Technology

Spencer Trask & Co. Launches Dry Eye Venture Signal12 with Former Aerie Pharmaceutical Executives Thomas Mitro and Marvin Garrett

Published

1 month ago

August 13, 2024

Mitro Named President & Chief Executive Officer, Readies Pro-ocular™ for Phase 3 Trials

The company’s breakthrough drug is the first product for Dry Eye Disease (DED) to utilize transappendageal forehead delivery and the only product to treat DED by targeting the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve.

GREENWICH, Conn., Aug. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Spencer Trask & Co. (Spencer Trask), the advanced technology development firm, announced today the launch of Signal12 Inc. (Signal12), a clinical-stage dry eye company. Signal12 is revolutionizing treatments for Dry Eye Disease (DED) and eliminating the hassle of eye drop instillation with its first-of-a-kind, patented technology that enables existing drugs to act through unique neural pathways.

Signal12’s breakthrough topical drug, Pro-ocular™, is the first product in eyecare to utilize transappendageal forehead delivery (drug delivery via hair follicles or sweat glands in the skin) and the only product to treat DED by targeting the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. Pro-ocular, when applied to the forehead twice daily, has been shown to be safe and effective for DED of all severity levels. This has been demonstrated through three separate Phase 2 clinical studies. Signal12 licensed the Pro-ocular intellectual property, which included 89 patents that cover 49 countries, from Glia LLC, which is a Spencer Trask venture.

Thomas Mitro was recruited by Spencer Trask to lead Signal12 as president and chief executive officer. Mitro is the former president and chief operating officer of Aerie Pharmaceuticals, where he grew annual sales to more than $100 million and facilitated a $770 million acquisition by Swiss eye-care firm Alcon. Prior to Aerie, Mitro built and led the commercial operations function at ISTA Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Bausch & Lomb. He also spent 24 years at Allergan in multiple leadership roles.

“I am honored to lead Signal12 in its mission to transform the landscape of ocular health,” said Mitro. “The company’s pioneering technology and impressive clinical data for Pro-ocular make it a game-changer in treating dry eye disease. I am eager to leverage our team’s extensive experience and push forward with our Phase 3 trials. The eye health market is ripe for innovation, and Signal12 will play a crucial role in addressing unmet needs and improving the lives of millions affected by ocular conditions.”

The Signal12 management team, board of directors and scientific advisors have decades of experience in ophthalmic product development, FDA and EU submissions, approvals, and market commercialization.

Joining Mitro is former Aerie executive Marvin Garrett as senior vice president of regulatory affairs and safety. Garrett has four decades of experience in the healthcare industry, having held senior leadership positions at many of the leading ophthalmology firms in the United States. During his career, Garrett spearheaded efforts to gain approval for over 60 marketing applications.

Pamela F. Gallin, M.D., F.A.C.S., will serve as the medical director for Signal12. Dr. Gallin is one of the highest-ranking surgeons at NY Presbyterian where she is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Edward Harkness Eye Institute of NY Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center. She is an examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology, a Heed Foundation Fellow, and was a member of the White House Task Force on Medicine under Hillary Clinton.

Neil Edwards was appointed as the company’s chief financial officer. Edwards is an accomplished financial leader with over 25 years of global experience in healthcare, generative AI, supply chain risk management, and technology—in chief operations officer, CFO and board director roles. He has been instrumental in achieving significant milestones, including architecting a strategic AI acquisition that increased the valuation of a Spencer Trask portfolio company from $8 million to $1 billion.

The company is governed by a board of directors who are proven business leaders and eye-care industry veterans. In addition to Mitro and Edwards, the Signal12 Board includes Vincent Anido, PhD, former chairman and chief executive officer, Aerie Pharmaceuticals; Robert Dempsey, president and chief executive officer, AsclepiX Therapeutics; James Mazzo, executive chair and board of directors, Neurotec Pharmaceuticals; Kenneth Sawyer, chief executive officer and co-founder, Glia LLC; and Kevin Kimberlin, chairman, Spencer Trask & Co.

Signal12 is committed to advancing patient care and easing the burden of living with DED. With an estimated 18 million Americans diagnosed with DED, the company’s work is critical for improving the lives of patients grappling with this debilitating ocular condition.

About Signal12 Inc.
Signal12 is a clinical-stage dry eye company that develops novel therapies to address ophthalmic diseases. Through three Phase 2 clinical studies, the company’s proprietary topical drug, Pro-ocular™, has demonstrated efficacy in safely and effectively reducing the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). Pro-ocular is the first product for DED to utilize transappendageal delivery, and the only product to treat DED by targeting the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. The company has offices in Greenwich, CT and Boston, MA.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spencer-trask–co-launches-dry-eye-venture-signal12-with-former-aerie-pharmaceutical-executives-thomas-mitro-and-marvin-garrett-302221212.html

SOURCE Spencer Trask & Co.

Technology

Mullen & Mullen Law Firm Launches the Mullen & Mullen Music Project

Published

45 mins ago

September 23, 2024

Supporting Local Independent Music Venues and Artists

DALLAS, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Dallas based Mullen & Mullen Law Firm proudly announces the launch of the Mullen & Mullen Music Project, a dynamic initiative created in partnership with Spune Productions. The collaboration is designed to celebrate and rejuvenate the North Texas music scene by offering a platform for both emerging and established artists. The initiative kicked off with a Concert Series at local independent music venues.

Supporting Local Talent and Venues
Running from August to April, the Mullen & Mullen Music Project will feature 12 concerts at some of North Texas’s most cherished venues. The series kicked off on August 6th with a performance by Ben Nichols of Lucero at Club Dada. The Quaker City Night Hawks made their triumphant return at Tulips FTW on August 30th after a touring hiatus. The Quaker City Night Hawks concert was filmed on professional grade video cameras installed at the venue by the Music Project and live-edited by the firm’s videographer Sean Pollaro – himself a musician. The new cameras at Tulips FTW will serve as a wonderful content creation tool for local artists.

Enhancing the Music Experience
The Music Project has allowed participating venues to expedite substantial upgrades already underway. Ferris Wheelers Live has enhanced its suites and stage while embarking on an ambitious Ferris Wheel lighting project. Club Dada has upgraded its outdoor patio stage, and Tulips FTW installed the beforementioned state-of-the-art video and streaming system, enabling artists to record music and stream live performances. Each venue will also feature new murals designed and created by local artists.

A Community-Centered Initiative
Shane Mullen, Managing Attorney at Mullen & Mullen Law Firm, shared the firm’s vision: “The trust and loyalty of the North Texas community have been the foundation of our success. This project is our way of giving back by enriching the local cultural landscape and supporting the artists and venues that make our region unique.”

Corey Pond, General Manager of Spune Productions, added: “This initiative addresses the challenges faced by the indie music scene, providing more opportunities for local artists and supporting our cherished venues. It underscores the power of community, collaboration, and the enduring spirit of local music.”

Join Us in Celebrating Local Music
Over the coming months, experience the vibrant revival of North Texas’s music scene with us. Together, let’s strengthen our community while supporting local artists and independent venues. This is our backyard – let’s make it rock!

For more information, visit: https://www.mullenandmullen.com/music/

About Mullen & Mullen Law Firm:
Mullen & Mullen Law Firm has been privileged to represent injured North Texans for over 41 years. The firm is consistently recognized by TopVerdict for obtaining some of the largest personal injury settlements in the entire state of Texas. In the last 4 years, Mullen & Mullen made the “Top 50” list 44 times and the “Top 100” list 70 times. The firm offers the services of two investigators and an award-winning videographer. Website: https://www.mullenandmullen.com

About Spune Productions:
Spune Productions is an independent leader in curating and delivering distinctive music events across Texas. Committed to enhancing communities, Spune specializes in creating impactful experiences that resonate with audiences and reflect clients’ brands. From intimate gatherings to large-scale spectacles, Spune Productions tailors each event to amplify stories through the transformative power of music. Website: https://spune.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mullen–mullen-law-firm-launches-the-mullen–mullen-music-project-302256220.html

SOURCE Mullen & Mullen Law Firm

Technology

Corteva to Participate in BMO Ag-Apalooza

Published

45 mins ago

September 23, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) announces that Chief Executive Officer, Chuck Magro, will speak at the 2024 BMO Ag-Apalooza event at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Remarks will be webcast live. The webcast can be accessed through the Corteva Investor Relations website. A replay of the presentation will be available 24 hours after the presentation ends and will be accessible until October 24, 2024.

About Corteva
Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is a global pure-play agriculture company that combines industry-leading innovation, high-touch customer engagement and operational execution to profitably deliver solutions for the world’s most pressing agriculture challenges. Corteva generates advantaged market preference through its unique distribution strategy, together with its balanced and globally diverse mix of seed, crop protection, and digital products and services. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and a technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the Company is committed to maximizing productivity for farmers, while working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corteva-to-participate-in-bmo-ag-apalooza-302255653.html

SOURCE Corteva, Inc.

Technology

SEEDING JUSTICE MAKES COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR OREGON AND PACIFIC NORTHWEST COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY MULTIPLE CLIMATE BURDENS ON A GLOBAL STAGE AT THE CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE TODAY

Published

45 mins ago

September 23, 2024

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Seeding Justice’s Executive Director, Se-ah-dom Edmo, joins global leaders in expanding the nonprofit organization’s commitment to an inclusive green economy focusing on clean energy initiatives created by and for impacted communities.

Click here to watch Seeding Justice’s commitment video and learn more.

What:

Clinton Global Initiative

Who:

Se-ah-dom Edmo, Executive Director, Seeding Justice

When:

September 23, 2024

Where:

New York City, New York

Seeding Justice is a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 and is the region’s largest funder of grassroots organizing and community-led grantmaking.

We focus our work on frontline communities and use community guidance and leadership to help fund the most critical causes, including a new fund to support a community-centered, clean energy future.

Since 2020, our Community Fund program has granted nearly $34 million to communities across the state through Funds like the Reproductive Health Equity Fund and the Child Care Capacity Building Fund. Seeding Justice is also the founding funder of Oregon Worker Relief, the largest program of its kind in the state, and has supported the dispersal of more than $180 million through the Fund, which helps immigrant Oregonians make ends meet.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seeding-justice-makes-commitment-to-environmental-justice-and-economic-development-for-oregon-and-pacific-northwest-communities-impacted-by-multiple-climate-burdens-on-a-global-stage-at-the-clinton-global-initiative-today-302256239.html

SOURCE Seeding Justice