GHP July 2017

GHP / July 2017 25 NEWS , Cryoport’s cryogen- ic logistics solutions are designed to meet Novartis’ expanding cryogenic logistics re- quirements, including the use of its Cryoport Express® shippers, SmartPak II™ Condition Monitor- ing System, Cryoportal™ Logis- tics Management Platform, which includes chain-of-condition and chain-of-custody monitoring and, 24/7/365 logistics support. On March 29th, Novartis an- nounced that the FDA had ac- cepted their first Biologics License Application for CTL019 and that it was also granted priority review by the FDA. In late July, Novartis selected Cryoport for its clinical and commercial logistics support. Jerrell Shelton, CEO of Cryoport, stated, “We are proud that Novar- tis has chosen Cryoport to sup- port the clinical studies and the commercialisation of its CLT019. This is a milestone for Cryoport. Our Novartis agreement is a good example of how our clinical trial agreements with biopharma cli- ents can drive substantial reve- nue growth for Cryoport as ther- apies move through the stages of clinical trials to commercialisation. Currently, we are supporting over 140 clinical trials in the regener- ative medicine space with 17 of these biopharma clients in Phase III. We enjoy meeting Novartis’s exacting requirements and are delighted to have this commercial agreement in place.” Cryoport is dedicated to: • Simplifying global cold chain logistics through innovative technology, unmatched monitor- ing and data capture and support, including consulting; • Delivering the most advanced temperature controlled logistics solutions for the life sciences industry and; • Providing vital informa- tion that provides peace of mind throughout the life of each logis- tics process. For more information, visit www.cryoport.com Launch of Potential Treatment for Relapsed/ Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cryoport on July 25 announced that Novartis has signed an agreement contracting Cryoport over an initial three-year term for cryogenic logistics support of CTL019/CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. “While public health interventions will not prevent, or cure all potentially modifiable dementia, intervention for cardiovascular risk factors, mental health, and hearing may push back the onset of many people for years,” said Professor Gill Livingston, MD, from University College London and lead author of The Lancet Commission. “Even if some of this promise is realised, it could make a huge difference and we have already seen in some populations that dementia is being delayed for years. Dementia prevalence could be halved if its onset were delayed by five years.” According to the commission’s report, worldwide dementia prevalence could be reduced by more than 1 million cases with a 10% reduction in the prevalence of seven principal health and lifestyle factors. An intervention that delayed dementia by a year might decrease the number of people living with dementia globally by 9 million in 2050. “Overall, there is good potential for prevention and, once someone develops dementia, for care to be high-quality, accessible, and give value to an underserved, growing population. Effective dementia prevention and care could transform the future for society and vastly improve living and dying for individuals with dementia and their families. Acting now on what we already know can make this difference happen,” said Lon Schneider, MD, from the University of Southern California and co-author of the commission. Advancing health disparities research in Alzheimer’s - National Institute on Aging inaugural grants According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, African-Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites, and Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites. Yet, these populations are underrepresented in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. The NIA has identified a clear need to diversify research cohorts and improve methods and tools for conducting health disparities research related to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Two funding opportunities were created to encourage research that examines disparities in Alzheimer’s disease using diverse cohorts of subjects. At AAIC 2017, NIA will announce the inaugural grant recipients and their projects, and highlight the new information expected to be generated because of these awards. “Aging research using a framework that incorporate factors at multiple levels needs to be conducted with study populations that have robust demographic diversity,” said Carl V. Hill, PhD, MPH, Director of the NIA Office of Special Populations. “When cohorts are diverse, new pathways that link environmental, sociocultural, behavioural and biological factors can be identified. This is our hope for these research awards.” According to the funding opportunity announcements, health disparities populations include: blacks/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians/Alaskan natives, Asian Americans, native Hawaiians and other pacific islanders, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, and rural populations. Additional populations may include: disability populations and sex and gender minorities. About Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world’s largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer’s and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research community. AAIC 2017 home page: www.alz. org/aaic/