Dementia, Vascular

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and MUMBAI, India, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Particles for Humanity and Hexagon Nutrition Limited are excited to announce their new partnership to help address vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in Africa. Hexagon Nutrition has licensed the rights to manufacture and distribute Particles for Humanity's lead product, PFH-VAP, for fortifying bouillon cubes across Africa. PFH-VAP, a more stable formulation of dry vitamin A palmitate, is designed for use in large scale food fortification in geographies with hot and humid climates. Particles for Humanity partnered with Hexagon because of their shared commitment to ensuring all people have access to adequate nutrition to grow and thrive. "By joining forces with Hexagon Nutrition, we can accelerate the production and distribution of this critical product, ensuring it reaches those who need vitamin A the most. Combining Particles for Humanity's research and development expertise with Hexagon's established global distribution network advances a shared goal: improving lives with stable vitamin A," said Sherri Oberg, CEO at Particles for Humanity. In West Africa, bouillon is consumed by 80% to 99% of all households. In many of these countries, bouillon consumption remains high in the lowest income communities, where VAD is most prevalent. Children without enough vitamin A have decreased rates of growth and development and an increased risk of infection and death from serious illness. Vitamin A is also a leading cause of night blindness in women and can become permanent in severe cases. Though widespread consumption makes bouillon an ideal vehicle for combatting VAD, commercial forms of vitamin A often degrade in hot and humid conditions like those found in parts of West Africa. PFH-VAP was designed to address this issue. As a result, fortifying bouillon with PFH-VAP could save thousands of child-lives annually and improve the lives of millions of children and women in Nigeria alone. Under this new partnership, Hexagon Nutrition will have 3-year exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute PFH-VAP for bouillon fortification. Together Hexagon Nutrition and Particles for Humanity are taking an important step to expand access to lifesaving micronutrients in Africa. "Improving nutrition globally is at the core of our business. PFH-VAP will be another strong asset in our product portfolio. We are excited to leverage Hexagon Nutrition's ingredient manufacturing and premixing expertise to advance innovation and reduce the burden of malnutrition," said Vikram Kelkar, Managing Director of Hexagon Nutrition Limited. Particles for Humanity transforms early-stage medical technology into products for people living in low and lower-middle income countries. Its rigorous product development process is based on end-user input. Particles for Humanity is funded solely with philanthropy and is focused on financially sustainable product opportunities. Visit or contact [email protected] Hexagon Nutrition is a differentiated and research-oriented pure-play nutrition company offering clinical nutrition solutions products, micronutrient premixes, and therapeutic products. Hexagon Nutrition has presence across retail pharmacies, hospitals, and prominent e-commerce players. Hexagon markets products across India and exports to more than 70 countries. SOURCE Particles for Humanity WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2024 -- Parkinson's is a relentless disease for which few treatments, and no real cure, exists. Now, researchers say they are on the trail of a potential new therapy for the disabling neurological illness. It's early research, still in the animal-testing stage, as explained by investigators at the University of Arizona in Tucson. However, their findings, published recently in the journal Experimental Neurology , found that a protein called PNA5 appears to shield the brain cells of mice -- bred with a Parkinson's-like disease -- from the ravages of the illness. “With PNA5, we’re targeting cognitive symptoms but, in particular, we’re trying to prevent further degeneration from occurring,” lead study researcher Kelsey Bernard , a postdoctoral researcher in neurology at the university, said. “By going down the protective route, we can hopefully prevent cognitive decline from continuing," she added in a university news release. According to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke , over 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. However, because early symptoms often go undiagnosed, the actual number of people with the illness could reach 1 million. Catching and treating Parkinson's disease early is crucial, said senior study author Dr. Lalitha Madhavan , and symptoms that harm cognition are especially tough to treat. "When patients are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, 25% to 30% already have mild cognitive impairment. As the disorder progresses into its later stages, 50% to 70% of patients complain of cognitive problems," said Madhavan, who is associate professor of neurology at the university. "The sad part is we don’t have a clear way to treat cognitive decline or dementia in Parkinson’s disease." The microscopic PNA5 protein used in the study was first developed for research by Meredith Hay , a professor of physiology at the university. As Bernard explained, the origins of Parkinson's remain mysterious, but brain cells called microglia are thought to be key players. Inflammation within the brain may push microglia into a "supercharged" state. “Normally, microglia are looking for things like viruses or injury and secreting substances that block off the damage,” Bernard explained. “In Parkinson’s disease, when they’re constantly activated, microglia can propagate further damage to the surrounding tissue. That’s what we see in Parkinson’s brains, particularly in regions associated with cognitive decline.” Hyperactive microglia can flood brain tissue with chemicals that further inflame neurons known to be key to processes of thinking and memory. However, treating the Parkinson's-model mice with PNA5 appeared to lower the animals' blood levels of the inflammatory chemical. At the same time, mice began to lose fewer and fewer of their precious brain cells, the team found. Other researchers at the university have also tweaked PNA5's structure, allowing it to more easily enter the brain and stay there longer. It's still early days, and research conducted in animals sometimes doesn't pan out in people. But the researchers believe that PNA5 shows promise. “PNA5 seems to have a possibility of stopping or delaying Parkinson’s progression to some extent and could improve the health of brain cells or prevent cells from dying,” Madhavan said. She believes PNA5 might also curb other brain diseases, such as vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease . “It has already been tried and tested in other models, and that makes me more optimistic,” she said. In the end, PNA5 might not curb all Parkinson's symptoms, but could be used alongside other meds. “I think about it as a cog in the wheel -- there are going to be other drugs that support other aspects of Parkinson’s," Madhavan said. "Taking multiple drugs is never fun, but it’s a complex condition and there can only be complex solutions. The beauty of the brain is the interconnectedness, but it also adds to the complexity.” Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

TORONTO--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Vasomune Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of AV-001 for the treatment of diseases associated with vascular dysfunction, announced today that their lead drug candidate AV-001 has received a positive recommendation from the Independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (IDSMB) to escalate to the high-dose cohort in their AV001-004 Phase 2a Study, NCT05123755. “We are pleased to announce that the IDSMB recommended the continuation of the Phase 2a study evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of AV-001 in patients hospitalized with pneumonia,” said Shahid Ahmad, Vice-President of Operations and Planning. “We believe outcomes for patients experiencing or at risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome, of which pneumonia remains the most prevalent risk factor, can be improved through restoration of Tie2 signaling which promotes endothelial stability, enhances barrier defense and blocks vascular leak. Continuation of the Phase 2a study is a significant development milestone for AV-001 and is the result of strong collaborative efforts with our dedicated clinical investigators and advances Vasomune’s FDA-designated Fast Track development objectives. Vasomune is indebted to the United States Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs award #PR203503 for support of study AV001-004.” Ei Yamada, President & CEO of AnGes, said that “We are encouraged by the IDSMB decision to continue AV001-004 to the final cohort. Our commitment to completing this important clinical study will allow us to take a step forward in the treatment of ARDS, for which there is no established standard of care.” About AV-001 Originally discovered and designed at Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, AV-001 is being developed by Vasomune Therapeutics, Inc. under a co-development agreement with AnGes, Inc. [TYO: 4563]. AV-001 is a novel investigational medicine that targets the Tie2 receptor, a transmembrane protein most highly expressed on the surface of endothelial cells in the vasculature. AV-001 activates the nonredundant Tie2-Angiopoietin signaling axis, and through stimulation of multiple downstream pathways normalizes the vasculature by enhancing endothelial cell stability, restoring normal barrier defense, and blocking vascular leak. Vascular dysfunction contributes to the underlying disease pathophysiology in patients with bacterial and viral acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, hemorrhagic shock, acute kidney injury, stroke, and vascular dementia. Importantly, in multiple pre-clinical studies AV-001 tightened endothelial cell-cell junctions and promoted endothelial cell survival, which reduced pulmonary edema, and improved lung function compared to untreated controls translating into significantly improved survival. About Vasomune Therapeutics, Inc. Vasomune Therapeutics, Inc. is a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing the next generation of medicines to harness the body’s ability to defend against illness. Founded in 2014, Vasomune has focused on vascular normalization strategies, and has progressed the lead candidate AV-001 from bench to bedside. Vascular dysfunction is associated with the pathology of several disease states, including bacterial and viral acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, hemorrhagic shock, acute kidney injury, stroke, and vascular dementia. Vasomune’s corporate headquarters and laboratories are in Toronto, Canada with US offices in Raleigh, NC. For more information about the company please visit www.vasomune.com . About AnGes, Inc. AnGes, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company founded in December 1999, focuses on the development of gene-based medicines. Collategene® (Hepatic Growth factor: HGF-plasmid gen therapy) is the AnGes' first product in clinical development for CLTI (Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia). It was granted Breakthrough designation by FDA in 2024, which will accelerate its development in the U.S. AnGes is currently working on the development of a Tie2 tyrosine kinase receptor agonist (AV-001) for COVID-19, viral and bacterial-associated pneumonia and an NF-κB decoy oligonucleotide for chronic discogenic lumbar back pain. For more information, visit https://www.anges.co.jp/en/