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New Clinical and Financial Opportunities for Labs at the Executive War College Conference

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New Clinical and Financial Opportunities for Labs at the Executive War College Conference on Diagnostics, Clinical Laboratory & Pathology Management
Lab executives and pathologists from many of the nation’s most prominent clinical laboratories will come together on April 25-26 to learn about the latest advances in key diagnostic and digital technologies for increasing revenue, lowering costs, and improving patient care at the next Executive War College on Diagnostics, Clinical Laboratory and Pathology Management in New Orleans. The event will feature more than 75 different sessions with up to 125 lab managers, consultants, vendors, and diagnostic experts as speakers.

“With the passing of the pandemic, this is the ‘year of opportunity’ for all clinical laboratories and pathology groups,” said Robert Michel, Editor-in-Chief of THE DARK REPORT and founder of the Executive War College. “The best place to learn about how innovative labs are taking advantage of new technologies in their daily operations is this year’s Executive War College.”

“Every lab organization should have their managers and best strategic thinkers attend this year’s Executive War College on April 25-26,” Michel said. “This is the time and place for them to learn from the diagnostic profession’s best innovators and gain insights they’ll need to keep their laboratories at the cutting edge of clinical excellence in a financially sustainable manner.”

Sessions will cover the full range of important new developments in lab management. These include profitably repurposing existing PCR automation, how artificial intelligence is transforming digital pathology and streamlining lab operations; how labs are monetizing lab test data; and how next-gen genome sequencers now allow smaller labs to provide genetic tests and gain substantial revenue from these testing services.

In addition to the comprehensive two-day program, there will be additional post-conference workshops on a third day (for an additional tuition) that will feature a comprehensive tour of genetic testing and the use of genome sequencers in the hospital laboratory, ways to build revenue with digital pathology, and LEAN fundamentals for Lab Managers.

The Executive War College welcomes its 2023 Corporate Benefactors: Beckman Coulter, Change Healthcare, hc1, ELLKAY, Clinisys, Quadax, TELCOR, Wave HDC, Coronis Healthcare, US HealthTek, Thermo Fisher, Synergen Health and XIFIN.

Odyssey Wellness Raises $6.3M in Series A Funding to Expand Growth of Innovative Energy Drink

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Odyssey Wellness, the makers of Odyssey Elixir, the world’s first sparkling energy drink infused with functional mushrooms, has raised $6.3M in Series A capital, bringing the company’s total funding since inception to $8.3M. The investment will be used to accelerate Odyssey’s growth across all distribution channels.

Odyssey’s unique beverage is disrupting the energy drink market, meeting the demands of a growing global trend for healthier drink options. The drink is infused with 2500mg of fruiting body extracts from functional mushrooms (Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane) along with L-Theanine and Panax Ginseng, delivering the benefits of nootropics, adaptogens, and Beta glucans. The drink promotes brain performance, boosts energy, focus, and mood, without the notorious caffeine crash, artificial sweeteners, added sugar, or other ingredients associated with traditional energy drinks.

“We appreciate the infusion of capital and trust from our investors who bring incredible expertise and will be valuable strategic partners as we continue to build this brand. We believe Odyssey is just beginning to seize the opportunity in front of us as a differentiator in the category that will propel our growth,” said Scott Frohman, Founder and CEO of Odyssey.

The market for Odyssey is driven by a growing number of health-conscious consumers, including Gen Z and millennial creatives, artists, techies, athletes, and others who seek healthier drink alternatives. The company targets the convergence of the $86 billion energy drink and $118 billion functional beverage markets. Since its debut last year, Odyssey Elixir is now available at over 5,000 brick and mortar locations, including natural, conventional retailers, c-stores, upscale bars, restaurants, hotels, and music festivals.

“Odyssey is a purpose-driven company on a mission to upgrade people from their habitual caffeine crash, jitters and burnout to more sustainable energy. By utilizing the power of functional mushrooms and bringing them mainstream, we aspire to expand a growing population of conscious individuals that are more focused, more productive, and passionate about doing good, feeling good, and sharing those vibes with others,” added Frohman.

With the latest capital infusion, Odyssey is well-positioned to expand its reach and offer consumers a healthier and more sustainable energy drink option.

Sintalica Bioscience Achieves Milestones in Psilocybin Mushroom Harvest

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Sintalica Bioscience Achieves Milestones in Psilocybin Mushroom Harvest and Novel Psychedelic Molecule Synthesis for Neuroinflammatory Disorder Treatment
Sintalica Bioscience Corp. has achieved two significant milestones in their drug discovery program focused on breakthrough treatments for neuroinflammatory disorders. Through their partnership with the University of Messina, Sintalica has successfully cultivated, harvested, and processed the first batch of psilocybin mushrooms. Additionally, they have synthesized novel psychedelic molecules designed to reduce hallucinogenic effects, which have been covered by a provisional patent application.

Sintalica’s approach to psychedelic drug discovery aims to enhance the molecule’s strong anti-inflammatory properties while removing hallucinogenic effects. Their research and drug development program focus on neurodegenerative disorders, such as SCI-Induced Chronic Neuropathic Pain, Fibromyalgia, and Inflammation.

Sintalica’s scientific team comprises leading scientists in chemistry, pharmacology, biotechnology, and neurodegenerative diseases, with exclusive partnerships with leading Italian research institutes, including the University of Messina and the University of Niccolò Cusano of Rome.

“We are confident our proprietary molecules and unique formulations will lead to breakthrough treatments for neuroinflammatory diseases,” said Bruce Linton, Chairman, and Co-Founder of Sintalica.

Prof. Salvatore Cuzzocrea, Rector of the University of Messina, remarked, “The successful cultivation of mushrooms combined with the synthesis of unique non-hallucinogenic molecules is a big achievement for Sintalica, the University of Messina, and Italy’s drug development industry. We are now looking forward to starting our drug development program’s next phase.”

Sintalica Bioscience Corp. is a Canadian drug discovery company that operates through its Italian subsidiary. They have filed four provisional patents for proprietary psychedelic molecules with improved stability and safety profiles, reduced hallucinogenic effects, and enhanced bioavailability.

Sensible Hot Dogs Appoints New CFO

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The company is pleased to announce the appointment of Pratik (Tiki) Patel as Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

Mr. Patel replaces Peter Geh as CFO. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Geh for his service and contributions and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

Mr. Patel is a Chartered Professional Accountant who brings over fifteen years of experience in senior accounting and finance roles. His experience includes serving as Head of Finance at Bardel Entertainment and a Senior Corporate Accountant at WildBrain Studios (TSX: WILD).

“We are excited to welcome Pratik Patel to the Sensible executive team,” said Shawn Balaghi, CEO of the Company. “He brings tremendous experience and proven judgment and will be a valuable contributor in guiding our business forward.”

NSF’s Guideline 527: Bolstering Integrity in the Beauty and Personal Care Industry

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NSF, a company with decades of experience in dietary supplement certification, has developed Guideline 527 to help bolster the integrity of the beauty and personal care industry. The guideline offers a comprehensive program that includes standardized definitions and criteria, label review, formulation requirements, ingredient identity, testing criteria, product purity and physical characterization, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance with NSF/ANSI 455-3 and/or NSF/ANSI 455-4.

The aim of Guideline 527 is to mitigate risk, minimize liability, differentiate products from competitors, and improve trust among customers in the personal care industry. According to Edelman’s trust barometer, consumers consider trust a deal-breaker or deciding factor in purchase decisions, and transparency is more important than price for over 73% of consumers. Additionally, cosmetic product recalls have resulted in significant costs in paused operations and unspecified reputational costs.

Guideline 527 is based on global regulatory and testing criteria for personal care and cosmetics, and it provides a complete program to help ensure products are safe, effective, and meet consumer expectations. It includes standardized definitions and criteria for key terms, a label review process to prevent misleading or false advertising, formulation requirements and ingredient identity criteria to ensure product safety and effectiveness, testing criteria for product safety and efficacy, and criteria for product purity and physical characterization. Compliance with GMP to NSF/ANSI 455-3 and/or NSF/ANSI 455-4 is also required.

As consumers increasingly demand greater transparency and accountability from cosmetic and personal care brands, and the FDA prepares to enforce the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) at the end of 2023, it has become more important than ever for manufacturers and suppliers to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of their products.

Guideline 527 is a solution that ensures that beauty and personal care products are safe, effective, and meet consumer expectations. The Contents & Claims Certified mark indicates to regulators, industry, and consumers that the cosmetic, soap, or OTC drug product has been found to be compliant with Guideline 527.

Canadians feeling the pinch in grocery: Businesses cash in on inflation

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Canadians are battling soaring food prices, and corporate profits are part of the problem. The heads of Canada’s largest grocers will appear before a parliamentary committee to answer questions about their role in the increasingly unaffordable cost of food. It also proposes a profiteering corporate income tax to help struggling households and the economy.

Profit margins for Canadian companies have improved significantly, from an average pre-tax margin of 9% over the past two decades to nearly 16% in 2021. Preliminary figures for 2022 suggest margins remain high.

Companies are taking advantage of the turmoil in the global economy to boost profit margins, not just pass on higher costs.

Loblaw raised his total markup from 44.3% in 2019 to 46.7% in 2022 and denied taking advantage of inflation. Canadians would have saved nearly $900 million if Loblaw had stayed on from 2019. Metro and Empire saw similar increases in profits.

The federal government must impose a windfall profits tax on large corporations that have made billions of dollars over the past three years. Revenue from this tax can be used to help struggling families and economies such as B. Make life more affordable and cushion the blow of the coming recession by investing in affordable housing, dental and medical care.

Profit margins for Canadian oil and gas companies have risen sharply, from 8.5% in 2019 to 17% in 2021. Many of these companies pay little tax relative to their profits, with seven of the top 10 oil majors paying no income tax in 2019. 2021.

A windfall profits tax could be extended to all large corporations that make huge profits, regardless of their industry.

Canadians are feeling the grocery crisis, and it’s time to hold corporations accountable for their role in driving inflation. The government must impose a windfall profits tax on big corporations to help struggling households and economies. That tax could be used to invest in affordable housing, dental and medical care, making life more affordable and cushioning the blow of the coming recession. Now is the time for companies to pay their fair share and for the government to act to help Canadians.

Lycomato® delivers measurable, inclusive results for skin health and appearance

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A new clinical study has found that daily supplementation with Lycomato®, Lycored’s tomato-derived nutrient complex, can deliver scientifically measurable beauty results noticeable to consumers after just 4 weeks of use. Lycomato contains standardized levels of carotenoids, including lycopene (15mg), phytoene, and phytofluene, which have anti-inflammatory properties that support skin health and appearance by balancing the effects of aging from within.

The clinical trial involved 50 healthy women of different ages, ethnicities, and skin types who took Lycomato soft gels containing 15mg of lycopene daily for 12 weeks. The study assessed the participants’ skin condition using three methods: expert visual grading of facial markers, instrumental measurement, and consumer perception via questionnaires.

The results of the study were significant, with the visual grading identifying improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, pore appearance, brightness/radiance, skin tone evenness, dark spot intensity, smoothness, and firmness after both four weeks and 12 weeks of supplementation. The instrumental measurement found significant improvement to skin firmness after the fourth and 12th weeks and significant skin barrier improvement after 12 weeks.

In addition, the self-assessment stage of the study showed that after 12 weeks of supplementation, 86% of subjects reported an improvement in the overall appearance of their skin, 88% reported an improvement in their skin’s elasticity, 86% said their skin felt smoother, and 84% said it felt younger or healthier.

Elizabeth Tarshish, PhD, Head of Claims and Clinical Affairs at Lycored, expressed excitement about the study’s results, saying that Lycomato drove a significant improvement across a variety of ages, ethnicities, and skin types, as evaluated by expert grading, instrumental measurement, and most importantly – user perception. The study’s results demonstrate Lycored’s commitment to empowering people to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Understanding Natural and Organic Shoppers: Insights for Brands and Retailers

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Natural and organic products have become increasingly popular, with sales expected to reach $300 billion by 2024. A recent Acosta Group Shopper Insights study provides valuable information for brands and retailers looking to tap into this growing market. The study found that natural and organic shoppers of all ages place a high importance on being healthier and avoiding chemicals, pesticides, and processed foods. They also tend to be more affluent, eco-friendly, and concerned about animal welfare. However, many shoppers find it challenging to differentiate between natural and organic products, creating an opportunity for brands and retailers to educate consumers.

Key findings and implications from the study include:

Broad Selection of Products Needed: As natural and organic product sales continue to climb, retailers need to offer a broad selection of products across all channels to meet the needs of Gen Z shoppers who will have greater spending power over the next decade.
Transparency is Key: The demand for increased label and ingredient transparency by manufacturers and retailers will rise and be a critical factor in purchase choice.

Price Remains a Barrier: Non-natural and organic shoppers may be hesitant to purchase due to price, with 73% listing it as the primary barrier to purchase. Additionally, 47% believe that conventional products are more practical, and 44% express skepticism about the hype around natural and organic products.

To engage with the next generation of natural and organic shoppers, brands and retailers need to bridge the physical and digital shelf with an omnichannel strategy that will drive conversion and brand preference. By providing consumers with education about the benefits of natural and organic products, and offering greater transparency around ingredients and labeling, brands and retailers can tap into the growing demand for these products and drive growth in-store and online.

Whole Foods Market’s 2023 Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP) Now Accepting Applications

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Whole Foods Market is now accepting applications for its Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP), which highlights the company’s commitment to supporting innovative local brands. The program offers mentorship from Whole Foods Market experts, educational programs, and the potential for direct financial support. LEAP also provides the opportunity for participants to have their products considered for placement on the shelves of Whole Foods Market stores in their home city or region.

What is the Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP)?
How does the program benefit participants?
Success stories from the inaugural cohort

Whole Foods Market’s Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP) is a valuable opportunity for local suppliers to receive mentorship, education, and potential financial support. The program’s success stories, such as CHKP Foods and Coyotas, demonstrate the effectiveness of LEAP in advancing emerging brands. Whole Foods Market is committed to empowering small and local producers, and LEAP is a crucial part of that legacy. Interested suppliers are encouraged to apply for the 2023 program.

Genexa Granted Temporary Exception to Import Kids’ Pain & Fever

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Genexa Granted Temporary Exception to Import Kids’ Pain & Fever into Canada to Help Alleviate Ongoing Medication Shortages

Genexa, a clean medicine company, has received a temporary exception from Health Canada to import a limited amount of Kids’ Pain & Fever medication from its supply network in the United States. This medication is designed to temporarily reduce fever and alleviate a range of cold and flu symptoms in children between the ages of 2 and 11. Genexa has announced that it will make this product available in major Canadian retailers for a limited time to help alleviate the current shortage of children’s pain medication in the country.

David Johnson, Genexa’s CEO and Co-Founder stated that the company is proud to support Canadian families and children and is committed to assisting its neighbours to the North. The company is working closely with Health Canada to obtain long-term approval for its product and to introduce additional formulations and products in Canada.