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First Criminal Conviction Secured with Next-Gen Forensic DNA Technology

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DNA profiles generated on a MiSeq® system were
critical evidence in landmark Dutch case.

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#DNAVerogen
announced today that its DNA sequencing technology played a pivotal role
in a recent court case in the Netherlands. This marks the first time
that evidence generated with so-called “next generation” or massively
parallel sequencing (MPS) has been used to secure a conviction in
criminal courts of law.

The defendant in the case was initially acquitted of sexual assault
charges due to inconclusive DNA results generated with older technology.
The prosecutor was granted an appeal, however, that allowed re-testing
of the remaining biological evidence with contemporary MPS methods. The
additional testing, conducted by Dutch forensic experts at Leiden
University Medical Center (LUMC) using the MiSeq®
sequencing system, yielded “highly informative DNA profiles,” according
to Professor Peter de Knijff at LUMC.

“Using the MiSeq we obtained a great deal more useful data, which proved
extremely valuable as evidence in the case,” said Prof. de Knijff. “We
could only have obtained these results using this sequencing platform.”

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Prof. de Knijff is considered a pioneer in the forensic use of MPS,
which has already been widely implemented in other biological
disciplines. For a number of years, Prof. de Knijff and other scientific
leaders have argued that MPS offers significant advantages compared to
the older methods commonly used in forensic laboratories. This recent
court verdict supports that perspective.

“This is an important milestone for acceptance of this technology as a
powerful forensic tool,” said Brett Williams, Verogen CEO. “Verogen is
extremely proud to partner with leading forensic institutes like LUMC to
assist the criminal justice system in developing or refuting genetic
linkages.”

Verogen, Inc. was established in 2017 to develop, sell and support
forensic assays and software on Illumina sequencing platforms such as
the MiSeq.

The adjudication of this case is yet another sign of the accelerating
global adoption of this technology in forensic laboratories. For
example, the United
States FBI recently approved Verogen’s technology
for use by
forensic laboratories generating DNA profiles for upload to the U.S.
National DNA Index System (NDIS). This follows acceptance of DNA results
using Verogen’s MPS technology by the national DNA databases of France
and the Netherlands.

Also, Cellmark Forensic Services and Verogen recently announced
a collaboration
to make next-gen forensic DNA testing available to
law enforcement in the United Kingdom (UK).

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With these developments, many more difficult criminal cases are expected
to be solved and adjudicated in the near future.

About Forensic Laboratory for DNA Research (FLDO) at Leiden
University Medical Center (LUMC)

Since 1994, the Forensic Laboratory for DNA Research (FLDO), has
operated as an independent forensic DNA laboratory as part of the
Department of Human Genetics at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC).
The FLDO performs forensic DNA research, and pioneers new technologies.
In the past, it has played a major role in introducing Y-STRs and
developing a sensitive method to extract DNA from (parts of) ammunition.
Since 2008, the FLDO became involved in introducing MPS methods in order
to genotype STR markers. In 2015, the FLDO was the first forensic
laboratory to receive an ISO-17025 accreditation for this new technique.
Since 2015, MPS-STR techniques have been used in many (mainly cold)
cases.

About Verogen, Inc.

Verogen is committed
to public safety and justice for all. Headquartered in the San Diego
area, the company serves those who pursue the truth using genetic tools.
Powered by gold standard Illumina sequencing technology and working in
partnership with forensic laboratories, Verogen is advancing science to
unlock the true potential of forensic genomics. For more information,
visit www.verogen.com.

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https://twitter.com/VerogenBio
https://www.facebook.com/VerogenBio/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/verogen

For Research, Forensic and Paternity Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic
procedures.

Contacts

Jonathan Tabak – Director, Market Development
[email protected]
+1-504-913-6845

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Cannabis

IM Cannabis Announces Appointment of Shmulik Arbel to Board of Directors

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TORONTO and GLIL YAM, Israel, Sept. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —  IM Cannabis Corp. (“IMC” or the “Company“) (NASDAQ: IMCC) (CSE: IMCC), a leading medical cannabis company with operations in Israel and Germany, is pleased to announce that Mr. Shmulik Arbel has been appointed to the Company’s board of directors (the “Board“) effective September 9, 2024. Mr. Arbel brings a wealth of experience in strategic plans that drive profitability, as well as, finance and corporate governance, further strengthening the company’s commitment to driving growth while focusing on sustainable profitability.

“We are thrilled to welcome Shmulik to our Board of Directors,” said Oren Shuster, Chief Executive Officer of IM Cannabis. “Shmulik’s extensive international experience at Leumi, coupled with his proven track record in banking and finance will be invaluable as we continue to deliver on our strategic initiatives.”

Mr. Arbel retired as Deputy CEO from Leumi, Israel’s largest banking group, in April 2023, where he was instrumental in business growth and leading the service revolution. With over 25 years of experience at Leumi, Arbel has held senior roles throughout the organization, such as head of retail banking, head of the corporate division, and as chairman of Leumi UK. With key roles in Israel, New York and London, Mr. Arbel has a wide view on international business. 

“I am honored to join the Board of Directors at IMCC,” said Mr. Arbel. “I look forward to leveraging my experience in banking and finance, providing guidance as IMCC continues to establish itself as the go-to brand in the cannabis world. I look forward to contributing to the company’s growth.”

Arbel holds a BA and MBA from Tel Aviv University.

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About IM Cannabis Corp.

IMC (Nasdaq: IMCC) (CSE: IMCC) is an international cannabis company that provides premium cannabis products to medical patients in Israel and Germany, two of the largest medical cannabis markets. The Company has focused its resources to achieve sustainable and profitable growth in its highest value markets, Israel and Germany. The Company leverages a transnational ecosystem powered by a unique data-driven approach and a globally sourced product supply chain. With an unwavering commitment to responsible growth and compliance with the strictest regulatory environments, the Company strives to amplify its commercial and brand power to become a global high-quality cannabis player.

The IMC ecosystem operates in Israel through its commercial relationship with Focus Medical Herbs Ltd., which imports and distributes cannabis to medical patients, leveraging years of proprietary data and patient insights. The Company also operates medical cannabis retail pharmacies, online platforms, distribution centers, and logistical hubs in Israel that enable the safe delivery and quality control of IMC products throughout the entire value chain. In Germany, the IMC ecosystem operates through Adjupharm GmbH, where it distributes cannabis to pharmacies for medical cannabis patients.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian and United States securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements“). All information that addresses activities or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “likely” and “intend” and statements that an event or result “may”, “will”, “should”, “could” or “might” occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements are made. In the press release, such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: the stated benefits Mr. Arbel’s appointment, including the further strengthening the Company’s commitment to driving growth in the German market while focusing on sustainable profitability; and Mr. Arbel’s international experience and track record in banking and finance will be invaluable to the Company.

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Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to: the Company’s ability to realize upon the stated benefits Mr. Arbel’s appointment; and Mr. Arbel’s international experience and track record in banking and finance becoming invaluable to the Company.

The above lists of forward-looking statements and assumptions are not exhaustive. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors and risks. These include: the failure of the Company to comply with applicable regulatory requirements in a highly regulated industry; unexpected changes in governmental policies and regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates; the Company’s ability to continue to meet the listing requirements of the Canadian Securities Exchange and the NASDAQ Capital Market; any unexpected failure to maintain in good standing or renew its licenses; the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group“) to deliver on their sales commitments or growth objectives; the reliance of the Group on third-party supply agreements to provide sufficient quantities of medical cannabis to fulfil the Group’s obligations; the Group’s possible exposure to liability, the perceived level of risk related thereto, and the anticipated results of any litigation or other similar disputes or legal proceedings involving the Group; the impact of increasing competition; any lack of merger and acquisition opportunities; adverse market conditions; the inherent uncertainty of production quantities, qualities and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; risks of product liability and other safety-related liability from the usage of the Group’s cannabis products; supply chain constraints; reliance on key personnel; the risk of defaulting on existing debt; risks surrounding war, conflict and civil unrest in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, including the impact of the Israel-Hamas war on the Company, its operations and the medical cannabis industry in Israel; risks associated with the Company focusing on the Israel and Germany markets; the inability of the Company to achieve sustainable profitability and/or increase shareholder value; the inability of the Company to actively manage costs and/or improve margins; the inability of the company to grow and/or maintain sales; the inability of the Company to meet its goals and/or strategic plans; the inability of the Company to reduce costs and/or maintain revenues; the Company’s inability to take advantage of the legalization of medicinal cannabis in Germany; and the Company’s inability to realize upon the stated benefits Mr. Arbel’s appointment; and Mr. Arbel’s international experience and track record in banking and finance not becoming valuable to the Company.

Please see the other risks, uncertainties and factors set out under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report dated March 28, 2024, which is available on the Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and Edgar at www.sec.gov/edgar. Any forward-looking statement included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and is based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on the date such forward looking information is made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Company Contact:

Anna Taranko, Director Investor & Public Relations
IM Cannabis Corp.
+49 157 80554338
[email protected]

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Oren Shuster, CEO
IM Cannabis Corp.
[email protected]

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Cannabis

One World Products Issues Shareholder Update Letter

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Indivior

Indivior Provides Update on Aelis Farma’s Clinical Phase 2B Study Results with AEF0117 in Participants with Cannabis Use Disorder

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indivior-provides-update-on-aelis-farma’s-clinical-phase-2b-study-results-with-aef0117-in-participants-with-cannabis-use-disorder

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 (AS IT FORMS PART OF DOMESTIC LAW IN THE UK BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018).

  • Primary and Secondary End Points of the Study were Not Met
  • Indivior Does Not Currently Expect to Exercise AEF0117 Option 

SLOUGH, United Kingdom and RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Indivior PLC (Nasdaq/LSE: INDV) is today providing an update following Aelis Farma’s announcement of the results from its clinical Phase 2B trial with AEF01171, evaluating the efficacy and safety in treatment-seeking participants with moderate to severe Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). The purpose of this trial was twofold: (1) to show that AEF0117 (0.1, 0.3, 1 mg once a day for 12 weeks) lowers cannabis use and (2) to determine the endpoints and optimal dosage of AEF0117 for use in future studies. In this phase 2B study, patients were treatment-seeking participants, 84% of whom had severe CUD.

The results of the study demonstrated that the primary endpoint, the proportion of participants who reduced their cannabis use to ≤1 day per week, as well as secondary endpoints measuring the proportion of participants reaching either complete abstinence or who used ≤2 day per week, were not met. Although these results are disappointing, they indicate that significant work remains to be done to understand subpopulations of patients with CUD, specifically those with severe CUD.

This clinical Phase 2B study is part of the strategic collaboration between Aelis Farma and Indivior, which includes an exclusive option for Indivior to license the global rights to AEF0117. Given the lack of separation from placebo on primary and secondary endpoints and before seeing further additional favorable clinical data, Indivior does not currently expect to exercise its option.

Important Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, express and implied statements regarding whether: we will be able to ultimately demonstrate the safety and efficacy of AEF0117, which is a prerequisite to filing any New Drug Application; we might ever exercise our option for AEF0117 and, if so, when; and other statements containing the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “target,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “potential,” “project,” “priority,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “outlook,” “guidance,” the negatives thereof, and variations thereon and similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties as they relate to events or circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. 

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Actual results may differ materially from those because they relate to future events. Various factors may cause differences between Indivior’s expectations and actual results, including, among others, the risks described in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F beginning on page 9 as filed with the U.S. SEC and in subsequent releases; legal and market restrictions that may limit how quickly we can repurchaser our shares; the substantial litigation and ongoing investigations to which we are or may become a party; our reliance on third parties to manufacture commercial supplies of most of our products, conduct our clinical trials and at times to collaborate on products in our pipeline; our ability to comply with legal and regulatory settlements, healthcare laws and regulations, requirements imposed by regulatory agencies and payment and reporting obligations under government pricing programs; risks related to the manufacture and distribution of our products, most of which contain controlled substances; market acceptance of our products as well as our ability to commercialize our products and compete with other market participants; competition; the uncertainties related to the development of new products, including through acquisitions, and the related regulatory approval process; our dependence on third-party payors for the reimbursement of our products and the increasing focus on pricing and competition in our industry; unintended side effects caused by the clinical study or commercial use of our products; our ability to successfully execute acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, dispositions or other strategic acquisitions; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and the substantial cost of litigation or other proceedings related to intellectual property rights; the risks related to product liability claims or product recalls; the significant amount of laws and regulations that we are subject to, including due to the international nature of our business; macroeconomic trends and other global developments such as armed conflicts and pandemics; the terms of our debt instruments, changes in our credit ratings and our ability to service our indebtedness and other obligations as they come due; changes in applicable tax rate or tax rules, regulations or interpretations and our ability to realize our deferred tax assets; and volatility in our share price due to factors unrelated to our operating performance or that may result from the potential move of our primary listing to the U.S.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date that they are made and should be regarded solely as our current plans, estimates and beliefs. Except as required by law, we do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update, republish or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events. 

This release is being made by Kathryn Hudson, Company Secretary Indivior PLC.

About Indivior

Indivior is a global pharmaceutical company working to help change patients’ lives by developing medicines to treat substance use disorders (SUD), overdose and serious mental illnesses. Our vision is that all patients around the world will have access to evidence-based treatment for the chronic conditions and co-occurring disorders of SUD. Indivior is dedicated to transforming SUD from a global human crisis to a recognized and treated chronic disease.

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Building on its global portfolio of OUD treatments, Indivior has a pipeline of product candidates designed to both expand on its heritage in this category and potentially address other chronic conditions and co-occurring disorders of SUD. Headquartered in the United States in Richmond, VA, Indivior employs over 1,000 individuals globally and its portfolio of products is available in over 30 countries worldwide. Visit www.indivior.com to learn more. Connect with Indivior on LinkedIn by visiting www.linkedin.com/company/indivior.

References:

  1. National Library of Medicine (U.S.) (2022, April). Effect of AEF0117 on treatment-seeking patients with cannabis use disorder (CUD) (SICA2). Identifier 
    NCT05322941 https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05322941 

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