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AmeriLife Partners with Platinum Choice Healthcare

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, continued to enhance and strengthen its industry-leading distribution coverage by announcing today that it has partnered with Platinum Choice Healthcare, a Boca Raton, Florida-based national field marketing organization (FMO) that specializes in the distribution of Medicare Advantage products. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We’re honored to join AmeriLife and be a part of such a dynamic and successful team,” said Joshua Bock, co-president of Platinum Choice Healthcare. “Time and again, AmeriLife has shown that it cares deeply for its partners, providing them with the support they to exceed their every ambition. We’re thrilled for the road ahead.” “The opportunities in front of us to expand our business are boundless,” added Gregg Jaffy, co-president of Platinum Choice Healthcare. “This is the perfect time in our history to join forces with a partner that understands how to drive real growth and help us do what we do best. The sky is truly the limit for Platinum Choice Healthcare with AmeriLife.” Founded in 2015, Platinum Choice Healthcare operates a direct-to-consumer model with extensive remote selling capabilities that has propelled its production and top and bottom-line growth. Platinum Choice Healthcare has a salesforce of more than 110 agents with ambitions to aggressively expand its roster over the next 12 months, and is coming off a year in which the company placed more than 30,000 Medicare Advantage policies, including an impressive 91% year-over-year growth during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period. “Platinum Choice Healthcare has been on the fast track to success for some time, and we’re excited to help them accelerate their growth and take their business to the next level,” said Scotty Elliott, president of AmeriLife’s Life & Health Brokerage Distribution. “On behalf of our team, I want to welcome Joshua, Gregg and their team to the AmeriLife family. I couldn’t be more excited for our collective future together.” Platinum Choice Healthcare will continue to operate as a stand-alone business, based out of its Boca Raton, Florida, headquarters. The company will also continue to be led by Bock and Jaffy, reporting to Elliott. ### About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to offer insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier and more secure lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a national distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors, more than 50 marketing organizations, and 50 insurance agency locations. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

February 28, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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AmeriLife Bolsters U65 Market Presence with Partnership with Insurance Specialist Group

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, announced today that it has partnered with Insurance Specialist Group (ISG), a national field marketing organization (FMO) and distribution platform that specializes in health insurance products for individuals and families in the under-65 (U65) market. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Today marks a significant milestone in ISG’s history,” said Scott Lingle, co-founder and CEO of ISG. “AmeriLife is the perfect partner and collaborator to help us grow and scale our business. We’re excited to tap into its wealth of resources and support so we can continue to deliver value to our downline and expand our distribution in new and creative ways.” ISG was founded in 2015; the company merged with Insurance Management Group, LLC, in March 2020, retaining the ISG name. Today, its distribution, which spans roughly 100 call centers, offers a vast portfolio of more than 100 individual health and health specialty insurance products from more than 40 carriers. As such, ISG has consistently maintained a track record of consistent revenue growth, margin expansion, strong downline recruitment, and deep penetration in a growing U65 market. The partnership represents AmeriLife’s continued and extensive effort to partner with strategic and emerging organizations to further enhance its distribution coverage, as well as strengthen the opportunities to address the holistic financial and health care needs of pre-retirees and retirees. “ISG is the perfect addition to AmeriLife’s national network as our distribution continues to focus on serving clients at every stage of life, when and where they need us,” said Scotty Elliott, president of AmeriLife’s Life & Health Brokerage Distribution. “We’re equally as excited to add Scott to our distribution leadership bench. Scott is a proven health care expert and business builder. His legacy of success with Health Insurance Innovation (HHII) and United Health One are a testament to his drive and leadership, and we look forward to working with Scott to take ISG to new heights.” ISG will continue to operate as a stand-alone business and be led by Lingle, reporting to Elliott. Teneo acted as financial advisor to ISG on this transaction. ### About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to offer insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier and more secure lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a national distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors, more than 50 marketing organizations, and 50 insurance agency locations. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

February 24, 2022 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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AmeriLife & Prosperity Life Group Launch New, Affordable Life Solution for Pre-Retiree Americans

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, today announced the launch of Family Freedom Term, a new, simplified issue term life solution offering affordable coverage at low costs and developed in collaboration with longtime partner Prosperity Life Group (“Prosperity”). Family Freedom Term offers affordable protection for people ages 18-75, meeting the needs of forward-thinking pre-retirees and retirees nationwide. The product offers a simple e-application process with instant underwriting in most cases. Three Accelerated Death Benefit riders are included with all plans for no additional premium and give clients access to a portion of their policy proceeds in the event of terminal, critical, or chronic illness. Other optional riders available for additional premium include Accidental Death, Waiver of Premium and Children’s Term. “While agents will enjoy being able to offer clients an instant decision and robust death benefits, it's the access to living benefits that truly separates Prosperity’s Family Freedom Term from others in the marketplace,” said David Paul, national sales director, Simplified Issue Life at AmeriLife. “The living benefits are a great policy feature that provides customers the security of knowing that, if they have a qualifying health change, they can access a portion of their death benefit. This flexibility is a huge benefit to our clients. Coupled with a product that provides them with exceptional value in today’s competitive marketplace, Family Freedom Term is an exciting addition to the portfolios of AmeriLife-affiliated agents and advisors.” As another shining example of AmeriLife’s collaborative partnership with Prosperity Life Group, Family Freedom Term adds to AmeriLife’s shelf of market-leading products that offer solutions for almost any age or health situation. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of a Medicare Supplement insurance offering, joining other Prosperity life insurance products — like PrimeTerm to 100℠ and New Vista® — to expand agents’ and advisors’ reach to a younger demographic keen to get a jumpstart on securing their health and financial futures. “This joint effort and Prosperity’s entire suite of products, distributed by AmeriLife, really addresses the full spectrum of clients’ needs,” said Pat Fleming, executive vice president, Product Innovation & Corporate Actuary at AmeriLife. “With Prosperity’s holistic approach to innovation, we’re excited to bring products to the market that are redefining the future.” “We’re thrilled to once again join forces with AmeriLife with the addition of Family Freedom Term to its growing stable of Prosperity solutions,” said Jack Heller, senior vice president, Marketing and Sales at Prosperity Life Group. “This product is another great example of our collaborative approach to developing industry-leading solutions that benefit both agent and customer.” Additionally, Family Freedom Term is convertible to a whole life plan if converted by the policy’s 10th anniversary or the beneficiary’s 75th birthday, whichever comes first. The product is underwritten by Prosperity member company S.USA Life Insurance Company, Inc. and is currently available in 40 states across the U.S., as well as Washington, D.C. (Family Freedom Term is not currently available in CA, CT, HI, ME, MT, NH, NY, ND, PA and SD.) For more information on Family Freedom Term from Prosperity and AmeriLife, visit https://www.prosperitylife.com/simple-issue-term-life-insurance. ### About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to offer insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier and more secure lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a national distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors, more than 50 marketing organizations, and 50 insurance agency locations. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. About Prosperity Life Group Prosperity Life Group is a marketing name for products and services provided by one or more of a group of affiliated companies. Together, these companies have been fostering the financial security of our customers and their families for over a century. We provide life insurance, annuities and supplemental health products designed with our customers and their families in mind so that they can plan for today and protect a stronger tomorrow. For more information, visit www.prosperitylife.com. Contact Details AmeriLife Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Prosperity Life Group Jamie Leon +1 877-725-4872 jamie.leon@prosperitylife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

February 23, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Covid Testing the Right Way and How to Avoid Scams

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/ZyvwNXn2NSo Testing for Covid-19 is now a daily part of many of our lives. Testing to go to work, school, travel, concerts, and most importantly, to stay healthy. But not all tests or testing centers are created equally. There are still many unanswered questions we have on the best ways to stay safe and healthy. With so much uncertainty its time to turn to an expert for insights and information on how to do covid testing the right way and avoid scams. On February 16 th Dr Emily Volk, President of the College of American Pathologists conducted a nationwide media tour. Topics that Dr Volk discussed included: What people need to know to administer an at home test properly Why it’s important that any collection center or laboratory doing COVID testing is accredited, adhering to the very highest standards Are rapid antigen tests more accurate than PCR tests and when to get one or the other Questions we should be asking medical professionals For more information, visit newsroom.cap.org About the College of American Pathologists: As the world's largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 22, 2022 01:26 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Verdant Robotics Delivers First Multi-Action Autonomous Farm Robot for Specialty Crops

Verdant Robotics

To meet farmers’ demands for more sustainable and profitable growing practices, Verdant Robotics announced the expansion of its robot-as-a-service (RaaS) model to ensure access for more specialty crop farmers today. Founded in late 2018 by a leading roboticist, a software engineer, and a California farmer, Verdant has raised $21.5 million to develop the industry’s first multi-action, autonomous farm-robot capable of millimeter-accurate spraying, laser weeding, and AI-based digital crop modeling. Together with farming partners, Verdant uses these tools to deliver better outcomes: larger produce, greater yields and significant savings. Verdant has already contracted to service approximately 40% of the U.S. carrot market exclusively for the next five years and is currently scaling to meet the needs of the U.S. multi-billion-dollar fruit and vegetable industry. “Farmers told us not to give them more data, but to figure out what to do with the mountains of data they already have, or better yet just go do it,” said Gabe Sibley, PhD., co-founder and CEO, who brings more than 20 years of experience in geo-spatial computation and AI. “They want a complete solution that takes action in real-time and keeps farmers in control – all while improving profitability and automating dangerous, back-breaking field work.” Sustainability, Profitability Driving Interest in Farm Robotics Investment into farm robotics as an enhancement to labor, profitability, and sustainability has been building for years. Agricultural robotic startups brought in $491 million in investment during the first half of 2021, a 40 percent increase over the same period in 2020, according to AgFunder, but to-date, actual on-farm robotics has mostly been on a trial basis. Following successful large-scale roll-out over the past 18 months, Verdant logged thousands of hours in 2021 and is already proven on multiple crops. “Today, Verdant machines are in the field all-day, every-day helping farmers achieve superhuman efficacy,” said Sibley. Combining multiple technologies, the company’s 6-row and 12-row commercial implements can treat up to 4.2 acres per hour, achieving a higher weed-removal rate per acre than other technology or human ability, and reducing chemical usage by up to 95 percent. Simultaneously, its autonomous software system collects data and uses machine learning capabilities to optimize yield and growing outcomes, ultimately unlocking new revenues to help farmers reach profitability and sustainability goals. “ Verdant Robotics ’ ability to digitize the farm enables precision technology at a level never before possible for specialty crops, removing the choice between environmental stewardship and profitability,” said Cannon Michae l, a sixth-generation California farmer and CEO of Bowles Farming Company. “With the unique combination of automation and insight, farmers can collectively manage precious resources – like water – while maintaining or improving yields.” RaaS Delivers AI, Robotics and Science to Farms of All Sizes, Faster Verdant’s computational robotic and autonomous software systems combine decades of advancements in scientific fields – including computer vision, artificial intelligence, robotics, GPS-denied navigation, chemistry, and soil and plant sciences – to achieve the next generation of crop production. “Verdant’s platform stands apart due to its integrated software and hardware that is applicable across a variety of high value crops,” said Steve Jurvetson, co-founder of Future Ventures and early investor into Verdant Robotics. “Drawing on expertise from Google X, NASA and several autonomous vehicle companies, the team has quickly delivered solid technology that ensures a growth path capable of addressing the global $8 trillion food and agriculture market and positions them well to meet the needs of farmers in adjacent markets and geographies.” “Together with their customers, Verdant is driving a shift in agriculture akin to the transformation we’ve seen in aerospace and automotive when computation is brought to bear,” Jurvetson added. Verdant leveraged investments from leading agriculture investors, including AgFunder, Autotech Ventures, Cavallo Ventures, DCVC Bio, and Future Ventures, among others. Building upon these investments, the company is expanding its platform with plans to commercialize a precision multi-action machine for orchards by 2023 – delivering another first for the specialty crop industry. Over the next several years, Verdant Robotics aims to deliver complete robotics solutions globally to help improve the quality, profitability and stewardship of important food crops and thereby feed growing populations more sustainably and nutritiously. About Verdant Robotics: Together with growers, we are building sustainable, high-fidelity farming: spatially, temporally, and physically working the farm at a precision, accuracy, frequency and scale never before possible. At Verdant we believe environmentally conscientious robotic farming is the future of agriculture. Our goal is to transform how food is grown while improving the lives of farmers, workers and rural communities. By digitizing the farm at sub-millimeter scale, indexing it, and taking actions that unlock new value, we are providing our customers with superhuman farming tools. To learn more, visit www.VerdantRobotics.com. Contact Details AgTech PR for Verdant Robotics Jennifer Goldston +1 816-260-0040 jennifer@agtechpr.com Company Website https://www.verdantrobotics.com

February 22, 2022 08:30 AM Central Standard Time

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Modivcare Launches Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Provider Academy to Champion Success and Engagement

Modivcare

Modivcare Inc. (“Modivcare”) (Nasdaq: MODV), a technology-enabled healthcare services company that provides a suite of integrated supportive care solutions focused on improving patient outcomes, today announced the launch of Modivcare Academy. The innovative program supports transportation providers who own, work for, or operate non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) companies by providing education, networking opportunities, and training resources. “The introduction of Modivcare Academy is an extension of our purpose, to ensure greater access to care by serving the needs of our communities,” said Daniel Greenleaf, President and CEO of Modivcare. “Our unique program, offered to emerging NEMT companies that contract with us, supports the ongoing business success of transportation providers who are a driving force for positive change within their communities.” Modivcare Academy empowers drivers with information and insights about the latest innovative technology, provides industry best-practices training, and offers resources to support running an NEMT business. The program was kicked-off in Chicago at the December 2021 inaugural Modivcare Academy event that featured subject matter experts offering insights about strategic growth, marketing and sales, customer engagement, operations, financial management, and technology adoption. “We are strongly committed to investing in the success of transportation providers because they serve a critical role in breaking down the barriers that stand in the way of access to care,” added Greenleaf. “Our transportation providers represent a broad and diverse pool of businesses, including disadvantaged, small, minority, and women-owned firms who are committed to providing safe and reliable transportation to the patients we jointly serve. We were overwhelmed by the positive response to our Chicago event and look forward to hosting future events in other communities in 2022.” “As transportation providers, we have faced many COVID-19 challenges, but we have stayed focused and have overcome these hurdles by concentrating on our patients,” said Brisa Berumen-Dixon, a transportation provider with Seabreeze NEMT, Rockford, Illinois. “The most rewarding part of what we do is improving the quality of life for individuals within our hometown communities, which is made possible through our relationship with Modivcare.” To further improve the driver experience and support their business success, Modivcare also launched a “Voice of the Customer” survey program to collect real-time feedback and a Transportation Advisory Council to support the needs of transportation providers. Modivcare’s non-emergency medical transportation services provide access to safe, reliable rides to health services. Working with local, community-based transportation providers, Modivcare is the largest broker of NEMT in the nation and brings more than 35 years of experience to its more than 6,500 transportation providers and provides more than 75 million trips annually to 30 million patients across the nation. Modivcare Academy empowers drivers with information and insights about the latest innovative technology, provides industry best-practices training, and offers resources to support running an NEMT business. The program was kicked-off in Chicago at the December 2021 inaugural Modivcare Academy event that featured subject matter experts offering insights about strategic growth, marketing and sales, customer engagement, operations, financial management, and technology adoption. # # # # About Modivcare Modivcare Inc. (“Modivcare”) (Nasdaq: MODV) is a technology-enabled healthcare services company that provides a suite of integrated supportive care solutions for public and private payors and their patients. Our value-based solutions address the social determinants of health (SDoH), enable greater access to care, reduce costs, and improve outcomes. We are a leading provider of non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), personal and home care, remote patient monitoring, medication management and nutritional meal delivery. Modivcare also holds a minority equity interest in CCHN Group Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Matrix Medical Network”), which partners with leading health plans and providers nationally, delivering a broad array of assessment and care management services to individuals that improve health outcomes and health plan financial performance. To learn more about Modivcare, please visit www.modivcare.com. Contact Details Kate Zerone Senior Manager, Communications kate.zerone@modivcare.com Kim Warth Amendola Communications kwarth@acmarketingpr.com

February 22, 2022 09:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Brush Up on Oral Health: Technology For Your Mouth Leading To Healthy, Confident Smiles

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/UIgoM06hR04 How do you get that ‘fresh from the dentist’ clean feeling on the 360+ days you’re not at the dentist? You turn to a revolutionary kit that integrates advanced technology to deliver brighter, whiter smiles and cleaner, healthier teeth. The result is that consumers look and feel their best and enjoy greater confidence as they go about their day. Built by dental professionals, izzoTM was developed by fourth-generation family-owned Premier Dental, a global developer and manufacturer of dental and medical products that has been in business for 100+ years, with a presence in 76 countries. Julie Charlestein, the President and CEO of Premier Dental, conducted a nationwide media tour to discuss the launch of izzo TM, an innovative new direct to consumer initiative designed to elevate at-home oral care. While brushing your teeth regularly is certainly important, izzo TM is the first and only 4-in-1 oral care system that goes significantly beyond just the typical toothbrush to give your teeth a whole new level of clean. izzo is technology for your mouth leading to healthy, confident smiles. izzo not only helps you brush effectively, it helps you polish to remove surface stains for a brighter, whiter smile; scale to remove plaque and debris between teeth; and sanitize your brush to ensure it’s germ-free for your next use. Best of all, it gives you that ‘fresh from the dentist’ clean feeling and a healthy confidence to look and feel your best. The revolutionary izzo system is currently available online for purchase at www.izzosmile.com for $129.95. For more information or to read first-hand product reviews, please visit www.izzosmile.com. About izzo TM izzo TM is the revolutionary 4-in-1 home oral care system that helps consumers look and feel their best through healthier, whiter smiles. izzo includes a toothbrush, polishing system (polisher & enamel polishing paste), scaler and sanitizer. Made in partnership with Premier ® Dental Products Company, a 4th generation, family-run business established in 1913, izzo reflects the knowledge of over 100 years in developing professional-grade oral care products. This differentiated product introduces innovative in-home dental care directly to consumers through an easy-to-use kit and a convenient Subscribe & Save program. For more information, please visit www.izzosmile.com. About Premier Dental ® Products Company Premier Dental ® is a global privately-held business dedicated to delivering inspired solutions for daily dentistry. Dental professionals have turned to Premier for over 100 years as a leader in bringing innovative products to market that improve their daily procedures, practices and patient outcomes. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 18, 2022 01:54 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Quotient Sciences Completes Integration Of Drug Substance Into Translational Pharmaceutics® Platform

Quotient Sciences

Quotient Sciences – a global drug development and manufacturing accelerator offering a suite of services to clients in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry – announces that it has integrated drug substance into its flagship Translational Pharmaceutics ® platform. The newly integrated service unites drug substance, drug product and clinical testing activities all within a unified organization and under a single project manager. The full integration of drug substance R&D and manufacturing follows a year after the company’s acquisition of its Alnwick, UK site and provides a more streamlined approach from candidate selection through to commercialization. Quotient Sciences Translational Pharmaceutics ® approach – combining manufacturing and clinical dosing at a single organization – enables innovators to adjust formulations and dosing in real time. “Our Translational Pharmaceutics ® platform is now in its 15 th year and has accelerated development timelines for more than 500 drug programs. We remain the only outsourcing partner able to offer innovators the ability to manufacture, release, and dose under one organization. This approach is proven to shave 12-months of timelines and, by adding drug substance synthesis, the timeline from candidate selection to clinic can be a further accelerated by 2-4 months,” commented Mark Egerton, CEO of Quotient Sciences. Translational Pharmaceutics ® was developed in consultation with the MHRA & FDA and employs a rapid “make-test” cycle, where drug products are manufactured, released, and dosed in a clinical study in days rather than months. This means biotechs and pharma companies can fast track molecules from First in Human (FIH) through Proof of Concept (POC). “By fully integrating drug substance with drug product and clinical testing activities, Quotient Sciences can closely align manufacturing and dosing workflows, greatly improving R&D efficiencies, and increasing the potential for clinical and commercial success,” stated Peter Scholes, CSO of Quotient Sciences. “In fact, an independent study by the Tufts Center of the Study of Drug Development (CSDD) showed Translational Pharmaceutics delivered $200milllion in drug development cost saving per approved drug.” “Our purpose has always been to bring new medicines to patients faster, and our new capabilities in drug substance continue to break down traditional industry silos. As we look to the future, Quotient will continue to bring on new services that further integrate drug development and streamline the outsourcing needs of our customers,” added Egerton. [1] https://www.quotientsciences.com/news/tufts-csdd-demonstrates-multi-million-dollar-benef/ About Quotient Sciences Quotient Sciences is a drug development and manufacturing accelerator providing integrated programs and tailored services across the entire development pathway. Cutting through silos across a range of drug development capabilities, we save precious time and money in getting drugs to patients. Everything we do for our customers is driven by an unswerving belief that ideas need to become solutions, and molecules need to become cures, fast. Because humanity needs solutions, fast. For more information visit quotientsciences.com. Contact Details De Facto Communications Abdul Khalifeh +44 20 3735 8165 a.khalifeh@defacto.co.uk Company Website https://www.quotientsciences.com/

February 17, 2022 09:12 AM Eastern Standard Time

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VinFuture foundation officially launches the call for 2022 VinFuture Prize nominations

Vingroup

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach - 17 February 2022 - The VinFuture Prize has officially opened the nomination portal for the second season from February 16th until May 17th, 2022. The 2022 season of VinFuture Prize is looking for scientific inventions and innovations that can help revive the world and build up sustainable development after the pandemic. The Laureates of the VinFuture Grand Prize 2021 Following the success of the inaugural VinFuture Prize with 4 honored breakthroughs in science and technology that can positively impact humanity on a global scale – The second season of the Prize has been launched and welcomed by the international community of science. The focus of the VinFuture Prize’s second season is to honor outstanding scientific innovations that can help reimagine post-pandemic life and stimulate sustainable development. This reflects VinFuture’s consistent vision and mission of “Science for humanity”. If health protection was the challenge of mankind in 2021, “Reshaping and Reviving” is the imperative that the world needs to cope with in 2022. Centering around the theme of “Reshaping and Reviving”, the second season of the VinFuture Prize hopes to motivate and inspire scientists around the world. Through the Prizes, VinFuture wishes to support people to overcome topical post-pandemic challenges and create positive changes for millions of human lives on earth this year. Commenting on the outstanding nominations of 2021 and looking forward to this year’s submissions, Prof. Sir Richard Henry Friend – Chair of the VinFuture Prize Council, said: “Last year’s prize awards celebrate very clearly how science and innovation can bring real global benefits for health. However, humankind faces big challenges in many other areas, including natural resource consumption, the move to zero carbon to avoid damaging climate change, and others. This year we want to reach as widely as we can, across disciplines and across continents, to broaden the scope and impact of the VinFuture Prizes in reviving the post-pandemic world.” To be eligible for participating in the VinFuture Prize 2022, the applications are required to meet the nomination criteria* and be nominated by reputable organizations/individuals in the field of science and technology around the world. Nominations will be evaluated in the pre-screening and selection stages by the Pre-screening Committee and the VinFuture Prize Council respectively. Members of the Prize Council and Pre-screening Committee are top global scientists, inventors and laureates of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Millenium Technology Prize, and other global awards. Sharing about the expectations for the call for nominations of the second VinFuture Prize season, Prof. Văn-Chí Đặng, Scientific Director of Ludwig Cancer Research Institute (USA) and a member of the VinFuture Prize Council, said: “Science and technology is the answer to the challenges and urgent global problems that people are facing. In order to have more inventions that help change people’s lives regardless of origin, skin color, or ethnicity, for this year’s Prize, we expect to receive more exceptional scientific solutions, in more diverse fields, across more geographical areas, and from scientists regardless of age, gender, or nationality,… with the potential for application on a larger scale." The inaugural VinFuture Prize received tremendous support from the global scientific and technological community, with 599 quality nominations from scientists, researchers, and innovators from six continents. The VinFuture Grand Prize, valued at US$ 3 million, was awarded to a group of three scientists: Dr. Katalin Karikó (USA), Prof. Drew Weissman (USA), and Prof. Pieter Cullis (Canada) for the development of mRNA technology, paving the way for the production of effective vaccines to help prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. The VinFuture Special Prize for Innovators with Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields was awarded to Prof. Omar Yaghi (USA) for his pioneering work on the discovery and development of metal-organic framework materials (MOFs). The VinFuture Special Prize for Female Innovators was awarded to Prof. Zhenan Bao (USA) for the scientific advancements from her pioneering work on developing skin-inspired organic electronics materials. The VinFuture Special Prize for Innovators from Developing countries was granted to two scientists from South Africa, Prof. Salim Abdool Karim and Prof. Quarraisha Abdool Karim, whose research helps prevent HIV transmission and lessen the burden of the AIDS epidemic. 2022 online nomination portal: https://online.vinfutureprize.org/nomination For more information about the Prize: Detailed instructions on the nomination process and the Nomination Form: https://online.vinfutureprize.org/nomination FAQs: https://vinfutureprize.org/faqs/ The first-year VinFuture Prize Laureates were announced at the Award Ceremony on January 20th, 2022. Information about the awarded innovations can be found here: https://vinfutureprize.org/laureates/ *The ten major nomination criteria of the VinFuture Prize are: There should be clear evidence, or potential, for an end-product or service based on the solution, which has an everyday practical application; Solutions should have already benefited millions of people in the past 10 years for the Grand Prize, or have the potential to benefit millions of people in the next 10 years for the Special Prizes; Solutions should be aligned with one or more of the United Nation’s SDGs; Solutions must be scientifically proven (i.e., there should be clear evidence of passing relevant scientific trials, and in the case of research, it must be empirically proven or widely reviewed); Open to researchers or inventors who were involved in developing the underlying solutions, and not entrepreneurs or corporates who helped in the commercialization/diffusion of the technology; End-products of the research should benefit people globally, including those from developing and less developed countries, as well as lower-income and disadvantaged communities; Open to individuals or teams of researchers/inventors; Preferences are considered for nominees in the active stages of their careers; A nominator can only nominate one nominee/one group of nominees for each of the four Prize categories. Research/Solution/Invention can be underpinned in any discipline of science, engineering, or technology, including potentially multi-disciplinary approaches. About VinFuture Foundation: The VinFuture Foundation, established on December 20th, 2020 on the occasion of International Human Solidarity Day, is an independent, not-for-profit foundation initiated by Mr. Phạm Nhật Vượng, the Chairman of Vingroup JSC, Vietnam’s leading private conglomerate, and his wife, Mrs. Phạm Thu Hương. The Foundation was established to honor and facilitate breakthrough scientific research and technological innovations that have already contributed or have the potential to contribute to the betterment of life for millions of human beings globally while creating a more sustainable world for future generations. The VinFuture Prize consists of four prize categories, of which the Grand Prize – with a value of US$3 million – is one of the largest annual global prizes, and three additional Special Prizes, worth US$500,000 each, are dedicated to Female Innovator(s), Innovator(s) from Developing Country(ies), and Innovator(s) with Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields. In addition, the Foundation also conducts many activities to realize its mission, such as funding research, collaborating in academic development, and promoting STEM education. Contact Details Vingroup Media Contact v.nammh@vingroup.net Company Website https://online.vinfutureprize.org/nomination/s/welcome

February 17, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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