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ISCT States Concerns with Utah Bill Undermining U.S. FDA Power to Protect Patients

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VANCOUVER, BC, June 18, 2024 /CNW/ – The International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT), the translational-focused global community of cell and gene experts today releases a statement addressing the recent legislation passed in Utah with respect to use of placental stem cells. This bill, which took effect on May 1, 2024 (Utah SB0199), attempts to undermine U.S. FDA authority to regulate placental stem cell therapies and poses significant risks for patient safety and the field of cell and gene therapy.

ISCT is concerned this state law will legitimize clinics and individuals marketing unproven and unapproved stem cell-based interventions. Using state legislation to remove these products from the purview of U.S. FDA regulation risks enabling the promotion and use of products that may not only be ineffective but also potentially unsafe due to product impurities or contamination, posing severe risks for patients.

Further, ISCT believes this legislation undermines the scientific community’s efforts to develop stem cell-based treatments that are supported by robust evidence of safety and efficacy and receive pre-marketing authorization from the U.S. FDA prior to commercialization. Harm to patients as a consequence of this bill will erode public trust and confidence in the science and standards of the sector, ultimately impeding the development of life-changing therapies for patients.

Speaking on its significance, Bruce Levine, PhD, Chair of the ISCT Ethics of Cell and Gene Therapy (ECGT) Committee, “This bill subverts efforts by the U.S. FDA to protect patients from the proliferation of businesses marketing unproven products through misleading claims. It provides false hope and might create unrealistic expectations among patients, families, and caregivers. It raises further significant ethical and legal concerns as it removes power from the agency that protects patients. This opens patients to significant health risks, and negatively impacts their right to informed consent as unethical providers may make false or misleading claims about unproven cell- and gene-based interventions.”

Speaking on action the sector should take, Bambi Grilley, ISCT Chief Regulatory Officer, RPh, RAC, CIP, CRC, CCRP said “ISCT urges the cell and gene therapy community to speak out against this bill by drawing attention to its ethical, legal, and scientific shortcomings. Individuals living in the state of Utah should contact their state representatives with their concerns about Utah SB0199, while individuals outside of Utah should remain vigilant should other states attempt to pass similar legislation.”

Relevant Excerpt from Utah SB0199

The bill took effect on May 1, 2024, and states:

A health care provider whose scope of practice includes the use of stem cell therapy may perform a stem cell therapy that is not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, if the health care provider provides the patient with the following written notice before performing the therapy:

“THIS NOTICE MUST BE PROVIDED TO YOU UNDER UTAH LAW. This health care practitioner performs one or more stem cell therapies that have not yet been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. You are encouraged to consult with your primary care provider before undergoing a stem cell therapy.”

About the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy

Established in 1992, the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) is a global society of clinicians, regulators, researchers, technologists, and industry partners with a shared vision to translate cell and gene therapy into safe and effective therapies to improve patients’ lives worldwide.

ISCT is the global leader focused on pre-clinical and translational aspects of developing cell and gene-based therapeutics, thereby advancing scientific research into innovative treatments for patients. ISCT offers a unique collaborative environment that addresses three key areas of translation: Academia, Regulatory, and Commercialization. Through strong relationships with global regulatory agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners, ISCT drives the advancement of research into a standard of care.

Comprising over 4,000 cell and gene therapy experts across five geographic regions and representation from over 60 countries, ISCT members are part of a global community of peers, thought leaders, and organizations invested in cell and gene therapy translation. For more information about the society, key initiatives, and upcoming meetings, please visit https://isctglobal.org, @ISCTglobal.

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SOURCE International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy

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Elder Fraud Prevention Advocate Janine Williamson Issues Statement on S. 4943 and H.R. 9303 “Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act”

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WASHINGTON , Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — This Veteran’s Day, elder fraud prevention advocate Janine Williamson is urging Congress to take action on S. 4943 and H.R. 9303, the Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act.

“The American banking system is failing to protect its consumers from fraud. Last year, one in three consumers experienced bank fraud, allowing $10 billion to go to cyber criminals,” Williamson said. “Criminals are winning. The Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act would remove the blame from victims and hold financial institutions accountable for failing to recognize and prevent fraud. This is a great start.”

Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and in the House by Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters, D-Calif., the Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act would greatly expand requirements for financial institutions to reimburse victims of frauds and scams.

Williamson has long been active defending the interests of seniors. She testified before the Virginia Senate Commerce and Labor Committee earlier this year in support of HB 692, which was signed into law in April and took effect in July. The measure lays the groundwork for financial institutions to train their employees in how to identify potential financial exploitation of senior citizens and report suspected financial exploitation of a senior to the authorities.

HB 692 also allows for a trusted contact to be added to all financial accounts. If the financial institution suspects the consumer is experiencing financial exploitation, the trusted contact can be notified, intervene, and prevent more financial loss.

HB 692 is widely known as “Larry’s Law” in honor of Williamson’s uncle, the late Larry Cook of Herndon, Va., a retired Navy commander who lost millions of dollars in a phishing scam in the final months of his life.

As his niece and the administrator of his estate, Williamson has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit regarding her $3.6 million negligence lawsuit against Wells Fargo and Navy Federal Credit Union on behalf of the estate of her late uncle.

Williamson and her family built the website larryslaw.org to share Larry’s story and educate lawmakers, reporters, and the public about elder financial exploitation and policy changes that can protect seniors. The website includes an interactive map with state-by-state FBI data on elder fraud and a form where visitors can share stories about their experiences with financial exploitation.

Cook’s story and Williamson’s $3.6 million negligence lawsuit against Navy Federal Credit Union and Wells Fargo have been profiled in USA Today, Yahoo! News, NBC Washington, CBS Seattle, Law.com, and more.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Cooper Rumrill
(202) 980-4968
cooper@keybridge.biz

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elder-fraud-prevention-advocate-janine-williamson-issues-statement-on-s-4943-and-hr-9303-protecting-consumers-from-payment-scams-act-302300723.html

SOURCE Larry W. Cook Estate

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BCP Invests More Than $650M to Modernize its IT Infrastructure with Microsoft and Kyndryl

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Kyndryl to help enhance BCP’s digital customer experience with hybrid cloud on Azure and help to maintain world-class levels of cybersecurityOne of the largest technology investments in Latin America’s financial sector designed to encourage consumer banking and expand financial inclusion in Peru

LIMA, Peru, Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP) has partnered with Microsoft, a leader in cloud solutions, and Kyndryl, a global leader in IT infrastructure services, to modernize BCP’s IT systems with hybrid cloud and help Peruvians gain greater access to digital banking services. This agreement represents BCP’s investment of more than $650M over five years, making it one of the largest technology investments in Latin America’s financial services sector.

“Our purpose is to serve as allies to our customers to help them transform their plans into reality, understanding that financial inclusion provides opportunities for growth. Digitalization can help close the gap, and so BCP, together with Microsoft and Kyndryl, will modernize our technological systems to achieve more agile and flexible applications with world-class levels of stability and security, allowing us to offer a better experience for millions of our customers,” said Diego Cavero, CEO of BCP.

Mario Rodríguez, Microsoft´s general manager for Peru, stressed that the joint work between BCP, Microsoft and Kyndryl will transform the country´s financial industry. “This collaboration will not only modernize the sector, but will also create an innovation platform that will drive disruptive projects through artificial intelligence. This will benefit entrepreneurs and small business owners by facilitating access to essential financial services and promoting sustainable growth. Together, we are positioning Peru as a leader in technological innovation at a global scale.”

As part of this agreement, BCP will work with Kyndryl and leverage Microsoft Azure to create a hybrid computing environment that will enable the modernization of the bank’s IT application environment and improve the agility and availability of its digital channels, generating greater value for the end customer who will benefit from a smoother and faster online and mobile experience.

“The banking sector is rapidly evolving to meet consumer demands and preferences for an improved digital experience. While invisible to the public eye, a modern, agile and robust IT infrastructure is absolutely critical to creating a resilient and accessible experience for today’s consumers,” said Leandro Peirano, Managing Director, Kyndryl Peru. “We are honored to support BCP in defining its IT modernization strategy and collaborating with Microsoft to bring the bank’s vision to life.”

This milestone reaffirms BCP’s commitment to continue leading digital banking in Peru. Currently, BCP’s mobile banking and Yape are the most used banking applications and digital wallets in the country. 72% of BCP’s customers are digital and more than 16 million Yape users in Peru use the application at least once a day, reaching 27 million daily transactions on average.

About BCP
Banco de Crédito del Perú is the largest and oldest financial institution in Peru, with a history that dates back 135 years, in 1889. Throughout this time, it has been recognized for its business strength and leadership in the Peruvian market, standing out for its focus on innovation and digitalization. BCP offers a wide range of financial products and services, through which it seeks to be an ally of its customers, collaborators and country so that they can transform their plans into reality. For more information, please visit: https://www.viabcp.com/.

About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) builds AI-powered platforms and tools to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The tech company is committed to making AI widely available, responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com

About Kyndryl
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, serving thousands of enterprise customers in more than 60 countries. The company designs, builds, manages, and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world relies on every day. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com.

Press Contacts
For BCP: claudiaespinozad@bcp.com.pe
For Microsoft: sylvie.duchamp@microsoft.com
For Kyndryl: Johanna.eunice.fernandez.borrero@kyndryl.com  

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bcp-invests-more-than-650m-to-modernize-its-it-infrastructure-with-microsoft-and-kyndryl-302300726.html

SOURCE Kyndryl

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SHEIN Embraces Childhood Joy with its Newest Collaboration with CoComelon

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Inspiring Fun, Kindness and Positivity, SHEIN Brings CoComelon to Life Through its Designs

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, SHEIN, a global fashion and lifestyle online retailer, launched a collection with one of the biggest kids entertainment franchises in the world, CoComelon. This collaboration showcases a range of children’s apparel embodying fun, exploration and creativity.

Featuring over 100 pieces inspired by the colors, characters and theme behind the show, this collection is an extension of the CoComelon universe spanning entertainment platforms, live experiences and products.

Perfect for children six months to seven years old, the collection includes jumpsuits, pajamas, sweatshirts, matching sets and so much more. Featuring beloved characters like the sweet and curious JJ, the dinosaur-loving Cody, the careful and shy Cece, and the game-loving and singing Nina, each piece in the collection embodies everything young viewers love about the program.

The collection is available on SHEIN’s website, with prices ranging from $10$20. SHEIN invites customers to share their fun finds on social media using #CoComelonxSHEIN and #CoComelonFashionFun. For more information on the CoComelon x SHEIN collaboration and to explore the collection, please visit https://us.shein.com/campaigns/cocomelonxshein2024.

About SHEIN

SHEIN is a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer offering SHEIN-branded apparel and products from a global network of vendors, all at affordable prices. Headquartered in Singapore, SHEIN is committed to making the beauty of fashion accessible to all, promoting its industry-leading, on-demand production methodology for a smarter, future-ready industry. To learn more about SHEIN, visit www.sheingroup.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shein-embraces-childhood-joy-with-its-newest-collaboration-with-cocomelon-302300556.html

SOURCE SHEIN

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