Beth Israel Medical Center

Medical Advisory Board supports late-stage development of BPM 31510 in advanced pancreatic patients BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BPGbio, Inc., a leading AI-powered biopharma that focuses on oncology, neurology, and rare diseases, today announced that review of the Phase 2a trial in advanced, refractory pancreatic cancer patients by a Medical Advisory Board for its BPM 31510IV for Pancreatic Cancer recommends advancing the asset into a Phase 2b trial following a comprehensive analysis of data observed from a Phase 1 and completed Phase 2a clinical studies. As a result, the Advisory Board recommends the drug candidate be further assessed as a potential first-line therapy in advanced pancreatic cancer patients in the Phase 2b trial design. BPGbio submitted their findings for presentation to a major cancer meeting in January 2024 and embarked on the necessary diligence to assess the most appropriate next steps for development. In the Phase 2a clinical trial, BPM 31510 IV demonstrated a tolerable safety pro advanced refractory pancreatic cancer patients with an early indication for potential clinical benefit. Prior to commencement of the Phase 2a trial, the mechanism of action of BPM 31510 was first validated by data from BPGbio’s NAi Interrogative Biology® multi omics AI platform, which suggested that there is a hallmark shift in the tumor microenvironment (TME) wherein a Warburg shift is induced by BPM 31510 to modulate mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in highly aggressive tumors, with a direct effect on the BCL-2 protein family. “We are extremely encouraged to observe that BPM 31510 has demonstrated an early indication of potential clinical benefit for patients with advanced refractory pancreatic cancer,” said Niven R. Narain, Ph.D., President and CEO of BPGbio. “Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of death of all cancers with only a 10% survival rate, we are focused on assessing further development of this drug for patients and their families affected by this devastating disease.” “Advanced pancreatic cancer patients have limited treatment options and lack of early detection often leads to advanced diagnosis in most cases, resulting in devastating impacts on the family unit,” said Madappa Kundranda, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of Division of Cancer Medicine, Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center. “Early indication from BPM 31510 data, which targets the tumor microenvironment (TME), thus far supports further study in late-stage trials with the goal of offering hope for more effective treatment for the pancreatic patient community." Moreover, in an ambitious commitment to changing the treatment paradigm of pancreatic cancer, BPGbio has identified biomarkers for early disease diagnoses in pancreatic cancer through Project Survival®, a bold seven-year study led in collaboration with Beth Israel Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, among others. This initiative holds the promise of earlier disease diagnoses which may result in better outcomes, thereby potentially saving more lives. Project Survival® has been supported by the Alliance for Families Fighting Pancreatic Cancer (AFFPC). About BPGbio, Inc. BPGbio is a leading AI-powered clinical stage biopharma and diagnostics company focused on oncology, neurology, and rare diseases. The company has a deep portfolio of AI-developed pipeline of therapeutics, including several in late-stage development. BPGBio’s novel approach is underpinned by NAi, its proprietary Interrogative Biology® Platform, protected by over 400 US and international patents; the world's largest clinically annotated non-governmental biobank; and access to the most powerful supercomputing in the world. With these tools, BPGbio is redefining how patient biology can be modeled using unbiased AI. Headquartered in Boston, the company is at the forefront of a new era in medicine, combining biology, data, and AI to transform the way we understand aging, human performance, and diagnose and treat disease. For more information, visit bpgbio.com.

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser Proclaims Sept. 7-13, Pathway to Neurosurgery Week WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Foundation launched its Pathway to Neurosurgery program in Washington, DC. The initiative is dedicated to alleviating health care disparities by encouraging high school students from underrepresented groups to pursue a career in neurosurgery or medicine. Continue Reading Pathway to Neurosurgery High school students from the E.L. Haynes, A District of Columbia Public Charter School, were selected to participate in a full-day symposium at the CNS Annual Meeting, an international conference of neurosurgeons gathering to discuss the latest advancements in the field. The guest students will attend inspiring presentations and participate in hands-on laboratory stations to gain insight into a neurosurgeon's daily life. At the end of the symposium, the students will be invited to apply for scholarships, and up to two will be selected for year-long mentorships with local neurosurgeons in Washington, DC. In recognition of this groundbreaking program, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser proclaimed Sept. 7-13 as Pathway to Neurosurgery Week. Elad I. Levy, MD, CNS president and professor and chair of neurosurgery at the State University of New York at Buffalo, stated, "The CNS is thrilled that Mayor Bowser has recognized the Pathway to Neurosurgery program. As CNS president, it has been a privilege to witness the growth and development of this critical mission-centric project, offering exposure to the wonders of neuroscience to these exceptional students." Only 4% of practicing neurosurgeons in the U.S. are Black, 5% are Hispanic and 8% are women. In contrast, approximately 14% of the U.S. population are Black, 19% are Hispanic and 50% are women. "African Americans, Hispanic Americans and women are significantly underrepresented in neurosurgery, and the CNS Pathway to Neurosurgery program aims to address this problem by promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in neurosurgery. Our goal is to inspire students to consider neurosurgery as a career option to foster innovations in patient care that can improve outcomes and reduce minority health disparities," said Tiffany R. Hodges, MD, co-chair of the CNS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and associate professor of neurosurgery at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. Edjah K. Nduom, MD, co-chair of the CNS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and associate professor of neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicine, added, "There are persistent racial health disparities in the United States, including in neurosurgical care, and the evidence is clear that diversifying the neurosurgical workforce is an important tool in our fight to end these disparities. The CNS Foundation is working to expand the Pathway to Neurosurgery program nationwide to harness all of the diverse talent of our people to improve health outcomes for everyone." "This unique program highlights what we can achieve when we all come together. The CNS Foundation's Pathway to Neurosurgery program will make a difference and open doors and opportunities that did not exist before," concluded Martina Stippler, MD, chair of the CNS Foundation, vice-chief of the division of neurosurgery at Beth Israel Medical Center and associate professor of neurosurgery at Harvard University. Neurosurgery is a highly specialized medical field dedicated to excellence in the diagnosis, treatment and surgical management of disorders affecting the nervous system (including the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves). The specialty plays a critical role in improving patient outcomes and advancing scientific knowledge in the neurosciences. The Pathway to Neurosurgery program is supported by generous grants from Medtronic, Stryker and MicroVention. Contact: Deanne L. Starr (847) 902-2009 [email protected] SOURCE Congress of Neurological Surgeons

GREAT NECK, N.Y., Aug. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Ruth S. Spector, MD, FCCM, MBA, is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Life Member for his contributions to the fields of Internal Medicine, Anesthesia, and Critical Care Medicine. Continue Reading Ruth Spector Dr. Spector pursued higher education earning a Bachelor of Science degree in General Business at Wharton School of Business. She then obtained a medical degree from George Washington University and completed an Internal Medicine residency at Beth Israel Medical Center in NYC. The doctor expanded her scholarship finishing a residency in Anesthesia at New York-Presbyterian Hospital – Cornell Campus; a Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine at St. Vincent's Hospital in NYC; and receiving an MBA degree in Healthcare Administration/Management from Adelphi University. Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Dr. Spector has more than 35 years of experience in the field. She is revered for her thorough knowledge and practice as an intensivist and asserts that she has helped countless critically ill patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses or injuries, working in the intensive care unit. The doctor said that she has led her critical care team through a transition to a closed unit and faced staffing shortages and administrative pressure, yet she seamlessly integrated the unit with fair, transparent, and clearly defined responsibilities for each employee. Prior to her current post in private practice, the doctor held positions at Good Samaritan Hospital as the Director of Critical Care Services and at MICU as the Medical Director. S/he has also served as a Tribal EM HC Consultant for healthcare systems and facilities, including Cherokee Nation Hastings Hospital. Dedicated to providing the latest innovations in her field, Dr. Spector is associated with the Fellow of the Society of Critical Care Medicine; the American Society of Anesthesiologists; and the American Thoracic Society. Aside from her professional pursuits, Dr. Spector enjoys volunteering at soup kitchens across New York City and she has served on the Executive Board of "Gift of Life Marrow Registry" for 18 years. She is also an avid golf and tennis player. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle