Phobic Disorders

These tips from Blue Shield's chief medical officer can help you conquer the anxiety of shots and stay protected. OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Respiratory virus season is here — time to think about protecting yourself, loved ones and your community. Getting this year's vaccines is still your best bet for staying safe. The flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses can have serious complications, especially for children under age 2, adults over age 65, and anyone with a compromised immune system. If the thought of needles makes you uneasy, you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control, as many as 2 in 3 children and 1 in 4 adults have strong fears around getting vaccinated with needles. Whether you're an adult with a long-standing fear or a parent trying to ease your child's anxiety, it's important to address these fears and get your recommended vaccinations. Blue Shield of California Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ravi Kavasery shares five tips to help both children and adults overcome fear of needles and vaccinations. Education and understanding Dr. Kavasery emphasizes that understanding the process and benefits of vaccinations can help reduce concern. "Knowledge can be a powerful tool in combating fear," he said. "Discuss how vaccines work to protect against diseases, minimize symptoms and add to the collective benefits of herd immunity." For children, Dr. Kavasery suggests using age-appropriate books or videos, which can make vaccinations more relatable and less intimidating. For adults, reading reputable sources and discussing concerns with a healthcare provider can provide reassurance and clarity. Distraction Distraction is a tried-and-true method for managing fear of needles, particularly in children. Dr. Kavasery recommends bringing a favorite toy, book or electronic device to keep the mind occupied. "During the vaccination, engaging in conversation, watching a video or listening to music can help shift focus away from the needle," he said. "For adults, bringing a friend or family member for support, or listening to calming music or a podcast, can provide similar distraction." Pain management Managing the physical pain associated with needles can significantly reduce fear and panic. Dr. Kavasery suggests discussing pain management options with your healthcare provider. "Ask your doctor about using numbing creams or sprays to minimize the pain of the injection," he advised. "Some clinics also offer vibration and cooling devices that can distract from and reduce the sensation of pain. By managing the physical discomfort, you can help lessen the overall anxiety related to needles." Rewards and after-care Many pediatrician offices offer a "prize" like a sticker, special band-aid or toy after a vaccination to make it a positive event. Check with your healthcare provider before your visit. If they do not provide anything, bring a small reward. For an adult, "treat yourself" to a special coffee, book or lunch. Care for mild needle-site reactions with a cool, damp cloth or a fun, reusable ice pack. This will help ease the discomfort. Pay extra attention to your child for a few days, swaddle them or offer extra hugs and cuddles. Offer breast milk or formula more often to keep babies hydrated. Adults should listen to their body and rest if they feel tired. Staying well fed and hydrated is important for adults, too. Professional support For those with severe needle phobia, seeking professional support can be beneficial. Dr. Kavasery highlights the importance of not hesitating to ask for help if the fear is overwhelming. Working with a therapist can help individuals develop coping strategies and gradually overcome their fear. "Facing a fear of needles can be daunting, but with the right strategies, it's possible to overcome this anxiety and avoid passing it to your child," said Dr. Kavasery. "Remember, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the momentary discomfort of a needle, and taking these steps can help ensure that you and your loved ones remain healthy and protected." Additional vaccine resources Recommended vaccine schedule for birth to 6 years old Recommended vaccine schedule for 7 to 18 years old Vaccinations for adults Your helpful guide to COVID-19 vaccines for little kids Important information about COVID-19 My Turn: California's vaccine appointment site CDC: Vaccines and immunizations VaccineInformation.org About Blue Shield of California Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with more than 4.8 million members, over 7,100 employees and more than $25 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $77 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook. SOURCE Blue Shield of California WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (“ANEW” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: WENA) announced the signing of an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Transfertech Sherbrooke (“TTS”) regarding Nanoject, a needle-free, freeze-dried nanopowder autoinjector for medicines and vaccines. Needle phobia and injection or blood-drawing anxiety are prevalent among adults and children, creating barriers to adhering to doctor visits and medication protocols. Alternatives to needle/syringes have been introduced including creams, patches, inhalers, liquid autoinjectors, but they have significant cost and formulation limitations for topical applications. The patented Nanoject core delivery device exploits the pressure-driven flow generated by the triggering of a miniature shock tube to “shoot” nano-sized or micron-sized particles of medicine (drugs, proteins, DNA, RNA) at high speed (600 meters/second) into the skin for intradermal and subcutaneous tissue delivery. Dr. Joseph Sinkule, the CEO, Chairman and Founder of ANEW, stated: “ANEW continues to evaluate opportunities that can generate near-term revenue for the Company, and we utilize our expertise to develop new and novel patented technologies for medical product development – medical products that are urgently needed in the treatment of human diseases. Our early-stage human Klotho gene therapy program is advancing quite well, however we have been looking for assets that may bring in revenue much earlier than the Klotho neurosciences programs. The nanoparticle injector is quite unique, is patent-protected, and will become a major advance in drug delivery. The dry powder nanoparticles of drugs, proteins and DNA/RNA offer numerous advantages over liquid drug solutions such as improved storage at room temperatures, better long-term stability, and novel programmed time-released formulations. We are planning to offer two formats: a single-use disposable device that you can toss in a normal trash bin after administration, and a re-usable, multi-dose device for repeated use.” Dr. Sinkule continues, “Accurate and reproducible dose delivery at targeted skin depths can be controlled by nanoparticle size and shape, particle density, formulation excipients and velocity (gas-powered delivery). Our collaborators at TTS and the Université de Sherbrooke bring to the table a family of issued US and international patents and decades of knowhow which provide protection from competition.” ANEW’s CFO, Jeffrey LeBlanc, stated: “We are developing a patented, low-cost method to deliver medicines to patients that are needle free and pain free, which will improve the quality of life for patients receiving hypodermic needle and syringe-administered medicines and vaccines. We will focus on several key therapeutic areas, including drugs for pain, fertility medicines, growth hormones, erectile dysfunction, and vaccines. We will develop and market our own products, but also work with pharma partners to launch novel patent-protected versions of their drugs via supplemental NDAs.” Eric Boyd, the Managing Director for the Nanoject business unit, will manage general operations and key partnerships, including the licensing alliance with TTS and Dr. Martin Brouillette’s lab at the Université de Sherbrooke. Mr. Boyd, having over 35 years of experience advising public and private companies, stated: “No one likes needles, and more than 16 billion injections a year are given in the US and Canada. Hypodermic needle injections are painful, generate dangerous and costly medical waste, and can cause infection and contamination risks to patients. There are patients with chronic conditions that require frequent, often self-administered injections like insulin or fertility meds. This technology is ideal for self-administration.” Michel Lambert, the CEO and President of TTS, stated: “We are pleased to place this important technology in the hands of experts in this field and we look forward to the close interaction of the Company with the inventor, Professor Dr. Martin Brouillette, and the Université de Sherbrooke.” About TTS and Université de Sherbrooke. TTS is a limited partnership having its head office at 35 Radisson Street, Office 200, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, J1L 1E2, acting and represented by its General Partner, GESTION SOCPRA SCIENCES ET GÉNIE INC. The Université de Sherbrooke is a world-renowned French-language public research University in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. TTS is the University’s external technology transfer office. About ANEW MEDICAL, INC. ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (Nasdaq: WENA) is a technology and medical product development company focused on the development of therapeutics and diagnostics for a broad range of chronic and life-threating disease indications. ANEW’s current portfolio consists of its proprietary gene therapy program using DNA and RNA as therapeutics and diagnostics. Other assets include clinical-stage programs involving antibody biologics targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases, and drug delivery via a needle-free dry powder jet autoinjector called Nanoject. For more information, contact: Investor RelationsEmail: IR@anewmeds.com Website: https://www.anewmeds.com/press-releases/ Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the forward-looking statements in this press release include descriptions of the Company’s future commercial operations. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, such as the Company’s inability to implement its business plans, identify and realize additional opportunities, or meet or exceed its financial projections and changes in the regulatory or competitive environment in which the Company operates. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the documents filed or to be filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, which could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Copies of these documents are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. All information provided herein is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Presented at Respiratory Drug Delivery 2024, the Nasdepi Canine Study Indicates the Dry Powder Nasal Solution Provides a Faster and More Effective Treatment for Anaphylaxis as a Result of Severe Allergies RALEIGH, NC / ACCESSWIRE / July 9, 2024 / Belhaven Biopharma, a leader in emergency use dry powder nasal products, announces the promising results of their latest nonclinical study comparing the pharmacokinetics of dry powder nasal epinephrine to the traditional autoinjector in a canine model. The findings, presented at Respiratory Drug Delivery (RDD) 2024, signify a potential breakthrough treatment for patients with severe allergies at risk of anaphylactic reactions. "In emergency situations such as anaphylaxis, time is of the essence. Our study demonstrates that intranasal administration of dry powder epinephrine achieves a more rapid onset of action than the FDA-approved autoinjector," said Scott Lyman, CEO of Belhaven Biopharma. "These findings suggest that dry powder nasal epinephrine may offer significant therapeutic advantages, potentially improving emergency treatment outcomes for those at risk of anaphylaxis due to severe allergic reactions." The canine study, conducted in collaboration with Lovelace Biomedical, explored a new approach to administering epinephrine compared to intramuscular administration (IM) with an autoinjector. Autoinjectors are currently the gold standard for treating anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Traditional epinephrine IM injections pose several challenges, including needle phobia, slow speed to elevate epinephrine plasma concentrations, rapid loss of potency when exposed to high temperatures, complex administration, and short shelf life. Nasdepi®, a dry powder nasal epinephrine product developed by Belhaven Biopharma, potentially solves these issues by providing a needle-free, rapid-absorbing, heat-stable, easy-to-use, compact, and more affordable solution with a longer shelf life. To confirm the feasibility of a dry powdered formulation of epinephrine delivered by intranasal (IN) administration, a pharmacokinetic study was performed comparing two dose levels of an intranasal preparation of dry powder epinephrine to an epinephrine autoinjector (EAI) in a canine model. The study was conducted by Philip J. Kuehl (Lovelace Biomedical), and analyzed by William Wargin (Discover PKPD), Scott Lyman, and Brian Taubenheim (Belhaven Biopharma). Key Findings: Rapid Effectiveness: Nasal administration of dry powdered epinephrine (IN) achieved maximum plasma concentrations within 5 minutes for all tested subjects, significantly faster than the traditional intramuscular method using an autoinjector, where most subjects reached maximum concentration much later. Increased Drug Exposure: The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), indicating total drug exposure over time, was significantly higher for the nasal delivery method. This suggests that the nasal route not only delivers epinephrine faster but also maintains an effective concentration for a longer duration compared to traditional autoinjectors. Potential for Better Patient Compliance: The needle-free nasal delivery method could potentially improve patient compliance, especially among those with needle phobia or difficulty with self-administration techniques. Study Design & Methods The open-label, three-treatment crossover study involved four female beagle dogs and compared two doses of intranasal dry powder epinephrine to the traditional autoinjector. Two baseline plasma samples were collected before dosing, and additional samples were taken at 2 or 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes post-dose. Plasma epinephrine concentrations were measured using LC-MS/MS (range: 200 to 10,000 pg/mL). Key pharmacokinetic parameters such as maximum concentration (Cmax), time to maximum concentration (Tmax), and area under the curve (AUC) were evaluated to assess how quickly and effectively the drug was absorbed and maintained in the bloodstream. Next Steps The promising results from this feasibility study warrant further investigation into the efficacy and safety of nasal dry powdered epinephrine for treating anaphylaxis. A pilot clinical study was recently conducted in healthy human subjects. The results correlated with the observations from canine study and will be presented at a future scientific meeting. Belhaven Biopharma remains committed to creating life-saving allergy medication accessible, effective, and pain-free. To learn more, visit . About Belhaven Biopharma Belhaven Biopharma is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical research company specializing in developing life-saving medications delivered quickly, effectively, and painlessly with a simple, dry powder, single-use nasal device. They are at the forefront of developing nasal dry powder epinephrine, which is revolutionizing emergency-use delivery and expanding global access. Nasdepi® is the first dry powder nasal device for treating life-threatening allergic reactions. Contact Information Janie Mackenzie PR Manager janiemack@ascendantgroupbranding.com 8564732166 SOURCE: Belhaven Biopharma View the original press release on newswire.com.