Wendy Osefo on Her Involvement with Black Lives Matter: This Is My Lifes Work – Bravo

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As the newest Wife on The Real Housewives of Potomac, Wendy Osefo is bringing her incredibly impressive professional background to Season 5. The RHOP newcomer is a professor, political analyst, entrepreneur, and a mother. Wendy is also a philanthropist who has been advocating for the Black Lives Matter movement for years, which she recently discussed in an interview with The Washington Post.

Noting that the entire cast is very aware of the current climate, Wendy said that civil rights is a topic that will certainly be highlighted this season.

I know BLM has caught the nations attention at this time, but I have been doing this work for years. I marched when Trayvon Martin was killed and that was years ago. Im excited that people are catching wind to this now, but this is my lifes work. This is what I do, Wendy explained. Something that I focused on while we were filming is getting Black women out to vote. Thats something Im passionate about not just to get out and vote but to know the power of their vote.

I think this group is very engaged with these current issues, and Im excited because Ive been doing this for a while and Im glad people are coming on board, she continued. We need to propel this movement forward.

Wendy also opened up about how she and her husband are navigating discussions about the current civil rights movement with her two young sons, 7-year-old Karter and 5-year-old Kruz.

Mommy is on the news and if you walk into my house, youll see a TV tuned into a national news network. Theyre hearing people protesting, theyre hearing, No justice, no peace, so we had to explain to them why these people are in the streets and why theyre seeing these images on the television, said Wendy, adding that soon, they will need to have the conversation that every Black household with boys has.

The talk is about what happens when youre pulled over by a police officer, said Wendy. That in-depth conversation we have not had, but weve let them know why the current climate in the country is the way it is and the history of racism in this country.

Want more RHOP? New episodes air every Sunday at 9/8c or catch up on this season through the Bravo app.

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Wendy Osefo on Her Involvement with Black Lives Matter: This Is My Lifes Work - Bravo

Covid-19 Forces Gene Therapy Companies to Shift… – Labiotech.eu

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Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, gene therapy companies are suffering, with clinical trials delayed and investors remaining cautious in an increasingly volatile market. Yet many have set their sights on what could potentially turn into a gold mine: applying their technology to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The UKs Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult is the latest example of these uncertainty dynamics last week, it received a 100M investment from the UK government to boost its manufacturing capacity in order to scale up the countrys ability to make Covid-19 vaccines, once a vaccine is approved. With this investment, the center will be able to produce millions of doses of vaccine a month.

Gene therapy companies are particularly well-positioned to research and manufacture Covid-19 vaccines, since they often employ viral vectors to get genes into cells. These same vectors could also be used to carry genetic material from the coronavirus in order to elicit an immune response.

The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted many companies to highlight the potential of their programs for treating this disease. Gene therapy is no exception, and indeed several vaccine programs are employing gene therapy, said Stephan Christgau, co-founder and Managing Partner of EiR Ventures, who pointed out at companies such as Moderna, BioNTech and the CGT Catapult.

Data will show whether this approach works for the coronavirus, and, as an investor, ultimately data is king.

Many gene therapy companies may see the opportunity to join the struggle against Covid-19 as life support. When it comes to traditional gene therapies such as those targeting cancer or rare genetic diseases recent data paints a bleak picture.

According to analytics firm GlobalData, 59 gene therapy clinical trials involving 80 drugs and 63 companies have been delayed to date due to the pandemic. The main reasons being that hospitals are overwhelmed and lockdown measures have limited patient access to clinical trials.

It certainly has gone quiet in cell and gene therapeutic products, a representative of Voisin Consulting, a Paris-based life sciences consultancy, told me. Delayed clinical trials, reduced patient enrollment, and possible regulatory delays alongside wavering investor confidence likely contribute to that situation, she added.

These statistics mirror widespread delays of other non-emergency treatments and interventions. The problem is so significant that many experts fear a flood of undiagnosed cancers and other life-threatening diseases down the road.

On top of that comes the roaring economic crisis that lockdowns are triggering around the globe, which may force gene therapy developers to radically rethink their business model. The therapies they provide, even those that are still experimental, are often hugely expensive, often running into the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars for a single course of treatment.

Due to the economic recession in most of the countries worldwide, governments will discuss more carefully with pharma companies and payers how to price these high-cost therapies, as the healthcare system is already under pressure, Alessio Brunello, Senior Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, told me. The important factor in addressing this issue could be lowering production costs.

There is a clear mid to long-term impact resulting from Covid-19 pandemic such as clinical trials slowing down, therefore impacting the amount of data available for companies to secure more funding; or prioritization of facilities for COVID-19 work to delay commitment of companies coming to the UK, said a representative from the CGT Catapult.

This however may present opportunities for the cell and gene therapy industry in the UK and its ecosystem in the long run. For instance, the distance between manufacturing facilities may be reduced as companies realize that in such circumstances they would want to ensure easy access to them. This may well result in increased clustering of facilities. The UK already has the largest cluster of cell and gene therapy companies outside of the US and this will remain a key asset to ensure business continuity, similarly international companies already setup int eh UK may be more likely to centralise operations here.

Cover image via Shutterstock, figures courtesy of GlobalData

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Cell and gene therapies: For biotechs, collaboration is key to successful innovation – BioPharma Dive

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Cell and gene therapies are expected to represent one of the biggest advances in medical treatments since the introduction of monoclonal antibodies. Cell therapies are having a major impact on hematological malignancies, while gene therapy programs for rare and non-rare diseases could potentially benefit some 2.4 billion patients worldwide. A number of different technologies are enabling gene therapy for patients using different vectors and platforms. We anticipate an increase of gene therapy products that can address monogenic inherited diseases, such as those that involve metabolic disorder and neurological conditions.

Cell therapy products include bispecific T-cell engager antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (better known as CAR T), stem cell therapy, T-cell receptor therapy, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy. Gene therapy may be used in conjunction with these cell products. Gene therapy is not just a type of medicine, but a platform that will enable many different medicines to treat diseases across multiple therapeutic areas, for patient populations of all sizes. Note that CAR T products are classified as both cell and gene therapy.

The FDA is taking a collaborative stance in encouraging innovative product development and clinical trial design and has approved nine cell and gene therapy products.The FDA anticipates approving 10 or more products per year by 2025. As of June 2019, the EMA has approved 14 advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP), including gene, cell and tissue products.Oncology is currently the leading therapeutic area, and trials are also underway for therapies in cardiovascular, ophthalmology, Parkinson's disease, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. Because of the great promise of these advances, companies focusing on cell and gene therapy products in these areas are well positioned to raise funds to support their research and development initiatives.

Without doubt, this is an exciting environment for those devoting their careers to bringing innovative treatments to people who need them. And needless to say, there is enormous opportunity in this field for biotech companies. In fact, many critical and innovative new therapies for rare and untreated diseases occur in the biotech pipeline.

However, the path to developing and commercializing a cell and gene therapy product is complex and there are many hurdles to overcome. This is especially true for biotechs which typically do not have full internal logistical or operational expertise, long-term relationships with manufacturers, or deep financial resources. For example, a biotech developing an autologouscell product might not easily be able to partner with local or central GMP manufacturers. Each detail has the potential to significantly slow down the clinical trial process and put biotechs at a disadvantage. Logistical challenges pose considerable obstacles, for example:

Collection, transportation and GMP manufacturing for allogeneic products

Short half-life of cell products, typically 24 to 96 hours

Storage capacities requiring very low temperatures for frozen products

Limited manufacturing capacity in many regions

Complex country-specific environmental safety regulations

Operational delivery can be equally problematic:

Selection of appropriate sites with accreditation for cell and gene therapy products

Limited on-site training and inconsistency among sites

Rare patient indications requiring intense patient recruitment strategies

The small number of patients participating in these trials

Unique toxicities that require early identification and management for patient safety

Coordination of multiple sites during trial enrollment to manage limited product availability

That said, biotechs might be in the best position to find new avenues to push innovation forward by virtue of their agility and flexibility, compared to their larger counterparts. In this fast-changing environment, the key to overcoming logistical and manufacturing concerns is to establish a partnership with a CRO one with a global team with direct experience in cell and gene therapy trials.

Most importantly, the CRO partner should be knowledgeable in cell products tracking, coordination and delivery in the tight timelines necessary for these compounds. Local knowledge from regulatory experts can help minimize time to trial opening and increase the chance of success. For example, a gene therapy clinical trial process in the United States is very different compared to such a process in Japan.

Further, biotechs need to choose clinical sites very carefully. Targeted locations should include accredited locations with teams in place to handle the complex requirements for these studies. The CRO partner should provide constant updates about clinical sites supporting cell and gene therapies, as an increasing number of sites establish capabilities in this field. Access to data that will help identify locations and patient volumes for rare-disease indications is also crucial.

Due to the unique potential side effects and safety concerns for cell and gene therapy trials, clinical research teams need to be well trained for operational success. Other important considerations include:

Prior indication experience

Specific training modules for team members

Clear communication standards

Strong pharmacovigilance expertise

As part of one of the world's leading CROs, Parexel Biotech offers essential services ideally suited to supporting biotech companies in these initiatives, with comprehensive expertise covering every critical area. Our lean operational structure and flexible processes enable biotechs to take advantage of regulatory, commercialization and operational expertise developed over years of experience with leading biopharma companies. The objective of our team is to bring together best practices to help our clients succeed with their important new therapies.

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The Time for DMD Gene Therapy is Now: A Chat with the MDA – BioSpace

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After almost 15 years since the first gene therapy trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) began, the dream of a DMD gene therapy drug is getting closer to a reality.

BioSpace sat down with Sharon Hesterlee, Ph.D., chief research officer at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), to talk about the history and challenges of developing gene therapy for DMD and the DMD gene therapy field as a whole, including Pfizers and Sarepta Therapeutics latest clinical data.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)

DMD is a progressive muscle wasting disease caused by a genetic mutation. The mutated gene is on the X chromosome, making DMD an X-linked disease. This explains why it largely affects boys as they dont have a backup copy of the gene (they only have one X chromosome).

The first signs of DMD appear as the young boys begin to walk and get more mobile, typically between the ages of 2 to 5. They have trouble walking, arent walking as well as their peers, and cant jump, Hesterlee commented. Most boys stop walking and need a wheelchair between 9 and 14 years old.

But the disease doesnt just affect their legs it affects muscles all over their body. The most troublesome symptoms are breathing difficulties. Eventually, they will need ventilation to help them breathe.

The life span of boys with DMD has been growing steadily (from in their teens to early 30s) due to improvements in heart and respiratory care. Despite this progress, most DMD patients pass away in their 20s to 30s due to respiratory failure, infection, or cardiomyopathy (dilation of the heart due to overwork).

Discovering DMDs cause

Although we now know DMD is a genetic disease, it wasnt that long ago that researchers didnt know why or how the disease came about.

Back in the mid-1980s, the cause of DMD was still unknown all we knew was that it ran in families, there were no genes associated with the disease yet, Hesterlee explained. MDA gave research grants to four labs tasked with finding the cause. One of those labs, Louis Kunkels lab, identified the dystrophin gene first in 1986.

Dystrophin, the largest gene in the human body, encodes a muscle protein responsible for keeping muscle cells from pulling themselves apart when the muscle is working, like a shock absorber for the cell, as Hesterlee described. Without dystrophin, the muscle cells suffer from microtears, leading to their demise and progressive muscle wasting.

Once we identified the culprit gene, we thought Oh great! We know whats wrong, well fix it! Hesterlee added. But it took another 30 years to be able to apply this knowledge to develop effective drugs.

Although corticosteroids can slow the progression of DMD to some extent, they dont address the underlying issue the lack of functional dystrophin. Corticosteroids help dampen down inflammation, said Hesterlee. They can help slow down disease progression, but tackling inflammation only addresses one downstream effect.

Fixing the mutated gene (through gene editing) or providing cells with a new healthy copy of the gene (through gene therapy) would provide the best benefit, possibly even leading to a lifelong cure.

Gene therapy for DMD

As the name suggests, gene therapy involves delivering a healthy copy of a mutated gene (in DMDs case dystrophin) into cells. The tricky part is getting the gene inside the cell. This is accomplished using a vector, usually a virus or nanoparticle, as a trojan horse to sneak the healthy gene into the cell.

Viruses are very well evolved to get into cells, commented Hesterlee. Take out the viral genes required to make copies of itself and put in the healthy copy of dystrophin, then the virus can get inside cells but not replicate.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are commonly used because they dont naturally cause disease or many immune system side effects in humans. But there is a limit to how much cargo you can stuff inside these tiny viruses, about 5 kb for AAV. The whole 2.2 Mb dystrophin gene over 440 times as big is too large to fit inside any AAV.

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, researchers tinkered with the dystrophin gene, figuring out what parts were needed and how much they could trim out to still have a functional protein. They finally found the perfect balance, naming the shortened genes microdystrophins.

Sometimes called minidystrophins, there are slight variations between different versions of these shortened genes, but the key is they are all small enough to fit into AAV, explained Hesterlee.

Other hurdles of developing a DMD gene therapy

Now that the dystrophy gene was brought down to a useful size, the next challenge researchers faced was getting the gene therapy from the blood stream into the muscle.

Could we use histamine? What about a tourniquet and pressure? Or higher doses to drive the virus into the muscles? Hesterlee added. But we were cautious after the high profile death of Jesse Gelsinger in 1999.

Thats why the first DMD gene therapy trial in the US, which began in 2006, involved injecting the gene therapy directly into the biceps of the children who participated. That allowed researchers to test the gene therapy proof-of-concept in DMD patients without worrying about systemic administration right off the bat. Subsequent gene therapy trials have moved to intravenous (IV) administration typically only requiring one fairly quick dose.

The trick was using higher doses and the right serotypes of AAV to move the vector out of the bloodstream and into muscle, Hesterlee added.

Now, researchers had to find the best time during the course of the childrens disease to test the therapy.

The earlier you treat, the better, but its hard to measure benefit if the children are not yet manifesting a lot of symptoms, so you want to test the children at a stage when theyre progressing, said Hesterlee. Also, if you were to treat infants, its important to remember that they will be making new muscle cells without the modified gene in them, so there is a balance of when to treat.

Children with DMD tend to get stronger between 3 to 7 years old, then start to decline, Hesterlee explained. This is why many Duchenne drug studies traditionally havent involved children younger than 7 years old.

Testing the children when they are starting to lose the ability to walk can avoid the natural history noise, Hesterlee added. You can compare outcomes to natural disease due to a rich natural history of DMD. In recent years, weve gotten much better at detecting benefits in the boys even when they are in the early stages and improving, so trials have started to skew younger, including children as young as 4 years old.

Another challenge hinges on the fact that the gene is delivered using a virus, making the gene therapy an immunization in a way. The patients body will react to the viral vector just like it would any other virus, creating antibodies to hunt and destroy the gene therapy viruses. This not only quickly diminishes the amount of therapeutic virus in the body, but it could also mean the patient would only be able to get one dose of therapy - any subsequent doses would be destroyed too quickly by the body or, worse, potentially cause a severe immune reaction.

AAVs are also common viruses some people have already been exposed to AAVs naturally and would never know because they cause no symptoms.

Anywhere from 10 to 80 percent of DMD patients, depending on the serotype in question, have preexisting antibodies against AAVs, meaning they are not eligible for gene therapy, Hesterlee elaborated. Antibody status can be quite divisive in the DMD community.

DMD gene therapies in development

Despite all the challenges faced over the years, there are a handful of gene therapies being developed for DMD currently, with a few pivotal Phase III trials close on the horizon. There are currently three companies with competitive trials in the US: Solid Biosciences, Sarepta Therapeutics, and Pfizer (who bought the DMD platform in 2016 from AskBio, a company involved in early DMD gene therapy trials).

Top DMD Gene Therapies in Development

Solid Biosciences

Sarepta Therapeutics

Pfizer

Treatment name

SGT-001

SRP-9001

PF-06939926

Phase

I/II (clinical hold)

[NCT03368742]

I/II (active, not recruiting)

[NCT03375164]

II (active, not recruiting)

[NCT03769116]

Ib (active & enrolling)

[NCT03362502]

III (not yet recruiting)

[NCT04281485]

Ages enrolling

Boys 4-17 years

I/II: Boys 4-7 years

II: Boys 4-7 years

Ib: boys 4-12 years

III: boys 4-7 years

AAV type

AAV9

AAVrh74

AAV9

Dystrophin gene

Microdystrophin

Microdystrophin

Minidystrophin

Gene includes nitric oxide binding spot?

Yes

No

No

Solid Biosciences therapy, called SGT-001, involves a microdystrophin gene carried by an AAV9 viral vector. AAV9 is a type of AAV that is particularly good at getting into muscle cells.

The company recently presented a clinical update at the virtual American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) meeting in May. Microdystrophin expression was seen via muscle biopsies 90 days after treatment (at a dose of 2E14 vg/kg), which stabilized dystrophin-associated proteins and restored activity of a key enzyme (called neuronal nitric oxide synthase, or nNOS) in the muscles. Unfortunately, their Phase I/II trial (IGNITE DMD) is still on hold by the FDA.

All three companies are using different versions of minidystrophin, explained Hesterlee. Solids is different because it contains the binding spot for an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase both Sarepta and Pfizer cut that portion out.

Sarepta Therapeutics has two DMD gene therapies, SRP-9001 Micro-dystrophin and GALGT2 (Nationwide Childrens), in clinical trials and one therapy, GNT0004 Micro-dystrophin (Genethon), in preclinical development. SRP-9001 includes a different serotype of AAV, called AAVrh74 (which also gets into muscle and heart cells well), and a microdystrophin gene.

SRP-9001 (2E14 vg/kg dose) is currently being investigated in open-label Phase I/II study (Study 101). In mid-June, Sarepta announced that preliminary results from four boys ages 4-7 years were published in JAMA Neurology. SRP-9001 was safe and well-tolerated up to one-year post-administration. At 12-weeks post-treatment, the mean percent of dystrophin expressed in muscles was a whopping 95.8 percent. All functional improvement the boys gained (measured by the NorthStar Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) rating scale) was also maintained for at least one year post-treatment. Importantly, there were no serious adverse events (only mild to moderate events).

Sarepta had higher dystrophin gene expression and no serious adverse events, like Pfizer saw, Hesterlee added.

SRP-9001 is also being studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase II trial (Study 102) in 41 boys ages 4-7 years with results expected in early 2021. In fact, the FDA recently granted SRP-9001 Fast Track designation.

Instead of delivering the dystrophin gene, GALGT2 delivers the GALGT2 gene, which is also important for muscle function. It is currently being investigated in a Phase I/II study in six boys ages 4 and up.

While they arent gene therapies, Sarepta also has two FDA-approved genetic medicines: Exondys51 (eteplirsen) and Vyondys53 (golodirsen). Both employ exon skipping, redirecting DNA processing inside the muscle cells to create minidystrophin right in the cells much like the researchers did in the lab, but directly in the children themselves. They also have 12 other exon skipping-based genetic medicines in their pipeline.

The problem is exon skipping, in its current form, is not very efficient and each therapy only works in a subset of children with certain gene mutations, Hesterlee commented. Gene therapy is more efficient and covers everyone, regardless of genetic mutations, but its still good to have options while new therapies are in development.

Pfizers gene therapy drug, called PF-06939926, is an AAV9 virus carrying a minidystrophin gene. The companys most recent Phase Ib results were released in May at the ASGCT meeting (abstract no. 617). Although the Phase I trial is not placebo controlled, they can compare treated children to the known natural history of DMD. According to the companys press release, preliminary data from nine boys with DMD (ages 6-12) showed the therapy was well-tolerated during intravenous infusion.

At 12 months post-injection, the boys had sustained, significant improvement in minidystrophin expression and improved muscle function (measured via the NSAA rating scale). The three patients receiving the low dose (1E14 vg/kg) had a mean percent dystrophin expression in muscles of 28.5 percent at two months and 21.2 percent at 12 months, compared to the six patients receiving the high dose (3E14 vg/kg) had 48.4 percent dystrophin expression at two months, three of whom had 50.6 percent at 12 months.

Three serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred, but they fully resolved within two weeks. Pfizer plans to begin a Phase III study with PF-06939926 by the end of 2020.

Both Sarepta and Pfizer have collected some promising functional data, commented Hesterlee. It is very likely that one or both of these gene therapies could be approved.

This opens up the door for combination therapies, such as gene therapies to stabilize the muscle and small molecule drugs to deal with downstream events like fibrosis and inflammation, Hesterlee concluded. It could convert this disease from a devastating diagnosis to a manageable disease in the next 10 years.

Check out the MDAs Facebook Live Q&A event MDA Frontline COVID-19 Response: Back-to-School in the Midst of COVID-19 Concerns for the Neuromuscular Disease Community with Dr. Christopher Rosa and Justin Moy. Tune in live this Friday, July 31 at 3pm ET to join the discussion.

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Gene Therapy Beats the Blood-Brain Barrier To Cure Cat Disease – Technology Networks

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A lone genetic mutation can cause a life-changing disorder with effects on multiple body systems. Lysosomal storage diseases, for example, of which there are dozens, arise due to single mutations that affect production of critical enzymes required to metabolize large molecules in cells. These disorders affect multiple organs including, notably, the brain, causing intellectual disability of varying degrees.Gene therapy holds promise to address these conditions, but the brains own protective mechanism the blood-brain barrier has been a formidable challenge for researchers working to develop one.

In a new study published in the journal Brain, a team led by John H. Wolfe, a researcher with Penns School of Veterinary Medicine and Perelman School of Medicine and the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, successfully applied a gene therapy platform to completely correct brain defects in a large animal model of a human genetic disease.

This is the first example of a large-brain mammal with a bona fide human genetic disease that has intellectual disability as part of the human syndrome where weve been able to correct the biochemistry and pathologic lesions in the whole brain, says Wolfe.

Wolfe has worked on models of human genetic diseases that impact the brain for many years. With gene therapy, a delivery vehicle typically a viral vector is used to provide the normal version of a mutated gene to correct a condition. Wolfe and other scientists working in this area have made steady progress to treat neurogenetic diseases in rodents. However, applying the same treatment to the much larger brain of higher mammals has only been able to produce partial corrections.

Theres been a lot of excitement for the last 10 years or so that specific vectors can be injected into the blood and enter the brain, says Wolfe. They do cross the blood-brain barrier. One such treatment with restricted distribution has been effective in treating a disease that primarily affects the spinal cord.

And while scientists have shown these therapies can reverse the pathology throughout the brains of mice, its been hard to judge what effect it would have in patients, as the rodent brains have a much smaller cerebral cortex than larger mammals, like humans.

In the current study, the team used an animal model with a brain more similar to humans, cats, to assess the effectiveness of a gene-correcting therapy for one type of lysosomal storage disease: a condition called alpha-mannosidosis, which naturally occurs in cats and results from a mutated copy of the alpha-mannosidase gene.

Having refined the gene delivery technique during many years of work, the researchers selected a specific vector that they showed, in mice, was capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to reach sites throughout the brain.

They next delivered the vector, containing a reporter gene, to normal cats. Several weeks later, they were able to find evidence that the corrected gene had distributed to various parts of the brain, including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and mid-brain.

Finally the research team assessed the therapy in cats with alpha-mannosidosis, using either a low or high dose of the vector. They injected the therapy into the carotid artery, so that it would go directly to the brain before traveling to other parts of the body. Compared to untreated cats, treated animals had a significant delayed onset of certain neurological symptoms and a longer lifespan; those that received the higher dose of the vector delivered through the carotid artery lived the longest.

Its a big advance, says Wolfe. Nobody has been able to treat the whole brain of a large-brained animal before. Were hopeful that this will translate into clinical use in humans.

Wolfe cautions, however, the findings dont amount to a cure.

These were significant improvements, but they were only just improvements on a serious condition, Wolfe says. The cats werent cured, and we dont know what impact this has on mental ability. However, since the pathology is found throughout the brain, it is thought that complete correction will be necessary.

As alpha-mannosidosis is a childhood-onset disease with no cure, however, any improvements that lessen the severity of symptoms are welcome. The approach the researchers developed may potentially be employed to treat many other diseases that affect the whole central nervous system.

In future work, Wolfe and his collaborators hope to refine their methods to achieve the same outcomes with a lower dose, making an effective treatment safer as well as more affordable. And they will continue to work to understand the details of why their treatment works, including precisely how the vector travels through the brain, a line of investigation that could shed light on additional strategies to address these serious disorders.

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

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Analysis of COVID-19 Gene Therapy Market – Market Research Posts

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Gene Therapy Market Snapshot

Introduction of new production, availability of reimbursement together with high occurrences of cancer are estimated to propel growth of the global gene therapy market in the years to come. Gene therapy refers to an experimental technique, which utilizes genes for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. It is expected that in the near future, this technology could assist doctors to place a gene into the cells of a patient for the purpose of his treatment. This therapy could be used as an alternative to surgery or drugs. Scientists are examining various approaches to this therapy, which could comprise

Gene therapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for a large number of diseases such as certain viral infections, certain cancers, and inherited disorders. This factor is likely to work in favor of the global gene therapy market in the years to come.

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Progress in Gene-editing and Genomics Tools to Stoke Demand of Gene Therapy

CAR T-cell use has recently garnered considerable attention from the sponsors following the exhibition of its immense promise in the treatment of several diseases. The promising future of CAR T-cell is estimated to amplify the growth opportunities of the global gene therapy market. Sponsors hail CAR T-cell use as a brand new business model of the future.

In the pipeline of pharmaceutical industry, gene therapy account for a considerable share and this trend is likely to continue in the years to come. In addition, significant advancement has been made in the fields of cellular and molecular biology is likely to fuel growth of the global gene therapy market in the years to come. rapid technological progress made in the gene-editing and genomics tools are further estimated to drive the demand for gene therapy.

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Global Gene Therapy Market Snapshot

Expanding at a stellar, double-digits CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 40% over the forecast period of 2018 to 2026, the global gene therapy market is a dizzying trajectory, marking out a rosy landscape for players operating in the playfield. As per a Transparency Market Research report, based on extensive primary and secondary research, states that over the period states, the market would accrue a worth of USD 5164.03 million a steep and impressive increase from the USD 17 million worth noted in 2017.

Fixing defective genes via introduction of new and healthy ones to fix severe genetic and chronic disorders is seeing an upward curve in demand for reasons of improved medical outcomes, major leaps in terms of technological advancement and minimal die-effects as compared to alternatives. Some of the most significant alternatives include surgery, and drug use.

Some of the most significant factors that the analysts of the report note include focused efforts towards marketing and commercialization, and a slew of approvals of new products hitting the global gene therapy market. Additionally, there are factors such as growing demand experienced for this treatment by a large pool of patients.

It is pertinent to note here that the global gene therapy market is consolidated and is dependent on clinincal research and development of the highest standards in order to chart growth. And, some of the players that operate the market landscape, and are into significant research projects include Gilead Sciences, Inc., Novartis AG, Sibiono GeneTech Co. Ltd., Spark Therapeutics, Inc., CELGENE CORPORATION, and Orchard Therapeutics Limited.

Yescarta to Dominate Global Gene Therapy Market over the Forecast Period

The global gene therapy market report by TMR is segmented based on type, application, and region. The former includes the only five products that have been approved so far for commercial use. These include Gendicine, Yescarta, Strimvelis, Kymriah, and Luxturna. Riding the first mover benefits, Yescarta helf the dominant position in the market in 2017, and the trend will continue, adding more worth to the sub-segment. This is the product that brought out the initial CAR T therapy in the market for large B-cell lymphoma that relapse.

It is worth noting here that as per the global gene therapy market report, the high incidence of DLBCL and massive commercialization efforts directed towards Yescarta, particularly in Europe, will contribute positively and significantly to the overall growth of the global gene therapy market. The other sub-segment to make a mark over the global gene therapy market landscape will be Luxturna, owing to rising awareness levels and massive efforts towards comercialization.

Europe to be Ahead of the Global Gene Therapy Market Growth Curve over the Forecast Period

The global gene therapy markets regional segmentation includes incisive growth insights into some of the most significant areas that will shape up the overall growth in the market. These include North America, Europe, and Rest of the World. Researchers involved with the preparation of report claim that a massive chunk of about 40% would be accounted for by Europe over the forecast period. Some of the factors backing-up the market dominance of the region include high incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and increase in number of treatment centers into gene therapy.

This growth would be followed by North America region, owing to huge contributions from the United States of America which witnesses about 7500 cases of refractory DLBCL each year. These are ones that qualify for the CAR T therapy.

More Trending Reports by Transparency Market Research https://www.biospace.com/article/joint-replacement-device-market-rise-in-the-geriatric-population-drives-the-market-demand/

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Analysis of COVID-19 Gene Therapy Market - Market Research Posts

World-first gene therapy reverses Alzheimer’s memory loss in mice – New Atlas

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Scientists in Australia have made an exciting breakthrough in Alzheimers research, demonstrating what they describe as the first gene-therapy-based approach for treating advanced forms of the disease. Through experiments in mice, the team was able to show how activating a key enzyme in the brain can prevent the kind of memory loss associated with advanced forms of Alzheimer's, and even reverse it.

The research was carried out at Macquarie University, where dementia researchers and brothers Lars and Arne Ittner were investigating the role of a key enzyme in the brain called p38gamma. Through previous research, the brothers had shown that by activating this enzyme in mice with advanced dementia, they could modify a protein that prevents the development of Alzheimers symptoms.

Seeking to build on this, the scientists conducted experiments on mice with advanced Alzheimers disease to see not just how cognitive decline could be slowed, but how the function of this protective enzyme might be restored to normal levels for even greater benefit.

The naturally protective enzymatic activity in the brain is unfortunately lost the further you progress down the Alzheimers disease track so the more memory you lose, the more you also lose this natural protective effect, says Lars Ittner.

The researchers found that by introducing genetic material, they could activate the p38gamma enzyme in a way that not only stopped memory decline in the mice, but actively improved their memory despite the advanced nature of their disease.

We were completely surprised, says Lars Ittner. They actually recovered their memory function and their ability to learn returned. So, two months after we treated the mice at very old ages, these mice suddenly behaved like their normal siblings. We were really stoked. There is no comparable therapy out there and no other gene therapy either.

Macquarie University

While exciting, there is a lot to play out before we see this kind of therapy enter clinical use. Work is underway on determining the best pathway toward clinical trials with the team eyeing commercialization thereafter, possibly five to 10 years down the track. And the technique's potential mightnt end with Alzheimers, with the team hopeful it could prove useful in treating other dementia-related diseases, such as fronto-temporal dementia, which typically affects younger people between the ages of 40 and 65.

The brain is a black box and some days we get lucky and get glimpses of how it functions and we learn we can interfere with the mechanism in this black box, says Arne Ittner. Now we have detailed understanding of the mechanisms involved down to the amino acids, which is just quite unprecedented.

A paper detailing the discovery will be published in the journal Acta Neuropathologica in September, while you can hear from the researchers in the video below.

New hope as dementia therapy reverses memory loss

Source: Macquarie University

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World-first gene therapy reverses Alzheimer's memory loss in mice - New Atlas

Gene Therapy Market is projected to grow at an annualized rate of 45%, till 2030 – Market Research Posts

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Encouraging clinical results across various metabolic, hematological and ophthalmic disorders have inspired research groups across the world to focus their efforts on the development of novel gene editing therapies. In fact, the gene therapy pipeline has evolved significantly over the past few years, with three products being approved in 2019 alone; namely Beperminogene perplasmid (AnGes), ZOLGENSMA (AveXis) and ZYNTEGLO (bluebird bio). Further, there are multiple pipeline candidates in mid to late-stage (phase II and above) trials that are anticipated to enter the market over the next 5-10 years.

The USD 11.6 billion (by 2030) financial opportunity within the Gene Therapy Market has been analyzed across the following segments:

Key therapeutic areas

Type of vector

Type of therapy

Type of gene modification

Route of administration

Key geographical regions

For more information, please visit https://www.rootsanalysis.com/reports/view_document/gene-therapy-market-3rd-edition-2019-2030/268.html

The Gene Therapy Market (3rd Edition), 2019-2030 report features the following companies, which we identified to be key players in this domain:

Table of Contents

For more information, please click on the following link:

https://www.rootsanalysis.com/reports/view_document/gene-therapy-market-3rd-edition-2019-2030/268.html

About Roots Analysis

Roots Analysis is one of the fastest growing market research companies, sharing fresh and independent perspectives in the bio-pharmaceutical industry. The in-depth research, analysis and insights are driven by an experienced leadership team which has gained many years of significant experience in this sector. If youd like help with your growing business needs, get in touch at [emailprotected]

Contact Information

Roots Analysis Private Limited

Gaurav Chaudhary

+1 (415) 800 3415

[emailprotected]

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Spark Therapeutics Recognized for Fourth-straight Year as One of Philadelphia’s Best Places to Work by the Philadelphia Business Journal – BioSpace

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PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spark Therapeutics, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and a fully integrated, commercial gene therapy company dedicated to challenging the inevitability of genetic disease, today announced that it has been named one of Philadelphias Best Places to Work for the fourth year in a row by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

In seven years, we have grown to a team of more than 500 employees, who are truly what make Spark Therapeutics a great place to work, and achieved breakthroughs that have heralded a new era in medicine, said Lisa Dalton, chief people officer, Spark Therapeutics. It was here in Philadelphia that we brought the first gene therapy for a genetic disease in the U.S. to patients, and now, as a member of the Roche Group, we remain committed to mentoring the next generation of talent, investing in West Philadelphia and growing and fostering an engaged workforce that keeps us a best place to work for years to come.

ThePhiladelphia Business Journalselected winners based on employee responses to an engagement survey conducted by Quantum Workplace, an independent employee feedback software company. The Best Places to Work survey measures key areas such as work environment, professional development and embracing change and new ideas.

Spark remains fully dedicated to hiring and expanding its workforce to meet ambitious growth plans. The company strives to create a diverse workforce of unique viewpoints, experiences, and perspectives to break barriers in gene therapy and reflect the diversity of the world around us.

Interested candidates are encouraged to consider sparking a change in their careers and joining the company. Learn more and explore job openings by visiting http://www.sparktx.comor following Spark Therapeutics onLinkedIn.

About Spark Therapeutics AtSpark Therapeutics, a fully integrated, commercial company committed to discovering, developing and delivering gene therapies, we challengethe inevitability of genetic diseases,includingblindness, hemophilia, lysosomal storage disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.We currently have four programs in clinical trials.At Spark, a member of the Roche Group, we see the path to a world where no life is limited by genetic disease. For more information, visit http://www.sparktx.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:Kevin Giordanokevin.giordano@sparktx.com(215) 294-9942

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Spark Therapeutics Recognized for Fourth-straight Year as One of Philadelphia's Best Places to Work by the Philadelphia Business Journal - BioSpace

AGTC to Present at the Wedbush PacGrow Virtual Healthcare Conference on August 11, 2020 – BioSpace

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: AGTC), a biotechnology company conducting human clinical trials of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies for the treatment of rare diseases, today announced that Sue Washer, President & Chief Executive Officer, will present at the Wedbush PacGrow Virtual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 10:20 am ET.

A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available by visiting http://ir.agtc.com/events-and-presentations. A replay will be available on the Company's website following the event.

About AGTCAGTC is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing genetic therapies for people with rare and debilitating ophthalmic, otologic and central nervous system (CNS) diseases. AGTC is a leader in designing and constructing all critical gene therapy elements and bringing them together to develop customized therapies that address real patient needs. Initially focusing on ophthalmology, we are leveraging our best-in-class investigational technology platform to potentially improve vision for patients with an inherited retinal disease. AGTC has active clinical trials in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa and achromatopsia (ACHM CNGB3 & ACHM CNGA3). Our pre-clinical programs build on our industry leading AAV manufacturing technology and expertise. AGTC is advancing multiple important pipeline candidates to address substantial unmet clinical need in optogenetics, otology and CNS disorders.

IR/PR CONTACTS: David Carey (IR) or Glenn Silver (PR)Lazar FINN PartnersT: (212) 867-1768 or (646) 871-8485david.carey@finnpartners.com or glenn.silver@finnpartners.com

Corporate Contact:Bill SullivanChief Financial OfficerApplied Genetic Technologies CorporationT: (617) 843-5728bsullivan@agtc.com

Stephen PotterChief Business OfficerApplied Genetic Technologies CorporationT: (617) 413-2754spotter@agtc.com

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AGTC to Present at the Wedbush PacGrow Virtual Healthcare Conference on August 11, 2020 - BioSpace

Global Hemophilia Gene Therapy Market is estimated to Experience a Notable Rise in the coming era by Spark Therapeutics, Ultragenyx, Shire PLC,…

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Global Hemophilia Gene Therapy Market presents comprehensive insights into the present and upcoming industry trends, enabling the readers to identify the products and services, hence driving the revenue increase and effectiveness. The research report presents a complete breakdown of all the major factors affecting the market on a global and regional scale, including drivers, constraints, threats, challenges, opportunities, and Hemophilia Gene Therapy industry-specific trends. Further, the report mentions global facts and figures along with downstream and upstream analysis of leading players.

The study gives answers to the following key questions:

Request For Free Sample copy of this report::

https://www.globalmarketers.biz/report/medicine/global-hemophilia-gene-therapy-market-2019-by-company,-regions,-type-and-application,-forecast-to-2024/130750#request_sample

Major Players:

Spark TherapeuticsUltragenyxShire PLCSangamo TherapeuticsBioverativBioMarinuniQureFreeline Therapeutics

This research presents Hemophilia Gene Therapy market growth rates and the market value based on market dynamics, growth factors. The complete knowledge is based on the newest innovation in the business, opportunities, and trends. In adding up to SWOT analysis by key suppliers, the report contains an all-inclusive market analysis and major players landscape.

Ask For Discount: https://www.globalmarketers.biz/discount_inquiry/discount/130750

The regional segmentation covers:

Segmentation by Type:

Hemophilia AHemophilia B

Segmentation by Application:

Hemophilia A Gene TherapyHemophilia B Gene Therapy

Any Query Or Specific Requirement? Ask to our Research expert @

https://www.globalmarketers.biz/report/medicine/global-hemophilia-gene-therapy-market-2019-by-company,-regions,-type-and-application,-forecast-to-2024/130750#inquiry_before_buying

Report Objectives

Global Hemophilia Gene Therapy Market Size, Status and Forecast 2020-2024

Browse Detailed TOC & Table Of Figures

https://www.globalmarketers.biz/report/medicine/global-hemophilia-gene-therapy-market-2019-by-company,-regions,-type-and-application,-forecast-to-2024/130750#table_of_contents

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Global Hemophilia Gene Therapy Market is estimated to Experience a Notable Rise in the coming era by Spark Therapeutics, Ultragenyx, Shire PLC,...

MEDIPAL HOLDINGS Partners with CRYOPORT to Bring Temperature-Controlled Supply Chain Solutions to the Japanese Market – PRNewswire

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. and TOKYO, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Cryoport, Inc.(NASDAQ: CYRX) ("Cryoport"), a global leader in life sciences supply chain solutions, and MEDIPAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION (7459:JP), ("MEDIPAL") Japan's leading pharma wholesaler and distributor today announced a multi-year strategic business alliance agreement to create an integrated regenerative medicine supply chain solution in Japan.

Cryoport and MEDIPAL will partner to provide integrated, end-to-end distribution solutions for specialty cell and gene therapies that demand stringent temperature control, track and trace systems and global distribution. To meet demand from the increasing number of cell and gene therapies currently in development and expected to launch in coming years, this alliance will combine both companies' strengths to realize reliable and seamless distribution services for biopharmaceutical companies in Japan and the Asia-Pacific ("APAC") region / worldwide.

Cryoport supports over 465clinical trials, globally, and multiple cell and gene therapies in commercial distribution. Its suite of unique temperature-controlled solutions for the life sciences industry enables users to monitor their shipments and track the conditions, location, and courier handling of their biological commodities in transit around the clock. And should a problem occur that warrants intervention, Cryoport can deploy intervention capability to mitigate the situation.

MEDIPAL provides industry-leading efficient, reliable, and timely distribution solutions for specialty products in the healthcare industry across a broad range of temperatures, from -196to 37(-320to 99), with strict temperature control and traceability. With its high-quality logistics, including the original SDDU (Specialty Drug Distribution Unit: a long-life shipping unit using liquid nitrogen in liquid phase for ultra-low temperature logistics), MEDIPAL has positioned itself as a unique leader in cell and gene therapy product logistics in Japan. The goal of the partnership is to provide fully integrated solutions that reduce risk and improve certainty for the companies' Japan and global clients and build business revenue for both MEDIPAL and Cryoport.

Shuichi Watanabe, Representative Director, President and CEO said, "This alliance with Cryoport will enable our two companies to seamlessly provide an integrated, high-quality logistics service in the Japanese market, as well as overseas, complementing each other's strengths. We also believe that this alliance will accelerate our progress to satisfy unmet medical needs, both domestically and internationally, and it will help patients awaiting new treatment options, as well as the treating physicians."

Jerrell Shelton, CEO of Cryoport, added, "Cryoport's Chain of Compliance complete suite of technologies and informatics are trusted by biopharmaceutical companies worldwide. We use SmartPak Condition Monitoring System and Cryoportal technologies to monitor the conditions of cell and gene therapies in real-time from the time of packing through transit to unpacking thereby significantly mitigating potential risks. We look forward to this alliance with MEDIPAL and to growing together in the cell and gene therapy space in Japan and globally."

About Cryoport, Inc.Cryoport, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYRX) is redefining logistics for the life sciences industry by providing a platform of temperature-controlled solutions, serving the Biopharma, Reproductive Medicine, and Animal Health markets. Our mission is to support life and health on earth by providing reliable and comprehensive solutions for the life sciences industry through our advanced technologies, Global Supply Chain Network and dedicated scientists, technicians and supporting team of professionals. Through its purpose-built, proprietary Cryoport Express Shippers; Cryoportal information technology; validated Global Logistics Centers; smart and sustainable temperature-controlled logistics; and biostorage/biobanking services, Cryoport serves clients in life sciences research, clinical trials, and product commercialization. We support life-saving advanced cell and gene therapies and deliver vaccines, protein producing materials, and IVF materials in over 100 countries around the world. For more information, visit http://www.cryoport.com or follow @cryoport on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cryoport for live updates.

About MEDIPAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Name:

MEDIPAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Established:

May 1923

Business:

As a holding company, MEDIPAL controls, administers and supports the operating activities of companies in which it holds shares in the Prescription Pharmaceutical Wholesale Business; the Cosmetics, Daily Necessities and OTC Pharmaceutical Wholesale Business; and the Animal Health Products and Food Processing Raw Materials Wholesale Business, and conducts business development for the MEDIPAL Group.

Head office:

Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Website:

https://medipal.co.jp/english

Representative:

Shuichi Watanabe, Representative Director, President and CEO

Forward Looking StatementsStatements in this news release which are not purely historical, including statements regarding Cryoport, Inc.'s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with the effect of changing economic conditions, trends in the products markets, variations in the Company's cash flow, market acceptance risks, and technical development risks. The Company's business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports including, but not limited to, the Company's 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Cryoport, Inc. disclaims any obligation, and does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release.

SOURCE Cryoport, Inc.

http://www.cryoport.com

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The Buzz: Is it open or closed? Five answers – Post-Crescent

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Back in January, Liberty Hall was supposed to be sold to Stein's Garden and Home. That fell through. Here's an update on Liberty Hall today.(Photo: Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Reader question: I know the sale of the Liberty Hall property to Steins fell through. I see theres now a large commercial for-sale sign on the property. Is Liberty Hall closed for good?

Answer: No. Liberty Hall is open and has bookings, said owner Mike Van Asten. He said the for-sale sign indicates that the business will relocate.

The banquet facility is at 800 Eisenhower Drive in Kimberly.

Steins Garden and Home previously wanted to buy Liberty Hall for a second Fox Cities nursery and garden store. It backed out during the coronavirus outbreak.

But the idea was planted that the property was desirable and could be sold. Outagamie County shows it has an assessed value of nearly $2.4 million for the 4.4 acre property and building.

If sold, Liberty Halls banquet business would move.

We never looked into the idea of moving before Steins brought the idea to us, said Steve Tremel, Liberty Halls executive chef and vice president. Were still pursuing that. Were looking at moving into a new, more modern place.

Liberty Hall opened in 1994, at a time when events were larger. The main ballroom can seat 650. It was common at that time to have 250 to 400 people at wedding receptions.

The new average is more in the 150 to 200 range, Van Asten said. Whens the last time you heard about an event that had 650 people?

In the COVID-19 era, he said weddings are still happening, but corporate, academic and government events are not.

Were getting bookings, but we have fewer actual events. Business is down more than 50 percent, said Van Asten. UWGB is an example. It has two dozen dates booked with us between now and the end of the year. All of those events canceled.

Liberty Hall hosted three weddings in July and has four booked in August. Theyre a combination of receptions booked a year ago, a few postponed from spring and several that came last minute after other event venues, including The Marq and Headliners, closed their doors.

Yesterday, we had a wedding with only 100 people. But because I have adequate space, it was easy to social distance the tables and the people and the dance floor. We were able to accommodate the current recommendations, Van Asten said.

Reader question: Is Little Chicago going to reopen?

Answer: Little Chicago Dining & Spirits reopened July 7 at N9650 Friendship Drive in Kaukauna. It had been closed for nearly four months during and after the time the safer-at-home order was in place.

Its new hours are 4-8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 4-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Little Chicago Dining & Spirits did reopen after the safer-at-home order was lifted.(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Reader question: Is Koreana permanently closed?

Answer: No. It reopens today, Tuesday, at 4 p.m. for curbside takeout. According to a note on its door and on its voicemail, it was closed for a week through Monday. Its inside dining room has not reopened since the safer-at-home order was lifted. The restaurant is at 201 W. Northland Ave. in Appleton.

Reader question: Any update on the east side Panera? They havent worked on it for quite awhile.

Answer: The last time I checked on it, in late May, it was on hold. I havent gotten any updates since then from the building developer or the company.

Panera Bread signed a lease in January for this Buchanan/Darboy location, facing Calumet Street just east of Chipotle. The building was built and a sign in front indicates that it is a Panera Bread, the second in the Fox Cities.

But as you observed, interior work hasnt been completed.

If Panera Breads national press office answers my email, Ill put the companys response in a future column.

The Fox Cities first Panera Bread location, at 3320 W. College Avenue in Grand Chute, is open as usual.

Update

As reported last week, Bamboo reopened Saturday with takeout only. The Chinese and sushi restaurant is at 2230 E. Northland Ave. in Appleton.

Chuan Shun Chen, a member of the family that owns the restaurant, called Monday with more details.

The restaurant is open for takeout from lunch through dinner every day. Were not taking any walk-in orders. Its only online or over the phone, said Chen. We dont have a specific time when the dining room will be open. Will depend on how well they get COVID under control. Hopefully soon.

He said the restaurants late reopening was because the family could not get flights back to the U.S. after being overseas. He said they intended to come back in March, but were stuck until about a month ago because many flights had been canceled.

He said after being closed so long, the restaurant went through another health inspection before reopening.

Bamboo is open for takeout only in Appleton.(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Contact reporter Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or mwallenfang@postcrescent.com. Followher on Twitter at@wallenfang.

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Montana Viewpoint: Defending government property at the expense of liberty – Missoula Current

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Jim Elliott

As I read of the use of federal officers sent to Portland against the wishes of the governor of Oregon and the mayor of Portland for the purpose of protecting federal property, I thought of these words from the Declaration of Independence enumerating one of the reasons for rejecting the rule of the British king:

He [King George III] has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

The few hundred federal agents sent might not constitute standing armies, but they certainly were there without the consent of the elected officers of the State of Oregon. Of course, they felt they needed no invitation, as Acting Director of Homeland Security Chad Wolf said, I dont need invitations by state mayors or state governors to do our job were going to do that whether they like us there or not,

They apparently dont need identification either, using unmarked vehicles and uniforms that had nothing but the word POLICE on them, if that. Law enforcement officers wear badges and identification with good reason, and, I hope, with pride. If they remove that identification before entering into action, as did the federal officers, it is because they do not want to be held responsible for their actions either legally or morally.

Nor did they seem to believe that they had a responsibility or need to follow the law, detaining people without reason or explanation, holding them captive, and then releasing them also without explanation or identifying their agencies. Whatever federal agency they represented, their actions were bush league and would have been a discredit to their uniform, had they worn one.

Their arrogance, secretiveness, and their very reason for being there are marks of despotism and have no place in America.

The reason that they were sent is less important than the fact that they were sent at all. An administration that refuses to mount a national defense to a national pandemic that respects no state borders cannot, with any credibility, decide that it can then act unilaterally to police the people of the individual states of the union.

Nor should they have been sent without a request by state governors. I can think of only two instances in the last 100 years where federal agents were sent into a state to enforce the law without the express invitation of the governor because in both cases it was the governors themselves who were breaking the law by ignoring Supreme Court orders to integrate schools in Arkansas and Mississippi.

That they were sent at all chills me. There is such a concept as states rights and there is a well-established distrust of federal agencies overstepping their bounds. Waco, Texas and Ruby Ridge in Idaho are examples on the right. And the right and the left share legitimate concerns: if we let this happen, what happens next?

Nobody of any political belief demonstrates against authority because it is fun. They demonstrate because they have deeply held beliefs that have been offended by government actions. Their convictions are so deeply held that they are willing to put themselves in harms way to defend them. Yes, there is often looting and property damage by irresponsible demonstrators and outside agitators, and yes, property should be defended from theft and destructionbut so should liberty.

The inability or reluctance of governments to respond to a public demand for change is well known. Governments will acknowledge a problem, sympathize with those affected and address the issue so slowly due to an excess of caution that little is resolved. The public is patient, but not stupid, and sees inaction for what it is; a snub to their concerns. The more that their cries for action are ignored, the angrier the public becomes, and the more impatient.

So, there is a vicious cycle that could be avoided by government taking the issue seriously in the first place. The longer the delay of justice the angrier people become and the angrier they become the more reckless and impetuous their reaction and the more unrealistic their expectations. Expectations which were initially realistic.

Jim Elliott served sixteen years in the Montana Legislature as a state representative and state senator and four years as chairman of the Montana Democratic Party. He lives on his ranch in Trout Creek.Montana Viewpoint appears in weekly papers across Montana and online at missoulacurrent.com.

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Montana Viewpoint: Defending government property at the expense of liberty - Missoula Current

Liberty Global and Virgin Media Bring Gigabit Speeds to Glasgow, Leeds and Bradford – Business Wire

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London, United Kingdom--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Liberty Global plc (NASDAQ: LBTYA, LBTYB and LBTYK), one of the worlds leading converged video, broadband and communications companies, today announces the launch of gigabit broadband services from Virgin Media to almost 1 million homes in Glasgow, Leeds and Bradford.

Following the addition of the cities and their surrounding areas to Liberty Globals gigabit capable footprint, a total of more than 12 million homes across Europe are now gigabit ready. This rises to 13.2 million homes with the inclusion of the gigabit footprint of VodafoneZiggo, its Joint Venture in the Netherlands. With a gigabit connection, ultra-high definition 4K films and TV programmes, very large files and videos can be downloaded almost instantaneously, even with multiple devices using a connection at the same time.

Virgin Medias gigabit network now covers one in four Virgin Media premises. Thanks to continued investment, Virgin Media now boasts the largest gigabit network in the UK, surpassing all other networks. The speed increases in Glasgow, Leeds and Bradford are part of Virgin Medias plan to bring gigabit speeds to more than 15 million homes across its entire network by the end of 2021, significantly ahead of the UK governments target of delivering gigabit-capable broadband nationwide by 2025.

The cities are the latest in a growing list of that can now experience speeds 17 times faster than the UK average. Virgin Media has already connected cities including Southampton, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry, Reading Liverpool and Edinburgh to its gigabit network, all delivered through Virgin Medias newest and most powerful router, the Hub 4.

Liberty Global is set to launch gigabit speed services in even more cities in the coming months as it continues to boost superfast internet access across Europe. Elsewhere amongst Liberty Globals operating companies, Telenet and UPC Switzerland connected customers throughout their entire networks last year, while UPC Poland has so far connected more than 60 cities to its gigabit service.

Mike Fries, CEO, Liberty Global, comments: Within the past 10 years we have gone from offering speeds of 100Mbps to making gigabit ready connections available to more than 12 million homes across our European footprint. Were continuing to invest in the fastest broadband network in the UK and our recently announced merger with O2 creates an even more exciting opportunity to accelerate growth in the future.

Gigabit speeds revolutionise the digital experience by making the next generation of home entertainment technology a reality. Applications of gigabit speeds include cloud-based gaming, 8K streaming, remote health telemonitoring and advanced telepresence, which could enable consumers to go virtual reality shopping or watch live broadcasts of holographic sports events.

By providing ultra-high capacity, reliable, secure, resilient and low latency networks, gigabit speed broadband services will unlock significant economic growth. According to research from international management consulting firm, Arthur D. Little, the innovation spurred by the widespread availability of Gigabit speeds are estimated to deliver between 250-660 billion of economic value per year in Europe by 2025.

ABOUT LIBERTY GLOBAL

Liberty Global (NASDAQ: LBTYA, LBTYB and LBTYK) is one of the worlds leading converged video, broadband and communications companies, with operations in six European countries under the consumer brands Virgin Media, Telenet and UPC. We invest in the infrastructure and digital platforms that empower our customers to make the most of the digital revolution. Our substantial scale and commitment to innovation enable us to develop market-leading products delivered through next-generation networks that connect 11 million customers subscribing to 25 million TV, broadband internet and telephony services. We also serve 6 million mobile subscribers and offer WiFi service through millions of access points across our footprint.

In addition, Liberty Global owns 50% of VodafoneZiggo, a joint venture in the Netherlands with 4 million customers subscribing to 10 million fixed-line and 5 million mobile services, as well as significant investments in ITV, All3Media, ITI Neovision, LionsGate, the Formula E racing series and several regional sports networks.

For more information, please visit http://www.libertyglobal.com.

Link:

Liberty Global and Virgin Media Bring Gigabit Speeds to Glasgow, Leeds and Bradford - Business Wire

Serving the underserved: East Liberty Family Health Care Center – WTAE Pittsburgh

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East Liberty Family Health Care Center is federally funded, and families who do not have insurance can see a doctor and pay based on their income. For some people, that can mean just $10 for a visit.Autumn Butler, her husband and their four children can go anywhere to see a doctor. She has medical insurance, but has been going to East Liberty Family Health Care Center for 15 years. Its a place that offers care to people with or without insurance. Whether you are insured 100% or no insurance, you are treated the exact same. Our providers are some of the best doctors in the western part of the state, said CEO of East Liberty Family Health Care Center Rodney P. Jones. Jones said the federally qualified health care center's mission is to help underserved families in urban and rural communities in 69 ZIP codes in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.If you are a family of four and you make $26,000 a year, our PPS rate, meaning what we charge you is about $174. If you fit into the category I just described, we charge you $10, said Jones said. This type of service has kept Autumn a faithful patient. She supports what the center is doing and likes that the staff has Christian values. I believe the doctors and the staff have a ministry mindset and that's important to me. I know they care for people out of their hearts and what they believe through their faith, Butler said. In our particular health care, it's not unusual for a provider to offer to pray with you after you get your care, Jones said. Jones said that in order to get federal funding, the center must have positive performance ratings. He also said if families cannot pay the co-pay, they have a payment plan option.

East Liberty Family Health Care Center is federally funded, and families who do not have insurance can see a doctor and pay based on their income. For some people, that can mean just $10 for a visit.

Autumn Butler, her husband and their four children can go anywhere to see a doctor. She has medical insurance, but has been going to East Liberty Family Health Care Center for 15 years. Its a place that offers care to people with or without insurance.

Whether you are insured 100% or no insurance, you are treated the exact same. Our providers are some of the best doctors in the western part of the state, said CEO of East Liberty Family Health Care Center Rodney P. Jones.

Jones said the federally qualified health care center's mission is to help underserved families in urban and rural communities in 69 ZIP codes in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.

If you are a family of four and you make $26,000 a year, our PPS rate, meaning what we charge you is about $174. If you fit into the category I just described, we charge you $10, said Jones said.

This type of service has kept Autumn a faithful patient. She supports what the center is doing and likes that the staff has Christian values.

I believe the doctors and the staff have a ministry mindset and that's important to me. I know they care for people out of their hearts and what they believe through their faith, Butler said.

In our particular health care, it's not unusual for a provider to offer to pray with you after you get your care, Jones said.

Jones said that in order to get federal funding, the center must have positive performance ratings. He also said if families cannot pay the co-pay, they have a payment plan option.

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Serving the underserved: East Liberty Family Health Care Center - WTAE Pittsburgh

LEGOs Statue of Liberty hits $100 + deals on Technic, Avengers, more from $12 – 9to5Toys

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Amazon is currently offering the LEGOArchitecture Statue of Liberty set for $99.94 shipped. Down from $120, like youll find direct from LEGO, todays price cut saves you $20, matches our previous mention, and comes within $8 of the all-time low.LEGOs Architecture kits are known for their detail, and this creation is certainly no exception. Stacking up to1,685-pieces, this set measures over 17-inches tall and recreates New Yorks famed Statue of Liberty. Sitting on top of a brick-built pedestal, Lady Liberty comes complete with sand-green coloring, the iconic crown, and a golden torch. Head below for more deals from $12.

Yesterday we hands-on withLEGOs must-have Baby Yoda and Mandalorian BrickHeadz figures, which you can get the full scoop on right here.Over the weekend we took a closer look atall 44 of LEGOs new wave of kits for the fall, alongside the upcoming Star Wars Bespin Duel set.

Celebrate a monumental blend of architecture and sculpture with this LEGO Architecture 21042 The Statue of Liberty set. Americas iconic symbol of freedom stands more than 305 feet above Liberty Island in New York harbor, welcoming seafarers from around the globe.

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LEGOs Statue of Liberty hits $100 + deals on Technic, Avengers, more from $12 - 9to5Toys

The Collabs: Timberland Teams Up with Liberty London for Floral Collection + More – Yahoo Lifestyle

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Aug. 4, 2020: Timberland has crossed the pond for a womens collection in collaboration with Liberty of London. The U.K. brand is interpreting three womens shoe styles the 6-inch boot, Delphiville sneaker and Bria chukka with colorful floral and botanical prints from its fabric house. All the looks are mindful of the environment, with the 6-inch boot featuring PrimaLoft insulation made from at least 70% recycled materials, the Delphiville sneaker incorporating ReBOTL fabric linings made of 40% recycled plastic, and the Bria made with leather from a tanner rated silver for best environmental practices. The collection retails from $100-$170 and is available at Timberland.com and in select stores.

July 30, 2020: Casual California-based brand Sanuk, has teamed up with Airstream Supply Company, best known for its silver bullet travel trailers, for a capsule collection of mens and womens styles for todays road trippers. The 4-style series marries Sanuks best-selling styles with the Airstreams adventurous spirit and includes playful details such as embroidered trailer patches and pink lawn flamingo prints. As summertime comes to its peak, were thrilled to partner with Sanuk on this collection of Airstream themed footwear, said Bob Wheeler, president and CEO of Airstream. Airstreamers travel to relax, recharge and have fun, and Sanuks comfortable approach to casual footwear will appeal to both Airstream owners and those who dream of one day hitting the road in a silver bullet. For men, theres the Furreal Classic flip-flop and Vagabond style, while for women theres the Yoga Sling 2 and Donna style. The collection is available on Sanuk.com and retails from $35-$55.

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July 28, 2020: Teva and fellow outdoor brand Cotopaxi are sharing their commitment to protecting the environment by offering products made of remnant and recycled materials. The Teva x Cotopaxi collection features Tevas classic sandal, the Original Universal, and Cotopaxis signature Teca windbreaker, in playful prints and neon colors. The sandal is designed with a mix of Repreve recycled polyester webbing coupled with colorful straps featuring upcycled Cotopaxi Del Dia ripstop fabrics. The Teca Half Zip windbreaker is constructed from repurposed polyester taffeta. Available in mens and womens styles, the sandal retails for $70, with the unisex windbreaker retailing for $90. Both will be sold in select specialty stores and online at Teva.com and Cotopaxi.com.

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The Collabs: Timberland Teams Up with Liberty London for Floral Collection + More - Yahoo Lifestyle

Pastor accused of sexually abusing minor while assigned to Liberty parish – KCTV Kansas City

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Pastor accused of sexually abusing minor while assigned to Liberty parish - KCTV Kansas City

Marshall County Legislative Delegation makes donation to the Liberty Learning Foundation – Sand Mountain Reporter

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The Marshall County Legislative Delegation recently contributed funding for the Liberty Learning Foundation to continue efforts in all the school systems in Marshall County.

Liberty Learning helps schools teach crucial lessons in civics, character, financial literacy and social studies despite school budget cuts. By reaching students at an early reinforcement and retention touch point, the goal is to prepare students to become more engaged citizens. Approximately 3,500 students will benefit from this program in Albertville, Arab, Boaz, Guntersville and Marshall County School Systems.

Students learning the role that they as citizens play in the history and future of the United States is vitally important to our democracy, Sen. Clay Scofield said.

The Liberty Learning Foundation, a 5013 non-profit, was founded in October 2010 to bring strong lessons of civic character and civic responsibility to students throughout Alabama school systems. The civic education programs and live experiences improve child, community and country by providing groundbreaking resources, training teachers, mobilizing volunteers and orchestrating emotionally charged events to teach, inspire and empower our Next Great Americans.

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Marshall County Legislative Delegation makes donation to the Liberty Learning Foundation - Sand Mountain Reporter