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Immunic CEO says Q2 results "couldn't be better"

Immunic Inc

Immunic Inc (NASDAQ:IMUX) president and CEO Dr Daniel Vitt speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive following the release of the Munich-based biotechnology company's second-quarter financial results and a corporate update. Dr. Vitt says that the performance of the business during Q2 "couldn't have been better", highlighting what he calls "scientifically a very good quarter and uneventful on the more general financial side." He goes on to give more detail about the progress achieved with Immunic's prospective multiple sclerosis (MS) and celiac disease treatments during the quarter, noting the preclinical data for its most advanced molecule IMU-838 that was published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry and positive results From Phase 1b Clinical Trial of IMU-856 in celiac disease. Looking to the future, Dr. Vitt expects more trial data to be released in the fall of this year, and reiterates that the company is fully funded into Q4 of 2024. Contact Details Proactive United States +1 347-449-0879 action@proactiveinvestors.com

August 07, 2023 09:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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HKBU unveils treatment potential of herbal extract compound isoliquiritigenin for pancreatic cancer

Hong Kong Baptist University

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 7 August 2023 - A research led by scientists of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) found that isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a flavonoid isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine licorice, can inhibit pancreatic cancer progression. It may also enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs in treating pancreatic cancer. It is the first time that a research group reported the anticancer potential of ISL in treating pancreatic cancer. The research findings have been published in the international academic journal Phytomedicine and recently presented in the Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research 2023 in Torino, Italy. Pancreatic cancer as the "silent killer" Pancreatic cancer is often called the "silent killer" as most patients experience little or no symptoms until it has advanced and spread. According to the Global Cancer Statistics 2020 released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the mortality-to-incidence ratio of pancreatic cancer is greater than 93%. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in Hong Kong. Whipple (pancreaticoduodenectomy) operation is the only available curative treatment of pancreatic cancer. However, only 20% of patients are suitable for resection and the recurrence rate is high. In non-resectable cases and metastatic pancreatic cancer patients, the chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine (GEM) remains the mainstream treatment. Nevertheless, GEM-based combination therapy exhibits profound chemoresistance with serious systemic toxicity. Gancao extract identified as anticancer agent In the search for alternative treatments for pancreatic cancer, a research team led by Dr Joshua Ko Ka-Shun, Associate Professor, Teaching and Research Division of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, screened all the potential pancreatic cancer disease markers and the biological therapeutic activities of phytochemicals from the medicinal plant Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice, or Gancao in Chinese) using network pharmacology. Network pharmacology is an emerging discipline which systematically catalogue the molecular interactions of a drug molecule in a living cell using complex computations, and has become an important tool in botanical drug discovery. Using this approach, the team identified ISL as a potential anticancer agent for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. With a series of cell experiments, the team demonstrated that ISL suppressed the growth and induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) of pancreatic cancer cells. In two human pancreatic cancer cell lines applied with 12.5 μM and 25 μM concentrations of ISL respectively, their cell survival rates were about 50% and 80% lower than the control cells with no ISL applied. The percentage of late stage apoptosis in the two cell lines was 11% and 13% respectively, compared to less than 5% in the control cells. Inhibits cancer progression with fewer side effects "ISL possesses a unique property of inhibiting pancreatic cancer progression through the blockade of autophagy, which is a natural process where the body's cells clean out damaged or unnecessary components. The blockade of late-stage autophagy in our experiments results in cancer cell death," said Dr Ko. The research team further employed a mice tumor model to investigate the efficacy of ISL in inhibiting pancreatic cancer cell growth in vivo. The mice were divided into three groups with GEM (GEM group), ISL (ISL group) and no treatment agent (control group) applied. The ISL group was further divided into two sub-groups treated with 30mg/kg and 60mg/kg of ISL. On the 21st day of the experiment, the tumor volumes of the control group and the GEM group were1000 mm3 and 400 mm3 respectively. The tumor volumes of the two ISL sub-groups treated with 30mg/kg and 60mg/kg of ISL were about 500 mm3 and 300 mm3 respectively. The results showed that ISL demonstrated treatment effects comparable to that of GEM. Meanwhile, compared with GEM, ISL showed fewer side effects in mice including neutropenia (drop in white blood cell count), anemia and body weight loss. Enhances effects of chemotherapies Current first-line chemotherapeutic drugs for pancreatic cancer, such as GEM and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), are frequently associated with chemoresistance. It is because these drugs induce autophagy which favours the growth of cancer cells, and thus jeopardises their treatment effects. To explore ISL's potential in counteracting the chemoresistance of GEM and 5-FU, the research team set up experiments with pancreatic cancer cells treated with GEM or 5-FU alone, and GEM or 5-FU together with ISL. The growth inhibition rate of pancreatic cancer cells applied with GEM and ISL together is 18% higher than using GEM only, while the growth inhibition rate using 5-FU and ISL together is 30% higher than 5-FU only. The results showed that ISL can enhance the treatment effects of chemotherapeutic drugs by blocking autophagy, which is conducive to the death of cancer cells. "The findings in this study open a new avenue for developing ISL as a novel autophagy inhibitor in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. We hope to collaborate with other research partners to further evaluate the effectiveness and potential clinical application of ISL in treating pancreatic cancer," said Dr Ko. Contact Details Communication and Public Relations Office Christina Wu christinawu@hkbu.edu.hk

August 07, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Ilika CEO says Cirtec deal an "absolutely fantastic validation"

Ilika PLC

Ilika PLC (AIM:IKA, OTCQX:ILIKF) CEO Graeme Purdy speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive after announcing the signing of a 10-year agreement with US complex medical device company Cirtec Medical to provide Ilika's Stereax solid-state batteries. The deal establishes an exclusive relationship with Cirtech for the use of Stereax batteries in medical devices and features an initial period of profit sharing, later transitioning into a royalty on net sales, ensuring mutual benefit. He refers to the deal as an "absolutely fantastic verification and validation" of Ilika's business model. Purdy suggests that despite Stereax's potential suitability for use in sectors such as the Internet of Things, he's always been clear that the initial commercial focus for Ilika during Stereax's early life will be on medical devices. He also mentions what he calls exciting progress with the other side of the business, the much larger Goliath Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries, and signals more positive developments in the future. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

August 07, 2023 08:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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C4X Discovery focused and funded after £15.95mln strategic divestment

C4X Discovery Holdings PLC

C4X Discovery Holdings PLC (AIM:C4XD) chief business officer Bhavna Hunjan and chief scientific officer Nick Ray speak to Thomas Warner from Proactive after the drug discovery company announced what it calls the strategic divestment of its Orexin-1 receptor antagonist programme to Indivior PLC (LSE:INDV) for £15.95mln. In the divestment, C4X Discovery has sold the proprietary rights to its Orexin-1 antagonist programme for substance use disorders, including the lead candidate INDV-2000, to Indivior. This allows the company to crystallise the value of the programme, providing non-diluted funding for its future platform strategy. Bhavna Hunjan explains that the deal offers an opportunity to realise the value of the programme sooner, aligning with their focus on immuno-inflammatory diseases and providing valuable non-dilutive funding for the company. Nick Ray adds that the divestment is in line with their strategy to move forward as an immuno-inflammatory focused company. He reveals more about the company's pipeline, saying that good progress is being made toward the clinic with their lead programme and have several early-stage projects that will be further developed and disclosed to the public when ready. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

August 07, 2023 08:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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MIRA Pharmaceuticals debuts on the Nasdaq with plans to revolutionize medicinal CBD and THC

MIRA Pharmaceuticals

MIRA Pharmaceuticals CEO Erez Aminov, CEO joined Proactive's Stephen Gunnion as the company started trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol 'MIRA'. Aminov said MIRA is making groundbreaking advancements in the cannabis industry with the development of a synthetic marijuana analog that aims to revolutionize medicinal cannabis usage. This new molecular entity, created using patented technology, offers the benefits of THC and CBD without their typical side effects, such as paranoia, anxiety, and impaired cognition. Clinical studies at John Hopkins Medical School revealed that this compound not only alleviates anxiety and chronic pain but also enhances cognition by 100% in animal studies. MIRA's synthetic THC is intended for medicinal use and is undergoing FDA approval. The pharmaceutical-grade version aims to provide a clean, safe, and effective option for patients, allowing them access to cannabis-based relief without the impurities and toxicity associated with plant-based marijuana. Moreover, MIRA's product stands out by being unscheduled, making it available to federal employees and veterans. The company's mission is to address unmet needs, such as anxiety and cognitive impairment in early-stage dementia patients, with minimal side effects. MIRA Pharmaceuticals raised $8.9 million in the IPO, which will be primarily directed towards accelerating toxicology and clinical research to bring the revolutionary drug to market. Contact Details Proactive Investors +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

August 03, 2023 02:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Stupid Cancer to host CancerCon™ Live in Atlanta, Georgia in August 2023

Stupid Cancer, Inc.

New York, NY - Stupid Cancer, a 501(c)3 nonprofit leader in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer community, announces it will be hosting their annual CancerCon Live at the Omni Hotel at the CNN Center in Atlanta, GA, this summer on August 17–20. CancerCon Live aims to connect AYA cancer patients, survivors, advocates, and health professionals for a weekend filled with inspiring discussions and networking opportunities. “We are excited to bring this event to the southeast to such a young and vibrant city!” says Alison Silberman, CEO of Stupid Cancer. The 2023 agenda is carefully curated to provide the AYA community with valuable resources and many opportunities to connect with your AYA community. Some of this year’s sessions and presenters include… A Community for Caregivers Speaker: Leeann Terwilliger, LCSW, Stupid Cancer I’m Fine: Men, Cancer, and "Cowboy Culture” Speaker: Trevor Maxwell, Man Up to Cancer LOLing through Cancer: Turning your Story into Comedy Speaker: Julia Johns, Comedian Do I Need a Lawyer? Legal Implications of AYA Cancer Speaker: Nicole Jolicoeur, Esq, Triage Cancer Peds to AYA & Long-Term Survivorship Speakers: Sanyukta Janardan, MD, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University; Montana Harstad, RN, Emory Healthcare; & James Ludemann, MSN, RN, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta “We're thrilled to have several amazing local experts from Atlanta's renowned medical institutions as session presenters, as well as other survivors and professionals from across the country." says Chelsea Donahue, Director of Programs. For over a decade, Stupid Cancer has brought together hundreds of patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and health professionals at the largest gathering of the AYA community - CancerCon. Now gathering both online and off, every CancerCon event is an immersive experience, led by transformative connection and education.The majority of conference attendees are AYA (age 15-39) cancer patients and survivors, but caregivers and health professionals of all ages are also welcome. Beginning in 2022 CancerCon is hosted in a different US city as we seek to make the event always be within reach of our community at all times. About Stupid Cancer: Stupid Cancer's mission is to help empower everyone in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) community by ending isolation and building community. Through innovative programming and strategic communications, the organization aims to provide support, resources, education, and a sense of community both online and in-person. For more information, please visit stupidcancer.org. Contact Details Alison Silberman +1 212-619-1040 media@stupidcancer.org Company Website https://stupidcancer.org/

August 03, 2023 09:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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xUTILITY to Lead the Way Integrating Research and Patient Care

xCures

xCures, a trailblazer in healthcare technology, is delighted to unveil xUTILITY, a solution poised to transform the patient registry paradigm in the United States. xUTILITY establishes an instantaneous patient registry platform by retrieving records nationwide and automatically digitizing and structuring the electronic health data into a common data model with AI-enhanced abstraction and source verification, as needed. In order to provide a 360-degree view of patient health, xUTILITY includes comprehensive capture capabilities for Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) data. "The integration of research and care is the future of healthcare," said Mika Newton, CEO of xCures. "xUTILITY brings this future to the present by delivering rich, comprehensive, and timely patient data. This connectivity will spur personalized, efficient care and groundbreaking medical discoveries." The platform's ability to capture Real-Time, Regulatory-Grade Clinical Data (RRC) is pivotal to delivering quality patient care and pursuing groundbreaking medical research. xUTILITY's distinctive feature is its ability to accommodate user document uploads, integrated with automated data extraction. The resulting synchronized data architecture introduces a new era of research-driven patient care. Its innovative data extraction process, bolstered by a complete data annotation workflow, adheres to 21 CFR Part 11, signifying xCures' unyielding commitment to data integrity. The unprecedented level of automation offered by xUTILITY translates to a remarkable workforce multiplier, with up to a 30-fold improvement in efficiency of data curation. This efficiency enables healthcare organizations to expedite decision-making, improve health outcomes, and enhance operational effectiveness. With xUTILITY, xCures is charting a course toward a future where the integration of research and care forms the backbone of healthcare delivery. About xCures xCures Inc. operates an AI-assisted platform that automatically retrieves medical records from all sites of care. The (unstructured) data is aggregated and organized into a powerful, always up-to-date care summary that helps cancer patients get the right therapy at the right time. The platform's portals, xINFORM for patients and xDECIDE for providers, facilitate treatment option decisions. The research portal, xUTILITY, generates Real-time, Regulatory-grade, Clinical data (RRC) for studies and decentralized trials. For more information, contact info@xcures.com or visit http://www.xcures.com. Contact Details xCures Inc Patrick van der Valk pvandervalk@xcures.com Company Website https://xcures.com

August 03, 2023 09:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Innovative Eyewear CEO says company is leading innovation in smart eyewear; unveils new Blueshift Lens

Innovative Eyewear

Innovative Eyewear Inc CEO Harrison Gross joined Proactive's Stephen Gunnion with insights on the company's mission to revolutionize eyewear with smart technology - and news of the launch of the Lucyd Blueshift Lens. Harrison explained that the core product is a pair of smart glasses that seamlessly blend technology with style, enabling users to stay connected while protecting and correcting their vision. These smart glasses function as headphones, offer noise-canceling microphones, and integrate voice assistants like Siri and Google Voice for hands-free convenience. The addition of the Blueshift Lens provides protection against harmful blue light from digital screens. Gross said the recent introduction of ChatGPT integration brings powerful artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to the glasses, allowing users to access vast amounts of information effortlessly. He also discussed the company's partnership with renowned fashion brands including Nautica, Eddie Bauer and Reebok, highlighting the vision to make smart eyewear a fashionable and accessible accessory. Although still a niche market, the company is optimistic about the smart eyewear market's growth potential. Contact Details Proactive Investors +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

August 02, 2023 02:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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UNOS Plan Reimagines Governance of US Transplant System to Best Serve Patients

United Network for Organ Sharing

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) officially submitted a plan to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that would establish a new governance structure for the OPTN in order to strengthen public trust and oversight and accountability. UNOS is the mission-driven, non-profit organization that serves as the nation’s organ donation and transplant system—the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)— under contract with and overseen by HRSA. The OPTN Independence Plan, which HRSA requested through a contract modification in May 2023, outlines how best to establish an OPTN Board that is legally independent from the OPTN contractor’s board, with no overlap in membership and with distinct obligations. Creating an independent OPTN Board would require the incorporation of the OPTN as an independent, nonprofit organization. The plan represents the culmination of a multi-year effort. UNOS first requested HRSA engagement in May 2021 to create an independent OPTN Board. In January 2023, UNOS sent a follow-up letter to HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson, advocating for a contract modification that would allow UNOS to submit a roadmap detailing concrete steps to advance board independence. “The roadmap that we submitted is a critical step forward for the nation’s organ donation and transplant system and the patients and families who depend on it,” said UNOS CEO Maureen McBride, Ph.D. “Transplant patients will be best served if the OPTN and its Board are given greater independence. Our plan increases accountability, transparency and good governance, which will lead to greater public trust in the national system.” Since the formation of the OPTN, the OPTN and UNOS have used a unitary board approach, where the UNOS Board also serves as the OPTN Board. This has been done in compliance with the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA), the OPTN Final Rule and the current OPTN contract held by UNOS. Efforts to reform and improve the national system, however, require a collaborative reimagining of this structure. UNOS’ plan will accomplish several critical goals of UNOS, HRSA, Congress and federal partners. It will provide the continuity of services on which patients rely while ensuring the OPTN’s independence from any current or future OPTN contractors. “The OPTN Independence Plan also promotes competition for the upcoming OPTN contract, eliminating any potential or perceived conflict of interest,” UNOS Board President Dianne LaPointe Rudow, APN-BC, DNP, FAAN said. Creating a legally independent OPTN corporation is a key pillar of UNOS’ Action Agenda and was endorsed by the Senate Finance Committee in its August 2022 report. The proposed plan is subject to HRSA approval. “We are committed to working with HRSA to ensure the successful and timely implementation of any OPTN governance restructuring plan by March 31, 2024,” McBride continued. “It is imperative that we pursue reforms as a unified community, and I am proud of the cooperation at all levels that has resulted in this plan.” About UNOS United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit, charitable organization that serves as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) under contract with the federal government. The OPTN helps create and define organ allocation and distribution policies that make the best use of donated organs. This process involves continuously evaluating new advances and discoveries so policies can be adapted to best serve patients waiting for transplants. All transplant programs and organ procurement organizations throughout the country are OPTN members and are obligated to follow the policies the OPTN creates for allocating organs. Contact Details United Network for Organ Sharing Anne Paschke +1 804-782-4730 anne.paschke@unos.org Company Website https://unos.org

August 02, 2023 01:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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