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CHICAGO, January 24, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Treating and curing cancer remains an urgent health research priority. The GastroIntestinal Research Foundation (the Foundation) has made bold and innovative grant awards to advance the development of immunotherapies and personalized vaccines for colorectal cancer. With a focus on improving patient outcomes, it has identified and evaluated science from across the country, including two recent awards to the MD Anderson Cancer Clinic at the University of Texas and Mayo Clinic. 

The Foundation's Executive Director, Jackie Casey, said, "The Foundation designed CA CURE to get vital research dollars quickly into the hands of investigators. Far too many people are developing cancer, many after living with a digestive disease such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's, fatty liver disease, and others. Research is the pathway to preventing and curing cancer. With focused funding on immunotherapies and vaccines and by taking multiple shots on goal with multiple research grants, we hope to see new successful treatments on the horizon."     

The Foundation awarded a $3.5 million grant over the next three years to MD Anderson to conduct three interrelated projects designed to improve survival in patients with BRAF-mutated (BRAFmut) colorectal cancer (CRC), seen in about 10% of patients and with poor survival prognosis. These projects will evaluate treatment combinations to block common ways that BRAFmut tumors escape treatment by targeting defects in DNA repair. The research will identify optimal treatment regimens for these tumors. Project 2 will evaluate the diversity of BRAFmut tumors over time and between patients to understand the changes in BRAF biology over multiple lines of therapy. Innovative methodologies will allow tracking of individual cancer cells to compare these changes after targeted therapies. Project 3 will identify novel immunotherapy combinations in tumors without DNA repair defects. An ongoing clinical trial combining immunotherapy and targeted therapy will be expanded. This trial examines treatment-related changes in the immune response in and around the tumor, by examining patient tumor biopsies, to determine if the observed immune responses are related to the clinical response. 

Dr. Scott Kopetz, the lead investigator on this research project, said, "One of our greatest strengths is moving today's most promising laboratory findings into new, more effective, treatments. Collectively, this work will support translation of these findings into new clinical trials and provide support for novel treatment approaches in the clinic. Like the GI Research Foundation, we are committed to improved patient outcomes, and we are grateful for its support."  

The Foundation awarded a $6 million grant over the next three years to Mayo Clinic to conduct three translational projects with a focus on individualized molecularly-targeted therapies to enhance survival and potentially cure metastatic CRC. Project 1 will conduct a clinical trial focused upon vaccinating CRC patients against multiple mutated proteins (neoantigens) specific to a patient's own tumor. This strategy is called neoantigen vaccination and uses a novel homegrown bioinformatics workflow for neoantigen detection from tumor DNA/RNA sequencing data. Unlike most cancer treatments, vaccines have little to no side effects and greatly improve anti-tumor responses to other FDA-approved immunotherapies. Dr. Keith Knutson, an expert in cancer immunotherapy, is the principal investigator of this project. Project 2 aims to develop a novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy that arms T cells to target a specific protein expressed on the outer cell membrane of CRC tumor cells. The project, which will also include an early-phase clinical trial, is led by Dr. Saad Kenderian, an expert in CAR T engineering and CAR T clinical trials. Lastly, Project 3 is focused on developing precision medicine drug combinations that target multiple patient-specific tumor mutations. The study will use innovative CRC patient tumor tissue-derived preclinical 'avatar' models, each with unique mutational signatures, to develop cancer-killing drug combinations that can be readily advanced to patients into the clinic. This project is led by Dr. John Copland, whose expertise is in the development and clinical translation of novel combination molecular inhibitors.  

Co-principal investigators, Drs. Copland, Knutson and Kenderian, said, "Our labs' overarching goals are to explore novel cancer genes, to better understand molecular mechanisms of cancer formation and tumor progression, as well as the immune system, to develop effective molecular-targeted therapeutics with less toxicity and improved patient outcomes. We are grateful for the GI Research Foundation grant as it will allow us to take successes in the study of other cancers and apply them to colorectal cancer." 

About the GastroIntestinal Research Foundation 

In 1961, the GI Research Foundation was founded by grateful patients and friends of the late Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner, a pioneer in gastroenterology, who devoted his life to medicine, teaching, and patient care. Since then, in partnership with University of Chicago Medicine Digestive Diseases Center and with gifts from generous donors, the Foundation has given millions to support research. Your donation will drive improved treatment of, help discover prevention pathways for and ultimately cure digestive diseases.  

TEMPE, Ariz., January 24, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Panoramic Health℠, the leading integrated value-based kidney care platform in the country, announced significant growth as a participant in Medicare's Comprehensive Kidney Care Contracting (CKCC) program within the Kidney Care Choices Model.

In its commitment to improving outcomes and access to holistic care coordination at reduced costs for patients suffering from CKD-ESKD, Panoramic Health tripled the number of aligned Medicare beneficiaries under its care to more than 27,000 patients and added 14 new Kidney Contracting Entities (KCEs) for the 2023 CKCC Performance Year. Panoramic Health is the largest CKCC participant not affiliated with a Large Dialysis Organization (LDO), accounting for nearly 40% of non-LDO lives in Professional and Global CKCC program options. Panoramic Health kicks off 2023 supporting 18 KCEs total, 14 KCEs in the highest tier Global Risk Option and 4 KCEs in the Professional Model.

The Panoramic Health platform drives improved outcomes and lowers the total cost of care for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) through unparalleled integration and alignment with nephrology practices, holistic approach to patient care across sites of service, and advanced data and analytics. The integrated capabilities and superior care coordination slow disease progression through data-driven early intervention, improve CKD management, increase optimal dialysis transitions, reduce hospitalizations, and lower hospital readmissions.

"Our remarkable growth in the CKCC program last year is a testament to the unique capabilities that position Panoramic Health's platform as the superior value-based kidney care platform for patients, providers, and payers," said Rajiv Poduval, M.D., FASN, CEO and co-founder of Panoramic Health. "I look forward to another year of growth as we keep nephrologists at the helm of care delivery and further our mission to transform kidney care to better serve patients with CKD and ESKD."

Panoramic Health's novel approach to value-based patient care coordination puts nephrologists at the forefront of care delivery, leading to patient engagement rates above 70%, 2-3 times greater than non-nephrologist-led care coordination vendors. In 2022, when looking at patients in the top half of the population for clinical complexity, engaged patients saw as high as 36% fewer admissions and 22% fewer readmissions compared to non-engaged peers, which is attributable to the unique physician-led model. This engagement also led to a rate of planned dialysis starts in the top quartile of all providers nationally compared to Medicare-published benchmarks.

"Panoramic Health's distinct value-based care capabilities drive superior patient engagement rates, optimal starts, and reduced hospitalizations, ultimately delivering better outcomes for patients with CKD and ESKD," said Dave Miller, Vice President of Value-Based Care. "Our physician-led care model allows us to implement improved care coordination at every level, as we have a direct connection to the patient-provider relationship which is integral in empowering patients to take an active role in their care plans."

The statements contained in this document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CMS. The authors assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this document.

About Panoramic Health

Panoramic Health is the nation's leading integrated physician-led value-based kidney care organization. The company remains committed to keeping nephrologists independent, relevant, and at the center of patient-care delivery. Panoramic Health's value-based care delivery platform is driven by proprietary, predictive data analytics and clinical workflows underpinned by one of the world's largest clinical chronic kidney disease ("CKD") data warehouses that enable nephrologists to deliver better patient outcomes through value-based care and clinical research. Panoramic Health's Clinical Research division partners with sponsors and clinical research organizations to bring cutting-edge treatments to patients with kidney disease. For more information, visit panoramichealth.com.

For press inquiries, please contact [email protected]. 

SAN DIEGO, January 24, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Pipette.com is an ISO 17025 Accredited Calibration Facility that calibrates and repairs all pipette brands and models. Pipette.com is the largest independent pipette calibration facility on the West Coast. Pipette.com is also a distributor of several manufacturers of centrifuges, pipettes, pipette tips and lab equipment.

Pipette.com carries the complete line of Eppendorf Centrifuges, rotors, and accessories to meet all centrifugation needs. Eppendorf Centrifuges are the market leaders in centrifugation. With their German engineering, the newest Eppendorf microcentrifuges are also renowned for their low noise level, soft-touch lid closure, and low profile. Including quick-spin microcentrifuges, microcentrifuges, centrifuges, and refrigerated options for a majority of these, the Eppendorf line of centrifuges is versatile enough to fit into any laboratory.

Pipette.com has added new refurbished Eppendorf centrifuges. Pipette.com has several new refurbished Eppendorf 5424 centrifuges.  The Eppendorf 5424 Centrifuge is fast, accurate, and durable. Their 24-place rotor with a maximum speed up to 21,130 × g in a compact footprint is a great centrifuge for laboratories. They are perfect for molecular biology applications in microcentrifuge tubes, spin columns, and PCR tubes. The Eppendorf Centrifuge 5424 R is ideal for those working in molecular biology labs because of its FastTemp technology - it cools down a sample to 4°C in eight minutes.

In addition, to the refurbished 5424 Centrifuges, Pipette.com has added Eppendorf Centrifuge 5810 and Eppendorf 5430 Centrifuge. These refurbished centrifuges feature powerful and maintenance-free motors, while also accommodating a variety of rotors to meet a lab's application needs. They are three centrifuges in one: a high-capacity, general-purpose centrifuge for cell harvesting; a high-speed centrifuge for separating cell lysates; and a microcentrifuge for DNA precipitations. The Eppendorf 5430 Centrifuge compared to the 5810 is very user-friendly, durable and versatile. The unique cross-over Eppendorf 5430 and Eppendorf 5430 R centrifuges combine the best features of a microcentrifuge (small footprint) and multipurpose centrifuge (versatility) in one instrument. With a maximum speed of 30,130 × g (17,500 rpm), these centrifuges spin rotors for Eppendorf tubes, microtubes, PCR strips, or microtiter plates. With its compact size, the Eppendorf 5430 and Eppendorf 5430 R centrifuges also accommodate rotors for microplates and 15/50 mL conical tubes

Lastly, Pipette.com is an ISO 17025 Accredited Calibration Facility that calibrates and repairs all pipette brands and models. Pipette.com also provides companies best-in-class functionality with their Lab Management Software for the management and performance of calibrations and maintenance. Pipette.com's Calibration Software cloud infrastructure enables calibration and documentation to be processed in real-time, increasing efficiencies and productivity, while reducing costs.

NEW YORK, January 24, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Castle Connolly today announced the release of Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2023. With over 850,000 practicing doctors in the United States, Castle Connolly carefully curated the list of 63,000 plus board-certified U.S. physicians, across all 50 states and all major specialties, who comprise its network. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Castle Connolly Top Doctors. 

All Castle Connolly Top Doctors are nominated by their peers, and then the Castle Connolly research team evaluates important criteria to determine who makes the list, including professional qualifications, education, hospital and faculty appointments, research leadership, professional reputation, disciplinary history, interpersonal skills and outcomes data (where available).

"When it comes to medical care, excellence and clinical expertise are extremely important to optimizing patient outcomes," said Steve Leibforth, Managing Director, Castle Connolly. "Castle Connolly's underlying premise is to know where a doctor would go if they needed care, so consumers can have confidence in the care they will receive when they choose a Castle Connolly Top Doctor." 

"My values as a physician are very simple - they are patient centric and I do the best that I can for my patients," said Shahid M Nimjee, MD, PhD, Co-Director of Stroke Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. "The criteria with which Castle Connolly recognizes Top Doctors is based on that same ethos." 

Recent research, conducted by Castle Connolly in conjunction with Everyday Health, underscores the importance of finding a doctor. 82% of consumers consider a doctor to be important in their life, far eclipsing other services, like accountants, lawyers and even childcare. Yet more than half of consumers surveyed reveal that they do not spend a great deal of time searching for a doctor. Additionally, the research found that black patients were more than twice as likely than white patients to say that finding a doctor who shares their race/ethnicity will lead to better health outcomes and will get them to be more compliant. 

"The choice of a doctor is a highly personal and important decision facing all Americans, yet many do not spend the time to find the right provider, and when they do, they struggle to find a doctor like them," continued Steve Leibforth. "At Castle Connolly, we work hard to connect patients with the best care and empower them with the information needed to find high-quality doctors, with shared backgrounds and experiences, to improve their health."

To this end, Castle Connolly will launch new Top Doctor recognitions in 2023, including:

• Black Top Doctors (February)
• Exceptional Women in Medicine (March)
• Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Top Doctors (May)
• LGBTQ+ Top Doctors (June)
• Hispanic/Latino Top Doctors (September)

About Castle Connolly

With over 30 years' experience researching, reviewing and selecting Top Doctors, Castle Connolly is a trusted and credible source. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Medical Research found that across several specialties, evidence indicates that Castle Connolly's peer-reviewed directory is methodologically more reliable than sites that just relied on patient reviews when it came to identifying quality care. Our mission is to help people find the best healthcare by connecting patients with best-in-class healthcare providers. For more information, visit https://www.castleconnolly.com.

About Everyday Health Group

The Everyday Health Group is a recognized leader in patient and provider education, attracting an engaged audience of over 76 million health consumers and over 890,000 U.S. practicing physicians and clinicians to its premier health and wellness digital properties. Our mission is to drive better clinical and health outcomes through decision-making informed by highly relevant information, data and analytics. We empower healthcare providers and consumers with trusted content and services delivered through the Everyday Health Group's world-class brands. Everyday Health Group is a division of Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD).

The Sheeder Firm: Prevention, Compliance and Advocacy
Offering legal and compliance advice and counsel to the health care industry

DALLAS, January 24, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Frank Sheeder, a leading health care legal and compliance professional, has launched The Sheeder Firm. With over 30 years of experience representing members of the health care industry as a "tall building lawyer," Sheeder has built a platform that expands beyond traditional law firm services — across the continuum of Prevention, Compliance, and Advocacy.

The Sheeder Firm provides individualized solutions in matters involving compliance programs, government investigations and audits, the False Claims Act, whistleblowers, and allegations of billing fraud. Some of the firm's novel offerings include a "Counsel on Demand" ready reference service with rapid response times, rendering second opinions, serving as fractional or interim General Counsel or Compliance Officer, and compliance education supported by artificial intelligence (AI). The firm also publishes video updates to keep members of the health care industry informed on key developments and topics of interest.

Sheeder states, "I have had the privilege of representing health care clients for decades. With all of the risks and pressures they are currently confronting, I have designed The Sheeder Firm to address their needs in flexible, cost-efficient, and innovative ways."

As a licensed attorney in Texas since 1987 and former President of the Health Care Compliance Association/Society for Corporate Compliance and Ethics (HCCA/SCCE), Sheeder brings the responsiveness, dedication, and thoroughness for which he has become known to this new firm.