University of Nairobi

Research in Kenya has demonstrated that the mortality rate following Paediatric surgical procedures can be 100 times higher than in high-income countries. PATA seeks to redefine surgical and anesthesia care in Africa. LUSAKA, Zambia, Sept. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To bridge the gap for millions of African children lacking access to safe surgery and anesthesia care, the world's largest cleft organization, Smile Train has officially launched the Paediatric Anaesthesia Training in Africa (PATA) program in partnership with The ELMA Foundation and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Continue Reading Dr. Maryrose Osazuwa (Program Director-PATA Nigeria) teaching pediatric resuscitation to fellows (Dr. Rukayya Abdullahi Sidi and Dr. Chinedu Onyeoji, both of Nigeria). The PATA Program will be implemented at three African institutions, namely the University of Zambia, National Hospital, Abuja in Nigeria and Makerere University, Kampala in Uganda. The training program, which has been endorsed by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA), seeks to increase access to safe surgery and anaesthesia care through intensive, year-long fellowships in Paediatric anaesthesia. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the program will also enable the development of a Paediatric anaesthesia policy. Speaking during the launch, Smile Train Vice-President and Regional Director for Africa Mrs. Nkeiruka Obi acknowledged that PATA is intended to meet the urgent need to strengthen Paediatric surgical systems in the region and ensure the safety and quality of Paediatric anaesthesia. "Children in need of surgical treatment, such as those born with clefts or those who are injured, need timely surgery to live a productive life – but access to surgery means nothing if that surgery isn't safe and high-quality. In many African countries, there is a huge gap in skilled surgical and anesthesia providers, which compromises the quality of surgical services. As part of achieving Universal Health Coverage, PATA seeks to upskill more anesthesia providers in the local community by strengthening the Human Resources for Health," said Mrs. Obi. While endorsing the program, Zambia Ministry of Health Director of Clinical Care Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi added: "As part of Zambia's commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage, we are pleased that the collaboration will strengthen Paediatric anesthesia care in the region. This program is aligned with The Government's endeavors to implement a National Paediatric Surgical and Anaesthesia Plan." Research by the Lancet Commission shows that approximately 143 million surgical procedures are needed yearly in the world which shows a significant burden facing the Paediatric population. In addition, approximately 85 percent of children may require some form of surgery before their 15th birthday. In Kenya, a recent study titled Paediatric Perioperative Mortality in Kenya revealed that the mortality rate of Paediatric procedures is 100 times higher than in high-income countries. In her remarks, Melissa Morrison, Director of Health Programs at ELMA Philanthropies noted, "We are proud to partner with Smile Train in launching the Paediatric Anaesthesia Training in Africa (PATA) program. A well-trained workforce is essential to ensuring that children across Africa have access to safe surgery and anesthesia care. The inequities in surgical access and poor outcomes for children in Africa compared to high-income countries is unacceptable, and the PATA graduates represent hope and a future for thousands of children." Other institutions collaborating on the implementation of the PATA program include African Mission Healthcare-Kenya, Boston Children's Hospital, Kids Operating Room, University of Nairobi, Global Institute of Children's Surgery, African Paediatric Fellowship in Africa, University of Cape Town, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, and Association of Anesthesiologists of Uganda (AAU). Media Contact: Smile Train Emily Manjeru PR & Communications Manager, Africa +254724 926 269 [email protected] Photo - Logo - SOURCE Smile Train

Kenyan patients who spend more than three days in the nation's hospitals are more likely to harbor a form of bacteria resistant to one of the most widely used antibiotic classes, according to a recent study. The research team found that 66% of hospitalized patients were colonized with bacteria resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, compared to 49% among community residents. Third-generation cephalosporins are typically used for serious infections, and resistance to these antibiotics leaves limited options for treating patients with some bacterial infections. The study was part of a pair of projects in Kenya and a third in Guatemala to determine the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The research also aimed to identify risk factors for colonization with bacteria resistant to important and frequently used classes of antibiotics, including third-generation cephalosporins. Kenyan patients who spend more than three days in the nation's hospitals are more likely to harbor a form of bacteria resistant to one of the most widely used antibiotic classes, according to a recent study led by Washington State University. The research team found that 66% of hospitalized patients were colonized with bacteria resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, compared to 49% among community residents. Third-generation cephalosporins are typically used for serious infections, and resistance to these antibiotics leaves limited options for treating patients with some bacterial infections. The study, published in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal, was part of a pair of projects in Kenya and a third in Guatemala to determine the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The research also aimed to identify risk factors for colonization with bacteria resistant to important and frequently used classes of antibiotics, including third-generation cephalosporins. "These bacteria can cause untreatable infections," said Sylvia Omulo, an assistant professor at WSU's Paul G. Allen School for Global Health who led the studies in Kenya. "We have to use surveillance to make sure we understand what causes these bacteria to colonize and, later, resist certain antibiotics." By examining health records of Kenyan hospital patients who were colonized with cephalosporin-resistant bacteria, researchers identified three risk factors associated with colonization. Those risk factors included hospitalization for more than three days at 132% increased risk, intubation at 73% and a positive HIV status at 70%. A person colonized with the bacteria may show no symptoms of an infection; however, the germs are present and growing in their body, and the individual may be at increased risk of a more dangerous infection from something as simple as a minor medical procedure or sickness from common bacteria like E. coli and Klebsiella. The germs can unknowingly be spread through person-to-person contact or contaminated surfaces. While resistance is often associated with improper antibiotic use, that does not appear to be a primary contributing factor for cephalosporin-resistant bacteria in either Kenya or Guatemala. The Guatemala study, led by WSU Allen School assistant professor Brooke Ramay, was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulted in data being collected during two time periods. Reported antibiotic use in the community declined three-fold between the pre- and post-periods, but the prevalence of cephalosporin-resistant bacteria remained steady, with colonization found in 67% of hospital patients and 46% of community subjects. "If antibiotic use locally in the community was a major risk factor, we'd expect some change over the course of the year," said WSU Regents Professor Douglas Call, corresponding author for the three publications. In a Kenyan study of communities, the likelihood of colonization with cephalosporin-resistant bacteria rose by 12% with increasing visits to hospitals and clinics, and individuals who kept poultry were 57% more likely to have the resistant bacteria. Previous and ongoing work in both countries also highlights the role of bacterial transmission due to poor sanitation and hygiene. What is not clear is if contact with the health care system is a source of transmission or if people seeking care are more likely to harbor these bacteria. "We know if you're interacting with the health care system, you're more likely to carry these bugs, but we don't know why yet," Call said. "To sort out the cause from the effect, we need to track the same people over time and record how their colonization status changes with different behaviors. Studies to do this are being set up for the coming year." The research was completed in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, University del Valle de Guatemala, University of Nairobi and the Kenya Medical Research Institute. The work was funded by the CDC and is part of the broader Antimicrobial Resistance in Communities and Hospitals (ARCH) study partnership, which has research projects in six countries. The most recent findings from WSU and other institutions involved in the ARCH study were published in a special supplement of the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal.

Stephen Diamond, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Freeline, discussed his unique path from the legal and business worlds to gene therapy and next-generation therapeutics. LEHI, Utah, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CancerVAX, developer of a breakthrough universal cancer vaccine that will use the body’s immune system to fight cancer, reported that the Company’s CEO, Ryan Davies, recently discussed gene therapy’s role in the treatment of chronic diseases with Stephen Diamond, the former legal counsel for Pfizer. Mr. Diamond currently serves as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Freeline, a publicly traded biotechnology company focused on developing gene editing therapies for patients with chronic diseases. Before admission to the New York State Bar in 1999, he received his B.A. from New York University. During his law school years at William & Mary, Mr. Diamond also studied law at the University of Nairobi and served on William and Mary’s law review. He formerly served as Assistant General Counsel and Senior Corporate Counsel of Mergers & Acquisitions for Pfizer, while concurrently serving as a Corporate Attorney of Axiom. Earlier in his career, Mr. Diamond was Associate Director of Debt Capital Markets Transaction Advisory for Barclays Capital and Senior Corporate Associate of Milbank LLP. Mr. Diamond has spent many years on the legal side of the biotechnology field, recently becoming Interim Head of Business Development for a gene therapy company focused on Gaucher and Fabry’s Diseases. “I was very excited to speak with Stephen,” said CancerVAX CEO Ryan Davies. “He has such a unique background – it's not every day that you speak with someone with a background not just in gene therapy, but in law and business as well.” This CEO Chat can be viewed at https://youtu.be/H_qdeW3CGmA For more information about CancerVAX, please visit our website at https://cancervax.com About Us CancerVAX, Inc. is a pre-clinical biotechnology company developing a breakthrough universal cancer vaccine that will use the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Working with a team of experienced cancer researchers and physicians at UCLA, we intend to create a Universal Cancer Vaccine that will detect, mark, and destroy only the diseased cells with an incredibly high level of precision. Much like the COVID-19 vaccines that train the body to recognize and destroy the coronavirus, our cancer vaccine will leverage the body’s own immune system to destroy cancer cells. As we develop our universal cancer vaccine, we are also working with UCLA to develop single-disease cancer treatments targeting Ewing sarcoma, a rare but deadly bone and soft tissue cancer that primarily affects children and young adults. We look forward to the day when treating cancer will be as simple as getting a flu shot. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Press Contact:CancerVAX, Inc.Tel: (805) 356-1810info@CancerVAX.com