacturing controls, will discuss the planning, resources, and capabilities necessary to effectively produce a client’s highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredient (HPAPI) therapeutic, while effectively controlling the risk of exposure to operating personnel. Controlling exposure is a critical factor in successfully bringing many of today’s novel, highly potent drugs to the clinic and eventually to the commercial market. Successful manufacture of HPAPIs includes containment design and installation considerations, Best Industrial Hygiene Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, and the process of characterizing, challenging, and verifying isolator performance.

The biopharma industry has increasingly moved toward more potent and selective active pharmaceutical ingredients, and while this has had great therapeutic advantage, it can pose risks to those employees who manufacture these HPAPIs and final drug products. It can also be challenging for drug developers to locate contract manufacturing services that are able to manage the very low occupational exposure levels (OEL) associated with these unique products. This is a particularly challenging dilemma when developing and manufacturing highly potent injectable and infused biologics. The crossroads of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and low OELs can be some of the most complex engineering, product quality, and industrial hygiene challenges found within in the pharma industry. Developing containment strategies that allow employees to work with these therapeutics in a production environment and effectively control the risk of exposing them to occupational illness must be a sustained business focus.

Join Tom Evans, MS CHMM, Director Safety, Health & Environment, Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services in a live webinar on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 11am EDT (4pm BST/UK).

For more information or to register for this event, visit Are You Protecting Employees During HPAPI Manufacturing?

ABOUT XTALKS

Xtalks, powered by Honeycomb Worldwide Inc., is a leading provider of educational webinars to the global life science, food and medical device community. Every year thousands of industry practitioners (from life science, food and medical device companies, private & academic research institutions, healthcare centers, etc.) turn to Xtalks for access to quality content. Xtalks helps Life Science professionals stay current with industry developments, trends and regulations. Xtalks webinars also provide perspectives on key issues from top industry thought leaders and service providers.

To learn more about Xtalks visit http://xtalks.com

For information about hosting a webinar visit http://xtalks.com/why-host-a-webinar/

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Judy Morgan, Chief Compliance Officer, Pace Analytical

The Pace Environmental Sciences Division would not be in business today if not for the EPA”

MINNEAPOLIS (PRWEB)
August 04, 2020

Pace Analytical Services, LLC, the largest American-owned laboratory network providing environmental and life sciences testing and analytical information and services, will participate in recognizing 50 years of accomplishments by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the upcoming National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC) on August 6, 2020.

Judy Morgan, Pace Analytical Chief Compliance Officer, will deliver the NEMC keynote with Jerry Parr, the event’s organizer and Executive Director of the NELAC Institute/TNI, a non-profit organization driving environmental lab data and quality standards. “I am beyond honored to be asked to present this year along with Jerry Parr, who I admire greatly for his profound impact on the environmental lab testing industry”, Morgan comments. The pair’s keynote, A History of EPA Regulations and How They Created the Environmental Testing Industry, will highlight environmental milestones and disasters that formed the EPA we all rely on to ensure safe drinking water, clean air, and oversight of environmental hazards.

“The Pace Environmental Sciences Division would not be in business today if not for the EPA”, notes Morgan. “All of our environmental lab services are in compliance with and/or resulting from an EPA action.” Morgan, who has spent over 25 years working closely with the EPA and other governing bodies on environmental concerns, was the recipient of the esteemed Dr. Charlie W. Carter Award at last years’ NEMC for her work towards advancing the environmental testing industry through critical scientific expertise and support.

In addition to the keynote, Morgan will chair Operational and Advocacy Issues Impacting the Environmental Laboratory Industry, a series of virtual presentations at NEMC on August 19, 2020.

NEMC is the largest conference in North America focused on environmental measurements. This year NEMC will be virtual, with over 175 sessions on topics related to environmental monitoring, analytical chemistry, laboratory operations and management, and PFAS contaminants. Presentations will be delivered on weekdays from August 3-21. Conference registration and session information are available at nemc.us.

About Pace Analytical®

Pace Analytical® Services, LLC makes the world a safer, healthier place. For decades, we have been the trusted source for quality environmental and life sciences lab testing and analysis and the resource for scientific lab staffing, regulatory, and equipment services. Our work is done in partnership with our clients by providing the science and the data they need to make critical decisions that benefit us all. Pace delivers science better to businesses, industries, consulting firms, government agencies, and more through the largest, American-owned and nationally certified laboratory network. More at PACELABS.com

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CANCUN QUINTANA ROO, México (PRWEB)
July 26, 2020

Once again, this July 26, Sunset World Group reaffirms its commitment to biodiversity conservation by commemorating the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, which began in 2004 with Latin American Redmanglar International (RMI) and was later adopted by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015.

This date commemorates the day that environmental activist Hayhow Daniel Nanoto died while participating in a protest against an illegal shrimp pond in Ecuador. It is celebrated every year on an international level to highlight the importance of mangrove management and conservation.

Mangroves are a special ecosystem that form a bridge between land and sea. This is one of the most dynamic ecosystems on Earth, constantly producing and recycling organic matter. Mangroves have different environmental functions depending on their location and structure. For example in Quintana Roo, they provide a protected area for the reproduction and development of many species of fish that inhabit the Mesoamerican reef. Their dense roots retain sediments, helping to filter the water and allowing the coral to survive. They produce oxygen and capture carbon in large quantities.

A few years ago, after the devastation of Hurricane Wilma, Sunset World Group reforested the damaged mangrove forest in Tres Ríos Natural Park, which contains the 4 types of mangroves found in Mexico; red, white, black and buttonwood. Following this successful mangrove breeding and reforestation program, Tres Ríos Park offers guided tours for members, guests and visitors, raising awareness about the importance of the mangroves. It has even donated mangrove seedlings to reforest other areas in the state of Quintana Roo where the mangroves have been damaged.

“The conservation of the mangrove forest in Tres Ríos Natural Park has been both challenging and satisfying,” said Gabriel Santoyo Calderón, Sunset World Group’s Director of Sustainable Development. “Storms and hurricanes damaged our mangrove swamp, but after 3 years of working hand in hand with nature and combining science with the staff’s efforts and dedication, we managed to rehabilitate this important ecosystem. It is proof that mangroves and tourism can coexist and prosper together and that, in fact, they are sustainably interdependent,” he added.

Sunset World Group is a family-owned Mexican company and a leader in the hospitality industry, offering authentic and unforgettable vacation experiences in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. It was founded more than 30 years ago and has grown to offer six resorts, world-class travel services, amenities and a diverse network of operational and marketing solutions that focus on providing the best vacation experiences for its Members and guests. From cultural excursions to water sports, the Members of Sunset World are never far from their next great adventure.

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