COIMBRA, Portugal, July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — At the 16th International Photodynamic Association (IPA) World Congress in Coimbra, Dr. Pilar Acedo Nunez was the recipient of the 2017 IPA EARLY INVESTIGATOR AWARD.
Dr. Pilar Acedo Nunez was recognized for her exceptional research at the University College London (England) involving combination photosensitizers and photodynamic therapy which demonstrated improved efficacy and response rates in vitro and in vivo. She has been awarded several research grants, prizes and awards including a competitive two-year postdoctoral fellowship (2015) sponsored by Ramon Areces Foundation (Spain) and the Peter Samuel Royal Free Trust Fund (UK) to study at UCL under Professor Sandy MacRobert and Professor Steve Pereira.
The Coimbra World Congress was the 16th conference held by the International Photodynamic Association, marking 32 years of this global meeting. The IPA World Congresses, held every two years, are the leading PDT meetings bringing together members of the global photodynamic community in order to advance scientific and clinical research relating to photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapies. The next IPA World Congress is to be hosted in Boston, USA and will be led by Dr. Tayyaba Hasan, Professor of Dermatology at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School (HMS) and a Professor of Health Sciences and Technology (Harvard-MIT).
About Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a combination therapy involving light activated photosensitizers to diagnose and treat various types of cancers and pre-cancers, macular degeneration and multidrug resistant biofilm infections involving bacteria, viruses and fungi.
COIMBRA, Portugal, July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — At the 16th International Photodynamic Association (IPA) World Congress in Coimbra, Dr. Natalia Inada was the recipient of the 2017 AWARD FOR PDT CLINICAL TRIAL EXCELLENCE.
Dr. Natalia Inada was recognized for her leadership and fundamental role over a number of innovative Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) based trials at the Institute of Physics of Sao Carlos (Brazil). These multi-centre clinical trials involve hundreds of Latin American patients and relate to the non-surgical PDT-based treatment of skin cancer and the non-surgical PDT-based treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), for the prevention of cervical cancer. These Photodynamic treatment protocols are intended to offer minimally invasive, superior outcomes for patients in underdeveloped countries with limited public health systems. Dr. Inada was also the recent recipient of the Mercosul Science and Technology Award for the “CerCa 150 System®: a non-surgical option for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and condyloma treatment”.
The Coimbra World Congress was the 16th conference held by the International Photodynamic Association, marking 32 years of this global meeting. The IPA World Congresses, held every two years, are the leading PDT meetings bringing together members of the global photodynamic community in order to advance scientific and clinical research relating to photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapies. The next IPA World Congress is to be hosted in Boston, USA and will be led by Dr. Tayyaba Hasan, Professor of Dermatology at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School (HMS) and a Professor of Health Sciences and Technology (Harvard-MIT).
About Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a combination therapy involving light activated photosensitizers to diagnose and treat various types of cancers and pre-cancers, macular degeneration and multidrug resistant biofilm infections involving bacteria, viruses and fungi.
– Collaboration of KIST-Ewha Womans University identified that the astrocytic gene affect changes in brain size and cognitive function.
– The genetic variation on astrocyte water channel, aquaporin-4, determines language ability.
SEOUL, South Korea, July 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/– Many studies have shown a positive correlation between brain size and cognitive function in both animals and humans, however, most studies have focused on the neuronal function in brain size and function. Although water and astrocytes* are the most common substances and components of the brain, their role in language ability are not known well. In this study, the role of aquaporin4* in brain size changes and language ability is revealed for the first time.
Activity causes volumetric plasticity via aquaporin4
*Astrocytes: Most abundant glial cells in the brain with having a star shape. They play various roles such as regulating the ion concentration and removing waste products.
*Aquaporin-4: A water channel of astrocytes in the brain, present in chromosome 18. It controls water movement in the cell membrane.
Researchers (Dr. Changjoon Lee’s group in KIST and Dr. Inkyoon Lyoo & Dr. Jieun Kim’s group in Ewha W. Univ.) found the suppression of activity-dependent astrocyte volume regulation, enriched environment-induced hippocampal volume change, and hippocampal spatial memory by inhibition of aquaporin-4 gene expression in mice. In humans, it was confirmed that the change in language-associated brain size and language ability depends on the genetic variation on aquaporin4 SNP* (rs162008), located in the 5’UTR*. In people with C base in rs162008 leading to increase of aquaporin4 expression, the semantic verbal fluency and the effect of increasing the brain size by GRE studying was higher than that in people with T base.
*SNP(Single Nucleotide Polymorphism): A common mutation occurs in one of several DNA bases in a single site on the chromosome.
*UTR(Untranslated Region): The region of mRNA, not translated into protein, refers to either of two sections, called the 5′ or 3′ UTR depending on the location.
Researchers identified a direct correlation between brain size and function. Also, they determined an essential role of astrocytes in cognitive function including language ability for the first time in the world. By controlling the aquaporin-4 gene expression, it is not only extended to other research topics such as control of brain function, but also predicts cognitive function by examining the aquaporin-4 gene mutation. It is expected that it will provide guidelines for learning by level or ability, and utilize gifted education programs and aptitude tests.
The results of the study were published in the online edition of “Molecular Psychiatry,” (IF 13.204, Top 2.42% in JCR) on Tuesday, June 27.
KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology) Dr. C Justin Lee Tel. +82-2-958-6940 e-mail: cjl@kist.re.kr
BEIJING, July 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — UrWork, Beijing — China’s largest co-working space provider UrWork announced on 5th July to add Beijing Love & Health Group (known as Beijing Aikang Group), a major Chinese conglomerate with robust investment portfolio in health and hospitality sector into its growing investor roaster, fuelling future growth in vertical development of UrWork’s service platform.
Shenzhen UrWork Alicloud space
The announcement of Beijing Love & Health Group’s strategic investment, equivalent of US$ 29.4 million, was made on July 5, seeing the two Beijing-headquartered companies to co-develop a novel co-working model, set to launch in the first half of 2018. The announcement came two months after the announcement of the US$ 58.8 million fund injection from Star Group, China’s leading supplier of table tennis equipment and incubator for professional snooker pool players.
Dr. Wang Dong, founder and Chairman of Beijing Love & Health Group spoke highly of the investment: “Dr. Mao Daqing has demonstrated phenomenal audacity and leadership through driving UrWork from complete scratch to the Unicorn status as it is today over a short course of two years. We see this as an opportunity to extend our portfolio in real estate developments and I am confident that the strategic investment built on our shared values and complementary strengths will see UrWork going from strength to strength.”
Wang adds that UrWork’s strategic alliance with governments, the growth prospect of co-working industry, palpable commercial growth potential and strong management team are core factors that influenced the deal. He believes that UrWork sets the industrial standard and is happy to invest in a standard around which the whole industry can coalesce.
Beijing Love & Health Group, founded in 1993, is a leading Chinese conglomerate with diversified investment portfolio in pharmaceutical and medical, securities and funds, hospitality and catering, as well as real estate sectors. With a clear health-oriented investment strategy, the company champions medical system upgrading and provides excellent post-investment support.
“This new fund injection will help further strengthen our core verticals and diversify our investor portfolio. Beijing Love & Health Group’s investment is the forerunner of a series of facility and service upgrading at UrWork and we will continue to complement our existing platform facilities and resources with targeted health hospitality real estate, and contingent resources in shared working space sector,” said Dr. Mao Daqing, founder and CEO of UrWork.
UrWork’s current investor portfolio counts the big names of the industry such as Zhen Fund, Sequoia Capital, Gopher Asset, Noah Wealth Management and Sinovation Ventures. The company is valued at US $1.3 billion after its merger with its biggest rival in China New Space in February. It counts Unicorns such as ofo, Mobike, BlueGogo, Bilibili, Today’s Headline, as well as large global enterprises such as Amazon China, JD.com as its roaster tenants.
UrWork (Beijing) Venture Investment Co., Ltd, known as UrWork, is a co-working disrupter and leader in China, providing start-ups, SMEs and corporate tenants with on-demand, short-term leasing and customised space solutions at an exceptional value. The company has last month opened its first overseas location at JTC launchpad in Singapore in tripartite partnership with Singapore International Enterprise and CapitaLand, and sets to open another 150 locations across 32 cities worldwide including Los Angeles, New York and London over the next three years, enabling community connection for 40,000 individual members and over 5000 enterprises.
While actively building economy of scale through soliciting investments, UrWork advocates consumption-upgrading in line with the central government’s national economic development scheme. Offering integrated multi-functional services and modern office facilities, UrWork platform aggregates over 1000 partner enterprise and third-party service suppliers, encompassing financial advisory, human resources, media, consultancy, international shared-medical-service platform, online sport travel commerce, intellectual property protection, intelligent hardware, start-up accelerator and interior design.
The global sharing economy in 2014 was reported to reach US$ 1.5 billion and US$ 8.1 billion by 2015. The total market capitalisation of share economy is estimated to reach US$ 335 billion, with 36% year-to-year growth rate. Assessing from the current growth trajectory, China’s sharing economy volume will crown the world within the next three to five years.
“The rising concept of co-working address the more mobile working style modern urban professionals have today, where an increasing number of people work on the go, resulting in an under-utilisation of working space. By making space more dynamic with well-crafted furniture and facilities, and supportive services, this recaptures the latent under-utilised space, which also helps drive greater cost efficiencies,” said Mao, a former real estate executive with 23 years of experiences in the commercial and residential real estate under his belt. “We are looking to diversify our portfolio and strengthen our brand asset in a bid to create a more comprehensive and inclusive ‘UrWork’ experience integrating all contexts in work and life.”
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements contained here that are not clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are forward-looking, and the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of UrWork company and currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate or may be under the control of unrelated third parties. UrWork does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
For further information please contact:
Visit http://www.urwork.cn to access more information about the facility, accelerator and mentor program from the company.
About UrWork:
Founded in 2015 by real-estate veteran Dr. Mao Daqing, UrWork (Beijing) Venture Investment Co., Ltd is a leading co-working space provider in China offering long-term leasing, hot desk and corporate-customization solutions and professional services across a broad spectrum for small-to-medium enterprises. Backed by renowned investors such as Sequoia Capital, Zhen Fund, Noah Wealth Management, Sinovation Ventures, UrWork posts a valuation of US$ 1.3 billion after B-round as of June 2017, and has grown to cover over 78 locations in over 20 cities in China, Singapore and New York, servicing over 3000 enterprises, 40,000 members in total. UrWorks expands globally through partnership with accredited facility operators and franchisers and UrWork is the largest and most recognised co-working space brand in China. (www.urwork.cn)
COIMBRA, Portugal, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — At the 16th International Photodynamic Association (IPA) World Congress in Coimbra, Professor Brian Wilson was the recipient of the 2017 EXCELLENCE AWARD IN PHOTODIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH.
Professor Brian Wilson
Dr. Brian Wilson is Professor of Medical Biophysics at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network, University of Toronto, Canada. He is a well-known expert and leader in the field of PDT and Photodiagnostics, internationally recognized for his pioneering research into various optic tools that can be used for minimally-invasive cancer treatment, and early diagnosis and optically-guided cancer therapeutics. He holds several awards in biomedical optics (Mark Award, NIH Translational Research Award, Michael S. Feld Award and Britton Chance Award) and in cancer research (Robert L. Noble Prize).
In 1981, Dr. Wilson initiated translational research and collaborative clinical trials of photodynamic therapy for brain, prostate and gastrointestinal cancers. Dr. Wilson leads a world-renowned R&D program in optics-based biomedical applications, with a primary translational/clinical focus. He has driven the development of fluorescence and other endoscopic imaging techniques – particularly in Barrett’s esophagus and colon cancer – and more recently has developed optical imaging to guide surgery that is being evaluated in clinical trials for head and neck, prostate and brain cancers. In the last few years, his research has expanded to include development of photonic nanoparticles in cancer treatment, diagnosis and research. Dr. Wilson has published over 350 peer-reviewed papers in basic, translational and clinical research. With several international Visiting Appointments (Harvard, USA; Saõ Paulo, Brazil; Fujian, China; Western Australia), Dr. Wilson is involved in many national and international collaborations. Dr. Wilson has trained more than 50 graduate students, post-doctoral and clinical fellows, many of whom remain in biomedical optics, cancer research and practice worldwide. He also has worked with many companies nationally and internationally in translating optical technologies into clinical practice.
The Coimbra World Congress was the 16th conference held by the International Photodynamic Association, marking 32 years of this global meeting. The IPA World Congresses, held every two years, are the leading PDT meetings bringing together members of the global photodynamic community in order to advance scientific and clinical research relating to photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapies. The next IPA World Congress is to be hosted in Boston, USA and will be led by Dr. Tayyaba Hasan, Professor of Dermatology at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School (HMS) and a Professor of Health Sciences and Technology (Harvard-MIT).
About Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a combination therapy involving light activated photosensitizers to diagnose and treat various types of cancers and pre-cancers, macular degeneration and multidrug resistant biofilm infections involving bacteria, viruses and fungi.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Burjeel Hospital (A unit of VPS Healthcare) was named ‘2017 UAE Emerging Medical Tourism Service Provider of the Year- Hospital Category‘ at the 2017 Frost & Sullivan Middle East Best Practices Awards Banquet held on 24th May at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai.
Dr. Raja Gujju, Chief Operating Officer & Dr.Nabil Debouni, Medical Director, Burjeel Hospital receives the 2017 UAE Emerging Medical Tourism Service Provider of the Year – Hospital Category Award from Mr. Jamal Ramadhan Bin Marghoob, Director Marketing & Corporate Communications, from Dubai Airport Freezone in presence of Mr. Sandeep Sinha, Vice President, Transformational Health Practice, Frost & Sullivan
Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi is an emerging medical tourism service provider in the UAE. It caters to the growing medical needs of the UAE and GCC by offering high quality care in all medical specialties. The top five specialties in Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi, for international patients, include obstetrics, gynecology, orthopedics, neonatology, general surgery and gastroenterology. It offers special packages for cesarean section, bariatric surgery and hip replacement. Established in 2012, the hospital is currently expanding its operational beds to accommodate the growing needs of the local and international populace.
“We are truly honored to be recognized in this category by Frost & Sullivan this year. The award underlines our commitment as an organization to provide the best healthcare in the region and significantly contribute in enhancing the area of medical tourism in the UAE,” said Dr. Raja Gujju, Chief Operating Officer, Burjeel Hospital – Abu Dhabi.
Congratulating Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi on the award, Mr. Sandeep Sinha, Vice President, Transformational Health Practice, Frost & Sullivan said, “2016 has been a very successful year for Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi. The company’s international patient department contributed 34 percent to the total revenue of the hospital with an inflow of more than 8,000 international patients. The hospital not only provides world-class tertiary healthcare in the region, it also enhances the patient’s experience by managing their logistic needs, including visa and travel arrangements, hotel stays, dietary services, religious needs and airport transfer, thus delivering a stress-free experience. Its growth, unique services, marketing initiatives, technical advancements and the compassionate patient-centric approach are some of the key factors which have contributed to its leading position in the region.”
Frost & Sullivan Awards recognize companies across regional and global markets for outstanding achievement and performance in a range of regional and global markets for superior leadership, technological innovation, customer service, strategic product development among others.
Frost & Sullivan’s robust research methodology represents the analytical rigor of our research process. It offers a 360-degree-view of industry challenges, trends, and issues by integrating all 7 research methodologies. Too often, companies make important growth decisions based on a narrow understanding of their environment, leading to errors of both omission and commission. Successful growth strategies are founded on a thorough understanding of market, technical, economic, financial, customer, best practices, and demographic analyses. The integration of these research disciplines into the 360-degree research methodology provides an evaluation platform for benchmarking industry players and for identifying those performing at best-in-class levels.
About Burjeel Hospital
Burjeel Hospital is Abu Dhabi’s premier private healthcare facility providing world-class, specialized and superior healthcare complemented by a warm and personalized human touch to the growing population of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
A unit of the VPS Healthcare, Burjeel Hospital opened for patients in April 2012 as a Tertiary hospital under the auspices of the Health Authority for Abu Dhabi. At the core of the organization is a team of exceptionally skilled and highly experienced health professionals, collaborating as multidisciplinary teams with guests and their families as the main focus, to provide the best healthcare experience.
Burjeel Hospital received the prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation in June 2013 – 15 months after starting operations and the hospital was granted JCI Re-accreditation in Aug 2016. Currently, the hospital is affiliated with some of the world’s best healthcare institutions for its centers of excellence and is now becoming a renowned center of referral for Cardiovascular, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, Oncology and many more specialties handling complex laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgeries. The hospital has full-fledged pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology units to serve guests at any time of the day. Burjeel also houses a restaurant and a coffee shop, serving the finest and healthiest cuisines from across the world. Combining all-round specialization and expertise with most advanced technology, Burjeel offers the best in diagnostic, curative, as well as preventive aspects of healthcare.
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today’s market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?
bioLytical’s INSTI approved by UNITAID and Global Fund expert panel
RICHMOND, British Columbia, July 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — bioLytical Laboratories, a world leader in rapid infectious disease tests, is pleased to announce that its INSTI HIV Self Test has been designated by the Global Fund as eligible for procurement by purchasing entities entitled to access Global Fund and UNITAID resources.
INSTI HIV Self Test Receives Global Fund Classification for Procurement
The INSTI HIV Self Test is now eligible for procurement by organizations accessing Global Fund and/or UNITAID funding for their HIV self-test pilot programs that empower individuals to take control of their own health.
“We are very pleased to be awarded this designation by the Global Fund’s Expert Review Panel” said Livleen Veslemes, Chief Operating Officer of bioLytical Laboratories. “In anticipation of significant global demand for a blood-based self-test, we placed a second automated bottling line into service earlier this year to augment the test device production equipment which is designed to produce 1 test per second. We are also investing further into process scale-up, facility optimization, warehouse expansion and evaluating automation of packaging to meet projections from international markets while maintaining the highest product quality standards.”
The Global Fund’s Expert Review Panel for Diagnostics is a mechanism to expedite access to innovative diagnostic products for one year. During this period, bioLytical will pursue World Health Organization prequalification along with approval from another stringent regulatory agency, such as CE marking, of its self-test version for low and middle income countries (LMICs).
Being a market leader in point-of-care HIV tests in major markets across Europe and North America, healthcare providers trust the INSTI brand because it delivers the accurate information and provides instant results for their patients. The INSTI product range is built on a strong foundation of peer-reviewed science and regulatory approvals and supported by over 14 years of expertise, quality, and innovation in medical diagnostics.
About bioLytical Laboratories Inc.
bioLytical Laboratories Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of rapid, point of care in vitro medical diagnostics using its proprietary INSTI technology platform. With a world-wide footprint of regulatory approvals including US FDA approval, Health Canada approval and CE mark, bioLytical markets and sells its INSTI HIV test globally and INSTI HIV/Syphilis Multiplex test in Europe. The INSTI product line provides highly accurate test results in 60 seconds or less, far faster than the 15-20 minutes required for competitors’ tests based on lateral flow technology. bioLytical has an active R&D program with a pipeline that includes tests for diseases such as Zika, Hepatitis C and Ebola, among others. The company also provides contract services to adapt the INSTI platform to meet custom functional and technical diagnostic testing requirements. For more information, please visit www.biolytical.com.
PHILADELPHIA, July 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Clarivate Analytics, a global leader in providing trusted insights and analytics to accelerate the pace of innovation, today announced that Chris Veator joined the company as President of its MarkMonitor business. Veator will lead the global MarkMonitor team from its San Francisco office.
Chris Veator joins Clarivate Analytics to lead its MarkMonitor business
MarkMonitor is the global leader in online brand protection, and provides advanced technology and expertise that protects the revenues and reputations of the world’s foremost brands. It leads the industry in providing domain management, anti-piracy and anti-fraud solutions to more than half of the Fortune 100.
“With the company’s focus on innovation, I’m excited to join at a time when Clarivate is making a major investment in new technology and analytics that is already in production with 100 MarkMonitor customers,” said Veator.
Prior to this role, Veator was President of Metrostudy, a Hanley Wood company, where he oversaw the rapid growth of the real estate and construction information business. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Global Head of Intellectual Property Services at Thomson Reuters. Veator has also held senior executive roles at CPA Global, OpenText and was the founder and CEO of Artesia Technologies – a Digital Asset Management software company.
“Chris is a high-energy executive and an exciting addition to our team as we focus on building Clarivate Analytics and accelerating its growth,” said Jay Nadler, CEO of Clarivate Analytics. “He has had success both as an entrepreneur and as an “intrapreneur”, driving growth of new initiatives within a corporate setting. I look forward to what Chris will bring to the MarkMonitor business.”
Clarivate Analytics
Clarivate™ Analytics accelerates the pace of innovation by providing trusted insights and analytics to customers around the world, enabling them to discover, protect and commercialize new ideas faster. Formerly the Intellectual Property and Science business of Thomson Reuters, we own and operate a collection of leading subscription-based businesses focused on scientific and academic research, patent analytics and regulatory standards, pharmaceutical and biotech intelligence, trademark protection, domain brand protection and intellectual property management. Clarivate™ Analytics is now an independent company with over 4,000 employees, operating in more than 100 countries and owns well‐known brands that include Web of Science™, Cortellis™, Derwent™, CompuMark™, MarkMonitor® and Techstreet™, among others. For more information, please visit clarivate.com.
Two projects are awarded funds to advance the fertility field
Professor Lunenfeld honored withMerckLifetime Achievement Award
The company is committed to drivinginnovation through evolving the product portfolio and investing in potential breakthrough research
Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced its commitment to award EUR1.25 million to research projects in the field of fertility, supporting the advancement of medical science through the Grant for Fertility Innovation (GFI) in 2017. Launched as the first of the Merck Grants for Innovation in 2009, Merck’s GFI is providing encouragement for innovation and support for scientists to realize projects that could potentially lead to the next breakthrough in the fertility treatment area. This year, the GFI Award Ceremony included the announcement of the Merck Lifetime Achievement Award in Fertility Innovation.
To recognize Merck’s belief in progress through innovation, the GFI awardees were revealed in a ceremony at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), currently taking place in Geneva, Switzerland. The winning projects truly reflect the global nature of the program, ranging from research in Italy to Brazil.
Professor Bruno Lunenfeld, a speaker at the GFI 2017 ceremony, was honored with the Merck Lifetime Achievement Award for his revolutionary work within the fertility field since 1954. At the ceremony he provided an overview on the discovery of human gonadotropins from postmenopausal urine.
“Professor Lunenfeld’s pioneering achievements in the field of fertility are a huge inspiration to us at Merck. It is highly motivating to consider the breadth of his contributions. For more than 60 years now, his expertise and experience have greatly contributed to our efforts to improve the quality of patient care,” said Belen Garijo, member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Healthcare, when presenting Professor Lunenfeld with the Merck Lifetime Achievement Award.
The research investments through the GFI is core to the innovation strategy of the biopharma business of Merck, and in the quest for increased success rates within fertility treatment. In this year’s GFI, two winning projects were selected from 46 global proposals with the common goal of advancing the fertility field. The GFI was launched in 2009, and is dedicated to transforming innovative translational fertility research projects into actual solutions with the aim to improve fertility treatment outcomes. Merck proudly announced the 2017 GFI awardees during the ceremony:
Endometrial Notch pathway as a novel target for improving implantation efficiency; Luisa Campagnolo, PhD
Pharmacogenetic algorithm for individualized controlled ovarian stimulation (iCOS) in assisted reproductive technology cycles; Caio Parente Barbosa, MD, PhD, MS and Matheus Roque, MD
About the Grant for Fertility Innovation (GFI)
Merck announced the initiation of the GFI program in 2009 to support the advancement of science and innovative technologies in the fertility field. This grant is awarded every year to translational research projects that can potentially improve baby birth rate for the benefit of the patients. Each project is blinded and evaluated by a jury of experts according to five criteria: support to increase baby birth rate; innovative research; scientific rationale; feasibility and practical utility.
All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Website. Please go to http://www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.
About Merck
Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2016, Merck generated sales of EUR15.0 billion in 66 countries.
Founded in 1668, Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. The company holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.
LONDON, July 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The international fitness training concept PRAMA has announced its arrival in London this month, with its debut studio at the Harbour Club Kensington.
PAVIGYM is the company behind the new concept. CEO of PAVIGYM and creator of PRAMA, Marcos Requena describes the concept:
“No treadmills. No rower. No exercise bike. PRAMA combines great instructors, light and music with workouts designed for training strength, speed, agility and more,” he said. “Interactive screens, pressure sensitive floors and walls and lighting combinations, it tracks heart rate, times your sprints and interacts with you.”
But Mr Requena affirms that it is not all fun and games. For Harbour Club Kensington, Sinead Johnson says: “Harbour Club Kensington is the first club in London to offer a new concept in fitness: PRAMA. PRAMA allows us to recreate different experiences and signature programmes for everyone to enjoy in a single space.”
Jennifer Coccia is Fitness Director at Asphalt Green in New York City and their PRAMA studio, branded AG6. Jennifer describes the merit of the PRAMA method: “We chose PRAMA because depending on how you program the system, it can be for beginners to fitness or our elite athletes. For the athlete side, the reaction-time training is hugely valuable to us, because that is a very difficult component to train outside of a competition. It was important for us to be all-inclusive in this space right through to kids too and we use this concept when training our competitive youth teams; we have seen great results in their performance both on and off the field.”
ABOUT PAVIGYM
PAVIGYM is dedicated to the innovative design of flooring and interactive solutions for the global fitness industry.
Established in the 1960s producing high performance athletic soling, by 1996, PAVIGYM was the world’s first premium flooring company, combining traditional manufacturing with cutting-edge technology.
The evolution of PAVIGYM’s flooring technology continued and in 2008, PAVIGYM was the first company to introduce floor markings into the fitness arena. In-house advances in software capabilities led to the creation of a second industry-first in 2012: PAVIGYM interactive flooring solutions. With applications beyond the floor, PAVIGYM went 360 with this know-how in 2014 introducing PRAMA: a combination of LED enriched stations, pressure sensitive floors and walls, different lighting options controlled at the touch of a button, custom-built to any space.
With a 90-strong team based out of PAVIGYM’s headquarters in Alicante, Spain, six running satellite offices across the globe and 65 distributors representing 93 countries, more than 100 members of the team join in pursuit of a common mission: To provide the best combination of performance flooring, interactive technology, inspiring designs, and ready-to-use programming, so that whomever the end user may be [body-type, age and level],the experience is wholly engaging and feels as intuitive as child’s play.
