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D8 Holdings to Accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin for Delta-8 THC Products

D8 Holdings, Inc.

D8 Holdings, Inc., the market leader in hemp-derived Delta-8 THC —today announced it will start accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin as payment methods on their site. “Our customers are early adopters, many of whom are heavily involved in the crypto market,” said Chris Duffield, CEO of D8. “With $2 trillion dollars sitting in crypto assets, and $45 billion parked in Dogecoin, the ability to accept crypto currency presents a big opportunity for our company.” D8.co will integrate Bitpay into their online platform, and all transactions will be settled in Doge. With the click of a button, customers can trade Doge for delta-8 gummies, delta-8 carts and delta-8 disposables as long as they are over 21 years of age. “Anyone paying with crypto will get a free pack of Delta-8 gummies as a bonus. We are looking long-term, and don’t plan on selling a single Doge,” concluded Duffield. About D8 Holdings Inc. The D8 Holdings team based in Colorado and Miami—with satellite offices in Las Vegas and Los Angeles—is an assembly of the top hemp and cannabis minds in the country. With backgrounds in extraction, chemistry, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and legal, the D8 Holdings team came together organically around this elusive, but extremely powerful molecule to create a new category of products. More info at www.d8.co. # # # Contact Details D8 Holdings Chris Duffield +1 424-333-2112 chris@d8.co

April 20, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CMMC Center of Excellence Announces Engagement Agreement with CICER ONE TECHNOLOGIES

Interoperability Clearinghouse

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Center of Excellence ( CMMC COE ), hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public-private partnership serving the public and private sectors for more than 15 years, is excited to announce a partnership with Cicer One Technologies, an innovative company with a suite of communications and data management and protection tools that are specifically designed to end 3rd party exposure of sensitive information, to protect CUI, intellectual property and sensitive financial, customer, and employee data. Decentralized Autonomous Edge Computing by Cicer One Technologies Inc provides turn-key compliance solutions for CMMC, NIST 800-171, ITAR and Federal or State level privacy requirements. Zero-trust, jurisdictionally controlled management of users, documents, and chat communications enables non-technical business owners the confidence and ease-of-use required to achieve compliance in a cost-effective manner. This unique partnership will extend efforts to identify and include proven capabilities within the CMMC COE Marketplace to improve cybersecurity protection and resilience for the global defense industrial base network of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. The executed Engagement Agreement establishes a collaborative engagement between Cicer One Technologies and the CMMC COE to partner in the furthering of their respective and complementary missions and objectives regarding the adoption, use, and expansion of CMMC based cybersecurity practices, risk management, and compliance for the DIB contractor, vendor, and supplier community of providers creating a broader CMMC ecosystem globally to improve security and resilience. Specific actions will include: The co-development of CMMC advisory services, cyber training and education programs to accelerate CMMC certification, increase cyber adoption and improve cyber protection & resilience. Co-sponsor symposiums, training programs and podcasts leveraging their combined cyber and IT expertise. Host regular working groups, with other partners, to enable collaboration and communications. Establish an independent Industry Cyber Security Advisory Council with peer organizations to advise and educate leaders across government and industry on the continued evolution and effectiveness of CMMC. The CMMC-COE ( http://cmmc-coe.org ) and Cicer One Technologies ( https://ciceronetech.com ) partnership will focus on bringing together the many disparate cyber and national security communities of interest to reduce complexity, improve awareness, and accelerate industry effort to become more cyber resilient against the growing threats from nation states and criminal enterprises. “We are excited to embark on this journey with Cicer”, said John Weiler, Chairman of the Board at CMMC Center of Excellence, “The foundation of CMMC starts with visibility into devices in the network and the risks they bring. This new partnership will further help advance the goals and objectives for improving the supply chain security and resilience for the US Department of Defense (DoD)”. Cicer One Technologies adds to the growing list of recognized technology providers contributing to the growth and advancement of the CMMC compliance knowledge base, product refinement, and education collateral. Together we share the responsibility to accurately disseminate knowledge and education thereby building cyber resiliency across the DIB supply chain. “This new partnership further enables important and critical discussions regarding cybersecurity and the protection of the DIB supply chain. We are excited to contribute in the development and education of policy, products, and services throughout the adoption of the CMMC protocol supporting contractors across the country,” said Robert Embleton, CEO. The CMMC-COE establishes both a Market Place and Knowledge Clearinghouse that will include resources that support the overall effort, including white papers; tutorials; recorded webcasts; presentations; and more that will help reduce the cost and burden on small and medium size contractors already struggling from the impact of COVID. For more information on the CMMC Center of Excellence, please visit http://cmmc-coe.org, email info@cmmc-coe.org or call 703-863-3766 For more information on Cicer One Technologies, please visit https://ciceronetech.com/ email info@ciceronetech.com or call 512-582-7009 About Us ---------- CMMC-COE.ORG is a unique non-profit public-private partnership, with a vision to accelerate Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMM) adoption, and reduce time & cost for security compliance for our partners by leveraging commercial best practices, CMMC standards, and innovative solutions for a measurable success. Our mission, focused on DOD mission objectives, cost containment and expeditious CMMC compliance, is to help the DIB improve cyber posture and resilience, and simplify its acquisition. The CMMC-COE is hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public/private partnership (P3) chartered in 2007 as an honest broker to reach outside the confines of the Federal IT advisories that lack dynamic reach into the Global IT Market, and dedicated to the adoption of commercial IT management standards of practice and innovations emanating from the Global IT market. Team IT-AAC has already demonstrated the value of its decade long investment, and provides a unique value to agencies seeking to achieve accelerate the transformation of legacy processes and systems. Our Just-in-Time SMEs apply an innovative suite of Technology Business Management and Agile Acquisition Processes needed to assure the business value of commercial IT. The Interoperability Clearinghouse (ICH), is the managing partner that make up the 24 NGO/SDO organizations that make up the IT-AAC. ICH provides the contract vehicles, clearances, and critical resources proven to guide sustainable, measurable and repeatable processes needed to drive better investment decisions as the speed of mission need, while aligning existing processes, methods and workforce with IT reform mandates contained in Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, IT MGT Act, EO13838. Contact Details Bob Dix +1 703-975-6633 bob.dix@it-aac.org Company Website https://cmmc-coe.org

April 20, 2021 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

XA Network expands and appoints senior advisory board, as Southeast Asia digital economy races ahead

XA Network

The XA Network [the X denotes any tech firm with $1b+ valuation and the A refers to Alumni], the leading member-based investment network of executives from prominent tech firms in Southeast Asia, has today appointed an advisory board. The appointments signal the organisation's growth and reach, as the Southeast Asian digital economy proves resilient and is racing ahead at full velocity. John Wood (ex-Microsoft, Room To Read), Steve Chen (co-founder of YouTube), Maya Hari (Twitter) and David Thevenon (Balderton Capital, ex-Google) have been appointed to advisory board positions. They will work directly with the members as the organisation scales and will champion the new purpose - to be an organisation that fosters inclusive innovation for the benefit of start-ups across Southeast Asia. On his appointment, John Wood, advisory board member at XA Network commented: “I’m delighted to join this esteemed board to support and drive the ambitious community of investors. The XA Network brilliantly embodies Metcalfe's law – e.g., the value of a network rises exponentially as the number of users grows. I believe this generation of technology leaders, by working together to support the start-up ecosystem in Southeast Asia, will have an immense impact on the region. We are all very committed to the power of smart capital, intense mentoring and fuelling inclusive innovation. This approach resonates with me on many levels and I look forward to helping XA Network scale to the next level”. The XA Network is made up of 100 tech leaders from companies including Alibaba, Gojek, Grab, Google, Amazon, Netflix, YouTube amongst others. These investors offer an unmatched array of skills and counsel to their portfolio companies from engineering advice, product management, to marketing and partnership building experience. As a collective, this is embodied in their purpose to foster inclusive innovation beyond simply investing in start-ups. The XA Network exists to empower the tech community in Southeast Asia with its inclusive innovation approach. The Southeast Asia digital economy is forging new ground every year* and 2020 was no different, despite COVID-19. Over 70% of the region is now online, accounting for 400 million people (of a total population of 580 million). Digital adoption of consumer-service businesses increased as more people spent time online during lockdowns. HealthTech and EdTech based companies are earmarked to take-off in the coming years. Overall, the digital economy added USD $100 billion to the region and is poised to grow to over USD $300 billion by 2025. The XA Network portfolio businesses are making a positive impact across the region such as Indonesian startups, Sampingan who enable access to the gig economy and Bukukas who enable small businesses to digitize their operations. Meanwhile, Singapore-based mentor platform Tigerhall is connecting the world’s most successful people with young professionals. Nellie Wartoft, CEO at Tigerhall commented: "We raised $2m in 2020, it was a huge milestone for the company but we had a lot to do. The XA Network members are some of the absolute most supportive investors I've ever had on my cap table. They're never afraid of rolling up their sleeves and doing real work either, which is rare to find amongst investors. They feel much more like an extended team than just financial investors to me, and have been key to Tigerhall's success." The appointments come at an exciting time for XA Network as they achieved their first exit. Lomotif, Singapore’s video-sharing service, was acquired by a syndicate for US$125 million. The deal is said to be one of the biggest exits by a tech startup in Singapore in recent years. XA Network highlights (last 12 months) Membership base increased from 50 to 100 people in March 2021 XA Network portfolio includes 30 start-ups in a range of sectors including mobility, healthtech, foodtech, edtech, adtech, fintech, social commerce, proptech Portfolio companies have also gone on to raise $82m in follow-on capital Notes to the editor * e-Conomy SEA 2020 Report About the XA Network The XA Network [the X denotes any tech firm with $1b+ valuation and the A refers to Alumni] is an investment network comprising senior executives from prominent tech companies including Alibaba, Gojek, Grab, Google, Amazon, Netflix and Twitter amongst others. Its mission is to invest and empower early-stage companies across Southeast Asia through their inclusive innovation approach, by exposing these businesses to the wide array of skills in the network. Since 2018, they have made 30 investments and expanded their member base to 100 people. XA Network has invested in a wide variety of promising companies including Bukukas, Tigerhall, Sampingan, Neuron, and Infradigital as well as the Vertex Southeast Asia and India fund. Contact Details XA Network Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 press@xanetwork.co Company Website https://xanetwork.co/

April 19, 2021 08:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE LEADERS LAUNCH A GLOBAL PLEDGE TO TRUST SCIENCE

International Day of Light Steering Committee

Ahead of this year’s International Day of Light celebration on 16 May, the International Day of Light Steering Committee announces the launch of the Trust Science pledge, a worldwide campaign to promote support for the scientific process and to acknowledge the many benefits of science for society. Crises such as the coronavirus pandemic demonstrate the importance of scientific research and remind us how much we depend on dedicated professionals to find evidence-based solutions to global challenges. To recognize the central role played by science in society, the Trust Science pledge invites the general public to join leading scientists worldwide to affirm confidence in the process of scientific research and discovery. To date, the pledge has seen enthusiastic support worldwide with founding signatories including Nobel laureates, UNESCO L’Oréal For Women in Science prize winners, Presidents and CEOs of major scientific bodies, as well as scientists and students from more than 20 different countries. The pledge is now being shared widely to invite all interested individuals to take part. The Trust Science pledge states: “Trust in evidence-based, scientific facts is essential for providing sustainable solutions to today’s challenges. By adding my name to this declaration and pledge, I recognize the key role that scientific research and discovery plays in improving quality of life for all.” The Trust Science campaign is organized by the IEEE Photonics Society, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and The Optical Society (OSA), together with the International Day of Light Steering Committee. “The events of the past year have spotlighted science’s crucial role in solving critical global problems,” said Steering Committee Chair John Dudley from the Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté in France. “This campaign will allow people around the world to join us in affirming support for science and the scientific process. We encourage all to sign, and our hope is that this will stimulate valuable discussions within families, at the workplace and in educational settings.” In the context of the International Day of Light, the campaign will also highlight a number of Champions, research leaders in broad areas of light science and technology, including solar energy, the study of cultural heritage and healthcare. To sign the pledge and to learn more, please go to https://www.trust-science.org Contacts For questions about how you can engage with the campaign, please contact: info@trust-science.org For media enquiries, please contact: pr@trust-science.org Social media: please share using #TrustScience and #LightDay2021 Social media links: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter About the International Day of Light The International Day of Light (IDL) is a worldwide initiative that provides an annual focal point for the continued appreciation of light and the role it plays in science, culture and art, education and sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy. The International Day of Light is administered from the International Basic Science Programme (IBSP) of UNESCO by a Steering Committee that includes representatives from a broad range of international partners: the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the American Physical Society (APS), Bosca, the China International Optoelectronic Exhibition (CIOE), Chinese Optical Society (COS), the European Centres for Outreach in Photonics (ECOP), the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), the European Physical Society (EPS), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the IEEE Photonics Society (IPS), the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), lightsources.org - the international network of accelerator based light sources, Light: Science and Applications, The Optical Society (OSA), Tampere University, SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics, SESAME, Signify, Tampere University, Transitions, the Université de Franche-Comté and Velux. For information about the International Day of Light, please visit www.lightday.org Contacts for IDL: John Dudley and Joseph Niemela 2021 Steering Committee Chairs Email: contact@lightday.org Bethany Downer 2021 Communications Coordinator Email: contact@lightday.org Media Contact for Trust Science: pr@trust-science.org About IEEE Photonics Society The IEEE Photonics Society is the professional home for a global network of scientists, engineers and allied professionals who advance laser, optoelectronics, and photonics technology. As a technical society representing the IEEE, it is a vital part of the world’s largest technical professional organization of more than 400,000 members dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, educational activities, and humanitarian initiatives, the IEEE Photonics Society provides its members in more than 160 countries the opportunity to grow professionally and stay on the forefront of transformational breakthroughs in photonics. PhotonicsSociety.org About SPIE SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 255,000 constituents from 183 countries, the not-for-profit society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. In 2020, SPIE provided more than $5 million in support of education and outreach programs. www.spie.org About The Optical Society Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and business leaders in light science and technology. The society serves over 432,000 customers and 22,000 members from more than 100 countries who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the field. OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts through world-renowned publications. For more information, visit osa.org. Contact Details pr@trust-science.org +1 703-907-0010 pr@trust-science.org

April 15, 2021 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Osmo For Schools Receives Prestigious 2021 EdTech Digest Award in “Curriculum and Instruction Solution” Category

Osmo for Schools

Osmo for Schools proudly announces that its Osmo Learning System is the recipient of the 2021 EdTech Digest Award in the “Curriculum and Instruction Solution” category, while its Osmo Projector App has placed as a finalist in the “New Product or Service” category, and its Osmo STEAM Learning System has placed as a finalist in the “STEM Solution” category. “It’s a very pleasant surprise to hear that Osmo for Schools won the 2021 EdTech Digest Award for best Curriculum and Instruction Solution, and came in as a finalist in two other categories,” says Jan Richards, head of education sales and marketing at Osmo for Schools, the division of Tangible Play that promotes in-classroom usage of Osmo’s learning tools. “This validates our incredible, hard work to make Osmo for Schools’ educational products widely available and more visible to educators nationwide.” Now celebrating its eleventh year, the EdTech Digest Awards recognize people in and around education for outstanding contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners everywhere. Featuring EdTech’s best and brightest, the annual program shines a spotlight on cool tools, inspiring leaders and innovative trendsetters across the K-12, Higher Education, and Skills and Workforce sectors. This year’s finalists and winners were narrowed from the larger field and judged based on various criteria, including: pedagogical workability, efficacy and results, support, clarity, value and potential. To introduce educators to Osmo’s educational technology, Osmo for Schools will also host a FREE webinar on Wednesday, June 16 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (5:00 pm Pacific Time) via Zoom, for pre-K to grade 5 teachers to learn more about how to implement Osmo for Schools learning systems, and make the most of their Osmo products. The webinar will help teachers maximize Osmo’s potential for English Language Arts (ELA), Math, and STEAM/STEM stations. Sign up URL. About Osmo for Schools Osmo for Schools, a division of Tangible Play, Inc., focuses on building in-classroom usage of Osmo’s award-winning educational systems. Using proprietary AI technology, these systems help teachers foster collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and increased engagement in learning, in students. Osmo is used in more than 30,000 schools in North America. Tangible Play is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. For more information about Osmo for Schools and its products, visit schools.playosmo.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii PR +1 310-251-0550 carolynkpr@gmail.com Company Website http://schools.playosmo.com

April 15, 2021 04:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Pocono Organics Launches One of the First Regenerative Organic Grown Full-Spectrum Hemp Product Lines

Pocono Organics

Pocono Organics, one of the largest regenerative organic farms in North America, has launched one of the first regenerative organic grown full-spectrum hemp product lines and the only to carry the globally recognized Rodale Institute logo on its products and packaging. Pocono Organics’ wellness product line includes artisanal, small-batch items including tinctures, creams, salve sticks, lip balms, massage oil, popular bath bombs as well as a pet-friendly organic tincture. These products are formulated in their own lab and are available online and carried in more than 30 retail outlets, spas, and doctors’ offices across multiple states. Pocono Organics, located atop the Pocono Mountains, uses the power of USDA certified organic full-spectrum hemp extract to deliver a broader range of wellness-promoting cannabinoids - creating the entourage effect that unlocks numerous potential health benefits through multiple cannabinoids versus relying solely on CBD. “I personally know the power of plant-based supplements,” said Ashley Walsh, Founder and President of Pocono Organics. “I was diagnosed with gastroparesis in my late ‘20s. It is a very painful and daily condition where my stomach is paralyzed and I am unable digest food normally. My doctors wanted to cut out parts of my stomach, insert feeding tubes, and put me on a regiment of pills. I took a different path including an organic diet as well as CBD-rich supplements, which became vital to how I managed my condition and are part of my daily wellness routine.” Power of Nanoparticle Technology Nanoparticle technology is used in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries as a way to make products instantly bioavailable to the body and to ensure precise dosing without diminished impact through first-pass metabolism – when ingested products first go through the stomach before going to work one to two hours later. “Nanoparticle technology is a game-changer for people seeking the immediate benefits of full-spectrum hemp extract,” Walsh added. “Instant bioavailability is vital for people who want to get an accurate dose they expect. The water-soluble, nanoparticle formulation has been done for select products including one of our tinctures and all of our bath bombs. It’s not seen often in this industry because it’s hard to do and is a big investment, but the value is worth it. And, we’ve kept the price in range with traditionally formulated products. We’ll be announcing a full line of nano-particle products soon made with organic ingredients.” Power of Trust “We are focused on becoming vertically integrated which is why we have invested in our in-house formulation and packaging because it’s hard to know who to trust when it comes to high quality organic CBD products,” Walsh continued. “Our mission comes from my personal healthy journey and I want to ensure our products are accessible for all – including our pets - which make this very personal for me.” According to a study done by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, nearly 70% of CBD products are mislabeled. This troubling statistic is why Pocono Organics is transparent in how and where its products are grown so that consumers can make an informed decision about products they can always trust. “Every hemp plant grown at Pocono Organics has been in our hands from hand-seeding to hand-harvesting,” said Walsh. “We hang dry our plants so that they retain higher levels of cannabinoids and terpenes – which makes a better-quality product. Each of our products include organic ingredients that you can pronounce!” Every Pocono Organics’ product has a QR code that allows consumers to review the Certificate of Analysis (COA) from an independent, third-party research lab ensuring there are no pesticides or heavy metals in any of the products. "I have been using Pocono Organics creams, both scented and unscented, on my clients in our spa and believe these to be top-quality products that actually work,” said Yvette Bertsch, Spa Director at the historic Congress Hall Resort in Cape May, NJ. “I was impressed by Ashley and how her products evolved from a deep desire and need for health, healing, and a better quality of daily living. Ashley’s products far surpassed me and my clients’ expectations for results, which is why I trust and use Pocono Organics.” “Kitchen Toke's foundation is rooted in the belief that cannabis is food and food is medicine,” said Joline Rivera, founder of Kitchen Toke. “Our collaboration with Pocono Organics very much fit that definition. It starts with their care in the regenerative farming practices through to the final products. Pocono Organics is a win/win for people and our environment, especially the honeybees!”\ The Pocono Organics line up can be found at more than 30 retail locations, including Kimberton Whole Foods, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, Riverwards Produce Market, Local Roots NYC, Kitchen Toke online store. “I have been recommending CBD to my patients for several years,” said Dr.Peter Hunt, a practicing chiropractor in Stroudsburg, Pa. “The primary reason is its ability to allow the body to better respond to stress and reduce inflammation. The flavonoids, polyphenols, cannabinoids, and terpenes all act together to reduce inflammation and protect the central and peripheral nervous systems. I am finding that the nanotechnology is very effective for many of my patients. Pocono Organics’ partnership with Rodale Institute ensures the highest level of organic farming that you can find, thus ensuring the highest quality products that are available.” Pocono Organics is also the only company in the world to carry the renowned Rodale Institute logo on its products and packaging as a sign to consumers of the high standards and responsible farming practices used to make these items. Rodale Institute, recognized as the global leaders in regenerative organic science and research, is a strategic partner of Pocono Organics to bring the power of soil-based farming to larger audiences. Regenerative organic agricultural practices include low-till methods and zero use of chemicals and pesticides. This farming approach produces some of the cleanest and nutrient-dense crops grown on earth – making them better for consumers – while also strengthening and healing the soil in which they are grown – which is better for our planet. Click here to learn more about Pocono Organics’ regenerative organic grown full-spectrum hemp product line. About Pocono Organics Pocono Organics is a health and wellness organization with a mission to inspire people and heal the earth. The Global Center for Research, Education, and Discovery is one of the largest regenerative organic farms in North America. Located in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, Pocono Organics has more than 380 acres of farmland and 40,000 square feet of greenhouse space. Pocono Organics has a strategic partnership with Rodale Institute, the global leaders in Regenerative Organic Agriculture practices and research and is one of their largest research satellite facilities. The farm is also home to more than 250,000 honeybees that make delicious honey and help strengthen the local ecosystem. Awarded the 2019 Environmental Innovator of the Year by the Green Sports Alliance, sustainability is a hallmark of Pocono Organics. The farm draws power from a 3MW, 25-acre solar farm and reclaims rainwater from 70,000 square feet of roofs for irrigation. Pocono Organics also serves the local community through its Clean Food, Dirty Hands school education program and veterans in transition through a Veteran Farmer Training Program. In addition, the property includes an organic farmer’s market and café, and with a 56-room adjoining hotel, is an agritourism destination, and host location for annual festivals. Please visit www.PoconoOrganics.com to learn more about Pocono Organic’s mission and work. These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. Contact Details Pocono Organics Mike Mooney +1 704-361-9499 mike@poconoorganics.com Company Website https://www.poconoorganics.com/

April 14, 2021 01:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Quidel Corporation Partners With the Bay Area Lyme Foundation to Heighten Public Awareness of Lyme Disease

Quidel Corporation

With Lyme disease season breaking out across the United States, Quidel Corporation announced today that it has partnered with the Bay Area Lyme (BAL) Foundation to help heighten public awareness to this alarming health condition that afflicts as many as 400,000 Americans each year. Quidel is the nation’s leading developer of rapid Lyme disease testing. As part of its collaboration, Quidel will serve as the sponsor for BAL’s series of free speaker forums that focus on research and science in the field of Lyme disease as well as Lyme disease prevention. These events provide new information on various Lyme topics in an open-discussion format, all designed to bring awareness around the Lyme disease epidemic with rapid ways to diagnose and treat it. Each of these events will feature a scientific researcher paired with a Lyme survivor sharing their inspirational story. The first in the series will be held via zoom on May 19 and will discuss the topic of “Herbal Treatments for Tick-Borne Diseases.” Speakers will include Sunjya Schweig, M.D., who has been studying, teaching and practicing integrative and functional medicine for over 25 years and is a member of the BAL’s scientific advisory board. Also participating will be Lia Gaertner, a BAL board member and the organization’s director of education and outreach. More information is available at speakerseries@bayarealyme.org. Quidel will also be a primary sponsor of BAL’s Emerging Leader Awards, which recognize both established and up-and-coming researchers who bring creative thinking to the field of Lyme disease. These grants support new and innovative projects and aim to attract aspiring new scientific talent to the field of Lyme. In addition, Quidel will sponsor the annual LymeAid Gala, the foundation’s annual benefit dinner and live concert to be held later this year. “The fact that symptoms of Lyme disease may not appear for weeks makes it all the more important that people take steps to avoid getting a tick bite, be aware of Lyme’s early warning signs, and then get tested immediately if they think they may have contracted it,” said Cheryl Miller, vice president of market development at Quidel. “That’s why we are so honored to be partnering with the Bay Area Lyme Foundation. Together, we work to heighten public awareness of the disease and advance scientific research in testing and treatment for Lyme.” Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that occurs when people are bitten by an infected deer tick. It can strike anyone at any age and can lead to a number of serious, life-threatening problems if not caught early. Leading the way in Lyme disease testing is Quidel’s innovative Sofia® 2 Lyme FIA. This test provides the patient as well as his or her physician with indicative results within 15 minutes, as opposed to days, which has historically been the norm. Performed in the privacy of a doctor’s office or local clinic, it is also the only test that can get results from a simple finger prick of blood. Quidel Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEL) is a leading manufacturer of diagnostic solutions at the point of care, delivering a continuum of rapid testing technologies that further improve the quality of health care throughout the globe. An innovator for over 40 years in the medical device industry, Quidel pioneered the first FDA-cleared point-of-care test for influenza in 1999 and was the first to market a rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test in the U.S. Under trusted brand names, Sofia®, Solana®, Lyra®, Triage® and QuickVue®, Quidel’s comprehensive product portfolio includes tests for a wide range of infectious diseases, cardiac and autoimmune biomarkers, as well as a host of products to detect COVID-19. With products made in America, Quidel’s mission is to provide patients with immediate and frequent access to highly accurate, affordable testing for the good of our families, our communities and the world. For more information about Quidel, visit quidel.com. Contact Details Jim Yeager +1 818-264-6812 jim@breakwhitelight.com Company Website http://Quidel.com

April 13, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

LATEST STUDY LED BY ZOE REVEALS WHY SOME OF US ARE HUNGRY ALL THE TIME

ZOE

New results from PREDICT, the largest ongoing nutritional research program in the world that looks at responses to food in real life settings, show that people who experience big dips in blood sugar levels, several hours after eating, end up feeling hungrier and consuming hundreds more calories during the day than others. Published today in Nature Metabolism, the research team at health science company ZOE (composed of scientists from Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Nottingham, King’s College London, Leeds University, and Lund University in Sweden) found why some people struggle to lose weight, even on calorie-controlled diets, and highlight the importance of understanding personal metabolism when it comes to diet and health. The scoop on blood sugar dipping: More than 1,000 people took part in the study, which gathered detailed data about blood sugar responses and hunger after eating standardized and free-choice meals over two weeks. Researchers found big variations between individuals in how their blood sugar levels respond to various foods. People whose blood sugar levels dip significantly 2-4 hours after eating (‘big dippers’) are more likely to feel hungry sooner and consume an average of around 300 more calories over the course of the day than people with the smallest dips (‘little dippers’). Whether you’re a big or little dipper is likely to be a combination of your unique biology, meal choices and activity levels. Previous studies have only looked at how blood sugar rises and falls in the first two hours after eating affect hunger (blood sugar peaks), not the dips afterwards, so diet advice focused only on peaks won’t help to control your appetite. Understanding your personal metabolism and choosing foods that reduce the likelihood of having big dips could help to control hunger and body weight in the long term. In the study, “Postprandial glycemic dips predict appetite and energy intake in healthy individuals,” the research team collected detailed data about blood sugar responses and other markers of health from 1,070 people after eating standardized breakfasts and freely chosen meals over a two week period, adding up to more than 8,000 breakfasts and 70,000 meals in total. The standard breakfasts were based on muffins containing the same amount of calories but varying in composition in terms of carbohydrates, protein, fat and fiber. Participants also carried out a fasting blood sugar response test (oral glucose tolerance test), to measure how well their body processes sugar. Participants wore stick-on continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to measure their blood sugar levels over the entire duration of the study, as well as a wearable device to monitor activity and sleep. The research team also asked people to record their levels of hunger and alertness using a phone app, along with exactly when and what they ate over the day. Big dippers vs. little dippers Previous studies looking at blood sugar after eating have focused on the way that levels rise and fall in the first two hours after a meal, known as a blood sugar peak. However, after analyzing the data, the PREDICT team noticed that some people experienced significant ‘sugar dips’ 2-4 hours after this initial peak, where their blood sugar levels fell rapidly below baseline before coming back up. Dr Sarah Berry from King’s College London, who was involved in the study, says, “It has long been suspected that blood sugar levels play an important role in controlling hunger, but the results from previous studies have been inconclusive. We’ve now shown that sugar dips are a better predictor of hunger and subsequent calorie intake than the initial blood sugar peak response after eating, changing how we think about the relationship between blood sugar levels and the food we eat.” Big dippers had a 9% increase in hunger, and waited around half an hour less, on average, before their next meal than little dippers, even though they ate exactly the same meals. Big dippers also ate 75 more calories in the 3-4 hours after breakfast and around 312 calories more over the whole day than little dippers. This kind of pattern could potentially turn into 20 pounds of weight gain over a year. Professor Ana Valdes from the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, who led the study team, acknowledges, “Many people struggle to lose weight and keep it off, and just a few hundred extra calories every day can add up to several pounds of weight gain over a year. Our discovery that the size of sugar dips after eating has such a big impact on hunger and appetite has great potential for helping people understand and control their weight and long-term health.” What makes you a big dipper or a little dipper? Comparing what happens when participants eat the same test meals revealed large variations in blood sugar responses between people. The researchers also found no correlation between age, bodyweight or BMI and being a big or little dipper, although males had slightly larger dips than females on average. This is in keeping with previous findings from PREDICT showing that even identical twins can have different responses to the same foods. There was also some variability in the size of the dips experienced by each person in response to eating the same meals on different days, suggesting that whether you’re a dipper or not depends on individual differences in metabolism, as well as the day-to-day effects of meal choices and activity levels. Lead author on the study, Patrick Wyatt from ZOE, notes, “This study shows how wearable technology can provide valuable insights to help people understand their unique biology and take control of their nutrition and health. By demonstrating the importance of sugar dips, our study paves the way for data-driven, personalized guidance for those seeking to manage their hunger and calorie intake in a way that works with rather than against their body.” Choosing foods that work together with your unique biology could help people feel fuller for longer and eat less overall. To help improve the country’s overall public health and bring science to the everyday person, ZOE now offers an at-home test that measures whether you’re a big or little dipper and provides personalized advice on the best foods to eat to take back control of your health and weight. Tim Spector, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London and scientific co-founder of ZOE, concludes, “Food is complex and humans are complicated, but our research is finally starting to open up the black box between diet and health. We’re excited to have been able to turn this cutting-edge science into an at-home nutrition and microbiome test so that everyone has the opportunity to discover their unique responses to food to best support their metabolism and gut health.” Find out more about the ZOE at-home test and nutrition program at joinzoe.com. Notes: Link to proof of paper in Nature Metabolism: Postprandial glycemic dips predict appetite and energy intake in healthy individuals Find out more about the ZOE at-home test and nutrition program at joinzoe.com Contact Details ZOE Fiana Tulip +1 817-691-3031 fiana@joinzoe.com Company Website https://www.joinzoe.com

April 12, 2021 08:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Boston Biotech, Anodyne Nanotech Advances the Hero Patch Platform by Securing $4.2M in Seed Financing

Anodyne Nanotech, Inc.

Anodyne Nanotech, Inc., a Boston-based biotechnology company developing differentiated, transdermal forms of high-value drugs, announced today that it has raised $4,200,000 to expand its Hero Patch™ platform. Lead investors were Velocity Partners, Relativity Healthcare Fund, and Big Pi Ventures. “For many years the pharmaceutical industry has envisioned, but never achieved, a transdermal patch to replace subcutaneous administration of high-value biologics,” said Lampros Kourtis, Ph.D., a Partner at Velocity. “With its solid-state porous microneedles, Anodyne looks poised to succeed where others have failed.” This new class of microneedles was invented at Tufts University and is now the core technology of the Hero Patch™ platform at Anodyne, founded by Hojat Rezaei Nejad, Konstantinos Tzortzakis, and Jake Lombardo. By incorporating solvent-free bulk drug substance directly into microscopic porosities, Anodyne can load unprecedented amounts of the drug onto each microneedle. When the microneedle penetrates into the skin, the drug dissolves in the patient’s interstitial fluid and is systemically absorbed. “With the ability to load up to 5 mg of drug per square centimeter, we can administer pharmacologically relevant doses of high-value biologic drugs like peptides and monoclonal antibodies,” said Anodyne CEO Jake Lombardo. “Our in vivo studies also show that we can achieve desired pharmacodynamic effects.” Not only does Anodyne’s technique allow for unprecedented drug loading, but also using the solid-state form of the drug substance can lead to improved stability. This promise would circumvent the need for cold-chain distribution, a critically important challenge for developing countries, with cost-saving advantages for the global biopharmaceutical industry. Mr. Lombardo added that he and others have found the Hero Patch—in placebo form—to be painless and non-irritating. Anodyne has started collaborations with pharmaceutical companies to test particular biologics on the Hero Patch platform. The company plans to conduct clinical trials to characterize the bioequivalence, safety, and tolerability of several Hero Patch products. “Modern R&D is yielding dozens of miraculous biologic drugs, but our means of administering them has scarcely improved since the 19th century,” said Michael Singer, MD, Ph.D., a director at Anodyne. “Patients don’t like getting shots. Our healthcare system would save time and money if we didn’t have to give so many shots.” “We believe we have something to offer to all who work with biologics: patients, providers, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies,” said Mr. Lombardo. “We would be particularly gratified if Hero Patch could be used for needle-free delivery of biologics to children.” About Anodyne Nanotech: Anodyne is a Boston-based, preclinical-stage biotech company developing differentiated, transdermal forms of high-value drugs. The company’s patent-pending porous microneedle technology provides the first practical and cost-effective platform, Hero Patch™, to deliver clinically meaningful doses of macromolecules and small molecules. For further information: www.TheHeroPatch.com Contact Details Anodyne Nanotech Jake Lombardo +1 732-503-3865 jake.lombardo@theheropatch.com Company Website https://www.theheropatch.com

April 08, 2021 05:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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