Coronary Disease

NEW YORK, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allelica, market leader in clinical solutions for polygenic risk score analysis and reporting, has announced a strategic collaboration with leading health sciences institution, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), to integrate clinical, multi-ancestry polygenic risk score (PRS) testing into BCM's extensive patient services portfolio. This marks a significant milestone in making world class genomic medicine accessible, equitable, and impactful for patients across diverse communities. Allelica's PRS solution enables more precise identification of patients' genetic risk for coronary artery disease and other diseases and traits. The innovative testing method empowers physicians to tailor clinical management strategies, elevating the standard of patient care. "Collaborating with Baylor is a tremendous step forward in making high-quality PRS testing accessible to individuals of all ancestral backgrounds," said Giordano Bottà, CEO and Co-founder of Allelica. "We are proud to work with Baylor towards our mission of accelerating the transition from sick care to healthcare." In a presentation at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) annual meeting last November, Allelica and Baylor shared results supporting the implementation of a comprehensive clinical workflow for PRS testing in multiple ancestries. "PRS are of high interest to our clinical partners. We've been working closely with Allelica to ensure a robust analytical framework that takes into account the diversity of our patient population," said Dr. Eric Venner, Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Informatics at the BCM Human Genome Sequencing Center. Baylor is one of several institutions working with Allelica to provide clinical PRS testing to patients. Clinical PRS testing is quickly gaining traction across disease areas, including preventive cardiology and oncology, and across multiple health systems in the US and abroad, improving care for diverse patient populations at scale. The BCM Human Genome Sequencing Center is employing Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) technology together with Allelica's PREDICT software for PRS analysis and reporting. BCM is utilizing the on-premises version of Allelica's PREDICT software. PREDICT is available for laboratories as an in-lab solution or on the cloud and is compatible with WGS data and genome-wide microarray. A key aspect of Allelica and BCM's joint efforts is the focus on closing the equity gap in genomic medicine. By making PRS testing available to individuals of all ancestries through the use of multi-ancestry PRSs, Allelica aims to ensure that diverse populations benefit equally from the latest advancements in genomic testing. About Allelica Allelica is a leading genomic software company that specializes in secure and scalable solutions to implement clinical bioinformatics solutions. Through the incorporation of genetics into disease risk assessments, Allelica is helping to build the foundations of preventive genomics medicine. To learn more, visit allelica.com. SOURCE Allelica, Inc.

The drug is aimed at treating chronic stable angina pectoris and conducted in Portugal, the exploratory phase 1a pharmacokinetics study ​, involving 16 healthy adult volunteers, concluded just before the end of last year (2023). The study focused on evaluating the pharmacokinetics of AUX-001, an oral, extended-release, once-daily version of nicorandil, a medication used to treat angina. Additionally, it aimed to assess the safety and tolerability of the investigational anti-anginal drug. The topline results of the study demonstrated that AUX-001 effectively prolonged the half-life of nicorandil from the standard 49±8 minutes, as observed with the current immediate-release form administered twice daily, to over nine hours. Dawid Chabowski, science and operational manager at Auxilius Pharma, said: “A result like this bodes well for AUX-001’s potential to extend daylong coverage of its anti-ischemic effect with just one capsule a day.” The study revealed that AUX-001 was well-tolerated by participants, with headaches being the most common adverse event. Auxilius chief medical officer, Uwe Tigör, emphasized the significance of managing headaches, he said: “Ours is probably one of very few angina studies using oral nicorandil with no headache related patient dropouts, thanks to our preemptive management and proactive patient communication.” The successful outcomes of this trial mark a significant milestone for Auxilius Pharma's R&D efforts. CEO Jed Litwiniuk is confident in the trial's results. He said: “We are reassured by the outcomes of the trial.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('text-ad1'); }); Auxilius Pharma's strategic move to introduce AUX-001 to the US market via the 505(b)2 regulatory pathway is poised to revolutionize cardiac care. With AUX-001 anticipated to gain up to five years of market exclusivity upon approval, coupled with comprehensive intellectual property rights secured globally, it is positioned to significantly impact the treatment landscape for chronic angina in the United States and beyond. Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris (CSAP) is one of the most common cardiovascular conditions affecting over 11 million patients in the US. It is a common manifestation of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD), marked by chest pain or discomfort due to reduced myocardial blood flow, usually triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress, or other factors. CSAP prevalence is significant and growing, with around 650.000 new cases annually in the US. Standard of care for most patients with stable coronary artery disease underlying their chronic angina optimized medical therapy with anti-anginal medications. Litwiniuk has announced plans for an IND filing for AUX-001 later this year and said the company is actively seeking partnerships with mid- to large-size pharmaceutical companies to advance the clinical development of AUX-001. AUX-001 offers efficacy comparable to conventional anti-anginal medications such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and long-acting nitrates while also potentially enhancing control of the underlying coronary disease and reducing angina related hospitalizations.

The hospital is the first in the area to use a new FDA-approved device for patients suffering from uncontrolled high blood pressure. TAMPA, Fla., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Doctors with the Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Heart & Vascular Institute are the first in the region to use an innovative new technology to control hypertension or uncontrolled high blood pressure. The Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation (RDN) System by Recor Medical uses ultrasound energy to ablate the renal nerves and lower blood pressure. The procedure is minimally invasive and may be performed in an outpatient setting, allowing most patients to go home the same day. Continue Reading (PRNewsfoto/Tampa General Hospital) If the procedure becomes a common therapy, experts say, it could help reduce diagnoses of high blood pressure, which directly or indirectly kills about 700,000 Americans each year. "This is an exciting weapon in the war against the disease,'' said Dr. Fadi Matar, Cardiac Cath Lab Medical Director & Cardiology Section Chief at TGH, and associate professor and interim director of the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. "It's critical to bring it under control, and this technology offers a novel way to treat it.'' Patients with life-threatening – or resistant − hypertension that can't be controlled by traditional therapies are candidates for the FDA-approved procedure. It uses ultrasound to deliver a 360-degree ring of energy, reaching about 80 percent of the sympathetic nerves around the renal arteries. This ablation reduces the overactivity that can lead to hypertension. A hydro-cooling balloon circulates sterile water during the procedure, which protects the arterial wall. Under ordinary circumstances, blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day, but it can damage your heart and cause other health problems if spiked for long periods, resulting in hypertension. Nearly half of adults suffer from this condition, but only 1 in 4 have it under control, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). "So, if we can help change the course of hypertension, we can help change the course of coronary diseases that can lead to strokes and heart attacks,'' added Matar, who also serves as Interventional Heart Failure Program Director, TGH Heart & Vascular Institute. Facts about high blood pressure, according to the CDC: Having hypertension puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States. In 2021, hypertension was a primary or contributing cause of 691,095 deaths in the United States. Nearly half of adults have hypertension (48.1%, 119.9 million), defined as a systolic, or upper, blood pressure measuring greater than 130 mmHg or a diastolic, or lower, blood pressure measuring greater than 80 mmHg or are taking medication for hypertension. About half of adults (45%) with uncontrolled hypertension have a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher. This includes 37 million U.S. adults. About 34 million adults who are recommended to take medication may need it to be prescribed and to start taking it. Almost 2 out of 3 of this group (19 million) have a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher. High blood pressure costs the United States about $131 billion each year, averaged over 12 years from 2003 to 2014. Learn more about the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute at . ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News and World Report's 2023-24 Best Hospitals, with six specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings – in the top 100 nationally in the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women and top 25 in Florida in the 2023 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit of approximately $240.3 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida . It also is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Center, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to . ABOUT USF HEALTH USF Health's mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the Taneja College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and USF Health's multispecialty physicians' group. The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News & World Report's national university rankings than USF. For more information, visit health.usf.edu. SOURCE Tampa General Hospital