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Airway-On-A-Chip Could Speed Up Future Drug and Therapy Development

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New paper demonstrates the most advanced example of organ-on-chip technology, designed to accelerate the development of medical countermeasures, including drugs and therapies.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Developing a new drug is incredibly complex, but a new breakthrough could help scientists accelerate the process. Researchers at Draper have created a more accurate model of the human airway in a microfluidic device, providing a better platform to study how airway tissue cells respond to pathogens and drug therapies.

“This is the first report of comprehensive and accurate screening of therapeutic candidates for COVID-19 in an organ-on-chip,” said Christine Fisher, Group Leader of Microbiology and Immunology at Draper.

Most pharmaceutical screening methods depend on petri dishes in a lab or in animal models, but these environments aren’t always the best analog of how things work in live humans. As such, many drugs and treatments that seem promising in animals often fail when they reach human trials.

In recent years, scientists have developed a way to model organs and other body tissues on microfluidic chips, which provide a much closer comparison. These miniature human tissues

have so far included the liver, kidney, vasculature, tumor, colon and lung, and now Draper researchers have added new findings for the human airway with powerful implications for future application to high priority pathogen research.

The researchers cultured human primary bronchial epithelial cells under air-liquid interface (ALI) conditions inside a microphysiological system, or MPS, which is designed to mimic human physiology by precisely controlling an environment for cells. Originally, the team was investigating what happens to those cells when they were infected with SARS-CoV-2, but when the researchers fed a flow of therapies in, they discovered something unexpected.

The treated airway tissues showed that two seemingly promising therapies had failed to rein in the viral infection. Those therapies had worked well enough in preclinical studies to send them to human clinical trials, but they eventually failed when tested in humans. In other words, Draper’s airway tissue model accurately predicted the lack of efficacy of two therapies that other pre-clinical methods had failed to reveal.

On further examination, the team detected the airway infection did respond to three antiviral drugs that had succeeded in clinical trials and were now FDA-approved. In all five total cases, the antivirals performed as expected in comparison to clinical outcomes. Importantly, these outcomes were more accurate than those obtained from in vitro tissue models using MPS platforms other than Draper’s PREDICT96-ALI.

“This is the first report of comprehensive and accurate screening of therapeutic candidates for COVID-19 in an organ-on-chip,” said Christine Fisher, Group Leader of Microbiology and Immunology at Draper. “PREDICT96-ALI can increase clinical success, and that represents a new and major milestone in the effort to use human primary cell-based preclinical models to expedite countermeasure development for emerging infectious disease threats and, more broadly, in the drug development pipeline.”

MPS are promising for evaluating drugs before they go to clinical trials, according to Ashley Gard, Group Leader of Cellular and Tissue Engineering and Principal Biomedical Engineer at Draper. But a major limiting factor is the lack of preclinical models capable of providing data predictive of human clinical responses, she added. Writing in Advanced Biology, the researchers say, “There still exists a tremendous unmet need for predictive MPS airway models to fill a critical gap in preclinical therapeutic screening for COVID-19 and other emerging respiratory infections.”

Special care was taken to keep the airway tissue models thriving in the microenvironment of PREDICT96-ALI. The tissues “lived” in a culture media, bathed in a dynamic fluid flow and given nutrients and oxygen. They were tested in a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) high-containment laboratory, which allowed researchers to evaluate the full viral life cycle of SARS-CoV-2, a critical step in assessing compounds. The paper builds on research published in the journal Cells in 2023.

The research paper concludes: “PREDICT96-ALI is a model of the human broncho-tracheal lung tissue capable of assessing the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics with sufficient throughput to test multiple compounds at multiple concentrations in a single plate.” As such, it can be a vital tool for drug discovery.

PREDICT96-ALI is part of an integrated portfolio of technologies and resources at Draper intended to support the drug discovery and national security mission. Some of these capabilities include biothreat detection technologies developed for IARPA’s Finding Engineering-Linked Indicators (FELIX), DARPA’s Detect It with Gene Editing Technologies (DIGET) and BARDA’s Project NextGen: Next Generation Medical Countermeasures.

Authors include Landys Lopez Quezada, Felix Mba Medie, Rebeccah J. Luu, Robert B. Gaibler, Elizabeth P. Gabriel, Logan D. Rubio, Thomas J. Mulhern, Elizabeth E. Marr, Jeffrey T. Borenstein, Christine R. Fisher and Ashley L. Gard.

Draper

As a nonprofit engineering innovation company, Draper serves the nation’s interests and security needs; advances technologies at the intersection of government, academia and industry; cultivates the next generation of innovators; and solves the most complex challenges. Multidisciplinary teams drawn from a broad and deep talent pool of 1,600 engineers and scientists collaborate to develop first-of-a-kind solutions. Draper’s unbiased approach enables the company to focus on their customers’ needs and to deliver new capabilities to them. Learn more at draper.com.

Media Contact

Scott Deitz, Draper, 1 336-908-7759, scott@sevenletter.com, https://www.draper.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/airway-on-a-chip-could-speed-up-future-drug-and-therapy-development-302306718.html

SOURCE Draper

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Orderful Raises $15M Growth Round Led by NewRoad Capital Partners to Transform B2B Integration with Modern EDI Solutions

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November 15, 2024

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Orderful secures $15M to expand its modern EDI platform, enabling faster, smarter B2B integrations with AI and self-service solutions.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Orderful, a pioneering company revolutionizing business-to-business (B2B) integration with its industry-leading Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) platform, announced today that it has raised $15 million in a growth round led by NewRoad Capital Partners. The round also saw participation from new investors 9Yards, Flume Ventures, and NFI Ventures, alongside existing investors Andreessen Horowitz and GLP Partners.

“We like to invest in companies with strong domain expertise that are solving big legacy problems and delivering on what they promise to the market. Orderful exceeds expectations in all of these areas.” Gregoire Lehmann, Principal at NewRoad Capital Partners

Orderful is changing the status quo in the B2B integration space by offering a fast, modern EDI software-as-a-service platform that drastically simplifies the way businesses connect and exchange data. Orderful customers connect once to their API platform and can go live with new EDI connections in less than 2 weeks, which is 10x faster than competitors. This year, Orderful launched its Web EDI Fulfillment product, a solution for companies of all sizes to start trading EDI without speaking with a sales representative. Orderful is the first EDI company in the world to provide this product experience.

Orderful is also the first company to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its platform to manage and resolve EDI errors in real-time. The AI-based recommendation engine drastically reduces the time and effort required to go-live and manage trading partners. Hundreds of leading companies, including NFI, Koch Industries, Pepsi Logistics, G-III Apparel Group, Liquid Death, and Continental Mills, are leveraging Orderful’s platform to gain a competitive edge in their respective markets. With its latest funding, Orderful is poised to accelerate growth and further enhance its product offerings.

New Partnership and Strategic Insights

As part of the investment, Gregoire Lehmann, Principal at NewRoad Capital Partners, will join Orderful’s board of directors. Josh Jewett, Operating Partner at NewRoad and former Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Family Dollar and Dollar Tree, will join as a board observer. Their deep expertise in supply chain and retail technology will provide invaluable insights as Orderful continues to scale. “Orderful is fundamentally changing the way companies trade EDI. Their approach to simplifying EDI is a game changer. We like to invest in companies with strong domain expertise that are solving big legacy problems and delivering on what they promise to the market. Orderful exceeds expectations in all of these areas.” said Gregoire Lehmann, Principal at NewRoad Capital Partners.

“Having spent years in the retail industry, I understand the pain points of traditional EDI systems. Orderful’s innovative approach is precisely what the industry needs to move forward. The labor expense, delays, transaction fees, cumbersome interfaces, and poor error handling are all gone with their model. I’m excited to contribute to their journey,” added Josh Jewett, Operating Partner at NewRoad Capital Partners.

“NFI has always been at the forefront of innovation in logistics, and Orderful has been a critical partner in helping us streamline our EDI processes. Their platform has enabled us to be more agile and responsive, giving us a significant competitive advantage,” said Dave Broering, President of Integrated Logistics at NFI.

Looking Ahead

“We are thrilled to partner with NewRoad Capital Partners, whose industry expertise and extensive network will be invaluable as we continue to scale Orderful,” said Erik Kiser, CEO of Orderful. “The enthusiasm and support from our investors, both new and existing, are a testament to the impact Orderful is making in the B2B integration space. We are excited to continue growing at this pace and look forward to the opportunities ahead.” David Ulevitch, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, reflected on Orderful’s journey, “From the beginning, we saw the potential in Orderful’s vision to modernize EDI. Their progress has been incredible, and we’re excited to see how they will continue to innovate and lead in this space.”

Orderful is growing faster than any EDI company in its category, and this capital will enable the company to continue this momentum as it targets more enterprise customers in the retail and supply chain space.

With this new funding, Orderful plans to accelerate product development, expand its global reach, and continue to deliver cutting-edge solutions that empower businesses to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

About Orderful

Orderful is the modern EDI Platform revolutionizing how logistics providers, retailers, manufacturers, and technology companies manage their EDI trading partnerships and transactions in real-time. Its simplified integrations, pre-connected network, and user-friendly self-service approach minimize errors with customers onboarding new partners. Orderful has been recognized as a best-in-class EDI provider by industry leaders like G2 and SourceForge. To learn more, visit https://www.orderful.com/.

Media Contact

Gem Nwanne, Orderful, 1 855-965-1887, gem@orderful.com, https://www.orderful.com/

Twitter, LinkedIn

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/orderful-raises-15m-growth-round-led-by-newroad-capital-partners-to-transform-b2b-integration-with-modern-edi-solutions-302306730.html

SOURCE Orderful

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30 Years After the Passing of Daddy Bruce Randolph, His Legacy of Feeding Families on Thanksgiving Is in Jeopardy Due to Lack of Funding. Epworth Foundation Issues an Urgent Call for Donations

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November 15, 2024

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DENVER, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With just one week left before the annual Denver Feed-A-Family event in honor of Daddy Bruce Randolph, the Epworth Foundation faces a critical shortfall in funding. To meet its ambitious goal of providing 7,500 Thanksgiving meal baskets, the organization needs to raise $400,000 but is far short of its goal. This significant gap puts thousands of families at risk of going without a meal this holiday season.

This year’s theme, “One Community, One Family,” embodies the foundation’s mission to bring nourishment and unity to those most in need. However, with funding levels far below what’s necessary, the Epworth Foundation urgently appeals to the community for help.

“We are at a crossroads,” said Xiomara Yanique, Program Director at the Epworth Foundation. “Without immediate support, we risk leaving many families without a Thanksgiving meal this year. Every dollar counts, and time is running out.”

The average cost of a meal basket is $55, which includes everything needed for a family meal serving 4-5 people. With current funding, the organization will be able to serve fewer than 1,000 families. The Epworth Foundation calls on local businesses, philanthropists, and community members to step in and help bridge this critical gap. Donations of any size are urgently needed and can be made directly on the foundation’s website.

A Call for Unity from Denver’s Mayor

Denver’s Mayor, Mike Johnston, expressed his concern and support for the initiative: “The Denver Feed-A-Family event has been a vital source of hope and comfort for our city’s most vulnerable families. I urge everyone to contribute. Together, we can ensure no family goes without a meal this Thanksgiving.”

How You Can Help

Donate Today: Visit www.epworthfoundation.org to make a contribution. You can sponsor one or more meal baskets or give any amount to help cover the cost of these essential meal kits.

Participate in Giving Tuesday: Join our community effort to honor Daddy Bruce Randolph’s legacy by supporting the cost of meal baskets for families in need.

Volunteer: There are still opportunities to lend a hand on distribution day, November 23rd.

For more information or to donate, please visit www.epworthfoundation.org.

Contact for Media:
Jackie Perry
Email: socialmedia@epworthfoundation.org
Phone: 904.866.3828

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/30-years-after-the-passing-of-daddy-bruce-randolph-his-legacy-of-feeding-families-on-thanksgiving-is-in-jeopardy-due-to-lack-of-funding–epworth-foundation-issues-an-urgent-call-for-donations-302307350.html

SOURCE The Epworth Foundation

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The Merriest Grinchmas Ever Awaits with Grinch Décor from Gemmy

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November 15, 2024

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Grinch-Inspired Decorations from Airblown® Inflatables to Life-Size Animatronics

DALLAS, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Fans of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! will be delighted with a feast of Grinch decorations to choose from this season. Gemmy’s expansive collection, from amazing Airblown® Inflatables and yard décor to life-size animated characters, is sure to grow hearts three sizes.

Grinch fans will be delighted with Gemmy’s expansive collection of decorations to choose from.

Airblown® Inflatables

Set the scene for a Merry Grinchmas with the Grinch inflatable lineup. Big or small, hanging or arched, Gemmy has you covered:

Craft a custom scene with adorable 4-ft tall characters: Grinch in Ugly Red Sweater and Cindy-Lou Who with gift.Warm hearts and add fun to your display with 6-ft and 6.5-ft options: Max and Grinch with red heart scene and Hanging Grinch with wreath.Welcome guests with whimsical 9-ft and 10-ft styles, perfect for parties and photo ops: sneaky Tiptoeing Grinch with gift sack, Merry Grinchmas Archway, and Grinch and Max with Naughty or Nice Sign.

Musical and Animated Merriment

For a multisensory experience, Grinch enthusiasts will love animated decor that plays “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”:

Life-Size Animated: Equipped with sound and motion features, these realistic characters are available in two styles—the charming 4-ft Animated Little Grinch and the 6-ft Animated Grinch in a Santa suit.EmoteGlow™: Featuring animated faces that light up and sing, this amazing technology is available in the adorable 6.3-in Kawaii Grinch (in-store only) and the Grinch Musical Light String with eight bulbs.

Indoor/Outdoor Lighting and Decor

Lighting and decor options are fantastic on their own or layered into the mix:

The 4-ft tall 3D Grinch Tinsel Sculpture features the Grinch holding colorful stockings and shines with 35 LED lights.Light up interior or exterior surfaces and walkways with the colorful Whirl-A-Motion™ Grinch Projection and festive Grinch Pathway Stakes.Perfect for indoor locations, battery-operated blow molds are available in two styles: 14-in Grinch and 12-in Max (in-store only).

Find this Grinch collection in-store and online at The Home Depot.

About Gemmy Industries
Gemmy Industries is a leader in the seasonal décor market, bringing festive fun and holiday cheer to homes everywhere. Dedicated to innovation and creative design, Gemmy has elevated industry standards and established recognizable brands like Airblown® Inflatable and LightShow® Lighting. For more information on products and retailers, visit www.gemmy.com. Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-merriest-grinchmas-ever-awaits-with-grinch-decor-from-gemmy-302307351.html

SOURCE Gemmy Industries

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