StemCell Therapy

The global stem cell and regenerative medicines market should grow from $21.8 billion in 2019 to reach $55.0 billion by 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.4% for the period of 2019-2024.

Report Scope:

The scope of this report is broad and covers various type of product available in the stem cell and regenerative medicines market and potential application sectors across various industries. The current report offers a detailed analysis of the stem cell and regenerative medicines market.

The report highlights the current and future market potential of stem cell and regenerative medicines and provides a detailed analysis of the competitive environment, recent development, merger and acquisition, drivers, restraints, and technology background in the market. The report also covers market projections through 2024.

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The report details market shares of stem cell and regenerative medicines based on products, application, and geography. Based on product the market is segmented into therapeutic products, cell banking, tools and reagents. The therapeutics products segments include cell therapy, tissue engineering and gene therapy. By application, the market is segmented into oncology, cardiovascular disorders, dermatology, orthopedic applications, central nervous system disorders, diabetes, others

The market is segmented by geography into the following regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa. The report presents detailed analyses of major countries such as the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, the U.K. France, Japan, China and India. For market estimates, data is provided for 2018 as the base year, with forecasts for 2019 through 2024. Estimated values are based on product manufacturers total revenues. Projected and forecasted revenue values are in constant U.S. dollars, unadjusted for inflation.

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Report Includes:

28 data tables An overview of global markets for stem cell and regenerative medicines Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2018, estimates for 2019, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2024 Details of historic background and description of embryonic and adult stem cells Information on stem cell banking and stem cell research A look at the growing research & development activities in regenerative medicine Coverage of ethical issues in stem cell research & regulatory constraints on biopharmaceuticals Comprehensive company profiles of key players in the market, including Aldagen Inc., Caladrius Biosciences Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., Gamida Cell Ltd. and Novartis AG

Summary

The global market for stem cell and regenerative medicines was valued at REDACTED billion in 2018. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of REDACTED to reach approximately REDACTED billion by 2024. Growth of the global market is attributed to the factors such as growingprevalence of cancer, technological advancement in product, growing adoption of novel therapeuticssuch as cell therapy, gene therapy in treatment of chronic diseases and increasing investment fromprivate players in cell-based therapies.

In the global market, North America held the highest market share in 2018. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growing government funding for regenerative medicines in research institutes along with the growing number of clinical trials based on cell-based therapy and investment in R&D activities is expected to supplement the growth of the stem cell and regenerative market in Asia-Pacific region during the forecast period.

Reasons for Doing This Study

Global stem cell and regenerative medicines market comprises of various products for novel therapeutics that are adopted across various applications. New advancement and product launches have influenced the stem cell and regenerative medicines market and it is expected to grow in the near future. The biopharmaceutical companies are investing significantly in cell-based therapeutics. The government organizations are funding research and development activities related to stem cell research. These factors are impacting the stem cell and regenerative medicines market positively and augmenting the demand of stem cell and regenerative therapy among different application segments. The market is impacted through adoption of stem cell therapy. The key players in the market are investing in development of innovative products. The stem cell therapy market is likely to grow during the forecast period owing to growing investment from private companies, increasing in regulatory approval of stem cell-based therapeutics for treatment of chronic diseases and growth in commercial applications of regenerative medicine.

Products based on stem cells do not yet form an established market, but unlike some other potential applications of bioscience, stem cell technology has already produced many significant products in important therapeutic areas. The potential scope of the stem cell market is now becoming clear, and it is appropriate to review the technology, see its current practical applications, evaluate the participating companies and look to its future.

The report provides the reader with a background on stem cell and regenerative therapy, analyzes the current factors influencing the market, provides decision-makers the tools that inform decisions about expansion and penetration in this market.

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Stem Cell And Regenerative Therapy Market Industry Outlook, Growth Prospects and Key Opportunities - Kentucky Journal 24

MIRAMAR, Fla., Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Generex Biotechnology Corporation (www.generex.com) (OTCQB:GNBT) is pleased to announce that physicians at Yale University School of Medicine and the VA Connecticut Healthcare System have published a paper in the Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases and Innovative Techniques describing the use of Excellagen wound conforming collagen matrix as part of a hybrid surgical protocol to repair a femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. Femoral artery pseudoaneurysms are the most common complication following cardiac and peripheral angiographic procedures, with an incidence ranging from 2-6% following interventional procedures. Apseudoaneurysm occurs when a blood vessel wall is injured and the leaking blood collects in the surrounding tissue. While small pseudoaneurysms (< 2 cm) often thrombose (clot) spontaneously, larger pseudoaneurysms involving blood sac expansion, vascular symptoms, and surrounding hematoma confer a risk of rupture and warrant surgical intervention to prevent serious complications including death.

Naiem Nassiri, MD of Yale University School of Medicine commented, Excellagens purity, versatility, and user-friendly application render it ideal for a diverse array of indications for collagen delivery in vascular surgery. For us to date, these have included, but are not limited to re-explored wounds; topical hemostatic agent by virtue of dead space elimination and granulation tissue formation; a regular adjunct to negative pressure dressings; a precursor to skin grafting; and topical applications in cosmetically sensitive areas following embolotherapeutic procedures.

Rapid healing of the vascular surgical repair site is needed to prevent recurrence or progression of the pseudoaneurysm. Using Excellagen from Generexs subsidiary, Olaregen Therapeutix, the surgeons at Yale and the Connecticut VA demonstrated a simple, safe and effective approach to pseudoaneurysm repair. The novel hybrid technique avoided surgical exploration in the face of active hemorrhage, expedited culprit vessel identification, avoided the need for remote percutaneous arterial puncture, reduced blood loss, and minimized overall operative time.

Excellagen is a ready to use 3-dimensional wound conforming matrix that supports a favorable wound healing environment. It is designed to activate collagen, accelerate granulation, and promote new tissue growth by providing a structural scaffold for cellular migration and proliferation. Excellagen has been shown to trigger the localized release of endogenous growth factors including Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), a key biological mediator of wound healing.

Anthony Dolisi, CEO of Olaregen commented, We have been working closely with the VA system using case studies to evaluate the use of Excellagen in numerous wound management applications, including diabetic foot ulcers and vascular surgery procedures. As this peer-reviewed publication demonstrates, Excellagen can be used successfully in complex vascular surgeries like pseudoaneurysm repair to promote healing that lead to better patient outcomes. We look forward to engaging with the VA and the vascular surgery community to introduce our FDA-cleared cellular tissue product Excellagen into their surgical protocols for the benefit of patients with life-threatening conditions.

About Generex Biotechnology Corp. Generex Biotechnology is an integrated healthcare holding company with end-to-end solutions for patient centric care from rapid diagnosis through delivery of personalized therapies. Generex is building a new kind of healthcare company that extends beyond traditional models providing support to physicians in an MSO network, and ongoing relationships with patients to improve the patient experience and access to optimal care.

In addition to advancing a legacy portfolio of immune-oncology assets, medical devices, and diagnostics, the Company is focused on an acquisition strategy of strategic businesses that complement existing assets and provide immediate sources of revenue and working capital.

About Olaregen Therapeutics

Olaregen Therapeutix, Inc. is a regenerative medicine company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of products that fill unmet needs in the current wound care market. The company aims to provide advanced healing solutions that substantially improve medical outcomes while lowering the overall cost of care. Olaregen's first product introduction, Excellagen (flowable dermal matrix) is a topically applied product for dermal wounds and other indications. Excellagen is a FDA 510K cleared device for a broad array of dermal wounds, including partial and full thickness wounds, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, chronic vascular ulcers, tunneled/undermined wounds, surgical wounds (donor sites/ grafts, post-Mohs surgery, post-laser surgery, podiatric, wound dehiscence), trauma wounds (abrasions, lacerations, second-degree burns and skin tears) and draining wounds, enabling Olaregen to market Excellagen in multiple vertical markets. in bone and joint regeneration comprise the current pipeline. The company's mission is to become a significant force in regenerative medicine and advance the science of healing.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release and oral statements made from time to time by Generex representatives in respect of the same subject matter may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by introductory words such as "expects," "plan," "believes," "will," "achieve," "anticipate," "would," "should," "subject to" or words of similar meaning, and by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements frequently are used in discussing potential product applications, potential collaborations, product development activities, clinical studies, regulatory submissions and approvals, and similar operating matters. Many factors may cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements, including inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of risks and uncertainties, some of which are known and others of which are not. Known risks and uncertainties include those identified from time to time in the reports filed by Generex with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be considered together with any forward-looking statement. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future results or events, and one should avoid placing undue reliance on such statements. Generex undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Generex claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements that is contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.

Generex Contact:

Generex Biotechnology Corporation

Joseph Moscato 646-599-6222

Todd Falls 1-800-391-6755 Extension 222 investor@generex.com

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Generex Biotechnology Subsidiary Olaregen Therapeutix Announces Publication on the Use of Excellagen for Vascular Repair - GlobeNewswire

New Jersey, United States,- Verified Market Researchhas recently published an extensive report on the Regenerative Medicine Market to its ever-expanding research database. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the market size, growth, and share of the Regenerative Medicine Market and the leading companies associated with it. The report also discusses technologies, product developments, key trends, market drivers and restraints, challenges, and opportunities. It provides an accurate forecast until 2027. The research report is examined and validated by industry professionals and experts.

The report also explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the segments of the Regenerative Medicine market and its global scenario. The report analyzes the changing dynamics of the market owing to the pandemic and subsequent regulatory policies and social restrictions. The report also analyses the present and future impact of the pandemic and provides an insight into the post-COVID-19 scenario of the market.

Global Regenerative Medicine Market was valued at USD 24.96 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 121.01 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 23.54% from 2020 to 2027.

The report further studies potential alliances such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, product launches, collaborations, and partnerships of the key players and new entrants. The report also studies any development in products, R&D advancements, manufacturing updates, and product research undertaken by the companies.

Leading Key players of Regenerative Medicine Market are:

Competitive Landscape of the Regenerative Medicine Market:

The market for the Regenerative Medicine industry is extremely competitive, with several major players and small scale industries. Adoption of advanced technology and development in production are expected to play a vital role in the growth of the industry. The report also covers their mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, joint ventures, partnerships, product launches, and agreements undertaken in order to gain a substantial market size and a global position.

Regenerative Medicine Market, By Product:

1.1 Overview1.2 Cell-Based Products1.2.1 Allogeneic Products1.2.2 Autologous Products1.3 Acellular Products

Regenerative Medicine Market, By Therapy:

2.1 Overview2.2 Tissue Engineering2.3 Immunotherapy2.4 Gene Therapy2.5 Cell Therapy2.6 Others

Regenerative Medicine Market, By Application:

3.1 Overview3.2 Central Nervous System Diseases3.3 Oncology3.4 Diabetes3.5 Orthopedic & Musculoskeletal Disorders3.6 Dermatology3.7 Cardiology3.8 Others

Regional Analysis of Regenerative Medicine Market:

A brief overview of the regional landscape:

From a geographical perspective, the Regenerative Medicine Market is partitioned into

North Americao U.S.o Canadao MexicoEuropeo Germanyo UKo Franceo Rest of EuropeAsia Pacifico Chinao Japano Indiao Rest of Asia PacificRest of the World

Key coverage of the report:

Other important inclusions in Regenerative Medicine Market:

About us:

Verified Market Research is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ customers. Verified Market Research provides advanced analytical research solutions while offering information enriched research studies. We offer insight into strategic and growth analyses, Data necessary to achieve corporate goals, and critical revenue decisions.

Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance use industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 15,000 high impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise, and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research.

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Regenerative Medicine Market Size by Top Companies, Regions, Types and Application, End Users and Forecast to 2027 - Bulletin Line

HONG KONG Singapore-based Tessa Therapeutics Pte. Ltd. released the results of two investigator-initiated phase I/II trials that found its autologous CD30 CAR T-cell therapy TT-11 showed a high rate of durable complete responses and a favorable safety profile in patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.

The studies, funded by Tessa, were led by researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine and the University of North Carolina (UNC) Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The trials enrolled 41 adult patients who received CD30 CAR T-cell therapy following lymphodepletion with chemotherapy. The overall response rate in the 32 patients with active disease who received fludarabine-based lymphodepletion was 72%, including 19 patients (59%) with complete responses.

Among those who participated in the studies, 94% were still alive a year after treatment and 61% of those who had a complete response also reported no evidence of recurrence a year later.

None of the patients experienced complications that have been seen with several CD19 CAR T cell trials. The results have been published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

These data are significant, as they demonstrate that CAR T-cell therapy may be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and potentially other lymphomas expressing the CD30 antigen, said Natalie Grover, study co-first author, assistant professor in the UNC Department of Medicine and a UNC Lineberger member.

The highest dose treatment led to the complete disappearance of tumors in the majority of patients, and almost all subjects had clinical benefit. As such, we believe further study of this treatment approach is warranted, said Carlos Ramos, study co-first author, professor at the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Childrens Hospital.

Expanded testing to come

Ivan Horak, Tessas president of R&D, told BioWorld that the company plans to further explore the results in a Tessa-sponsored regulatory phase II trial, which it aims to initiate this year. The TT-11 trial would be conducted out of 22-plus sites in U.S. and Europe, he said.

The companys clinical trial partners include institutions in the U.S. such as MD Anderson, Baylor College of Medicine, Stanford Cancer Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, UCSF Medical Center and Baylor Scott & White Health, as well as other centers in Massachusetts, Texas and California.

The University of North Carolina has granted Tessa an exclusive license to its patents, data and know-how, while Baylor College of Medicine has granted Tessa the rights to use its data and know-how, for the further development and commercialization of this therapy. Tessa declined to speak on the financial arrangements given confidentiality considerations.

Tessa's pipeline currently has four IND-approved clinical trials, covering the evaluation of TT-11 in Hodgkins lymphoma the companys lead program, which has a regenerative medicine advanced therapy designation and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, as well as trials for TT-11X and TT-16. It also has one preclinical program for a candidate known as TT-20X, which will explore allogeneic dual CAR Epstein-Bar virus-specific T cells in solid tumors. The company also plans to test TT-11 (HL) in pediatric patients, Horak said.

TT-11X, the companys allogeneic candidate, combines the properties of CD30-CAR and virus specific T-cells (VSTs) in an allogeneic setting. VSTs can be used for allogeneic application without T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) deletion or other genetic modifications, with a minimal risk of graft rejection, Horak said. CD30-CAR as a target has shown strong efficacy in Hodgkin lymphoma and further increases the persistence and expansion of VST cells, he said.

TT-16 is in an upcoming investigator-initiated phase I trial in HER2-positive solid tumors. The FDA has approved the trial to commence at Baylor College of Medicine.

Tessa also is building an in-house 90,000-square-foot GMP facility, which will be one of the companys commercial-scale cell therapy manufacturing facilities in Asia.

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Tessa enjoys positive results from two phase I/II trials of CD30 CAR T-cell therapy - BioWorld Online

With this research service, our Transformational Health team provides critical insights into the global biologics industry highlighting the growth opportunities, market revenue segmentation, and technology trends influencing its growth.

New York, Aug. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Curative Oncology and Rare Disease Therapies Transforming the Global Biologics Market, 20202024" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05950884/?utm_source=GNW The global biologics market covered in this study includes 4 major segments antibody therapies, recombinant proteins, vaccines, and regenerative medicine.

The forecast for the global biologics market till 2024 reveals interesting trend and paradigm shifts that are set to take place in the industry. Importantly, the study also identifies actionable growth opportunities for industry participants to profit upon.This research service identifies the largest revenue-generating segments and key therapeutic areas for the global biologics industry. Accelerated regulatory approvals for biologic products and the emergence of next-generation technologies are highlighted, in addition to their influence on market trends during the forecast period. The study highlights the dynamics of the biologics industry and the sub-segments of the biologics market. Growth opportunities in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), RNA therapy, and gene therapy platforms are also explored. Further, the study discusses the impact (such as the accelerated development of vaccines) of the COVID-19 pandemic on the biologics industry and the market. Current challenges facing the biologics industry such as the sluggish growth rate of vaccines, and recombinant proteins are discussed. Most importantly, this research service discusses possible future market trends such as the accelerated development of mRNA-based vaccines and the increasing importance of specialty bio-CDMOs for the development and commercialization of regenerative medicine. Based on the market trends and revenue forecasts, our group of analysts highlight key growth opportunities in ADC, RNA, and gene therapy platforms through successful drug launches such as Belantamab Malfodotin, Inclisiran, and Zolgensma.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05950884/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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Curative Oncology and Rare Disease Therapies Transforming the Global Biologics Market, 20202024 - Yahoo Finance

DUBLIN, Aug. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPS Cell) Industry Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Since the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) a large and thriving research product market has grown into existence, largely because the cells are non-controversial and can be generated directly from adult cells. It is clear that iPSCs represent a lucrative market segment because methods for commercializing this cell type are expanding every year and clinical studies investigating iPSCs are swelling in number.

Therapeutic applications of iPSCs have surged in recent years. 2013 was a landmark year in Japan because it saw the first cellular therapy involving the transplant of iPSCs into humans initiated at the RIKEN Center in Kobe, Japan. Led by Masayo Takahashi of the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology (CDB), it investigated the safety of iPSC-derived cell sheets in patients with macular degeneration. In another world-first, Cynata Therapeutics received approval in 2016 to launch the world's first formal clinical trial of an allogeneic iPSC-derived cell product (CYP-001) for the treatment of GvHD. Riding the momentum within the CAR-T field, Fate Therapeutics is developing FT819, its off-the-shelf iPSC-derived CAR-T cell product candidate. Numerous physician-led studies using iPSCs are also underway in Japan, a leading country for basic and applied iPSC applications.

iPS Cell Commercialization

Methods of commercializing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are diverse and continue to expand. iPSC cell applications include, but are not limited to:

Since the discovery of iPSC technology in 2006, significant progress has been made in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. New pathological mechanisms have been identified and explained, new drugs identified by iPSC screens are in the pipeline, and the first clinical trials employing human iPSC-derived cell types have been initiated. The main objectives of this report are to describe the current status of iPSC research, patents, funding events, industry partnerships, biomedical applications, technologies, and clinical trials for the development of iPSC-based therapeutics.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Report Overview

2. Introduction

3. History of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPSCS)

4. Research Publications on IPSCS

5. IPSCS: Patent Landscape

6. Clinical Trials Involving IPSCS

7. Funding for IPSC

8. Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: An Overview

9. Human IPSC Banking

10. Biomedical Applications of IPSCS

11. Other Novel Applications of IPSCS

12. Deals in the IPSCS Sector

13. Market Overview

14. Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kpc95y

About ResearchAndMarkets.comResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Opportunities in the Global Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPS Cell) Industry - PRNewswire

- StrataGraft Skin Tissue, If Approved, Could Reduce or Eliminate the Need for Autografting of Healthy Skin to Treat Burn Wounds -

STAINES-UPON-THAMES, United Kingdom, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Mallinckrodt plc(NYSE: MNK), a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the Stratatech Biologics License Application (BLA) for StrataGraft, an investigational regenerative skin tissue therapy in development for the treatment of adult patients with deep partial-thickness thermal burns. The FDA granted the application priority review and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target date ofFebruary 2, 2021.

Autograft, the current standard of care for deep partial-thickness thermal burns, involves the surgical harvesting of healthy skin from an uninjured site on the patient and transplanting the skin graft to the injury, leaving the patient with more wounded areas requiring care. Each year, approximately 40,000 patients in the U.S. require hospitalization for the treatment of severe burns.1 The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), expressed interest in StrataGraft skin tissue asa medical countermeasure in response to large-scale burn incidents, and provided funding and technical support for the continued development of StrataGraft skin tissue.

"Treatment advances are needed that can help minimize or eliminate the need for autografting. The FDA's acceptance of the BLA submission for StrataGraft skin tissue for review takes us one step closer to providing adult burn patients in the United States with a potential new treatment option for deep partial-thickness thermal burns," said Steven Romano, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Mallinckrodt. "We are focused on delivering solutions to patients with severe and critical conditions, and look forward to working with the FDA during the regulatory review process for StrataGraft skin tissue."

The StrataGraft skin tissue BLA is based on data from the pivotal Phase 3 STRATA2016clinical trial, previously publishedas an abstract in the Journal of Burn Care & Research and presented via a prerecorded video at the virtual American Burn Association 52nd Annual Meeting, with support from the STRATA2011clinical trial, previously published in Burns. Top-line results from the Phase 3 trial of StrataGraft skin tissue, which met both primary endpoints in adults with deep partial-thickness thermal burns, including autograft sparing and durable wound closure, were announcedin September 2019.

The completion of the BLA rolling submission was announcedon June 9, 2020. The FDA granted StrataGraft skintissue orphan drug designation, and it was among the first products designated by the Agency as a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) under the provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act.

About StrataGraft StrataGraft regenerative skin tissue is an investigational treatment being developed to reduce autograft in patients with severe thermal burns. An engineered, bilayer tissue, StrataGraft skin tissue is designed to mimic natural human skin with both inner dermis-like and outer epidermis-like layers. StrataGraft skin tissue can be sutured, stapled or secured with an adhesive. StrataGraft skin tissue is cryopreserved in order to deliver viable cells upon application.

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Mallinckrodt is currently conducting a StrataGraft skin tissue continued access clinical trial (StrataCAT, NCT04123548) under an Expanded Access Program (EAP). The trial sites involved in the pivotal Phase 3 trial (STRATA2016, NCT03005106) have the opportunity to participate in this multicenter, open-label study. The company is planning to evaluate StrataGraftskintissue for the treatment of adults with full-thickness burns (also referred to as third-degree burns). Additionally, Mallinckrodt plans to conduct a study evaluating StrataGraft skin tissue in treatment of pediatric populations.

StrataGraft skintissue is an investigational product, and its safety and effectiveness have not yet been established by the FDA.

The continued development of StrataGraft skin tissue, including the pivotal Phase 3 clinical study (STRATA2016) and the BLA process for StrataGraft skin tissue in the United States, is being supported through a partnership with BARDA, under the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under Project BioShield Contract No. HHSO100201500027C. These efforts are part of BARDA's strategy to build emergency preparedness in response to mass casualty events involving trauma and thermal burns by developing novel medical countermeasures for adult and at-risk populations. In the case of a mass casualty thermal burn event, the Government Accountability Office estimates that more than 10,000 patients might require thermal burn care.2The limited number of specialized burn centers and related medical infrastructure in the United States creates a public health need for therapies that could be deployed quickly for use in these and other care sites.

About Deep Partial-Thickness Thermal BurnsDeep partial-thickness thermal burns are complex skin injuries in which the damage extends through the entire epidermis (outermost layer of skin) and into the lower part of the dermis (innermost layer of skin).

Autograft is considered to be a standard of care by many for deep partial-thickness thermal burns. It involves the surgical harvesting of healthy skin tissue from an uninjured site on the patient and transplanting the skin graft to the injury. While this process can be effective in providing closure of the original wound, it has significant limitations related to the donor site wounds created during surgical removal of the skin tissue for grafting. Donor site wounds are painful and can create risks of additional scarring and infection. In addition, the amount of healthy skin available for harvesting is frequently limited in those patients with large burns, necessitating sequential re-harvesting of available donor sites. As a result, there is a need for alternatives to donor site harvesting for the treatment of severe burns.

About Mallinckrodt Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, nephrology, pulmonology and ophthalmology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit http://www.mallinckrodt.com.

Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website.

Cautionary Statements Related to Forward-Looking StatementsThis release includes forward-looking statements concerning StrataGraft regenerative skin tissue, including the anticipated regulatory review process, its potential impact on patients, and anticipated benefits associated with its use. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; issues with product quality, manufacturing or supply, or patient safety issues; and other risks identified and described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, all of which are available on its website. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACTS

For Trade Media InquiriesSheryl SeapyW2O 213-262-9390sseapy@w2ogroup.com

For Financial/Dailies Media InquiriesRon BartlettH+K Strategies Senior Vice President813 545 2399ron.bartlett@hkstrategies.com

Investor Relations Daniel J. SpecialeVice President, Investor Relations and IRO314-654-3638daniel.speciale@mnk.com

Government AffairsMark TyndallSenior Vice President, Government Affairs & Chief Counsel, Litigation202-459-4141mark.tyndall@mnk.com

Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners.

2020 Mallinckrodt. US-2001226 07/20.

________________________1 American Burn Association. Burn Incidence Fact Sheet. http://ameriburn.org/who-we-are/media/burn-incidence-fact-sheet/. Accessed May 15, 2020.2 United States Government Accountability Office. National Preparedness: Countermeasures for Thermal Burns. https://www.gao.gov/assets/590/588738.pdf. Accessed February 12, 2020.

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Mallinckrodt Announces U.S. FDA Filing Acceptance of Biologics License Application for StrataGraft Regenerative Skin Tissue for Treatment of Adults...

The U.S. government bought 100 million doses of mRNA-1273 from Moderna Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., with a new award worth up to $1.525 billion. The deal, part of Operation Warp Speed, also brings a U.S. government option to buy up to an additional 400 million doses from Moderna. The implied price per dose is about $15.25, below SVB Leerinks $22 price per dose model from previous Moderna-Operation Warp Speed deals. On July 27, Moderna dosed the first of what could be as many as 30,000 healthy volunteers as it began its phase III COVID-19 vaccine trial. Those volunteers at increased risk of contracting COVID-19, with a large percentage being elderly or people with co-morbidities those most at risk for life-threatening COVID-19 infections are receiving placebo or mRNA-1273.

Amid all the political positioning, finger-pointing, blame games and mountains of misinformation that have been as much a part of the COVID-19 pandemic as the infections themselves, theres one point of agreement: the pandemic has been a painful experience that everyone needs to learn from. Im hoping that memory is not short, Mike Piccarreta, a partner at global consulting firm Kearney, told BioWorld. Clearly we were not prepared for this type of pandemic in terms of government response and manufacturing capacity, he added. Had the U.S. and other countries acted on lessons that should have been learned in the past, they would have been better prepared for COVID. And if they allow the current lessons to fade with time, they will not be ready for the next pandemic.

LONDON Antifungal specialist F2G Ltd. has closed a $60.8 million round, providing the means to complete phase III development of the lead product olorofim, a treatment for life-threatening invasive infections, and to scale up in preparation for commercialization. Olorofim is the first of a new class of drugs called orotomides, discovered and developed to phase IIb by F2G. If approved, it will be the first new antifungal based on a novel mechanism in nearly 20 years.

A bid by top shareholders and managers of the U.S.-China cell therapy developer Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. to take the company private pushed shares (NASDAQ:CBMG) 35% higher Wednesday, just shy of the offering price. "As a private company, we will have access to the resources and long-term commitment needed to better pursue new capital investment in existing assets and targeted acquisition opportunities as our sector continues to evolve, including further geographic and product diversification," CBMG's CEO Tony Liu told employees.

As part of its earnings report earlier this week, Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc. provided a regulatory update that caused some chagrin among investors. The company said the FDA is not convinced that the Moxie Part 2 results will support a single study approval without additional evidence that lends persuasiveness to the results. A phase II study with omaveloxolone for Friedreichs ataxia, Moxie Part 2 had gained the agencys sign-off regarding its primary endpoint; improvement on the modified Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale. Reata said an NDA submission is now targeted for the first quarter of next year, assuming regulators accept the trial design of the companys planned crossover study. The company provided more encouraging news about the progress of bardoxolone in Alport syndrome. Shares (NASDAQ:RETA) took a hit Monday, dropping from $156.20 to $105.40, and were trading midday at $103.09.

Newly founded Lianbio, with offices in Shanghai and San Francisco, aims to quickly establish a presence in China and Asia with late-stage assets in-licensed from Bridgebio Pharma Inc. and Myokardia Inc. in two deals amounting to $531.5 million and $187.5 million, respectively. Launched on Aug. 11, Lianbio was founded, seeded and incubated by hedge fund Perceptive Advisors with the aim of bringing in first-in-class drugs. Perceptive will help the startup pick assets that have a good chance of becoming clinically successful.

PERTH, Australia Aussie regenerative medicine company Regeneus Ltd. has out-licensed its lead mesenchymal stem cell and secretome therapy, Progenza, to Japans Kyocera Corp. for osteoarthritis of the knee for the Japan market. Under the terms of the deal, Regeneus will receive $19 million in up-front and milestone payments, consisting of $9 million up front and $10 million in regulatory and development milestones. Regeneus will also receive double-digit royalties on sales. The company retains rights to negotiate licenses with other partners for additional indications inside and outside of Japan.

HONG KONG Singapore-based Tessa Therapeutics Pte Ltd. released the results of two independent phase I/II trials led by Baylor College of Medicine and the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. It was found that Tessas autologous CD30 CAR T-cell therapy (TT-11) showed a high rate of durable complete responses and a very favorable safety profile in patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.

Adverum, Akari, Arca, Ascendis, Azurrx, Beroni, Blade, Boehringer Ingelheim,Botanix, Cellular Biomedicine, Cytovia, Eli Lilly, Eloxx, Epirium, Eyegate, Genscript, Helix, Hepion, Horizon, Ikena Oncology, India Globalization Capital, Inhibrx, Innovent, Kahr Medical, Kineta, Monopar, Nektar, Nicox, Nymox, Omeros, PDL, Pliant, Redhill, Regeneron, Sapience, Seattle Genetics, Seres, Theranexus, Therapeutic Solutions, Trevena, Vaccibody, VBL

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Moderna receives $1.525B more in COVID-19 funding from Operation Warp Speed - BioWorld Online

News Release

Thursday, August 13, 2020

National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., has selected Rena N. DSouza, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., as director of NIHs National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). A licensed dentist, Dr. DSouza is currently the assistant vice president for academic affairs and education for health sciences at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City. There she also serves as a professor of dentistry, the Ole and Marty Jensen Chair of the School of Dentistry and professor of neurobiology and anatomy, pathology and surgery in the School of Medicine and the Department of Biomedical Engineering. She is expected to begin her new role as the NIDCR director later this year.

Dr. DSouza is renowned for her research in craniofacial development, genetics, tooth development and regenerative dental medicine. She has worked as a proponent for NIH for decades, serving on critical advisory committees and as an expert consultant on multiple projects, said Dr. Collins. I look forward to having her join the NIH leadership team later thisyear. I also want to thank NIH Principal Deputy Director Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., for his valuable leadership as the acting director of NIDCR since January 1, 2020.

As NIDCR director, Dr. DSouza will oversee the institutes annual budget of over $475 million, which supports basic, translational and clinical research in areas of oral cancer, orofacial pain, tooth decay, periodontal disease, salivary gland dysfunction, craniofacial development and disorders and the oral complications of systemic diseases. The institute funds approximately 770 grants, 6,500 researchers and 200 organizations. Additionally, NIDCR supports research training and career development programs for approximately 350 people at various stages of their careers, from high school students to independent scientists.

Dr. DSouza has been a principal investigator on multiple NIH and other federal grants since 1987 and has published 140 peer-reviewed journal papers and book chapters. Her research focuses on developmental biology and genetics; matrix biology; biomaterials, tissue engineering and stem cells; and clinical research. Her groups discovery that a novel mutation in PAX9 was responsible for a severe form of human tooth agenesis opened a new field of research to discover genes and mutations as well as therapies for common human inherited disorders of the craniofacial complex.

Dr. DSouzas career honors are significant. She was selected to be the inaugural dean of the University of Utahs School of Dentistry, which was established in 2012. She is currently the elected chair in Dentistry and Oral Health Sciences Section and elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She also is a former president of the American Association for Dental Research and the International Association for Dental Research,a fellow of the American College of Dentistsand the recipient of the 2017 American Association for Dental Research Irwin D. Mandel Distinguished Mentoring Award. Dr. DSouza served on the NIH Advisory Committee to the Director in 2013-14, and on NIH study sections. She is a devoted mentor and champion of diversity in the biomedical research workforce. Since 1985, she has served as a volunteer dentist for women in need and people struggling with homelessness in Salt Lake City, Dallas and Houston.

Dr. DSouza received her bachelors degree in dental surgery from the University of Bombay, India, after which she completed her general practice residency. She earned her D.D.S., Ph.D. and masters degree in pathology/biomedical sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

NIDCR is the nations leading funder of research on oral, dental, and craniofacial health. To learn more about NIDCR, visit https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH):NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.

NIHTurning Discovery Into Health

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NIH names Dr. Rena D'Souza as director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research - National Institutes of Health

FORT MYERS

With online learning, most kids are experiencing an increase in screen time, and that can mean tired and itchy eyes.

A local eye doctor says the blue-light-blocking glasses actually improve your eyesight by about seven percent when looking at your phone, a computer screen, or a television.

Making it more effective than simply dimming down the brightness.

You see details more clearly so you will be able to resolve letters easier so that makes you work less, so you feel less fatigued. What happens when you dim down the screen intensity, you dont see the contrast as well so you cant see details as well and the result of that is you get more fatigued from your computer, said Dr. Richard Mauer, who works at the Eye Center of Florida.

Mauer says blue light blocking treatment on eyeglass lenses can be as cheap as $30 depending on your vision plan.

Amazon sells nonprescription glasses for as little as $13.

An option that appealed to Megan Tripp, a mother of two who has concerns about long terms impacts the increased screen time could have on her children.

He has more headaches, hes grumpier, its harder for him to break away from whats in front of that screen or what is reality, Tripp said.

Megan says its also important to give your kids a break from the computer. Thats why after a couple of hours of work she takes them outside for some natural light and fresh air.

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Parents worry too much screen time will have an adverse affect on children's vision - Wink News

Chrissy Suttles| csuttles@timesonline.com

AMBRIDGE Mindy Reynolds niece, Andy, will be learning remotely this fall as COVID-19 concerns remain high in her family and throughout the region.

One of her first thoughts while registering Andy for online learning was possible vision strain. Her prescription lenses are several years old, and more screen time could further hurt her eyesight.

An estimated 30,000 children in southwestern Pennsylvania lack access to proper vision care, according to the nonprofit Vision to Learn. The organization provides free eye exams and glasses to kids in high-need communities via a mobile clinic.

On Wednesday, the group stopped at Good Samaritan Catholic Church in Ambridge to give 18 youngsters in Beaver County new glasses ahead of the school year.

Shes so excited, Reynolds said. Things have been rough for a lot of families lately, so this is one easy win.

Vision to Learn has served about 280,000 kids nationwide since 2012, and about 5,000 in the Pittsburgh region since launching locally two years ago.

Wednesdays visit was their first stop in Beaver County, although the group will be partnering with Aliquippa schools this year to serve even more students; Vision to Learn partners with more than 20 school districts in the region.

Mobile clinics are equipped with self-contained optometric exam lanes with licensed optometrists. If students glasses are lost or broken, Vision to Learn replaces them for free within a year.

Its amazing to see a kid who is able to see clearly for the first time, said Vision to Learn program director Mark Scaramuzzi. For a lot of kids, they don't know they cant see. They don't know their vision is poor because its the way they've always seen. Its incredibly rewarding.

In western Pennsylvania, transportation is a significant barrier to families receiving proper care, he said, alongside low income and lack of insurance. Local staff members have traveled from New Castle to Washington, and everywhere in between, to help as many local families as possible.

We see kids on a daily basis, and sometimes its been multiple years since their glasses were broken and not replaced, Scaramuzzi said. You see kids who, in a lot of cases, have never had glasses and have very poor eyesight.

Since the start of COVID-19, staff has modified protocols to ensure social distancing. Only one child at a time can be seen at the clinic, and stations are thoroughly cleaned between each patient.

But summertime allows the group to see a greater variety of children before returning to schools in the fall.

If you cant see, you cant learn, Scaramuzzi said. And, particularly, in light of all the issues going on with COVID, were seeing more demand than ever.

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Vision to Learn helps Beaver County students see for free - The Times

Open-angle glaucoma is a disease of the eye that can slowly and painlessly cause permanent loss of vision. It rarely causes any symptoms until its in an advanced stage, which is why its known as the silent thief of sight.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. If you have risk factors, being proactive and getting your eyes checked is incredibly important. Your ophthalmologist can spot the signs of early glaucoma and help stop vision loss.

So what exactly is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve when the pressure in the eye is higher than the nerve can tolerate. Patients begin to lose their peripheral vision and over time this progresses inward. Patients with glaucoma rarely have complaints until the disease has advanced to the center of their vision; however, it is often too late to help at that point because the damage is not reversible. With early diagnosis by an eye doctor, there are many treatments available to stop glaucoma from advancing.

What can cause open-angle glaucoma?

The nerve damage in glaucoma in most cases is due to an increased pressure in the eye. Pressure levels vary for each patient and even throughout the day. Pressure is maintained by aqueous humor or fluid in the eye that is constantly produced by a tiny gland in the eye the ciliary body. This fluid flows between the iris and the lens, then out of the eye through a very small drain called the trabecular meshwork. Pressure in the eye is elevated for two main reasons: The trabecular meshwork drain is clogged and enough fluid doesnt leave the eye, or the ciliary body produces too much fluid. This elevated pressure typically does not cause any symptoms and will silently damage the nerve.

Whos at risk of developing Glaucoma?

Anyone can get glaucoma; however, some individuals are at higher risk for developing glaucoma. Those at highest risk are African American patients over the age of 50, Hispanic patients over the age of 65, patients with a family history of glaucoma and patients with diabetes. Medicare recommends to have yearly screenings for patients who fall under any of these high-risk groups in order to catch the disease at its earliest state.

How to check for glaucoma

Thanks to advances in medicine, we have the ability to diagnose glaucoma earlier and more accurately. A typical evaluation includes a comprehensive eye exam where an eye doctor analyzes the nerve for damage and measures the pressure in the eye, which should range between 8 and 21 mmHg. Additionally, there are two other tests performed to accurately diagnose if you have the disease and what stage. First, an OCT nerve scan is used to detect subtle thinning/damage of the nerve. Secondly, a visual field is performed to test for areas of missing vision.

How is glaucoma treated?

When diagnosed and treatment has begun, it is a lifelong disease that will require continuous management. We can control or slow the progression, but unfortunately cannot reverse or cure glaucoma. There are many eye drops available and, depending on the severity, more than one medication may be needed. If glaucoma cant be controlled with medications, other procedures such as laser or surgery may be considered.

For more information about glaucoma or any eye disease, call Dr. Jhaj at his office directly at 442-255-4012.

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My Health, My Choice: Glaucoma, the silent thief of sight - VVdailypress.com

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, a clinical-stage retinal gene therapy company, today announced the initiation of its Phase II programme evaluating its investigational gene therapy, GT005, for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Dry AMD is a leading cause of permanent vision loss in people over the age of 50. GT005 is a one-time AAV-based gene therapy that is delivered under the retina. The goal of the Phase II clinical trial programme is to determine if GT005 has the potential to slow the progression of GA.

Gyroscope plans to conduct two Phase II trials evaluating GT005 in people with GA. The first, called EXPLORE, is enrolling people who have a mutation in their Complement Factor I (CFI) gene [NCT04437368]. The first patient to receive GT005 in EXPLORE was enrolled and dosed by Dr. Arshad M. Khanani at Sierra Eye Associates in Reno, Nev., USA.

Geographic atrophy is a devastating diagnosis, as there are no approved treatments for this gradual and irreversible loss of vision, said Arshad M. Khanani, M.D., M.A., Director of Clinical Research at Sierra Eye Associates and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, and an investigator in the EXPLORE trial. We are excited to participate in this trial evaluating GT005 for the potential to slow progression of geographic atrophy. We believe one-time gene therapies could be a major advancement in the field of retinal disease.

GT005 is designed to restore balance to an overactive complement system, a part of the immune system, by increasing production of the CFI protein. An overactive complement system has been implicated in the development of AMD. The CFI protein regulates the activity of the complement system. It is believed that increasing CFI production will dampen the systems overactivity and reduce inflammation, with the goal of preserving a persons eyesight.

Research has found that approximately 3% of people with dry AMD have certain CFI mutations that correlate with low CFI levels in the blood and a higher risk of developing AMD.1 Gyroscope estimates that more than 100,000 people with GA in the United States and EU5 European countries may have these mutations.1,2,3,4 The EXPLORE trial will evaluate GT005 in this group of people with mutations in their CFI gene.

Research has also shown that a small supplementation of CFI can normalise complement activity in the blood,5 suggesting GT005 may also be applicable for a broader group of people with GA. It is estimated that approximately one million people in the United States alone have GA.4 Gyroscope therefore plans to initiate a second Phase II trial in 2020 that will evaluate GT005 in a broader GA population.

We are excited about the potential of GT005 for people with dry AMD. Research suggests GT005 may be best suited for people with certain mutations in their CFI gene. However, evidence also suggests it may have potential for a broader population of people with geographic atrophy, said Nadia Waheed, M.D., MPH, Chief Medical Officer of Gyroscope. We have designed our clinical programme to evaluate these groups in two distinct Phase II trials, with the goal of determining which patients GT005 may be most appropriate for and to further our understanding of the role of the complement system in AMD.

About the EXPLORE Trial

EXPLORE is a Phase II, multicentre, randomised trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of GT005 administered as a single subretinal injection.

EXPLORE is enrolling people who are aged 55 or older and have a clinical diagnosis of GA secondary to dry AMD and who have a mutation of the CFI gene. People being screened for the trial will be genotyped for the mutations. Trial participants will be randomised to one of three treatment arms: GT005 dose 1, GT005 dose 2 or a control arm. Participants in the control arm will receive current standard of care. The primary endpoint of EXPLORE is progression of GA over 48 weeks. The study will also evaluate GT005 for various safety and tolerability measures. Gyroscope plans to enroll approximately 75 patients at approximately 40 centres based in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Australia.

Gyroscope will announce details about the second Phase II trial of GT005 at a later date.

About Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Geographic Atrophy (GA)

AMD is a leading cause of blindness affecting an estimated 196 million people globally.6 AMD typically affects people aged 50 and older, and causes a gradual and permanent loss of central vision that worsens over time.7 There are no approved treatments for the dry form of AMD, which is the most common, impacting approximately 90% of people with the disease.8 As dry AMD advances it leads to GA, an irreversible degeneration of retinal cells. This vision loss can be devastating, severely impacting a persons daily life as they lose the ability to drive, read and even see the faces of loved ones.

About Gyroscope Therapeutics: Vision for Life

Gyroscope Therapeutics is a clinical-stage retinal gene therapy company developing and delivering gene therapy beyond rare disease to treat a leading cause of blindness, dry AMD. Our lead investigational gene therapy, GT005, is a one-time therapy delivered under the retina. GT005 is designed to restore balance to an overactive complement system by increasing production of the Complement Factor I protein. GT005 is currently being evaluated in a Phase I/II clinical trial called FOCUS and a Phase II clinical trial called EXPLORE.

Syncona Ltd, our lead investor, helped us create the only retinal gene therapy company to combine discovery, research, drug development, a manufacturing platform and surgical delivery capabilities. Headquartered in London with locations in Philadelphia and San Francisco, our mission is to preserve sight and fight the devastating impact of blindness. For more information visit: http://www.gyroscopetx.com and follow us on Twitter (@GyroscopeTx) and on LinkedIn.

References

1 Kavanagh D, Yu Y, Schramm EC, et al. Rare genetic variants in the CFI gene are associated with advanced age-related macular degeneration and commonly result in reduced serum factor I levels. Hum Mol Genet. 2015;24(13):3861-3870.2 Data on File.3 Friedman DS, O'Colmain BJ, Muoz B, et al. Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in the United States [published correction appears in Arch Ophthalmol. 2011 Sep;129(9):1188]. Arch Ophthalmol. 2004;122(4):564-572.4 Rudnicka AR, Kapetanakis VV et al. Incidence of late-stage age-related macular degeneration in American whites: systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Ophthalmol 2015;160:85-93.5 Lachmann PJ, Lay E, Seilly DJ, Buchberger A, Schwaeble W, Khadake J. Further studies of the down-regulation by Factor I of the C3b feedback cycle using endotoxin as a soluble activator and red cells as a source of CR1 on sera of different complotype. Clin Exp Immunol. 2016;183(1):150-156.6 Wong WL, Su X, Li X, et al. Global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2014;2:e106116.7 National Eye Institute. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration. Accessed July 16, 2020.8 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basics/ced/. Page last reviewed June 3, 2020. Accessed August 4, 2020.

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Gyroscope Therapeutics Announces Initiation of Phase II Programme Evaluating its Investigational Gene Therapy, GT005, for Dry Age-Related Macular...

Global Eye Health Ingredients Market: Overview

Toxic impurities in contact with eyes cause adverse effects on eyesight leading to unhealthy vision. Antioxidants such as Lutein and Zeaxanthin of the carotenoid family are some of the eye health ingredients. Use of antioxidants as eye health ingredients is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period. Increase in number of eye health supplements is also projected to enhance the growth of eye health ingredients market during the forecast period. In addition, protection from UV radiation, elimination of free radicals, need for powerful vision, and high demand for vision sustenance are some of the prominent factors driving the eye health ingredients market.

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Increasing eye health problems including cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are expected to fuel the growth of the global eye health ingredient market. Also, large spending on nutritional products has influenced the pharmaceutical industry growth. Increasing exposure to digital displays, rising prevalence of allergies, and changing lifestyle have resulted in more eye diseases, which, in turn, is projected to bolster the growth of global eye health ingredients market.Eye Health Ingredients Market size was worth over USD xx million in 2018 and is set to exceed 1.8 kilo tons by 2025.

Some of the key players involved in the global eye health ingredients market are Amway, MacuShield, Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, Novartis AG, Solgar Inc., Swanson Health Products, Allied Biotech Corporation, BASF SE, DSM, Kemin Industries Inc., Davos Life Science Pte ltd., Wilmar International Limited, and Vitae Naturals.

Global Eye Health IngredientsMarket: Segmentation

By Source Type

Natural SourcesSynthetic SourcesBy Ingredient Type

LuteinZeaxanthinVitamin ABeta-caroteneBilberry extractsForm Type

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PowderLiquidOthers (Capsule, Soft Gels, Tablets)By Application:

HumanAnimalBy Disease Indication

CataractAge related Macular Degeneration (AMD)Dry Eye SyndromeOthers

Natural source segment accounted for the largest market share in the global eye health ingredients market in 2017. The growing consumer awareness regarding benefits of natural health sources is expected to fuel the demand for natural eye health ingredients. Lutein and zeaxanthin, the most commonly used ingredients, are usually combined with other health beneficial components such as vitamins A, C, B, and minerals such as zinc and selenium.

North America is expected to be the most lucrative market for eye health ingredients followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Increasing incidence of low vision and blindness among the people in North America has led to an increased demand for eye health ingredients. Rising geriatric population coupled with increasing consumer spending on healthcare, preference toward healthy lifestyle, and factors such as occupational hazards and smoking, which cause eye-related diseases, are expected to propel the growth of eye health ingredients market globally during the forecast period. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend a safe upper limit for eye health ingredients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta carotene, and bilberry extract, making consumers apprehensive about the dosage levels in both functional foods and dietary supplements. Technological advancements and innovations put forth by the manufacturers to expand their portfolio are expected to augment the market growth.

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In February 2016, Waitaki Biosciences, one of the key manufacturers of natural nutritional products, launched CassiPure, anthocyanin rich blackcurrant extracts for eye health and immune support. Similarly, in July 2016, Nestle Taiwan launched upgraded Nestle Good Health Nutrition product for eye health among the middle-aged population, particularly for those who spend several hours a day using smart phones.

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Eye Health Ingredients Market 2018 2025 What Recent Study Say About Top Companies | Trends Market Research - eRealty Express

Youth, we all want to enjoy an extended life, and we work to find ways to perpetuate our lifespan. In the 16th century, a Spanish explorer, Ponce de Leon, explored the southern U.S. looking for the fountain of youth and ended his quest in St Augustine, Florida. His quest was to drink and bathe in the fountain, as it was believed that the waters would reverse the aging cycle and allow a man to live forever.

To many, it sounded like science fiction, as life was believed to finite experience, but not anymore. A Harvard University geneticist, Dr. David Sinclair PhD, has cracked the code of aging Working at Harvard Medical, Dr Sinclair has discovered, through multiple studies, that the aging cycle can be manipulated and reversed when certain factors are present in the equation. One of the many discoveries that he brought to academia surrounds fasting and reversing the effects of aging in humans. His experiments with yeast were the first to determine that a cause of aging for yeast as well as the role of Sir2 in epigenetic changes driven by genome instability, according to his biography at the Blavatnik Institute of Genetics at the Harvard Medical School.

In his book Lifespan, Dr. Sinclair explains that his clinics research focused primarily on sirtuins, which is a protein modifying enzyme which is responsive to changing levels of NAD during fasted calorie restriction.

Dr. Sinclair is also studying chromatin, how energy is metabolized in the mitochondria, memory and learning neurodegeneration, cancer causes.

Dr. Sinclairs Harvard Medical was credited with identifying NAD bio-synthesis in regulating lifespan, which was the first to show the involvement of sirtuins in calorie restrictions of mammals. His book states that a small molecule, resveratrol, was identified to activate on SIRT1. This improved the cells metabolic function by using combinations of enzymological, genetic, pharmacological and biophysical approaches.

They showed recently that synthetic and natural activators require SIRT-1 to mediate the in vivo effects in muscle and identified a structured activation domain.

The study concluded that the miscommunication between the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes is a cause of the age related physiological decline and the relocation of chromatin factors in response to DNA breaks may be a cause of aging

Dr. Sinclair is a renowned scientist and best-selling author and advises the world that we cant live forever, but we can live longer if we take the right steps to extend our health.

The most important discovery that Sinclair has made is the presence of Resveratrol in plants that acts as protective shield injuries and pathogens. Resveratrol is an oxidant and is found in foods like grapes, blueberries, and cocoa, and when consumed, it can counteract the aging cycle. In his seminal work, Lifespan: Why We Age- and Why We Dont Have To, Dr. Sinclair addresses a concept called health span. In a nutshell, it means that if you arent sick, dont have chronic conditions or diseases; you wont experience mortality early. In essence, if you can prolong your health span, you increase your life expectancy.

Dr. Sinclair bases his conclusion on many factors but says fasting is good for the body and is a crucial driver of human longevity. He has said on many occasions that the science behind this conclusion is now solid. For over 20 years, scientists have debunked the myth that humans need three meals a day and snacks to achieve optimal health.

Dr. Sinclair doesnt advocate starvation; he says that you dont need to be hypoglycemic and have low blood sugar because that makes us weak and dizzy. But reduced caloric intake is good for the body. Fasting activates the bodys survival instinct, and that is a good thing when it comes to anti-aging. According to Dr. Sinclair, it starts with the survival circuit, and it has been part of the human body for time eternal. The proven theory goes like this (and its in all life on the planet), when a threat occurs in the living organism, the survival circuit will be activated, and it helps us live longer and healthier when faced with danger.

The way it works is simple. When you work out and are short of breath during your workout, it is good. Suppose you wake up hungry and skip breakfast and eat a late lunch that is good also. A chemical in your body, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), will flood your body and the sirtuins (a protective enzyme), the critical ingredient in the survival circuit will activate.

Sinclair says that exercise is a good thing as it activates the survival cells, and movement is the reason. Exercise puts the body under pressure, and like fasting, it causes our involuntary physiology to work to protect the host.

Dr. Sinclair is an advocate of supplements to help generate the chemicals the body needs to extend life. He says that Resveratrol the NAD activator, and metformin is essential to consume for the extension of life.

Metformin is a big help for middle-aged people and older people to stave off the effects of aging. Also, it works to counteract the effects of Type-2 diabetes. It will lower rates of heart disease, cancer, frailty, and the onset of Alzheimers for people who take metformin.

Certainly, exercise will stimulate the sirtuins in our body Dr. Sinclair has said many times, but fasting is an essential component of the anti-aging cycle. Dr. Sinclair has determined in the lab that the aging cycle can be slowed and reversed. His experiments have not just stopped the aging clock; the experiments have turned back the hands of time, which is monumental. A classic example of this is an 80-year old who doesnt look their age. They are mistaken for a much younger person because they have been using fasting and exercise to force their bodies to prevent the aging cycle from creating disease and health problems that reduce our lifespans. Our molecular clocks drive our aging cycle, and when we stop that time from moving forward or slow it to a crawl, we live a lot longer than someone who hasnt engaged in exercise and fasting to create a perfect storm of anti-aging.

Dr. Sinclair said that studies in mice accentuate the point. The studies were able to extend the life of mice by 50 percent, and it only in the last ten years that the discoveries have been made.

Initially, Dr. Sinclair was branded a maverick, and a crackpot advocating that life expectancy can be extended through fasting and exercise. Dr. Sinclair says in the book that reprogramming our molecular cells will stimulate the long-lasting effects of anti-aging.

In the book, Dr. Sinclair said that scientists have been unable to decide how many times the molecular clock can be reset. Still, he sees the potential to eradicate some diseases in our lifetime. He posed if were able to turn back the molecular clock through fasting and exercise, we may be able to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. As humans age slower, it is forestalling the onset of illness and chronic inflammation. Sinclair does make clear, though, that humans will not live into perpetuity even if there is a reset of the clock.

In a study conducted by Dr. Sinclair in his lab at Harvard, he was able to reverse vascular aging in mice. The backstop of the book he wrote on anti-aging that tells us that fasting is the driver to helping prolong life. The molecules, NAD, and sirtuin manufactured during times of stress like exercise and fasting have caused stamina to be boosted, and endurance in the mice test subjects. The blood vessels are forced to grow, and that reverses the aging cycle for the vascular system. The experiments are the staging ground for the human condition, and the experiments will lead to addressing the root causes of diseases in humans that come from aging. Dr. Sinclair was quick to tell us that the biological differences between humans and mice are vast, and not all results in the lab can be replicated for humans.

When we age, our smallest blood cells will die, which reduces blood flow in our bodies. With reduced blood flow come vascular disease and a host of other problems attributed to old age. Reduced oxygen levels through the loss of blood flow allow toxins to build up in the body, and deterioration of the body occurs. This problem affects the endothelial cells; they line the blood vessels in our bodies and are critical to the bodys supply chain. The endothelial cells cause the growth of the blood cells that help transport oxygen and nutrients to our organs and tissues.

Aging and deterioration of muscles and blood vessels reduce life expectancy, and the endothelial cells lose a vital protein sirtuin and it is affected by the loss of NAD. NAD is our bodys protein regulator, and it is the repair kit for our DNA.

When mice were subjected to an exercise-based program, the signs of aging were slowed and eventually reversed. When the exercise wasnt present in the test subjects, proteins were reduced, and the process for regeneration of blood vessels wasnt activated.

When NAD and sirtuins were created with exercise and fasting, the body demonstrated an innate ability to fight off the aging process.

The mitochondrial networks that exist inside our cells are where the reactions take place. Through dietary restrictions and exercise, the mitochondria can increase your lifespan and improve your current health. The mitochondria are the energy factory for our body and can shapeshift according to the bodys energy demands. As we age, the dynamic of the function of the reaction slows, and it impacts our metabolism. Through exercise and fasting, the chemical reactions created work in unison to keep threats at bay and supply the organs through the bloodstream with the chemicals the body needs to fight off threats.

Through a series of studies, fasting or dietary restrictions manipulated through an energy identifying protein kinase helped the mitochondrial networks maintain youthfulness.

The process was termed healthy aging, and understanding the process is critical to advancing the application to humans to slow aging. Dr. Sinclair and other scientists have understood that fasting slows the aging process, but they dont have a handle as to why it occurs in the body chemistry.

To begin to understand the process and how it reflects in obesity will be the next step to a longer life. Obesity can be linked to defective mitochondrial flexibility and the increase in age-related diseases and chronic conditions from obesity.

The scientific community only just understands the biological manifestations of the human body. Still, Sinclair and other researchers have learned that exercise and fasting are essential components to slowing the aging process internally.

John Cardillo is a Canadian body building champion, renownerd fitness entrepreneur and the pioneer of the HIT3 exercise program. John Cardillo is Canadas premier health and fitness expert!

Erik Horn has been a senior editor at Health News Tribune for three years. Fluent in French and proficient in Spanish and Arabic, he focuses on diseases and conditions Hes a born-and-raised Torontonian and spends most of his weekends in search of strong coffee and stronger Wi-Fi.

Read more from the original source:
Anti-Aging and Prolonging Life By John Robert Cardillo - Health News Tribune

One of Northern Irelands leading dairy researchers has warned he expects environmental legislation to be one of the biggest limiting factors to the industry locally by 2030.

Speaking as part of the Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) webinar The Future of Dairy Production to 2030, Dr. Conrad Ferris said environmental factors, such as ammonia emissions, had already begun to impact the industrys growth.

Dr. Ferris said: As we look to the future for our dairy sector there are certainly lots of challenges, but as in most areas of life, challenges often bring opportunities.

Structural changes over the last 20 years have seen the total number of herds fall by around 25 a year. Meanwhile, the average herd size has increased by around two cows a year.

However, Dr. Ferris said he believed total cow numbers will remain relatively stable over the next decade.

Production in terms of litres has continued to grow, currently increasing by around 55L/cow/year. And I dont see any reason to believe that is going to slow down, he said.

Certainly, with genetic indexes, we can continue to improve production and improve fertility and health.

However, I do believe the biggest challenge to the overall structure of the dairy sector going forward is environmental legislation and I believe that is what will probably have the biggest impact on the structure of the local dairy sector.

Legislation is already impacting herd expansion on some farms, he added, referring to delays over agricultural planning associated with tightened restrictions over ammonia emissions.

Dr. Ferris said it was likely environmental legislation would continue to tighten for the industry. However, explained that anything the sector can do to become more efficient would have benefits for both its profitability and its environmental impact.

In terms of genetics and nutrition, I think there is a real win-win situation in that we know that anything we do to improve the overall efficiency of the whole milk production system right from calf-rearing, getting heifers calving down at 24 months, increasing longevity, the whole picture reduces greenhouse gases and ultimately improves profitability, Dr. Ferris said.

Over the last two decades, we have seen a real escalation in environmental challenges for dairy farmers. Back around 2000, water quality issues became a big issue in Northern Ireland driven by the Nitrates Directive and water quality in regards to phosphorous.10 years later, it was the climate change issue.

The key thing here is that it is cumulative just because now we are focused on ammonia doesnt mean that issues like water quality and climate change have gone away.

In reality, we are now trying to deal with all three of these, while 20 years ago we were only focused on water quality.

Dr. Ferris explained thatmany gains made in terms of water quality had been lost in recent years. Soluble reactive phosphorous levels in rivers had fallen from 2005 until 2012 but have now risen back to the 2007 figure almost wiping out 15 years worth of progress.

There are all sorts of reasons for that. But in terms of [agriculture], I do believe that reducing phosphorous levels in our concentrates, which is something our feed industry has already adopted. [This is] something that, going forward, we will have to push further and we will likely have to move even lower in terms of new levels.

As a result, research is expected to begin soon at AFBI examining the impact of lower protein diets for dairy cows. It will test what effect reducingprotein in cows diets has on farm ammonia emissions.

Meanwhile, promising research carried out by the institute also shows the potential to replace imported feedstocks with protein sources grown in Northern Ireland.

As part of the study, researchers were able to replace imported soya with locally-grown field beans completely without major impacts on milk composition. Reducing the food miles of animal feed could help further reduce the industrys emissions.

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Environmental legislation to be biggest limiting factor for NI dairying in 2030 - Agriland.co.uk

Aug 13, 2020

Each one of us aspires to live a long and healthy life. The environment we live in influences our behaviour, and exposure to risk. Thus a need arises for quality health and support. Every one of us can experience healthy ageing. Healthy Aging is developing the environments and opportunities that enable people to be and do what they value throughout their lives.

WHO defines Healthy ageing as the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age. Functional ability is made up of the inner capacity of the individual, relevant environmental conditions, and the interaction between them. The inner capacity is influenced by factors like mental and physical behaviours, genes, age-related changes, and genetics. The Environment includes housing, community, transportation, attitudes, values, social facilities, assistive technologies, and the support system.

Elderly is an incredibly valuable resource for society and to continue being an active person in the society, elderly too without age discrimination should participate/engage and or get opportunities in activities boosting their physical, social and mental wellbeing. The decade from 2020 to 2030 is described by the United Nations as a 'Decade of healthy aging'. Older people are the main focus of this plan and also an aim to bring together civil society, governments, interdisciplinary professionals, international agencies, media, and private sectors to improve the lives of older people, their families, and communities. Through this article, I would like to mention the 8Rs as tips for healthy aging.

1. Regular exercise and physical activity: Exercising regularly and involving oneself in physical activities like walking with the pet, gardening, using stairs, and brisk walking increases stamina and improves health. Exercises help to prevent falls, reduces the risk of bone stiffening, and free movement of muscles. It can be an effective treatment for diseases like arthritis, heart ailments, diabetes, etc.

2. Routine checkups: Ageing itself is a challenge to be healthy, leading to increased doctors visits and need to care. With proper health check-up packages, physicians can detect the early signs of disease and help maintain the baseline and promote healthier aging. Other than the routine tests we undergo, depending on the gender there are additional tests that one needs to check. Its also necessary that like the way we check our physical and functional health, due importance should also be given to our cognitive and emotional health.

3. Relax: Engaging in the activities of ones interests can be relaxing. Sticking to the sleep schedule helps the elderly with insomnia. Some simple tips to be followed include avoid caffeine in the evening, keep the bedroom dark, turn off the cell phone, avoid naps more than 20 minutes during daytime, etc. Deep breathing and meditation can help ease stress, pain, and increase flexibility. Keeping a gratitude journal strengthens emotional resilience.

4. Rich nutritious diet: Many health issues are connected to overweight or obesity but being thinner is not healthier either. Dietary patterns influence the BMI, thus diet must include fibre-rich foods, low-fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and lean meat products. Supplements strictly prescribed by doctors like calcium, vitamin B6, B12, and D can be included. Intake of enough liquids is necessary not to get dehydrated.

5. Recreational activities: Well-planned recreations such as listening to music of interest, involving in art and craft, visiting old friends, playing board games, volunteering work, and engaging in old hobbies helps elderly utilize their leisure time, and improve their physical and psychological wellbeing.

6. Restrain from alcohol, smoking, and other addictions: Recent studies have shown that midlife and late-life smokers had a greater risk of developing dementia. Tobacco harmed daily functioning. (Michel et al, 2016). The positive effect of light to moderate alcohol consumption on longevity was completely rejected by a 6 year follow up Pianoro study. Systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies on alcohol consumption and healthy ageing revealed equivocal results. (Daskalopoulou, et al, 2018). However, it needs more research in this area.

7. Research on healthy ageing: Practitioners, professionals, and researchers must consider research addressing topics on the current needs of elderly, future challenges, and determinants of healthy ageing and interventions to improve healthy ageing trajectories. Studies can also emphasize on research priorities and gaps to improve health equity. Thus contributing to and learn from such a knowledge base.

8. Reverse approach: We will not hold their hands; they will hold our hands. One should not underestimate the elderly power only due to their age. The knowledge, skills, and experience they have should not be devalued. Important here is they should not be placed in the receiving end. They are an asset and guide for preserving the cultural and folk traditions, old values, and rituals.

I would also like to inform the readers that the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) in May 2020 has launched the Centre for Studies on Healthy Ageing (CSHA) aiming to promote health and participation in old age. The centre also encourages young groups to age healthy and be independent.

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Healthy ageing.. The eight R's - Daijiworld.com

Newswise SAN FRANCISCO, CA and NEW YORK, NY, August 13David Williams, PhD, has been selected as the 2021 RPB David F. Weeks Award for Outstanding Vision Research (Weeks Award). The Weeks Award, funded through the generosity of Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), an anonymous donor, and the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO), annually recognizes and celebrates an excellent vision researcher. The award carries the name of David F. Weeks, former President and Chairman of RPB, in honor of his contributions to the field of vision research. Dr. Williams will receive his award and deliver a presentation during the AUPO 2021 Annual Meeting in February.

Dr. Williams holds the position of William G. Allyn Professor of Medical Optics at the University of Rochester. David Williams contributions to understanding the optical factors in vision have been profound. The impact of his research establishes him as one of the outstanding visual scientists in his generation, and his creative ideas for future vision research have the potential to ultimately unlock the discoveries needed to cure blindness, said David A. DiLoreto, Jr., MD, PhD, Chairman for the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester.

AUPO President, David Quillen, MD shared, We are thrilled to recognize Dr. Williams with the Weeks Award. Dr. Williams is one the world's leading experts on human vision. He and his team have transformed ophthalmology and visual science through the development and implementation of the first adaptive optics system for the eye. This work has resulted in unprecedented developments in patient care including wavefront-guided refractive surgery and exquisite retinal imaging. It is a remarkable story that will continue to advance our understanding of the eye and vision.

Dr. Williams work is the kind of ground-breaking research that fulfills Mr. Weeks vision for the advancement of vision science via his work at RPB and his advocacy activities that were key to the creation of the National Eye Institute, said Brian F. Hofland, PhD, President of Research to Prevent Blindness. On behalf of RPB, I extend my sincerecongratulationsto Dr. Williams on all of his past accomplishments, and I look forward to his future innovations.

For more information on the RPB David F. Weeks Award for Outstanding Vision Research, visit the AUPO website.

About Research to Prevent Blindness

Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) is the leading nonprofit organization supporting eye research directed at the prevention, treatment or eradication of all diseases that damage and destroy sight. As part of this purview, RPB also supports efforts to grow and sustain a robust and diverse vision research community. Since it was founded in 1960 by Dr. Jules Stein, RPB has awarded more than $373 million in research grants to the most talented vision scientists at the nations leading medical schools. As a result, RPB has been associated with nearly every major breakthrough in the understanding and treatment of vision loss in the past 60 years. Learn more atwww.rpbusa.org.

About Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology

The Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) was founded in 1966 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to research and education. AUPO is the voice of academic ophthalmology through the promotion of medical education, research, and patient care in ophthalmology, and accomplished by providing a forum for discussion of mutual issues facing departments/divisions of ophthalmology in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit aupo.org.

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Research to Prevent Blindness and Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Announce 2021 Recipient of RPB David F. Weeks Award for...

X Ambassadors' keyboardist, Casey Harris, was born with the rare genetic disease, Senior-Loken syndrome, which affects his kidneys and retinas. The acoustic performance by brothers Sam and Casey Harris will feature their top hits including, Renegade, Unsteady, Hold You Down, and Belong. In between sets, Jason Menzo, chief operating officer at the Foundation Fighting Blindness, will interview Sam and Casey about their experiences with vision loss and discuss their commitment to creating music that celebrates diversity and belonging. Event registration is free, but attendees will have the opportunity to contribute, as all net proceeds will go towards the Foundation's mission.

"We are so excited and honored to be collaborating with Two Blind Brothers for this livestream conversation and acoustic performance with Sam and Casey Harris of X Ambassadors," says Jason Menzo, COO at the Foundation. "Together, we have this natural connection and unwavering commitment to providing hope and empowerment for the blind and visually impaired community."

For more information and to register for a reminder about the event, visit: https://bit.ly/3ihTkda

About the Foundation Fighting BlindnessEstablished in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is the world's leading private funding source for retinal degenerative disease research. The Foundation has raised more than $800 million toward its mission of accelerating research for preventing, treating, and curing blindness caused by the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases including: retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and Stargardt disease. Visit FightingBlindness.org for more information.

Media Contacts:Chris Adams Vice President, Marketing & Communications [emailprotected] (410) 423-0585

SOURCE Foundation Fighting Blindness

http://www.FightBlindness.org

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X Ambassadors Teams up with Foundation Fighting Blindness and Two Blind Brothers to Launch Music to our Eyes Exclusive Livestream Music Series -...

Cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye and is the main focusing part of the eye. If it becomes cloudy or scarred, say, due to an eye injury or infection, vision is reduced or lost because the scar tissue scatters the light passing through the cornea.

This is known as cornea opacity, which is considered a major public health problem. According to the World Health organisation, there are at least 2.2 billion people with vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed. Among these, those suffering from cornea opacities are about 4.2 million.

In Kenya, according to the annual report for the year 2018 by the Kenya Society for the Blind, there are about 350,000 people who are blind while another 750,000 are visually impaired. The Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital which is the biggest eye hospital in East Africa reports that cornea opacities contribute to 19% of blindness cases.

One of the ways to treat cornea opacity is with a cornea transplant, this can restore vision. Cornea transplant involves a surgical procedure which replaces a disc-shaped segment of an impaired cornea with a similarly shaped piece of healthy donor cornea. Though we do not have nationwide studies in Kenya it can be estimated that those in need of cornea transplant exceed 50,000 cases.

Journey of cornea transplant in Kenya

This year as the world marks the World Organ Donation Day, we chose to focus on cornea transplant in Kenya which is largely led by Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital. According to the experts in the hospital, there are competent surgeons in Kenya who are able to undertake the required surgery [known as Keratoplasty] to restore cornea opacity and surgical facilities are available for the procedure, but there has been shortage of donor corneas to meet the demand.

As a way of addressing this gap between supply and demand, there was established the first ever eye bank in East and Central Africa in the year 2007 which was named after its chief sponsor Lion Kanubhai Babla. The eye bank was established at the Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital. The eye bank which is still in operation obtains, medically evaluates and distributes donated corneas for use in transplantation, research and medical education.

Before the establishment of this eye bank, cornea transplants were done with donor corneas from abroad. The costs involved to either travel abroad for the surgery or to procure the corneas from abroad were too high for the majority of patients to afford thus remaining blind for the rest of their lives. The eye bank started, and still does, facilitating cornea transplant at minimal cost to the needy and deserving patients.

Currently the Lion Kanubhai Babla Eye Bank at Lions Eye Hospital is fundamental to the obtainment, screening and storage of donated eye tissue used for cornea transplant. The eye bank team provides a 24- hour information and retrieval service 365 days a year and it provides these services throughout the country but with priority to the needy especially students so that they can continue with their studies uninterrupted.

Where the eye bank gets cornea for transplant

Lion Kanubhai Babla Eye Bank relies on voluntary donation of corneas and only the corneas are obtained not the whole eyeball. Kenya performs about 200 cornea transplants annually with donations coming from non-native communities. This is mainly associated with cultural and religious beliefs surrounding death among the indigenous Kenyan communities. While pledging to become a donor, there is no monetary compensation given or any other form of incentives, either to the donor or to the family.

The time required to obtain cornea is 6-8 hours after death and it is stored immediately to avoid damage. The Lions Eye bank collaborates with eye bank ambassadors and other hospitals to assist in proper preservation of the donor bodies before the eye bank specialists can get to the harvesting point. Cornea can be removed at hospital or even at residence or wherever death occurs.

Only people above the age of 18 years are allowed to pledge their cornea because this is the consent age in Kenya. However, it is not suitable to transplant a cornea from an older donor to a young patient. A potential donor pledges at the Lions eye bank to give their cornea when they die. However, the family needs to give consent upon the death of the donor. It is therefore important that the donor notifies their family and has them understand the reason and implications of the decision. This prevents contention when the cornea needs to be obtained.

As the decision for eye donation is made by the family members when a death occurs, the commitment and involvement of the whole family is required. Eye donation will work best, when it becomes a tradition in every Kenyan family and a part of our culture, irrespective of religion and other aspects.

Elizabeth Mbugua and Stephen Rukwaro (Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital)

Read more here:
Lifting the burden of cornea blindness through donation - The Star, Kenya