Day: November 22, 2022

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Botswana Introduces Injectable Antiretrovirals for HIV Treatment

Botswana has approved the use of injectable anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to improve adherence to HIV treatment. Minister of Health Edwin Dikoloti says the injections, given every two months, are more convenient than daily pills, which patients sometimes skip.
Health Minister Edwin Dikoloti said the use of injectable ARV medication will start next year, after the recent approval of the drug.
“(The) government is working on introducing the injectable anti-retroviral medication soon. Botswana has, through the professional guidance of the clinical guidelines committee, adopted the use of injectable antiretroviral medicines given every two months, for both prevention and treatment,” said Dikoloti.
Minister Dikoloti said the move will help alleviate concerns that patients are skipping their daily oral dose.
“The injectable ARVs, for both prevention and treatment, will no doubt improve adherence to the HIV treatment in our country. The injectable ARV medication formula comprises cabotegravir and rilpivirine. The cabotegravir injection has already been registered by the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority while rilpivirine is still undergoing the registration process,” said Dikoloti.
HIV activist Bonosi Bino Segadimo said the introduction of injectable medication will not only help with compliance but could reduce the stigma associated with the virus that causes AIDS.
“I believe the injectable ARVs will help a lot of people in terms of adherence because a lot of defaulting is caused by taking a pill every day. Some say the bottles (for oral pills) cause a lot of attention when they are in public from their appointments (at health facilities). It’s not that everyone on (ARV) treatment has accepted their status. It is a relief for those who find it hard going around a bottle of medication.”
In 2019, the Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute conducted clinical trials to determine the efficacy of the injectable drug.
The study proved the drug is safe and highly effective for HIV prevention.
Kennedy Mupeli is a programs officer at Center of Youth for Hope, a non-governmental organization that targets young people living with HIV in Botswana.
“We are so excited as activists that HIV medication has actually evolved to this level. Who knows, in the near future this will be taken twice a year. This could also encourage people to test because people have this phobia for daily pills,” said Mupeli.
With the world’s fourth largest prevalence of HIV infections, Botswana becomes the second country in Africa, after South Africa, to adopt the use of the injectable ARV drug.

Source: Voice Of America

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Fauci Pleads With Americans to Get COVID Shot in Final White House Briefing

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. health official celebrated and vilified as the face of the country’s COVID-19 pandemic response, used his final White House briefing on Tuesday to denounce division and promote vaccines.
Fauci, who plans to retire soon as President Joe Biden’s top medical adviser and top U.S. infectious disease official, has dealt with the thorny questions around health crises from HIV/AIDS to avian flu and Ebola.
But it was his handling of COVID — and his blunt assessments from the White House podium that Americans needed to change their behavior in light of the pandemic — that made him a hero to public health advocates while serving under President Donald Trump, a villain to some on the right and an unusual celebrity among bureaucratic officials used to toiling in obscurity. Fauci has regularly been subjected to death threats for his efforts.
True to form, Fauci used the final press briefing to strongly encourage Americans to get COVID vaccines and booster shots, and touted the effectiveness of masks, all of which became partisan totems in the United States.
The United States leads the world in recorded COVID-19 deaths with more than 1 million.
After 13 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines given worldwide, Fauci said, there is “clearly an extensive body of information” that indicates that they are safe.
“When I see people in this country because of the divisiveness in our country … not getting vaccinated for reasons that have nothing to do with public health, but have to do because of divisiveness and ideological differences, as a physician, it pains me,” Fauci said.
“I don’t want to see anybody hospitalized, and I don’t want to see anybody die from COVID. Whether you’re a far-right Republican or a far-left Democrat, doesn’t make any difference to me.”
Fauci is stepping down in December after 54 years of public service. The 81-year-old has headed the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, since 1984.
The veteran immunologist has served as an adviser to seven U.S. presidents beginning with Republican Ronald Reagan. He made his first appearance at the White House press briefing in 2001.
Republican lawmakers including fierce critic Senator Rand Paul, with whom Fauci tangled during Senate hearings, have vowed to investigate him when they take control of the House of Representatives following November’s congressional elections.
On Tuesday, Fauci said he “will absolutely cooperate fully” in any congressional oversight hearings launched by Republicans next year.

Source: Voice Of America

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Raya and the Last Dragon will screen in Savannakhet and LuangPrabang

The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane is working with STELLA, Lao New Wave Cinema, and Walt Disney Animation Studios to bring “Raya and the Last Dragon” back to audiences in Savannakhet on Nov 22 and Luang Prabang on Nov 25.
The Raya and the Last Dragon is first Disney animated feature to focus on Southeast Asian culture.
Raya and the Last Dragon will screen Nov 22 at 8:30pm at Lao Chaleun Cinema, Savannakhet Province. REGISTER at https://bit.ly/3fY921y
While, Luang Prabang will also screen on Nov 25 at 6:00 pm at That Luang Park – open to the public.
At the event will attend with special guest Dr. Steve Arounsack, Lao American and lead cultural advisor and visual anthropologist for the movie.
Dr. Arounsack will highlight the success and contribution of the overseas diaspora and the appreciation of Lao culture around the world.

Source: Lao News Agency

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Jeito Capital co-leads EUR 50 million financing in CatalYm, a clinical-stage biopharma company developing novel immunotherapies for patients with cancer

 Jeito Capital co-leads EUR 50 million financing in CatalYm, a clinical-stage biopharma company developing novel immunotherapies for patients with cancer

  • Jeito Capital co-leads oversubscribed EUR 50 million Series C financing with Brandon Capital
    • CatalYm is developing a new class of anti-cancer immunotherapies, which have already demonstrated initial promising clinical results in advanced-stage solid tumor patients
    • Jeito Capital strengthens its strong and diversified portfolio with first German investment

Paris, France, November 22nd 2022 – Jeito Capital (“Jeito”), a leading independent international private equity firm dedicated to healthcare and biopharma, announced today that it has co-led a EUR 50 million Series C financing round in CatalYm, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel immunotherapies to fight cancer. The oversubscribed financing was co-led by Brandon Capital with participation from existing investors Forbion, Novartis Venture Fund, Vesalius Biocapital III, Bayern Kapital, BioGeneration Ventures, and Coparion. CatalYm was founded in 2016 as a spin-off from Würzburg University and is based in Munich (Germany).

CatalYM’s lead candidate, visugromab is a humanized monoclonal antibody engineered to neutralize the tumor-produced Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15). It is currently in Phase 2 clinical studies in patients with solid tumors that are relapsed/refractory to prior anti-PD1/-PD-L1 treatment. GDF-15 acts as a key regulator of immune cell activation and as an inhibitor of immune cell infiltration into the tumor tissue.

Proceeds from the financing will primarily be used to expand the Phase 2 clinical development program of visugromab. This expansion is based on convincing efficacy and durability results in advanced, last-line patients in Phase 1 and continued positive clinical responses in the ongoing GDFATHER-2 trial (GDF-15 Antibody-mediaTed Human Effector cell Relocation Phase 2). The expanded Phase 2 clinical studies will enroll patients at clinical centers in Europe and the United States.

Jeito selected CatalYm in line with its investment strategy to support the development of the most promising European Biopharma with growth and acceleration potential. Dr. Andreas Wallnoefer, Partner at Jeito Capital will join CatalYM’s Board of Directors.

Throughout 2022, Jeito has continued to build a portfolio of innovative companies across diverse therapeutic areas and across stages of development with the strong potential to improve the lives of patients. With CatalYm, Jeito makes its first investment in Germany, which has a very dynamic and internationally recognized biopharma ecosystem. Jeito closed its Jeito I fund at €534 million in September 2021 and has to date invested in high-quality biopharma companies with the potential to become market leaders in France, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

Dr Rafaèle Tordjman, MD, PhD, Founder and CEO of Jeito, commented: “We are thrilled to co-lead this new round of financing in CatalYm to further accelerate its clinical development and support its world leading research for the benefit of severely ill patients with no satisfying therapeutic solution. Jeito is committed to supporting and accelerating the development of the most promising European biopharma companies. CatalYm has the potential of growth and acceleration for patients, which is a core value for Jeito. Jeito selected this clinical stage company that has a promising new therapy approach to treat cancer, which has already demonstrated the first clinical signs of activity for severe relapsed patients. We look forward to working with the experienced CatalYm team.”

Dr. Andreas Wallnoefer, Partner at Jeito, added: “Visugromab has shown promising results in enhancing the immune response to fight cancer in its first clinical trials, resulting in several impressive responses in patients with advanced tumors and last line treatments. The drug has great potential to improve patients’ lives and become part of cancer immune therapy regimens given its important efficacy profile and good tolerability.”

Dr. Phil L’Huillier, Chief Executive Officer at CatalYm, concluded: “The success of our Series C financing, based on strong clinical data, is a further validation that visugromab is emerging as a new anti-cancer immunotherapeutic drug with the potential to transform the immuno-oncology landscape. We deeply value the commitment of our new and existing investors, which will enable further clinical development moving our lead program towards pivotal studies.”

About Jeito Capital

Jeito Capital is a global leading investment company with a patient benefit driven approach that finances and accelerates the development and growth of ground-breaking medical innovation. Jeito empowers and supports entrepreneurs through its expert, integrated, multi-talented team and through the investment of significant capital to ensure the growth of companies, building market leaders in their respective therapeutic areas with accelerated patients’ access globally, especially in Europe and the United States. Jeito Capital has €534 million under management and a rapidly growing portfolio of investments. Jeito Capital is based in Paris with a presence in Europe and the United States.

@Jeito_lifeLinkedInFor more information, please visit www.jeito.life, or follow @Jeito_life on Twitter or LinkedIn.
About CatalYm

CatalYm has identified GDF-15 as a central regulator of the immune system in the tumor microenvironment. We are pioneering the reversal of GDF-15-mediated immunosuppression to induce a potent antitumoral immune reaction in non-responsive tumors. CatalYm’s lead program visugromab is poised to demonstrate clinical proof-of-concept in multiple solid tumor indications which will expand the treatment horizon for current and future immunotherapies.

About visugromab (CTL-002)

Visugromab, formerly known as CTL-002, is a humanized, monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize the tumor-produced Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15). GDF-15 secretion by the tumor has been shown to prevent T cell migration into the tumor and suppresses T cell function and the adaptive immune response in the tumor microenvironment. This enables the tumor to evade the immune system and become resistant to standard of care and current immunotherapy approaches such as checkpoint inhibitors. Visugromab counteracts these immuno-suppressive mechanisms by neutralizing GDF-15, enhancing the infiltration of immune cells into the tumor, improving both priming of T cells by dendritic cells and tumor killing by T cells and NK cells.

For further information please contact:

Jeito Capital
Rafaèle Tordjman
Assia Mouhout, EA
assia@jeito.life
Tel : +33 6 76 49 37 94

Consilium Strategic Communications Mary-Jane Elliott / Davide Salvi / Kris Lam
Jeito@consilium-comms.com
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700

Marion Bougeard
marion@achto-conseil.fr
Tel : +33 6 76 73 57 31

CatalYm GmbH
Dr. Phil L’Huillier, CEO
info@catalym.com

Trophic Communications
Dr. Stephanie May
Phone: +49 171 185 56 82
catalym@trophic.eu

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000768212

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Poste Italiane: Del Fante, Product Portfolio Completed in 5 Years, Increasingly Focused on the Customer

ROME, Nov. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CEO of Poste Italiane speaks to TGPoste, record results thanks to contribution of all business units.

Over the past five years, the transformation of Poste Italiane has been completed with the expansion of the product portfolio as part of an omnichannel strategy; now the time has come to reach out to customers and meet their every need. In an interview with TGPoste, CEO Matteo Del Fante outlined the path for the coming months, as he revealed that the Group’s operating margin has risen to an all-time high.

“Our strategic guidelines,” Del Fante explained, “have been the same since 2018,” the year in which the Deliver 2022 Business Plan was presented, the first plan signed by Del Fante. “In these five years, we have expanded the range of products available to our customers. Our mission is to give them the very best service.”

The CEO of Poste Italiane also commented on the excellent financial results of the first nine months of 2022, which the company presented today: “All our business units have made an important positive contribution. In these years characterised by the pandemic, we have had foresight and managed to develop plans that take into account our role in the country’s system. We have taken our responsibilities and become a better company.” Del Fante recalled that the expansion of Poste Italiane’s product portfolio included optical fiber, which made its market debut in 2021, and will soon include a new electricity and gas package, which will make its market debut in the first quarter of 2023.

For more information:
LaPresse SpA Communication and Press Office Director
Barbara Sanicola – barbara.sanicola@lapresse.it

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c94a2a18-cb17-4a1c-8fe1-5249a92ef846

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8701665

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Teledyne DALSA announces its new line of high-performance X-ray detectors at RSNA 2022

New Axios IGZO-based X-ray detectors deliver an unrivaled balance of performance and value

Axios X-ray detectors

New Axios X-ray detectors from Teledyne deliver an unprecedented balance of performance and value

WATERLOO, Ontario, Nov. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Teledyne DALSA is pleased to announce its presence at the RSNA 2022 Technical Exhibition with a new offering of X-Ray detectors based on Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO) in addition to their premium line of CMOS-based detectors. The show takes place November 27 – December 1, Chicago, IL. Teledyne will exhibit its full line of detectors in booth #3709.

Teledyne will introduce its breakthrough line of X-ray detectors that narrows the gap between amorphous silicon and CMOS-based detectors at RSNA 2022. The new Axios flat panel detector series, designed and manufactured entirely by Teledyne, are based on an innovative IGZO technology, proprietary new image chain and use the highest performance components. The Axios product line is engineered to deliver an unprecedented balance of performance and value, while addressing the needs of the most demanding real-time applications for diagnostic and interventional imaging like orthopedics, vascular cardiology and surgery. The high image quality performance of the Axios detectors will enable better diagnosis of medical anomalies and better procedure outcomes, resulting in reduced treatment costs.

“Axios detectors exceed industry benchmarks in current TFT detector technologies by providing artifact-free images at higher speeds and higher DQE at low dose operation with lower lag and an increased signal-to-noise ratio,” said Mila Heeman, Marketing Manager for Teledyne DALSA’s X-Ray Solutions business unit. “The Axios detectors produce high performance 2D and 3D imaging at a considerably lower cost than the premium CMOS technology detectors. We are happy to offer more affordable, high-performance X-ray imaging bearing the Teledyne stamp of excellence in product quality and customer support.”

On display will be also the Teledyne’s Xineos CMOS X-Ray detector series – a superior performance family of detectors that deliver unsurpassed low dose and lag-free image quality, combined with easy integration and long reliable lifetime. These detectors provide the best digital imaging solution for challenging surgical situations — where all other technologies stop working, Teledyne’s CMOS goes the extra mile. Teledyne has a full portfolio of CMOS detectors in a wide range of detector sizes and resolutions for demanding x-ray imaging applications such as surgery, 2D and 3D mammography, extra oral dental, CBCT and others.

About Teledyne DALSA’s Healthcare Products and Services
Teledyne DALSA provides state-of-the-art image sensing, capture and processing solutions to medical, dental and scientific equipment manufacturers. Building on more than 30 years of proven capability and innovation, our team of imaging specialists delivers leading-edge product design. Our manufacturing processes are tailored to comply with the stringent quality, reliability, and traceability requirements of the medical and scientific X-ray community. For more information, visit http://teledynedalsa.com/imaging/markets/medical/

Media Contact:
Geralyn Miller
geralyn.miller@teledyne.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fe50b5a8-c2fb-4a26-9188-a39f0ca35b74

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8701085