Cocrystal Pharma provides a preview of their upcoming presentation at NobleCon18 NobleCon18 – Noble Capital Markets 18th Annual Small and Microcap Investor Conference – April 19-21, 2022 – Hard Rock, Hollywood, FL 100+ Public Company Presentations | Scheduled Breakouts | Panel Presentations | High-Profile Keynotes | Educational Sessions | Receptions & Networking Events Free Registration Available – More Info Research News and Advanced Market Data on COCP NobleCon18 Presenting Companies About Cocrystal Pharma Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing novel antiviral therapeutics that target the replication process of influenza viruses, coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2), hepatitis C viruses and noroviruses. Cocrystal employs unique structure-based technologies and Nobel Prize-winning expertise to create first- and best-in-class antiviral drugs. For further information about Cocrystal, please visit www.cocrystalpharma.com.

Perimeter Medical Imaging AI CEO Jeremy Sobotta provides a preview of their upcoming presentation at NobleCon18 NobleCon18 – Noble Capital Markets 18th Annual Small and Microcap Investor Conference – April 19-21, 2022 – Hard Rock, Hollywood, FL 100+ Public Company Presentations | Scheduled Breakouts | Panel Presentations | High-Profile Keynotes | Educational Sessions | Receptions & Networking Events Free Registration Available – More Info News and Advanced Market Data on PYNKF NobleCon18 Presenting Companies About Perimeter Medical Imaging AI Based in Toronto, Canada and Dallas, Texas, Perimeter Medical Imaging AI (TSX-V:PINK) (OTC:PYNKF) (FSE:4PC) is a medical technology company driven to transform cancer surgery with ultra-high-resolution, real-time, advanced imaging tools to address areas of high unmet medical need. Available across the U.S., our FDA-cleared Perimeter S-Series OCT system provides real-time, cross-sectional visualization of excised tissues at the cellular level. The breakthrough-device-designated, investigational Perimeter B-Series OCT with ImgAssist AI represents our next-generation artificial intelligence technology that is currently under clinical development. The company’s ticker symbol “PINK” refers to the pink ribbons used during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Jaguar Health President & CEO Lisa Conte provides a preview of their upcoming presentation at NobleCon18 NobleCon18 – Noble Capital Markets 18th Annual Small and Microcap Investor Conference – April 19-21, 2022 – Hard Rock, Hollywood, FL 100+ Public Company Presentations | Scheduled Breakouts | Panel Presentations | High-Profile Keynotes | Educational Sessions | Receptions & Networking Events Free Registration Available – More Info News and Advanced Market Data on JAGX NobleCon18 Presenting Companies About Jaguar Health Jaguar Health, Inc. is a commercial stage pharmaceuticals company focused on developing novel, plant-based, non-opioid, and sustainably derived prescription medicines for people and animals with GI distress, including chronic, debilitating diarrhea. Jaguar Animal Health is a tradename of Jaguar Health. Jaguar Health’s wholly owned subsidiary, Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., focuses on developing and commercializing proprietary plant-based human pharmaceuticals from plants harvested responsibly from rainforest areas. Our crofelemer drug product candidate is the subject of the OnTarget study, an ongoing pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for prophylaxis of diarrhea in adult cancer patients receiving targeted therapy. Jaguar Health is the majority shareholder of Napo Therapeutics S.p.A. (f/k/a Napo EU S.p.A.), an Italian corporation established by Jaguar Health in Milan, Italy in 2021 that focuses on expanding crofelemer access in Europe.

BioSig Technologies, Inc. Partners with Summit Blue Capital to Provide Equipment Leasing Services

News and Market Data on BioSig Technologies

 

The leasing and finance program provides a non-recourse financial solution for PURE EP™ to improve purchase flexibility for U.S. hospitals

Westport, CT, March 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BioSig Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: BSGM) (“BioSig” or the “Company”), a medical technology company commercializing an innovative signal processing platform designed to improve signal fidelity and uncover the full range of ECG and intra-cardiac signals, today announced a new partnership agreement with Summit Blue Capital for implementing a leasing and finance program for the Company’s PURE EP™ System.

The Minneapolis-based Summit Blue Capital is a leader in equipment finance and leasing. It offers tailored leasing and financing solutions for its partners and clients in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, technology solutions, and more. Most notably, Summit Blue Capital specializes in simplifying the financing experience and finding solutions to advance commercial roll outs in the healthcare industry.

“We believe that partnering with Summit Blue Capital will have considerable benefits to our commercial plans. We intend to take advantage of the Summit team’s expertise, flexibility, and financial solutions as a leasing partner,” said Kenneth L. Londoner, Chairman and CEO of BioSig Technologies, Inc. “Summit Blue Capital came highly recommended by one of the largest money center U.S. financial institutions. We believe this relationship will help take friction out of the sales cycle and advance our timeline while allowing BioSig to get paid up front per installation. The team at Summit Blue Capital is expected to also help us launch a subscription-based revenue model for our software.”  

“The pathway to purchase is always of great consideration in the capital equipment forum. We anticipate that partnering with Summit Blue Capital will impact our ability to expedite PURE EP’s entrance into new electrophysiology labs across the United States,” commented Gray Fleming, Chief Commercial Officer of BioSig Technologies, Inc.

“BioSig has made significant improvements to the EP market, and they have a unique technology offering with their PURE EP,” said Adam Drill, President of Summit Blue Capital. “Summit Blue Capital is excited to partner with BioSig and execute on a strategic financing and leasing program that we believe will benefit their customer roll out and help position them as a leader in medical technology. We look forward to helping each other and building a solid foundation for the future.”

The PURE EP™ is an FDA 510(k) cleared non-invasive class II device that aims to drive procedural efficiency and efficacy in cardiac electrophysiology. To date, 75 physicians have completed more than 2,150 patient cases with the PURE EP™ System.

Clinical data acquired by the PURE EP™ System in a multi-center study at Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Center, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, and Massachusetts General Hospital was recently published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology and is available electronically with open access via the Wiley Online Library. Study results showed 93% consensus across the blinded reviewers with a 75% overall improvement in intracardiac signal quality and confidence in interpreting PURE EP™ signals over conventional sources.

About Summit Blue Capital
Summit Blue Capital is a national commercial finance business based in Minnesota. The Company specializes in custom vendor programs and lease lines-of-credit for companies across the United States. Summit Blue is a privately owned and independently operated finance company that serves all industries. For more information, visit www.summitbluecapital.com.

About BioSig Technologies
BioSig Technologies is a medical technology company commercializing a proprietary biomedical signal processing platform designed to improve signal fidelity and uncover the full range of ECG and intra-cardiac signals (www.biosig.com).

The Company’s first product, PURE EP™ System is a computerized system intended for acquiring, digitizing, amplifying, filtering, measuring and calculating, displaying, recording, and storing electrocardiographic and intracardiac signals for patients undergoing electrophysiology (EP) procedures in an EP laboratory.

Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Such statements may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words. Forward- looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) the geographic, social and economic impact of COVID-19 on our ability to conduct our business and raise capital in the future when needed, (ii) our inability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own, or in collaboration with third parties; (iii) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (iv) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (v) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; and (vi) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to market our products and product candidates. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Andrew Ballou
BioSig Technologies, Inc.
Vice President, Investor Relations
55 Greens Farms Road
Westport, CT 06880
aballou@biosigtech.com
203-409-5444, x119

Source: BioSig Technologies, Inc.

Ayala Pharmaceuticals Reports Full-Year 2021 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Research, News, and Market Data on Ayala Pharmaceuticals

 

– Part A of AL102 RINGSIDE study fully enrolled; interim data expected mid-2022 –

REHOVOT, Israel and WILMINGTON, Del., March 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ayala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ayala or the Company) (Nasdaq: AYLA), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing and commercializing small molecule therapeutics for patients suffering from rare and aggressive cancers today announced full-year 2021 financial results and provided a corporate update.

“2022 is off to a very promising start for Ayala, following a number of important accomplishments across our pipeline of innovative gamma-secretase inhibitors in 2021,” said Roni Mamluk, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Ayala. “We are pleased with the progress of our AL102 program in desmoid tumors, having recently completed enrollment in Part A of the open label RINGSIDE study. We are encouraged by initial positive feedback received from investigators so far. We plan to announce initial interim data from Part A around mid-year 2022 and intend to move into Part B, the randomized portion of the study, immediately thereafter. We look forward to announcing additional data readouts and updates on our other clinical programs throughout 2022 including further data on AL101 in adenoid cystic carcinoma.”

2021 and Recent Business and Clinical Highlights

• Completed enrollment of Part A of the Phase 2/3 RINGSIDE study of AL102 in desmoid tumors: 36 patients have been enrolled in Part A of the RINGSIDE study, which is evaluating the safety and tolerability of AL102, as well as tumor volume by MRI at 16 weeks. Ayala expects to report an initial interim data read-out around mid-2022, with Part B of the study commencing immediately thereafter.
  
• Initiated “Window of Opportunity” study of AL101 in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC): The study is focused on determining the effects of AL101 for the treatment of ACC and other cancers. The goals of the study are to better understand the mechanism of AL101, determine the best treatment regime and generate data for the future development strategy. The study is being conducted in collaboration with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation. 
  
• Presented positive preliminary clinical data from the ongoing ACCURACY trial in ACC: Updated interim data from the 6mg cohort of the Phase 2 ACCURACY study of AL101 in recurrent/metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (R/M ACC) were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2021 demonstrating partial responses in three subjects (9%) and stable disease in 20 subjects (61%). At ESMO, the Company also presented preclinical proof of concept data on AL101 in combination with approved cancer therapies in patient-derived ACC tumor models
  
• Initiated Phase 1 trial of AL102 in combination with Novartis’ B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) targeting agent WVT078 in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM): inhibition of gamma-secretase with AL102 prevents the cleavage and shedding of BCMA, which is ubiquitously expressed on MM cells. Preclinical data have demonstrated that treatment with AL102 increases the expression of membrane-bound BCMA on the surface of MM cells and could enhance the activity of WVT078. Ongoing patient enrollment continues as planned.
  
• AL101 in Notch-activated triple negative breast cancer: The Company has elected to discontinue the Phase 2 TENACITY study as part of its efforts to focus its resources on the more advanced programs and studies including the RINGSIDE study in desmoid tumors and the ACCURACY study for ACC.
  

Upcoming Milestones

• Initial interim data from the pivotal Phase 2/3 RINGSIDE trial in desmoid tumors (Mid-2022): Ayala expects to report an initial interim data read-out from Part A of the Phase 2/3 RINGSIDE trial of AL102 in desmoid tumors around mid-2022. Part B of the study will be a double-blind placebo-controlled study and will start immediately after dose selection from Part A.
  
• Additional data from the Phase 2 ACCURACY trial of AL101 in ACC: The ongoing ACCURACY trial is an open-label, single-arm Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating AL101 as monotherapy for the treatment of R/M ACC patients with Notch-activated mutations. The first cohort of the trial included 45 subjects dosed at 4 mg of AL101 IV once weekly. Final data from the 4 mg cohort and additional data from the 6 mg cohort,which includes 42 subjects are expected to be reported in the second half of 2022.
  
• Initiate Phase 2 Clinical Trial Evaluating AL102 in T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL): Ayala plans to begin a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating AL101 in R/R T-ALL in the second half of 2022.

Full Year 2021 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents were $37.3 million as of December 31, 2021, as compared to $42.4 million as of December 31, 2020.

Collaboration Revenue: Collaboration revenue was $3.5 million for the full year of 2021, as compared to $3.7 million for the full year of 2020.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $29.9 million for the full year 2021, compared to $22.4 million in 2020. The increase was primarily driven by additional costs in connection with the initiation and advancement of the Phase 2/3 RINGSIDE pivotal study for desmoid tumors.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $9.3 million as of December 31, 2021, compared to $7.4 million as of December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher expenses in connection with our operations as a public company, including director and officer insurance, increased headcount, and stock-based compensation.

Net Loss: Net loss was $40.3 million for the full year 2021, resulting in basic and diluted net loss per share of ($2.80). This compares with a net loss was $30.1 million for the full year of 2020, equivalent to basic and diluted net loss per share of ($3.06).

For further details on the Company’s financial results, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 28, 2022.

About Ayala Pharmaceuticals
Ayala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing and commercializing small molecule therapeutics for patients suffering from rare and aggressive cancers,. Ayala’s approach is focused on predicating, identifying and addressing tumorigenic drivers of cancer through a combination of its bioinformatics platform and next-generation sequencing to deliver targeted therapies to underserved patient populations. The company has two product candidates under development, AL101 and AL102, targeting the aberrant activation of the Notch pathway with gamma secretase inhibitors to treat a variety of tumors including Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL), Desmoid Tumors and Multiple Myeloma (MM) (in collaboration with Novartis). AL101, has received Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA and is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial for patients with ACC (ACCURACY) bearing Notch activating mutations and other gene rearrangements. AL102 is currently in a pivotal Phase 2/3 clinical trial for patients with desmoid tumors (RINGSIDE) and is being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in combination with Novartis’ BMCA targeting agent, WVT078, in patients with relapsed/refractory Multiple Myeloma. For more information, visit www.ayalapharma.com.

Contacts:

Investors:
Joyce Allaire
LifeSci Advisors LLC
+1-617-435-6602
jallaire@lifesciadvisors.com

Ayala Pharmaceuticals:
+1-857-444-0553
info@ayalapharma.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including statements relating to our development of AL101 and AL102, the promise and potential impact of our preclinical or clinical trial data, the timing of and plans to initiate additional clinical trials of AL101 and AL102, the timing and results of any clinical trials or readouts, the sufficiency of cash to fund operations, and the anticipated impact of COVID-19, on our business. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. The words ”may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “estimate,” “believe,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.

These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: we have incurred significant losses since inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future. We are not currently profitable, and we may never achieve or sustain profitability; we will require additional capital to fund our operations, and if we fail to obtain necessary financing, we may not be able to complete the development and commercialization of AL101 and AL102; we have identified conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern; we have a limited operating history and no history of commercializing pharmaceutical products, which may make it difficult to evaluate the prospects for our future viability; we are heavily dependent on the success of AL101 and AL102, our most advanced product candidates, which are still under clinical development, and if either AL101 or AL102 does not receive regulatory approval or is not successfully commercialized, our business may be harmed; due to our limited resources and access to capital, we must prioritize development of certain programs and product candidates; these decisions may prove to be wrong and may adversely affect our business; the outbreak of COVID-19, may adversely affect our business, including our clinical trials; our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards to offset future taxable income may be subject to certain limitations; our product candidates are designed for patients with genetically defined cancers, which is a rapidly evolving area of science, and the approach we are taking to discover and develop product candidates is novel and may never lead to marketable products; we were not involved in the early development of our lead product candidates; therefore, we are dependent on third parties having accurately generated, collected and interpreted data from certain preclinical studies and clinical trials for our product candidates; enrollment and retention of patients in clinical trials is an expensive and time-consuming process and could be made more difficult or rendered impossible by multiple factors outside our control; if we do not achieve our projected development and commercialization goals in the timeframes we announce and expect, the commercialization of our product candidates may be delayed and our business will be harmed; our product candidates may cause serious adverse events or undesirable side effects, which may delay or prevent marketing approval, or, if approved, require them to be taken off the market, require them to include safety warnings or otherwise limit their sales; the market opportunities for AL101 and AL102, if approved, may be smaller than we anticipate; we may not be successful in developing, or collaborating with others to develop, diagnostic tests to identify patients with Notch-activating mutations; we have never obtained marketing approval for a product candidate and we may be unable to obtain, or may be delayed in obtaining, marketing approval for any of our product candidates; even if we obtain FDA approval for our product candidates in the United States, we may never obtain approval for or commercialize them in any other jurisdiction, which would limit our ability to realize their full market potential; we have been granted Orphan Drug Designation for AL101 for the treatment of ACC and may seek Orphan Drug Designation for other indications or product candidates, and we may be unable to maintain the benefits associated with Orphan Drug Designation, including the potential for market exclusivity, and may not receive Orphan Drug Designation for other indications or for our other product candidates; although we have received Fast Track designation for AL101, and may seek Fast Track designation for our other product candidates, such designations may not actually lead to a faster development timeline, regulatory review or approval process; we face significant competition from other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and our operating results will suffer if we fail to compete effectively; we are dependent on a small number of suppliers for some of the materials used to manufacture our product candidates, and on one company for the manufacture of the active pharmaceutical ingredient for each of our product candidates; our existing collaboration with Novartis is, and any future collaborations will be, important to our business. If we are unable to maintain our existing collaboration or enter into new collaborations, or if these collaborations are not successful, our business could be adversely affected; enacted and future healthcare legislation may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain marketing approval of and commercialize our product candidates, if approved, and may affect the prices we may set; if we are unable to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for our technology and products or if the scope of the patent or other intellectual property protection obtained is not sufficiently broad, our competitors could develop and commercialize products and technology similar or identical to ours, and we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets; we may engage in acquisitions or in-licensing transactions that could disrupt our business, cause dilution to our stockholders or reduce our financial resources; and risks related to our operations in Israel could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

These and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on March 29, 2022 and our other filings with the SEC, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risk factors and uncertainties. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

AYALA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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AYALA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

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Milestone Scientific President & CEO Arjan Haverhals provides a preview of their upcoming presentation at NobleCon18 NobleCon18 – Noble Capital Markets 18th Annual Small and Microcap Investor Conference – April 19-21, 2022 – Hard Rock, Hollywood, FL 100+ Public Company Presentations | Scheduled Breakouts | Panel Presentations | High-Profile Keynotes | Educational Sessions | Receptions & Networking Events Free Registration Available – More Info Research News and Advanced Market Data on MLSS NobleCon18 Presenting Companies About Milestone Scientific Milestone Scientific Inc. (MLSS), a technology focused medical research and development company that patents, designs and develops innovative injection technologies and instruments for medical, dental and cosmetic applications. Milestone Scientific’s computer-controlled systems are designed to make injections precise, efficient and increase the overall patient comfort and safety. Their proprietary DPS Dynamic Pressure Sensing Technology® instruments is the platform to advance the development of next-generation devices, regulating flow rate and monitoring pressure from the tip of the needle, through platform extensions of subcutaneous drug delivery, including local anesthetic. To learn more, view the MLSS brand video or visit milestonescientific.com.

Psyched Wellness CEO Jeff Stevens provides a preview of their upcoming presentation at NobleCon18 NobleCon18 – Noble Capital Markets 18th Annual Small and Microcap Investor Conference – April 19-21, 2022 – Hard Rock, Hollywood, FL 100+ Public Company Presentations | Scheduled Breakouts | Panel Presentations | High-Profile Keynotes | Educational Sessions | Receptions & Networking Events Free Registration Available – More Info News and Advanced Market Data on PSYCF NobleCon18 Presenting Companies About RCI Hospitality Holdings With more than 50 units, RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the country’s leading company in gentlemen’s clubs and sports bars/restaurants. Clubs in New York City, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Denver, St. Louis, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Louisville, and other markets operate under brand names such as Rick’s Cabaret, XTC, Club Onyx, Vivid Cabaret, Jaguars Club, Tootsie’s Cabaret, and Scarlett’s Cabaret. Sports bars/restaurants operate under the brand name Bombshells Restaurant & Bar.

Filament Health Announces Second Patent Issuance

Research, News, and Market Data on Filament Health

 

The patent describes the extraction and standardization of stable doses of psychedelic compounds

VANCOUVER, BC, March 23, 2022 /CNW/ – Filament Health Corp. (OTCQB: FLHLF) (NEO: FH) (FSE: 7QS) (“Filament” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company, today announced that it has been issued a second patent by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) for the extraction and standardization of natural psilocybin and associated psychedelic compounds. The patent describes essential technology for transforming variable psychedelic raw materials into pharmaceutical-grade, standardized drug candidates.

“The issuance of Filament’s second patent is a testament to the strength of our drug development platform and our grasp of crucial technologies,” said Benjamin Lightburn, Chief Executive Officer. “Valuable medicines can be found in nature and we have built a powerful platform with the ability to transform variable natural substances into a standardized pharmaceutical-grade product.”

Filament has developed innovative technology to extract and standardize stable doses of natural compounds from magic mushrooms. Previous methods of natural extraction have experienced challenges relating to poor yields, stability, and repeatability.

“Two years ago, conventional wisdom was that producing shelf stable psilocin was impossible,” said Taran Grey, Director of Intellectual Property. “Not only has Filament proved the contrary, we have had our innovations yet again validated by the patent office. According to the Yale Journal of Law and Technology, the success rate for pending applications to issued patents in the pharmaceutical industry is 42.8%. Our success rate is 100%”.

On August 3, 2021, Filament was awarded the first-ever patent for the extraction and standardization of natural psilocybin. This latest successful issuance validates Filament’s intellectual property strategy and sets the Company in good stead for allowances of several pending patent applications covering additional elements of its proprietary technologies and compositions.

ABOUT FILAMENT HEALTH (OTCQB: FLHLF) (NEO: FH) (FSE: 7QS)
Filament Health is a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company. We believe that safe, standardized, naturally-derived psychedelic medicines can improve the lives of many, and our mission is to see them in the hands of everyone who needs them as soon as possible. Filament’s platform of proprietary intellectual property enables the discovery, development, and delivery of natural psychedelic medicines for clinical development. We are paving the way with the first-ever natural psychedelic drug candidates.

Learn more at www.filament.health and on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements and information contained herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information,” respectively, under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, “expect”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “believe”, “intends”, “forecast”, “plans”, “guidance” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect the current expectations of management of Filament regarding future results or events and are based on information currently available to them. Certain material factors and assumptions were applied in providing these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements discussed in this press release may include, but are not limited to, information concerning the impact of the patent on the Company’s business and the ability of the Company to secure future patents. Forward-looking statements regarding the Company are based on the Company’s estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of Filament to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including status of patent applications and the ability to secure patents. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Filament will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Filament Health Corp.

For further information: MEDIA RELATIONS: Anna Cordon, Director of Communications, 778.245.9067, anna@filament.health; INVESTOR RELATIONS: KCSA Strategic Communications, Tim Regan/Adam Holdsworth, 347.487.6788, KCSA-investor-relations@filament.health

Filament Health Announces Second Patent Issuance

Research, News, and Market Data on Filament Health

 

The patent describes the extraction and standardization of stable doses of psychedelic compounds

VANCOUVER, BC, March 23, 2022 /CNW/ – Filament Health Corp. (OTCQB: FLHLF) (NEO: FH) (FSE: 7QS) (“Filament” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company, today announced that it has been issued a second patent by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) for the extraction and standardization of natural psilocybin and associated psychedelic compounds. The patent describes essential technology for transforming variable psychedelic raw materials into pharmaceutical-grade, standardized drug candidates.

“The issuance of Filament’s second patent is a testament to the strength of our drug development platform and our grasp of crucial technologies,” said Benjamin Lightburn, Chief Executive Officer. “Valuable medicines can be found in nature and we have built a powerful platform with the ability to transform variable natural substances into a standardized pharmaceutical-grade product.”

Filament has developed innovative technology to extract and standardize stable doses of natural compounds from magic mushrooms. Previous methods of natural extraction have experienced challenges relating to poor yields, stability, and repeatability.

“Two years ago, conventional wisdom was that producing shelf stable psilocin was impossible,” said Taran Grey, Director of Intellectual Property. “Not only has Filament proved the contrary, we have had our innovations yet again validated by the patent office. According to the Yale Journal of Law and Technology, the success rate for pending applications to issued patents in the pharmaceutical industry is 42.8%. Our success rate is 100%”.

On August 3, 2021, Filament was awarded the first-ever patent for the extraction and standardization of natural psilocybin. This latest successful issuance validates Filament’s intellectual property strategy and sets the Company in good stead for allowances of several pending patent applications covering additional elements of its proprietary technologies and compositions.

ABOUT FILAMENT HEALTH (OTCQB: FLHLF) (NEO: FH) (FSE: 7QS)
Filament Health is a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company. We believe that safe, standardized, naturally-derived psychedelic medicines can improve the lives of many, and our mission is to see them in the hands of everyone who needs them as soon as possible. Filament’s platform of proprietary intellectual property enables the discovery, development, and delivery of natural psychedelic medicines for clinical development. We are paving the way with the first-ever natural psychedelic drug candidates.

Learn more at www.filament.health and on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements and information contained herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information,” respectively, under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, “expect”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “believe”, “intends”, “forecast”, “plans”, “guidance” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect the current expectations of management of Filament regarding future results or events and are based on information currently available to them. Certain material factors and assumptions were applied in providing these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements discussed in this press release may include, but are not limited to, information concerning the impact of the patent on the Company’s business and the ability of the Company to secure future patents. Forward-looking statements regarding the Company are based on the Company’s estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of Filament to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including status of patent applications and the ability to secure patents. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Filament will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Filament Health Corp.

For further information: MEDIA RELATIONS: Anna Cordon, Director of Communications, 778.245.9067, anna@filament.health; INVESTOR RELATIONS: KCSA Strategic Communications, Tim Regan/Adam Holdsworth, 347.487.6788, KCSA-investor-relations@filament.health

Neovasc Announces Consolidation and Extension of Convertible Debt

Research, News, and Market Data on Neovasc

 

VANCOUVER – ( NewMediaWire ) – March 24, 2022 – Neovasc Inc. (NASDAQ: NVCN) (TSX: NVCN) (“Neovasc” or the “Company”), a leader in the development of minimally invasive devices for the treatment of refractory angina, and in the development of minimally invasive transcatheter mitral valve replacement technologies, announced today that, pursuant to a Restated Securities Purchase Agreement with Strul Medical Group LLC (“SMG”), on a private placement basis (the “Private Placement”), it has issued an amended and restated convertible note (the “2022 Restated Note”).

The 2022 Restated Note was issued in an aggregate principal amount of $13,000,000 and consolidates the amount owed by the Company under certain convertible notes the Company issued to SMG in 2019 and 2020. The Company paid out in cash an additional amount of $290,961 that was owed under the 2019 and 2020 notes.

The 2022 Restated Note matures on December 31, 2025 (the “Maturity Date”) and bears interest at a rate of 9% per annum, compounded quarterly, a portion of which is payable in cash at the end of June and December annually and the rest due on the Maturity Date. The 2022 Restated Note is convertible into common shares of the Company (the “Common Shares”) at a price of $1.00 per Common Share for up to 15,674,184 Common Shares comprised of the principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest. The 2022 Restated Note is subject to a four month and one day hold period.

The transaction was conducted in accordance with Section 602.1 of the TSX Company Manual, which provides that the Toronto Stock Exchange will not apply its standards to certain transactions involving eligible interlisted issuers on a recognized exchange, such as the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Nasdaq”).

“We are very pleased to continue with our support of Neovasc as they advance their development strategies for both Reducer and Tiara,” said Aubrey Strul, a Principal of SMG. “We continue to have confidence in Fred and the Neovasc team to achieve critical milestones during the term of the Note.”

“This is an important development for our cash requirements in the coming years. It combines and extends the terms of our current notes with the SMG beyond our targeted date for the readout of our COSIRA II clinical study and an anticipated decision from the FDA on our application for approval to commercialize the Reducer in the United States,” stated Fred Colen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Neovasc. “We have reviewed opportunities, that might generally be available to us in the debt market, and given our company status and market conditions, we came to the conclusion that this debt restructuring agreement with the SMG is the best option available to Neovasc.”

This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation, or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale is unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

About Neovasc Inc.

Neovasc is a specialty medical device company that develops, manufactures, and markets products for the rapidly growing cardiovascular marketplace. Its products include Reducer, for the treatment of refractory angina, which is under clinical investigation in the United States and has been commercially available in Europe since 2015, and Tiara^TMfor the transcatheter treatment of mitral valve disease, which is currently under clinical investigation in the United States, Canada, Israel and Europe. For more information, visit: www.neovasc.com .

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

Certain statements in this news release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws that may not be based on historical fact. When used herein, the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend,” “believe”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may involve, but are not limited to SMG’s belief in the Company’s management to achieve critical milestones, the importance of the Private Placement on the Company’s cash requirements in the future, the targeted date timeline for the COSIRA-II study, the anticipated timeline of the FDA decision and the growing cardiovascular marketplace. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors and assumptions could cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks around the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; risks around the Company’s history of losses and significant accumulated deficit; risks related to the recent COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak or other health epidemics, which could significantly impact the Company’s operations, sales or ability to raise capital or enroll patients in clinical trials and complete certain Tiara development milestones on the Company’s expected schedule; risks relating to the Company’s need for significant additional future capital and the Company’s ability to raise additional funding; risks relating to the sale of a significant number of Common Shares; risks relating to the possibility that the Company’s Common Shares may be delisted from the Nasdaq or the TSX, which could affect their market price and liquidity; risks relating to the Company’s conclusion that it did have effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 but not at December 31, 2019; risks relating to the Common Share price being volatile; risks relating to the Company’s significant indebtedness, and its effect on the Company’s financial condition; risks relating to the influence of significant shareholders of the Company over our business operations and share price; risks relating to lawsuits that the Company is subject to, which could divert the Company’s resources and result in the payment of significant damages and other remedies; risks relating to claims by third-parties alleging infringement of their intellectual property rights; risks relating to the Company’s ability to establish, maintain and defend intellectual property rights in the Company’s products; risks relating to results from clinical trials of the Company’s products, which may be unfavorable or perceived as unfavorable; risks associated with product liability claims, insurance and recalls; risks relating to use of the Company’s products in unapproved circumstances, which could expose the Company to liabilities; risks relating to competition in the medical device industry, including the risk that one or more competitors may develop more effective or more affordable products; risks relating to the Company’s ability to achieve or maintain expected levels of market acceptance for the Company’s products, as well as the Company’s ability to successfully build its in-house sales capabilities or secure third-party marketing or distribution partners; risks relating to the Company’s ability to convince public payors and hospitals to include the Company’s products on their approved products lists; risks relating to new legislation, new regulatory requirements and the efforts of governmental and third-party payors to contain or reduce the costs of healthcare; risks relating to increased regulation, enforcement and inspections of participants in the medical device industry, including frequent government investigations into marketing and other business practices; risks relating to the extensive regulation of the Company’s products and trials by governmental authorities, as well as the cost and time delays associated therewith; risks relating to post-market regulation of the Company’s products; risks relating to health and safety concerns associated with the Company’s products and industry; risks relating to the Company’s manufacturing operations, including the regulation of the Company’s manufacturing processes by governmental authorities and the availability of two critical components of the Reducer; risks relating to the possibility of animal disease associated with the use of the Company’s products; risks relating to the manufacturing capacity of third-party manufacturers for the Company’s products, including risks of supply interruptions impacting the Company’s ability to manufacture its own products; risks relating to the Company’s dependence on limited products for substantially all of the Company’s current revenues; risks relating to the Company’s exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates; risks relating to the possibility that the Company could lose its foreign private issuer status under U.S. federal securities laws; risks relating to the possibility that the Company could be treated as a “passive foreign investment company”; risks relating to breaches of anti-bribery laws by the Company’s employees or agents; risks relating to future changes in financial accounting standards and new accounting pronouncements; risks relating to the Company’s dependence upon key personnel to achieve its business objectives; risks relating to the Company’s ability to maintain strong relationships with physicians; risks relating to the sufficiency of the Company’s management systems and resources in periods of significant growth; risks relating to consolidation in the health care industry, including the downward pressure on product pricing and the growing need to be selected by larger customers in order to make sales to their members or participants; risks relating to the Company’s ability to successfully identify and complete corporate transactions on favorable terms or achieve anticipated synergies relating to any acquisitions or alliances; risks relating to conflicts of interests among the Company’s officers and directors as a result of their involvement with other issuers; risks relating to future issuances of equity securities by the Company, or sales of common shares or conversions of convertible notes, and exercise of warrants, options and restricted stock units by our existing security holders, causing the price of the Company’s securities to fall; and risks relating to anti-takeover provisions in the Company’s constating documents which could discourage a third-party from making a takeover bid beneficial to the Company’s shareholders. These risk factors and others relating to the Company are discussed in greater detail in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and 40-F for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (copies of which may be obtained at www.sec.gov ). The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements beyond required periodic filings with securities regulators (copies of which may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov ), whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investors:
Mike Cavanaugh
ICR Westwicke
Phone: +1.617.877.9641
Email: Mike.Cavanaugh@westwicke.com 

Media:
Sean Leous
ICR Westwicke
Phone: +1.646.866.4012
Email: Sean.Leous@westwicke.com 

ProMIS Neurosciences to Present at the 10th Annual Neurodegenerative Drug Development Summit

News and Market Data on ProMIS Neurosciences

 

TORONTO, Ontario and CAMBRIDGE, MA , March 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (TSX: PMN) (OTCQB: ARFXF), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of therapeutics targeting misfolded proteins such as toxic oligomers implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, announced today that it will be presenting at the upcoming 10^th Annual Neurodegenerative Drug Development Summit, to be held in Boston, MA, March 28-30, 2022.

ProMIS Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Neil Cashman, will deliver an oral presentation entitled: “Abeta oligomers in Alzheimer Disease: Target Engagement and Target Distraction”, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 3 PM local time at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel.

Much scientific data has implicated misfolded oligomers as the toxic molecular species of amyloid beta (Abeta) relevant to Alzheimer’s disease. However, using conventional methods, it has proven difficult to selectively target oligomers while sparing other species – including monomers and fibrils – which “distract” a therapeutic antibody from its primary target. Immune recognition of Abeta fibrils can also lead to dose-limiting adverse effects. In his presentation, Dr. Cashman will discuss the use of Collective Coordinates^TM, a proprietary computational algorithm, to design conformational epitopes that specifically target oligomers, while sparing monomers and fibrils from immune recognition.

Dr. Cashman’s presentation will be available on the ProMIS website (www.promisneurosciences.com) at the conclusion of the meeting. For more information about the meeting please consult the organizer’s website here.

About ProMIS Neurosciences
ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. is a development stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing therapeutics selectively targeting toxic misfolded oligomers implicated in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Company’s proprietary target discovery engine is based on the use of two complementary computational modeling techniques. The Company applies its molecular dynamics, computational discovery platform -ProMIS™ and Collective Coordinates – to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. ProMIS is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ProMIS is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PMN, and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol ARFXF

To learn more, visit us at www.promisneurosciences.com, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

For Investor Relations please contact:
Alpine Equity Advisors
Nicholas Rigopulos, President
nick@alpineequityadv.com
Tel. 617 901-0785

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This information release contains certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: ProMIS Neurosciences Inc.

  Image of Yukiko Yamashita, courtesy of MIT

Research has Shed Light on the Immortality of Germline Cells and the Function of “Junk DNA”

 

Anne Trafton | MIT News
Office

 

When cells divide, they usually generate two identical daughter cells. However, there are some important exceptions to this rule: When stem cells divide, they often produce one differentiated cell along with another stem cell, to maintain the pool of stem cells.

Yukiko Yamashita has spent much of her career exploring how these “asymmetrical” cell divisions occur. These processes are critically important not only for cells to develop into different types of tissue, but also for germline cells such as eggs and sperm to maintain their viability from generation to generation.

“We came from our parents’ germ cells, who used to be also single cells who came from the germ cells of their parents, who used to be single cells that came from their parents, and so on. That means our existence can be tracked through the history of multicellular life,” Yamashita says. “How germ cells manage to not go extinct, while our somatic cells cannot last that long, is a fascinating question.”

Yamashita, who began her faculty career at the University of Michigan, joined MIT and the Whitehead Institute in 2020, as the inaugural holder of the Susan Lindquist Chair for Women in Science and a professor in the Department of Biology. She was drawn to MIT, she says, by the eagerness to explore new ideas that she found among other scientists.

“When I visited MIT, I really enjoyed talking to people here,” she says. “They are very curious, and they are very open to unconventional ideas. I realized I would have a lot of fun if I came here.”

 

Exploring Paradoxes

Before she even knew what a scientist was, Yamashita knew that she wanted to be one.

“My father was an admirer of Albert Einstein, so because of that, I grew up thinking that the pursuit of the truth is the best thing you could do with your life,” she recalls. “At the age of 2 or 3, I didn’t know there was such a thing as a professor, or such a thing as a scientist, but I thought doing science was probably the coolest thing I could do.”

Yamashita majored in biology at Kyoto University and then stayed to pursue her PhD, studying how cells make exact copies of themselves when they divide. As a postdoc at Stanford University, she became interested in the exceptions to that carefully orchestrated process, and began to study how cells undergo divisions that produce daughter cells that are not identical. This kind of asymmetric division is critical for multicellular organisms, which begin life as a single cell that eventually differentiates into many types of tissue.

Those studies led to a discovery that helped to overturn previous theories about the role of so-called junk DNA. These sequences, which make up most of the genome, were thought to be essentially useless because they don’t code for any proteins. To Yamashita, it seemed paradoxical that cells would carry so much DNA that wasn’t serving any purpose.

“I couldn’t really believe that huge amount of our DNA is junk, because every time a cell divides, it still has the burden of replicating that junk,” she says. “So, my lab started studying the function of that junk, and then we realized it is a really important part of the chromosome.”

In human cells, the genome is stored on 23 pairs of chromosomes. Keeping all of those chromosomes together is critical to cells’ ability to copy genes when they are needed. Over several years, Yamashita and her colleagues at the University of Michigan, and then at MIT, discovered that stretches of junk DNA act like bar codes, labeling each chromosome and helping them bind to proteins that bundle chromosomes together within the cell nucleus.

Without those barcodes, chromosomes scatter and start to leak out of the cell’s nucleus. Another intriguing observation regarding these stretches of junk DNA was that they have much greater variability between different species than protein-coding regions of DNA. By crossing two different species of fruit flies, Yamashita showed that in cells of the hybrid offspring flies, chromosomes leak out just as they would if they lost their barcodes, suggesting that the codes are specific to each species.

“We think that might be one of the big reasons why different species become incompatible, because they don’t have the right information to bundle all of their chromosomes together into one place,” Yamashita says.

 

Stem Cell Longevity

Yamashita’s interest in stem cells also led her to study how germline cells (the cells that give rise to eggs and sperm cells) maintain their viability so much longer than regular body cells across generations. In typical animal cells, one factor that contributes to age-related decline is loss of genetic sequences that encode genes that cells use continuously, such as genes for ribosomal RNAs.

A typical human cell may have hundreds of copies of these critical genes, but as cells age, they lose some of them. For germline cells, this can be detrimental because if the numbers get too low, the cells can no longer form viable daughter cells.

Yamashita and her colleagues found that germline cells overcome this by tearing sections of DNA out of one daughter cell during cell division and transferring them to the other daughter cell. That way, one daughter cell has the full complement of those genes restored, while the other cell is sacrificed.

That wasteful strategy would likely be too extravagant to work for all cells in the body, but for the small population of germline cells, the tradeoff is worthwhile, Yamashita says.

“If skin cells did that kind of thing, where every time you make one cell, you are essentially trashing the other one, you couldn’t afford it. You would be wasting too many resources,” she says. “Germ cells are not critical for viability of an organism. You have the luxury to put many resources into them but then let only half of the cells recover.”

 

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  Image of Yukiko Yamashita, courtesy of MIT

Research has Shed Light on the Immortality of Germline Cells and the Function of “Junk DNA”

 

Anne Trafton | MIT News
Office

 

When cells divide, they usually generate two identical daughter cells. However, there are some important exceptions to this rule: When stem cells divide, they often produce one differentiated cell along with another stem cell, to maintain the pool of stem cells.

Yukiko Yamashita has spent much of her career exploring how these “asymmetrical” cell divisions occur. These processes are critically important not only for cells to develop into different types of tissue, but also for germline cells such as eggs and sperm to maintain their viability from generation to generation.

“We came from our parents’ germ cells, who used to be also single cells who came from the germ cells of their parents, who used to be single cells that came from their parents, and so on. That means our existence can be tracked through the history of multicellular life,” Yamashita says. “How germ cells manage to not go extinct, while our somatic cells cannot last that long, is a fascinating question.”

Yamashita, who began her faculty career at the University of Michigan, joined MIT and the Whitehead Institute in 2020, as the inaugural holder of the Susan Lindquist Chair for Women in Science and a professor in the Department of Biology. She was drawn to MIT, she says, by the eagerness to explore new ideas that she found among other scientists.

“When I visited MIT, I really enjoyed talking to people here,” she says. “They are very curious, and they are very open to unconventional ideas. I realized I would have a lot of fun if I came here.”

 

Exploring Paradoxes

Before she even knew what a scientist was, Yamashita knew that she wanted to be one.

“My father was an admirer of Albert Einstein, so because of that, I grew up thinking that the pursuit of the truth is the best thing you could do with your life,” she recalls. “At the age of 2 or 3, I didn’t know there was such a thing as a professor, or such a thing as a scientist, but I thought doing science was probably the coolest thing I could do.”

Yamashita majored in biology at Kyoto University and then stayed to pursue her PhD, studying how cells make exact copies of themselves when they divide. As a postdoc at Stanford University, she became interested in the exceptions to that carefully orchestrated process, and began to study how cells undergo divisions that produce daughter cells that are not identical. This kind of asymmetric division is critical for multicellular organisms, which begin life as a single cell that eventually differentiates into many types of tissue.

Those studies led to a discovery that helped to overturn previous theories about the role of so-called junk DNA. These sequences, which make up most of the genome, were thought to be essentially useless because they don’t code for any proteins. To Yamashita, it seemed paradoxical that cells would carry so much DNA that wasn’t serving any purpose.

“I couldn’t really believe that huge amount of our DNA is junk, because every time a cell divides, it still has the burden of replicating that junk,” she says. “So, my lab started studying the function of that junk, and then we realized it is a really important part of the chromosome.”

In human cells, the genome is stored on 23 pairs of chromosomes. Keeping all of those chromosomes together is critical to cells’ ability to copy genes when they are needed. Over several years, Yamashita and her colleagues at the University of Michigan, and then at MIT, discovered that stretches of junk DNA act like bar codes, labeling each chromosome and helping them bind to proteins that bundle chromosomes together within the cell nucleus.

Without those barcodes, chromosomes scatter and start to leak out of the cell’s nucleus. Another intriguing observation regarding these stretches of junk DNA was that they have much greater variability between different species than protein-coding regions of DNA. By crossing two different species of fruit flies, Yamashita showed that in cells of the hybrid offspring flies, chromosomes leak out just as they would if they lost their barcodes, suggesting that the codes are specific to each species.

“We think that might be one of the big reasons why different species become incompatible, because they don’t have the right information to bundle all of their chromosomes together into one place,” Yamashita says.

 

Stem Cell Longevity

Yamashita’s interest in stem cells also led her to study how germline cells (the cells that give rise to eggs and sperm cells) maintain their viability so much longer than regular body cells across generations. In typical animal cells, one factor that contributes to age-related decline is loss of genetic sequences that encode genes that cells use continuously, such as genes for ribosomal RNAs.

A typical human cell may have hundreds of copies of these critical genes, but as cells age, they lose some of them. For germline cells, this can be detrimental because if the numbers get too low, the cells can no longer form viable daughter cells.

Yamashita and her colleagues found that germline cells overcome this by tearing sections of DNA out of one daughter cell during cell division and transferring them to the other daughter cell. That way, one daughter cell has the full complement of those genes restored, while the other cell is sacrificed.

That wasteful strategy would likely be too extravagant to work for all cells in the body, but for the small population of germline cells, the tradeoff is worthwhile, Yamashita says.

“If skin cells did that kind of thing, where every time you make one cell, you are essentially trashing the other one, you couldn’t afford it. You would be wasting too many resources,” she says. “Germ cells are not critical for viability of an organism. You have the luxury to put many resources into them but then let only half of the cells recover.”

 

Suggested Content

What Cells Can be Made from Stem Cells?

Scientists Now Better Understand Viral Mutations

Stem Cells Role in the Anti-Aging Business

Ultra-Rapid DNA Sequencing Identifies Rare Diseases in Hours

 

Stay up to date. Follow us: