Archive for the ‘Life Extension’ Category

Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco have been testing the use of a fungus to control an invasive species of ants attacking small animals.

The tawny crazy ants have been spreading in the Valley and the Gulf Coast. They're an invasive species from South America.

The ants have attacked small animals and even make colonies inside electric equipment, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

"There's lots of birds that when they nested, the eggs hatched, and the ants would just cover the newborn chicks," said Javier De Leon, superintendent of Estero Llano Grande State Park. "So, the newborn birds had no chance. So, we saw lots of nest failures, especially chachalacas that are born on the ground and run within minutes, just like chickens. We saw several baby chachalacas that didn't make it.

Deleon says the fungus all but eliminated the ants from the park, but warns they can also affect your home.

Look for light brown ants that don't burrow or dig like other ants.

Then, take a picture and contact the Texas A&M Agri-life Extension for help identifying them and advice on what to do.

Originally posted here:
Fungus being tested at state park in Weslaco to control invasive species of ants - KRGV

This practical and detailed Black Cumin Seed Oil market report provides a clear picture of trade regulation, Black Cumin Seed Oil market expansion, new product launches and innovations. It identifies Black Cumin Seed Oil market trends and future market growth in the year 2022-2029. It also introduces the Black Cumin Seed Oil market competition among the major industry players in the market. Market research analysis is a useful tool for the growth of many businesses, as this Black Cumin Seed Oil market report provides a basic knowledge of market movements and Black Cumin Seed Oil idustry trends. It tries to meet the demand for products to help central players make big profits when bringing new items to Black Cumin Seed Oil market.

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Global Black Cumin Seed Oil Market intelligence report is a comprehensive overview of the Black Cumin Seed Oil Market position. Full information provided of past progress, current market conditions, and a future prospect is provided in the Black Cumin Seed Oil report. It also gives accurate overview of the key strategy, Black Cumin Seed Oil market size, and products of leading companies in this market segment. Complete report from Materials, Applications, and Black Cumin Seed Oil industry forecasts for 2022 are expert and in-depth research information on the global regional Black Cumin Seed Oil market situation, focusing on every region.

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North America Black Cumin Seed Oil Market(United States, North American country and Mexico),Europe Market(Germany, Black Cumin Seed Oil France Market, UK, Russia and Italy),Asia-Pacific market (China, Black Cumin Seed Oil Japan and Korea market, Asian nation and Southeast Asia),South America Black Cumin Seed Oil Regions inludes(Brazil, Argentina, Republic of Colombia etc.),Black Cumin Seed Oil Africa (Saudi Arabian Peninsula, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)

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Industry Inspection Overview of Black Cumin Seed Oil Machine Market 2022-29 | Earthoil Plantations, Life Extension, Nuverus, Omega Pharma FortBendNow...

Marine leaders have been pushing since for the first light amphibious warship to be procured by 2023.

But in the services recent combined budget request with the Navy, the Corps isnt expecting to get the ship for at least another two years. And the Corps only is likely to get four of them in inventory by 2027 if the current plan holds.

The light amphibious warship is the Corps answer to moving a lot of Marines in small teams from deep water to the close-to-shore littoral zones and even conducting beach landings.

Far cheaper than the larger amphibious ships that Marines usually take to combat, the light amphibious warship is expected to fill a gap between big-deck ships and small landing craft. Without it, Marines face serious obstacles in getting on land. Thats critical as the Corps has billed itself as the Navys ship-killing, adversary-harassing force.

Each light amphibious warship is expected to carry up to 75 Marines. The Corps wants to use a host of them to move its newest formation creation, the Marine littoral regiment, around the littoral battlespace.

Thats going to be hard when even by 2027 it will only have enough space aboard potentially four new vessels for fewer than three reduced-strength, unsupported infantry companies.

To meet Marine war planning expectations, theyll likely eventually need enough light amphibious warships to transport at least three Marine littoral regiments.

But the Marine Corps will have to wait at least until fiscal year 2025, according to the militarys proposed fiscal year 2023 budget released on Monday. The Navy expects to start funding builds of the light amphibious warship with one in 2025, another in 2026 and two in 2027.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger said at the National Defense Industrial Associations annual Expeditionary Warfare Conference in February that the traditional amphib ships and the new light amphibious warship concept complement each other. They will work in tandem to bring Marines to the fight.

More details on budget specifics will be available in the coming weeks. But the Pentagons initial budget request gives glimpses as to what will happen with Marines and ships in the near- to mid-term.

At a briefing with media on Monday, Navy Rear Adm. John Gumbleton, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for budget, said that both the Navy and Marine Corps were working to get the requirements tight for the light amphibious warship.

He pointed to funding in research and development rather than procurement in the near term.

While still in the design phase, the Marines are asking to build a 200- to 400-foot ship with a maximum draft of 12 feet. The ship must be able to carry between 3,000 and 4,000 tons and 75 Marines with a Navy crew of about 40 sailors.

That program saw $20 million in funding in fiscal 2021, $13 million in fiscal 2022 and hovers around $12 million for the pending 2023 budget.

Thats behind the timeline in the Corps goal of having a light amphibious warship funded by 2023 and deployable soon after.

The Navys $27.9 billion shipbuilding proposal expects to fund nine new ship builds. More than half of that money is taken up by incremental funding for the Ford-class aircraft carrier, the Columbia-class and the Virginia-class nuclear submarines.

Of what remains in the purse, a handful of Marine-focused priorities look to get funding, though not at quite at the level or pace Corps leadership has pushed for in recent years.

Two of those the America class amphibious assault ship-LHA 6 and the San Antonio class amphibious transport dock or LPD 17 Flight II are on deck for funding.

In existing construction or serve life extension, the Navy looks to pay for two landing craft air cushion and two ship-to-shore connectors in 2023, also key to Marine gear and troop movement in the littorals.

The Marines F-35C Joint Strike Fighter purchases dropped to nine for the 2023 budget, but would resume at 15 each year until fiscal 2027. The Corps purchased 16 in fiscal 2021 and 15 in fiscal 2022.

Purchases of the F-35B are consistent with 15 planned in the fiscal 2023 budget and 16 each year until 2026, with 17 in fiscal 2027. In the 2022 budget, Marines bought 17 of the B variant, having purchased 10 in fiscal 2021.

Both Navy and Marine Corps aviators are getting a new trainer, the Corps will see four such aircraft in this 2023 budget and 22 total over the next two years.

KC-130J buys are steady at five and another two planned for fiscal 2024. The Corps bought 11 over the previous two fiscal years.

Marine aviators are likely to see many more CH-53K King Stallion helicopters in the coming years.

The proposal lays out a plan to buy 10, with another 78 spread out over the next four years.

Research and development spending on the King Stallion continues, though lower than in years past. Current figures in the budget call for $220 million, down from $257 million in fiscal 2022.

It appears the Marines are done buying MV-22 Ospreys for the foreseeable future.

Two years ago, the Corps purchased three, and in 2022, it was given funding for nine. But no future purchases are planned within this budget through fiscal 2027.

Todd South has written about crime, courts, government and the military for multiple publications since 2004 and was named a 2014 Pulitzer finalist for a co-written project on witness intimidation. Todd is a Marine veteran of the Iraq War.

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Marines will have to wait at least until 2025 for light amphibious warship - Marine Corps Times

AstraZeneca said the U.S. government agreed to purchase additional 500,000 doses of its Covid-19 preventive medicine Evusheld (tixagevimab/cilgavimab).

AZ had said that it would initially supply 1 million doses of Evusheld. However, if most of the doses go to the U.S., other countries will have limited access to AZs preventive therapy.

AZ welcomed the U.S. governments plan to buy 500,000 doses of Evusheld on Wednesday.

Evusheld is a combination drug mixing long-acting antibodies, tixagevimab and cilgavimab, derived from B cells donated by convalescent patients after Covid-19 infection.

The antibody treatment was discovered by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and licensed to AZ, which optimized the drug with half-life extension.

The medicine aims to prevent Covid-19 infection in immunocompromised people.

According to AZ, the half-life extension more than triples the durability of its action compared to conventional antibodies. In addition, the company said that the consecutive two doses of tixagevimab 150mg and cilgavimab 150 mg could afford up to 12 months of protection from Covid-19.

On Dec. 8, Evusheld received FDA approval for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of Covid-19 in people who experienced serious adverse reactions of Covid-19 vaccines or those with immune compromise. Earlier, the U.S. government signed a deal with AZ to purchase 700,000 doses of Evusheld.

The U.S. has confirmed the purchase of 1.2 million doses of Evusheld so far, and the additional 500,000 doses will be shipped to the U.S. within the first half of this year.

As the U.S. secured most of the initial supply of Evusheld, other countries will face a limited chance to purchase the preventive therapy.

Our headquarters basic stance is that we will apply for marketing license in countries that confirmed the pre-purchase of Evusheld, an official at AstraZeneca Korea said. As the quantity of Evusheld is insufficient, we are distributing the remaining stock of Evusheld, excluding those going to the U.S., to several developed countries in Europe.

This means that if the Korean government does not discuss a pre-purchase of Evusheld, AZ will not seek marketing approval pre-emptively.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is doing a preliminary review on Covid-19 vaccines and treatments. But this happens only when a company submits related data.

The regulator is not reviewing Evusheld now.

However, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) plans to discuss Evusheld purchase with AZ soon. The drug is expected to become an option for Korean immunocompromised people to prevent Covid-19.

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US will buy additional doses of Covid-19 preventive drug Evusheld. What about Korea? - Korea Biomedical Review

Rory Moore (pictured) has worked at Ekati, the first diamond mine in Canadas Northwest Territories, on and off for years. He was part of the original crew that first developed the mine in the 1990s. In 2018, he rejoined what was then called Dominion Diamond. He then became its interim president in January 2020, and in November, he was appointed the full-time CEO of what is now called the Arctic Canadian Diamond Co.

Here, he talks with JCK about his view on the diamond market, how Arctic looks at Canadian cutting and Canadian-origin stones, and why Ekati might confound expectations and stay around for a while.

Can you bring us up to date on whats happening with Ekati and its current ownership structure?

With the onset of COVID, the diamond market closed. We had a partnership with Rio Tinto in the Diavik mine, which is a neighboring mine. After COVID, we [initially] elected to put Ekati on care and maintenance, because we had $200 million worth of diamonds in inventory, but we couldnt sell them. We didnt want to burn through our cash reserves quickly. However, when Diavik did continue to operate, we were obliged to pay our 40% interest in the operating costs, and that would have very quickly have chewed up our cash reserves. So, we [filed] for CCAA [insolvency protection].

That triggered its sale process and the former owners, Washington, participated in that and ultimately withdrew their bid to buy the assets, and then the debt holders stepped in, represented by the three principal organizations: DDJ Capital, Brigade Capital, and Western Asset Management. The three of them stepped in and bought the assets and [provided us] with some additional cash to reopen the mine and get going again.

We restarted the mine in January last year, which is in the dead of the Arctic winter, so that was challenging. We had lots of startup problems, but ultimately now we have got the mine running at a steady state. Fortunately, we had some nice tailwinds from a strong rough diamond market last year, so prices were very robust and that really helped us with our restart. We met our revenue targets last year despite all the challenges.

You have said you want to extend the mine life. How do you plan to do that?

The best days of Ekati are behind us in terms of quality of ore bodies. During the early years, when BHP owned the mine, the ore bodies were very rich and very close to the central infrastructure at the mine, which is the process plant. So operating costs were very low, and revenue was very high. It was a highly profitable mine.

As time has gone on, those bodies have been mined out, and we are now mining lower-value ore bodies further away from the plant. Our main open pit, Sable, is 17 kilometers north of the process plant. Its a lower-revenue ore body and theres additional transportation and logistics involved in getting the ore from the open pit to the process plant. Then, to the south, weve got our Misery underground mine, which is a high-revenue ore body that has now gone underground, so its mining at a lower production rate. And thats 25 kilometers south of the processing plant, so again, weve got to transport the ore to the plant.

What we faced going forward is, as these ore bodies come to their natural end, Stable in particular, they were not valuable enough to support conventional underground mining. And, so, what weve done is over the past four yearsand this is what Ive been working onis looking at alternative, more creative ways to mine these ore bodies so we can still mine them profitably.

Weve come up with a system, its called underwater remote mining. Essentially, we flood the pit, and after the open pit mining is completed, and we continue to mine it underwater, using specialized underwater surface mining machines that weve developed in conjunction with a company out of Holland called Royal IHC. We are very confident that its going to work, and the beauty of this method is that you only mine ore and not waste. So, with conventional mining, you have to mine a lot of waste. In fact, at Sable, theres seven times more waste [being mined] than ore. If you remove all that waste mining, suddenly your costs are dramatically lower, and youve got a profitable mining operation again. Thats the way we are going into the future.

We have designed all the equipment, and we are going to construct the first of that equipment this year. Then, were going to do a big production trial in 2024. Were building equipment this year, and then over 2023 and 2024, were gonna test that equipment and then implement it in 2024 for future mining at Sable, and then extend that to other ore bodies. The future of Ekati is underwater remote mining, which has not been done in this sort of setting at all in the past. We are spearheading some new innovative mining techniques.

Assuming that all comes to fruition, how long will that extend the mine life?

Initially, the first phase will take us to 2029. The other thing that were doing at the moment is developing a new conventional open-pit mine at the same time. That will take us to 2028. We also have the opportunity to extend mine life through underwater remote mining at Point Lake. That ore body has 50 million tons of kimberlite in it. So, if the underwater remote mining works, well get an additional 10 years of mining out of Point Lake. Then, we have another ore body that was mined by BHP called Fox, and that has 40 million tons of kimberlite left in it. Weve done studies to potentially develop it with underground conventional mining, and it doesnt make the grade. So, we would look to mine that underwater as well, which would add another 10 years of mine life. So, essentially, we have decades of mine life extension, but we have to prove the system first.

You said youre confident that will work.

Yes. Im very confident. Components of the technology have been routinely used in other applications, in conventional dredging operations throughout the world. We are putting it all together in a system that hasnt been used in this application. None of it is rocket science. Its all proven technology.

The owners have been very supportive, and they have been very open to funding our development of [the underwater remote mining] method. Weve got a stable operation now, and our immediate focus is to pay down the debt that we have, and weve already started that process this year. We had a good revenue year, and weve already paid down the debt very substantially.

There have been concerns raised about underwater mining from an environmental point of view. How do you respond to that?

In fact, this method is significantly more environmentally friendly than open-pit mining. Thats because, firstly, you dont have any big waste dumps. So, all that footprint of the waste dumps interfering with caribou migration or changing the landscape, that goes away. You have a closed water system, so all the water thats in the mine [goes to] a pond next door to the open-pit mine, where well settle out the sedimentary material. It will be a closed system. So, no water thats been disturbed or polluted in any way will get out into the secondary environment. Its very much contained and has an incredibly small footprint.

The machine has been devised so that all the hydraulic fluids in the machine are biodegradable. Id be lying to you if I said were not going to burst hydraulic hoses once in a while. We will have hydraulic oil spills, but [they will be] biodegradable hydraulic oils by design that will not contaminate the water in any meaningful way. So, the environmental impact is much lower, and thats a positive for the project as well.

What has been the reaction from the local community to Ekati restarting?

Our northern partners are very relieved that we are back in production. We have a lot of training and career opportunities for people of the north. There was big relief that we did come through the CCAA process, that weve hired a whole lot of new people, and our training programs, apprenticeship programs, leadership programs are back in place. Weve got partnerships with the local indigenous groups and communities. Theyve supported us very well, as has the government of Northwest Territories. Its all pretty positive, after a tough period of 10 months not being in production

You no longer have 40% ownership in the Diavik mine, as Rio Tinto took it over. How does that affect you?

On a practical basis, it doesnt impact us much, because we were essentially a passive partner in that. Rio Tinto operated that mine and we just participated in quarterly management committee meetings. It doesnt impact our workforce in any way, as we had nobody working at Diavik.

What it does impact is the product mix that we take to the market. We used to have a big production out of Ekati, supplemented by a fairly significant production out of Diavik, which gave us higher carats and higher volumes to sell into the rough market and gave us more options for product mix for our clients. Weve lost a bit of flexibility in accommodating our clients exact needs when it comes to the product mixes.

But the productions are fairly similar between Ekati and Diavik. So, the impact of that hasnt been too significant. Its more that weve just got a lower volume of diamonds to sell.

Your company has been renamed Arctic, which is probably a more potent name from a marketing point of view, in that it symbolizes Canada. Do you expect to get more involved in marketing your product?

We recognize that we are diamond producers, and thats what weve got to focus on. We are an active member of the Natural Diamond Council, and so we actively participate in that and contribute to that initiative through our membership fees. We think that the Natural Diamond Council is doing a great job of promoting natural diamonds. We recognize that if you wanted to do a good job of marketing a luxury product like diamonds, youve got to have a big budget for that, and thats just not where we fit in. All of us producers together are much more powerful than individuals trying to do that separately.

A lot of producers are looking into origin certification? Will you do that?

A percentage of our diamonds are sold through the Canadamark program. They tend to be the higher-quality goods. We think its an important consideration, given that the new generations of customers are much more concerned about the origin of the products that they buy and that the products have been produced a sustainable way. I think Canadian-origin diamonds are highly prized by millennials because they know that Canada has high environmental guidelines and social economic guidelines and the way we run our mines in Canada is of the highest standard. Thats not to say that a diamond produced in Africa has not been ethically produced, because the big mines in Africa are run according to the highest international standards. There may be a perception that all these African [stones] are still blood diamonds, but the reality is that the absolute majority of diamonds coming out of Africa are produced in a very ethical way. But Canada does have brand appeal.

Theres been talk of new factories in Canada. Thats been tried before, and it didnt work. Do you think Canadian cutting has a future?

I think its always going to be a challenge to manufacture diamonds in Canada, particularly in the north. You are competing against India, and India has really done an incredible job of capturing that part of the supply chain of diamonds. You cant compete on costs, and they actually have become incredibly skilled at polishing diamonds.

Its admirable to see people try, because the more we can capture business opportunities in Canada, the better. But I think its a struggle.

Do you expect rough diamond prices to continue to remain strong?

At the moment, everybody in the business expects that rough diamond prices will remain strong in the short- to medium-term. Obviously, its very difficult to predict longer term. Supply has been impacted by COVID, so supply of rough diamonds is lower than it was forecast to be. Demand is incredibly strong, fueled mostly by the U.S. and China. Theres been very strong demand for our product, and the commentary over the holiday season was that sales were very strong on the retail side. In the short-term, I think the macro factors for our industry, and for rough diamond prices, are very good.

(Photos courtesy of Arctic Canadian Diamond Co.)

Read more:
Interview With Rory Moore, CEO Of Arctic Canadian Diamond Co. - JCK

Isoflavones Market Research Report by Product (Capsule, Liquid, and Powder), by Source (Chickpea, Red Clover, and Soybeans), by Component, by Application, by Region (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa) - Global Forecast to 2026 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19

New York, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Isoflavones Market Research Report by Product, by Source, by Component, by Application, by Region - Global Forecast to 2026 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06202161/?utm_source=GNW

The Global Isoflavones Market size was estimated at USD 1,333.21 million in 2020 and expected to reach USD 1,412.48 million in 2021, at a CAGR 6.05% to reach USD 1,896.77 million by 2026.

Market Statistics:The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2018 and 2019 are considered historical years, 2020 as the base year, 2021 as the estimated year, and years from 2022 to 2026 are considered the forecast period.

Market Segmentation & Coverage:This research report categorizes the Isoflavones to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:

Based on Product, the market was studied across Capsule, Liquid, Powder, and Tablet.

Based on Source, the market was studied across Chickpea, Red Clover, and Soybeans.

Based on Component, the market was studied across Daidzein, Formononetin, and Genistein.

Based on Application, the market was studied across Cosmetics & Personal Care, Food & Beverages, and Nutraceutical.

Based on Region, the market was studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas is further studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The United States is further studied across California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The Asia-Pacific is further studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa is further studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, and the long-term effects are projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report delivers insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecasts, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.

Competitive Strategic Window:The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period.

FPNV Positioning Matrix:The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Isoflavones Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.

Market Share Analysis:The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits.

Competitive Scenario:The Competitive Scenario provides an outlook analysis of the various business growth strategies adopted by the vendors. The news covered in this section deliver valuable thoughts at the different stage while keeping up-to-date with the business and engage stakeholders in the economic debate. The competitive scenario represents press releases or news of the companies categorized into Merger & Acquisition, Agreement, Collaboration, & Partnership, New Product Launch & Enhancement, Investment & Funding, and Award, Recognition, & Expansion. All the news collected help vendor to understand the gaps in the marketplace and competitors strength and weakness thereby, providing insights to enhance product and service.

Company Usability Profiles:The report profoundly explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Isoflavones Market, including Archer Daniels Midland Company, BASF SE, Bio-Gen Extracts Pvt. Ltd., Cargill, Incorporated, Fujicco Co., Ltd., Futureceuticals Inc., GNC Holdings Inc., International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., InVite Health, Inc., Koninklijke DSM N.V., Lactonova Nutripharm Pvt Ltd, Life Extension Foundation, Nexira Inc., NOW Foods, Nutra Green Biotechnology Co. Ltd., NutraScience Labs, Shaanxi Hongda Phytochemistry Co., Ltd., Shanghai Freemen, SK Bioland, and Xena Bio Herbals Pvt Ltd..

The report provides insights on the following pointers:1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments

The report answers questions such as:1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Isoflavones Market?2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Isoflavones Market during the forecast period?3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Isoflavones Market?4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Isoflavones Market?5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Isoflavones Market?6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Isoflavones Market?7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Isoflavones Market?Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06202161/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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Isoflavones Market Research Report by Product, by Source, by Component, by Application, by Region - Global Forecast to 2026 - Cumulative Impact of...

Rendering of the new Polar Security Cutter (Image: Halter Marine)

Halter Marine, Mississippi, USA The contract has been awarded to build the second U.S. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (BSC) based in Pascal.

Halter Marine will serve as the primary contractor on a fixed price incentive agency contract issued by the Navy. Initial efforts under the contract include the purchase of materials with long lead times, especially generator sets, to support production while ensuring common ground between the first two PSCs.

The $ 745 million deal for Halter Marine in 2019 designed and built the first new heavy duty ice breaker in the United States after 40 years. The deal includes two options, which, if implemented, would bring the total value of the deal to $ 1.9 billion.

The PSC project is a multi-year project Department of Homeland Security USCG to acquire three multi-mission PSCs to recapitalize the next generation polar icebreaker fleet.

Works with Halter Marine, ST Engineering Company of North America Technology Associates (TAI) As the ships designer. The ships design is based on the German Polarstern II design. The Halter Marine and TAI teams, along with other suppliers, finalize the PSC plan.

The Polar protection cutter It is 460 feet long and has a total beam of 88 feet. The impetus is diesel power of 45,200 horsepower and is capable of continuously breaking ice up to six to eight feet thick. The ship can comfortably accommodate 186 people for 90 days.

In addition to TAI, the Halter Marine has partnered with ABB and Trident Marine for its Azipod propulsion and power distribution system, Raytheon for integrating command and control systems, Caterpillar for key engines, Jamsstown Metal Marine for armholes and Bronzework for the HVAC system. .

By creating a second polar security cutter, Halter Marine will continue its mission of giving national priority to the U.S. Coast Guard. Our talented staff at Halter Marine here are proud to be a part of such an important company , He announced Bob Mercant, Chairman and CEO of Halter Marine.

Construction of the first BSc is expected to begin in 2022, with delivery scheduled for 2025.

The Coast Guards Operational Polar Snow Navy currently has 399-feet of heavy snow, the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, launched in 1976, and the 420-foot medium-sized icebreaker, Coast Guard Cutter Healy, launched in 2000.

The Pole Star was reactivated three years later and reactivated in late 2013. Since then, icebreakers have completed six deployments of Operation Deep Freeze to refuel the McMurdo station in Antarctica. Pole Star entered the Life Extension Program (SLEP) in 2021 to extend the effective life of the cutter by four years.

Angelo Martinengo.The first pioneer of modern digital advertising in shipping container fleetsThe first pioneer of modern digital advertising in shipping container fleets_______________Senior Journalist, Container World, FerrodromaEmail: [emailprotected] >https://www.farodiroma.it/?s=a.+martinengo >

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Use. "Halter Marine" won the contract for the second polar security cutter icebreaker for the US Coast Guard (A. Martinenko). - Hardwood...

Since youre here, you probably are one of us. You already know how beneficial fish can be for your overall health, and you probably have promised yourself that youll try to eat fish at least once a week. However, here you are, looking for a fish oil supplement, not knowing where to start.

Well, we have some good news! Fish oil supplements arent just for people who do not want to obsess over their nutrient intake. Even those who watch out for their diets should consider taking supplements to improve their health. And for those like you and all our crew, who dont have time to follow nutrient-rich diets, fish oil supplements are the best choice.

However, we know how challenging it is to find a quality product. Especially these days, every other dietary supplement manufacturer tries to sell its poor fish oil products that give bad fish burps and nothing more.

If youre interested in finding the best fish oil supplements, were more than happy to present you with our selected products. First, weve done thoughtful research based on companies reputations and customer reviews. Then weve chosen these 5 products as the best Omega-3 supplements on the market.

Life Extension has a reputation as one of the best supplement companies. For more than 40 years, this brand has joined forces with health experts to achieve its goal find the best ways to improve health and live a better life.

All Life Extension products are exclusively made in facilities in the U.S. They contain high-quality ingredients that undergo rigorous lab tests for potency and purity. Additionally, all products are tested from third-party labs, and you can search for COAs on the Life Extension website.

Furthermore, Life Extension is nominated for number-one Catalog/Internet Merchant and has won the award 6 times. The companys products are often awarded and recognized by several reputable labs, doctors, and medical magazines.

Life Extension uses quality raw materials, primarily from the U.S., European, and Japanese sources. Each material is mostly analyzed and tested through U.S. Pharmacopeia, but the company uses several other pharmaceutical standards as well. The analyzing methods include liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, through which the material purity and effectiveness are tested.

Life Extension creates an excellent fish oil supplement that has a unique formula. The product contains EPA and DHA fatty acids, olive polyphenols, and sesame lignans.

The products formula is based on a wild fish oil concentrate from the South Pacific Ocean. Life Extension adds olive extract to provide polyphenol, which will impact your body as taking 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. As for the sesame lignans, they have many properties in increasing the benefit of the fish oil. In addition, both extracts may help prevent heart diseases. To avoid the fishy taste after the supplement consumption, Life Extension added a natural lemon flavor.

The Fish Oil supplements are GMO-free and are an excellent choice for more sensitive people since theyre gluten-free. Furthermore, Super Omega-3 Fish Oil capsules are certified by IFOS with a 5-star rating.

The Super Omega-3 Fish Oil is available in several package sizes. You can buy the supplement in the form of softgels, enteric-coated softgels, and tiny, easy-to-swallow softgels. The first form comes in two size bottles of 60 and 120 capsules. The Enteric-coated kind its also available in 60 or 120-capsules bottles, and its the best option for a more sensitive stomach. Lastly, the Omega-3 Fish Oil supplement with easy-to-swallow softgels comes in only one size package of 240 extra small capsules.

Each bottle of Super Omega-3 Fish Oil contains 700mg of EPA and 500mg of DPA. The serving size is 4 softgels, and its recommended to take 2 capsules with meals twice a day.

Life Extension has millions of customers in the U.S. and all across the globe. Customers are highly satisfied with the products and their quality. However, some complaints have been reported regarding the shipping schedule, because some people waited a little longer for their orders.

When it comes to the Super Omega-3 Fish Oil, almost every consumer would recommend the product to a friend. Additionally, people say that the product has excellent value for money.

Visit the Official Website of Life Extension

Born in 2012 from a family of natural-food enthusiasts, Wileys Finest has already surpassed its competition in producing nothing but quality Wild Alaskan Fish Oil products. Before they launched Wileys Finest, the brothers sold their unique fish oil to numerous supplement brands. Since they were disappointed by the treatment and disinterest from the companies, they decided to create their own brand that will be focused on producing and selling AlaskOmega, the fish oil ingredient made from a family recipe.

Wileys Finest meets all international standards used for purifying and refining raw fish oil. In particular, the company is a member of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA (GOED), which sets the ground rules along with U.S. and E.U. Pharmacopeia and California Proposition 65.

Besides being supported by GOED, Wileys Finest produces MSC-certified products too. MSC stands for Marine Stewardship Council, and if a product has this label, it means that it meets the most rigorous, science-based standards for sustainable fishing. Additionally, it means that all the ingredients are traceable to a certified source. Blue-labeled products ( MSC certification ) are divided from non-certified products, and this is confirmed with DNA testing.

Wileys Finest uses molecular distillation to remove PCBs and fishy odors without damaging the EPA and DHA components. Furthermore, the company tests every product for other harmful contaminants like mercury and heavy metals.

Easy Swallow Minis are one of the many fish oil supplements created by Wileys Finest. As in the other Wiley products, the Minis are made from Alaska Pollock and labeled with an MSC certificate.

The Easy Swallow Minis are distilled and dont contain fish protein. In addition, they are free from soy, eggs, nuts, wheat, dairy, artificial colors and flavors, and shellfish. Furthermore, they are made from highly-concentrated fish oil, and the softgels are encapsulated with gelatin, water, and glycerin. These softgels are 55% smaller than regular capsules but have more Omega-3 than many other products you can buy on the market.

Wileys Finest Easy Swallow Minis are packed in bottles of several sizes. You can buy this product with 60, 120, 180, and 240 softgels. The recommended dosage is 2 softgels per day, and you should take them with meals.

As for the nutrient value, each serving contains 270 mg DHA and 360 mg EPA, which means youll get a total of 630 mg Omega-3.

People love Wileys Finest products because they are potent and effective. Furthermore, customers choose this company because it uses Alaskan Pollock, and the fish is caught by U.S.-registered vessels. In addition, customers recommend the Easy Swallow Minis for their size and nutrient value.

However, some customers find Easy Swallow Minis more expensive than other supplements if purchased in small packages.

Visit the Official Website of Wileys Finest

Natures Best is a UK company that produces quality dietary supplements. The brand has existed for more than 30 years, and its one of the most popular and preferred in the old continent. Fortunately, the company ships internationally, so we can all enjoy its high-quality products.

Why is Natures Best on our list of the best fish oil supplements? Well, this brand strictly sticks to industry regulations, and its been recognized and certified by many trustworthy and professional scientific organizations.

All Natures Best products are made to meet GMP standards. Furthermore, the fish oil supplements are certified by Friend of the Sea, which is an internationally recognized organization.

As we mentioned earlier, Natures Best fish oil supplements are supported by Friends of the Sea. Therefore, the company guarantees to its customers that it operates in responsible and sustainable ways. The brand sticks to professional and legal practices to keep its certification badge. This means that the products must come from quality sources of fish oil, the used ingredients must be pure, natural, and GMO-free. Furthermore, all raw ingredients are tested by the company but by third-party labs as well.

Natures Best Omega-3 Fish Oil softgels are made through a 5-stage process of purification. The product is certified by Friends of the Sea and meets the rigorous standards set by GOED and the European Commission.

The softgels contain 360mg of EPA and 240mg of DHA, delivering a total of 700mg of Omega-3s with each piece. Additionally, Natures Best adds Vitamin E in the capsules to protect the formula from oxidation.

This fish oil supplement contains fish oil concentrate, antioxidants, gelatine, and glycerin. Furthermore, its free from wheat, dairy, soy, nuts, yeast, and gluten. However, its not suitable for vegans, which its logical since its made from fish oil. Still, if youre interested in vegan alternatives, Natures Best creates plant-based supplements, such as Veg Omega-3 Oil and Flaxseed Oil.

The Pure Fish Oil 1100mg comes in one package size of 180 capsules. However, Natures Best produces several fish oil supplements that come in different pack sizes, including 1300mg or 1000mg. Also, you can find supplements with additional plant antioxidants, CoQ10, or Omega-3 chewies.

Pure Fish Oil 1100mg supplements are suitable for all adults. The recommended daily intake is 1 to 3 capsules per day, and you should take them with a meal.

Well, we searched through many customer reviews on this brand. So far, the only thing that people are complaining about the most is the size of the capsules. On the other hand, consumers are delighted with the supplements effectiveness and potency. Many reviews show that Natures Best helped many people improve their health and reduce their Omega-3 deficiency.

Additionally, customers are pleased with the affordable prices and the fish oil supplement diversity.

Visit the Official Website of Natures Best

All vegans gather up! Whether youre a long-time vegan or youve recently decided to change your daily habits, Vegetology is the best place to go. This pro-vegan company has built its reputation by producing unique nutritional formulas that are super eco-friendly at the same time.

Even if youre not vegetarian or vegan, we recommend you consider Vegetology. Its mission is to provide natural and plant-based dietary supplements that help in the battle for a better future for the planet and the global environment.

Furthermore, Vegetology is recognized by the Vegetarian Society and the Vegan Society. The company is a proud partner with the Vitamin Angels and has donated money and supplements to millions of people via Unicef, Middlesbrough Foodbank, Mansfield Soup Kitchen, and Care Sector. Vegetology also supported the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic by donating over 20,000 bottles of Vitamin D3.

Vegetologys team puts in a lot of work, analysis, and research to deliver gluten and GMO-free supplements by using ingredients from nature along with plant-based technologies. This brand is way ahead of its competition because it found healthy alternatives for nutrients we all need to consume daily. Therefore, at Vegetology, you can find Omega-3 EPA and DHA from algae, Phytodrotin as a substitute for Chondroitin, and Vitashine, a plant-source Vitamin D3

Moreover, Vegetology recently changed all supplement bottles into a 100% biodegradable version. Each bottle is CO2 neutral, and its made with eco-plastic from sugar cane. The bottles biodegrade within 10 years.

Opti3 is a 100% natural dietary supplement that contains Omega-3 EPA and DHA from algae. Many people think that these fatty acids are ingredients found only in fish. However, thats not true. Omega-3 EPA and DHA are found in the water algae, and thats the place where fish initially get the ingredients. Vegetology only skipped the mediator and jumped directly to the source.

Furthermore, the supplement contains additional Vitamin D3. However, were not talking about widely used Vitamin D3 from animal sources. Vegetology invented its own alternative, called Vitashine. Vitashine doesnt have any pesticides or harmful solvents and is 100% plant-based Vitamin D3.

Additionally, Opti3 by Vegetology is 100% natural, GMO and gluten-free, and suitable for all people. The product can be used during pregnancy too.

Opti3 Omega-3 supplement by Vegetology comes in a package of 60 capsules. One supplement bottle is enough for a months supply because the recommended daily dosage is 2 capsules per day.

With each serving size, youll get 300mg of EPA and 500mg of DHA. Additionally, the product has 100% natural Vitamin D. Moreover, the capsules can be pierced and consummated like liquid for those who dont want to swallow tablets.

Customers so far adore Vegetology for its eco-friendly principles and actions. Even non-vegan customers have chosen Vegetology as their supplements supplier because of its advanced plant-based technologies and vegan alternatives.

However, some people think that Opti3 is more expensive than some fish oil supplements. This claim is hardly a disadvantage since more expensive equipment and work are needed to purify the ingredients and create a 100% natural product.

. Visit the Official Website of Opti3 Omega-3

Efamols story started in the late 50s when a group of researchers started investigating the properties of the Evening Primrose plant. Since then, Efamol has developed numerous dietary supplements based on high-standard studies and research.

For more than 40 years, Efamol has been concentrated on producing quality over quantity. The companys product range contains several high-quality supplements for improving brain function, energy, memory, and skin beauty. Its products are based on the importance of Essential Fatty Acids.

Furthermore, Efamol has done numerous studies over the years, and all of them are publicly published. The company its still putting all the effort into creating better products for more health benefits.

Efamol uses fish body oil as a raw material for its supplements. According to the company, fish body oil is better than liver oils because it is lower in environmental toxins. The company uses the Molecular Distillation process three times so that the fish oil meets all pharmacopoeial standards. Additionally, all supplements are subject to rigorous testing and made under GMP standards.

Besides creating fish oil products for adults, Efamol produces one of the best Omega-3 supplements suitable for kids. The companys research shows that fatty acids are essential for kids development and general health. Thats why Efamol Kids DHA Drops contain tasteless and high-quality fish oil, which is carefully extracted through Molecular Distillation.

Efamol Kids Drops are made from the triglyceride form of fish oil since this form has a natural structure of Omega-3, and our bodies recognize it. The fish oil used in the Kids Drops undergoes strict checks, and its tested for over 50 environmental contaminants.

Furthermore, the formula is suitable for the whole family, and it can be consumed by children that are 6 months old. The supplement is free from sugar, lactose, dairy, yeast, and artificial additives, such as colors and preservatives. Additionally, a natural lemon flavor is added so that the supplement is tasteful.

Each 1ml of these Kids DHA Drops contain 400mg of DHA and 70mg of EPA. Along with the Omega-3s, your kid will get approximately 19% of Vitamin E. The recommended dosage is exactly 1ml for kids, so Efamol Omega-3 DHA Drops are a relatively affordable supplement.

This fish oil supplement is an excellent choice for kids because you can add drops to food. Furthermore, the drops are packed in a recyclable glass bottle.

More than 90% of parents that have purchased the Efamol Omega-3 Drops are highly-satisfied and recommend the supplement to their friends. Customers say that the drops are perfect for smaller children or young adults who have a problem with swallowing capsules. Also, customers recommend this product for its purity and tasteless fish oil.

On the other hand, weve read some complaints about the low level of EPA in the supplement. However, the company is focused on the benefits of the DHA, so its work is mainly focused on providing authentic products.

Visit the Official Website of Efamol Omega-3

One simple wish to lead a healthier life isnt enough for achieving that particular goal. We have to do a series of activities, such as eating healthy food, exercising, and working on our mental health.

However, can you imagine eating fish every day just to get the needed level of Omega-3? Probably not. It takes time to prepare the meal and also some culinary skills. Even if you find a few hours in your daily schedule, its hard to believe youre going to do so four or five times a week. Since Omega-3 is essential for our body and brains function, fish oil supplements are a must in everybodys daily routine.

At this point, we landed on the main problem. How to find a quality and effective supplement that will improve your health but at the same time wont make a hole in your wallet? The answer is simple. During the research about our article, we found out how to set some standards, eventually finding the most suitable supplement.

Since were sure that you already know the real benefits of Omega-3, the following sections goal is to help you find the right ones. Just to mention our enlisted companies for fish oil supplements are meeting all necessary criteria that well discuss next. We kindly suggest you read our basic rules so that youll be able to find the best fish oil supplement for you.

Essential fatty acids, such as EPA, DHA, and ALA, together make the well-known Omega-3s. Each of these acids has its own function and impact on our bodies. The DHA and EPA are found in animal food and algae, while ALA is mainly found in plants. Since we dont produce these fatty acids, we have to obtain them from our meals.

However, just like we mentioned before, modern living and fast life dont allow us to cook all day, so heres where fish oil supplements appear on the stage.

While ALA is the most common Omega-3 fatty acid, the DHA is the most important for your body. This is the reason why a small percentage of ALA and EPA is converted into DHA in our bodies. The DHA fatty acid is a component in our brain and several other body parts.

You should be careful because many companies claim that their product contains a high level of Omega-3, but it turns out that they lack DHA. We recommend you buy products with a considerable amount of EPA since this fatty acid is also important.

We all have different preferences, and to be honest, different swallowing abilities. Fortunately, supplement manufacturers take customers preferences seriously, so they aim to create more consumable pills.

However, many ignorant companies dont try to satisfy their customers. They produce supplements with sizes of horse pills which are hard to consume and will eventually repel customers.

Thoughtful brands make easy-to-swallow fish oil supplements. Furthermore, theyre aware of the fish oil smell and taste, so they devote a whole special period to ensure the flavor of the supplement.

Additionally, you should know that fish oil supplements can be packed as softgel capsules or liquid. So, if you for any reason cant consume capsules, you should look for a company that sells liquid fish oil. Moreover, the Omega-3 liquid form is more convenient for smaller children.

Lastly, you should always check the ingredients list on your product. Besides the DHA and EPA, many companies add additional ingredients for more health benefits or flavor. If you have allergies, we recommend you check the supplement label, whether its GMO, gluten, dairy-free, etc.

Additionally, its essential to choose a transparent manufacturer that allows its customers to read third-party reports. In those reports, you can find details on the type of fish where the oil is coming from.

Well, we cant naturally produce fatty acids, so our body takes them from our diet. However, not every person has the ability to eat fish several times a week. Some people are allergic, others dont have time to cook, some people cant afford to eat fish regularly, and others simply dont want to eat fish.

Whichever the reason is, Omega-3s are quite essential for our health and well-being. So, we can obtain all the benefits we get from a fatty fish meal by consuming fish oil supplements.

There cant be a side effect from taking a product intended to improve your health. Omega-3 can increase good cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, treat certain mental disorders, help you lose weight, improve your eye health, and reduce inflammation. These are just a few of the countless health benefits you can enjoy by taking Omega-3 fatty acids.

However, just like with anything else, its not recommended to overuse taking fish oil supplements. If you take a large amount, you may experience stomach upsets, loose stools, nausea, and a fishy taste in your mouth. Furthermore, taking more fish oil supplement dosage than recommended, in the worst-case scenario, can increase the risk of bleeding.

So, if you want to take a higher dose, its better to consult with your doctor.

Thats all, folks! In the end, let us remind you once more to be careful. As we mentioned earlier, as modern technology advances, more and more companies try their luck in dietary supplements. Since this is the health were talking about, we dont want to be lab rats for some unknown, low-standard company.

To produce pure and effective fish oil supplementation, companies should base their work on science, research, and quality ingredients. We followed high criteria regarding their production methods, certification, and third-party lab tests to find brands worth our attention. Furthermore, we listened to other peoples experiences to enlist the best fish oil supplement companies.

In the end, we hope that our article will be of great help to you, and that youll find the most suitable supplier.

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Best Fish Oil Supplements: Fish Oil Pills With Omega 3 Supplement in 2022 - Blog - The Island Now

Whether a deadly disease like cancer and Alzheimers or a lifelong affliction like diabetes, eczema, or arthritis, 2021 has been a year of breakthroughs and advancements.

Beyond COVID-19 and the developments of the mRNA vaccines created to halt the pandemic, medical researchers around the world continued to focus on the long-entrenched problems that have plagued our health for centuries.

Here are some of the top Health stories from 2021:

Routinely polled as one of the most-feared diseases, Alzheimers researchers have hailed several achievements this year.

One fascinating focus has been on prevention, or what contributes to the disease.

A neuroscientist who authored a book called The First Survivors of Alzheimers is not so much focused on drugs as he is focused on brain prevention and is achieving results never before seen in the history of Alzheimers treatment. (Read more)

The findings of a drug that seemed to restore normal cognition in a variety of cases ranging from traumatic brain injury, to noise-related hearing loss, to neurodegenerative disease seem to suggest, its creators write, that age-related cognitive loss may be down to a physiological blockage rather than permanent damage. (Read More)

As seen many times before, sometimes the best new cure is an old drug. Four drugstwo non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, along with two anti-hypertensives, proved effective at reversing Alzheimers disease and neutralizing symptoms in mice suffering from various stages of the illness. (Read More)

As long as theres lifeforms, there will be cancer, but that doesnt mean we cant learn how to treat it, strike at the root cause, and hopefully turn at least some forms of it from one of the major killers to a minor inconvenience.

With 12,000 Britons diagnosed with head and neck cancer every year, the results of a phase III trial that saw complete eradication in some patients, and side-effect-free life extension in others, has the country excited. (Read More)

Discovering an RNA molecule that regulates a key driver in the growth of prostate cancer cells is noteworthy because prostate cancer is one of the most common in men around the world, and because most drugs work for a short period of time before the cancer becomes resistant to it. (Read More)

Despite the gradual awareness of the harmful effects of sugar and bread on the body, chronic diabetes and juvenile diabetes continues to be a major problem in our society.

It turns out that all it takes for this potential cure to rid a patient of a debilitating autoimmune disease is a small piece of adult skin no larger than a housefly. With FDA trials underway, hundreds of thousands of Type-1 diabetics have a chance at a potential cure. (Read More)

Nearly 500 million diabetics around the world need to mildly stab themselves in order to ensure they are in no danger of going into shock. An Australian med-tech company has a new solution. (Read More)

Afflicting a quarter of all Americans, and the leading cause of workplace disability resulting in $303 billion in lost productivity, arthritis took a step towards a cure in 2021.

An alternative to highly addictive painkillers is offering those who undergo knee replacements a large measure of safe relief. Many arthritis patients have knees and hips replaced in the hope of regaining some measure of mobility later in life, but the resulting pain and stiffness can sometimes only be treated with opioids. (Read More)

Osteoarthritis is the most common form, and it affects 8.5 million people. Nasal cells come from a special class of adaptive tissues produced in the brain and spinal cord that can be used to relieve chronic inflammation in the knee and lay the groundwork for a therapeutic treatment that spares patients of surgery and prosthesis. (Read More)

It would seem silly to write a list such as this without addressing the elephant in the room, but as the pandemic petered on through 2021, breakthroughs continued to be made.

One of Americas most favorite medicines was found, unsurprisingly to some doctors, to have as strong an effect as vaccines in some cases at mitigating the severe symptoms of COVID-19. (Read More)

Along with an Israeli nasal spray that prevented infection in 99% of patients, another was found in trials at the University of Oxford which killed 99% of the virus in the nasal passage. (Read More)

Some demonstrations of prosthetic internal organs have shocked the world in 2021, providing a glimpse of a sci-fi future for human anatomy.

A bio-tech implant that allowed a 78-year old blind man to see his family again actually binds with the inside of the eye-socket in a way that had never been done before. (Read More)

The worlds first legit prototype for an artificial kidney was successfully tested when the blood filter and bio reactor components were demonstrated to work together, offering hope to free kidney disease patients from dialysis machines and transplant lists. (Read More)

Ticks, as awful as they are, have their place in the Web of Life. Researchers have identified a soil microbe that eliminates Lyme Disease but essentially nothing else, not even the ticks, opening the door to ecosystem wide treatment against Lyme Disease. (Read More)

Stem cells prepared with the patients own bone marrow were used to repair damaged spinal cords and restore mobility and motor functions in more than half of a Yale scientists trial. (Read More)

An incurable autoimmune disorder that results in progressive motor function loss and neurodegeneration, an MS breakthrough was achieved using the same mRNA vaccines that worked so well originally to stop the COVID pandemic. (Read More)

A monoclonal antibody that reduces the amount of inflammatory molecules that cause a hormonal dysregulation leading to eczema was a treatment generated by this totally surprise finding. (Read More)

Habit Cough the name for a cough without a cause has been cured through a YouTube video relying mostly on the power of suggestion. While this may seem a little sketchy, many people with habit cough have no underlying respiratory condition of any kind, and therefore an ounce of suggestion may beat a cure. (Read More)

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Best 2021 Medical Breakthroughs And Treatments to Beat Cancer, Alzheimer's, Diabetes & More - Good News Network

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstraZeneca's EVUSHELD (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab), a long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination, has received emergency use authorization (EUA) in the US for the pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of COVID-19, with first doses expected to become available very soon.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211208006139/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the EUA for EVUSHELD for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in adults and adolescents (aged 12 and older who weigh 40kg or more) with moderate to severe immune compromise due to a medical condition or immunosuppressive medications and who may not mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination, as well as those individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended. Recipients should not be currently infected with or had recent known exposure to a person infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Myron J. Levin, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, US, and principal investigator on the PROVENT trial, said: Millions of people in the US and around the world remain at serious risk for COVID-19 because their immune systems do not generate a sufficient immune response, even after receiving all recommended doses of vaccine. I am excited to offer my patients EVUSHELD as an easily-administered new option that provides long-lasting protection that could help them return to their everyday lives.

Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, said: We are proud to play a leading role in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and, with EVUSHELD, we now have the first antibody therapy authorized in the US to prevent COVID-19 symptoms before virus exposure, while also providing long lasting protection with a single dose. EVUSHELD neutralizes all previous SARS-CoV-2 variants to date, and we are working quickly to establish its efficacy against the new Omicron variant. We thank our clinical trial participants, the investigators, scientists, and government agencies and our colleagues at AstraZeneca who have all contributed to the development of EVUSHELD.

Brian Koffman, MDCM (retired), MS Ed, Co-Founder, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of the CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) Society, US, said: One of the primary questions I keep getting asked by patients is When can I hug my grandchildren again? As a physician and person with a weakened immune system, l am filled with hope now that EVUSHELD will soon be available to those who cant count on vaccination alone to provide the protection they need.

EVUSHELD is a combination of two long-acting monoclonal antibodies and is the only antibody therapy authorized in the US for COVID-19 pre-exposure prophylaxis and the only COVID-19 antibody delivered as an intramuscular dose (150mg tixagevimab and 150mg cilgavimab).

About 2% of the global population is considered at increased risk of an inadequate response to a COVID-19 vaccine.1,2 About seven million people in the US are immunocompromised and may benefit from EVUSHELD for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19.1,3,4 This includes people with blood cancers or other cancers being treated with chemotherapy, and those taking medications after an organ transplant or who are taking immunosuppressive drugs for conditions including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.5-9

The primary data supporting the EVUSHELD EUA are from the ongoing PROVENT Phase III pre-exposure prevention trial, which showed a statistically significant reduction (77% at primary analysis, 83% at median six-month analysis) in the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 compared to placebo, with protection from the virus continuing for at least six months. More follow-up is needed to establish the full duration of protection provided by EVUSHELD. Data from the Phase III STORM CHASER post-exposure trial and the EVUSHELD Phase I trial also supported the EUA. EVUSHELD was well-tolerated in the trials.

EVUSHELD and SARS-CoV-2 variants

Studies are underway to provide information on the impact of the new Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) on EVUSHELD.10,11 Of the Omicron binding site substitutions relevant to EVUSHELD that have been tested to date in preclinical assays, none have been associated with escape from EVUSHELD neutralization.10,11 In vitro findings demonstrate EVUSHELD neutralizes other recent emergent SARS-CoV-2 viral variants, including the Delta and Mu variants.10

EVUSHELD is being developed with support from the US government, including federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in partnership with the Department of Defense; Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense, under Contract No. W911QY-21-9-0001.

AstraZeneca has agreed to supply the US government with 700,000 doses of EVUSHELD. The US government has indicated that it plans to distribute these doses to states and territories at no cost and on a pro rata basis.

AstraZeneca is progressing with filings around the globe for potential emergency use authorization or conditional approval of EVUSHELD in both COVID-19 prophylaxis and treatment.

EVUSHELD is authorized only for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of EVUSHELD under Section 564(b)(1) of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

EVUSHELD (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab) has not been approved, but has been granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by FDA. There are limited clinical data available and serious and unexpected adverse events may occur that have not been previously reported with EVUSHELD use.

Contraindication:

EVUSHELD is contraindicated in individuals with previous severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, to any component of EVUSHELD.

Warnings and Precautions:

Hypersensitivity Including Anaphylaxis

Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been observed with IgG1 monoclonal antibodies like EVUSHELD. If signs and symptoms of a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis occur, immediately discontinue administration and initiate appropriate medications and/or supportive therapy. Clinically monitor individuals after injections and observe for at least 1 hour.

Clinically Significant Bleeding Disorders

As with any other intramuscular injection, EVUSHELD should be given with caution to individuals with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder.

Cardiovascular Events

A higher proportion of subjects who received EVUSHELD versus placebo reported myocardial infarction and cardiac failure serious adverse events. All of the subjects with events had cardiac risk factors and/or a prior history of cardiovascular disease at baseline. A causal relationship between EVUSHELD and these events has not been established. Consider the risks and benefits prior to initiating EVUSHELD in individuals at high risk for cardiovascular events, and advise individuals to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any signs or symptoms suggestive of a cardiovascular event.

Adverse Reactions:

The most common adverse events are headache, fatigue and cough.

Use in Specific Populations:

Pregnancy

There are insufficient data to evaluate a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. EVUSHELD should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk for the mother and the fetus.

Lactation

There are no available data on the presence of tixagevimab or cilgavimab in human milk or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects of the drug on milk production. Maternal IgG is known to be present in human milk.

Pediatric Use

EVUSHELD is not authorized for use in pediatric individuals under 12 years of age or weighing less than 40 kg. The safety and effectiveness of EVUSHELD have not been established in pediatric individuals.

AUTHORIZED USE

EVUSHELD (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab) is authorized for use under an EUA for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric individuals (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg):

EVUSHELD has been authorized by FDA for the emergency use described above. EVUSHELD is not FDA-approved for any use, including use for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19.

EVUSHELD is authorized only for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of EVUSHELD under section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

LIMITATIONS OF AUTHORIZED USE

See Full Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers for examples of medical conditions or treatments that may result in moderate to severe immune compromise and an inadequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination, the justification for emergency use of drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic, information on available alternatives, and additional information on COVID-19.

The FDA Letter of Authorization is available for reference, as well as the Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents And Caregivers.

SARS-CoV-2 Viral Variant

There is a potential risk of treatment failure due to the development of viral variants that are resistant to tixagevimab and cilgavimab administered together. Prescribing healthcare providers should consider the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in their area, where data are available, when considering prophylactic treatment options.

Reporting Adverse Events

The prescribing healthcare provider and/or your designee must report all SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENTS and MEDICATION ERRORS potentially related to EVUSHELD within 7 calendar days from the healthcare providers awareness of the event (1) by submitting FDA Form 3500 online, (2) by downloading FDA Form 3500 and then submitting by mail or fax, or (3) contacting the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to request this form.

In addition, please fax a copy of all FDA MedWatch forms to AstraZeneca at 1-866-742-7984.

Report adverse events by visiting https://contactazmedical.astrazeneca.com, or calling AstraZeneca at 1-800-236-9933.

Notes

EVUSHELD

EVUSHELD, formerly known as AZD7442 is a combination of two LAABs - tixagevimab (AZD8895) and cilgavimab (AZD1061) - derived from B-cells donated by convalescent patients after SARS-CoV-2 virus. Discovered by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and licensed to AstraZeneca in June 2020, the human monoclonal antibodies bind to distinct sites on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein13 and were optimized by AstraZeneca with half-life extension and reduced Fc receptor and complement C1q binding. The half-life extension more than triples the durability of its action compared to conventional antibodies and could afford up to 12 months of protection from COVID-19 following a single administration;14-16 data from the Phase III PROVENT trial show protection lasting at least six months.17 The reduced Fc receptor binding aims to minimize the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement of disease - a phenomenon in which virus-specific antibodies promote, rather than inhibit, infection and/or disease.18 EVUSHELD is delivered as an IM dose of 150mg tixagevimab and 150mg cilgavimab administered in two separate, consecutive injections.

In August 2021, AstraZeneca announced that EVUSHELD demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 in the PROVENT trial; efficacy was 83% compared to placebo in a six-month analysis announced on November 18, 2021. In October 2021, AstraZeneca announced positive high-level results from the EVUSHELD TACKLE Phase III outpatient treatment trial. EVUSHELD is also being studied as a potential treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients as part of the National Institute of Healths ACTIV-3 trial and in an additional collaborator hospitalization treatment trial.

Under the terms of the licensing agreement with Vanderbilt, AstraZeneca will pay single-digit royalties on future net sales.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZenecaUS.

References

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211208006139/en/

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EVUSHELD (formerly AZD7442) long-acting antibody combination authorized for emergency use in the US for pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of...

People due to receive their Covid-19 booster vaccine in coming weeks will primarily be offered the Moderna dose at HSE vaccination centres.

The HSE is reported to have large supplies of Moderna due to expire next month, so that will be the main vaccine administered over coming weeks to the over-60s, over-50s, healthcare workers and younger people in vulnerable groups though it will be restricted to people over 30.

Anecdotally there are indications some people may be reluctant to take the Moderna vaccine. This may be due to Irish stocks about to expire shortly and/or confusion about its efficacy. This follows the companys chief executive Stphane Bancel warning last week the Moderna jab may not be as effective against Omicron as it had been with the Delta variant.

The HSE has confirmed recipients will have no choice on what vaccine they are given.

What type of coronavirus vaccine is the Moderna jab?

It is a new kind of synthetic mRNA vaccine the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is from the same stable. They provide excellent protection against severe illness and hospitalisation and have played a critical role in reducing Covid-19 deaths since being approved. A downside, however, is that they must be stored at very cold temperatures.

In a half-dozen studies published earlier this year the Moderna jab appears to be more protective over the long term than the Pfizer-BioNTech jab. Protection against symptomatic infection was 93.1 per cent for people aged 60 and above who originally received the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab and 94 per cent for BioNTech/Pfizer recipients a fortnight after the booster shot was administered.

Should people be worried about receiving a soon to be out-of-date vaccine?

In short no, as they retain the ability to boost antibody production within currently approved time spans though inevitably potency wanes over time. The Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen (Johnson&Johnson) vaccines were put on the market with emergency use authorisation of up to six months.

This compares with a shelf life of two to three years for most vaccines and other medicines. This is an inevitable consequence of getting the vaccines out of the door as quickly as possible , chief scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Gino Martini told the journal BMJ.

Months later,these emergency expiry dates remain in force for these vaccines. For approved Covid-19 vaccines, the initial shelf lives were based on data available at the time of submission for regulatory approval.

The long-term shelf life has not been extended for any of the vaccines. A shelf life extension would require supporting evidence from relevant stability studies. Vaccine manufacturers are monitoring batches of vaccines with the aim of providing a longer shelf life; probably the usual two years.

What about the Omicron threat?

While Moderna said existing vaccines including its mRNA version will probably be less effective against the Omicron variant, most experts believe they will continue to provide significant protection against severe disease and hospitalisation. It should be stressed, however, definitive indication has yet to emerge. That will be a matter of weeks, if not days.

Moderna has confirmed it is developing an Omicron-specific booster though manufacturing the new vaccine would take time. Tens of millions of doses could be available in the first quarter of 2022, but scale-up would not happen until the second quarter provided it is shown such boosters are required.

What is the latest indication on the benefits of mixing vaccines?

Evidence supporting a mixing of vaccine doses has hardened over recent months. A study this week shows combining a first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine with a second dose of either the Moderna or the Novavax jabs results in far higher levels of neutralising antibodies and T-cells compared with two doses of the AstraZeneca jab.

This finding also has important implications for lower-income countries that have not yet completed their primary vaccination campaigns as it suggests you do not need access to mRNA vaccines and therefore ultra-cold storage facilities to trigger an extremely potent Covid-19 vaccine response.

The study also bolsters confidence that using the Moderna vaccine as a booster dose in people who have previously received the AstraZeneca jab should result in high levels of neutralising antibodies and T-cells.

It follows separate data published last week suggesting the Pfizer and Moderna booster jabs can dramatically strengthen the bodys immune defences.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) has decided not to recommend the Moderna booster vaccine for eligible people aged under 30 years as a precaution. A similar approach has been taken by authorities in France and the Scandinavian countries after early data showed a higher rate of myocarditis in young males who received Moderna compared to those who were administered Pfizer.

For those aged 30 and over, Niac advises the Pfizer vaccine or a half-dose of Moderna should be administered after a six-month interval, though for operational reasons a minimum interval of five months may be used.

There are early indications the infection rate is slowing down among those aged 75-79 due to the administration of boosters. Covid-19 infections have already fallen among those aged 80 and over, where booster coverage is above 80 per cent. It also describes as encouraging a decrease in the number of infections among healthcare workers.

The rise rapid rise of Omicron elsewhere, which is likely to be replicated in Ireland soon, is the big new complicating factor. So all bets are off until clarity on the exact extent of that threat emerges.

Link:
Q&A: All you need to know on getting the Moderna vaccine as a booster - The Irish Times

Humans have always been fascinated with the concept of immortality but what seems to be even more exciting to some is the thought of using technology to make immortality a real-world application. A movement called transhumanism is even devoted to using science and technology to augment our bodies and our minds, and to allow humans to merge with machines, eradicating old age as a cause of death. So the big question is can we really evade death?

From Hans Moravecs classic book Mind Children to Gene Roddenberrys iconic TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the idea of uploading a persons feelings, memories, and experiences onto a machine, has been explored in many popular non-fiction and fiction works. However, whether or not mind uploading could become a reality, like 3D printers, robots, and driverless cars? We are yet to find out.

Mind uploading describes a hypothetical process of separating a persons consciousness (which involves their emotions, thought process, experiences, and basically everything that makes a person unique), then converting it into a digital format, and finally transferring the digital consciousness into a different substrate, like a machine.

The process would conceivably incorporate different steps, like mind copying, mind transfer, mind preservation, and whole brain emulation (WBE). Here is a detailed overview of how mind uploading can actually work:

The human brain regularly performs complex processes with the help of its 86 billion neurons that function simultaneously in a large neural network. And the complexity does not stop there. There aremore than 125 trillion synapsesjust in the cerebral cortex alone. That is a lot of information and storage capacity. Some have suggested that, in order to completely replicate an individual's brain, it would be necessary to first dissect the brain.

However, mind uploading advocates claim that noninvasive brain scans can provide sufficient resolution for copying the brain without actually killing the person to do it. The information stored in our brain would then be used to create aconnectome, a complete map of the neural connections in the brain, created using incredibly precise scanning of the neurons, and the synapses.

However, to date, we only have a complete connectome for a 1.5-millimeter roundworm called Caenorhabditis elegans, which has just 302 neurons and about seven thousand synaptic connections.In 2014, theOpenWorm projectwhich mapped the brain replicated it as software and installed it in a Lego robot which was capable of the same sensory and motor actions as the biological model.

Building a human connectome is clearly a much more complicated process. Even in the case of the C. elegans, researchers had to work for more than a decade to understand the organisms neuronal pathway.

Now imagine how much time and resources will be required for the identification of about 86 billion neurons, determination of their precise location, and tracing and cataloging of their projections on one another. Building and interpreting even a single human connectome is inconceivable using existing technologies.

Another proposed method of getting information from the brain is through a brain-computer interface (BCI). There are already existing implanted devicesthat can translate some types of neuronal information into commands, and arecapable of controlling external software or hardware, such as a robotic arm.However, modern BCIs are only very slightly related to the theoretical BCIs which would be needed to allow us to transfer our brain states into a digital medium.

Brain-computer interfaces which would allow mind uploading would need a technology similar to modern-day brain scanning technology. Some suggest that downloading consciousness would require technology capable of scanning human brains at a quantum particle level.

Elon Musks Neuralink is one company working on aspects of mind-uploading. They are designing a neural implant which would work "like a Fitbit in your skull". It would have many micron-scale electrode threads connected to different parts of the brain. While this technology is showing some promise in allowing humans to interface with computers in a limited way, it is not close to the technology needed to upload an entire brain.

Neuralinks website mentions that their chip will kick off a new kind of brain interface technology and as it develops further, they will be able to increase the channels of communication with the brain, accessing more brain areas and new kinds of neural information.

Some wealthy individuals who wish to live foreverare opting to preserve their brains and sometimes bodies through cryopreservation. In theory, in the future when human connectome technology is fully developed, their consciousness could then be retrieved and uploaded. An American cryonics company Alcor Life Extension Foundation already stores around 180 cryopreserved human bodies (with more preserving just their head) at its Phoenix-based facility.

However, some experts also claim that such cryonic techniques may damage the brain beyond repair.

Recently, an MIT graduate Robert McIntyre, rekindled the brain preservation hype when he announced his Y-Combinator backed startup Nectome is building some next-generation tools to preserve brains in the microscopic detail needed to map the connectome.

While previously working at a cryo research firm 21st Century Medicine, McIntyre along with cryobiologist Greg Fahy developed a method that combines embalming with cryonics. Fahy suggests that through this technique they could preserve the entire brain to the nanometer level, including the connectome. They even received an $80,000 science prize from the Brain Preservation Foundation for preserving a pigs brain so well that every synapse inside it could be seen with an electron microscope.

One element of this process that may give some pause for thought, however, is that the "brain embalming" needs to take place while the person is still alive. The company hopes the process will be allowed as part of doctor-assisted suicide programs. Even if it does not lead to an uploading technology, any brains that Nectome manages to preserve might help in the research towards building the human connectome.

Once all the neural activity is mapped out and the connectome is ready, the next step would be to digitize it. According to a rough estimate published in Scientific American, the memory storage capacity of the human brain could be around 2.5 Petabytes (2,500 TB).

While the popular notion is that we only use 10% of our brain, neurologists say this is actually a myth and we actually use almost all of our brain, all the time. That's a lot of storage.

Apart from the storage, we will require a computer architecture on which the brain can be reconstructed in the form of computable code. And there is the issue of power for that architecture.Today, a computer with the same memory and processing power as the human brain would require around 1 gigawatt of power, or "basically a whole nuclear power station to run one computer that does what our 'computer' does with 20 watts," according to Tom Bartol, a neuroscientist at the Salk Institute.

In computing, artificial neural networks (ANN) have been created which are inspired by the biological neural networks. An ANN is based on a collection of connected units or nodes which loosely model the neurons in a biological brain. However, there are some major differences between an ANN and a human (or animal) brain:

Also, the human brain uses approximately 300 times more parameters (neurons combined with synapses) as compared to GPT3, the largest artificial neural network ever built.

Once all the requirements are fulfilled and the artificial brain is ready, the mind can now be uploaded into a simulation, such as a virtual world,like the metaverse, or into a network of artificial brains connected to each other in a swarm (also called hive mind). Another transhumanist idea suggests that the mind can also be uploaded on a humanoid robot. Uploading into a physical robot would require robots that are a lot more functional than any that currently exist.

However, if the consciousness is uploaded as a substrate-independent mind (SIM), and if the SIM is deemed to be conscious, then it will also need toexist in a place and be able to interact with things. This will require virtual reality that is identical to how humans experience actual reality, everything from tasting a soda to feeling the pain of a car accident. All of this will require yet more storage capacity, signal bandwidth, and power.

Neuroscientist Michael Hendricks from McGill University called mind uploading an abjectly false hope in his 2015 report published in the MIT Technology Review. According to Hendricks, scientists still dont know exactly what kind of technology can allow them to replicate a human mind.

In his report, Hendricksalso raised doubts about the success of current or foreseeable freezing methods for brain preserving, as well as methods for retrieving the information stored in the human brain. Furthermore, as an expert on the neural activity of the C. Elegans roundworm, he says that having a connectome is by itself not a sufficient condition to simulate a nervous system.

Even once we figure out the technical side of whole brain emulation, there's still the philosophical part of the equation. Would that emulation still be you? Answering that will require a great deal of thinking about what it is that constitutes consciousness and identity something there is no clear answer to.

Another study reveals, that depending on their personal views on death, suicide, fiction, philosophy, and science, some people may show great support for mind uploading, while others strongly disapprove of any such practice.

Sure, mind uploading has the potential to change human lives forever, but this is also why the advent of this sci-fi technology in the real world might also give rise to a lot of conflicts revolving around its ethical and social impact on humanity.

Steve Jobs once said, "Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new." If this is true, then defeating death by mind uploading may in fact be self-defeating. It would allow a few individuals to go on, but at the expense of everything and everyone else.

For now, a number of scientists, researchers, and tech companies are working towards making mind uploading a reality. Whether they would be successful or not, and how our society would react to consciousness transfer, only the future could tell.

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Will We Ever Cheat Death and Become Immortal With Mind Uploading? - Interesting Engineering

H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with AprilBio Co., Ltd. (AprilBio), a biopharmaceutical company based in South Korea dedicated to developing specialized biologics and antibody drugs.

Under the agreement between the two companies, Lundbeck receives exclusive, worldwide rights to research, develop and commercialize APB-A1, a novel and well-differentiatedanti-CD40 ligand (CD40L) antibody-like drug candidate,readyfor phase I testing around the beginning of 2022. This novel drug candidate offers significant potential across a wide array of neuroimmune diseases.

Dr. Johan Luthman, EVP and Head of Research & Development in Lundbeck, said:

"I am excited to announce this partnership with AprilBio around their interesting novel anti-CD40L antibody-like molecule that accelerates our R&D strategy within neuroimmunology, one of our four strategic biological focus areas. Based on promising preclinical data, this project has the potential to offer new, potent and differentiated therapies for several different types of neuroimmune diseases".

The agreement enables Lundbeck to initiate clinical activities targeting the neuroimmune system. The concept is built on a biology that has proven its ability to therapeutically target diseases of the central nervous system. APB-A1 will accelerate internal experience and expertise that in turn will enable building a broader pipeline for Lundbeck in this area.

"We are also glad to join hands with Lundbeck, which leads the global brain disease treatment industry," AprilBio CEO Dr. Sang-hoon Cha said in a statement. "We expect that possibilities to successfully develop a new drug for treating multiple neuroimmune diseases will increase through this partnership."

Under the terms of the license agreement, Lundbeck will make a one-time payment to AprilBio of USD 16 million in cash. In addition, Lundbeck will pay AprilBio success-based development, regulatory, and sales milestone payments of up to USD 432 million related to APB-A1. Lundbeck will also pay AprilBio tiered royalty payments with the highest tier reaching low double-digit percentage of net sales. Lundbeck will be responsible for all future development activities and expenses related to the project.

About APB-A1APB-A1 is a neutralizing anti-CD40L antibody-like drug candidate with an innovative molecular design blocking the essential CD40L/CD40 co-stimulatory interaction. The activation of the CD40L/CD40 signaling cascade is essential for the initiation of cellular and humoral immune responses. It is an established and clinically validated immune pathway through its ability to trigger activation, differentiation and proliferation of B-cells, T-cells, and several other immunes cells (such as monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells) to mediate immune responses. Modulating the CD40L/CD40 interaction therefore holds great promise for treatment of a wide range of autoimmune related CNS disorders and neurological diseases.

APB-A1 is a human, high affinity, anti-CD40L antibody-like fusion protein that is designed to inhibit the CD40L/CD40 pathway through neutralization of CD40L presented on activated T-cells, and consequently significantly attenuating the initiated immune response. In preclinical studies, APB-A1 has demonstrated engagement with CD40L leading to decreased antibody response and circulating inflammatory markers. One of the differentiating aspects of the APB-A1 design is its ability to utilize human serum albumin for half-life extension translating into superior clinical features.

About AprilBioAprilBio Co., Ltd. is a biopharmaceutical company in South Korea founded in 2013. The company is specialized in development of specialized biologics and antibody drugs. The company's platform technologies include a human phage-display Ab library and Anti-Serum Albumin Fab-Associated (SAFA) technology (versatile building block for half-life extension and generation of novel biological therapeutics). AprilBio is focused on rare diseases, oncology, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Contacts

About H. Lundbeck A/SH. Lundbeck A/S (LUN.CO, LUN DC, HLUYY) is a global pharmaceutical company specialized in brain diseases. For more than 70 years, we have been at the forefront of neuroscience research. We are tirelessly dedicated to restoring brain health, so every person can be their best.

Too many people worldwide live with brain diseases - complex conditions often invisible to others that nonetheless take a tremendous toll on individuals, families and societies. We are committed to fighting stigma and discrimination against people living with brain diseases and advocating for broader social acceptance of people with brain health conditions. Every day, we strive for improved treatment and a better life for people living with brain disease.

We have approximately 5,600 employees in more than 50 countries, and our products are available in more than 100 countries. Our research programs tackle some of the most complex challenges in neuroscience, and our pipeline is focused on bringing forward transformative treatments for brain diseases for which there are few, if any therapeutic options. We have research facilitiesin Denmark and the United States, and our production facilities are located in Denmark, France, and Italy. Lundbeck generated revenue of DKK 17.7 billion in 2020(EUR 2.4billion; USD 2.7billion).

For additional information, we encourage you to visit our corporatesitewww.lundbeck.comand connect with us on Instagram (h_lundbeck), Twitter at@Lundbeckand viaLinkedIn.

H. Lundbeck A/S

Ottiliavej 9, 2500 Valby, Denmark

+45 3630 1311

info@lundbeck.com

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H Lundbeck A/S : Lundbeck receives exclusive rights to APB-A1, an innovative phase I-ready bio-therapeutic for the treatment of neuroimmune diseases...

The summer before she started her neuroscience degree at the University of Texas, Celine Halioua interned at a clinic in Germany, working with patients who had age-related brain cancer. She formed a bond with one of them. He had a large, bushy moustache and a permanent smile the picture of a kind father, she told me. My German was not great, and neither was his English, but what struck me was his kindness despite the fact he was there to discuss his terminal diagnosis.

Halioua was shadowing a doctor, and found it hard to grasp that nothing could be done for this patient. I always thought that doctors were magical that if you put the effort in, youd be able to fix it. The realisation that you cant made me feel that we dont have free will.

She resolved to find that fix: not a cure for cancer, but an end to ageing itself. Now, at only 26, Halioua is a leading light in the relatively new field of anti-ageing biotech. Im confident well have an ageing drug by the time its relevant for me, she told me. She estimated that time as within a decade, and aims to dominate the market before then. Transparently, my goal is to build the ageing pharma company there will be many. The ageing field will one day be larger than the cancer field. Halioua described ageing as deviation from optimal biological function. Optimal is subjective, of course: Olympic gymnasts peak at a much younger age than Olympic sprinters. Old is easier to define: Halioua described it as when the physical body gets in the way of the thing that you want to do.

Haliouas speech was so rapid that the internet connection from her office in San Francisco could barely keep up. She looked every inch the digital nomad in her black T-shirt and AirPods: part biogerontologist, part CEO, part Gen Z-er. Haliouas mother is Moroccan and her father German; she was born in Texas but studied in Sweden, Germany and the UK, and dropped out of her PhD at Oxford University and began to work for the venture capitalist Laura Deming, now 27, at the California-based Longevity Fund, a firm that invests in anti-ageing businesses. Halioua launched her own start-up in 2020.

The quest for eternal youth may not be new, but it is now bankrolled by some of the wealthiest individuals and corporations on Earth. PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel and Oracles Larry Ellison are among the many billionaires who are investing. Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page helped launch Calico, a Google subsidiary focused on combating ageing, in 2013. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is in the game: not long after touching down from his maiden space flight in July, he was reported to have invested an undisclosed sum in Russian billionaire Yuri Milners Altos Labs, which will have a research base in Cambridge, UK (most anti-ageing start-ups are in the US). It is estimated that the industry will be worth $610bn by 2025.

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The field shouldnt be confused with the kooky subculture of life extensionism, whereby the determined and ascetic experiment with severe calorie restriction, intensely calibrated exercise and cocktails of daily supplements in a bid to extend a life that is arguably not worth living. Instead, anti- ageing science works at the level of gene therapy, cell hacking and reconstituting human blood; the medical treatments at its heart are based on bleeding edge science and aimed at the mass market. Some focus on biological reprogramming: adding proteins known as Yamanaka factors to cells, causing them to revert to a previous state. Others look at genomic instability or the way DNA damage that accumulates over time might be repaired.

The entrepreneurs in this fledgling field are determined that the end of ageing will come via therapies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The elixir of youth wont be a single drug, but a regimen of treatments that knock out different hallmarks of ageing and allow us to get older without losing our bodies and minds. We will still die: there will be accidents as well as diseases unrelated to age (children still get fatal cancers, after all). But death will become increasingly remote, and no longer preceded by years of inevitable decline.

Its advocates argue that, once ageing is cured, the financial, medical, societal and emotional burden of taking care of the elderly will disappear. But have these entrepreneurs thought about what a post-ageing world would look like? And if they have, would anyone want to live there?

As it stands, a drug will only get regulatory approval if it is marketed as a treatment for age-related diseases such as arthritis, cataracts and macular degeneration, diabetes, certain cancers, dementia and Parkinsons rather than ageing in its own right. This, then, is where the science is focused. The thinking is that, if the ageing processes that underlie those diseases are treated, other rejuvenation benefits can be smuggled in.

Based in San Francisco, Unity Biotechnology is developing a class of anti-ageing drugs called senolytics. These work by eradicating senescent cells those that have stopped dividing and then gather in the body, spewing out factors that harm the surrounding tissue. Its a completely new way both of thinking about a disease and targeting it, Anrivan Ghosh, Unitys CEO, told me. Senolytics reprogramme the tissue. They raise the possibility that I can restore a previous state that a tissue or a body was in. It was first thing in the morning for Ghosh (we were speaking over Zoom), but he was fizzing with enthusiasm. He is 57 but looks younger, with a neat goatee and hair that is only flecked with grey.

Senolytic drugs are designed to be taken prophylactically, during what Ghosh refers to as a window of time when senescent cells are known to accumulate (this varies in different parts of the body). He was keento tell me about Unitys ongoing clinical trial in people with age-related eye disease the first evidence of a senolytic treatment working, he said. Twelve patients with severe vision loss due to macular degeneration or diabetic macular oedema (two of the major causes of age-related blindness) had been put on a course of Unitys lead senolytic. One of the patients could not see any letters on an eye chart, even with her glasses on, from four metres away. Everything she once needed help with, she can now do independently. The majority of those patients showed an improvement.

I would have been happy if they just maintained their vision, Ghosh said. It raises the possibility that you may somehow be able to reverse trajectory and restore a better state. Thats another level.

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Unity was an early success story, with Peter Thiel and Jeff Bezos signing up as seed investors. People like Thiel and Bezos arent interested in financing the kind of incremental gains a next-generation medicine might offer, Ghosh told me. They are drawn to the idea of being able to do something that changes the way we think about disease, that changes the way we live. Over time, Unitys funding has come increasingly from bigger, more mainstream investors.

Promising paradigm change can be a risky business. Unity was valued at $700m at its initial public offering in May 2018, but shares fell by more than 60 per cent in August 2020 after its flagship product, a senolytic treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee that had worked on mice, was shown to have no greater effect than a placebo in human trials. It tells you something about the translational gap in that case sometimes the animal studies do not replicate in the human case, Ghosh said. There will be many bumps before we have success.

Up to 30 biotech companies around the world are developing senolytic drugs. British biogerontologist and computational biologist Andrew Steele, who wrote his book Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old (2020) while studying nematode worms at the Francis Crick Institute in London, told me he thought we were two or three years away from having the first senolytics in the clinic for specific conditions. It could be within a decade that were using these things preventatively. Like most other advocates, Steele was ambitious about the timeframe, given the relatively small number of human trials.

Ageing isnt officially defined as a disease, which is a problem for the biotech companies, Steele explained. Its currently very difficult to get a drug approved because it isnt an indication in the pharmaceutical industry. That means theres no way to say, Ive reversed or slowed someones ageing. But he remained optimistic. Were in a position, unique in human and scientific history, where weve finally got a handle on the processes. Unless youre very old or very, very unwell, theres going to be an anti-ageing drug in time for you.

For Steele, who is 36, this cant come soon enough. We have been completely ignoring the single largest cause of death, human disease and suffering, he told me. I dont think barbaric is too strong a word. Being old steals your independence: its what puts you at risk of all kinds of things not just the internal stuff like cancer and heart disease, but external threats like falls, infectious disease.

Steele told me about some 24-month-old mice (around 70 in human years) he had observed in a lab while researching his book. After a dose of senolytics, the mice thrived. They get less cancer, fewer cataracts, fewer heart problems, they are fitter and less frail, he said. Theyre cognitively younger as well. And they have better fur, thicker, plumper skin, less grey hair they just look fantastic.

Celine Halioua doesnt have to worry about the translational gap between mice and humans. She left the world of longevity venture capital in 2019 to become founder and CEO of Loyal, a biotech start-up dedicated to extending dog lifespan. It aims not simply to stretch the length of time a dog can live anything from an extra six months to three years, depending on the breed but to ensure that those months and years are healthy. (Halioua herself is a devoted dog owner, and lists her husky, Wolfie, as the companys chief evangelist on the Loyal website.) But dogs are just the beginning. Were planning to take what we learn in dogs to help pet parents and non-pet parents live longer, too, she told me.

Dogs develop the same age-related diseases as we do, Halioua explained, at approximately the same point in their life-span (the exception being heart disease, because they dont eat a lot of McDonalds or whatever). Their fur loses pigment and goes grey, just like their owners hair. They share an environment with us, and environmental factors are huge in ageing. Its also possible to see whether an intervention is working much sooner in dogs than in humans: You can do a preventative measure when theyre two or three, and youll know by six or seven, probably sooner, whether the intervention did or did not do the thing. Dogs will make the pathway to regulatory approval smoother, Halioua believes. If something can work in a complex species like a dog, that isnt super-inbred like a mouse, its a more robust justification to pursue that in people.

Significantly, dogs have devoted owners who are prepared to pay over the odds though Halioua said she was determined not to exploit that devotion. It is important to me to price our products so that they are accessible for the majority of dog owners. The final cost will depend on the materials but, order of magnitude tens, not hundreds, of dollars a month.

The first of two Loyal drugs in development targets cellular mechanism and glucose metabolism in large- and giant-breed dogs. Due to a quirk of animal husbandry, the larger the dog, the shorter its lifespan. A Great Dane might live seven to nine years on average, while a Chihuahua might live 16 to 18. Thats weird. You normally dont see a times-two differential in lifespan within the same species you dont see it in people of varying heights. This, Halioua explained, was due to an antagonistic pleiotropic effect: the thing that caused the dog to grow big quickly has a negative impact on lifespan.

The second drug targets metabolic fitness in dogs of any breed and size, in order to replicate the same effect on lifespan that calorie restriction does in mice. This will be better for late-in-life intervention. Of course, prevention is optimal, but there are people who already have grey-faced dogs and we wanted to have something for them. Trials are due to begin next year.

Other anti-ageing therapies have emerged from more gruesome animal experimentation. The biotech company Elevian, founded in Silicon Valley but now based in Boston, began 15 years ago after Harvard professor of regenerative biology Amy Wagers stitched live mice together, fusing the circulatory systems of old and young specimens, in a process called parabiosis. The mice lived fused together for four weeks before their organs were removed and studied. Elevians CEO and co-founder, Mark Allen, described an experiment that sounded like Frankenstein and Dracula combined: The old mice exposed to young blood grow biologically younger by many different measures, and the young mice exposed to old blood grow older.

[See also: The spirit of the age: Why the tech billionaires want to leave humanity behind]

A 51-year old medical doctor turned tech entrepreneur, Allen told me he had read about Wagers work and thought it might be turned into a therapy. But its not an easy thing to translate. In the parabiosis model, the old animals are getting a continuous transfusion of young blood, 24/7, for four weeks. You cant really have a blood boy tied to you, he said, with a dark grin.

The Harvard team identified the recombinant protein GDF11, the critical factor circulating in blood that appears to be behind the rejuvenating effect. Just injecting GDF11 once daily was able to reproduce many of the different effects, Allen said. I fell in love with this work because of the breadth of effect. He reeled off a list of diseases that GDF11 might combat: emphysema, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease and potentially some cancers.

Still, Elevian had to choose one specific indication they could tell regulators they were targeting, and decided its best bet was stroke: the worst possible disease that we could treat for the shortest possible duration, and see clinically meaningful effects, Allen said. Stroke is the second biggest cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of long-term disability; the few treatments that currently exist need to be given within a few hours after a stroke if they are to be effective.

Allen said animal trials were looking positive. When we give GDF11 after a stroke, it significantly improves sensory motor function recovery. And we can give it late we can start it 24 hours or later when no other treatments exist. Our primary focus today is taking it into clinical trials. For Allen, this would be the start of something more ground-breaking. Part of the game is getting it to market as soon as possible and then beginning to expand its indication.

The entrepreneurs I speak to might be taking different paths to eternal youth, but they agree on one thing: ultimately, ageing will be cured. None wants to hazard a guess at how long people will live there may be some yet unknown physical side effect that we discover in our 200s but they believe the only obstacle to an infinite human lifespan is our inability to imagine what that might look like. This means that the potential negative effects can only be raised delicately. The ageing process causes two thirds of death globally, Steele reminded me. Any objection you want to come up with to say we shouldnt do something about it has to be larger than that.

But Paul Root Wolpe, 64, director of the centre for ethics at Emory University in Georgia in the USA (and a former senior bioethicist at Nasa), told me that a world without ageing would be an economic disaster. The argument some advocates make for its enormous social benefits is a misdirection, he said. I find their arguments extremely naive, sociologically unsupportable, and most importantly, deeply narcissistic. Ive never heard a single plausible argument of how radical life extension would benefit society only an egocentric desire not to die. The truth is, they want to stop ageing. They want to live healthily to 150.

In Wolpes view, anti-ageing scientists and entrepreneurs minimise or ignore the profound implications of significantly increasing the human lifespan. The International Monetary Fund has stated that an ageing population in Japan has led to a vanishing labour force, higher demands for social services, a shrinking tax pool, greater wealth disparities and thats just from living what is currently our lifespan. If we increase it, all of those things would increase exponentially.

But in the future envisaged by the biotech start-ups, we would work into our hundreds: an elderly population would still be a labour force. Wolpe had little patience for this idea. That is a profoundly elite perspective. Do you really think that the longshoreman, the hard labourer, the person who works as a clerk in a store, at the age of 65 is going to say, Great! I get to work for another 50 years! Its absurd. Polls show that large percentages of people hate their job. Elitists who work entirely with their brains are a small minority of the human population. They have a very blinkered point of view. It was no coincidence that Silicon Valleys tech billionaires were early investors, Wolpe said. This is one of the great scientific, intellectual areas to conquer. These people have already conquered the world in new ways. They are the first group to touch the lives of hundreds of millions, if not billions, of people. They have so much cash, and they dont know what to do with it.

The political ramifications of an indefinite lifespan are equally huge, Wolpe argued. The elderly vote at much higher rates than the young, and, in America at least, the highest echelons of power have become the preserve of the over-70s. Politically, young people will be squeezed, and the fresh ideas they bring to politics and innovation more generally will be suppressed.

Do you think that if the last generation or the generation before that lived to 100 or 150, there would be gay marriage, diversity inclusion movements, #MeToo? Wolpe said. The vast majority of the great innovations of the last 50 years were created by young people. A life well-lived hands its torch to the next generation. It doesnt try to override them for its own narcissistic needs.

Overpopulation and the climate crisis are other obvious counter-arguments. If death becomes rare, and humans remain at optimal health, how soon will the world run out of space and resources? Wont humans die from starvation and natural disasters instead?

[See also: Toxic relationships, burnout, productivity dysmorphia why do we medicalise societal problems?]

This is not a technology in isolation, Allen argued when I put this to him. Were figuring out how to have cleaner energy, how to have food that is healthier and less polluting, how to live more peacefully, how to travel into space. There is not a real estate problem here on Earth if we live better. Its an argument typical of Silicon Valley optimism: the solution is always more tech.

Im sanguine about overpopulation, Steele told me. If we had to work a little bit harder to solve things like climate change, resource use, land use and all those things that Im genuinely concerned about, Id happily do so if it meant suddenly no one was dying of cancer or Alzheimers.

Both Steele and Halioua dismissed the idea that indefinite fertility would lead to a population crisis, seeing it instead as an opportunity for a fairer world. Halioua pointed out that, if women want to have children, they are currently forced to make compromises at a critical time in their careers. Im going to be in my thirties soon, theoretically the ideal age to have kids, and Im not going to want kids at that age hopefully I will still be building Loyal. Thats a societal pressure that men dont have. [This] will free up 50 per cent of the population who inevitably have to take the hit.

Already, the wealthy live longer: men in the most deprived areas of England can expect to lead lives nearly a decade shorter than those in the wealthiest parts. Anti-ageing drugs will surely amplify these inequalities, when only the individuals and nations that can afford them can buy ever longer life-spans. Halioua said she had factored these concerns into her development plans: The ideal ageing drug is going to be like a statin, in terms of not being expensive. Steele added that this was a long game: expensive drugs have patents that expire after 20 years, after which generic drugs can be made at a fraction of the cost. Im not saying its right, but its normal for rich people in the West, and then everyone in the West, and then poorer countries to benefit from various kinds of medical intervention.

[See also: How life without germs has left us newly vulnerable]

I asked the anti-ageing entrepreneurs about Wolpes point that longer lives will increase intergenerational inequalities. In a future where people keep their minds and bodies, never losing their edge, how will the young ever compete in the workplace?

That kind of thinking assumes that if people were to live in good health for a very long period of time they would want to continue to do the same things, Ghosh said. I know I would not want to do drug discovery for the next 30 years. I have a bazillion other things Id like to do, and I would happily let other people take this role.

Halioua took the question personally. With Loyal, there are plenty of people who are double my age, in their 40s and 50s, completely cognisant, who have been working in ageing a long time, and didnt have the idea or desire to build this company, she said. Experienced people come with baggage and biases. Being naive has actually been one of my best traits, she said. In other words, the young will still wield their advantages.

Allen was the only anti-ageing advocate I spoke to who entertained any ethical discomfort. The biggest thing that concerns me is despots, dictators, he said. They die over time. With this, they might be able to live.

Even if we believe the claims these proponents of eternal youth make that the planet can cope, that societies will be no more unequal one problem remains: death. Its proximity directly affects our appetite for risk, making clinical trials into new vaccines possible, and encouraging billionaires to go into space. In a future where death occurs only as a result of rare disease, suicide or tragic accident, will we become paralysed by the fear of it?

For the first time, Halioua didnt have an answer. I dont know, she replied, after a long pause. I would argue that this is already a huge latent paralysis in the average human. Maybe it will get better. I dont see a world where we start becoming extra- terrified of car accidents, but maybe we will. Her face brightened: she had an idea. Maybe Tesla needs to get all their self-driving cars on the market and market it this way Number One Cause of Death Eliminated By Tesla! There it was again: the answer to a problem created by technology is more technology. The future looked bright once more and endless.

Jenny Kleeman is the author of Sex Robots and Vegan Meat: Adventures at the Frontier of Birth, Food, Sex and Death (Picador)

This article appears in the 13 Oct 2021 issue of the New Statesman, Perfect Storm

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Who wants to live forever? Big Tech and the quest for eternal youth - New Statesman

Under the contract, Tracerco will deploy DiscoveryTM, a subsea computed tomography (CT) scanner designed for external scanning of pipelines and which operates along the same general principles as CT scanners used in hospitals.

As methods of oil and gas extraction have improved, many fields are still producing substantial quantities of oil and gas, and as such, operators are looking for methods to monitor and verify their risers condition to ensure ongoing integrity and extend their operational life. For life extension, regulators typically require a physical inspection to ensure the condition of the riser and CT, a technique which has an unparalleled ability to accurately and non-intrusively see through an item, can provide this information.

Technologies using CT such as DiscoveryTMprovide operators with valuable inspection data on the entire pipeline, spanning the range from product to coating and all areas in between. It is a non-intrusive external scanning technique and is easily capable of scanning through several inches of pipeline steel with no requirement to remove any protective coating, regardless of thickness and material.

Tracerco was the first company to develop a subsea CT system and still holds the fundamental patent for the concept of subsea CT scanning dating back to 2011, says Jim Bramlett, Commercial Manager North America for Tracerco, Over the years since, DiscoveryTMhas incorporated numerous additional patented innovations for optimizing the system.

DiscoveryTMwill be used to inspect the risers and determine whether they can be extended past their original design life by gathering real time data on a variety of integrity issues including pipeline corrosion, pitting and wall thinning. This will allow the operator to work with the local authorities to get their permit extended and potentially realise billions in continued revenues from the asset.

DiscoveryTMprovides the integrity insights to know the unknown enabling critical decisions regarding life extension to be made, continues Jim, and it does this while the risers are still in full operation. No need to interfere with production.

Link:
Tracerco secures subsea inspection for life extension project of over 18 risers in the Gulf of Mexico | Oil and Gas Technology - Oil & Gas...

News last week that after 20 years of an overcrowded courthouse, Smith County is purchasing property to build a new one, is a reminder of the move Henderson County made a decade ago.

After searching for years for the ideal space to put the overflow of Henderson County offices, Commissioners Court arrived with a solution. In February 2010, the county reached an agreement with Prosperity to purchase the building, with ideas of using it for offices and document-storage space. The cost was about $2.7 million.

In September 2011, the County Judge, County Clerk, Tax Assessor/ Collector, and other departments that had been in the Courthouse for nearly a century, relocated across South Prairieville Street to the Courthouse Annex, a 33,500 square-foot building that once housed the Prosperity Bank.

Then in October, Commissioners Court voted to begin holding meetings in the annex, first in a room next to the county judges office, then later in the larger County Courtroom that is used today.

Before deciding on the annex, the county discussed possible use of other properties that were available around the city and even looked at a site on Loop 7 North.

The bank building became vacant when Prosperity exited the property at the end of April 2011. Then, County Judge Richard Sanders, the County Commissioners, the IT Department and the Maintenance Office went to work getting the spacious structure ready for the move.

With space open in the courthouse, the county began moving out of the decaying annex building on North Palestine Street that held the tax office and the Texas Agri-Life Extension Office.

Not only did the move save the county money compared to other options, it also kept the county government presence downtown. Since then, downtown Athens has become a more vibrant area, with new businesses and the Texan Theater to draw people to the Central Business District.

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

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County moved to annex 10 years ago | News | athensreview.com - Athens Daily Review

PERTH (miningweekly.com) Gold miner Evolution Mining has struck a A$90-million agreement with fellow listed Navarre Minerals to sell its Mt Carlton gold mine, in Queensland.

Mt Carlton was Evolutions first development project and has generated excellent returns for shareholders since it was commissioned in 2013. With the company focussed on delivery of growth projects at the cornerstone assets in the portfolio, we believe now is the time to hand Mt Carlton over to an emerging gold producer who can focus on extending the operations mine life, said Evolution executive chairperson Jake Klein.

Under the terms of the agreement, Evolution would be paid an initial A$40-million on the completion of the transaction, comprising a cash component and up to A$20.4-million worth of Navarre shares.

Up to A$25-million will be payable on cumulative gold production milestones from Crush Creek with A$5-million payable upon achievement of 50 000 oz, A$5-million payable upon achievement of 100 000 oz and A$15-million payable upon achievement of 175 000 oz, while up to A$25-million will be in the form of a 5% gold price linked royalty where the average spot gold price is greater than A$2 250/oz in a given quarter.

The royalty is payable on production from both Mt Carlton and Crush Creek from July 2023 for up to 15 years.

The exposure we have retained will enable Evolution shareholders to benefit from the future success of the operation. Evolution would like to thank our employees, contractors, suppliers, the traditional custodians of the land the Birriah People, and the local community for their contribution to Mt Carltons success. We are confident that Navarre will be a great partner for those stakeholders in the future, said Klein.

Navarre on Tuesday told shareholders that the transaction would instantly transform the company into a self-funded gold producer with premier exploration assets across Victoria and Queensland.

Mt Carlton is a proven, high-margin operation and an attractive vehicle for Navarre to transition from gold exploration company to producer particularly given the Mt Carlton operations successful history of production and its potential for significant mine life extension, said Navarre MD Ian Hollland.

Under the transaction, Navarre will inherit a well-established operation and a highly experienced site operating team and workforce which we are confident will fit in with Navarres own culture and focus on potential for further discovery and resource addition.

To fund the initial A$40-million up-front purchase price, Navarre will undertake a fully underwritten placement consisting of some 533-million shares, at a price of 7.5c each, to raise up to A$40-million.

Evolution has agreed to participate in the equity raise, with the companys shareholding in Navarre capped at 19.9%, with the final shareholding to be determined after the equity raise has been concluded.

Navarre on Tuesday said that the balance of the placement proceeds would go towards associated transaction costs and general corporate purposes.

The Mt Cartlon transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including Navarre acquiring shareholder approval to conduct the share placement, and to issue shares to Evolution.

The Mt Carlton operations comprise an openpit and underground mine, and a 950 000 t/y processing plant situated on a tenement package of approximately 815 km2.

Future mining operations at Mt Carlton will be supplemented by the nearby Crush Creek deposit, which hosts an initial high grade resource containing 126 000 oz goldat 3.5 g/t from only nine months of concentrated drilling. This asset was acquired by Evolution in late 2020.

In the 2021 financial year, the Mt Carlton operations produced 58 371 oz of gold at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of A$1 937/oz, including A$19.6-million of net mine cash flow in the fourth quarter alone. The operationis expected to produce between 45 000 oz and 50 000 oz of gold in the 2022 financial year at an AISC of A$1 650/oz to A$1 700/oz.

Evolution on Tuesday said that the sale of Mt Carlton lowers group AISC by A$40/oz to between A$1 180/oz and A$1 240/oz and reduces 2022 production to between 670 000 oz and 725 000 oz. Sustaining and major capital also reduce by between A$2-million and A$8-million and between A$10-million and A$15-million respectively.

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Evolution sells Mt Carlton - Creamer Media's Mining Weekly

ADG20 Continues to be Well Tolerated in Healthy Volunteers with Prolonged Half-Life and Serum Virus Neutralization Activity Observed out to Six Months in Ongoing Phase 1 Study

Data from Quantitative Systems Pharmacology/Whole-Body Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling Support Evaluation of 300 mg Intramuscular Dose of ADG20 Given as a Single Intramuscular Injection in Ongoing Phase 2/3 Studies

Data to be Presented During IDWeek 2021 and 19th Annual Discovery on Target Conference

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adagio Therapeutics, Inc., (Nasdaq: ADGI) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody-based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential, today announced new data from the companys COVID-19 antibody program. Updated, six-month data from its ongoing Phase 1 study of ADG20 in healthy participants and data validating the selection of the 300 mg intramuscular (IM) dose given as a single injection that is being evaluated in the companys ongoing global Phase 2/3 treatment (STAMP) and prevention (EVADE) clinical trials will be presented during four poster sessions at the Infectious Disease Society of Americas IDWeek 2021, being held from Sept. 29 Oct. 3, 2021. In addition, Adagios chief scientific officer, Laura Walker, Ph.D., will present a subset of the ADG20 Phase 1 data as well as background on the identification and optimization of this differentiated antibody clinical candidate in an oral presentation at the 19th Annual Discovery on Target Conference on Sept. 30, 2021.

The continued strength of the safety and pharmacokinetic data from our Phase 1 study is encouraging and further underscores the potential impact an antibody like ADG20 which was designed to be potent, broadly neutralizing and delivered as a single IM injection could have on people with or at risk of COVID-19, said Lynn Connolly, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of Adagio. These Phase 1 data combined with our dose selection strategy, which relied on our innovative modeling approach, have allowed us to initiate and advance our pivotal trials of ADG20 in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. We anticipate these data will support an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) application in the first quarter of 2022, which could enable us to bring an important treatment option to patients.

Phase 1 Trial UpdateAdagio is evaluating ADG20 in a Phase 1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single ascending-dose study to assess safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), immunogenicity, and serum virus neutralizing activity of ADG20 ex vivo against SARS-CoV-2. Data from a six-month evaluation timepoint confirmed the extended half-life of ADG20, which approached 100 days based on data from the 300 mg IM dose that was given as a single injection. In addition, 50% serum virus neutralization titers at six months after a 300 mg IM dose of ADG20 were similar to observed peak titers with the mRNA-1273 vaccine and exceeded those achieved with the AZD1222 vaccine series. Importantly, ADG20 was well tolerated with no study drug-related adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, or injection-site or hypersensitivity reactions reported through a minimum of three months follow-up across all cohorts. Participants will continue to be followed through 12 months to assess safety and tolerability, PK, immunogenicity and serum virus neutralizing activity.

Phase 1 Poster Information: (633) Preliminary Results from a Phase 1 Single Ascending-Dose Study Assessing Safety, Serum Viral Neutralizing Antibody Titers (sVNA), and Pharmacokinetic (PK) Profile of ADG20: an Extended Half-Life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Treatment and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Dose Selection StrategyTo support dose selection for Adagios global Phase 2/3 STAMP and EVADE clinical trials, the company modified an existing quantitative systems pharmacology whole-body physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) model to better characterize the PK of extended half-life monoclonal antibodies in serum and key sites of viral replication in the respiratory tract. Adagios model adequately a priori predicted the observed ADG20 serum PK in non-human primates (NHPs) and humans. The model was further optimized based on data from Adagios Phase 1 clinical trial and then applied for dose selection for STAMP and EVADE.

For the STAMP treatment trial, data compiled to date suggest that the 300 mg IM regimen has a projected ability to rapidly achieve and maintain target concentrations at key tissue sites of viral replication, including the ability to attain near complete (> 90%) and durable (> 28-day) SARS-CoV-2 receptor occupancy across a range of baseline viral loads. Further, for the EVADE prevention trial, data compiled to date suggest the 300 mg IM regimen has a projected ability to rapidly exceed target serum concentrations in the majority of simulated patients and to maintain potentially effective concentrations for up to 12 months.

Dose Selection Poster Information

The STAMP and EVADE clinical trials are currently ongoing and enrolling patients globally. For more information, please visit clincialtrials.gov.

About ADG20ADG20, a monoclonal antibody targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses, is being developed for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. ADG20 was designed and engineered to possess high potency and broad neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 and additional clade 1 sarbecoviruses, by targeting a highly conserved epitope in the receptor binding domain. ADG20 displays potent neutralizing activity against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain as well as all known variants of concern. ADG20 has the potential to impact viral replication and subsequent disease through multiple mechanisms of action, including direct blocking of viral entry into the host cell (neutralization) and elimination of infected host cells through Fc-mediated innate immune effector activity. ADG20 is administered by a single intramuscular injection, and was engineered to have a long half-life, with a goal of providing both rapid and durable protection. Adagio is advancing ADG20 through multiple clinical trials on a global basis.

About Adagio TherapeuticsAdagio (Nasdaq: ADGI) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody-based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential. The companys portfolio of antibodies has been optimized using Adimabs industry-leading antibody engineering capabilities and is designed to provide patients and clinicians with a powerful combination of potency, breadth, durable protection (via half-life extension), manufacturability and affordability. Adagios portfolio of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies includes multiple, non-competing broadly neutralizing antibodies with distinct binding epitopes, led by ADG20. Adagio has secured manufacturing capacity for the production of ADG20 with third-party contract manufacturers to support the completion of clinical trials and initial commercial launch. For more information, please visit http://www.adagiotx.com.

Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as anticipates, believes, expects, intends, projects, and future or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning, among other things, the timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies and clinical trials of ADG20, including the timing of our planned EUA application, initiation and completion of studies or trials and related preparatory work, the period during which the results of the trials will become available and our research and development programs; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for, our product candidates; our ability to identify patients with the diseases treated by our product candidates and to enroll these patients in our clinical trials; our manufacturing capabilities and strategy; and our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those risks described under the heading Risk Factors in Adagios prospectus filed with theSecurities and Exchange Commission(SEC) on August 6, 2021and in Adagios future reports to be filed with theSEC, including Adagios Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Such risks may be amplified by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of this date, and Adagio undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Contacts:Media Contact:Dan Budwick, 1ABDan@1abmedia.com

Investor Contact:Monique Allaire, THRUST Strategic Communicationsmonique@thrustsc.com

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Adagio Therapeutics Announces New Data Highlighting the - GlobeNewswire

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is on a mission to make humans immortal. Buterin, 27, proposes the idea that aging is an engineering problem.

He is not alone in his combined interest in Bitcoin and biohacking. Famous biomedical aging researcher Aubrey de Grey, Xanadu architect and Agoric chief scientist Mark Miller, Bitcoin Cash billionaire Roger Ver and former chief technology officer of Coinbase and a16z general partner Balaji Srinivasan, are all fascinated by the pursuit of longevity.

De Grey recently helped advise a decentralized collective funding longevity research. He says:

I have been gratified since the beginning of blockchain to see the enormous fanbase that I and the longevity movement have in there.

Miller, alongside his engineering hall-of-fame accomplishments, is a senior research fellow at the Foresight Institute, a not-for-profit founded in 1986 with the aim of advancing technology for the long-term benefit of life.

Im very much involved in this new world of crypto commerce, often referred to as the blockchain sector, he says. Im very hopeful about that as creating an ecosystem in which secure software will dominate because insecure software results in massive losses quickly, with no recourse.

Srinivasans Twitter bio describes his vision as: Immutable money, infinite frontier, eternal life. #Bitcoin. Srinivasan states that the ultimate purpose of technology is to eliminate mortality and life extension is the most important thing we can invent.

Blockchain communities are clearly excited about longevity. But what does cryptocurrency have to do with life extension, and where might this future be headed?

It turns out that the link between crypto and cryogenics stretches back to core contributors, and the Cypherpunks mailing list and its links to transhumanist groups, including the first person to transact Bitcoin with Satoshi, Hal Finney.

Crypto philanthropists are donating significant wealth to this area, which is typically difficult to garner mainstream support for. They may be the only people on the planet optimistic enough to fund tech that currently only exists in sci-fi novels.

According to Buterin, longevity is a battle worth fighting for. Buterin donated $25 million in SHIB cryptocurrency tokens to the Future of Life Institute in June 2021 and has donated over $350,000 to the SENS Research Foundation to reimagine ageing.

He discussed the topic in recent podcast interviews with the likes of Lex Fridman and Tim Ferriss saying that life extension is definitely really important to me.

I think I hope to see the concept of seeing your parents and grandparents die just slowly disappear from the public consciousness as a thing that happens over the course of half a century.

Buterin has emphasized his adherence to the moral philosophy of effective altruism. This value, known to transhumanists as the moral urgency of saving lives, is perhaps what motivated his donations of dog coins to both COVID-19 relief in India and life-extension.

Just even the process of aging turning into something that just becomes reversible and it being a regular thing for people to live one and a half, two centuries and then go even further from there, Buterin states.

Pinned in Buterins Twitter is an essay called The Fable of the Dragon Tyrant by professor Nick Bostrom, director of the Future of Humanity Institute. It argues that allowing death from old age is unethical. If you view aging as a disease, the urgency to support the transhumanist project also makes sense.

While we still lack effective and acceptable means for slowing the aging process, we can identify research directions that might lead to the development of such means in the foreseeable future, states Bostrom. The key to freeing humanity from the dragon tyrant of aging, is funding. The new riches from crypto are key.

Bitcoin.com founder Roger Ver has already signed up to be cryogenically frozen. Rather than investing in cryptocurrency stuff, I want to focus on the extreme life extension technologies, because if you die, you cant enjoy your life anymore, Ver told Cointelegraph. Hes so confident in the tech, he even considered being cryogenically frozen as a legitimate alternative to going to prison in 2002.

DAOs are also taking part in this life extension renewal. There is a strong overlap of crypto people and longevity people, Vincent Weisser, core team member at VitaDAO tells Cointelegraph. VitaDAO funds longevity research and exceeded its initial token raise funding target of $490,000 in June 2021.

Now, they are working with popular blockchain crowd-funding platform Gitcoin to include a future funding category for longevity and life extension.

Transhumanist philanthropy and funding at scale holds the potential to significantly impact longevity research and the transhumanist project.

Transhumanism is a loosely defined movement that promotes the use of technology to enhance the human condition. This includes information technology, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence for radical extension of human lifespan, augmentation of physical and intellectual capacities, space colonization, and super-intelligent machines.

The goal is not just life extension, but more, to the point of becoming superhuman. Although the transhumanist pursuit of post-humanity is often thought of as medical, the gambit of transhumanist technologies includes economic and social institutional design and cultural development.

Like crypto communities, transhumanism is grounded in a vision of evolution and individual freedom of choice. In practice, this leads to a sense of personal responsibility for contributing to solutions, such as biohacking or making provisions for being cryogenically frozen and one day hopefully reanimated. The goal of the transhumanist project for society is one based on freedom in determining social arrangements, enabled by self-generating systems and spontaneous order. This description of perpetual, open systems is similar to blockchain.

Not everyone thinks eternal life, or the philosophy underpinning it, is a good idea. Political economist Francis Fukuyama calls transhumanism the most dangerous idea in the world and argues it is a strange libertarian movement whose crusaders want nothing less than to liberate the human race from its biological constraints. He lists the risks of the fraught nature of humankind to want to live forever, the effects on equality between the haves and the have nots, and that the essence of humanity is mortality. Yet, transhumanism has a long history in crypto communities.

Transhumanist values are reflected in the ideological underpinnings of blockchain communities around anarchy and autonomy, self-improvement, and a long-term mindset.

Transhumanist ideas have long existed in the technology communities that pioneered the core tenets of public blockchains. For example, cryptography pioneer Ralph Merkle (inventor of public key distribution and Merkle trees) considered himself a transhumanist, publishing on such matters as The Molecular Repair of the Brain.

Furthermore, there was substantial cross-pollination of ideas between the Cypherpunks mailing list, which discussed ideas on privacy and digital cash throughout the 1990s and 2000s in the lead-up to the invention of Bitcoin in 2008, and the Extropian mailing list.

Extropy is the extent of a systems intelligence, information, order, vitality, and capacity for improvement. According to 1998s Principles of Extropy published by president of the Extropy Institute, Max Moore, extropians are those who seek to increase extropy. The core principles, refined in The Extropist Manifesto in 2010, are endless eXtension, meaning perpetual growth and progress in all aspects of human endeavor; transcending the restrictions of authoritarianism, surveillance, or social control; overcoming property rights, including IP and money, by sharing knowledge, culture, and resources; intelligence, including independent thinking and personal responsibility; and smart machines, specifically the attainment of Friendly Artificial Intelligence that exceeds human ability, through funding and favorable legislation.

Extropians advocate and explore the philosophies of transhumanism (technological enhancement), extropy (improving the human condition), and the future. Numerous prominent cypherpunks also subscribed to the Extropian mailing list, including co-founders of the cypherpunk movement Timothy C. May and Eric Hughes.

Another active member of the extropians was Hal Finney. Finney was co-developer of the first anonymous remailer, the first person to transact Bitcoin with Satoshi and the first maintainer of the Bitcoin codebase. He was cryogenically frozen when he passed away in the hope of living in the future alongside his wife, Fran, who noted that Hal liked the present. But he looked towards the future. For this community, technologies like digital cash offered a way of long-term thinking about the future of humanity, transhumanism, and solutions and preventions for cryogenics, outer space, and catastrophic environmental or societal collapse.

The cypherpunks interest in extropianism, and vice versa, was concerned with building infrastructure today that would sustain the future of human evolution. In some ways, this makes sense.

In order for ones cryogenic suspended animation to be paid for, maintained and reversed to wake them up in the far-flung future where science advances to the point where this aspiration is realized, there needs to be an incentive. In 1994, Wired magazine reported over 27 frozen people (technically 17 frozen heads and 10 entire bodies) at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, the same company that Roger Ver has signed up with.

Immortality is mathematical, not mystical, stated Mike Perry, their overseer. The hope is that Bitcoin will be a resilient long-term incentive for someone to wake up Hal, Fran and other friends. Herein lies the need for long-term blockchain infrastructure, to last as a secure monetary reward until the century when unfreezing is possible.

Among the principles of extropianism set out by Moore is intelligent technology, meaning technologies that bring beneficial results, including genetic engineering, life-extending bio-sciences, intelligence intensifiers, smarter interfaces to swifter computers, neural-computer integration, worldwide data networks, virtual reality, intelligent agents, swift electronic communications, artificial intelligence, neuroscience, neural networks, artificial life, off-planet migration, and molecular nanotechnology.

Expect to see more life extension, brain-machine interfaces, limb regeneration, curing deafness, bionic sight and more incredible feats in the next decade, states Srinivasan. Transhumanists predict an inevitable singularity, when technology becomes intelligent, uncontrollable and irreversible, to occur around 2035. Blockchain is part of this technology stack.

The lofty, futuristic ideas of transhumanists depend on resilience and digital infrastructure. This is especially true for the goal of friendly artificial intelligence, which is seen as an enabling condition for rapid development across all other core principles of the project. Thanks to blockchain technology, and blockchain philanthropy, we are beginning to have the resources to do it.

An immutable worldwide computer enables a decentralized autonomous organization to allow our uploaded brain image to automatically coordinate with friendly artificial intelligence in a decentralized, freedom-loving way.

Blockchains immutability makes it the perfect long-term infrastructure. Cypherpunks were paranoid about Orwellian dystopias in which authorities would rewrite history to match state propaganda. The architectural and political decentralization of public blockchains means that no one can tamper with, control or delete the record of history. This makes it the perfect record-keeping infrastructure if we are going to live forever.

This is essential when it comes to your brain image or your Bitcoin balance. In order to document who owns what coins when you are cryogenically frozen and woken up in the next century, you need resilient, long-term, tamper-proof blockchains. The values of independence and immutability are essential to both crypto enthusiasts and transhumanists. Buterin states:

Its great that we have people trying to upload or improve brain scanning. Its also great that we have people including cryonics, so we could just go to sleep in the freezer and eventually, hopefully, sometime in the future [] anyone who gets cryogenically frozen will be able to wake up.

The combination of transhumanist philosophy, blockchain technology, community obsession and money enable whole new possibilities. The transhumanist-blockchain vision is that we will all be connected, humans and machine intelligence, through decentralized, automatically executing smart contracts and marketplaces.

Blockchains provide a platform infrastructure to enable a host of technologically advanced human-machine futures. One example is a decentralized marketplace for AI, such as SingularityNET by artificial intelligence researcher, transhumanist, and CEO Ben Goertzel. Here, intelligent computational agents buy, sell and barter over work for digital tokens via a blockchain.

In The Transhumanism Handbook, Melanie Swan predicts that crypto cloudminds, in which mind node peers interact through multicurrency pay channels of digital denominations, will algorithmically enforce good behavior between humans and machines through the privacy and transparency of blockchains. According to Srinivasan, this could also lead to cloud cities, which allow their members to negotiate with other jurisdictions and crowdfund territories in the physical world.

Transhumanism, like human beings, is only in its early stages of development.

Transhumanism, with its focus on superhumans and longevity instead of an afterlife, can be viewed as something akin to a religious impulse. Although many transhumanists take their worldview to be in opposition to religious outlooks on life, transhumanism may become the religion of blockchainers. Yet, this doctrine does not come without a clear burden of responsibility.

While some fear transhumanism, a core tenet is to ensure that technology produces positive outcomes for humanity. Transhumanists advocate that the choice to improve human capacities lies with the individual.

Part of the longevity research agenda is figuring out how to measure the risks of friendly artificial intelligence and make it truly friendly to avoid a catastrophe. Transhumanists want to avoid X risk, which is existential risk to humanity of a hypothetical, global, catastrophic future event that could damage human well-being or destroy human civilization. This is why colonizing outer space is so logical, as Elon and other crypto enthusiasts are pursuing. The Extropian Principles, v. 3.0 by Max Moore from 1998 emphasizes this, stating that migration into space will immensely enlarge the energy and resources accessible to our civilization. Of course, smart machines will also help us explore space because they can handle more gravitational force than humans as they enter the orbit of other planets.

To a transhumanist, the goal of technology is to amplify our abilities and extend human freedoms. How could we ensure humanity lives forever and life spreads throughout the universe? asks Weisser from VitaDAO. Its all about probabilities and increasing the probability that humanity will survive, he says.

A long-term mindset treats aging as an engineering problem. Now, it remains to be seen if the intersection of blockchain philanthropy, VitaDAOs research collective, and other decentralized, transhumanist pursuits will be cautiously and collectively propelled forwards with the kind of long-termism that will benefit humanity. As Buterin states:

I hope you guys can [] come to my thousandth birthday party.

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Crypto leaders are obsessed with life extension. Here's why Cointelegraph Magazine - Cointelegraph

Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM) will pump 246 million big ones into a fifth cutback at Telfers West Dome deposit in a bid to extend the life of the ~30 million ounce WA gold mine.

Newcrest will add two years to the Telfer schedule and prepare for the introduction of the higher grade 3.4Moz Havieron gold-copper project in 2023.

The Paterson province ore body, a 60-40 joint venture between Newcrest and London-listed explorer Greatland Gold, electrified the junior end of the market when it was found back in 2018.

Havieron and Rio Tintos Winu copper mine, which will enter production around 2025, have reinvigorated interest in the gold and copper district wedged between WAs resource rich Goldfields and Pilbara regions.

Newcrest produced 416,138oz of gold and 13,177t of copper at Telfer in the 2021 financial year and saw costs fall to around US$1203/oz in the June quarter at an operating margin of US$577/oz.

Thats decent from a mine once so marginal its threatened closure was central to lobbying by gold miners to avoid a royalty rate hike from the WA Government back in 2017.

This cutback is an investment in Telfers future which will ensure the operation is able to continue for at least the next two years, Newcrest boss Sandeep Biswas said. With additional drilling, we believe there is the potential for further mine life extensions in the open pit and the underground beyond this time.

With the excellent progress we are making at the nearby Havieron project, our objective is to continue utilising the Telfer plant without interruption as we look to introduce Havieron and other new potential feed sources in the future.

There is of course no shortage of juniors drilling away in the Paterson province who could be in line for a Newcrest payday if they find anything of interest.

RBC mining analyst Kaan Peker said the announcement was a sign of confidence in Havieron, which RBC values at $800 million for Newcrests 60 per cent stake.

The capital being spent on the cut-back at Telfer is significant given mine life, but we believe this opens up long-term optionality with Havieron and potential mine-life extension for West Dome, he said in a note. The announcement today flags NCMs confidence in Havieron.

The broader materials sector was dragged down by a massive decline from Rio (ASX:RIO), which lost almost 7% of its value or almost $9.

Iron ore prices rose slightly to halt a major slide in recent days, but Rio went ex-dividend on its record $7.60 a share payout and fell correspondingly.

It has also suffered some damaging PR in the past couple days after a review commissioned by Rio Tintos partners into a delayed expansion of the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia blamed Rios alleged mismanagement for a US$1.45 billion blow out.

Strong copper prices in the first half of 2021 are likely to give a nice sheen to OZ Minerals half year results, which come out next Wednesday.

$7.7 billion capped OZ is up more than 20% year to date and almost 70% over the past 12 months.

Strong results across the first half of the year, in particular at the Prominent Hill copper-gold mine in South Australia prompted OZ to up guidance for 2021 last month along with the release of its June quarterly.

The miner expects to produce 120,000-145,000t of copper and 205,000-228,000oz of gold at AISC of US$1.30-1.45/lb in 2021.

The major coal stocks on the ASX continue to impress, with Yancoal and Coronado both retracing their early 2021 losses in recent months on the back of higher coking and thermal coal prices.

Chinese-backed Australian coal producer Yancoal is up a tidy 20-odd per cent over the past week, while Coronado has made similar gains despite posting a $96 million loss over the first half of 2021.

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Monsters of Rock: Newcrest approves life extension at Telfer as Havieron awaits - Stockhead

If 100 is already the new 80, what about living till youre 150 years old? Growing up, my dad, a doctor obsessed with the idea of immortality, would tell how his grandparents back in Lebanon had lived well past the 100-year mark. How? They simply ate well, he used to say, as if their secret was no mystery at all. But back in the mid-19th century, they were the exception to the rule: People generally died much, much earlier.

Today, as humans continue to lust after any number of material and immaterial objects, scientists are researching radical life extension technology like never before. Amazing, right? Lets see. Read on to learn about the great, the weird and the downright costly behind our quest for eternal existence.

Editors note: OZYs all about bringing you the new and the next . . . in fresh ways. Were trying a new look for your favorite newsletter to make your experience even more delicious. Please share your thoughts on the new look below.

Probably. Think about it: 200 years ago, there was no such thing as an active 90-year-old. Fast forward 20 decades, and photos of people breaching the 100-year barrier have become almost routine. Vaccines, antibiotics and a better understanding of what is good for our bodies and minds have taken us far. By 2050, the U.N. estimates there will be 3.7 million centenarians around the world, a major bump from the nearly 600,000 today. How can we push our biological clocks even more, keeping our minds sharp and bodies healthy for longer? One departure is to treat aging as an illness. Thats right. A tribe of scientists, including Steven Austad, a biologist at the University of Alabama, says the key to drastically longer life lies in altering the processes that prevent our very molecules from growing old.

Scientific progress looks promising. Experts have already successfully applied an antifungal used during organ transplants to extend the lives of mice. Just think what that might mean for a human. Thats not all. A string of revolutionary health treatments on the horizon is poised to change how our bodies deal with aging. Heard of a pill that mimics the benefits of exercise? Or drugs that trick our internal clock into thinking its younger? How about nano-robots that find and destroy disease inside our bodies and cell reprogramming? The future of anti-aging medicine is mind-blowing. But dont rush to your doctors office just yet. Despite such theoretical advances, some experts believe our bodies have a built-in expiration date. Not to mention theres a host of issues preventing humans from living longer that must be tackled, starting with poverty, violence, pollution, climate change and traffic accidents.

Can you imagine what you would do if you could live your peak years your 20s and 30s, say over and over? Maybe we use the [extra] years to reimagine the trajectory of life, just like we did 100 years ago, when we invented childhood and retirement, Austad said in a TED Talk. John Davis, a philosophy professor at California State University, Fullerton, brings a similarly philosophical lens to the question. I think people get wiser as they get older, he tells OZY. Given time and life experience, people become more patient, more aware of what a wise choice and a foolish choice looks like, and less violent. So we might find that a society that lives longer is a better society.

Now for the bad news. Increased pressure on already overstretched global health care systems and an inadequate supply of jobs, food and housing are just some of the challenges we face if we were to live for as long as wed like. Longer, healthier lives translate to expanding populations worldwide, a change the planet might not be able to withstand. We are already facing the consequences of overpopulation, Davis says. Its called climate change. The solution there remains controversial and might require something more radical than eternal life.

Outside the lab, futurologists have been putting forth their own takes on life extension. But be warned: you would need deep pockets to access them. Ray Kurzweil, a resident futurist at Google a company currently investing in the study of aging claims that by 2029, medical advances could start adding an additional year, every year, to peoples life expectancy, at least to those who can afford it. Researcher Aubrey de Grey posits that by 2036, many people with access to the right therapies (e.g., working to make our molecules younger) could avoid aging-related diseases or maladies entirely. Is there a catch? Unfortunately, yes. To reach the 150-year-old mark, you might need to live in an environment free of stressors and a wad of cash to cover what will be costly treatments. Tempted by whats being offered by Libella Gene Therapeutics, which claims to reverse aging by up to 20 years? Be prepared to fork over a whopping $1 million.

The price tag may be shocking, and it points to another disturbing truth: Longevity is set to become the new standard-bearer of inequality. And its not strictly a rich-country-versus-poor-country distinction, or even race, which is a major determinant of life expectancy in the U.S. A study by Northwestern University in Illinois found that Americans with a higher net worth at midlife live longer than their poorer counterparts. Even among brothers and sisters, those with greater wealth tend to outlive their siblings. Thats even taking into account identical genetic profiles, meaning the only factor that separates them is money.

Unless, that is, you happen to live in one of the worlds blue zones: a select group of countries in which people have been living longer for reasons unrelated to their bank account. Take Nicoya, for example. Centenarians in this lush Costa Rican peninsula say their secret to a long life is robust social networks and strong family ties. On the other side of the world, Japans super-senior citizens claim that healthy diets and exercise have paved the way to a lengthy and happy existence. Even if Kane Tanaka, the worlds oldest person at 118, admits she loves chocolate and soda. Money, however, can play a role. Just look at Monaco, the uber-wealthy principality where residents live on average to nearly 90 years old.

Dont live in any of those places? Dont despair. Someday there may be another option for those who want to live a lot, lot longer: Upload your consciousness, Black Mirror style. While we are still far from transferring our minds onto a chip, Artificial Intelligence advances could make this sci-fi-sounding proposition a reality. Some people have already signed on to a program to freeze their brains and bodies in liquid nitrogen coffins to preserve the essential parts of their personalities. Cryonics preserves the body until science has progressed to a point where a person could be reanimated and cured of whatever diseases they suffered from. In 2016, a 14-year-old girl with a rare form of cancer won the right to be cryogenically frozen after she died, in the hopes shell be brought back to life once a cure for her disease is discovered.

Yeah, we all know this one. Harvard researchers have found that increasing the amount of red meat you consume may, in some cases, raise the risk of early death. Participants in the experiment who increased their meat consumption by just half a serving per day (around 1.7 ounces) over eight years had a 10% higher risk of dying over the subsequent eight-year period. The studys authors also claim a significant benefit to replacing a portion of your weekly meals with non-meat options. Its not just good for you, its good for the planet. But Jeralean Talley, who lived to 116, might prove the authors wrong. This American super senior told Time in 2013 that one of the secrets to her longevity is a pork-rich diet, especially pigs ears and feet.

Walking an extra 1,000 steps a day could increase your chances of living a long life, according to the American Heart Association. The benefits of incorporating walking into your daily routine were consistent across people who took one long stroll and those who opted for shorter bursts throughout the day. That included going shopping or walking to your car. Heading out for a walk should be a priority for everyone, especially now that remote work is forcing many to park their butts for long stretches. Each increase of 1,000 steps was linked to a 28% decrease in the risk of early death.

When American Loreen Dinwiddie died in 2012 at age 109, she was the worlds oldest vegan. She credited her diet for helping her reach that milestone and for giving her a pep in her step. Its well-known that eating greens keeps you healthy day to day, but it also helps you live longer. Consuming five servings of fruits and veg every day translates to a 13% lower risk of early death. But dont despair, some fun is also allowed. Misao Okawa, the oldest person on the planet before she passed away in 2015 at age 117, said the secret to her long life was simple: eating delicious things including sushi and noodles.

You keep me young isnt just a sweet phrase. A study by researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine in 2014 found that late motherhood can lead to a longer life for women who delivered their last child after 33. In fact, they are twice as likely to live to 95 than those who had their last kid by 29. Furthermore, the New England Centenarian Study, published in 2014, concluded that women who bore children after turning 40 were four times more likely than younger mothers to reach 100 years old. Theres a caveat, though: Just delaying pregnancy wont make you live longer; growing old depends on your genes too. Read more here.

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What Does It Mean to Live Forever? - OZY

Until this week, Aubrey de Grey was best known as the longevity researcher who predicted the first human to live 1,000 years may already be alive. Now, de Grey stands accused of being a sexual predator.

Celine Halioua, who received research funding from de Greys SENS Research Foundation, set out her accusations in a blog post titled Aubrey de Grey is a sexual predator. Laura Deming, founder of life extension VC shop The Longevity Fund, set out separate allegations against de Grey in her own blog post.

Deming wrote: I had one bad experience with him when I was 17he told me in writing that he had an adventurous love life and that it had always felt quite jarring not to let conversations with me stray in that direction given that [he] could treat [me] as an equal on every other level. He sent this from his work email, and Id known him since I was 14.

At the time, Deming said she wrote it off as a mistake. However, in the past few months, in part through conversations with Celine Halioua, Deming has come to believe her experience is part of a serial pattern hes enacted with women over whom hes in a position of power.

The accusations made by Halioua center on a dinner at which she was sat next to de Grey by a SENS executive. I was told to keep him entertained; Aubrey funneled me alcohol and hit on me the entire night. He told me that I was a glorious woman and that as a glorious woman I had a responsibility to have sex with the SENS donors in attendance so they would give money to him, Halioua wrote.

Halioua left that dinner sobbing and said it has taken her years to shake the deep-seated belief that I only got to where I am due to older men wanting to have sex with me. In the post, Halioua accused an unnamed SENS executive of harassing her so severely that she eventually dropped out of my PhD to escape him. Halioua is now CEO of a biotech startup developing drugs to extend dog life span.

De Grey responded to the accusations in a Facebook post. The longevity researcher admitted he inadvisedly wrote the email discussed by Deming and unreservedly regrets having done so. In all other regards, de Grey denies the accusations, which he framed as a setup.

I'm putting it out there right now: if other accusers come forward with supporting evidence, I will step aside a great deal faster than Cuomo just did. But if they don't who's the real culprit here? Hint: in my ever-so-personal view, it's not Celine or Laura. The unequivocally clear conclusion that I draw from the above is that they have been set up, de Grey wrote.

De Grey believes people have deceived Deming and Halioua into the view that I have done many things that I have in fact not done. As to who would orchestrate such a deception and why, de Grey said: I have been vigorously advised to keep my counsel on that question for another day or two but, as they say, watch this space.

SENS has put de Grey on administrative leave. An independent investigation into the allegations, which SENS first learned of in late June, is now underway.

Read more:
Leading longevity researcher accused of sexual harassment - FierceBiotech

WASHINGTON The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is examining the possibility of building a layered ballistic missile defense architecture for the homeland that would bolster the current ground-based system in Alaska, all while a next-generation capability is developed and fielded.

The MDA featured its plan in its fiscal 2021 budget request, but there isnt much of a strategy laid out in its fiscal 2022 funding picture. And so lawmakers want answers before turning on the funding spigot.

Developing such an architecture, even though it would use mostly proven systems, has many hurdles, as MDA Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill said last year.

The plan would include establishing layers of defensive capability relying on the Aegis Weapon System, particularly the SM-3 Block IIA missiles used in the system, and a possible Aegis Ashore system in Hawaii. The underlay would also include the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.

The layered approach would buy time while the Pentagon scrambles to field a new interceptor to replace older Ground-Based Interceptors after canceling its effort to redesign the kill vehicle for the GBIs in its Ground-based Midcourse Defense system located at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

The test stressed the system, putting it up against a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile, but the MDA wants to conduct another yet-to-be-scheduled test against a more complex ICBM target with separation debris and countermeasures.

However, the validation of a possible underlay doesnt stop with a few tests. Upgrades will be required based on threats; combat system certifications will need to be conducted; and work must be performed with the Navy to determine where Aegis ships should deploy, Hill said. The agency will also have to determine how quickly it can ramp up its production line for SM-3 Block IIA missiles.

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Hill said last fall that if the agency succeeds with Aegis, it could go down the path with THAAD, then work on engagement coordination between layers.

When the FY22 budget request came out at the end of May, Hill said funding would focus on looking at how the Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications system could incorporate Aegis and THAAD capabilities for the homeland, and how those systems would be linked to give options to combatant commanders.

But, he added, those decision have not been made to date.

When asked if the agency was cooling on a layered homeland defense, Hill said: I wouldnt say its no longer a priority since we do have investment in the budget, but there are some very serious policy implications, and so we want to make sure that we get the policy angles right.

The agency also wants to make sure its still a need for U.S. Northern Command in light of a now-established service life extension program for the GMDs Ground-Based Interceptors already emplaced, Hill noted. The command did not include layered homeland defense in its list of unfunded requirements sent to Congress in June.

The big concern, back when layered homeland defense was first discussed, was the concern that the existing fleet would start to lose its reliability over time while we also had this timeline for the Next-Generation Interceptor off to the right, Hill said.

Plans for the Next-Generation Interceptor are moving forward with a competition between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, and theres talk the timeline for first emplacement could be earlier than anticipated.

Yet, Congress is getting impatient over a lack of answers regarding progress toward an architecture that could shore up any gap in capability now and into the future.

During a June 14 hearing with the House Armed Services Committees strategic forces subpanel, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., asked for an update on the report on the layered homeland defense system, which was required in the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act. She noted that the deadline of March 1, 2021, had passed.

Hill responded that, while there are no technical barriers to an underlay, its really a policy question that we need to come through.

Without offering a timeline for delivering a report to Congress, Leonor Tomero, the Pentagons assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy, said at the same hearing: I can assure you that we are looking at what investments we make for a layered homeland defense, what priorities are the subject of studies again in consultation with the Missile Defense Agency and the Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation.

The Defense Department made an initial investment in FY22, Tomero added, and studies will inform further investments in FY23.

The Strategic Forces Subcommittee followed up in its markup of the FY22 authorization bill with a renewed push for a detailed report. The committee would direct the Pentagon to submit a report by the end of 2021 on development and deployment plans for using Aegis with SM-3 Block IIA interceptors as part of a layered missile defense system.

The report should include how Fort Drum, New York, previously identified as an East Coast location for Ground-Based Interceptors, might be used for future layered defense. Stefaniks district includes Fort Drum.

An analysis of how deploying Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers for homeland defense would affect Navy readiness and global force management would also be required, and the report should contain an applicable manning strategy should land-based Aegis systems be deployed as part of the architecture.

The House Appropriations Committees defense subpanel, in its markup of the FY22 spending bill, took hacks at Defense Department funding applied to the layered homeland defense totaling $203.7 million.

The committee zeroed out Aegis BMD layered homeland missile defense development, cutting all $98.96 million for which the MDA had budgeted, and a total of $64.56 million to work on similar development for THAAD.

According to the MDAs FY22 budget justification documents, the plan for developing Aegis for homeland defense includes refining system-level requirements and development to expand threat and mission space and to increase performance against moderate threats.

The committee noted the funding cut is due to a lack of validated requirements and acquisition strategy.

The Senate Armed Services Committee released a summary of its FY22 authorization bill, but aside from supporting the MDAs pursuit of the NGI, there is nothing else signaling its intentions.

The Senate Appropriations Committees defense subpanel has yet to release its markup of the FY22 spending bill as of press time on Aug. 2.

Software and hardware improvements needed to evolve both THAAD and Aegis systems, will be important to proceed irrespective of whether or not they end up deployed to support a thick defense of the continental United States, Tom Karako, senior fellow with the International Security Program and the direct of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies told Defense News.

The non-recurring engineering planned for the layered defense program elements would be very useful to complete to support regional applications, he added. These systems began as regional defenses, and their continued evolution will benefit regional protection, such as for bases in Guam, Japan, and the like.

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How will the Pentagon close the homeland missile defense gap? - DefenseNews.com

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amunix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Amunix), an immuno-oncology company leveraging its proprietary, clinically validated Pro-XTEN technology platform to discover and develop transformative T cell engagers and cytokine therapies for patients with cancer, today announced the appointment of Ciara Kennedy, Ph.D., M.B.A. to its board of directors. Dr. Kennedy brings to Amunix a wealth of strategic and operational experience across multiple therapeutic areas and stages of development in the biopharmaceutical industry.

We are excited to welcome Ciara, a leader in the biotech industry, to Amunix, said Angie You, chief executive officer of Amunix. Ciaras strategic, transactional and operational expertise will be invaluable as we plan to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for our lead program AMX-818, a masked HER2-targeted T cell engager, in early 2022 and transition into a clinical stage company. In addition, her visionary leadership will contribute to our strategic focus of building out our pipeline of masked T cell engagers and cytokines.

Dr. Kennedy added, I am delighted to join Amunixs board and am excited about the potential of its proprietary Pro-XTEN technology to harness the untapped potential of T-cell engagers and cytokines. I look forward to working closely with the experienced team as the company matures and grows its pipeline of promising therapeutics that has the potential to change the landscape of potent options for solid tumors.

Most recently, Dr. Kennedy was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage company developing innovative drug therapies for debilitating and life-threatening diseases in patients with compromised immune systems, where she led the company through a successful acquisition by Pfizer Inc. Prior to Amplyx, she was chief operating officer of Lumena Pharmaceuticals Inc. where she oversaw operations including clinical development and helped lead its successful acquisition by Shire plc. Earlier in her career, Dr. Kennedy also held various roles at Cypress Bioscience, Inc. and Biogen Idec Ltd.. Dr. Kennedy has a strong track record of building companies through to later stages of clinical development with a unique breadth of experience across business development, finance, program management, and clinical/regulatory strategy.

In addition to Amunix, Dr. Kennedy is on the boards of Otonomy, Inc. and Aristea Therapeutics, Inc. She holds a Ph.D. from Queens University of Belfast, Northern Ireland and an M.B.A. from the Rady School of Management University of California, San Diego and B.S. from University of Cork, Ireland.

About Amunixs Pro-XTEN Technology

Amunixs Pro-XTEN technology aims to mitigate the toxicity of T cell engagers (TCEs) and cytokines by creating drugs that are preferentially activated in the tumor microenvironment, thus driving tumor cell killing while minimizing on-target, off-tumor toxicity that can damage healthy tissues and/or cause cytokine release syndrome. Amunixs Pro-XTEN technology leverages the intrinsically high protease activity in the tumor microenvironment to preferentially unmask and activate our drugs in the tumor microenvironment. The two proprietary components of this technology are as follows: 1) an XTEN Mask, a polypeptide that serves a dual purpose of acting as a universal spatial shield mask and providing half-life extension, and 2) a protease-cleavable linker which enables preferential unmasking and drug activation in the tumor microenvironment.

About Amunix Pharmaceuticals

Amunix Pharmaceuticals, based in South San Francisco, California, is an immuno-oncology company leveraging its proprietary, clinically validated Pro-XTEN technology platform to discover and develop transformative T cell engagers and cytokine therapies for patients with cancer. Amunix aims to expand the therapeutic index of TCEs and cytokines, which have demonstrated anti-tumor clinical activity, but have not realized their potential due to dose-limiting on-target, off-tumor toxicity. Amunix addresses this challenge by using its universal, protease-releasable masking technology, or Pro-XTEN, to create next generation, conditionally active T cell engagers, or XPATs, and cytokines, or XPACs, that are preferentially activated in tumors as compared to healthy tissues. Amunixs most advanced product candidate, AMX-818, is a masked HER2-targeted TCE for the treatment of HER2-expressing solid tumors, which is currently in IND-enabling studies. Along with other T cell engager programs, Amunix is also applying its proprietary masking technology to its first masked, protease-activated cytokine program, IL12-XPAC, which is in discovery stage.

For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.amunix.com.

Contacts

Company Contact:Jen Herbach Director, Corporate DevelopmentBD@amunix.com

Media Contact:Sylvia Wheelermedia@amunix.com

Investor Contact:Zeeshan MerchantChief Financial Officerinvestors@amunix.com

Link:
Amunix Expands its Board of Directors with the Appointment of Industry Veteran, Ciara Kennedy, Ph.D., MBA - StreetInsider.com

Solid tumor-specific scaffold protein ligands from Navigo combined with MDimunes BioDrone technology to create novel targeted extracellular vesicle-based therapeutics

Halle/Saale, Germany and Seoul, Korea, May 11th, 2021. Navigo Proteins, a protein engineering biotech company generating scaffold protein-based affinity ligands, and MDimune, a biotech company developing an innovative drug delivery platform based on exosome-like, nanosized cell-derived vesicles (CDVs), today announced a technology collaboration to achieve tissue-targeting of extracellular vesicles (EVs). The ongoing research combines Navigos target-binding Affilin molecules with MDimunes CDV technology, to enable Affilin-mediated delivery of CDVs specifically to solid tumor targets.

For the current collaboration, Navigo Proteins will contribute its existing solid tumor-specific Affilin molecules to decorate the surface of the exosome-like CDVs from MDimunes BioDrone technology, thereby pioneering next-generation, targeted extracellular vesicle-based therapeutics (See Figure 1).

Figure 1: Affilin-mediated tumor targeting of CDVs

Dr. Ulrich Haupts, Chief Scientific Officer of Navigo Proteins commented: We are looking forward to combining our selectivity-conferring Affilin molecules with MDimunes extracellular vesicles manufacturing platform, since this opens up an exciting new application for our scaffold protein-based Affilin molecules in the upcoming field of exosome-based therapeutics. The modular and highly engineerable Affilin technology can be a very attractive solution for the precise, targeted delivery of exosome-like vesicles, carrying different payloads to different target tissues.

Recently, we have invested significant efforts and resources to expedite effective steering of our vesicles, CDVs, to tumors or other resistant tissues. The current collaboration with Navigo Proteins is one of them highlighting our recent focus. Navigo Proteins demonstrated expertise in generating highly tissue-specific ligands will be key to enable this goal and ultimately build a foundation for our BioDrone platform technology, said Dr. Seung Wook Oh, Chief Scientific Officer of MDimune.

Affilin Affinity Ligands

Navigos Affilin molecules are target-specific, small, stable, highly engineerable, single-chain affinity ligands and are based on human Ubiquitin as a protein scaffold. Since Ubiquitin is an evolutionarily conserved natural human protein, also present in plasma, Affilin molecules have low immunogenic potential in humans and can also be directly used in various pre-clinical animal models.

Affilin molecules are currently being developed as antibody-alternatives in protein-drug conjugates, radio conjugates, CAR-T cell therapy, and as bi/multi-specific molecules by combining them with antibodies. With this collaboration, Navigo aims to extend the applicability of Affilin molecules to direct exosomes and extracellular vesicles to the target tissues of interest.

BioDrone Platform Technology

MDimunes BioDrone platform facilitates the production of CDVs, exosome-like, nanosized vesicles, in large quantities from various cell types by a proprietary extrusion method. CDVs are similar to exosomes in size, properties, and functions, but exhibit substantial advantages in yield that is more suitable for large-scale production and versatility to allow highly sophisticated engineering, starting from virtually any cell type. BioDrone technology is emerging as a highly versatile and scalable delivery system to address many human diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and more.

While the current project is aimed at Affilin-CDV-mediated payload delivery to solid tumors, this technological advance will not only be limited to cancer but could be expanded to other tissues and diseases.

About Navigo Proteins GmbH

Navigo Proteins is a premier protein engineering company developing affinity ligands, based on its proprietary platform of selected, small, and stable, yet highly engineerable scaffold proteins. These ligands serve as target-binding proteins in biotherapeutic molecules (PRECISION TARGETING) or for commercial custom affinity purification of biologics (PRECISION CAPTURING).

Navigos PRECISION TARGETING unit creates proprietary Affilin molecules based on the human Ubiquitin scaffold a highly conserved, small (8.5kDa) and stable natural human protein. A major strength of the Precision Targeting toolbox is its modular engineerability. The target-specific Affilin molecules can be combined with a variety of carrier units for site-specific payload coupling as well as half-life extension moieties and function-conferring effector modules to convert them into different biopharmaceutical modalities. Navigos ligands are currently being developed as Affilin-drug conjugates, Affilin-radio conjugates, Affilin CAR-T cell therapy and can also be fused to antibodies to create robustly-to-produce bi-/multi-specific molecules (MabfilinTM/FabfilinTM).

For more information visit https://www.navigo-proteins.com/ and follow Navigo Proteins on LinkedIn.

About MDimune Inc.

MDimune, a South Korean biotech founded in 2015, has been committed to the development and implementation of state-of-the-art BioDrone platform technology. BioDrone is an innovative technology that relies on human-sourced CDVs, nanosized vesicles obtained from various cells by using a proprietary extrusion method to achieve target-specific drug delivery. With superior productivity compared to exosomes, BioDrone is emerging as a highly versatile and scalable delivery system to combat diverse debilitating human diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and rare diseases.

MDimune is expanding its global network to harness effective tissue targeting strategies to achieve highly tissue-specific delivery of various cargos such as miRNA, siRNA, mRNA, and proteins. The company envisions applying this novel BioDrone platform to address various needs of pharmaceutical clients who are looking for effective drug carriers.

For more information visit http://www.mdimune.com/en/.

Navigo Proteins Contact

Dr. Oliver Schub

Director Business Development

oliver.schub@navigo-proteins.com

Tel.: +49 (0)345 27996330

MDimune Contact

Brin Choi

Manager, Business Development

jychoi@mdimune.com

Tel.: +82 (0)70+7826

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Navigo Proteins and MDimune Enter into a Research Collaboration on Affilin-Mediated Targeting of Extracellular Vesicles - BioSpace