National University

The new National University Centre for Digestive Health aims to strengthen patient access to cutting-edge diagnostic technologies and innovations in early detection and quality specialised care SINGAPORE, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National University Hospital (NUH) is embarking on a major initiative to establish the National University Centre for Digestive Health, slated for completion in the first half of 2025. With a vision to be the region's leading academic centre for digestive health, the Centre will pioneer research, innovations and clinical practices with an amplified focus to elevate the standards of early disease detection, precise diagnosis, treatment and prevention of digestive illnesses. Continue Reading The team behind the launch of the National University Centre for Digestive Health Through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technology, the new Centre will serve as a comprehensive one-stop centre for gastroenterology and hepatology services, catering to the growing needs of patients with stomach, colon and liver-related diseases, including cancers. Gastrointestinal cancers and liver cancer rank among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Singapore. It was reported by the Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2021 that gastrointestinal cancers made up one-third of cancer cases in males and approximately one-fifth of the cases in females[1]. Harnessing the power of AI and technology The establishment of the National University Centre for Digestive Health heralds a new approach where specialised care, from radiology and diagnostics to surgery and therapeutic procedures, is significantly enhanced by AI and technology. This advancement not only promises streamlined patient services, but also ensures early detection and more effective intervention strategies, thanks to same-day diagnostics and treatment capabilities. The Centre is currently the only one in Singapore to put in place three AI-enabled systems, known as the Computer-assisted detection (CADe), Computer-assisted diagnosis (CADx) and Computer-assisted quality control (CAQ), which work in tandem to not only identify early gastrointestinal lesions more effectively, but also enable the real-time cancer diagnosis of these lesions. This can translate to earlier treatments or follow-up interventions for patients identified with high-risk lesions, potentially leading to improved prognosis and treatment outcomes. Early gastrointestinal lesions, which are abnormal changes involving the tissues in the stomach area, may be indicative of cancer. As such, early detection and diagnosis are crucial for better prognosis and lay a strong foundation for successful treatment and recovery. The Centre is pioneering the development of a more accurate blood-based diagnostic test for stomach cancer. The test will better identify individuals at high-risk of stomach cancer, potentially reducing the necessity for invasive endoscopy in low-risk cases. The team is also developing novel biomarkers to improve the precision of early colorectal cancer detection, as well as new pancreas and liver cancer assays. Adjunct A/Prof Lee Guan Huei, Head and Senior Consultant, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, NUH said: "At the forefront of our mission within the National University Centre for Digestive Health is the fusion of AI and advanced technologies with deep clinical expertise. This signifies our commitment to innovation as well as our dedication to offering our patients the best experience and most advanced care options possible." Enhanced capabilities in diagnostics and surgical interventions Amid preparations for the completion of the new Centre by 2025, NUH has significantly enhanced its Endoscopy Centre to cater to the escalating needs of an ageing population and the increased incidence of gastrointestinal cancers. Offering a wide spectrum of endoscopic procedures, ranging from basic diagnostic screening to advanced therapeutic interventions, the NUH Endoscopy Centre plays a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive care. Since August 2023, the NUH Endoscopy Centre has introduced a high-performance X-ray based visualisation system, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. This system boasts an advanced 3D imaging feature, which enhances the capability of surgeons to locate diseased tissues and identify potential issues that may not be visible with traditional 2D imaging. The system's high precision, advanced 3D imaging, and high contrast resolution provide optimal visual control during sophisticated lesion removals and minimise procedure times. At the same time, it is also able to calculate the optimal dose for each patient, which helps to minimise radiation exposure. Over the past year, NUH has also expanded its facilities, introducing four new procedure rooms, along with additional recovery bays, triage rooms, and a dedicated counselling space, to meet the rapidly growing need for screening endoscopy that can be expected from HealthierSG. Another practice-changing innovation is the development of a leading-edge robotic-assisted endoscopic surgery system, which marks a significant leap forward in less invasive surgical techniques and underscores the dedication to progressive healthcare solutions. This system takes a novel incision-less surgical approach that eliminates gastric and colon tumours through natural orifices like the mouth, hence reducing surgery time, patient discomfort, and enhancing recovery speed. Clinical trials have demonstrated a reduction in complication rates to below five per cent and hospital stays to less than a day. Associate Professor Asim Shabbir, Head & Senior Consultant, Department of Surgery, NUH, said: "At the National University Centre for Digestive Health, we are continuously striving for better outcomes where treatment is less invasive, more effective, and tailored to the individual needs of each patient. The introduction of new technologies into our surgical practices will be a game-changer. As we continue to expand our infrastructure and embrace technological advances, the Centre is poised to redefine digestive health for the future." About National University Hospital (NUH) The National University Hospital (NUH) is Singapore's leading university hospital. While the hospital at Kent Ridge first received its patients on 24 June 1985, our legacy started from 1905, the date of the founding of what is today the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. NUH is the principal teaching hospital of the medical school. Our unique identity as a university hospital is a key attraction for healthcare professionals who aspire to do more than practise tertiary medical care. We offer an environment where research and teaching are an integral part of medicine, and continue to shape medicine and transform care for the community we care for. We are an academic medical centre with over 1,200 beds, serving more than one million patients a year with over 50 medical, surgical and dental specialties. NUH is the only public and not-for-profit hospital in Singapore to provide trusted care for adults, women and children under one roof, including the only paediatric kidney and liver transplant programme in the country. The NUH is a key member of the National University Health System (NUHS), one of three public healthcare clusters in Singapore. SOURCE National University Hospital

Public symposium by NUSI marks the end of a series of spine-related events that provide doctors with platform for professional development and networking SINGAPORE, March 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National University Spine Institute (NUSI) is a new dedicated specialist spine institute under the National University Health System (NUHS) that provides multidisciplinary care for patients with spinal diseases and deformities. With an experienced team of spine specialists backed by medical best practices, methodologies and technology, NUSI is steadfast in its commitment to adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape, including addressing the rapid increase in complex spine healthcare for both non-operative and operative demands in an ageing population in Singapore. Under the leadership of Associate Professor Gabriel Liu, NUSI aims to set new standards in spine care through a patient-centric approach. A/Prof Liu said: "NUSI differentiates itself by providing dedicated sub-specialties within the spine practice, standardising work processes and providing value-driven patient care across the cluster to address spinal problems. NUSI is dedicated to developing community care programmes for patients, with cases expected to rise in the coming years partly due to an ageing population." The ageing demographic in Singapore is a pressing concern, with the nation set to attain "super-aged" status in 2026. By 2030, one in four persons in Singapore will be aged 65 and above, up from one in six now. This shift puts a spotlight on age-related spine conditions such as scoliosis, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. With about 1,000 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans ordered at the National University Hospital (NUH) a month, a new deep learning model known as SpineAI is helping radiologists identify spinal abnormalities more efficiently. This application of artificial intelligence (AI) was shared by Dr Jonathan Tan, Consultant in NUSI as well as the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at NUH, at the inaugural NUSI Fellows Best Practice and Research Conference on 20 March, which saw attendance from local and international spine specialists who convened to share best practices and research presentations on cutting-edge surgical techniques. This event highlights NUSI's commitment to knowledge sharing and global collaboration. The international doctors in attendance are also NUSI spine fellows, who have passed through the doors of NUH to gain exposure to Singapore's healthcare industry and hone their skills in their specialties through the hospital's clinical fellowship scheme. The NUSI Spine Fellow Chapter is part of the NUH Global Fellows Alliance, which boosts more than 900 clinical fellows. Some 35 local and international doctors also attended the NUSI Advanced Cervical Spine Surgery Cadaveric Course on 21 March, which took them through the management of complex cervical spine conditions via lectures and discussions, hands-on cadaveric dissections and live surgery demonstrations. These spine-related events will culminate in the first NUSI Public Spine Symposium to be held at NUHS on 30 March, which features free talks by NUSI doctors on a range of spinal conditions from slipped disc to spine cancer. Attendees will also get to learn exercises to strengthen the back, undergo free scoliosis and osteoporosis screening and hear from members of Scoliosis Support Singapore about what it is like living with and overcoming scoliosis. A/Prof Liu said: "NUSI is not just about transforming spine care. We want to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources they need for better spine health. Through our comprehensive public engagement initiatives and community outreach, we hope to foster awareness, education and prevention that will better improve spine health among the community." NUSI has a multidisciplinary approach that involves orthopaedic spine surgeons, neurosurgeons and rehabilitation clinicians across NUHS, to provide a seamless patient experience across the full spectrum of spine care, from pain management to rehabilitation medicine, and the latest in minimally invasive, navigation, robotic spine surgery as well as complex surgical techniques for the treatment of scoliosis, spinal tumours, degenerative spine disorders and spinal trauma. About the National University Health System (NUHS) ­­The National University Health System (NUHS) aims to transform how illness is prevented and managed by discovering causes of disease, development of more effective treatments through collaborative multidisciplinary research and clinical trials, and creation of better technologies and care delivery systems in partnership with others who share the same values and vision. Institutions in the NUHS Group include the National University Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Jurong Community Hospital and Alexandra Hospital; three National Specialty Centres – National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) and National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore (NUCOHS); the National University Polyclinics (NUP); Jurong Medical Centre; and three NUS health sciences schools – NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (including the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies), NUS Faculty of Dentistry and NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. With member institutions under a common governance structure, NUHS creates synergies for the advancement of health by integrating patient care, health science education and biomedical research. As a Regional Health System, NUHS works closely with health and social care partners across Singapore to develop and implement programmes that contribute to a healthy and engaged population in the Western part of Singapore. For more information, please visit . SOURCE National University Health System (NUHS)

Scorpius subsidiary to manufacture novel biologic targeting substance use disorderDURHAM, N.C., Jan. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NightHawk Biosciences (NYSE American: NHWK) (“NightHawk” or the “Company”), an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today announced its Scorpius BioManufacturing subsidiary (“Scorpius”) has commenced work on a contract that it was awarded by a leading university to develop and manufacture a novel biologic targeting substance use disorder, which includes drug, alcohol and opioid addiction. Jeff Wolf, CEO of NightHawk, commented, “We are honored to have been awarded this multi-million dollar contract by one of the foremost research universities in the United States. Scorpius was selected due to its process development and large molecule manufacturing expertise, as well as its flexibility and dedication to customer service. We are off to a strong start and look forward to expanding this relationship into additional programs in 2024 and beyond. Overall, we could not be more excited by the traction and growing pipeline within Scorpius.” NightHawk Biosciences, Inc.NightHawk Biosciences, through its Scorpius BioManufacturing subsidiary, is an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on rapidly advancing biologic and cell therapy programs to the clinic and beyond. Scorpius offers a broad array analytical testing, process development, and manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies at its state-of-the art facilities in San Antonio, TX. With an experienced team and new, purpose-built U.S. facilities, Scorpius is dedicated to transparent collaboration and flexible, high-quality biologics biomanufacturing. For more information, please visit: www.nighthawkbio.com or www.scorpiusbiologics.com, and also follow us on Twitter. Forward Looking StatementThis release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "should," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions, and include statements such as expanding the relationship with the university into additional programs in 2024 and beyond Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the Company’s ability to generate future revenue from manufacturing contracts, the Company’s ability to continue to grow revenue, leverage fixed costs and achieve long-term profitability; the Company’s ability to create substantial shareholder value as a pure-play CDMO in an underserved marketplace; the Company’s financing needs, its cash balance being sufficient to sustain operations and its ability to raise capital when needed, the Company’s ability to successfully operate as a CDMO the ability to obtain regulatory approval or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to the Company’s ability to successfully promote its services and compete as a pure-play CDMO, and other factors described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Qs and any other filings the Company makes with the SEC. The information in this presentation is provided only as of the date presented, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this presentation on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Media and Investor Relations ContactDavid Waldman+1 919 289 4017investorrelations@nighthawkbio.com