University of Louisville

THURSDAY, Feb. 19, 2026 -- Older patients with stage I to III colon or lung cancer achieve comparable short-term surgical outcomes when they undergo surgery at local rural facilities versus urban facilities, according to a study published online Feb. 11 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons . Michael E. Egger, M.D., from University of Louisville in Kentucky, and colleagues evaluated whether older patients (aged 65 years and older) can safely undergo lung and colon cancer surgery at their local rural hospital. The analysis included 10,383 rural patients with stage I to III colon cancer and 6,006 rural patients with stage I to III lung cancer identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare files. The researchers found no clinically significant differences between rural and urban treatment in either colon cancer or lung cancer cohorts in terms of demographics or cancer stage. Comorbidity risks also were similar. Across urban and rural facilities, mortality and complication rates were comparable. For both patients with colon cancer (49 versus 16 miles) and patients with lung cancer (61 versus 35 miles), travel distance was significantly greater for those treated at urban facilities versus rural facilities. "Long travel times and costs associated with travel can be a significant burden for many cancer patients living in rural communities," Egger said in a statement. "As hospital systems regionalize care, it is going to be important to determine which patients can receive care more locally and who may benefit from receiving more centralized care." Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Keli Walbert brings decades of commercial leadership experience and a proven track record of successful product launches in rare disease SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 2025-- Spruce Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPRB), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for neurological disorders with significant unmet medical need, today announced the appointment of Keli Walbert to the Company's Board of Directors. “Keli joins the Board of Directors at a pivotal time as we prepare for a Biologics License Application for TA-ERT for the treatment of Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B (MPS IIIB),” said Michael Grey, Executive Chairman of Spruce Biosciences. “Her experience in successfully launching multiple drugs and her deep understanding of the rare disease commercial landscape will help support our transition into a commercial-stage organization focused on delivering potentially the first disease-modifying therapy for children with MPS IIIB.” Ms. Walbert has more than 20 years of experience leading teams across commercial functions, including marketing and sales, market access, patient services, advocacy, digital, market research and analytics and operations. She has deep therapeutic experience across immunology, rheumatology, dermatology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, nephrology, neurology and obesity/metabolic diseases, with a particular strength in rare disease commercialization. Ms. Walbert most recently served as Executive Vice President, U.S. Commercial, at Horizon Therapeutics, where she was responsible for driving commercial strategy and organizational development for more than 10 marketed brands across nephrology, ophthalmology and rare disease, among other therapeutic areas. Prior to this position, she held numerous roles of increasing responsibility at Horizon, including leading the launch of the blockbuster medicine TEPEZZA for thyroid eye disease. Before joining Horizon, Ms. Walbert held leadership roles at AbbVie, American Medical Association, Abbott and United Healthcare. Ms. Walbert has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Luminary Award from the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association and the MM+M Women of Distinction Award. She received a master's degree from Northwestern University and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Louisville. "This is an incredibly exciting time to join Spruce's Board of Directors as the company advances toward a potential BLA submission for TA-ERT," said Ms. Walbert. "I look forward to working alongside the Board and management team to support Spruce’s strategic commercial planning and capitalize on the company’s momentum to prepare for a transformative year ahead." About Spruce Biosciences Spruce Biosciences is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for neurological disorders with significant unmet medical need. To learn more, visit www.sprucebio.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the timing and likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals for TA-ERT, including the anticipated biologics license application submission of TA-ERT for MPS IIIB; and TA-ERT’s potential to be the first disease-modifying therapy to treat MPS IIIB. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate”, “will”, “potential”, “intend”, “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Spruce’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with Spruce’s business in general, the impact of geopolitical and macroeconomic events, and the other risks described in Spruce’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. Spruce undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215189566/en/ Media Carolyn Hawley Inizio Evoke Comms Carolyn.Hawley@inizioevoke.com media@sprucebio.com Investors Samir Gharib President and CFO Spruce Biosciences, Inc. investors@sprucebio.com Source: Spruce Biosciences, Inc.

Fusion CBD Products Supports Additional Research into Potential CBD Benefits MIAMI, Nov. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Journal of Cannabis Research published a round-up of studies on the therapeutic potential of purified cannabidiol in mid 2023. It reported that use of CBD to treat anxiety had the most clinical supporting evidence, with positive data in a total of 24 studies and trials. Other studies indicated there was positive data for the use of CBD to treat psychosis and schizophrenia, substance abuse, and improvement in sleep quality, although far fewer randomized control trials have been conducted on its efficacy in treating these conditions. Other studies looked at CBD as a potential treatment for Parkinson's, autism, smoking cessation, graft-versus-host disease (the tendency for the body to attack or destroy transplanted cells and tissues), and intestinal permeability, the bodily mechanism that controls the passage of materials from the intestines to other parts of the body. Continue Reading Joint and Muscles Capsules The journal is now calling for calling for submissions by February 14, 2026, for its next "Collection on Non-psychotropic cannabinoids in drug discovery and their therapeutic potential." Organizations currently conducting CBD research include Canada's University of Waterloo, where scientists are studying the use and perceptions of CBD products in Canada and the United States; the University of Chicago and University of Louisville, where an interdisciplinary team is investigating CBD's potential as a preventative for the COVID-19 virus; the University of Northern Colorado, where a researcher is examining a possible connection between CBD and immune function; the Douglas Research Centre at Montreal's McGill University, which is conducting clinical trials of CBD as a treatment for bipolar disorder; the University of Oxford, researching the use of CBD for chronic pain, and San Diego State University, which is doing cross-sectional studies on CBD users. Fusion CBD Products offers both full- and broad-spectrum as well as CBD isolate options in a variety of formats, from gummies to tinctures and capsules to topicals. About Fusion CBD Products Based in Miami, Florida, Fusion CBD Products was established in 2019. Made from 100% organic, GMO-free hemp extract grown in the United States and processed in FDA-registered, GMP-certified facilities, Fusion CBD Products include CBD oils, intimacy products, gummies, capsules, and topicals to help customers — from sidewalk strollers and their pet companions to competitive athletes — live healthy, active lives. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Fusion CBD Products 21% more press release views with Request a Demo