KnowBe4 Celebrates 10 Years and 1,000 Employees by Planting 10,000 Trees Worldwide

TAMPA BAY, Fla., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — KnowBe4, the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, today announced it will be facilitating the planting of 10,000 trees around the world to celebrate its 10th anniversary and the addition of its 1,000th employee. 

<a href="https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/588691/KB4_Logo.html"…

TAMPA BAY, Fla., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — KnowBe4, the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, today announced it will be facilitating the planting of 10,000 trees around the world to celebrate its 10th anniversary and the addition of its 1,000th employee. 

KnowBe4’s employees worked together to choose the perfect way to welcome and celebrate their 10-year anniversary and 1,000th team member by submitting their ideas and voting as a group on their favorite one. Six people brought the winning idea along, and to continue ‘going big’ in all ways, they decided to scale the project up and do a play on numbers of 10 times 1,000 to equal 10,000 trees.

«I think that this tree project is a great symbol for KnowBe4’s global growth,» said Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4. «With each employee, the organization’s roots spread out and grow stronger. But the best part about it for me personally is that planting trees allows us to give back to the planet we all live on. Planting trees is a meaningful way with real, positive effects to celebrate this exciting milestone.» 

«One Tree Planted,» a 501 charity that helps global reforestation efforts, will be planting the trees for this project as soon as possible. Planting will happen in phases, as they wait until «planting season» begins within each region for best results. For example, they aim to get started in Australia in February, as this is the best planting time there. The OneTreePlanted team will reach out with an update one month after they are able to plant the trees in each region.

The trees will be dispersed across four countries: Indonesia, Australia, Kenya and the U.S. These areas were chosen due to the need for trees based on wildfires and other environmental threats. The types of trees planted will be determined by One Tree Planted experts, who will identify which tree species will bring the highest overall benefit to each particular region. 

KnowBe4’s employees importantly note that expansion does not stop here, and the team continues to think big and aim high. 

«Since we are in hypergrowth and we are still all dealing with COVID, it is important to continue to celebrate our growth as an organization,» said Erika Lance, senior VP of people operations, KnowBe4. «We are still hiring with over 100 open positions.» 

For more information on KnowBe4, visit www.knowbe4.com.

About KnowBe4

KnowBe4, the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 33,000 organizations around the globe. Founded by IT and data security specialist Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness about ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to awareness training on security. Kevin Mitnick, an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4’s Chief Hacking Officer, helped design the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Tens of thousands of organizations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as the last line of defense.

Media Contact
Amanda Tarantino
Public Relations Officer
KnowBe4
amandat@knowbe4.com
727-742-1853

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/knowbe4-celebrates-10-years-and-1-000-employees-by-planting-10-000-trees-worldwide-301108631.html

SOURCE KnowBe4

Nature’s Bakery Lends Parents A Helping Hand With Snack Sized Adventures: Recess Edition

RENO, Nev., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Nature’s Bakery, beloved for its Fig Bars and other soft-baked snacks, is introducing the launch of Snack Sized…

RENO, Nev., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Nature’s Bakery, beloved for its Fig Bars and other soft-baked snacks, is introducing the launch of Snack Sized Adventures: Recess Edition, aimed to support families during the pandemic. For back-to-school season, Nature’s Bakery is offering parents the opportunity to receive a free kit, packed with supplies, activities—and snacks!—to encourage much-needed at-home recess breaks whether kids are hybrid or distance learning this fall. The Snack Sized Adventures: Recess Edition boxes are limited; parents can visit SnackSizedAdventures.com/Recess and enter for a chance to obtain an exclusive box of their own—or nominate a friend.

With the convenience of this direct-to-home experience, Nature’s Bakery aims to restore a ritual so tightly associated with a return to the classroom. As many families look to a virtual start this schoolyear, these recess kits offer parents a chance to put their own spin on a beloved pastime that children don’t have to miss out on because they’re missing the school yard. 

«Nourishing families and enabling them to thrive has always been important to us at Nature’s Bakery—and while our world may be changing, this commitment to families remains the same,» stated Vilma Livas, CMO at Nature’s Bakery. «As families wrestle with a return to school that may look different, we want to support them with these curated recess-in-a-box kits.»

With stay-at-home orders extended throughout much of the country, the better-for-you snack bar brand sought to understand how families are adjusting as the school year approaches through a nationwide survey.* Among the compelling statistics, 72% of parents revealed they find it more difficult to plan kid’s activities since the pandemic hit. This inspired Nature’s Bakery to create an experience that brings recess directly to families’ doorsteps, eliminating parents’ concern to come up with engaging activities and much-needed breaks during the school day.

Other notable findings of the survey include:

Recess may look a little different these days

  • Many kids are glued to their screens, especially now. One in four parents said their children typically spend free time on tablets or computers when not schooling.
  • Moms and dads are looking for creative ways to inspire their kids, with 78% admitting they wish they had the resources to motivate kids to stay active.
  • Snack time is more important than ever
  • Snacking helps us refuel and recharge, so families will want to keep their pantry well-stocked with kid-approved wholesome snacks like Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars. In 53% of households, kids request snacks between two and six times a day, and one in 10 parents say their kids ask constantly!
  • Two-thirds of millennial parents say their students are snacking more often as a result of staying at home through the pandemic. And, while they’re in the house more often, the majority of parents are still relying on snack bars and other no-fuss staples.

Parents are navigating uncertain times

  • Keeping their children happy and positive is the most important thing to moms and dads right now. Of those surveyed, 41% are most concerned with their child’s emotional state, which surpassed their worries around their kids staying active and maintaining personal connections with friends and extended family.
  • Over 65% said the silver lining of quarantine was spending some much-needed quality time with their family.

From August 10, 2020 to September 30, 2020,** eligible participants can enter for a chance to win one Snack Sized Adventures: Recess Edition box. Each free kit includes supplies and instructional cards for three recess-inspired activities designed to deliver a feel-good dose of tech-free fun while children take a break from their schooling throughout the day. Families will receive a variety of Nature’s Bakery snack bars and materials, such as chalk, cones, bean bags, and more, to create a world of imagination and play whenever the recess bell (figuratively) rings.

These activities, and more, can also be found on the Nature’s Bakery snacksizedadventures.com activity generator, which launched in spring and allows parents to discover over 100+ bite-sized adventures to keep kids engaged and active. For more information about Nature’s Bakery and Snack Sized Adventures: Recess Edition, visit NaturesBakery.com.

About Nature’s Bakery 
Nature’s Bakery believes that simple, wholesome snacks are the best fuel for active, joyful lives.  Founded in 2011, the family-owned bakery soft bakes the goodness of real, wholesome ingredients like sun-ripened fruit and hearty whole grains into snacks that are plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, and Non-GMO Project Verified. Thoughtfully baked to make better-for-you snacking a deliciously easy choice that appeals to the whole family, Nature’s Bakery products include Whole Wheat Fig Bars, Gluten Free Fig Bars, Oatmeal Crumble Bars and Double Chocolate Brownie Bars. For more information, visit NaturesBakery.com or follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

*The online survey of 1,000 nationally representative parents, with children between the ages of 6 and 12, was conducted in July 2020 via Pollfish on behalf of Nature’s Bakery.

**No purchase necessary to play or win. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Internet access and valid email address are required to claim a prize kit. Available while supplies last. Official Rules.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/natures-bakery-lends-parents-a-helping-hand-with-snack-sized-adventures-recess-edition-301108698.html

SOURCE Nature’s Bakery

Viasat Joins Stand for Small Initiative, Spearheaded by American Express, to Support U.S. Small Businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, announced today it is proud to partner with American Express and a growing group of companies on the Stand For Small program, an initiative to provide meaningful support to millions of small businesses during…

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, announced today it is proud to partner with American Express and a growing group of companies on the Stand For Small program, an initiative to provide meaningful support to millions of small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Stand for Small initiative provides support and access to business-critical services, offers, tools and expertise, among other benefits through a centralized, digital platform. These resources aim to help small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis and their recovery efforts, by helping business owners reduce operating expenses, manage teams remotely, enhance digital capabilities and address other needs.

Through the program, Viasat will provide discounted satellite-enabled business internet services to new U.S. small business customers in need during these challenging times. Currently, Viasat’s business internet service covers 96% of the U.S. population, and offers a variety of unlimited and metered data plans with download speeds up to 100 Mbps in select areas. The Company also implemented a number of initiatives to help U.S. small businesses stay connected during the COVID-19 crisis. Programs include offering current small business customers the opportunity to apply for grants to help make their businesses more resilient; making commitments through the FCC’s ‘Keep Americans Connected’ program; and optimizing its satellite communications network when businesses turned to work-from-home environments, by giving priority to real-time business communications applications, network storage and other business-critical online tools.

Cody Catalena, Viasat’s vice president and general manager of Global Business Solutions, commented, «We’re proud to participate in the Stand for Small effort, joining American Express and other leading companies, to help small businesses endure and adapt during these difficult times. Our goal is to help small businesses thrive in their communities by enabling them to reliably stay online and connected to customers, partners and prospects.»

Information on Viasat’s participation in the Stand for Small program can be found here.

Information on Stand for Small, including a list of partners, resources and available services can be found here.

About Viasat 
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. For more than 30 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate. Today, the Company is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections to impact people’s lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea. To learn more about Viasat, visit: www.viasat.com, go to Viasat’s Corporate Blog, or follow the Company on social media at: FacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitter or YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward looking statements include statements about Viasat’s participation and response to the COVID-19 outbreak via the Stand for Small initiative, our small business discount for new satellite-enabled business internet services, and continued offering of prior announced initiatives. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: risks associated with the operation of the satellite used to supply these services, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; and changes in relationships with, or the financial condition of, key customers or suppliers. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Viasat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Copyright © 2020 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat signal are registered trademarks of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

 

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viasat-joins-stand-for-small-initiative-spearheaded-by-american-express-to-support-us-small-businesses-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-301108671.html

SOURCE Viasat, Inc.

Locally-Owned Quick Order Masks, Inc., Helping Philadelphia Small Businesses Safely Reopen Amid Easing Pandemic Restrictions

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — You might say that the creation of pandemic-inspired startup Quick Order Masks, Inc. (www.quickordermasks.com) was the latest topping to come out of the pizza ovens of area restauranteur Antonio Presta. With his family’s three Italian…

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — You might say that the creation of pandemic-inspired startup Quick Order Masks, Inc. (www.quickordermasks.com) was the latest topping to come out of the pizza ovens of area restauranteur Antonio Presta. With his family’s three Italian eateries idled by COVID-19 restrictions, he was deeply concerned that if hospitals were struggling to obtain personal protective equipment (PPE), his and other small businesses faced certain ruin when the time came to reopen; unless they could access the PPE pipeline – and quickly.

«How could we reopen our Trios Tomato Pie pizza shops and pub-style CRAFT MANAYUNK – safely serve customers and protect employees – without necessary PPE that was in short supply? That’s when Alex Rosenblatt, my business partner, and I decided the only way to get high-quality, affordable masks and other government-approved PPE was to go into business ourselves, and we’re thrilled with the strong response to date,» he explained, after attending the recent Philadelphia small-business reopening event co-hosted by City Council and the Department of Commerce.

Mr. Rosenblatt, an entrepreneur with extensive experience in supply chain management, added, «We launched the business and successfully competed to obtain one city contract for more than 130,000 face masks and more than 20,000 units of hand sanitizer, and we will continue to do our part to try to help bridge the gap between supply and demand of critical PPE, including products and equipment manufactured in America.

Presently, we are offering U.S.-made masks from our affiliate Pure MSK (www.pure-msk.com), which we comfortably wear for hours every day, based in California, and we’d love to see Philadelphia become a hub of PPE production given its numerous assets, including location and immensely talented workforce.»

About Quick Order Masks, Inc.

Quick Order Mask, Inc (www.quickordermasks.com) is a diversified Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) company established early in the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the urgent needs of consumers and businesses for reliable, high-quality, government-approved, affordable face masks, face shields, and other essential individual safety apparatus for home and work.  Founders Antonio Presta and Alexander Rosenblatt, entrepreneurs with extensive experience in retail and supply chain efficiency, have developed numerous distribution and manufacturing affiliate relationships, including with California-based Pure MSK (www.pure-msk.com), maker of the transformational PURE-MSK, the FDA-approved surgical respirator that exceeds N95 filtration efficacy requirements is and made from the company’s proprietary woven Nano fiber.

Contacts:
Antonio Presta/ Info@quickordermasks.com/ 267.243.3206
Alexander Rosenblatt / Info@quickordermasks.com
Steph Rosenfeld / steph@idadvisors.com/ 215.514.4101

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/locally-owned-quick-order-masks-inc-helping-philadelphia-small-businesses-safely-reopen-amid-easing-pandemic-restrictions-301108813.html

SOURCE Quick Order Masks

Thermo Fisher Scientific Develops COVID-19 Antibody Assay Targeting Transplant Community

WEST HILLS, Calif., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Thermo Fisher Scientific continues to expand its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, developing a new serological assay targeted towards transplant candidates and recipients that can detect antibodies directed against COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). The assay will be provided under the company’s One Lambda brand representing leading in vitro diagnostic products for the transplant community. This novel antibody detection panel is part of <span…

WEST HILLS, Calif., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Thermo Fisher Scientific continues to expand its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, developing a new serological assay targeted towards transplant candidates and recipients that can detect antibodies directed against COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). The assay will be provided under the company’s One Lambda brand representing leading in vitro diagnostic products for the transplant community. This novel antibody detection panel is part of Thermo Fisher’s continued efforts to support transplant patients during the pandemic.

In collaboration with histocompatibility, infectious disease and nephrology laboratories at Emory University, Stanford University, University of Cincinnati and the University Health Network in Toronto, Thermo Fisher’s transplant diagnostic business has developed the LABScreen COVID Plus Assay. The assay leverages the Luminex xMAP technology to detect multiple distinct antibodies and fragments, making it more specific than current assays and able to reduce false positives caused by infections with common coronavirus. In combination with HLA antibody detection, the LABScreen COVID Plus reagents can help provide a more complete picture of a patient’s antibody profile.

The LABScreen COVID Plus Assay will be available for research use only by August 2020.  Additionally, the assay will be submitted for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

«We approached Thermo Fisher’s transplant diagnostic business because we believe their expertise with antibody assay development and commitment to the transplant community is critical to develop an assay for transplant patients that could both detect neutralizing antibodies and rule out false positives,» said Dr. Howard Gebel, co-director of the Emory University Hospital HLA laboratory.

«A semi-quantitative multiplex assay that can simultaneously detect the response to spike, receptor-binding domain, nucleocapsid and other SARS-CoV-2 proteins will be a huge step forward towards fully characterizing the immune response to COVID-19,» said Dr. Robert Bray, co-director of the Emory University Hospital HLA laboratory.

«We’re proud of the role we play in responding to the pandemic, and this is one of many examples that demonstrate our ability and our commitment to fight COVID-19,» said Nicole Brockway, president of the transplant diagnostic business for Thermo Fisher. «Transplant patients have unique needs compared to other COVID-19 patients, and with the support of Luminex and our research partners, we’re delivering an innovative solution that’s tailored to meet those needs.»

As the global leader in transplant diagnostics for more than thirty-five years, Thermo Fisher’s transplant diagnostics business is committed to improving the lives of patients worldwide by driving innovation and delivering quality products. The company’s comprehensive product portfolio includes a broad range of antibody detection assays, post-transplant monitoring solutions including the novel Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System, HLA typing products, laboratory instrumentation and software, and industry-leading customer support. 

Laboratories interested in the LABScreen COVID Plus Assay may visit www.onelambda.com for more information.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue exceeding $25 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, improving patient diagnostics and therapies or increasing productivity in their laboratories, we are here to support them. Our global team of more than 75,000 colleagues delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services and Patheon. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (PRNewsfoto/Thermo Fisher Scientific)

Media Contact Information:
Charlotte McCormack
Phone: 781-622-1202
Email: charlotte.mccormack@thermofisher.com

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thermo-fisher-scientific-develops-covid-19-antibody-assay-targeting-transplant-community-301108877.html

SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific

BVI makes significant investment to provide PPE for healthcare workers; Forges partnership with Haywood Vocational Opportunities (HVO) bringing new production capacity for Isolation Gowns in the US

WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — BVI, the fastest-growing diversified company in ophthalmology, has partnered with Haywood Vocational Opportunities (HVO) to provide isolation gowns to US healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic effort.  HVO is a US based medical product manufacturer who provides vocational training and employment opportunities for adults with disadvantages and disabilities.  The partnership took form during the late spring in response to the shortage of…

WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — BVI, the fastest-growing diversified company in ophthalmology, has partnered with Haywood Vocational Opportunities (HVO) to provide isolation gowns to US healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic effort.  HVO is a US based medical product manufacturer who provides vocational training and employment opportunities for adults with disadvantages and disabilities.  The partnership took form during the late spring in response to the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Through outstanding teamwork between the organizations, an isolation gown was designed, tested, manufactured, and ultimately released to the market in less than 3 months which is unprecedented for a company in the ophthalmic industry.  The first recipients of the US-made gowns are healthcare workers throughout North Carolina, where HVO is based.

«As a partner to healthcare service providers, we are very excited to continue our support of front line workers and to support local economies with job creation. I am very proud of the speed at which our two organizations took an idea from concept to final product introduction,» said Shervin Korangy, President and CEO of BVI. 

«COVID-19 cases in North Carolina were increasing rapidly back in April when BVI came to us. We quickly jumped to action and helped jointly develop the isolation gown and started retraining our workforce,» said Audrey S. Gaddis, President of HVO. «We were able to grow our capabilities for our workforce, which was truly a blessing during this surge in unemployment across the country. Thank you to BVI for driving this, HVO is honored to partner with BVI to support our front-line workers.»

About BVI

BVI® is a global ophthalmic medical device manufacturer with a mission to deliver high quality solutions and innovation for advancing eye surgery and improving the vision of patients.  With nine decades of developing leading products and solutions, BVI partners with ophthalmic surgeons to improve the vision of millions of patients across the globe.  Our organization supports surgical teams, in more than 115 countries worldwide, either directly or through our network of trusted distributors.  Our trusted brands include: Beaver® (Knives and Blades), Visitec® (Cannulas), Malosa® (Single-Use Instruments), Vitreq® (Vitreoretinal Surgical Products) and PhysIOL® (Premium Intraocular Lenses).

Learn more at bvimedical.com.

About HVO
Haywood Vocational Opportunities (HVO) is a social enterprise business located in the beautiful blue ridge mountains of Western North Carolina. HVO is the largest manufacturer of custom medical drapes in the US and produces drapes, plus other medical devices for both domestic and international surgical needs.

HVO has more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing disposable healthcare products and has created partnerships with some of the key players in the medical industry. HVO is currently the largest manufacturer of custom medical drapes in the United States.

Learn more at https://www.hvoinc.com/

Media Contact
Lars Bonefeld, VP, Global Marketing, lbonefeld@bvimedical.com

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bvi-makes-significant-investment-to-provide-ppe-for-healthcare-workers-forges-partnership-with-haywood-vocational-opportunities-hvo-bringing-new-production-capacity-for-isolation-gowns-in-the-us-301109041.html

SOURCE BVI

Additional analysis of real-world data confirms sequential Gilotrif® followed by osimertinib provided a median overall survival of nearly four years in U.S.-treated patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC

RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Boehringer Ingelheim today announced a new analysis from the GioTag study, which showed that sequential Gilotrif® (afatinib) and osimertinib contributed to a median overall survival (OS) of nearly four years (47.6 months) among U.S. patients…

RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Boehringer Ingelheim today announced a new analysis from the GioTag study, which showed that sequential Gilotrif® (afatinib) and osimertinib contributed to a median overall survival (OS) of nearly four years (47.6 months) among U.S. patients (129) with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive (EGFR M+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the common resistance mutation, T790M. These findings are consistent with the global primary analysis of the GioTag study, as well as a separate, interim U.S. analysis.

GioTag is a real-world retrospective, observational study which assessed the impact of first-line treatment with afatinib followed by osimertinib in Del19/L858R EGFR M+ non-small cell lung cancer patients with acquired T790M mutations, the most common mechanism of resistance to first- and second-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This analysis looked at outcomes in the subgroup of patients (129) from the United States. Final analysis for the full GioTag patient population is expected to be published later this quarter.

«Developing resistance to EGFR TKIs is, unfortunately, an expected outcome for many people with this specific lung cancer, and strategies for sequencing treatments continue to evolve with the use of TKIs in clinical practice,» said Balazs Halmos, M.D., Chief of Thoracic/Head and Neck Oncology at Montefiore Medical Center. «These real-world data provide further insight into the overall survival associated with afatinib and subsequent osimertinib treatment and reinforce that previous findings may have application in the U.S. treatment setting for patients with T790M acquired resistance.» 

The afatinib-osimertinib sequence was associated with a combined median time on treatment (time to treatment failure; TTF) of 28.4 months overall. Similar TTF was also observed across several subgroups, including patients with EGFR Del19-positive disease (30.3 months), patients with ECOG PS 0/1 (32.7 months), and in patients ≥65 years of age (34.1 months).

In the most recent analysis, median time on afatinib was 11.3 months (90% CI: 10.3–12.0) and 15.0 months (90% CI: 13.4–16.4) for osimertinib.

Bjoern Rueter, M.D., Therapeutic Area Head Oncology, USA, at Boehringer Ingelheim, said, «These real-world data offer additional evidence that afatinib prior to osimertinib may be an important consideration for patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer can take away so much, and understanding strategies such as treatment sequencing is one way Boehringer Ingelheim is taking cancer on.»

The U.S. data were sourced from chart review and electronic records of consecutive patients treated at U.S. treatment centers between December 28, 2017, to May 31, 2018. Previous interim analyses published in Future Oncology indicated that sequential afatinib and osimertinib was associated with encouraging time on treatment and overall survival in patients with EGFR T790M-positive NSCLC, particularly in patients with Del19 mutation.

More on the GioTag study can be found here.

What Is Gilotrif?

Gilotrif is a prescription medicine that is used to treat people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that:

  • has certain (non-resistant) abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene(s). Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that Gilotrif is right for you.
  • has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), and
  • has not been previously treated for metastatic lung cancer

It is not known if Gilotrif is safe and effective in treating people with lung cancer that has resistant abnormal EGFR genes.

or

is used to treat people with squamous cell lung cancer that:

  • has spread to other parts of the body, and
  • has been previously treated with chemotherapy that contains platinum.

It is not known if Gilotrif is safe and effective in children.

Please see Prescribing Information and Patient Information.

Important Safety Information

Before you take Gilotrif, tell your doctor if you:

  • have kidney or liver problems
  • have lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer
  • have a history of an ulcer, a tear (perforation) in your stomach or intestine, or diverticular disease (inflammation) in parts of your large intestine
  • have a history of severe dry eye or any other eye problems. Tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses.
  • have heart problems
  • have any other medical conditions
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Gilotrif can harm your unborn baby.
    • Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with Gilotrif and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose of GILOTRIF. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that may be right for you.
    • Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with Gilotrif.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Gilotrif passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Gilotrif and for 2 weeks after your last dose of Gilotrif. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Gilotrif.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Gilotrif may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way Gilotrif works. Taking certain medicines with Gilotrif may increase your risk of developing a tear (perforation) in your stomach or intestine.

What to avoid while taking Gilotrif
Limit your time in the sun. Gilotrif can make your skin sensitive to sunlight. You could get or have worsening rash or acne. You could get a severe sunburn. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you have to be in sunlight during treatment with Gilotrif.

Gilotrif may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common with Gilotrif and may sometimes be severe. Severe diarrhea can cause loss of body fluid (dehydration) and kidney problems that can sometimes lead to death. During your treatment with Gilotrif, your doctor should prescribe medicines to treat diarrhea. Take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea. Get medical attention right away if your diarrhea does not go away or becomes severe.
  • Skin reactions. Gilotrif can cause redness, rash, and acne. It is important to get treatment for skin reactions as soon as you notice them. Take medicines to help skin reactions exactly as your doctor tells you to. Get medical attention right away if you develop severe skin reactions such as peeling or blistering of the skin, or blisters in your mouth.
  • Lung or breathing problems. Gilotrif may cause inflammation of the lung that may lead to death. Symptoms may be similar to those symptoms from lung cancer. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening lung problems, or any combination of the following symptoms: trouble breathing or shortness of breath, cough, or fever.
  • Liver problems. Gilotrif can cause liver problems that can sometimes lead to death. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of a liver problem which may include:
    • yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes (jaundice)
    • dark or brown (tea-colored) urine
    • pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen)
    • bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
    • feeling very tired

Your doctor will do blood tests to check your liver function during your treatment with Gilotrif.

  • Tear (perforation) in your stomach or intestine. Tears in your stomach or intestine can happen with Gilotrif and can sometimes lead to death. Your risk of developing a tear in your stomach or intestine may be increased if you:
    • take certain medicines with Gilotrif including: corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and certain other medicines.
    • have a history of stomach or intestinal ulcers, or if you have had diverticular disease (inflammation in parts of the large intestine)

Get medical help right away if you develop severe stomach-area (abdomen) pain during treatment with Gilotrif.

  • Eye problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of eye problems. Symptoms may include:
    • eye pain, swelling, redness, or tearing
    • blurred vision
    • sensitivity to light
    • other changes in your vision
  • Heart problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of a heart problem which may include:
    • new or worsening shortness of breath while at rest or with activity
    • cough
    • tiredness
    • swelling of your ankles, feet, or legs
    • feeling that your heart is pounding or racing (palpitations)
    • sudden weight gain

Your doctor may change your dose, temporarily stop or permanently stop treatment with Gilotrif if you have certain side effects.

The most common side effects of Gilotrif include diarrhea, rash, acne, mouth sores, nail inflammation, dry skin, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, and itching.

Gilotrif may cause decreased fertility in females and males. This may affect your ability to have a child. Talk to your doctor if this is a concern for you.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Gilotrif. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

GF CONS ISI 10.21.19

About Boehringer Ingelheim in Oncology
Cancer takes. Takes away time. Takes away loved ones. At Boehringer Ingelheim Oncology, we are giving patients new hope by taking cancer on. We are dedicated to collaborating with the oncology community on a shared journey to deliver leading science. Our primary focus is in lung and gastrointestinal cancers, with the goal of delivering breakthrough, first-in-class treatments that can help win the fight against cancer. Our commitment to innovation has resulted in pioneering treatments for lung cancer and we are advancing a unique pipeline of cancer cell directed agents, immune oncology therapies and intelligent combination approaches to help combat many cancers.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Making new and better medicines for humans and animals is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to create breakthrough therapies that change lives. Since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is independent and family-owned. We have the freedom to pursue our long-term vision, looking ahead to identify the health challenges of the future and targeting those areas of need where we can do the most good.

As a world-leading, research-driven pharmaceutical company, more than 51,000 employees create value through innovation daily for our three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. In 2019, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of around $21.3 billion (19 billion euros). Our significant investment of over $3.9 billion (3.5 billion euros) in R&D drives innovation, enabling the next generation of medicines that save lives and improve quality of life. In 2018, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of around $20.7 billion (17.5 billion euros). R&D expenditure of almost $3.7 billion (3.2 billion euros) corresponded to 18.1 per cent of net sales.

We realize more scientific opportunities by embracing the power of partnership and diversity of experts across the life-science community. By working together, we accelerate the delivery of the next medical breakthrough that will transform the lives of patients now, and in generations to come.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation and is part of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies. In addition, there are Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health in Duluth, GA and Boehringer Ingelheim Fremont, Inc. in Fremont, CA.

Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and strengthening our communities. Please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us/csr to learn more about Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

For more information, please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us, or follow us on Twitter @BoehringerUS.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Communications 
Susan Holz
Phone: 203-798-4265 
Email: susan.holz@boehringer-ingelheim.com

Further Media Channels
www.facebook.com/BoehringerUS
www.twitter.com/boehringerus

www.youtube.com/user/BoehringerUS

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/additional-analysis-of-real-world-data-confirms-sequential-gilotrif-followed-by-osimertinib-provided-a-median-overall-survival-of-nearly-four-years-in-us-treated-patients-with-egfr-mutation-positive-nsclc-301108823.html

SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Knowre Math Announced Launch Of «Ready? Check. Go!» To Help Teachers Identify And Fill Learning Gaps Related To COVID-19

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Knowre Math, which was named the 2020 EdTech Digest EdTech Award Winner for Math Solution and a 2020 SIIA CODiE Finalist for Best Mathematics Instructional Solution for Grades 9-12 & Higher Education, today announced the launch of «Ready? Check. Go!» Ready? Check. Go! aids educators grappling with the difficulties and uncertainties related to COVID-19 learning loss and further Knowre’s mission of enhancing and supporting learning through education…

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Knowre Math, which was named the 2020 EdTech Digest EdTech Award Winner for Math Solution and a 2020 SIIA CODiE Finalist for Best Mathematics Instructional Solution for Grades 9-12 & Higher Education, today announced the launch of «Ready? Check. Go!» Ready? Check. Go! aids educators grappling with the difficulties and uncertainties related to COVID-19 learning loss and further Knowre’s mission of enhancing and supporting learning through education technologies to personalize learning for all students.

Knowre Math’s fundamental premise is to discover unique learning gaps in students and to personalize learning to fill those gaps. Ready? Check. Go! supports that endeavor by providing teachers with an accurate picture of a student’s readiness coming into a new school year. Educators are able to immediately deliver Ready? Check. Go! to an entire classroom, and subsequently provide personalized remediation to each individual student. Teachers are also able to see an algorithmically generated readiness scale with actionable insights into student performance.

«As a former teacher, I understand how difficult the beginning of the school year can be for educators,» said Michele Heim, Director of US Content and Curriculum Design at Knowre Math. «COVID-19 and the uncertainties that the pandemic brings to education only amplifies that struggle. Ready? Check. Go! is an easy and helpful way for teachers to start the new year off strong.»

Paul Ward, Director of School District Partnerships, added, «Ready? Check. Go! rounds out Knowre Math’s existing value-add to schools and districts, joining our unique Walk Me Through and algorithmically personalized Targeted 10 assignments to support all students, teachers and administrators.»

Schools and districts can use Knowre Math and Ready? Check. Go! for free for 30-days to effectively personalize learning and cultivate student readiness during the critical back-to-school time period.

About Knowre:
Knowre is an education technology company focused on delivering personalized learning to students around the globe. Knowre’s proprietary artificial intelligence technologies use deep-learning to identify individual student learning gaps, algorithmically generate curricula and deliver interactive, scaffolded support to fill those gaps. The beautifully designed, engaging, and fun digital environment enhances student learning, while educators receive comprehensive and actionable data via the Teacher Dashboard. Knowre partners with schools, private education companies, and other corporations around the world with the goal of helping students reach their full potential.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/knowre-math-announced-launch-of-ready-check-go-to-help-teachers-identify-and-fill-learning-gaps-related-to-covid-19-301108726.html

SOURCE Knowre

Helix Receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization for the HelixⓇ COVID-19 NGS Test, One of the First Sequencing-Based COVID-19 Tests

SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Helix, the leading population genomics company, announced that it has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Helix COVID-19 NGS Test. The test is an amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) test intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from the SARS-CoV-2 in upper respiratory specimens (nasopharyngeal swabs, oropharyngeal (throat) swab, mid-turbinate nasal…

SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Helix, the leading population genomics company, announced that it has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Helix COVID-19 NGS Test. The test is an amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) test intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from the SARS-CoV-2 in upper respiratory specimens (nasopharyngeal swabs, oropharyngeal (throat) swab, mid-turbinate nasal swabs, and anterior nasal swabs) from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider.

This test is highly multiplexed to enable a large number of samples to be sequenced on each instrument and is a critical part of Helix’s plan to scale its COVID-19 capacity to 100,000 tests per day and potentially further. It was developed based on Octant’s «SwabSeq» protocol, which continues to be iterated through a broad community effort involving academic and industry collaborators. As one of the first next-generation sequencing tests authorized by the FDA, the Helix COVID-19 NGS Test will enable Helix to diversify and add redundancy to its existing supply chain for its PCR-based test, the Helix COVID-19 Test, also authorized for emergency use by the FDA.

The test will be part of Helix’s end-to-end test system, which includes a non-invasive collection kit, processing of samples in Helix’s CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited high-complexity laboratory in San Diego, next-day turnaround time, and return of results to the ordering healthcare professional, the tested individual, and public health agencies, as necessary.

Helix also announced on July 31, 2020, that it was selected by the NIH’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) program to become one of the country’s COVID-19 «mega-labs».

«The authorization of our next-generation sequencing-based test is an important step forward in dramatically scaling our COVID-19 testing capacity while maintaining high sensitivity,» said Marc Stapley, Helix President and CEO. «Combined with the recent funding we announced from the NIH RADx program, we will quickly become one of the highest throughput COVID-19 testing labs in the country and help millions of Americans access much-needed tests with next-day turnaround time.»

«The ability to utilize next-generation sequencing technology to conduct 100,000 tests per day in the same laboratory is a logistical and scientific breakthrough,» said Rick Bright, Ph.D., Senior Advisor to the NIH Director. «This sets the country on an important path in the testing of COVID-19. The NIH’s RADx program is firmly committed to putting its resources and expertise to support the countries’ top innovators to ensure more rapid testing is available to address the COVID-19 pandemic.»

The Helix COVID-19 NGS Test has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories. This test has not been FDA cleared or approved. This test has been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. This test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostic tests for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

Additional information, including important test information and limitations, is available at helix.com/COVID.

About Helix

Helix is the leading population genomics company operating at the intersection of clinical care, research, and genomics. Its end-to-end platform enables health systems, life sciences companies, and payers to advance genomic research and accelerate the integration of genomic data into clinical care. Powered by one of the world’s largest CLIA / CAP next-generation sequencing labs and its proprietary Exome+® assay, Helix supports all aspects of population genomics including recruitment and engagement, clinically actionable disease screening, return of results, and basic and translational research. In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, Helix has launched a sensitive and scalable end-to-end COVID-19 test system to meet the needs of health systems, employers, governments, and other organizations across the country. Learn more at www.helix.com.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/helix-receives-fda-emergency-use-authorization-for-the-helix-covid-19-ngs-test-one-of-the-first-sequencing-based-covid-19-tests-301108749.html

SOURCE Helix

CBD Nation, Available August 25 On Amazon And Video On Demand, Examines The Highest Levels Of Scientific Research And Medical Evidence Surrounding The World’s Most Politicized Plant: Cannabis

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Mad Machine Films today announced the North American release of the documentary feature film, CBD Nation (1:22 min), distributed by Gravitas Ventures and available to mass audiences on August 25, 2020 via Amazon, iTunes and video on demand channels.

<a…

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Mad Machine Films today announced the North American release of the documentary feature film, CBD Nation (1:22 min), distributed by Gravitas Ventures and available to mass audiences on August 25, 2020 via Amazon, iTunes and video on demand channels.

Explains the film’s director and producer David Jakubovic, «Over the course of this project, I came to realize that cannabis is far from a gateway drug; for many, it’s actually an exit drug from Pharmaceuticals and Narcotics. And in the U.S. – which has 5% of the world’s population consuming 75% of the world’s pharmaceuticals – we can no longer afford to be in the dark about the facts. Facts can save lives.»

Featuring the world’s leading experts in cannabis science and medicine – including acclaimed Israeli scientist Raphael Mechoulam, Ph.D., the ‘father of cannabis research’ whose 1960s discovery of THC jump started the medical and scientific revolution around cannabis – CBD Nation offers a compelling look at 60 years’ worth of published and ongoing research. 

«We published our findings thirty-seven years ago: cannabidiol (CBD) blocks epileptic attacks in patients. What happened? Nothing for thirty years,» states Raphael Mechoulam, President of The Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. «Nothing happened until desperate parents like those in this film did their own research and found out that cannabidiol can help children with epilepsy. But epilepsy is just one of many conditions that we know cannabis medicine can treat. If the world chooses to not look at all of the science, it is not ignorance – it’s negligence.» 

Adds longtime cannabis activist, entrepreneur, and restorative justice champion, Steve DeAngelo, who also appears in the film: «CBD Nation brings you the real science that decades of U.S. government sponsored misinformation have hidden from public view. Watch it, and learn why cannabis may just be the most valuable medicine ever discovered by human beings.»

Shot in 2018 over the course of six months in the United States, Canada, and Israel, CBD Nation marries a wealth of scientific breakthroughs with first-person narratives, following the emotional stories of patients for whom CBD is a lifesaving medicine.

  • At age seven, Rylie Maedler was diagnosed with a rare degenerative bone disease called Aggressive Giant Cell Granuloma whereby tumors ate away at the bones of her face. Today, 14-year-old Rylie remains the only known person with this disease worldwide whose bones have regenerated. 
  • Military veteran Colin Wells served in the US Army Infantry from 2008-2012. He was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2009-July 2010 as well as Operation Moshtarak. Like many veterans, when Colin returned home he faced many physical and mental problems which led him to drug addiction and homelessness. CBD rich cannabis has helped his chronic pain and PTSD so much that he is a leader in the Veteran Cannabis Community and advocate for veterans’ rights to cannabis. 
  • Six-year-old Jayden David couldn’t walk, eat solid food, or even take a bath prior to being medicated with CBD. He has Dravet Syndrome, a rare and catastrophic form of childhood epilepsy. To combat his illness, Jayden became a patient of Harborside Health Center in Oakland, California, founded by brothers Steve DeAngelo and Andrew DeAngelo in 2006 and today the largest medical marijuana dispensary in the country with over 200,000 patients. Jayden had been prescribed 22 anti-seizure pills a day, which left him immobilized. The first day in Jayden’s life that he was seizure-free was the first day he took CBD. 

«CBD Nation tells the authentic origin story of CBD… how it took sick kids like Jayden David, Rylie Maedler, and the late Charlotte Figi becoming messengers for this plant in order for mainstream society to acknowledge its potential as medicine,» shares Harborside co-founder, cannabis industry consultant and strategic advisor, Andrew DeAngelo. «It is a story about human biology, human rights, and the ultimate victory of truth and science, which could not be more relevant today.»

With interviews from more than 30 physicians, clinicians, researchers, and patients, CBD Nation is the first wide release film to dive deep into how the human body has evolved to work with cannabis, providing not only a second chance at life for patients but also a fighting chance for the world’s most politicized plant to be accepted for what it is: medicine. 

«I hope that U.S. doctors, educators and politicians see this film,» says Rylie Maedler, who worked closely with legislators in her home state of Delaware to pass Rylie’s Law, granting children with qualifying conditions access to medical cannabis. «Because I’m living proof of the fact that cannabis and CBD have a place in modern medicine.» 

To learn more about CBD Nation, please visit CBDNationFilm.com.

PRESS CONTACT: 
Haubry@humannaturepr.com; 646.943.0541

ABOUT MAD MACHINE FILMS
Launched in 2013, Mad Machine Films produces documentary films and commercial content on a wide range of subjects and genres, from cannabis science and quantum physics, to the Vietnam War and concert films. The company was founded by director David Jakubovic, whose most recent credits include directing National Geographic’s 2-hour World War 2 special, Heroes of the Sky: the Mighty Eighth Air Force PBS’s 1-hour concert film for British pop icon Charli XCX, and the upcoming feature documentary, CBD Nation.

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cbd-nation-available-august-25-on-amazon-and-video-on-demand-examines-the-highest-levels-of-scientific-research-and-medical-evidence-surrounding-the-worlds-most-politicized-plant-cannabis-301108878.html

SOURCE Mad Machine Films