WMIS showcased several new first-in-human studies on the detection and treatment of infectious diseases at its annual Congress (WMIC)

CULVER CITY, Calif. (PRWEB)
September 13, 2019

The World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS) showcased several first-in-human studies on the detection and treatment of infectious diseases at its annual Congress (WMIC) recently held in Montreal. Highlighting two examples of these ground-breaking studies were noninvasive detection of residual HIV infected cell persistence and the development of pathogen-specific imaging approaches for pulmonary infection. Both studies demonstrate increased biomarker specificity for the disease model and was visualized using Positron Emission Tomography (PET), combined with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR) in one project.

The first study, Translation of 89Zr-VRC01 for PET/MR Imaging of Persistence HIV: First-in-Human, was presented by Denis Beckford-Vera, Ph.D., Research Scientist, University of California San Francisco.

“A major obstacle to HIV eradication is the presence of infected cells that persist despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART),” said Dr. Beckford-Vera. “HIV largely resides outside of the peripheral circulation, and thus numerous anatomical and lymphoid tissues that have the capacity to harbor HIV are inaccessible to routine sampling. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a new agent to non-invasively image HIV infection in patients using combined PET/MR.”

Despite the striking success of ART in HIV patients, residual infected cells persist indefinitely. Dr. Beckford-Vera and his team developed a radioconjugate (Zr-89 labeled antibody) that specifically binds to the viral coat protein of HIV which can be detected with PET/MR imaging. The team conducted studies using HIV positive patients and a control non-HIV group. After injecting both groups with the new agent, PET/MR showed greater uptake in places such as lymph node, bowel and bone marrow of the HIV group compared to the control group.

“Overall, we have combined PET/MR imaging with an HIV specific targeted radiotracer to image the HIV reservoir in humans,” said Dr. Beckford-Vera. “This study represents the first imaging study in HIV patients targeting the virus itself. Our research could help to characterize the body-wide burden of HIV, one of the major hurdles to successfully design and implement HIV curative or immune-based therapeutic strategies.”

The Noninvasive Diagnosis and Monitoring of Pulmonary Infections using Pathogen-Specific 18F-Fluorodeoxysorbitol (18F-FDS) PET – First in Human Study was presented by Alvaro Ordonez, M.D., Research Associate, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Ordonez indicated imaging tools, such as chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT), are frequently used in the management of pulmonary infections. However, he advised these modalities can be notoriously difficult to interpret as they rely on the presence of nonspecific structural abnormalities that often occur late in the disease process and can mimic other pathologies. Therefore, invasive procedures are frequently needed to diagnose infections.

The team prospectively enrolled patients with microbiologically confirmed pneumonia, due to Enterobacteriaceae, a Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli, as well as controls with an inflammatory or oncologic pulmonary disease without infection. Patients were injected with 370 MBq of 18F-FDS and PET/CT performed one and two hours post-injection. A follow-up 18F-FDS and PET/CT was also performed in a subset of infected patients after the initiation of antibiotic to monitor the efficacy of the treatments.

The 18F-FDS PET scan was able to specifically detect and localize pulmonary infections in all the Enterobacteriaceae infected patients. PET activity was significantly higher in infected lesions compared with sterile, inflammatory or neoplastic pulmonary lesions demonstrating specificity for infectious lesions. Finally, 18F-FDS PET was also able to monitor the efficacy of antibiotic treatment, demonstrating a decrease in signal intensity and correlating with clinical improvement.

“We presented the first-in-human results of a novel bacteria-class specific PET imaging tracer for rapid and specific detection of pulmonary infections due to Enterobacteriaceae,“ said Dr. Ordonez. “This technology has the potential to substantially improve our ability to detect, monitor and prognosticate deep-seated infections. In addition, it can also help in developing precision medicine approaches for infectious diseases.”

ABOUT WORLD MOLECULAR IMAGING SOCIETY

The WMIS is dedicated to developing and promoting translational research through multimodality molecular imaging. The education and abstract-driven WMIC is the annual meeting of the WMIS and provides a unique setting for scientists and clinicians with very diverse backgrounds to interact, present, and follow cutting-edge advances in the rapidly expanding field of molecular imaging that impacts nearly every biomedical discipline. Industry exhibits at the congress included corporations who have created the latest advances in preclinical and clinical imaging approaches and equipment, providing a complete molecular imaging educational technology showcase. For more information: http://www.wmis.org

Share article on social media or email:

ez1095 Updated All Previous Versions for IRS System Compatibility

Halfpricesoft.com has updated ez1095 for compatibility with current and previous years.

FORT WORTH, Texas (PRWEB)
September 13, 2019

Halfpricesoft.com has updated ez1095 Affordable Care Act Software for Compatibility with latest IRS system. This includes all previous years as well. Customer’s can create and process forms, seamlessly for year 2015 to present.

“Halfpricesoft.com has updated ez1095 for compatibility with current and previous years,” said Dr. Ge, Founder of Halfpricesoft.com.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), or health care law, contains benefits and responsibilities for employers. If you have 50 or more full-time employees or equivalents, you must file an annual return reporting whether and what health insurance you offered your employees.

Regardless of size, all employers that provide self-insured health coverage to their employees must file an annual return reporting certain information for each employee they cover. Potential customers can download and try this software at no obligation or cost by visiting https://www.halfpricesoft.com/aca-1095/aca-1095-software.asp.

The main features include, but are not limited to:

• Print Form 1095-B: Health Coverage
• Print Form 1094-B: Transmittal of Health Coverage Information Return
• Print recipient copies in PDF format.
• Support unlimited companies.
• Support unlimited number of recipients.
• Print Form 1095 C: Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage Insurance
• Print Form 1094 C: Transmittal of Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage Information Returns
• Fast data import feature
• Print ACA forms 1095 and 1094 on blank paper with an inkjet or laser printer.
• Print unlimited number of 1095 and 1094 forms.

Prices start at $195 for a single user version, ($295 for efile version) this ACA form filing software gives employers flexibility and ease of use. To learn more about ez1095 ACA software, customers can visit https://www.halfpricesoft.com/aca-1095/aca-1095-software.asp

About halfpricesoft.com

Halfpricesoft.com is a leading provider of small business software, including online and desktop payroll software, online employee attendance tracking software, accounting software, in-house business and personal check printing software, W2, software, 1099 software, Accounting software, 1095 form software and ezACH direct deposit software. Software from halfpricesoft.com is trusted by thousands of customers and will help small business owners simplify payroll processing and streamline business management.

Share article on social media or email:

Emergency providers need to stay updated on med tox since the possibility of a hazmat event is a daily reality, drug overdose is the leading cause of death from injury in the US, and new issues, such as vaping-associated lung injury, continue to emerge.

PHOENIX (PRWEB)
September 12, 2019

ACMT will present the 2019 ‘Total Tox Course’ on Monday, December 9 – Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at The Wink Hotel in Washington, DC.

The ACMT Total Tox Course is a comprehensive review of the scope of emergency toxicology and will include up-to-date interventions and management options for poisoned patients. Prominent experts in medical toxicology and emergency medicine will lead the course.

The 3-day course will focus on medical toxicology topics of interest to physicians, mid-level practitioners, clinical pharmacists, paramedics and emergency providers, including issues of current clinical and public health importance. Attendees will be presented with the most up-to-date information to evaluate and manage cases of poisoning and exposure to medications, drugs of abuse, chemical terrorism, and environmental toxins.

Topics will include:

• 
  Dangers and Management of Opioid Abuse
• Over-the-Counter Poisons
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Envenomations
• Disaster Preparedness
• Dangers in Your House
• Tricyclic Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, SSRIs and Lithium
• Ethanol Intoxication & Withdrawal
• Plants, Mushrooms & Nutritional Supplements 
• Toxic Alcohols
• Antimicrobials & Antivirals
• Drug Screen Pitfalls
• Asphyxiants
• Anticonvulsants
• And More!

This activity is eligible for CME (Continue Medical Education) and CPE (Continuing Pharmacy Education).

Register for the course and reserve your hotel room by November 18, 2019 to get the ACMT early bird discount and the group rate at The Wink Hotel.

This course has been recommended by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, The District of Columbia ACEP Chapter, and the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians.

The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) is a professional, nonprofit association of physicians with recognized expertise and board certification in medical toxicology. Our members specialize in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and monitoring of injury and illness from exposures to drugs and chemicals, as well as biological and radiological agents. ACMT members work in clinical, academic, governmental, and public health settings, and provide poison control center leadership.

Share article on social media or email:

What makes IO360° so important is that it joins cancer expertise from clinical, business, regulatory, academic and nonprofit communities together with the goal of advancing treatments to enable a patient’s immune system to eradicate cancer faster.

NEW YORK (PRWEB)
September 12, 2019

The Conference Forum has announced that the 6th annual IO360°: Immuno-Oncology 360° Summit will take place on February 26 – 28, 2020 at the Crowne Plaza Times Square Hotel in New York City, NY, with a full day dedicated to Cell & Gene Therapy for Solid Tumors on February 27.

The opening keynotes include IO pioneers and entrepreneurs, Carl June, MD, Director, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies at the Perelman School of Medicine; UPenn and Arie Belldegrun, MD, Executive Chair and Co-founder, Allogene who will address T-cell and CAR-T therapy advancements.

The most prestigious analyst in IO, Andrew Baum, MD, Head of Global Healthcare and Managing Director, Equity Research for Citi will deliver the financial opening keynote on the Evolution and Forecast of the IO Space.

Delivering a cornerstone presentation on New Scientific Frontiers in Cell Therapies for Solid Tumors will be immunotherapy expert Crystal Mackall, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine and Director of the Stanford Center for Cancer Cell Therapy at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Peter Marks, MD, PhD, Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA will be leading a panel discussion on the Evolution of Regulatory Policy for Cell & Gene Therapy.

Joining the program as the 2020 guest keynote is cancer veteran and advocate Jane Perlmutter, PhD, who will participate in a fireside chat to share her remarkable journey with immunotherapy.

New leadership to IO360° includes:

• 
  Charles Drake, MD, PhD, Columbia University Medical Center
• Stephanie Goff, MD, National Cancer Institute
• Stephan Grupp, MD, PhD, Children’s Hospital Of Pennsylvania (CHOP)
• Ramy Ibrahim, MD, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy
• Beth Metzheiser, BMS
• Annette Schmid, MD, Takeda
• Aiman Shalabi, PharmD, GSK
• Martin Stumpe, PhD, Tempus
• Roman Yelensky, PhD, Gritstone Oncology

Amongst many more

With more than 80 IO topics covered, IO360° is divided into the following plenaries with data presentations and panel discussions on Discovery and Preclinical Science, Translational Science, Clinical Developments, Bispecifics, Biomarkers and Diagnostics, Clinical Operations, AI for Cancer Immunotherapy, Imaging Aspects, Business Developments, and Emerging Technologies.

For the first time, IO360° 2020 features a day dedicated to Cell and Gene Therapy with a focus on solid tumors to take place on February 27. Chairing the Cell & Gene Therapy day will be Aiman Shalabi, PharmD, Vice President of R&D, Cell and Gene Therapies for GSK and will lead the program in addressing the following topics: Landscape and Evolution of the Cell & Gene Therapy Marketplace, New Scientific Frontiers in Cell Therapies for Solid Tumors, Cell Therapy Pivotal Pharma Developments for Solid Tumors, Current and Future Innovations Toward GMP Manufacturing of CAR and TCR Engineered T cells, FDA Led Session on the Evolution of Regulatory Policy for Cell & Gene Therapy, New Collaborative Development Paradigms for Cell Therapies and Cell & Gene Therapy Debates.

“Developing immuno-oncology treatments for patients that could become the standard of care across a wide variety of cancers is still a complex challenge,” said Kate Woda, Director, IO360°. “What makes IO360° so important is that it joins cancer expertise from clinical, business, regulatory, academic and nonprofit communities together with the goal of advancing treatments to enable a patient’s immune system to eradicate cancer faster.”

IO360° will also feature extensive networking opportunities and includes one-on-one partnering to help facilitate business meetings and additional collaborations.

To learn more please visit theconferenceforum.org

About Immuno-Oncology 360˚:

Immuno-Oncology (IO) 360° is the premier meeting across all stakeholders in IO, addressing the rapid advancements of clinical, scientific and business developments of IO in one setting to help develop therapeutics for a wider range of cancers at an accelerated rate. Guided by lead advisors Axel Hoos, MD, PhD, SVP of Oncology R&D, GSK, James Gulley, MD, PhD, Head of Immunotherapy Section and Director of Medical Oncology Service at the Office of the Clinical Director, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Priti Hegde, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Foundation Medicine, Andrew Baum, MD, Head of Global Healthcare and Managing Director, Equity Research, Citi, Dan Chen, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, IGM Biosciences, Jacqueline Karmel, Principal International Scientific Director, Roche and Ian McCaffery, VP, Oncology Translational Science, Janssen. The three-day summit features ten plenary sessions, a dedicated day to Cell & Gene Therapy, over 120 speakers and more than ten hours of networking. There will be over 500 attendees representing pharma, biotechs, academia, research organizations, business development and the IO investment community.

About the Conference Forum:

The Conference Forum is a life science industry research firm that develops conferences primarily around how to get therapeutics to patients faster. They examine and challenge the complex ecosystem of drug development and delivery, bringing ideas together from a variety of sources to help advance clinical research with common goals that are patient-focused. They are committed to creating the best content, exchange of ideas and solutions among peers, as well as providing high quality networking.

Allergan and Global Call Forwarding Partnership

Allergan was able to significantly expand their global support coverage without seeing a drastic increase in operating costs.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (PRWEB)
September 12, 2019

Global Call Forwarding, a leading U.S. cloud communications provider, has announced its new partnership with Allergan to improve call center support in Asia using local DID phone numbers.

Allergan is a global pharmaceutical leader with commercial operations in more than 100 countries. It has a portfolio of leading brands that spans four key therapeutic areas: medical aesthetics, eye care, central nervous system, and gastroenterology.

Millions of people around the world rely on Allergan’s best-in-class products every day. Therefore, their ability to provide localized telephone support across international markets is crucial. However, Allergan’s telephone support operations are managed from centralized regional contact centers, which restricts their ability to provide local telephone support to their customers.

Their immediate requirement was to obtain local phone numbers in key markets, which forward the inbound calls to one of Allergan’s regional contact centers. Multinational companies in today’s hyper-connected digital economy are increasingly utilizing cloud contact center solutions like direct inward dial (DID) numbers to implement this solution.

According to the VP of Marketing and Sales at Global Call Forwarding, Bulent Erkaya, “Using direct inward dial numbers can be the most effective way to offer a local point of telephone contact in any foreign market. By integrating this solution, Allergan was able to significantly expand their global support coverage without seeing a drastic increase in operating costs. They activated DID numbers in many key markets, delivering much-needed telephone support and managing their operations from centralized contact centers.”

Companies with global sales and support operations are increasingly activating local phone numbers in countries where they need to offer telesupport. This makes it easier for international-based customers to contact these companies without paying for long-distance calls or dialing unfamiliar phone numbers.

Having a regional office in APAC for sales, support, and service delivery made Global Call Forwarding the ideal candidate for this partnership with Allergan.

In addition, Global Call Forwarding has the largest selection of local DID phone numbers in Asia. Their ability to provide phone numbers in unique, hard-to-get origination countries was also a major deciding factor.

By partnering with Global Call Forwarding, Allergan will increase worldwide access to customer support and improve call center reactivity while achieving significant cost savings.

This partnership will also strengthen the leading market position Global Call Forwarding holds, as it adds another major multinational corporation in the pharmaceutical sector to its clientele.

About Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding is owned and operated by United World Telecom, which has been serving companies with innovative telecommunications solutions since 1996. United World Telecom has rapidly expanded its global presence and service offerings in the last twenty-two years to offer international call forwarding, outbound calling, SMS forwarding, and call recording. Visit http://www.globalcallforwarding.com for more information.

Share article on social media or email: