Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Vector banner. Coloured geometric shapes to show brain structure differences.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week: The Benefits Of A Formal Diagnosis For Employees

Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Vector banner. Coloured geometric shapes to show brain structure differences.

By Dan Kentley, Practice Manager at Onebright

Statistics suggest that around 1 in 100 people in the UK are autistic and circa 3-4 people in 100 have ADHD, however, it is important to note that many of these estimates are based on those who have been diagnosed. So, in reality, they are likely to be higher. Despite these numbers, countless individuals may go through life without a diagnosis, navigating challenges without understanding the root of their experiences.

The importance of having a formal diagnosis for employees

Neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD affect individuals in different ways and will have varying degrees of impact for an individual in different settings (such as at home, in education, and in the workplace). Both assessment and diagnosis can help individuals better understand themselves, some of the difficulties they may have experienced, and how to navigate challenges in the future.

Individuals with conditions such as ADHD and autism will all possess a unique profile and experience strengths and difficulties in different areas (for example their analytical skills, relationships, and comprehension). This makes it especially important for recommendations and support following a diagnosis to be tailored to the individual, to help them address barriers they face, and build on their existing strengths.

A formal diagnosis can help identify and enable individuals to access appropriate support, which can come in many shapes and sizes depending on the needs of the person, and how their neurodiversity impacts them day-to-day. For example, employers can help make adjustments in the workplace. 

In addition, individuals can help us continue to reduce stigma around neurodevelopmental conditions, and foster a society that embraces these and the strengths that come with them.

Research shows that historically neurodivergent women have often been misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression, indicating a significant gap in our understanding and approach to neurodiversity and meaning that for some people, formal diagnosis is delayed until much later in life. However, that is not to say that such conditions do not often co-exist. Neurodivergent individuals can be at a higher risk of developing these conditions.

What does a neurodiversity assessment entail?

An assessment may be split into several parts/appointments, but there are several ‘core components’ of autism and ADHD assessments that should always be present. 

These include taking a detailed developmental, social, medical, and psychiatric history, assessment against specific diagnostic criteria, and exploration of how an individual’s difficulties impact them in different settings. Information will often be gathered in the form of several questionnaires, as well as during consultations. 

For adults, input from an ‘observer’ who knew them during their childhood is a key part of the assessment. Sometimes, where this is not possible, access to any previous assessment or school reports can be helpful.

Once the process is complete, individuals will receive a detailed report, usually supplemented with strategies which may be helpful at home or in the workplace.

Why every workplace should be celebrating neurodiversity

The journey towards embracing neurodiversity is not just about recognising differences, it’s about celebrating the unique strengths and perspectives that neurodivergent individuals bring to our communities and workplaces.  Acknowledging and valuing these unique perspectives is essential for cultivating environments where everyone can flourish. Through targeted adjustments and robust support mechanisms, we not only address individual challenges but also capitalise on the exceptional strengths neurodivergent people bring to our workplaces and society.

Dan Kentley
people in meeting talking and laughing

A Personalised Approach to Clinical Trials

people in meeting talking and laughing

Founded in 2005, Linical is a global Contract Research Organisation (CRO) dedicated to providing a suite of drug development services from early-phase research to large-scale multinational studies. The organisation operates across all major markets including North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, and has a proven track record of supporting biopharmaceutical companies through their clinical development journeys. With its strong business ethos and medical expertise, Linical strives to offer clients high-quality services to fulfil their shared mission of delivering new drugs and therapies to patients all over the world. Linical is a trusted partner of biotech and pharmaceutical companies and for its essential services, we have bestowed the company with a Global Excellence Award.

CROs provide an indispensable service to companies seeking support with their clinical development programs. Linical’s diverse clientele ranges from smaller biotech firms to global pharmaceutical companies. The role of a CRO is to carry out all or part of the work involved in the clinical trial process of pharmaceutical product development. Linical provides clients with industry resources and medical expertise to conduct every aspect of a clinical trial including advising on the trial’s protocol design, enrolling patients, monitoring the study data, and navigating the regulatory approval process. Linical’s global reach helps companies streamline their regulatory processes and acquire high-quality data.

The Linical team is dedicated to delivering operational excellence with key strategies designed to successfully overcome drug development and regulatory challenges. The organisation strives to provide professional services with a personal touch to remain at the forefront of the ever-evolving biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Linical’s areas of focus include Phase I-IV studies in oncology, neurology, psychiatry, immunology, vaccines, endocrinology, and metabolic diseases. With its wide focus, Linical can provide clients with the reach and ideal team to meet their specific requirements. To support clients on their development journeys, the team fosters strong working relationships built on communication, integrity, and trust.

Launching a successful clinical trial requires proper planning, and Linical aims to deliver a tailored plan to tackle any unforeseen obstacles and optimise a trial’s design. Drawing from years of experience, its bespoke protocol development services are designed to produce valid results and promote clinical decision making based on reliable data. Linical’s strategic approach involves rigorous analysis of the epidemiology of the disease, the current standard of care, and the procedures used for data collection. With its holistic services, Linical provides clients with medical, operational, regulatory, scientific, and statistical insights to guide their clinical development journey.

Linical understands the importance of clinical trials and the impact that reliable results have on patients around the world. The award-winning organisation boasts an outstanding track record of exceeding its enrolment goals and maintaining a 85% client retention rate. It is Linical’s goal to expedite timelines and remain cost-effective to help clients achieve their  goals without sacrificing quality.

In the competitive trial landscape, Linical aims to add value to companies of all sizes across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Through its extensive partnerships and efficient study start-up processes, Linical strives to promptly get clinical trials up and running. The study start-up is a pivotal stage and establishing a strong foundation is crucial to a successful clinical trial. By working closely with clients to understand their objectives, the team
is able to develop innovative solutions to help achieve favourable outcomes, including expertly navigating the complexities of clinical trials and designing an accurate roadmap to assess viability and site selection.

Spanning nearly two decades as a full-service, global CRO, Linical has grown into a prominent organisation, comprised of approximately 900 employees. The company prides itself on being small enough to offer personal client attention while possessing the global bandwidth to be publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Linical boasts a strong repeat business rate and a low team turnover, which is essential for the continuity of clients’ projects. As well as supporting pioneering drug development in North America and Europe, Linical offers clients access to the Asian market with dedicated employees in Japan, China, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. With its regional area expertise, the organisation helps clients develop promising therapies and stay compliant in the Asia-Pacific region.

At Linical, passion begins with its people, and its leaders aim to foster strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and employees. Its international team is invested in working towards a shared goal of bringing promising therapies to the global market. All team members are passionate about the company’s mission and committed to meeting clients’ requirements in an accurate, cost-effective, and timely manner. Driven by its collective goal, the Linical team tailors its innovative solutions to advance clinical research and drug development, improving therapies for patients across the world.

Looking to the future, Linical will continue to incorporate new technologies into its services to improve the efficiency of clinical trials. The current integration of AI and machine learning allows the company to better predict trends and save time without compromising patient safety. Through collaboration with science and industry expertise, Linical hopes to see the development of more technologies at biopharmaceutical, CRO, and site levels. The organisation strives to stay abreast of industry developments and leverage new technologies to increase patient accessibility while reducing site and patient burden.

Linical is also committed to its social and sustainability responsibilities, promoting the wellbeing of patients and the environment. Valuing compliance and transparency, the company employs patient-centred decision making in the delivery of its quality services. Moving forward, Linical will continue to uphold its responsibility to future generations through its sustainable initiatives and ethical values.

As an award-winning global CRO partner, Linical guides biotech and pharmaceutical companies through every stage of their clinical development journey. The organisation recognises the importance of clinical trials in the development of innovative new therapies and aspires to continue refining its skills in order to undertake new business challenges. Its global reach helps clients streamline their regulatory process, enroll the right patients, and capture reliable data promptly and efficiently. At Linical, the team is dedicated to supporting clients on their mission to bring new lifesaving drugs and therapies to the global market. For its personalised support and tailored services, Linical has received our award for Best International CRO Service Provider 2023 – FL.

For business enquiries, contact Alison Cundari from Linical on their website – https://www.linical.com/

Scientist or doctor analyzing medical exam and working in modern laboratory. Medical with futuristic technology concept.

Automation Will Play a Critical Role in the Healthcare Sector in 2024

Scientist or doctor analyzing medical exam and working in modern laboratory. Medical with futuristic technology concept.

As the healthcare industry continues to navigate mounting pressures and evolving challenges, the benefits of automation will only gain more traction

Howard Williams, Director, ThinkAutomation

The healthcare industry is inundated with challenges, from an ageing population and higher cost of care to poor processes between providers and a mountain of repetitive tasks restraining staff from higher-value, patient-focused work. Burnout among healthcare professionals is also becoming a growing concern as the sector continues to be stretched by chronic underfunding, increased demand for services and long waiting times. Post-COVID-19 healthcare has also experienced increased workforce pressures. The NHS was oversubscribed before the pandemic and the impact of it has been crippling.

The healthcare industry is also facing a crisis in recruitment and staff retention. With many healthcare professionals choosing to leave the industry due to feeling overwhelmed. Staff retention is key in any high-skill industry and healthcare organisations need to look at better ways to perform processes while achieving cost savings, improving patient care and ensuring that healthcare professionals stay within the industry.

Third-party software providers can provide intelligent automation that can improve healthcare services by removing inefficiencies and bottlenecks by strategically integrating systems with other technologies for better cross-department communication. Automation also frees up time for healthcare professionals to concentrate on patient care and front-line services, by handling the most time-consuming data processing and administration tasks.

Automate your healthcare administration

According to Fact.MR, the global healthcare automation market was valued at $38.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $94 billion by the end of 2033. With the evolution towards smart healthcare services, automation needs to be embedded across all clinical pathways. 

Third-party software providers can implement automation that helps healthcare providers to manage their admin in a way that’s comprehensive, cost-effective, and HIPAA compliant. It also enables healthcare providers to keep confidential patient data inside their organisation. Robust automation platforms are designed to meet the security needs of healthcare organisations. Installable deployment keeps healthcare providers in control of sensitive patient data, allowing them to easily comply with HIPAA guidelines.

Durable and continuous automation can also provide secure, local data processing. It can sit behind an organisation’s DMZ, it is independent from third-party clouds and encryption and decryption of data can be rolled in as standard. It can also run on healthcare providers’ own servers and behind their firewalls.

One tool, hundreds of tasks automated

Automation can handle any number of administrative processes, for a fraction of the usual cost. Third-party software providers can provide subscriptions that cover healthcare providers for unlimited data processing and unlimited workflows. Automation lets healthcare providers send automated SMS alerts or appointment reminders, issue triggered outbound emails to patients and staff, process attachments and extract and upload data, automate the patient enrolment process, bridge IT systems and share data internally, send, receive, and store messages in 40+ languages with auto-translation. Flexible healthcare automation is an open-ended workshop. Healthcare organisations can build out the custom workflows that work for their organisation, all using rule-based logic.

The benefits of automation

As the healthcare industry continues to navigate mounting pressures and evolving challenges, the benefits automation will only gain more and more traction. As healthcare leaders evaluate their infrastructure, expenditures and processes, digitisation and automation will be front and centre.

Healthcare automation means that clinicians can spend less time on administrative and time-consuming, inefficient, process tasks, freeing them up to focus on their expertise, engage with patients and streamline care.

Automation in healthcare improves healthcare delivery, reduces costs, enhances patient outcomes as well vastly improving the employee experience. As technology continues to advance, providers, patients and employees stand to see even more benefits.

Rare Diseases

The Race For Answers: How Radboud University Medical Center Is Reducing the Time It Takes to Identify Rare Diseases

Rare Diseases

According to the United States’ National Institute of Health, an estimated 7,000 rare diseases collectively impact between 3.5% to 5.9% of the global population. In the EU alone, this equates to 36 million people.

One of the most challenging aspects of rare diseases is being able to identify them. Since more than 80% of rare diseases have genetic origins, deploying genomic technologies enables researchers to better understand the causal mechanisms of diseases, improve the accuracy of diagnoses, and offer patients and their families a possible direction for the future.

Yet, due to the complexity of rare disease biology, patients are typically left waiting an average of 4-5 years for answers. That is why the race is on for researchers around the world to investigate how to unravel rare disease mysteries faster.

One such research project focussed on reducing the time it takes to identify and name a person’s rare disease is led by researchers at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands.

Transforming rare disease research

“The focus of our research is to find the best way to molecularly diagnose patients with a rare genetic disease. Our ultimate goal is that this is a rapid diagnosis, obtained in a least-invasive way, but also cost-effective for our healthcare system,” explained Lisenka Vissers, Department of Human Genetics and Radboudumc Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Netherlands.

The Radboud team envision a scenario where a diagnosis could be delivered in under a week through a simple blood test. To do this, the Radboud team have adopted the latest sequencing technology – long-read HiFi.

Conventional testing vs. Radboud’s approach

Today, most patients with a rare genetic disease undergo ‘one test’ to find a diagnosis, which often uses a method called short read exome sequencing. This method looks for small genetic changes associated with specific rare diseases. Yet, these tests are limited to only 50 million base pairs, out of 3 billion in the human genome, so the test cannot pick up some of the longer, more complex variations linked to rare diseases. Therefore, only 30-40% of patients receive a diagnosis. Many patients go on to repeat this process, having multiple genetic tests, often performed sequentially. This increases the overall time to diagnosis, as well as accruing greater costs.

For most patients after multiple tests, the genetic cause remains elusive. Vissers explains: “From a research perspective, I hypothesize that either short-read exome technologies have not yet identified the genetic cause because of technological limitations, or alternatively, we fail to correctly recognize the genetic variants as pathogenic because of its location affecting non-coding sequence, requiring more functional follow-up to understand their relevance to disease.”

Radboud was an early adopter of long-read sequencing, which sequences tens of thousands of base pairs to provide deeper, more accurate insights into the genome than conventional genetic tests. Its initial studies tested subjects with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders. With long-reads, the team was now able to sequence parts of the human genome in a single assay that had previously remained inaccessible.

Game-changing results

Radboud selected 100 ‘difficult’ genetic variants, which were either located in regions of sequence homology, had pseudogenes, were longer repeat expansions, methylation defects, or inversions. On the brink of completing the initial phase of their study, the team has discovered 95% of variants can be effectively identified with the HiFi technology single test. Only 7% necessitate manual curation, such as inspecting aligned reads. The variants that proved challenging to detect include expansions of AG-rich repeats, as well as variants located in the repeat-dense regions of the Y chromosome and/or the acrocentric p-arms.

“We were hoping to prove our hypotheses, both that HiFi sequencing would potentially enable us to replace our current workflows, and also, to enable research leading to an increase in diagnostic yield. However, that we were able to generate such high-quality data already from run one, and that the variants are so easily detectable has positively surprised me,” stated Visser.

The team at Radboud holds a firm conviction that every patient suffering from a rare genetic disease deserves access to a test that offers the highest probability of delivering explanations in the shortest possible timeframe. This principle fuels their ongoing research efforts, as they strive to transform this aspiration into reality. In pursuit of this goal, they have initiated the Nijmegen Revio-500 Study, marking a significant step forward in their commitment to advancing potential diagnostic research capabilities for these challenging conditions.

Tub Therapy

Best CBD Bath Bomb & Skincare Company – Southeast USA

Tub Therapy

Recently, it’s come to the attention of many individuals across the globe that cannabidiol holds a whole host of benefits just waiting to be explored. Though some may have their reservations, Tub Therapy is in the business of assuring people that, not only is CBD safe for your body, but it provides a wealth of positive effects when incorporated into your daily self-care routine. Set on a mission to infuse the usage of its CBD bath bombs, soaps, lotions, and muscle rubs with joy, Tub Therapy is quickly becoming the effortless introduction to CBD products that customers have been waiting for.

Born during the height of the pandemic, Tub Therapy is a company whose vast array of CBD-centric products have granted the Southeast of the USA an insight into a new form of relaxation. Since its inception, the company has come leaps and bounds in destigmatising its most active ingredient, instead reassuring individuals that CBD isn’t just great for your body, but is safe for frequent use within any routine. As opposed to being a simple, medicinal component, CBD is instead utilised by Tub Therapy as a means of unwinding, ultimately creating an experience that’s both joyous and inviting, especially for newcomers. It’s the attitude that draws customers to Tub Therapy, and it’s the company’s products that they stay for.

Despite not having a huge marketing platform, Tub Therapy has managed to garner immense amounts of success thanks to the personality behind each of its individual products. Partnered with its incredibly loyal customer base, it has gradually increased its numbers since selling its very first product. Of course, this wouldn’t even be remotely possible were it not for the sheer quality of its bath and body products, each brimming with unique relaxation potential. Named after some of the team’s most cherished memories, its bath bombs in particular have people across the US raving. After all, who doesn’t love to indulge in a wonderful bath at the end of a hard day? Add a CBD bath bomb to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for rejuvenation.

However, if we were to focus on what truly sets Tub Therapy apart within its industry, we simply can’t forego mentioning the company’s love for gentle education. Whereas some within the CBD market may express frustration over the stigma attached to the compound, Tub Therapy instead eagerly invites individuals to learn more about its benefits. From assisting with symptoms of depression and anxiety, to nurturing the skin during daily usage, CBD holds the potential to truly care for the human body, and Tub Therapy is constantly spreading this very message. Whether it’s doing so through its products, or simply through word of mouth, Tub Therapy is seeing to it that the US accepts CBD as a relaxation companion that’s proven to provide ample pampering.

In short, Tub Therapy is a collective whose love for implementing CBD into the daily practises of its customers truly shines through each individual product. Every item within its catalogue is characterized by its ability to invite limitless grace into the lives of customers throughout the US, and it’s clear that this trait isn’t going to disappear as it continues to expand its range. No matter the product, Tub Therapy is committed to quality, resulting in a lineup that simply can’t be overlooked. On the contrary, in such a stressful world, everyone could benefit from a little CBD TLC.

Global Health & Pharma is always on the lookout for companies that are capable of realising the healing properties of some of the more niche ingredients on the market, and Tub Therapy is no exception. Not only has it tirelessly worked to erase the stigma attached to CBD, but it has done so while creating groundbreaking products that deserve a place in every US citizen’s home. With such potential behind it, we can’t wait to see where Tub Therapy’s work with CBD takes it next.

For further information, please visit https://www.tub-therapy.com/

Oleato Olive Oil Coffee

Could Olive Oil In Your Coffee Be Doing More Harm Than Good?

Oleato Olive Oil Coffee

A new trend has been gracing the palettes of coffee connoisseurs – the addition of olive oil into their morning brew. The trend has taken all over TikTok, and even celebrities are giving it a try.

Lucy Ward, marketing executive at Beanies Flavour Co, specialists in flavoured coffee, commented: “While the olive oil and coffee combination might have some merit, there are still a few disadvantages to consider before gulping on a generous cup of this ‘potion’. Just like with any other coffee variation, whether it’s a latte or a mocha, we want to make sure that it stands up to the flavour standards set by coffee and delivers the benefits that enhance our lives.”

Beanies Flavour Co delves into the olive and coffee flavours to determine the advantages and disadvantages of this combo and discuss whether this trendy concoction is a healthy choice or a questionable fad.

The bulletproof coffee formula

We’ve all seen it: a person plunging a hefty chunk of butter into their coffee in a video or a movie. Off-putting at first, but it has its reasoning behind it.

Olive oil is not the first condiment to enter the realm of coffee and fat combinations. Coconut oil, butter, ghee, and MTC oil are other high-fat alternatives to olive oil that find their way into coffee cups.

This amalgamation bears a name: Bulletproof Coffee, gaining approval among intermittent fasters and those who follow a keto diet, which has been gaining a lot of popularity lately. The popularity of the keto diet is expected to grow – with the global revenue reaching approximately $12.4 billion by 2028.

The formula is simple – coffee plus high-fat oil plus MCT oil – blended to frothy perfection, creating a latte haven for keto enthusiasts.

The basic premise is that incorporating healthy fats into your morning, coffee can promote the slow release of energy and keep you full longer while also kickstarting your metabolism. However, is this practice truly a game-changer or a risky experiment with your daily caffeine fix?

The science behind it

At first, the trend totally makes sense. Both coffee and olive oil have immense health benefits on their own.

Coffee lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to its ability to preserve the function of the beta cells in your pancreas, thus regulating blood sugar levels. It is also associated with a significantly decreased risk of heart failure and of death from cancer, as well as with a 21% lower risk of stroke.

For those looking to use coffee as a means of losing weight, coffee could aid weight management by influencing fat storage and supporting gut health.

Olive oil also has a host of benefits. What makes up the majority of its fatty profile is a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid (73% of the total oil content). Oleic acid has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is highly potent in treating obesity.

When combined together, the two should make a powerful potion. But is that so?

A sure-fire way of boosting your energy

Who doesn’t want to kickstart their morning with a boost of energy?

Coffee is a great stimulant, and with the addition of high-fat content such as olive oil, it turns into a slow burner, providing you with sustained energy levels for longer. Olive oil is rich in Omega-3 and Omerga-6 fats, which slow down the process of metabolising caffeine.

Satisfying yet nutrient-light

One of the biggest perks of bulletproof coffee is that it can contribute to a feeling of fullness. The sustained energy achieved through combining coffee and high fats can minimise the urge to eat and help with appetite control.

A recent study highlighted bulletproof coffee’s ability to promote feelings of fullness. A bulletproof coffee that provided 250kcal per serving increased feelings of satiety and reduced the expectation of food consumption after three hours.

Nevertheless, coffee with olive oil is not a substitute for a healthy breakfast, which many keto fans consider it. Bulletproof coffee lacks vital nutrients suited for a balanced breakfast. Moreover, despite its reputation as a heart-healthy option, those with a history of heart disease or cardiovascular problems may want to avoid adding olive oil to their coffee and consuming extra fats.

High caloric consumption

One undeniable drawback of the iconic bulletproof coffee is the caloric density of olive oil. While healthy fats are beneficial, they are also calorie-rich. One spoonful of olive oil has about 119 calories. Adding olive oil to your coffee could lead to an unintentional increase in daily caloric consumption.

While some might praise bulletproof coffee for its ability to promote weight loss due to the improved feeling of fullness, the additional caloric intake counter-balances that effect.

Improved brain function?

While proponents of bulletproof coffee claim enhanced brain function, the available evidence remains insufficient to prove that. Both coffee and olive oil, independently, have been associated with potential cognitive benefits. Notably, a study revealed that bulletproof coffee doesn’t offer superior cognitive performance compared to black coffee alone.

So why not have a morning cup of classic black coffee followed by a nutritious Greek salad drizzled with olive oil instead of bulletproof coffee?

Mastering the flavour

“Whenever we talk about coffee, it’s crucial to touch upon flavour. Just like many different strains of coffee can provide you with a totally different coffee experience, there are various grades and types of olive oil. Each of them brings its flavour qualities, and when combined, they create an intriguing flavour profile,” said Lucy Ward, marketing executive at Beanies Flavour Co.

But is this flavour profile suitable for every palette? TikToker narczilla tried Starbucks’ olive oil latte, and his reaction was notably unfavourable, gaining him laughter and over 78k views.

Joanna from boksoongahs had a different experience. She tried the shaken espresso with olive oil and three pumps of toffee syrup. “My verdict? I like it!” said the influencer, and described it as similar to a caramel latte in terms of flavour, with the olive oil whispering a taste of spice at the back of your throat, “kind of like red pepper flakes”.

The bottom line

Recent research found that there is weak or limited evidence to support the purported benefits of Bulletproof Coffee, especially when it comes to its superiority over regular coffee in improving cognition, alertness, or energy levels.

Nevertheless, Bulletproof Coffee has certainly found its audience, particularly within the keto and intermittent fasting communities. Whether it’s a worthwhile substitution for regular coffee on a broader scale is a matter of question. Perhaps adopting a healthy and balanced diet coupled with regular exercise is a more universally effective approach to boosting metabolism, weight loss, and maintaining sustained energy levels.

Regardless, incorporating olive oil and coffee, either together or separately, can be a positive addition to your dietary choices.

Hands, medical package and delivery closeup in home for woman, man or service for wellness.

Origin Redefines Sustainability in Healthcare Packaging with Pioneering Environmental Policy

Hands, medical package and delivery closeup in home for woman, man or service for wellness.

Global pharmaceutical solutions provider, Origin, has announced a pioneering Environmental Positioning Policy aimed at redefining sustainability standards within the healthcare and lifestyle sectors.  

The comprehensive policy underscores Origin’s steadfast commitment to environmentally responsible practices without compromising on product safety and efficacy. 

In recognising the pivotal role sustainability plays at every juncture of its operations, the new policy mirrors this ethos, emphasising a holistic approach that scrutinises each decision, encompassing material selection, design optimisation, industry compliance, emission reduction and on-site impact mitigation. 

With over 60 years of expertise, Origin – and its other flagship brands Lifestyle Packaging and DiD – caters to the unique demands of the healthcare and lifestyle industries. Its breadth of services spans from design and product development to regulatory compliance, testing, production and managed supply. 

The new policy emphasises a balance between sustainability and the critical imperative of ensuring patient safety and medicine integrity. Origin commits to making every reasonable effort to source and manufacture materials that are eco-friendly while ensuring they meet the exacting standards necessary for healthcare packaging. 

Key highlights of Origin’s new Environmental Positioning Policy include details on how the company is prioritising recyclability by using glass, plastic, cardboard and paper in ways that meet stringent patient safety and sustainability criteria.  

Meanwhile, it outlines its commitment to the continuous evaluation of optimal packaging design and maintaining its dedication to meeting industry-leading environmental standards through certification and compliance.  

Additionally, efforts in onshoring activities and managed supply chains will focus on reducing emissions, while measures will be taken to limit energy consumption internally, through waste generation and the continued education of Origin’s workforce on sustainable practices. 

Keith Wade, Managing Director of Origin, commented: 

“Our dedication to sustainability is unwavering. We believe a thoughtful policy, centred on eco-friendly principles and long-term sustainability, will yield the greatest benefits for our stakeholders and the environment alike. 

“Our foremost goal remains ensuring pharmaceutical, health and wellbeing products get to patients and consumers as intended. We integrate sustainability efforts into this mission without compromising product safety or usability. 

“We are resolute in our stance to champion sustainability, embedding it into the very fabric of our operations. Our Environmental Positioning Policy underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering a greener future while upholding the highest standards..” 

For more information on Origin’s Environmental Positioning Policy and its initiatives in sustainable pharmaceutical packaging, please visit the website here

Construction Worker

The Most Dangerous Workplace Sectors – What Makes Them and How Can Business Owners Protect Their Workers?

Construction Worker

No matter the sector they’re operating in, worker well-being is a top priority to make sure that risks to their health and safety can be mitigated. For business managers within these job markets, it’s important to be aware of where the danger lies for your employees. Not only can it help reduce injuries to your workforce but also means less downtime and more productivity.

We’ve examined some of the industries that have some of the highest risks for their workers and compiled some tips for building an effective safety program that protects them to keep your business running smoothly.

 

Waste management

Whether it’s delivering or collecting bins or four-yard skips, waste management is a sector that many may overlook when it comes to what’s associated with job roles throughout the industry. This can be anything from handling materials that are hazardous to the body and internal organs, such as fumes that can affect the lungs.

Not only that, but a lot of heavy machinery is also used throughout the sector that can put workers at risk. Forklifts, compactors, and heavy trucks are commonly used and if operated incorrectly can have huge safety consequences.

 

Construction

It won’t surprise you to learn that working within the construction industry is incredibly hazardous for workers. In fact, in the 2022/23 business year, there were 45 fatal accidents recorded in the construction industry, more than any other sector in the UK and more than double the second highest. And it makes sense. Construction sites are filled with hazards from heights that can lead to falls, electrocution risks from loose or poor wiring, and shrapnel that could strike and injure workers.

Much like waste management, the equipment that is used on construction sites, if not handled with care or operated without the appropriate training can cause damage both to the workers and the site itself.

 

Healthcare

Healthcare professionals, while not working with dangerous machinery, are at risk of exposure to diseases that are highly infectious in their daily working lives. They can also be required to deal with difficult and dangerous patients, and accidents from the tools like needles that they have to use to administer medication.

The events of the COVID-19 pandemic also emphasised the difficulties and challenges that the healthcare industry and workers on the ground face constantly. Not only were doctors and nurses dealing with a highly contagious virus that at points had no known vaccine, but with limited personal protective equipment (PPE), it outlined just how tough and dangerous it is to work in the industry.

 

Transport and logistics

Within transport and logistics, the danger comes from several places, but one of the most notable is the fatigue that can come from long drives. This comes from truck drivers needing to meet strict deadlines and adhere to schedules that require multiple hours behind the wheel, no matter the season or weather conditions.

 

How to reduce risks and protect workers

There are many varying factors between these industries that lead elements to be dangerous for the respective workforces. However, there are many solutions that overlap and could be prioritised for improved safety.

First is thorough and appropriate maintenance for machines used. This is for anything from heavy goods vehicles driven by truck drivers in logistics to forklifts and cranes on construction, as well-maintained equipment offers greater protection from incidents.

This feeds into the second most important factor in protecting workers which is providing high-quality training and onboarding. This encompasses everything from how to correctly use the equipment available to how to properly use and apply PPE. Any existing training programs currently in place should also be kept up to date to be ready for any new developments that need to be communicated to your workforce. A YouGov survey even found that 64% of respondents stated they feel injuries they sustained at work could have been avoidable with proper training.

One final future-forward method of keeping workforces safe is with investing in and embracing new technologies. This is particularly important for industries like construction and waste management where introducing automation could reduce the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals and fumes that could cause instant and lasting damage to workers.

Technology Propels Next-Generation Influenza B Vaccines to Preclinical Success

Recent preclinical findings reveal that innovative next-generation influenza B vaccines, developed at Cleveland Clinic, offer comprehensive and prolonged protection against various flu virus strains. These vaccine candidates, a product of Cleveland Clinic’s global vaccine research program led by Dr. Ted Ross, Global Director of Vaccine Development, demonstrate superior efficacy compared to currently utilized vaccines.

Short History of Influenza B Vaccines

Influenza B vaccines have adapted to combat the influenza virus’s continuous mutation. Traditional vaccines use viral antigens to stimulate the immune system, but the virus’s mutations require annual updates, diminishing prior formulations’ effectiveness. From 2001-2012, the flu shot matched the main influenza B strain only 50% of the time, leading to reduced vaccine efficacy in certain seasons.

One way of developing effective vaccines that last over time is using expert drug and preclinical testing available through Oncodesign Services and others, which analyzes and tests according to the latest medical trends and discoveries.

To overcome these challenges, innovative strategies like Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigens (COBRAs) have emerged. COBRAs analyze databases to identify stable antigen regions, aiming to provide broader and longer-lasting protection against diverse influenza strains. These antigens look promising, especially as pharmacists prepare for the annual flu and cold season.

Study Findings Success

Published in Scientific Reports, the study attributes the success of the influenza B vaccines to a groundbreaking technology from COBRAs. Unlike conventional vaccines that rely on antigens representing specific virus or bacterial components, COBRAs are designed to train the immune system more broadly, anticipating potential changes in the pathogen.

Michael Carlock, the study’s first author and a program manager in Dr. Ross’s lab, emphasizes the challenge of keeping traditional vaccines up-to-date as pathogens mutate. COBRAs address this issue by analyzing extensive databases and using bioinformatic programs to identify conserved antigen regions likely to be present in many viral strains and resistant to mutation over time.

The COBRA technology, applicable to various viruses including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, HIV, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and insect-borne viruses, eliminates guesswork in antigen selection. When tested in preclinical models, the influenza B COBRA vaccines exceeded expectations by safeguarding against multiple influenza B strains, even those between different lineages, and demonstrated potential for longer-lasting protection.

Carlock highlights that the COBRA vaccines, designed using strains predating 2013, effectively protected against modern strains circulating in 2023. This contrasts with vaccines developed a decade ago, which are ineffective against contemporary viruses.

Helpful pharmacist dealing with a woman customer

How Can a Pharmacist Best Prepare for Cold and Flu Season?

Helpful pharmacist dealing with a woman customer

By Paaven Patel, Operations and Quality Assurance Pharmacist at Specialist Pharmacy

The cold and flu season is a busy time for pharmacists, as the winter illnesses take a grip over the vast majority of the population. Many people are looking for help in choosing the most effective over-the-counter (OTC) medications for their particular symptoms and pharmacists need to be well informed as to the best options.

Pharmacists can take the following proactive steps in order to prepare for this busy season:

 

Familiarise themselves with all appropriate medications:

Keeping up-to-date with the latest information about cold and flu trends in the region, including prevalent strains and local outbreaks, is an important part of the job, as is knowing all medication options available. A deep understanding of decongestants, cough suppressants, pain relievers, antihistamines and expectorants is essential, as is understanding the active ingredients contained in them and when they may be contraindicated due to interactions with existing medications being taken. Appropriate dosing regimens is also important to advise the patient.

 

Educate:

Pharmacists play a key role in educating patients on not only pharmacological relief but also non-pharmacological options for symptom relief, such as staying hydrated or using humidifiers. They can help advise on preventative measures too, to help reduce the chance of patients contracting the illness again. These can be simple measure such as regular handwashing, hygiene practices or basic dietary recommendations or supplements to help boost the immune system. Pharmacists also have the very important role of advising patients of  the symptoms which may require them to seek medical attention or red flags which would require urgent referral to a doctor.

 

Focus on Prevention:

We all know that prevention is better than cure and there are various different personalised approaches which may work; for some, particularly the elderly, that may be vaccination, for others it may be making a concerted effort to improve nutritional status at this time of the year and making time for sufficient rest. For everyone, avoiding touching the eyes and nose which can introduce viruses  to the body, covering the mouth and nose when sneezing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, are all easy yet sensible precautions which can prevent transmission of the virus.

 

Ensure Adequate Stock Levels:

It is the job of the pharmacist to liaise with the procurement department to ensue that the pharmacy has adequate stocks of the most popular cold and flu medications. Stock shortages are notorious at this time of year, so preparing well in advance is the key to not running out of supplies. Maintaining an accurate inventory will help to prevent shortages or expired products

By taking these steps, pharmacists can effectively prepare for and respond to the demands of the cold and flu season while also offering invaluable advice to patients and helping relieve the burden on GPs.

 

About Specialist Pharmacy

Specialist Pharmacy is the first compounding pharmacy of its kind in the UK, producing custom-made medications across a wide range of treatment areas such as bioidentical hormones, pain management, dermatology, haircare, sports medicine, and veterinary medications. 

Specialist Pharmacy is a full-service pharmacy with over 25 years of combined expertise and unrivalled experience. Using first-class pharmaceutical ingredients (GMP standard) they are dedicated to creating safe, quality personalised medication. Specialist Pharmacy operates at the highest quality standards, in a state-of-the-art laboratory, based in the UK and fully regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council.

https://specialist-pharmacy.com/

Paaven Patel
Urine Testing

Urine Tests for HPV, Accessible Screening for All Could Just Be the Key to preventing Cervical Cancer

The latest game-changing product from Fjord Diagnostics Sdn Bhd is the HPV Urine Rapid Antigen Test Kit, boasting the claim of being the world’s first self-collection HPV testing method for the screening of Cervical Cancer Risk, providing real-time test results in 15-30 minutes, eliminating the need for any of the embarrassment or discomfort that may arise from clinician-taken cervical smear and pelvic examination. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, people across the world have become comfortable and familiar with the idea of self-testing kits, and thanks to Fjord Diagnostics, cervical cancer screening can now be checked using similar technology. This easy-to-use testing kit uses a urine sample, the preferred sample collection of choice for women. This test kit employs the use of the Fjord Diagnostics’ proprietary patented SEDIPREP® Sample Preparation Technology in the pre-concentration of collected HPV urine viral load of up to > 40x, transforming the initial collected urine sample into its final HPV viral load concentration that is now suitable for lateral flow assays.

First-void urine samples can serve as game changers in the field of HPV-based cervical cancer screenings, and with Fjord Diagnostics’ HPV Urine Rapid Antigen Test comes the advantage of an easy self-collection of urine sample combined with the eradication of any embarrassment or discomfort from a clinician-taken cervical smear. This testing kit will appeal to those health-conscious women already attending cervical cancer screenings, as well as the under-screened women who are perhaps afraid, embarrassed, or cannot find the time to go.

It is estimated that between 60 and 70% of the female population in the age range of 30-65 had previously been hesitant to visit a clinic for a pelvic examination and cervical smear test, primarily for the reasons of discomfort, embarrassment, or cultural taboo, so this testing kit may cause a shift in how cervical cancer screening is carried out. Having HPV does not necessarily mean that a person will develop cancer, as there are more than 100 types of the HPV virus, yet only 14 of these are associated with cancer. However, early detection not only helps to treat cervical abnormalities and any existing cancer but can act also as a vital preventative measure.

Over time, cervical cancer screening strategies have evolved massively, initially starting out as cytology-based prior to HPV being identified as the cause of cervical cancer, and the subsequent introduction of tests to help detect it. A self-testing kit is the next step in this natural evolution, and Fjord Diagnostics succeeded in its aim to develop a self-collection test that was simple, rapid, and cost-effective. Much like the Covid-19 rapid tests, the pre-concentrated urine specimen is mixed with a fluid before being squeezed onto a test card, with results shown in the form of C and T lines, with one line indicating a negative result, two lines a positive one, and with no line on C invalidating the test.

Each kit includes one individual test card, one urine container, one SEDIPREP® Sample Preparation device for HPV viral load pre-concentration, one extraction tube, one dropper pipette, and one packaging insert complete with instructions. The test should only be used for a qualitive diagnosis and is suitable for detecting cervical pre-cancer and cancer caused by hrHPV. Following on from a positive result, a diagnosis should be confirmed by a physician only after all clinical and laboratory findings have been evaluated fully.

Thanks to Fjord Diagnostics’ SEDIPREP® reverse filtration process technology platform, technological advancement in the field of sample preparation of body fluid for analysis has never been so efficient and effective. The company boasts a recovery yield of up to 100%, standardised preparation, a quick turnaround, and ease of use across its systems, most abundantly clear in “the SEDIPREP® advantage” which comes into play when comparing the company’s SEDIPREP® method with that of the error-prone centrifugation method. With four simple steps, the higher recovery yield of investigative analytes can be garnered, making the SEDIPREP® method the best choice for separating investigative analytes from the liquid sample for analysis purposes.

Ultimately, Fjord Diagnostics has unveiled a revolutionary new self-testing kit that makes testing for a preventable disease like cervical cancer quick, easy, and able to be carried out from the privacy of one’s own home. This innovation is sure to be the first in a long line of self-testing treatments for cancers and other such diseases, and by spotting the signs early through these tests, treatment has the best possible chance of eradicating the illness, allowing life to be lived to the fullest.

For further information, please contact Robin Chin or visit http://fjorddiagnostics.com/index.html

Proteocyte AI

Accurately Predicting Your Risk of Developing Oral Cancer Early Detection Tool Saves Lives: Proteocyte AI

Proteocyte AI

Proteocyte AI is a Canadian medtech company that uses proteomics to individually assess cancer risk in vulnerable patients. The STRATICYTE test, which assigns a five-year oral cancer risk score to patients with oral pre-cancer (OPMD), has just become commercially available after years of development and research. It has been made possible by the Proteocyte team, a very experienced, diversified, balanced, and extremely driven group that includes oral surgeons, head and neck surgeons, otolaryngologists, medical pathologists, oral pathologists, and health research scientists.

Oral cancer develops in hundreds of thousands of new patients globally each year. Unfortunately, the five-year survival rate of 50-60% has stood relatively unchanged over the past 50 years. The high mortality of this disease is due to late presentation for definitive and potentially curative treatment. Only 25% of oral cancer patients present with early disease.

Cancer developing from the mucosal lining of the mouth and called Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for most oral cancer cases. Virtually all OSCCs develop from a pre-existing lesion called OPMD (Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder). There are a number of conditions comprising the WHO OPMD classification system, some with malignant transformation rates as high as 36%.

Identifying high-risk patients and managing them appropriately should lead to diagnosis of OSCC at the earliest stages of micro-invasion, thus lowering the mortality and morbidity of this disease. Some cases of OSCC may in fact be prevented with aggressive management of high risk OPMD patients.

Clinical oral examination, even with the assistance of various dyes and lights, cannot reliably identify OSCC or OPMD high risk patients. Clinicians must biopsy suspicious lesions and have routine histopathology performed on the submitted tissue.

The “gold standard” for assessing risk of OPMD lesions that may undergo malignant transformation has been dysplasia grading. Dysplasia grading is a subjective microscopic opinion from the pathologist regarding how abnormal the biopsy tissue is. Dysplasia grading has poor reproducibility and poor cancer predictive ability, but it has governed OPMD patient management for decades.

For many years, there has been a world-wide search for a reliable biomarker that can be objectively quantified and analyzed in OMPD patients and be used to predict cancer risk. Most potential tests are still a long way away from actual clinical use.

Proteocyte AI now offers the STRATICYTE test for use in the management of OPMD patients, which has the backing of numerous key opinion leaders who have been waiting for years to have an accurate biomarker to assist with the care of these patients.

If a suspicious oral lesion is identified and biopsied by the surgeon, and a diagnosis of OPMD is rendered, unstained microscopic slides from the lab handling the original biopsy tissue are requested for STRATICYTE testing. STRATICYTE testing can be seamlessly incorporated into your practice as no additional biopsy is required. The slides are immunohistochemically stained for a cellular protein called S100A7 which is involved in cell replication and invasion in many cancers. The digitalized microscopic images are computer scanned and analyzed for S100A7 and cellular morphology and the results are compared with a large database of patients followed for many years that have or have not gone on to develop OSCC. An individualized five-year oral risk is assigned to the patient as either low or elevated, directing appropriate surveillance.

High risk patients will be monitored and treated more aggressively. Clinicians and patients can now feel confident that their care is being guided by an advanced and truly objective test.

Ultimately, it comes as no surprise that Proteocyte AI has recently been recognized in the Global Excellence Awards 2023 with Best Innovative Prediction Platform, 2023 – Canada. As the company continues to develop new products to address oral cancer as well as other human cancers, Proteocyte AI hopes to continue making a positive impact on the lives of patients at risk of oral cancer, as well as increasing its reach to clinicians and patients globally, reducing the mortality, morbidity, and the financial burden of oral cancer.

The STRATICYTE test is now commercially available to order in Canada and the US.

ORDER THE TEST. PROTEOCYTE DOES THE REST. ORDER THE STRATICYTETM TEST ONLINE! Visit proteocyte.com or call: 1-833-5-PROTEO (1-833-577-6836) Or email: [email protected]

Proteocyte hopes to see STRATICYTE available globally in the near future. The sensitivity and specificity performance of the STRATICYTE test is comparable to other cancer prediction tools such as Mammaprint and Endopredict.

“Early detection is the key to saving lives and improving outcomes related to oral cancer. Straticyte™ is an innovative new test that can help us to better stratify patients and personalize their treatment.”

Dr. Deepak Kademani, DMD, MD, FACS Fellowship Director, Head and Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery, Minnesota Oral and Facial Surgery

Email: [email protected]
Company: Proteocyte AI
Web Address: https://proteocyte.com/straticyte/