Dyslexia

$2.1M invested in seven companies to advance innovations from lab to market in Maryland COLUMBIA, Md., Aug. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent round of investments through its Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII), marking a significant milestone in promoting the commercialization of groundbreaking research from Maryland's prestigious academic institutions. Continue Reading $2.1M invested in seven companies to advance innovations from lab to market in Maryland Post this Genetic research and Biotech science Concept. Human Biology and pharmaceutical technology on laboratory background. Maryland Innovation Initiative logo (PRNewsfoto/TEDCO) "The latest awards highlight the innovative research in university labs with tremendous commercial potential across multiple industries," said Abi Kulshreshtha, Ph.D., executive director, MII. "We are excited to continue MII's role in advancing Maryland's innovation-driven economic development strategy." The fund recently invested $2.1 million into seven companies who are pushing the boundaries of innovation: Gelectric Medical, Inc., located in Baltimore, Md., is a University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) spinout commercializing a reversible soft-tissue suture alternative for intestinal tissue repair: AnastoTape. Imagining Reality Insights and Solutions, located in Baltimore, Md., is a UMCP spinout commercializing IRIS Reads, an XR based reading intervention app for children with dyslexia and other struggling readers. Reversal Therapeutics, located in National Harbor, Md., is a UMCP spinout commercializing a new therapeutic to address drug misuse and addiction. FlexiCharge: Harnessing Human Energy to Power Wearable Devices, located in Ellicott City, Md., is a University of Maryland, Baltimore County spinout developing technology to power wearable devices with body heat. US Plasma, located in College Park, Md., is a UMCP spinout that is working to electrify manufacturing and synthesis of new materials with minimal to negative carbon emission. Relai.ai, located in Bethesda, Md., is a UMCP spinout that enhances the reliability of AI models. New Copper, located in College Park, Md., is a UMCP spinout enabling 3D printed electronics through a conducting technology using recycled copper. Start-up companies joining TEDCO's MII portfolio have access to a variety of TEDCO resources including mentor opportunities and CEO roundtables to loaned executives. A complete list of funded companies can be found on the MII website. MII's Funding Opportunities The MII program, administered by TEDCO (the Maryland Technology Development Corporation), was created as a collaboration between the State of Maryland and five leading academic research institutions—Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and University of Maryland, College Park— that aims to leverage each institution's strengths to transition promising technologies into the commercial sector. "We are excited to see the research and development taking place in our university laboratories," said Renée Winsky, MII board chair. "These seven investments highlight the diverse array of innovative minds we have in Maryland's university laboratories, and we are committed to supporting their continued growth. With the appointment of Abi as the MII executive director, we are confident that this initiative will continue driving innovation from the lab to the commercial market." In addition to investments, MII provides grant opportunities, through two phases of awards: Technology Assessment and Company Formation. The Technology Assessment phase is outlined as a nine-month project that focuses on technology validation and market assessment, while the Company Formation phase supports the commercial launch of technologies. This structure is designed to support the full commercialization journey, from lab to market. These two phases recently underwent changes to enhance the current support MII offers. Since inception, MII has expanded its reach to include two additional comprehensive universities, Frostburg State University and Bowie State University, as part of the MII Pilot Programs. This initiative aims to foster innovation and bring more research to the market. To view MII's 2023 Annual Report, click here, and for more information about the MII program, eligibility requirements and funding available, visit . About TEDCO TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at . Media Contact Tammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, [email protected] SOURCE TEDCO

DALLAS, May 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the TSC Alliance® announced it has established the Steven Sparagana Legacy Fund to honor the upcoming retirement of Steven Sparagana, MD, who served as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Clinic Director at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas for 24 years and as a professor in the department of neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. "The TSC Alliance is thrilled to create this fund to recognize Dr. Sparagana's multiple contributions to TSC clinical care and research," said Kari Luther Rosbeck, TSC Alliance President & CEO. "He also served on our organization's Professional Advisory Board, and his early research helped create the TSC Natural History Database, which captures patient data to document the impact of the disease on a person's health over his or her lifetime. The database now houses information on more than 2,600 people with TSC. His impact on the TSC community has been tremendous." In 2004, Dr. Sparagana's original $141,307 grant from the TSC Research Program at the U.S. Department of Defense was the genesis of the TSC Natural History Database. He has since served as a member of the TSC Alliance's Natural History Database/Biosample Repository Steering Committee, and Scottish Rite for Children was one of the original pilot sites for the database. His impact, particularly as it pertains to the Natural History Database and pivotal clinical trials, has been instrumental in improving quality of life for individuals with TSC. "Dr. Sparagana's forward-thinking vision coupled with his kind and collaborative style enabled him to be a contributor and leader of multiple clinical research projects," said Steven L. Roberds, PhD, TSC Alliance Chief Scientific Officer. " Additionally, in 2012, he chaired the development of a new section of TSC clinical consensus guidelines focused on the importance of integration of care to treat the 'whole person' living with TSC." The Steven Sparagana Legacy Fund will provide an ongoing source of revenue in support of the Natural History Database and Biosample Repository as a tribute to his contributions to the creation and ongoing success of these invaluable tools. Supporters can easily contribute online. "I am grateful to the TSC Alliance for this honor. It has been a privilege to serve children, families and the community affected by tuberous sclerosis complex," said Dr. Sparagana. "The Natural History Database and Biosample Repository have provided substantial contributions to TSC basic science and clinical research, and I wholeheartedly support these important endeavors. I am also thankful to Scottish Rite for Children, which has generously supported the hospital's TSC Clinic for more than 30 years." About tuberous sclerosis complex TSC is a rare genetic disease that affects people at all stages of life. TSC causes tumors to grow in different organs and can impair their function, primarily the brain, heart, kidneys, skin, eyes and lungs. Changes in the brain caused by TSC have the biggest impact on quality of life, from seizures and developmental delays to intellectual disabilities, behavioral challenges and autism. In fact, TSC is the leading genetic cause of epilepsy, including infantile spasms. A strong correlation also exists between TSC and autism—an estimated 40-50% of individuals with TSC have autism spectrum disorder. About the TSC Alliance The TSC Alliance is an internationally recognized nonprofit that improves quality of life for everyone affected by tuberous sclerosis complex by catalyzing new treatments, driving research toward a cure and expanding access to lifelong support. For more information, visit tscalliance.org. About Scottish Rite for Children Scottish Rite for Children has been dedicated to giving children back their childhood for more than a century. The institution is a world-renowned leader in the treatment of pediatric orthopedic conditions, such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hand differences, hip disorders, limb lengthening and reconstruction, sports injuries and fractures, as well as certain related arthritic and neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. The organization conducts innovative research and provides high-level education opportunities for medical professionals around the world. Scottish Rite operates two campuses, including a hospital in Dallas, Texas, and an ambulatory surgery center in Frisco, Texas, and is known for being a bright, child-friendly place that does not look, feel or smell like a health care institution. Patients receive treatment regardless of their family's ability to pay. For more information about services available at the Dallas or Frisco campuses, volunteering or donating, visit scottishriteforchildren.org. CONTACT Jaye Isham Chief Outreach Officer TSC Alliance (301) 562-9890 | [email protected] SOURCE TSC Alliance

Study sheds light on a medical accessibility issue, the need for alternative or modified concussion assessment norms and the need for baseline testing PHILADELPHIA, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Schools and colleges across the country rely on Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) evaluations to assess and manage student-athlete concussions on the sidelines. However, this FDA-cleared tool is not recommended for student-athletes with neurodevelopmental disorders, who often score significantly lower than neurotypical individuals. New research published Feb. 13 in the Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology demonstrates the need for alternative or modified concussion assessment norms and the need for baseline testing for autistic athletes. "Given the findings of the current study and other recent studies, there is a clear need for ImPACT normative reference data specifically for student-athletes with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)," says Philip Schatz, PhD, principal investigator and professor of psychology at Saint Joseph's University. "The [neuropsychology] field needs to expand assessment and interpretation practices and procedures for people with ASD and related developmental conditions." Individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disorder (LD) and ASD are not included in normative reference data. This means when autistic athletes are assessed for a concussion, their data is compared to age- and gender-similar neurotypical individuals. Therefore, the utility and accuracy of widely used test measures like the ImPACT test decreases. Within the United States, the prevalence of ASD has increased over the past 20 years, from 1-in-150 children in 2000 to 1-in-36 children in 2020. Nearly 91% of adolescents with ASD reported liking sports and exercise, meaning the potential for concussive injuries in this population is high. Furthermore, previous research at Saint Joseph's University has shown that exercise can be helpful in treatment for ASD. "This is a medical accessibility issue," says Joseph McCleery, PhD, assistant professor of psychology and executive director of academic programs in the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support and co-author on the study. "We need to make medicine more neurodivergence friendly. Research like this is an important first step toward fixing the problem." The research team points to the study as a critical first step in creating normative reference values for young athletes with ASD, and looks forward to continuing their research as part of a larger conversation of neuroinclusive care. "Athletes' developmental diagnosis was self-reported in this study," says Schatz. "Moving forward, we will need a more objective way of measuring this factor. We also will need to evaluate the utility of various concussion assessment measures. I look forward to the future, as it is important everyone receives effective concussion management, including people who are on the autism spectrum." SOURCE Saint Joseph's University