MedStar Health, Inc.

SAN DIEGO, March 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Amydis Inc., a privately held clinical-stage company pioneering a platform of ocular tracers that enable imaging of disease-related molecular biomarkers in the eye, announced today a Phase 2 grant award of $2.5 million from the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The award supports Amydis' novel approach to address a critical gap in medicine: the lack of a diagnostic test for TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE). Approximately 97% of people diagnosed with ALS have TDP-43 pathology, making it a central biological hallmark of the disease. Yet today, there is no blood test or brain scan that can directly detect TDP-43 in living patients. ALS remains a diagnosis of exclusion, often taking months or even years due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions—time that patients and families cannot afford to lose. Earlier diagnosis could accelerate access to therapeutic intervention and clinical trials, enabling more opportunities to impact disease. To address this unmet need, Amydis is developing a non-invasive, fluorescent ocular tracer designed to function as a simple eye test capable of detecting TDP-43 using routine ophthalmic imaging technologies and workflows. Because patients routinely visit eye care providers when they notice changes in vision, this approach has the potential to integrate molecular biomarker detection of neurodegenerative disease into everyday clinical practice. "For patients and families facing ALS and related dementias, time is everything," said Dr. Stella Sarraf, Founder and CEO of Amydis. "We believe the eye represents a new frontier in neurodegenerative disease detection. Earlier detection has the potential to change how ALS and related diseases are diagnosed, studied, and ultimately treated." The Phase 2 grant award was based on successful completion of a Phase 1 NIH grant where Amydis demonstrated its proprietary fluorescent tracer can detect TDP-43 deposits in the retinal cadaver tissues of people with ALS, FTD and LATE. This foundational work was made possible with support from Target ALS and through collaborations with Georgetown University, Washington University in St. Louis, Mass General Brigham, Cedars-Sinai and Banner Health. The results were recently presented at the NEALS conference in November and the International Symposium on MND/ALS in December. A manuscript is being prepared for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. This new Phase 2 grant supports continued analysis of retinal cadaver tissues to further characterize and map TDP-43 deposits, applying artificial intelligence to define disease-specific patterns across ALS, FTD, and LATE, with the goal of distinguishing these conditions at a molecular level for use in precision medicine. "Prodromal detection of TDP-43 in people with ALS would be a step forward for our field," said Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, Executive Director of the Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute and Director of the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS. "A molecular biomarker test to detect TDP43 in the eye has the potential to facilitate clinical trial design and drug targeting, as well as accelerate patient enrollment in clinical trials providing earlier access to promising investigational therapies." Research reported in this release was supported by the National Institute On Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R44AG078075. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. About Amydis Amydis is leading the way for early detection of diseases through the eye that is accessible, affordable and non-invasive. The company is developing proprietary ocular tracers that enable identification of molecular biomarkers for diseases of the eye, heart and brain. Amydis is creating a data warehouse for multi-omics that includes unique molecular biomarkers of the eye to empower AI-enabled health insights. The Company's digital health solutions leverage the eye as the "window to the body" to accelerate diagnoses, enable precision treatment and improve patient outcomes. For more information contact: [email protected]. Amydis Contact: Jessica Hoffman [email protected] SOURCE Amydis Inc. 21% more press release views with Request a Demo

Milestone marks entry into Limited Market Release and builds momentum toward broader commercialization NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VB Spine LLC (“VB Spine”), today announced the successful completion of the first clinical cases utilizing the Vulcan™ Spinal System for thoracolumbar fixation. The milestone marks the system’s entry into Limited Market Release and represents a significant step forward in the company’s strategy to expand its next-generation implant portfolio. The first case was performed on February 26 at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, marking the official clinical debut of the Vulcan Spinal System. Continuing the system’s strong early clinical momentum, two additional surgeons at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital performed procedures following the first case. With three successful cases completed across two days, the early experience reflects an encouraging and energized start for the system. The Vulcan Degenerative System was engineered to support fixation strength, surgical precision, and procedural efficiency while maintaining a streamlined workflow for the operating room. Designed in collaboration with surgeons, the system integrates advanced implant geometry and instrumentation intended to address the evolving demands of modern spine surgery. “At VB Spine, everything starts with the patient,” said Marc Viscogliosi, co-CEO of VB Spine. “Moments like this represent patients placing their trust in innovation, in their surgeons, and in all of us behind the scenes. I’m proud of what the VB Spine team has been able to accomplish in this short period of time. We are grateful to the surgeons who partnered with us to develop this system and honored to support solutions designed to improve patient outcomes and advance spine care.” The Limited Market Release phase will focus on gathering continued clinical feedback, supporting surgeon adoption, and ensuring operational readiness ahead of full commercial launch. Regulatory and Availability The Vulcan™ Spinal System is cleared by FDA for sale in the United States. It is intended for use in spinal fixation procedures to provide stabilization and support as part of a comprehensive surgical construct as an adjunct to fusion. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release are forward-looking and are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially due to regulatory, commercial, and operational risks. VB Spine disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law. About VB Spine VB Spine LLC is the largest privately held spine company and among the largest family-owned medical technology companies in the world. With a comprehensive portfolio and a large and growing global distribution network, VB Spine delivers specialized solutions that address critical needs in spine surgery and enhance patient outcomes. Focused on people, partnerships, and operational excellence, VB Spine ensures healthcare professionals have access to the tools and resources needed to provide the highest standard of care. VB Spine is owned and led by the Viscogliosi Brothers. For more information on VB Spine, please visit . Contacts For media inquiries only: spinecommunications@vbspineco.com

COLUMBIA, Md., March 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 75% of Americans are unsure when or how often to get a colonoscopy. That's according to new survey results just released by MedStar Health. One thousand U.S. adults participated in the national survey, which revealed colorectal cancer misconceptions: Continue Reading MedStar Health reports that one in three Americans are not sure when or how often to get checked for colorectal cancer. More than 36% of those eligible say they've skipped colorectal screening. Doctors recommend starting at age 45. Four in ten think screening after 45 requires a family history of the disease. That's not true, according to doctors. One-third mistakenly thinks testing starts before age 45. Almost half say you should screen every five years. Doctors say it can be every ten years. Click here for MedStar Health's full survey results. "Detecting colorectal cancer early can save your life," said MedStar Health gastroenterologist Nikiya Asamoah, MD. "Make sure to ask your doctor when to start screening and how often to follow up." In 2018, the screening age dropped from 50 to 45 for those with average risk. That change came as more young patients were diagnosed. Now, survey results show one in ten people know a colon cancer patient under age 45. Doctors found Allison Solomon's cancer at age 37. "Colonoscopies aren't fun but important to stay on top of if you're eligible," Solomon said. "My symptoms were severe, so I listened to my body and got screened early." Solomon says she had blood in her stool, bowel changes, stomach cramps, and loss of appetite. Only 13% of respondents could identify all colorectal cancer symptoms, which also include: Weight loss Fatigue Lump in rectum Nausea Lump in abdomen Vomiting "Having these symptoms doesn't mean you have cancer," said MedStar Health gastroenterologist Dana Sloane, MD. "Colorectal cancer does not always cause symptoms. Appropriate screening is critical for early detection. Your doctor can check and help give you peace of mind." To learn more about your own risk, visit SOURCE MedStar Health 21% more press release views with Request a Demo