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The RD Fund Announces Ocuphire Pharma’s Acquisition of Opus Genetics

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The resulting company will operate under the name Opus Genetics and the Nasdaq ticker symbol (IRD)

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The RD Fund (Retinal Degeneration Fund) – the venture arm of the Foundation Fighting Blindness – announces the all-stock acquisition of Opus Genetics, Inc. “Opus” (private) by Ocuphire Pharma, Inc., (Nasdaq: OCUP) a clinical-stage ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company. The companies have combined under the name of Opus Genetics to create a transformative biotech company committed to being a leader in the development of gene therapies for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). The combined company is trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “IRD.”

The RD Fund launched Opus in the fall of 2021 to develop gene therapies for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). The RD Fund led the seed financing for Opus as the first internally conceived spinout of the Fund to further the Foundation’s mission. With the full support of the Foundation’s and Fund’s Board of Directors, the company was co-founded and initially managed by Ben Yerxa, PhD, Rusty Kelley, PhD, Peter Ginsberg, and Jason Menzo along with its scientific founders, Jean Bennett, MD, PhD and Junwei Sun from the University of Pennsylvania and Eric Pierce, MD, PhD, from Harvard and Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

“The initial seed funding allowed Opus to build a pipeline of early-stage preclinical assets, including advancing OPGx-LCA5 into a Phase 1/2 trial where 6-month data demonstrated safety and visual improvement in early onset retinal degeneration,” said Rusty Kelley, managing director of the RD fund and a founding director of the company. “We thank our major donors, including those that enabled project-based funding from the Foundation Fighting Blindness, for helping us advance Opus’s pipeline while weathering a significant biotech downturn,” added Jason Menzo, Opus co-founder and CEO of the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

The acquisition of Opus by Ocuphire is a key milestone as it represents the first RD Fund portfolio company to enter the public markets. The milestone further validates the venture philanthropy model of derisking assets – making them more attractive to institutional investors and the public markets. “That a highly skilled and experienced team – including former Opus executives and directors Ben Yerxa, Jean Bennett, and Adrienne Graves – will advance the Opus portfolio with a commitment to being a leader in developing genetic medicines for the treatment of IRDs accelerated our approval of the transaction,” said Kelley.

About the RD Fund
The RD Fund (Retinal Degeneration Fund), the venture investment arm of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, has a dual mission: accelerate the approval of therapies for retinal diseases and provide alternative revenue sources to further the Foundation’s mission. Established in 2018, the RD Fund prioritizes investments in companies around the globe developing therapies that are close to clinical testing. For more information, visit RDFund.org.

About the Foundation Fighting Blindness
Established in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is the world’s leading private funding source for retinal degenerative disease research. The Foundation has raised more than $915 million toward its mission of accelerating research for preventing, treating, and curing blindness caused by the spectrum of blinding retinal diseases including: retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and Usher syndrome. Visit FightingBlindness.org for more information.

Media Contact:
Chris Adams
410-423-0585
CAdams@FightingBlindness.org 

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SOURCE Foundation Fighting Blindness

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Aleut Achieves Prestigious CMMI Level 3 Certification in Four Key Domains

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RESTON, Va., Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Aleut Federal LLC (Aleut) proudly announces it has earned Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 3 certification in four key domains: Development (CMMI-DEV), Services (CMMI-SVS), Security (CMMI-SEC), and People Management (CMMI-PPL). This significant achievement highlights Aleut’s commitment to operational excellence and its ability to deliver high-quality, efficient and secure solutions. It demonstrates Aleut’s strength in optimizing product development, improving service delivery, enhancing security, and aligning workforce management to drive performance and engagement. 

CMMI, developed by the globally recognized CMMI Institute, is a framework for assessing and improving organizational performance. Achieving Level 3 certification affirms that Aleut’s processes are clearly defined, consistently applied, and supported by robust standards, tools, and methodologies. This milestone underscores the company’s ongoing dedication to operational excellence, mitigating risk, and delivering measurable performance success.

“This certification shows our customers that Aleut doesn’t just meet their mission-critical needs – we excel at it,” said Nick Trzcinski, President of Aleut Federal. “We are committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering exceptional value. Aleut is a partner our customers can trust.”

Aleut’s CMMI Level 3 certification enhances its ability to deliver high-quality outcomes across all projects while optimizing efficiency and minimizing risks. Complemented by the company’s ISO 9001 certification for quality management, these achievements reinforcing Aleut’s adherence to internationally recognized standards, solidifying its position as a reliable and innovative partner for federal clients.

To read Aleut Federal’s CMMI Appraisal, click here.

ABOUT ALEUT FEDERAL
Aleut Federal LLC, a holding company within The Aleut Corporation’s federal services portfolio, is an Alaska Native-owned enterprise delivering vital services to the U.S. government across four primary sectors: Technology, Mission Support, Environmental, and Construction. Established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971, The Aleut Corporation is one of 12 regional Alaska Native corporations. Aleut Federal’s subsidiaries, including Small Business Administration (SBA) certified 8(a) program participants and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) entities, bring specialized capabilities to meet the diverse needs of federal agencies.

By achieving CMMI Level 3 certification, Aleut Federal strengthens its standing as an industry leader, driving performance excellence while delivering mission-focused solutions with unmatched quality and efficiency.

Contact:
Berlyn Martin
Aleut Federal, LLC
Phone: 276-244-3319

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SOURCE Aleut Federal, LLC

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Lowell Observatory Scientists to Present New Research at American Astronomical Society Winter Meeting- Including New and Unexpected Insights on Planet Formation

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Lowell Observatory researchers will join more than 3,000 astronomers at AAS245 in Maryland from January 12-16, 2025

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The American Astronomical Society’s winter meeting is the largest annual gathering of astronomers in the United States, and Lowell Observatory will be well-represented this year. Executive Director Dr. Amanda Bosh and Director of Science Dr. Gerard van Belle—both of whom just stepped into their positions—lead a contingency of more than a dozen scientists and support staff attending the meeting.

Lowell Observatory will be in attendance at Exhibitor Booth 521, with its astronomers, postdocs, predocs, and other researchers available to discuss their latest science research. Of particular note, Postdoctoral Fellow Taylor Kutra will share unexpected new ways planets may form, based on a study of a binary star system in Taurus that she leads. Kutra will present her findings during both a Tuesday (January 14) science session and Thursday (January 16) press conference.

Other Lowell Observatory scientists will present on topics including comets, asteroids, the Sun and Sun-like stars, exoplanets, a variety of star types, dwarf irregular galaxies, and space-based interferometry.

Bosh says, “The winter meeting of the AAS is a critical opportunity for astronomers at all stages of their careers to share their latest research and interact with colleagues from around the world. Lowell Observatory is pleased to send a strong contingency of our science team to actively participate in this year’s meeting in National Harbor.”

Media are welcome to attend AAS245 in person. A limited virtual attendance option is also available, with live access to press conferences, plenary talks, select town halls, and a virtual oral session. See https://aas.org/meetings/aas245/press.

AAS245 website: https://aas.org/meetings/aas245

AAS245 Presentations by Lowell Observatory Scientists: Full Schedule Here

About Lowell Observatory
Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell’s astronomers utilize global ground-based and space telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts over 100,000 annual visitors for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lowell-observatory-scientists-to-present-new-research-at-american-astronomical-society-winter-meeting–including-new-and-unexpected-insights-on-planet-formation-302347343.html

SOURCE Lowell Observatory

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CRTC consults on market dynamics within Canada’s broadcasting system

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OTTAWA, ON and GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 9, 2025 /CNW/ – Today, the CRTC is taking another step forward to implement the modernized Broadcasting Act (the Act) by launching a public consultation on market dynamics within Canada’s broadcasting system.

Through this consultation, the CRTC will explore the dynamics between small, medium and large broadcasters, television service providers and online streaming services. The goal is to help ensure that Canada’s broadcasting system is sustainable, fair and competitive.

The CRTC is welcoming comments until February 24, 2025. Interested persons can participate by:

filling out the online form;writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2;sending a fax to 819-994-0218.

As part of this consultation, the CRTC will hold a public hearing starting on May 12, 2025.

All comments will form part of the public record and will inform the CRTC’s decision.

The launch of today’s consultation follows a number of recent actions the CRTC has taken to implement the modernized Act. To find out more, check out the CRTC’s regulatory plan.

Quick facts

The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. The CRTC holds public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting matters and makes decisions based on the public record.First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and Indigenous organizations requiring assistance submitting comments, including oral interventions, can contact the CRTC’s Indigenous Relations Team.

Associated links

Participate in the consultationRegulatory PlanModernizing Canada’s broadcasting framework

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

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