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Lab-grown eggs and sperm a step closer – BioNews

10 February 2020

A study, published in Cell Reports, investigating when and how human stem cells develop into egg and sperm cells could one day help generate lab-grown gametes to treat infertility.

Human pluripotent stem cells can evolve into germ cells, which are the precursor cells for gamete development. By growing these human germ cells in vitro, the theory is that gametes engineered in a laboratory setting could someday be used, instead of natural eggs and sperm, in IVF treatment.

The research conducted within the Eli and Edythe Broad Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) provides great hope for those who are unable to produce gametes naturally,including thosewhose fertility has been affected by injury, illness or medical treatment.

'With donated eggs and sperm, the child is not genetically related to one or both parents. To treat patients who want a child who is genetically related, we need to understand how to make germ cells from stem cells, and then how to coax those germ cells into eggs or sperm'Dr Amander Clark, lead author of the study at UCLA, explained.

'Right now, if your body doesn't make germ cells, then there's no option for having a child that's biologically related to you. What we want to do is use stem cells to be able to generate germ cells outside the human body so that this kind of infertility can be overcome.'

In previous studies, scientists have been able to grow similarinduced pluripotent stem calls (iPS cells), and develop them into human skin cells and blood cells. The researchers, in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology, analysed the hundreds of thousands of genes active when both human embryonic stem cells and iPS cells transition to germ cells.

The data obtained allowed the researchers to firstly formulate when the germ cells are likely to form, which was between 24-48 hours after starting differentiation, and secondly which lineages of the differentiating stem cells give rise to the germ cells.

They also found that the activation and manifestation of germ cells was identical when developed from embryonic stem cells and iPS cells. This information was essential as they needed to ensure that the in vitro environment they had created was mimicking the molecular signals of the testis and ovaries to give hope for successful sperm and egg cell development.

Dr Clark stated: 'This tells us that the approach we're using to begin the process of making germ cells is on the right track. Now we're poised to take the next step of combining these cells with ovary or testis cells.'

Although current research is far from generating gametes, the end goal is that one day scientists are able to use a patient's skin cells to form stem cells, which can be programmed into egg or sperm cells to be used in fertility treatment.

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Lab-grown eggs and sperm a step closer - BioNews

Cynata Therapeutics aims for commercial production of cutting-edge STEM cell products – Proactive Investors Australia

The Australian clinical-stage stem cell and regenerative medicine company is focused on the development of stem cell platform technology for commercial production with the help of pharmaceutical partner Fuji Film.

() is ready to move up to scalable production of its graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) drug after a clinical trial proved the safety and efficacy of the drug.

Cynata managing director and chief executive officer Dr Ross Macdonald told Proactive that showing the product had a desirable clinical effect in people was an excellent result for the company.

He said: We achieved all of the study endpoints, demonstrating primarily the safety of the product but also efficacy, and therein lies one of the secrets to success in biotech land, which is demonstrating that the product or technology works in humans.

The trial results included a 54% complete response rate, an 87% overall response rate and a greater than 87% survival rate of patients using the GvHD drug.

Not only is the technology safe and effective, it also bypasses complex and invasive surgeries for patients and hospitals, and lowers costs incurred by healthcare systems.

Cynatas Cymerus technology overcomes the challenges of other production methods to achieve economic manufacture of cell therapy products, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), at commercial scale without the limitation of multiple donors.

Macdonald said this putCynata ahead of the pack in terms of commercial product development.

He said: For a small Aussie company with a hundred million or so market cap to be the leader in the world in this area - and theres no dispute about that as for this particular type of cell therapy we are well and truly the leader as first company to complete a clinical study its really a very exciting place to be.

The technology provides a consistent manufacturing process - and that consistency and reproducibility is a vital element of successful drug product development.

The company now has the full support and resources to achieve commercial production after signing on the dotted line with new partner, pharmaceutical giant, Fuji Film.

Macdonald said: Australia is a great place for medical research and development, but it has some limitations when it comes to access to the amount of capital thats required to fully develop a drug product.

Instead of trying to squeeze blood out of a stone, our strategy was to access the necessary resources through partnership.

Fuji Film isvery active in pharmaceuticals and in the manufacture of drug products and thats what drew us together.

Its also consistent with our strategy of partnering our technology with global players who have the capacity and the access to resources that are necessary to ultimately bring our drug product to market.

Cynata's Cymerus platform has potential applications across a wide range of diseases

Fuji Film now has global rights to Cynatas first product, GvHD, and hasalready paid a US$3 million licence fee, bought US$3 million worth of stock at a 35% premium, and will pay further US$40 million in milestones plus a double-digit royalty on product sales.

Macdonald said: This year they expect to start a phase two clinical trial.

In Fuji Films hands, GvHD is expected to get to market sometime late in 2022 or early 2023.

Cynata has three fully-funded clinical trials upcoming, one is the phase two GvHD trial with Fuji Film, one is in Osteoarthritis (OA) which is funded by the Australian Government and one is in critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Macdonald said: You can cure cancer in rats but if you cant cure cancer in humans you dont have a product.

It comes down to being able to generate really good, solid data from clinical trials that prove that your product is safe and effective thats the sort of data we are seeking to generate to really drive shareholder value and become catalysts for shareholders to enjoy a significant uplift.

Data is what drives value in biotech land.

The company states that GvHD has an estimated market opportunity of US$0.3 billion, CLI has an estimated market opportunity of US$1.4 billion and OA has an estimated market opportunity of US$11.6 billion.

Consequentially, interest from major pharmaceutical companies in these areas of cell therapeutics is increasing.

Macdonald said this was one of the reasons Cynata recently knocked back a takeover bid which it believed undervalued the company.

He said: Last year the company received takeover bids, one of which was disclosed to the market at $2 per share.

Ultimately, we decided not to go ahead with that, but its a nice position to be in when a global, major pharmaceutical company decides that the technology looks exciting enough that theyre prepared to pay a couple of hundred million dollars for it.

That was also important validation of our technology and our strategy.

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Cynata Therapeutics aims for commercial production of cutting-edge STEM cell products - Proactive Investors Australia

MS News that Caught My Eye Last Week: Methionine, MSCT, Spinal… – Multiple Sclerosis News Today

Methionine is an amino acid found in meat, eggs, and dairy. Its absorbed by T-cells that are part of our immune system. Those cells are also believed to be the immune cells that attack our myelin, creating the nerve damage that results in multiple sclerosis.

In this study, mice eating less methionine had a reduced number of a certain type of T-cell, which led to a delay in disease onset and progression. The researchers believe reducing methionine intake can actually dampen the immune cells that cause disease, leading to better outcomes.

Changing a persons diet to reduce the amount of methionine (amino acid found in food) could delay the development and progression of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS).

That finding was described in the study Methionine Metabolism Shapes T Helper Cell Responses through Regulation of Epigenetic Reprogramming, published recently in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Click here to read the full story.

***

Unlike hematopoietic stem cell transplants, in which stem cells are removed from a patients bone marrow and later infused back into the bloodstream, mesenchymal stem cell transplants (MSCT) collect those stem cells from the patients spinal column and return them there. This study concludes that MSCT is safe and that cells delivered into the spinal cord produced a significantly slower disease progression rate than did cells delivered into the bloodstream.

Transplanting patients ownmesenchymal stem cellsis a safe therapeutic approach and can delay disease progression in people with MS, a meta-analysis review shows.

The study also showed that cells transplanted to the spinal cord (intrathecal injection) were associated with significantly slower disease progression rates, compared to cells delivered into the bloodstream.

Click here to read the full story.

***

Why do neurologists often use spinal taps when determining whether someone has MS? This study provides one of the reasons.

People with MS have a more diverse set of immune cells in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that bathes the central nervous system, but no such diversity is seen in their blood, a study reports. Instead, MS causes changes in the activation of immune cells in the blood.

The distinct set of immune cells in MS patients CSF shows enrichment of pro-inflammatory cells that promote disease severity in MS mouse models.

Click here to read the full story.

***

Heres encouraging news about a possible treatment that can lower the number of brain lesions in someone with MS. Keep in mind this is only a Phase 2 trial. A Phase 3 trial isnt expected until later this year. However, a news release from research sponsor Sanofisays, This molecule may be the first B-cell-targeted MS therapy that not only inhibits the peripheral immune system, but also crosses the blood-brain barrier to suppress immune cells that have migrated into the brain.

The experimental BTK inhibitor SAR442168 showed an acceptable safety profile and met its primary endpoint a significant reduction in the number of new lesions visible on a brain imaging scan in a Phase 2 trial in people with MS, study results show.

SAR442168, formerly known as PRN2246, is an oral, small molecule being co-developed by Principia Biopharmaand Sanofi Genzyme. It works by inhibiting Brutons tyrosine kinase (BTK), a protein important for the proliferation of immune cells, particularly B-cells. By blocking BTK, it is expected that SAR442168 can reduce inflammation that damages the nervous system in people with MS.

Click here to read the full story.

Did you know that some of my columns from The MS Wire are now available as audio briefings? You can listen to them here.

***

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.

Ed Tobias is a retired broadcast journalist. Most of his 40+ year career was spent as a manager with the Associated Press in Washington, DC. Tobias was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1980 but he continued to work, full-time, meeting interesting people and traveling to interesting places, until retiring at the end of 2012.

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MS News that Caught My Eye Last Week: Methionine, MSCT, Spinal... - Multiple Sclerosis News Today

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Trending 2020 : Stem Cell Therapy Market Report Examines Analysis by Latest Trends, Growth Factors, Key Players and Forecast to 2026 - Instant Tech...

Stem Cell Therapy Market Global Production, Growth, Share, Demand and Applications Forecast to 2027 – TechNews.mobi

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Stem Cell Therapy Market Global Production, Growth, Share, Demand and Applications Forecast to 2027 - TechNews.mobi

Hemostemix Announces the Appointment of Dr. Ronnie Hershman to the Board of Directors and Provides a Corporate Update – BioSpace

CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --Hemostemix. (Hemostemix or the Company) (TSXV: HEM; OTC: HMTXF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ronnie Hershman, M.D., F.C.C.S., to its Board of Directors. Dr. Hershman is a successful, practicing cardiologist with over three decades of experience. Dr. Hershman graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Sophie Davis Center for Biomedical Research in 1980 and received his medical degree from Mount Sinai Medical Center in 1982. He then continued his medical and cardiovascular training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center.

Dr. Hershman has been an Invasive Cardiologist since 1987 and was involved in many clinical trials for emerging catheter technologies. He was a pioneer in performing laser-assisted coronary angioplasty, starting in private practice on Long Island in 1989. Presently the Medical Director of NYU Langone Long Island Cardiac Care he built and manages a large medical practice, employing cutting-edge technology and continues his practice for patients with cardiovascular and peripheral vascular diseases, employing a non-invasive therapy for patients with intractable Angina and Congestive Heart Failure.

Dr. Hershman has also been an entrepreneur and investor for more than two decades. He has been involved in life science investing and consulting for several years and previously or currently serves on the boards of medical biotechnology companies Solubest, Ltd., TheraVitae Inc., Nasus Pharma, SanoNash and Optivasive. He also serves as an advisor to a latestage, life science venture capital company that has funded 24 companies to-date. Dr. Hershman is now an investor in OurCrowd, Ltd., a leading crowd funding company and is the Co-Founder and CEO of HealthEffect, LLC and CLiHealth, LLC, SoLoyal and Nasus Pharma along with SanoNash.

Dr. Hershman continues to evaluate new medical technologies in the USA and Israel. His main interests lie in bringing improved medical technologies from the bench to the clinic, quickly and globally. He is actively seeking to commercialize technologies that improve lives and cure illnesses in the most effective and cost efficient manner.

Stem Cell therapies are the future in so many chronic illnesses and Hemostemix is an exciting company with a lot of promise in providing solutions and therapeutic options for many patients with critical Cardiovascular illnesses and ischemia, commented Dr. Hershman. As an investor and Board Member, I hope to assist in advancing these therapies further and create optimal value for patients and shareholders, alike, he said.

Dr. Hershman is replacing Mr. Yari Nieken and Mr. Bryson Goodwin who both resigned from their positions with the Company effective February 10, 2020. Ms. Natasha Sever has also resigned from the position of CFO. The Company will look for suitable replacements for both CEO and CFO positions and Mr. Smeenk will act as the interim CEO until a replacement is hired. The Company thanks Bryson, Yari and Natasha for their service and wishes them well in their future endeavors.

It is a great pleasure to welcome Dr. Hershman to the Board of Directors, said David Wood, Chairman, as he compliments us with his broad medical experience, biotechnology and business investment acumen and counsel.

I am honored and delighted to welcome Dr. Hershman to the Board of Directors and I very much look forward to his counsel, said Thomas Smeenk, President.

The Company also announces that on January 9, 2020, J.M. Wood Investment Inc. (JMWI) sent the Company a Notice of Default and Demand for the immediate repayment of the Companys previously announced convertible debenture and demand loan. Based on the repayment conditions of the debts, the Company took the position the January 9th notice was premature. On January 24th, JMWI made an application to the Court of Queens Bench of Alberta for the issuance of an order appointing a receiver. The Company responded with a 347 page affidavit including appendices, sworn on January 30th by David Wood, Chairman. The application was heard on January 31st by Madame Justice Horner, who granted a consent order to adjourn the JMWI receivership application to February 20, 2020 to enable the Company to close its financing; granted an order appointing Grant Thornton as inspector; granted an order that the costs of the application of January 31st would only be payable by the Company if the application proceeds on February 20th. On February 6, 2020 cross examinations on the Affidavits of David Wood and JMWI were heard.

Also, on February 3, 2020 the Company received an action from Aspire Health Science, LLC filed with the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court for Orange County, State of Florida, in connection with the Amended and Restated License Agreement rescinded by Hemostemix on December 5, 2019 due to Aspires failure to meet the Condition Precedent of paying US$1,000,000 within 30 business days of September 30, 2019. The Company believes the action is frivolous, without merit, and it intends to vigorously defend its position.

The Company intends to effect repayment of the secured debts and it will provide a further update to the market at that time. Although the Company is optimistic that it will be successful in raising sufficient funds to meet its obligations, there can be no assurance that the financing will close as anticipated or within the time frames required.

ABOUT HEMOSTEMIX INC.

Hemostemix is a publicly traded autologous stem cell therapy company, founded in 2003. A winner of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, the Company developed and is commercializing its lead product ACP-01 for the treatment of CLI, PAD, Angina, Ischemic Cardiomyopathy, Dilated Cardiomyopathy and other heart conditions. ACP-01 has been used to treat over 300 patients, including no-option end-stage heart disease patients, and it has been the subject of four open label phase II clinical studies which proved its safety and efficacy.

On October 21, 2019, the Company announced the results from its presentation from its Phase II CLI trial abstract presentation entitled Autologous Stem Cell Treatment for CLI Patients with No Revascularization Options: An Update of the Hemostemix ACP-01 Trial With 4.5 Year Followup which noted healing of ulcers and resolution of ischemic rest pain occurred in 83% of patients, with outcomes maintained for up to 4.5 years. The Companys clinical trial for CLI is ongoing at 20 clinical sites in North America and 56 of 95 subjects have been enrolled to-date.

The Company owns 91 patents across five patent families titled: Regulating Stem Cells, In Vitro Techniques for use with Stem Cells, Production from Blood of Cells of Neural Lineage, and Automated Cell Therapy. For more information, please visit http://www.hemostemix.com.

Contact:

Thomas Smeenk, President & CEOSuite 1150, 707 7th Avenue S.W.Calgary, Alberta T2P 3H6Tel: 905-580-4170

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could, or should occur. Although Hemostemix believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates, and opinions of Hemostemix management on the date such statements were made. By their nature forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the Companys ability to fund operations and access the capital required to continue operations and repay its secured debts, the Companys stage of development, the ability to complete its current CLI clinical trial, complete a futility analysis and the results of such, future clinical trials and results, long-term capital requirements and future developments in the Companys markets and the markets in which it expects to compete, risks associated with its strategic alliances and the impact of entering new markets on the Companys operations. Each factor should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Hemostemix expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties are contained in the Companys filing with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at http://www.sedar.com.

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Hemostemix Announces the Appointment of Dr. Ronnie Hershman to the Board of Directors and Provides a Corporate Update - BioSpace

Cancer patients use more blood than those fighting any other disease – Portsmouth Daily Times

Patients fighting cancer need more blood than patients fighting any other disease, using nearly one-quarter of the nations blood supply. Thats why this February, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society have teamed up to encourage people across the country to Give Blood to Give Time, ensuring loved ones have the strength and support to battle cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 3 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. An estimated 71,850 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Ohio this year; 71,850 in Ohio; 26,500 in Kentucky; and 12,380 in West Virginia. Many of these people will likely have a need for blood.

A loved ones cancer diagnosis often makes families and friends feel helpless. Thats why the Give Blood to Give Time partnership with the American Cancer Society is so important, said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer, American Red Cross. When someone donates blood or platelets or makes a financial gift, they are helping to give patients and their families time, resources and the hope they need to fight back.

To schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment or make a financial gift, visit GiveBloodToGiveTime.org.

Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, reducing red blood cell and platelet production. Other times, the cancer itself or surgical procedures cause the problem. Blood products are often needed. In fact, five units of blood are needed every minute to help someone going through cancer treatment. Yet only 3% of people in the United States give blood. More people are needed to donate regularly to help meet the need.

The need for blood in cancer treatments is an important and untold story, said Gary Reedy, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society is excited to be working with the Red Cross on Give Blood to Give Time. Through this partnership, we want people to know there are multiple ways they can help and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Individuals can honor their loved ones by making a blood donation appointment or financial contribution at GiveBloodToGiveTime.org.

Who blood donations help

In April 2015, Stephenie Perry was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma exactly 10 days before her commencement ceremony from graduate school. One week after commencement, treatments began. During chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants, she needed blood and platelet transfusions.

I dont even know how many units of blood Ive received, she said. But I know all of that blood came from selfless individuals who made the decision to make an appointment and donate.

Last February, Perry received the good news that her cancer is in remission. The next day, her then-boyfriend, Justin Perry, proposed to her just in time for Valentines Day. They talked about marriage while she battled cancer, but they wanted to wait until she was in remission. Justin Perry said he didnt want to go another day without asking her to marry him. They were married in September.

Her red blood cell counts still get low at times. When that happens, she goes in for another blood transfusion.

I think its safe to say that my successful battle with cancer depended upon complete strangers and their donated blood. For this, I am grateful, Stephenie Perry said. Sometimes I hear stories from friends about people who are scared of needles or afraid to donate blood. I wish I could stand face-to-face with those people and tell them there is nothing scary about saving a life a life like mine.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

KENTUCKY

Boyd

Ashland

2/21/2020: 11:30 a.m. 5 p.m., Bellefonte Pavillion, 2000 Ashland Drive

_______________

Mason

Mayslick

2/21/2020: 3:30 p.m. 8 p.m., Mays Lick Community Center, 5036 salt lick circle

Maysville

2/13/2020: 1 p.m. 6 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 31 East Third St

_______________

Rowan

Morehead

2/11/2020: 12 p.m. 4:30 p.m., Carl D Perkins Community Center, Flemingsburg Rd

OHIO

Gallia

Gallipolis

2/12/2020: 11 a.m. 4 p.m., Holzer Gallipolis, 100 Jackson Pike

2/20/2020: 12:30 p.m. 6 p.m., Saint Peters Episcopal Church, 541 2nd Avenue

Jackson

Jackson

2/18/2020: 12:30 p.m. 6 p.m., Christ United Methodist Church, 150 Portsmouth Street

2/20/2020: 1 p.m. 5:30 p.m., First Church of the Nazarene, 251 Powell Drive

Wellston

2/22/2020: 9 a.m. 3 p.m., LifeSource Apostolic Church, 110 Driving Park Rd

_______________

Lawrence

Ironton

2/20/2020: 10 a.m. 3:30 p.m., Ohio University Riffe Center, 1804 Liberty Avenue

2/27/2020: 8 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Rock Hill High School, 2415 County Road 26

Proctorville

2/18/2020: 9 a.m. 2:30 p.m., Fairland High School, 812 County Road 411

South Point

2/29/2020: 9 a.m. 2:30 p.m., Tri-State Worship Center, 901 Solida Road

_______________

Meigs

Pomeroy

2/19/2020: 1:30 p.m. 6 p.m., Mulberry Community Center, 260 Mulberry Ave

Reedsville

2/14/2020: 8 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Eastern Local High School, 38900 Ohio State Route 7

_______________

Scioto

Portsmouth

2/18/2020: 8:30 a.m. 1 p.m., Clay High School, 44 Clay High St.

2/25/2020: 12 p.m. 5:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 3rd and Court Street, 221Court Street

WEST VIRGINIA

Boone

Madison

2/15/2020: 9 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Madison Fire Department, 1 Firehouse Square

Braxton

Gassaway

2/18/2020: 2 p.m. 6:30 p.m., Braxton County Memorial Hospital, 100 Hoylman Drive

_______________

Cabell

Huntington

2/10/2020: 10:30 a.m. 6:30 p.m., Huntington Donation Center, 1111 Veterans Memorial Blvd

2/13/2020: 1 p.m. 5 p.m., HIMG Regional Medical Ctr, 5170 US Rt 60 East

2/17/2020: 10:30 a.m. 6:30 p.m., Huntington Donation Center, 1111 Veterans Memorial Blvd

2/19/2020: 11 a.m. 4:30 p.m., St. Marys Center for Education, 2825 5th Avenue

2/24/2020: 10:30 a.m. 6:30 p.m., Huntington Donation Center, 1111 Veterans Memorial Blvd

_______________

Clay

Clay

2/25/2020: 8:30 a.m. 2 p.m., Clay County High School, 1 Panther Drive

_______________

Kanawha

Charleston

2/12/2020: 11 a.m. 5 p.m., University of Charleston, 2300 Maccorkle Ave

2/25/2020: 9 a.m. 3 p.m., Carver Career School, 4799 Midland Drive

Cross Lanes

2/14/2020: 2 p.m. 7 p.m., Cross Lanes YMCA Child Dev Ce, 5113 Rocky Fork Road

Dunbar

2/13/2020: 2 p.m. 7 p.m., Dunbar Church of the Nazarene, 1334 Lightener Auenue

Nitro

2/10/2020: 1 p.m. 5:30 p.m., Nitro Senior Center, 302 21st Street

Saint Albans

2/13/2020: 9 a.m. 2:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of St. Albans, 523 2nd St and 6th Ave

South Charleston

2/26/2020: 9 a.m. 2 p.m., Thomas Memorial Hospital, 4605 MacCorkle Avenue SW

_______________

Lincoln

Hamlin

2/26/2020: 9 a.m. 2:30 p.m., Lincoln County High School, 81 Panther Way

Logan

Logan

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Cancer patients use more blood than those fighting any other disease - Portsmouth Daily Times

Seattle Genetics and Astellas Announce Updated Results from Phase 1b/2 Trial of PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) in Combination with Immune Therapy…

BOTHELL, Wash. and TOKYO, Feb. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Seattle Genetics, Inc.(Nasdaq: SGEN) and Astellas Pharma Inc.(TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., "Astellas") today announced updated results from the phase 1b/2 clinical trial EV-103 in previously untreated patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who were ineligible for treatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Forty-five patients were treated with the combination of PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and pembrolizumab and were evaluated for safety and efficacy. After a median follow-up of 11.5 months, the study results continue to meet outcome measures for safety and demonstrate encouraging clinical activity for this platinum-free combination in a first-line setting. Updated results will be presented during an oral session on Friday, February 14 at the 2020 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco (Abstract #441). Initial results from the study were presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress in September 2019.

PADCEV is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is directed against Nectin-4, a protein located on the surface of cells and highly expressed in bladder cancer.1,2

"Cisplatin-basedchemotherapy is the standard treatment for first-line advanced urothelial cancer; however, it isn't an option for many patients,"said Jonathan E. Rosenberg, M.D., Medical Oncologist and Chief, Genitourinary Medical Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York."I'm encouraged by these interim results, including a median progression-free survival of a year for patients who received the platinum-free combination of PADCEV and pembrolizumab in the first-line setting."

In the study, 58 percent (26/45) of patients had a treatment-related adverse event greater than or equal to Grade 3: increase in lipase (18 percent; 8/45), rash (13 percent; 6/45), hyperglycemia (13 percent; 6/45) and peripheral neuropathy (4 percent; 2/45); these rates were similar to those observed with PADCEV monotherapy.3Eighteen percent (8/45) of patients had treatment-related immune-mediated adverse events of clinical interest greater than or equal to Grade 3 that required the use of systemic steroids (arthralgia, dermatitis bullous, pneumonitis, lipase increased, rash erythematous, rash maculo-papular, tubulointerstitial nephritis, myasthenia gravis). None of the adverse events of clinical interest were Grade 5 events. Six patients (13 percent) discontinued treatment due to treatment-related adverse events, most commonly peripheral sensory neuropathy. As previously reported, there was one death deemed to be treatment-related by the investigator attributed to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

The data demonstrated the combination of PADCEV plus pembrolizumab shrank tumors in the majority of patients, resulting in a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 73.3 percent (33/45; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 58.1, 85.4) after a median follow-up of 11.5 months (range,0.7 to 19.2). Responses included 15.6 percent (7/45) of patients who had a complete response (CR)and 57.8 percent (26/45) of patients who had a partial response. Median duration of response has not yet been reached (range 1.2 to 12.9+ months). Eighteen (55%) of 33 responses were ongoing at the time of analysis, with 83.9% of responses lasting at least 6 months and 53.7% of responses lasting at least 12 months (Kaplan-Meier estimate).The median progression-free survival was 12.3 months (95% CI: 7.98, -) and the 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 81.6 percent (95% CI: 62 to 91.8 percent); median OS has not been reached.

"These updated data are encouraging and provide support for the recently initiated phase 3 trial EV-302 that includes an arm evaluating PADCEV in this platinum-free combination in the first-line setting," said Roger Dansey, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Seattle Genetics.

"These additional results support continued evaluation of PADCEV in combination with other agents and at earlier stages of treatment for patients withurothelial cancer," said Andrew Krivoshik, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Oncology Therapeutic Area Head at Astellas.

About the EV-103 TrialEV-103 is an ongoing, multi-cohort, open-label, multicenter phase 1b/2 trial of PADCEV alone or in combination, evaluating safety, tolerability and efficacy in muscle invasive, locally advanced and first- and second-line metastatic urothelial cancer.

The dose-escalation cohort and expansion cohort A include locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer patients who are ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Patients were dosed in a 21-day cycle, receiving an intravenous (IV) infusion of enfortumab vedotin on Days 1 and 8 and pembrolizumab on Day 1. At the time of this initial analysis, 45 patients (5 from the dose-escalation cohort and 40 from the dose-expansion cohort A) with locally advanced and/or metastatic urothelial cancer had been treated with enfortumab vedotin (1.25 mg/kg) plus pembrolizumab in the first-line setting.

The primary outcome measure of the cohorts included in this analysis is safety. Key secondary objectives related to efficacy include objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DoR), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). DoR,PFS and OS are not yet mature.

Additional cohorts in the EV-103 study will evaluate enfortumab vedotin:

More information about PADCEV clinical trials can be found at clinicaltrials.gov.

About Bladder and Urothelial CancerIt is estimated that approximately 81,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2020.5 Urothelial cancer accounts for 90 percent of all bladder cancers and can also be found in the renal pelvis, ureter and urethra.6 Globally, approximately 549,000 people were diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2018, and there were approximately 200,000 deaths worldwide.7

The recommended first-line treatment for patients with advanced urothelial cancer is a cisplatin-based chemotherapy. For patients who are ineligible for cisplatin, such as people with kidney impairment, a carboplatin-based regimen is recommended. However, fewer than half of patients respond to carboplatin-based regimens and outcomes are typically poorer compared to cisplatin-based regimens.8

About PADCEV PADCEV (enfortumabvedotin-ejfv) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2019 and is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who have previously received a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor and a platinum-containing chemotherapy before (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant) surgery or in a locally advanced or metastatic setting. PADCEV was approved under the FDA's Accelerated Approval Program based on tumor response rate. Continued approval may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.9

PADCEV is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is directed against Nectin-4, a protein located on the surface of cells and highly expressed in bladder cancer.2,9Nonclinical data suggest the anticancer activity of PADCEV is due to its binding to Nectin-4 expressing cells followed by the internalization and release of the anti-tumor agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into the cell, which result in the cell not reproducing (cell cycle arrest) and in programmed cell death (apoptosis).9PADCEV is co-developed by Astellas and Seattle Genetics.

Important Safety Information

Warnings and Precautions

Adverse ReactionsSerious adverse reactions occurred in 46% of patients treated with PADCEV. The most common serious adverse reactions (3%) were urinary tract infection (6%), cellulitis (5%), febrile neutropenia (4%), diarrhea (4%), sepsis (3%), acute kidney injury (3%), dyspnea (3%), and rash (3%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.2% of patients, including acute respiratory failure, aspiration pneumonia, cardiac disorder, and sepsis (each 0.8%).

Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 16% of patients; the most common adverse reaction leading to discontinuation was peripheral neuropathy (6%). Adverse reactions leading to dose interruption occurred in 64% of patients; the most common adverse reactions leading to dose interruption were peripheral neuropathy (18%), rash (9%) and fatigue (6%). Adverse reactions leading to dose reduction occurred in 34% of patients; the most common adverse reactions leading to dose reduction were peripheral neuropathy (12%), rash (6%) and fatigue (4%).

The most common adverse reactions (20%) were fatigue (56%), peripheral neuropathy (56%), decreased appetite (52%), rash (52%), alopecia (50%), nausea (45%), dysgeusia (42%), diarrhea (42%), dry eye (40%), pruritus (26%) and dry skin (26%). The most common Grade 3 adverse reactions (5%) were rash (13%), diarrhea (6%) and fatigue (6%).

Lab AbnormalitiesIn one clinical trial, Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities reported in 5% were: lymphocytes decreased, hemoglobin decreased, phosphate decreased, lipase increased, sodium decreased, glucose increased, urate increased, neutrophils decreased.

Drug Interactions

Specific Populations

For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information for PADCEV here.

About Seattle GeneticsSeattle Genetics, Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes transformative medicines targeting cancer to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. The company is headquartered in Bothell, Washington, and has offices in California, Switzerland and the European Union. For more information on our robust pipeline, visit https://www.seattlegenetics.comand follow @SeattleGenetics on Twitter.

About AstellasAstellas Pharma Inc., based in Tokyo, Japan, is a company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.

About the Astellas and Seattle Genetics CollaborationSeattle Genetics and Astellas are co-developing enfortumab vedotin-ejfv under a collaboration that was entered into in 2007 and expanded in 2009. Under the collaboration, the companies are sharing costs and profits on a 50:50 basis worldwide.

Seattle Genetics Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements made in this press release are forward looking, such as those, among others, relating to the EV-103 and EV-302 clinical trials; clinical development plans relating to enfortumab vedotin; the therapeutic potential of enfortumab vedotin; and its possible safety, efficacy, and therapeutic uses, including in the first-line setting. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include the possibility that ongoing and subsequent clinical trials of enfortumab vedotin may fail to establish sufficient efficacy; that adverse events or safety signals may occur and that adverse regulatory actions or other setbacks could occur as enfortumab vedotin advances in clinical trials even after promising results in earlier clinical trials. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Seattle Genetics is contained under the caption "Risk Factors" included in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Seattle Genetics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Astellas Cautionary NotesIn this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management's current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas' intellectual property rights by third parties.

Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development), which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice.

1 PADCEV [package insert]. Northbrook, IL: Astellas, Inc.2 Challita-Eid P, Satpayev D, Yang P, et al. Enfortumab Vedotin Antibody-Drug Conjugate Targeting Nectin-4 Is a Highly Potent Therapeutic Agent in Multiple Preclinical Cancer Models. Cancer Res 2016;76(10):3003-13.3 Rosenberg JE, O'Donnell PH, Balar AV, et al. Pivotal Trial of Enfortumab Vedotin in Urothelial Carcinoma After Platinum and Anti-Programmed Death 1/Programmed Death Ligand 1 Therapy. J Clin Oncol 2019;37(29):2592-600.4 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Enfortumab Vedotin Alone or With Other Therapies for Treatment of Urothelial Cancer (EV-103). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03288545.5 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2020. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2020/cancer-facts-and-figures-2020.pdf. Accessed 01-23-2020.6National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cancer stat facts: bladder cancer. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/urinb.html. Accessed 05-01-2019.7International Agency for Research on Cancer. Cancer Tomorrow: Bladder. http://gco.iarc.fr/tomorrow. 8 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Bladder Cancer. Version 4; July 10, 2019. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/bladder.pdf.9 PADCEV [package insert]. Northbrook, IL: Astellas, Inc.

SOURCE Astellas

http://www.seattlegenetics.com

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Seattle Genetics and Astellas Announce Updated Results from Phase 1b/2 Trial of PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) in Combination with Immune Therapy...

Sinai and Synapses names new class of 15 fellows – Covalence

The latest incoming class of fellows for the Sinai and Synapses Fellowship now includes a computer science professor, a spiritual care coordinator, biology professor, rabbi and an ethicist.

This 15-strong group will be seeking out models for productive conversation surrounding religion and science through 2021 and were just named by the group founded by Rabbi Geoffrey A. Mitelman, who is incubating the group at Clal The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.

The fellowship, however, is interfaith and is designed to encourage curiosity and the creation of new questions to explore in religion and science. According to the groups website, the fellows engage in their own communities and create meaningful content that includes podcasts such as: Down the Wormhole and More Light, Less Heat series.

One of this years fellows, Kristel Clayville, plans to work on something public-facing possibly in the form of a podcast focused on religion, science and technology. Clayville is the acting director of the Zygon Center for Religion and Science at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, as well as a senior fellow at the MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics at the University of Chicago. She currently works as a chaplain and ethicist at the University of Chicago Medical Center and focuses on the existential and spiritual issues facing organ transplant patients. She has also done work at the intersection between environmental ethics and bioethics to study the green burial movement.

Here are the rest of this years fellows and some of the experience they bring to the fellowship:

Editor

Susan is an author with a long-time interest in religion and science. She currently edits Covalence, the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technologys online magazine. She has written articles in The Lutheran and the Zygon Center for Religion and Science newsletter. Susan is a board member for the Center for Advanced Study of Religion and Science, the supporting organization for the Zygon Center and the Zygon Journal. She also co-wrote Our Bodies Are Selves with Dr. Philip Hefner and Dr. Ann Pederson.

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Sinai and Synapses names new class of 15 fellows - Covalence

Mystery of Leaky Gut Plumbed by UCSD Team, Which Created Mini-Guts – Times of San Diego

Share This Article:A mini-gut organoid generated in the lab from human stem cells. Photo via ucsdnews.ucsd.edu

A team of UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers created a miniature gut in a lab to simulate and pinpoint the causes of a mysterious malady known as leaky gut, the school announced Monday.

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The condition occurs frequently in older patients, those with cancer or chronic illnesses and those with stressful lifestyles.

Essentially, the lining of intestines becomes more permeable, allowing bacteria and microbes to pass through the gut and contribute to diseases driven by chronic inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease, dementia, atherosclerosis and liver fibrosis, among others.

UCSD officials said it is difficult for physicians to tell who has leaky gut, and there are no treatments for it.

By taking biopsies from patients, researchers were able to take stem cells to create 3D models of human intestines to study the ailment. The organoids, or mini-guts, tell the story of the condition including revealing biomarkers which doctors could eventually use to diagnose and treat the condition, school officials said.

Dr. Pradipta Ghosh, professor of cellular and molecular medicine at UCSD School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center, was first author of the report published in Life Science Alliance. Dr. Soumita Das, associate professor of pathology at UCSD School of Medicine, was the senior author.

According to the researchers, they rolled open the mini-gut balls to expose the surface of the intestinal lining. They then sprinkled on several types of bacteria, which stressed the gut lining junctions and caused them to fall apart. Those junctions between gut cells break down with aging and in the presence of colorectal tumors.

Each model gut differed from patient to patient, which Ghosh said was helpful to the research but also imposed limits.

Lots of research is done in mice that are inbred so that they are genetically identical, all in the same cage, eating the same diet, in order to remove these variables from the studies, she said. But lab mice are far more standardized than the same human from day to day, or patients we see in the clinics. Here, our model is a better representation of humanity. On the other hand, it also means that each organoid is its own unique experiment. We have to test many organoids to be able to make any claim, which we did in our study.

The researchers found that diabetes drug metformin activates an enzyme which helps tighten the cell junctions back up a potentially effective treatment for the condition.

The next step will be to look at diseases driven by leaky gut and to test various ways to tighten up those cell junctions.

I think youd be hard pressed to find a disease in which systemic inflammation is not a driver, Das said. Thats why, even though there are so many things we still dont know, were excited about the broad potential this model and these findings open for developing personalized leaky gut therapeutics.

To further advance these studies and others like it, Ghosh and Das lead HUMANOID, a core facility based at UCSD School of Medicine where researchers can access a number of different human organoids, including healthy or Alzheimers disease mini-brains and healthy or inflammatory bowel disease mini-guts, from both male and female patients at a variety of ages.

City News Service

Mystery of Leaky Gut Plumbed by UCSD Team, Which Created Mini-Guts was last modified: February 10th, 2020 by Ken Stone

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Mystery of Leaky Gut Plumbed by UCSD Team, Which Created Mini-Guts - Times of San Diego