Discover how innovative tools and technologies are making patient access more accessible.
JUPITER, Fla., Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Advancements with Ted Danson will focus on improvements in patient access and affordability.
This segment will explore some of the current barriers patients face when obtaining their medications and will highlight how improvements in existing access solutions are revolutionizing the prescription journey. Audiences will hear how Apollo Care works with pharmaceutical manufacturers to make prescription medications affordable and accessible for patients and their families via its comprehensive suite of solutions.
“At Apollo Care, we are dedicated to using innovative tools and analytics to lower the cost of therapy and simplify the prescription process. Our collaborative and patient-centric approach unlocks more advanced commercial strategies so clients can improve access, while ensuring cost efficiency,” said Ben Bove, President and CEO of Apollo Care.
“We look forward to exploring the vital need for better patient access and to sharing how Apollo Care is helping to close the gap to barriers,” said Chad Densen, production manager for DMG Productions and the Advancements series.
About Apollo Care: Apollo Care develops and deploys patient access and analytics solutions through purpose-built technology to help pharmaceutical brands address commercial challenges. With a history of industry-first innovation, Apollo Care is rethinking outdated industry practices to deliver integrated solutions that drive growth, optimize gross-to-net costs, and improve patient outcomes. Apollo Care is based in Chicago, Illinois. For more information, please visit http://www.apollocare.com.
About DMG and Advancements: DMG Productions is dedicated to education and advancement, and to consistently producing commercial-free, educational programming for viewers and networks. Focused on the major innovations and advancements responsible for global progress today, its team of award-winning writers, directors, and producers go on location to discover and share how technology and innovation continue to drive the world forward.
Advancements is an information-based educational television series that explores recent developments taking place across several industries and economies. Shining a light on important issues and topics, the series features the cutting-edge improvements, state-of-the-art technologies, and innovative environmental and sustainable solutions responsible for shaping, molding, and transforming the world.
The USDA Forest Service, in partnership with the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), is proud to announce the 2nd National Forum on Biological Control Conference, set to take place from April 14-17, 2025, at the Graduate Hotel in Annapolis, Maryland.
ANNAPOLIS, Md., Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The USDA Forest Service, in partnership with the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), is proud to announce the 2nd National Forum on Biological Control Conference, set to take place from April 14-17, 2025, at the Graduate Hotel in Annapolis, Maryland.
This premier event will bring together leading experts, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the field of biological control to address the shared challenges and opportunities in managing invasive species, focusing on weed and arthropod biocontrol. The forum will serve as a vital platform for cross-disciplinary collaboration, with sessions dedicated to biocontrol research, management, policy, and impacts across ecosystems.
Key Highlights of the Conference:
Dates: April 14-17, 2025
Location: Graduate Hotel, Annapolis, MD
Themes: Biocontrol research, management, policy, and impacts in natural areas
Call for Abstracts: Submissions for oral presentations and posters are open until October 31, 2024
The conference will feature a series of engaging presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities aimed at advancing the science and application of biological control. Attendees will have the chance to learn about the latest developments in the field, share their research and experiences, and contribute to shaping the future of biocontrol efforts in natural areas.
A scholarship program is available for students who wish to present their research at the conference. Applications must be submitted by October 31, 2024. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
The USDA Forest Service is a federal agency that manages public lands in national forests and grasslands. The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering invasive species management across North America through collaboration, outreach, and education.
The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) represents state forestry agencies across the United States and advocates for the sustainable management of America’s forests.
The report is filled with information, including the unique composition of the UK wellness economy, with its strikingly large physical activity ($50.4 billion) and public health/prevention/personalized medicine ($44.9 billion) markets. The report is the latest installment in the GWI’s Geography of Wellness platform, where governments and companies support a deep dive into a nation’s wellness market. This new report is created in partnership with Kohler Co., the global leader in the design, innovation and manufacture of kitchen and bath products for 150 years.
“The United Kingdom has one of the world’s largest, most diverse, and resilient wellness economies. The British public and its visitors are very sophisticated wellness consumers,” said Katherine Johnston and Ophelia Yeung, GWI senior research fellows. “Not only are British companies innovators in spa, hospitality, fitness, beauty, wellness real estate, and other wellness sectors, but the government is a global leader in pioneering wellness policies in physical activity, mental wellness, prevention, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.”
WELLNESS SECTORS IN THE UK
Numbers refer to the 2019, 2020 and 2022 market sizes AND avg. annual growth rate, 2020 to 2022
TOTAL WELLNESS ECONOMY: $170.5 billion––$157 billion––$224 billion––+19.4%
The UK wellness market hit a record valuation of $170.5 billion in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, shrunk to $157 billion in the pandemic year of 2020, and has made an extraordinary recovery, reaching $224 billion in 2022. After taking a huge 68% hit in 2020, wellness tourism is the UK’s fastest-growing wellness market, clocking 79% annual growth (2020-2022), more than double the global average of 36%. The 45.3% annual growth rate for the public health, prevention and personalized medicine segment is very striking––driven by government investments in the prevention space––as the average growth rate globally was only 6.6%.
Referencing data from GWI’s 2024 “Country Rankings” report, the UK market grew significantly faster than all other top-ten wellness markets from 2020 to 2022, including the US (14% annual growth), China (8.9%), Germany (16.8%), Japan (-3.9%), France (11.6%), India (16.5%), Canada (13.5%), South Korea (9.4%) and Italy (7.9%).
Wellness Market in 2022 as % of 2019 Level – World Leaders
1) United Kingdom––131% 2) Netherlands––129% 3) US––123% 4) Mexico––122% 5) Australia & Canada––120%
The UK ranks #1 globally for growth in its wellness market when compared with 2019. The UK market was nearly one-third larger in 2022 than it was in 2019.
UK consumers spending more on wellness; wellness a bigger contributor to GDP
Wellness Spending Per Capita: $2,551 in 2019––$2,341 in 2020––$3,342 in 2022
Wellness Economy as % of GDP: 6.02% in 2019––5.8% in 2020––7.29% in 2022
The wellness market is a very big, and growing, contributor to the UK’s economy/GDP, expanding from 6% of the total economy in 2019 to 7.3% in 2022––much higher than the global average of 5.6%. While one or two percentage points may seem small, the economic impact is actually huge. The wellness market makes up a significantly bigger percentage of the UK economy compared to almost all developed countries and to all the top-ten wellness markets, including the US (6.96%), France (6.17%), Italy (5.57%), China (4.37%), and Japan (5.7%). UK consumers are spending $3,342 a year on wellness, 31% more than they were in 2019.
“Wellness is rapidly ascending in the UK, reflecting a growing national focus on holistic health and wellbeing. This trend highlights a widespread commitment to integrating physical, mental, and emotional wellness into everyday life, driving innovative approaches across multiple sectors,” noted Ashley Kohler, director of wellness for Destination Kohler Hospitality & Real Estate. “This holistic approach emphasizes creating harmonious living environments, fostering supportive communities, enhancing physical health, nurturing balanced nutrition, and cultivating mental wellbeing, collectively contributing to a more comprehensive and fulfilling experience of wellness.”
About the Global Wellness Institute: The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a nonprofit 501(c)(3), is considered the leading global research and educational resource for the global wellness industry and is known for introducing major industry initiatives and regional events that bring together leaders to chart the future. GWI positively impacts global health and wellness by educating public institutions, businesses and individuals on how they can work to prevent disease, reduce stress and enhance overall quality of life. Its mission is to empower wellness worldwide.
At uMotif Flo provides scientific leadership across the organization to ensure the scientific voice is embedded across all functional areas to inform rigorous scientific practices, which enables sponsors to meet the scientific and regulatory requirements of research programs.
uMotif CEO Steve Rosenberg said, “We’re delighted Flo chose to join uMotif. Her deep and broad scientific expertise and progressive thinking support our continued strong growth and innovation as we help sponsors adopt modern methods that capture unprecedented amounts of data by easing the patient and site journey.”
Flo Mowlem commented, “I’m excited to join uMotif. The company has a modern technology approach that puts the user at the heart of everything they do, sharing my passion to optimize the experience for all stakeholders and capture the best data possible.”
At King’s College London, Flo earned her PhD and MsC in Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry. She is frequently invited to present at industry conferences, has published numerous peer-reviewed papers, and is an active member of industry consortia such as C-Path.
About uMotif
Putting patients first is in uMotif’s DNA. The uMotif eCOA/ePRO platform delivers faster, quality clinical trials and real-world studies by putting patients at the core of research. Through cloud-hosting in the US, Europe and China, the GCP, 21 CFR Part 11 and GDPR-compliant platform supports any study or trial, from Clinical Phase I, II and III studies through to decentralized or virtual real-world studies. Find out how uMotif can improve your clinical research programs and real-world studies at www.umotif.com
The SHSS certification is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and recommend modifications that enhance the safety and accessibility of homes for older adults and those with disabilities. Accidental falls among the elderly have become epidemic in America and many people in the public health community view senior home safety as a significant health concern. By the year 2030, the CDC estimates the cost related to these kinds of injuries to exceed $100 Billion annually. In an effort to help reduce and prevent falls and their associated costs, Age Safe® America created the Senior Home Safety Specialist® designation. For many professionals, home safety is the key to improved outcomes, reduced costs, and a sustainable healthcare system.
Since 2015, Age Safe® America has trained professionals, providers, advocates, and caregivers throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The Senior Home Safety Specialist® certification is now the most comprehensive, peer-reviewed, aging-in-place home safety training available anywhere. “We are thrilled to announce these key state board approvals, which underscores the importance and value of our evidence-based training program in promoting home safety and independence,” said Steven Bailey, Managing Director of Age Safe America, LLC.
By providing Physical Therapists with the tools and knowledge to better identify and address potential hazards, Age Safe® America continues to help make a positive impact on the lives of millions of older adults and their family members. “The number of PTs taking our training has been growing exponentially over the last couple years, and petitioning their state boards and APTA chapters, so we felt it important to begin obtaining board pre-approvals, especially in the key states we have seen enrollments, which affects many other states by virtue of reciprocity”, stated Fritzi Gros-Daillon, Director of Education for Age Safe America.
Other notable approvals for the SHSS include the American Occupational Therapy Association, American Kinesiotherapy Association, National Academy of Certified Care Managers, National Society of Certified Senior Advisors, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, National Association of Home Builders, American Society of Home Inspectors, and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. Physical Therapists should check with their own state for CEU reciprocity, the number of hours they need each approval period, and how many of those are allowed from online coursework. You can go here to find your state Practice Act on the FSBPT site.
About Age Safe® America
Age Safe America, LLC is a leading authority in the growing aging-in-place industry, respected by thought leaders, universities, healthcare professionals, national associations, governmental agencies, entrepreneurs, non-profits, and Fortune 100 companies. They provide training, consulting, product reviews, tools, resources and support to businesses and professionals serving our aging demographic; as well as courses specific to seniors, their adult children, and the invisible army of family caregivers. For more information about the SHSS certification please go here: https://agesafeamerica.com/certifications/
Founded in 2008, Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics has made it its mission to ensure that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, has access to high-quality dental care. Through their innovative approach and commitment to community involvement, they have become a model for excellence in the industry. The company’s focus on patient-centric care and advanced dental technologies has earned them recognition for their efforts to provide lasting positive outcomes for individuals in underserved areas.
Dr. Saam Zarrabi, a driving force behind Rodeo Dental’s mission, will be featured in the segment to provide insight into the organization’s philosophy. Dr. Zarrabi, along with other key members of the Rodeo Dental team, will discuss how building meaningful relationships with the communities they serve has been instrumental in their success. The episode will emphasize how compassion, accessibility, and cutting-edge care can go hand-in-hand to improve the overall health and well-being of communities.
Dr. Zarabbi stated, “at Rodeo Dental, our mission has always been to bring world-class dental care to communities that need it most. We believe that everyone deserves access to exceptional oral health services, regardless of where they come from or their economic situation. Partnering with Viewpoint allows us to share our story and highlight the incredible impact that compassionate, patient-centered care can have on communities. Together, we are not just improving smiles—we’re transforming lives.”
The segment is expected to air later in 2024, contributing to the ongoing conversation about the importance of access to quality healthcare. By educating viewers on the critical work being done by organizations like Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics, Viewpoint continues to fulfill its mission of providing meaningful content that inspires positive change.
About Viewpoint: Viewpoint is an award-winning educational television series hosted by Dennis Quaid, known for its commitment to exploring important issues and innovations across a wide range of industries. Through engaging storytelling and expert interviews, the program educates and informs viewers on the most pressing topics that impact society today.
About Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics: Founded in 2008, Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics is committed to providing high-quality dental and orthodontic care to underserved communities. With a patient-first approach and a strong focus on community involvement, Rodeo Dental combines advanced dental technologies with a passion for making a difference, ensuring that everyone has access to exceptional care, regardless of their circumstances.
CardiaTec leverages large multi-omics human data to better navigate complex cardiovascular disease biology to identify novel and more targeted therapeutics. To support its approach, the company is building the first and largest proprietary human heart tissue multi-omics dataset. The company has a large and expanding network of over 65 hospitals across the US and the UK, screening patients on a 24/7 basis to support the bespoke collection of human hearts for its data generation. The new funds will allow CardiaTec to expand its platform and progress proprietary drug targets to wet lab validation.
CardiaTec, a spin-out from the Han Lab at the University of Cambridge, was co-founded by Raphael Peralta (CEO and Laidlaw Scholar alumnus), Thelma Zablocki (COO), and Prof. Namshik Han (CTO), drawing on research conducted over the last decade. The company has brought together industry experts from leading organisations including Bristol Myers Squibb, Cleveland Clinic, and Recursion Pharmaceuticals.
“Modelling complex cardiovascular disease biology across multiple omic dimensions has immense potential in unlocking new therapeutic strategies that will challenge the current standard of care. Over the last several years, I have been proud of the relentless drive of the team in reaching important milestones and our collective ambition towards tackling a tough global problem. I look forward to working with our investors to accelerate our development,” said Raphael Peralta, CEO & Co-Founder.
“Building on several years of research and the success of research collaborations between my lab and BioPharma companies, we are excited about the pioneering work we are doing at CardiaTec. By leveraging deep human heart phenotyping and state-of-the-art computational modelling, we aim to discover transformative therapeutics,” said Prof. Namshik Han, CTO & Co-Founder.
Todd Kimmel, Partner at Montage Ventures, stated: “We’re thrilled to lead CardiaTec’s seed round because they’re at the forefront of a new era in cardiovascular drug discovery. Their unique combination of the world’s largest proprietary multi-omics dataset from human cardiac tissues and advanced AI technology positions them to uncover novel drug targets for the world’s leading cause of death. With strong pharma industry connections, a growing market need, and a proprietary data moat, CardiaTec has the potential to revolutionise how we approach and treat cardiovascular diseases. This investment aligns perfectly with our thesis of backing transformative healthcare technologies that can make a significant impact on global health outcomes.”
Niall Santamaria, Chief Investment Officer of LSV, said, “The team at CardiaTec has delivered their vision, with the computational platform built and initial targets identified, processes and ethics frameworks for the collection of heart tissues in place, and an impressive team and advisory group recruited. We are thrilled to continue backing them, and with cardiovascular diseases continuing to pose significant challenges to society, this new investment round positions CardiaTec to accelerate the identification of pioneering therapeutics.”
About CardiaTec
CardiaTec is a TechBio company employing computational methods to decode the biology behind cardiovascular disease. The company leverages large and high-dimensional human multi-omics data to better navigate complex disease biology to identify novel and differentiated therapeutics.
About Montage Ventures
Founded in 2013, Montage Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm. We back ambitious founders that leverage state-of-the-art technology to improve the lives of consumers across healthcare, fintech, and commerce categories. We work for founders, partnering with them to unlock the next level of success.
About Laidlaw Scholars Ventures
Laidlaw Scholars Ventures (LSV) is a for-profit business investing in start-ups founded and run by Laidlaw Scholars. Backed by a $50m fund, LSV accelerates Good Businesses by financing growth, providing support services, delivering extensive training and development, and bringing a network of expert advisors and mentors. All profits from LSV will be returned to the Laidlaw Foundation to invest in its educational programmes designed to break the cycle of poverty, reduce inequality and develop a new generation of ethical leaders.
“One of the most valuable aspects of PDA and our mission is how we bring experts both from industry and the regulatory agencies together collaboratively with a clear focus on science,” Wright said. “The PDA/FDA Joint Regulatory Conference is a great example of this.”
PDA continues to invest in the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing. In 2024 PDA is on target to exceed 250 global events including conferences, interest group meetings, workshops, training courses and chapter events, all dedicated to communicating and sharing the many science-based challenges and solutions facing the industry.
PDA’s publications are another resource for industry to raise the bar when it comes to scienced-based manufacturing and quality. PDA will release a revised and fully updated book called, “Global Sterile Manufacturing – Regulatory Guidance Comparison & Assessment Tool,” on October 3. The book includes access to a an electronic spreadsheet which parses guidances from all the major regulatory agencies. This valuable resource fills a much-needed gap in simplifying the challenging task of looking across regulatory guidance to ensure global compliance. An advanced copy of this resource will be made available to attendees of the a workshop on the document following the PDA/FDA Joint Regulatory Conference.
Wright emphasizes, “At PDA we are very membership-driven, and this book will not only help our members but the industry as a whole. This knowledge transfer is a cornerstone of our work at PDA.”
Firmonertinib is an oral, highly brain-penetrant EGFR inhibitor with broad activity and selectivity across EGFR mutations. It is approved in China for first-line, advanced NSCLC with EGFR Ex19del/L858R and previously treated advanced NSCLC with EGFR T790M and has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for first-line, advanced NSCLC with EGFR ex20ins mutations.
The FURTHER Trial is a global, Phase 1b study with Stage 1 (dose escalation/backfill) and Stage 2 (dose expansion). Stage 2, Cohort 4 (PACC cohort) enrolled NSCLC patients with EGFR PACC mutations randomized to one of two dose levels of firmonertinib (160 mg or 240 mg once daily). P-loop and ⍺C-helix compressing (PACC) mutations are primarily missense mutations located in exons 18-20 and account for ∼12.5% of all EGFR mutations, which is larger than Exon 20 insertion mutations. Key eligibility criteria include documented EGFR PACC mutation, measurable disease per RECIST 1.1, and no prior EGFR TKI. Primary endpoint is confirmed overall response rate per RECIST 1.1 by BICR. Key secondary endpoints include duration of response and central nervous system overall response rate.
Dr. David Planchard, an investigator from Institut Gustave Roussy, and investigators across 10 countries enrolled 60 patients in the FURTHER Trial PACC cohort. The patients had a median age of 67.0 years– 66.7% were female, 71.7% were Asian and 33.3% had brain metastases, 28.3%/71.7% ECOG 0/1, and 78.3% with no prior metastatic systemic therapy.
In first-line metastatic NSCLC patients with EGFR PACC mutations, the overall response rate by blinded independent central review was 81.8% (n=22; 95% CI, 59.7%-94.8%) for those receiving the 240 mg daily dose.
For patients at the 160 mg daily dose level, the overall response rate was 47.8% (n=23; 95% CI, 26.8%-69.4%). The confirmed overall response rates were 63.6% (n=22; 95% CI, 40.7%-82.8%; with 1 unconfirmed partial response pending confirmation) at the 240 mg dose and 34.8% (n=23; 95% CI, 16.4%-57.3%; with 1 unconfirmed partial response pending confirmation) at the 160 mg dose levels, respectively.
Responses to firmonertinib were observed across a broad range of PACC mutations, with a median duration of response not yet reached, as 90.9% (n=20 of 22) of patients with confirmed responses remain on treatment, with a median follow-up of 4.2 months.
In first-line patients with brain metastases at baseline, the confirmed central nervous system overall response was 46.2% (n=6 of 13) based on modified RECIST criteria. This result underscores firmonertinib’s potential effectiveness in treating brain metastases in this patient cohort.
Firmonertinib showed promising efficacy in NSCLC patients across a broad range of EGFR PACC mutations in the first-line metastatic setting with central nervous system antitumor activity and acceptable safety.
“Based on the results from the FURTHER Trial, firmonertinib merits continuing investigation for patients with NSCLC with EGFR PACC mutations,” said Dr. Planchard.
About the IASLC: The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is the only global organization dedicated solely to the study of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. Founded in 1974, the association’s membership includes more than 10,000 lung cancer specialists across all disciplines in over 100 countries, forming a global network working together to conquer lung and thoracic cancers worldwide. The association also publishes the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the primary educational and informational publication for topics relevant to the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of all thoracic malignancies. Visit http://www.iaslc.org for more information.
About the WCLC: The World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) is the world’s largest meeting dedicated to lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies, attracting nearly 7,000 researchers, physicians and specialists from more than 100 countries. The goal is to increase awareness, collaboration and understanding of lung cancer, and to help participants implement the latest developments across the globe. The conference will cover a wide range of disciplines and unveil several research studies and clinical trial results. For more information, visit https://wclc2024.iaslc.org.
Professor Yang and his colleagues theorized that osimertinib in combination with savolitinib, a selective MET inhibitor as first-line treatment, may improve efficacy and overcome MET-driven primary resistance in these patients.
The FLOWERS trial was established as a prospective, two-arm, randomized, multicenter study which enrolled 44 patients–23 were randomized to receive 80 mg qd of oral osimertinib alone (cohort 1) and 21 patients received 80 mg qd of osimertinib with 300 mg bid of savolitinib (cohort 2). Median follow up was 8.2 months, and the primary endpoint was objective response rate. The secondary endpoints included disease control rate, duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival (OS), safety and tolerability.
MET overexpression is defined by IHC 3+ in ≥ 75% of tumor cells. The criteria of MET amp are MET gene copy number (GCN) ≥5 and/or MET/CEP7 ratio ≥2 by tissue FISH or MET GCN≥5 by tissue NGS.
Professor Yang reported that the objective response rate in cohort 1 and cohort 2 were 60.9% (95%CI, 38.5-80.3%) and 90.5% (95% CI, 69.6-98.8%), respectively, with disease control rate of 87% (95% CI, 66.4-97.2%) and 95.2% (95% CI,76.2-99.9%), respectively. The median duration of response was 8.4 months and 18.6 months, respectively, and is not yet mature.
“Osimertinib with savolitinib demonstrated a manageable safety profile, and with these results, has the potential to provide a novel first-line treatment option for patients who do not respond well to EGFR-TKIs therapy,” Professor Yang reported.
About the IASLC: The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is the only global organization dedicated solely to the study of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. Founded in 1974, the association’s membership includes more than 10,000 lung cancer specialists across all disciplines in over 100 countries, forming a global network working together to conquer lung and thoracic cancers worldwide. The association also publishes the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the primary educational and informational publication for topics relevant to the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of all thoracic malignancies. Visit http://www.iaslc.org for more information.
About the WCLC: The World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) is the world’s largest meeting dedicated to lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies, attracting nearly 7,000 researchers, physicians and specialists from more than 100 countries. The goal is to increase awareness, collaboration and understanding of lung cancer, and to help participants implement the latest developments across the globe. The conference will cover a wide range of disciplines and unveil several research studies and clinical trial results. For more information, visit https://wclc2024.iaslc.org.
