Verizon expands high-speed internet across Maryland

Underserved Maryland residents and businesses across the state to get access to Fios internet

NEW YORK, April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verizon is bringing more choice for reliable internet to Maryland residents as it deploys high-speed, fiber optic broadband internet service across the state. Nearly 4,000 new households and businesses in Charles, Garrett, Cecil, Howard, St. Mary’s and Washington County will have access to Verizon’s Fios network as part of one of the biggest upgrades in our history.

“Verizon is focused on delivering high-speed internet service and the major economic benefits that it can provide, especially in unserved and underserved areas,” said Kwame Trotman, Vice President of Wireline Network Operations-Mid-Atlantic South Region for Verizon. “More people than ever across Maryland will have access to our 100% fiber Fios internet service to fuel how they work, live and play.”

This rural broadband project is built in partnership with the state of Maryland and the FCC to deliver fast, fiber broadband service (with symmetrical download and upload speeds between 300Mbps up to 2Gbps) to residents in rural parts of the state. The $26 million project includes $11 million in funding as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), combined with over $14 million in investment from Verizon. Over 500 miles of fiber – the equivalent of running fiber between Baltimore and Charleston, South Carolina – will be deployed in connection with the build.

“This award is fantastic. We will be able to connect over one-third of our unserved addresses through this one project,” said Garrett County Commissioner Paul Edwards.

“Within the past three years, we have made tremendous strides in closing the digital divide for those who lack broadband,” noted Cecil County Executive Danielle Hornberger. “With these recent awards, my administration has led the way on over $23.4 million in broadband projects that have connected – or will connect in the near future – over 2,130 Cecil County addresses that previously lacked broadband service.”

Providing connectivity to all communities

In an effort to provide connectivity to families in need across the country, Verizon is proud to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP),1 a U.S. government program run by the FCC to help low-income households afford internet service. With ACP eligibility and the Verizon Forward Program2, qualified customers can get free Verizon home internet service without hidden fees or annual contracts, and no equipment charges or data caps. You are eligible for ACP if you (or someone in your household) participates in certain government assistance programs. Learn more about the Verizon Forward Program by visiting www.verizon.com/home/free-verizon-internet/.

Transformative network performance with no data caps

Verizon’s 100% fiber network delivers Fios broadband service with no data caps. Customers who subscribe to Fios broadband service will have access to a wide range of plans that deliver at least 300 Mbps for both downloads and uploads starting at just $25 per month with Auto Pay and select 5G mobile plans.3 Select locations will have access to Fios 2 Gig plans – the fastest speeds offered by Fios – starting at $94.99 per month with Auto Pay and select 5G mobile plans.4
Learn more about Fios and what services are available in your area by calling (800) 837-4966.

  1. Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): ACP is a government program providing eligible households with internet service discounts. One program discount per household. Discount expires upon FCC’s termination of program; then our standard rates and service terms and conditions apply.
  2. Limited-time offer for eligible residential customers with ACP applied to a Fios Mix & Match internet plan. Discounts may vary. May not combine with all offers. Fios Mix & Match available in select areas.
  3. For existing 5G Do More, 5G Play More, 5G Get More or One Unlimited for iPhone plan customers who then add and maintain a Fios 300 Mbps plan. Availability varies. Auto Pay & paper-free billing req’d.. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Mobile + Home Discount enrollment req’d. $99 setup and other terms may apply. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info.
  4. For existing 5G Do More, 5G Play More, 5G Get More or One Unlimited for iPhone plan customers who then add and maintain a Fios 2 Gig plan. 2 Gig is available in select areas only. Auto Pay & paper-free billing req’d. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Mobile + Home Discount enrollment req’d. $99 setup and other terms may apply. 2 Gigabit network connection to your home. Average wired download and upload speeds between 1.5 Gbps and 2.3 Gbps. Wired and wireless speeds vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See verizon.com/yourspeed for more info.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $136.8 billion in 2022. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Media contact:

Ilya Hemlin
908.227.0536
[email protected]

Caroline Brooks
[email protected]



Save Foods’ CEO Releases Letter to Stockholders

Miami, FL, April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Save Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: SVFD) (FSE:80W) (“Save Foods” or the “Company”), an agri-food tech company specializing in eco crop protection that helps to reduce food waste and ensure food safety, published a letter to its stockholders from David Palach, CEO of Save Foods:

Dear Stockholders,

I am pleased to announce that Save Foods, Inc. has entered into a partnership with Plantify Foods, Inc. (TSX-V:PTFY). This partnership represents a significant milestone for us and underscores our commitment to providing innovative and sustainable food solutions to customers around the world. To establish this partnership, we issued 1,164,374 shares of Save Foods’ common stock and received in exchange 30,004,349 of Plantify’s common shares, equivalent to 19.99% of Plantify’s share capital (on a pre-issuance basis). Additionally, Save Foods and Plantify executed an 18-month convertible debenture, whereby Save Foods extended a C$1,500,000 loan to Plantify, which will accrue interest at a rate of 8% annually. The debenture may be converted into common shares of Plantify at a price of C$0.05 per share until the first anniversary of the debenture issuance date and C$0.10 per share thereafter.

Plantify Foods, Inc. is a Canadian-based food tech company that, after the completion of the reverse takeover of its Israeli fully owned subsidiary, Peas of Bean Ltd., focuses on the development and production of “clean-label” plant-based products that are minimally processed, contain no preservatives, and are vegan, making them an ideal alternative to animal-based products. Not only do Plantify’s products offer exceptional taste and texture, but their unique technology also allows for the same or longer shelf life than most preservative-containing products in the same category, giving them a significant technological advantage in the market.

In my previous letter I mentioned that we were looking for collaborative opportunities and I believe that Plantify is the perfect match for us. Plantify has already established direct relationships and sales channels with retailers globally, including KAYCO, a leading kosher food distributor in North America under Heaven & Earth brand, which presents a tremendous opportunity for Save Foods. Through this partnership, we will be able to offer our premium treatments, designed specifically for fresh cuts and berries, to Plantify’s products, reaching a wider customer base and expanding our sales opportunities. Additionally, Plantify is in the process of finalizing an agreement with another leading distributor of kosher food, which, if executed, may open up even more avenues for growth and distribution for both companies. Moreover, we are combining our marketing efforts to create a more impactful and efficient approach in the retail industry. I believe, and my Plantify counterpart agrees, that joint marketing forces will allow both companies to save costs through shared resources and streamlined strategies, while also increasing our overall joint marketing effectiveness. By working together, we can leverage our mutual expertise to implement targeted campaigns that raise awareness about food waste and promote sustainable practices within the retail industry.

“This partnership is truly unique and holds immense potential”, emphasizes Dr. Roy Borochov, Chief Executive Officer of Plantify, “We expect that Plantify will be able to market two additional products: fresh cuts and berries, each of which will benefit from using Save Foods’ innovative treatments to extend the shelf life, which will set us apart from competitors in the market, and Save Foods stands to benefit from Plantify’s established retail connections. Plantify has invested time and resources into marketing its products in a gradual and calculated manner over the past 18 months, and as a result, more than 50% of its sales are attributed to export efforts. With Plantify now feeling confident in its product lines and market acceptance, we plan to utilize the loan from Save Foods to accelerate Plantify’s growth, among other things, to expedite our marketing efforts, including branding as well as expansion of our presence in social media and investor relations. Additionally, Plantify aims to solidify its prospective engagement with a leading kosher foods distributor and collaborate with Save Foods to conduct joint marketing efforts for increased efficiency. I believe that our collaboration with Save Foods will enable us to maximize our respective strengths and capabilities, which in turn will lead to greater operational productivity, cost savings and increased market penetration.”

“We recognize the need for action,” says Dan Sztybel, CEO of Save Foods’ Israeli subsidiary, “as we consider the impact of food loss and waste on the global food supply chain, particularly in the fresh-cut products segment where it accounts for approximately 33% of global food production. Economic losses of 25% to 50% in total berries production further highlight the urgency of the situation. We are committed to partnering with Plantify, a company that has established channels with retailers, as we believe this collaboration can help mitigate economic losses due to food waste. Save Foods’ treatment has been proven to reduce food waste by at least 50% at the retail level. This reduction can lead to substantial economic savings by minimizing losses associated with perishable produce that would otherwise go to waste. Together, we can work towards a more eco-friendly food supply chain and position ourselves as leaders in the industry.”

We are thrilled about the possibilities that this partnership brings. Plantify’s established retail connections, combined with Save Foods’ cutting-edge technology, make this partnership a game-changer for both companies. We believe that by working together, we can create a more sustainable and healthier food system and deliver value to our stockholders.

Sincerely,

David Palach
CEO, Save Foods, Inc.

About Save Foods:

Save Foods is an innovative, dynamic company addressing two of the most significant challenges in the agri-food tech industry: food waste and loss and food safety. We are dedicated to delivering integrated solutions for improved safety, freshness and quality, every step of the way from field to fork. Collaborating closely with our customers, we develop new solutions that benefit the entire supply chain and improve the safety and quality of life of both the workers and the consumers alike. Our initial applications are in post-harvest treatments in fruit and vegetable packing houses processing produce including citrus, avocado, pears, apples and mangos.

By controlling and preventing pathogen contamination and significantly reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and their residues, Save Foods treatment not only prolong fresh produce shelf life and reduce food loss and waste, but they also ensure a safe, natural, and healthy product.

For more information, visit our website: www.savefoods.co

About Plantify Foods, Inc.

Plantify Foods, Inc. is an Israeli food tech company focused on the development and production of “clean-label” plant-based products. Plantify’s unique technology allows for the production of plant-based meat alternatives, dips, and snacks, with natural ingredients familiar to consumers that are free of preservatives, free of common food allergens, are GMO-free and enjoy the same or longer shelf life than most preservative-containing products of the same category. Plantify is also engaged in developing functional foods with health benefits supported by independent testing that it anticipates will enable it to make health claims under US Food and Drug Administration and Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulations. Plantify currently sells its products in Israel and North America.
For more information, visit Plantify’s website: www.plantifyfoods.com

Forward-looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on our current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties. For example, the Company is using forward-looking statements when it discusses the potential synergies between Save Foods and Plantify, operational and business opportunities available to Save Foods following the share exchange with Plantify, and the potential benefits Plantify can present to Save Foods, including through its relationships with retailers and expansion of Save Foods’ market reach and growth of its distribution channels. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including market conditions and the satisfaction of all conditions to, and the closing of, the offering, as well as those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Save Foods’ annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 27, 2023, and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. We are not responsible for the contents of third-party websites.

Media Contact:

Yana Delman
[email protected]



Philips Future Health Index 2023 global report: healthcare leaders focused on addressing staff shortages, with the support of more AI investments

April 18, 2023

  • Healthcare leaders are heavily investing in AI or plan to do so for both critical decision support and operational efficiency, helping tackle staff shortages
  • Largest global survey of its kind shows healthcare leaders continue to recognize virtual care as key to bringing care closer to patients, wherever they are

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Chicago, USA –

Royal Philips
(NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced the results of its Future Health Index (FHI) 2023 report: Taking healthcare everywhere. Unveiled at HIMSS23, the eighth annual FHI 2023 global report shows healthcare leaders are increasingly prepared to invest in AI, recognize the opportunity virtual care offers to bring care closer to patients, and acknowledge the importance of building partnerships to improve care.

“Post Covid, demand for healthcare services has increased, but there are fewer healthcare professionals available to serve this growing number of patients. This year’s report shows healthcare leaders are prepared to invest in AI to alleviate this pressure on their workforce,” said Shez Partovi, Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer and Business Leader of Enterprise Informatics at Philips. “In order to genuinely relieve that burden, it’s essential that new AI capabilities are interoperable and embedded into clinical and operational workflows.”

Tackling staff shortages with digital innovation and automation

Planned investments in AI over the next three years show the biggest increase in critical decision support (39% in 2023, up from 24% in 2021). This was a top choice among cardiology (50%) and radiology (48%) leaders. The percentage of healthcare leaders planning to invest in AI for operational efficiency, including automating documentation, scheduling patients, and performing routine tasks, remained steady at 37%.

Bringing care closer to the patient, expanding access points and convenience

With moving care to new settings a key contributor to reducing staffing pressure, 70% of all respondents say virtual care has had the biggest impact on improving patient care or will in the next three years. The report also shows virtual care is moving into more areas of care, meeting patients where they are. 82% of healthcare leaders say that their facility currently provides intensive or critical care supported virtually (41%) or plans to in the next three years (41%). Virtual care also plays a vital role in attracting and retaining talent, with 44% of younger healthcare professionals indicating new care delivery models that connect different care settings are a top priority when choosing where to work.

Partnering across the healthcare ecosystem to expand the reach of care

One in three (34%) healthcare leaders are building partnerships outside their healthcare system to be able to provide the best possible care. Among their top choices of current partners are diagnostic imaging or screening centers (28%), ambulatory care centers (23%), emergency medical centers (23%), and retailers or pharmacies (22%) – all of which can also help in bringing care closer to the patient.

The FHI 2023 report is based on proprietary research among nearly 3,000 healthcare leaders and younger healthcare professionals conducted in 14 countries. To access the report, visit Future Health Index 2023.

For further information, please contact:

Meredith Amoroso
Philips Global Press Office
Tel.: +1 724-584-8991
E-mail: [email protected]


About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips’ patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2022 sales of EUR 17.8 billion and employs approximately 77,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Attachments



LPL Financial Welcomes CG Advisor Network

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LPL Financial LLC announced today that CG Advisor Network (CGAN), an entity of the RIA CG Advisory Services, has selected LPL as its primary custodian and exclusive broker-dealer. They reported having served approximately $3.1 billion in advisory and brokerage assets*, previously at TD Ameritrade and Geneos Wealth Management.

Headquartered in Haslett, Michigan, CG Advisor Network was founded in 1998 by CEO Anthony J. Mazzali CFP®, ChFC® and a team of captive advisors in pursuit of independence. After taking stock of the wealth management space, CGAN founders realized that many advisors were looking to run their practices more efficiently, more effectively and more independently. So they created a platform and back office support system that would enable them to transition smoothly from a large firm to their own shingle.

Twenty-five years later, CGAN has grown to 74 advisors who serve clients nationwide.

By working with a robust network of investment and technology partners, CGAN offers access to products and services at competitive prices, along with the control, customization and flexibility that so many wealth advisors seek.

“For independent advisors, firm culture is king – and our culture at CGAN is all about giving advisors the control they want over the way they work while providing the infrastructure and support necessary to drive meaningful growth. We’re the best of both worlds: a big independent firm with a regional feel,” Mazzali said.

CGAN turned to LPL in an effort to enhance service experiences and further demonstrate its commitment to be a top tier choice for advisors.

“We’re constantly striving to build the kind of future-proof platform that helps advisors eliminate back-office, technology and investment management burdens so they can spend more time where it really matters—growing their business. LPL has a very good understanding of the advisor as a client and will help make us only stronger in this endeavor,” Mazzali said. “We will remain multi-custodian, with LPL being the primary custodian in our search for the best partner in the custody space.”

CGAN leaders also recognized LPL’s flexibility and open-minded approach to supporting their business, as well as the firm’s commitment to future enhancements that support the evolution of the profession.

“We appreciate LPL’s corporate strategy and commitment to supporting large RIAs in the custodial only space, as well as the firm’s culture and attention to services and products that support both the advisor and end client,” Mazzali said. “We are confident with LPL’s footprint as a leading custodian, and appreciate the firm’s financial commitment to the custodial and FINRA space, which gives us confidence that we are making a long-term commitment to stay as a strong partner for our advisors.”

Scott Posner, LPL Executive Vice President, Business Development, stated, “On behalf of the entire LPL community, it’s a pleasure to welcome CG Advisor Network. We are honored this highly successful group turned to LPL in their mission to elevate their firm and be a top choice for advisors. As a leading custodian, LPL is 100-percent advisor-focused. Our entire goal is to support advisors and enterprises with innovative tools and resources, an award-winning models-based investment platform*** and differentiated service experiences designed to help them thrive as business owners and take care of their clients. We look forward to an exciting journey ahead with CG Advisor Network and supporting this team for years to come.”


Related

Advisors, find an LPL business development representative near you.


About LPL Financial


LPL Financial (Nasdaq: LPLA) was founded on the principle that the firm should work for the advisor, and not the other way around. Today, LPL is a leader in the markets we serve**, supporting more than 21,000 financial advisors, including advisors at approximately 1,100 enterprises and at approximately 500 registered investment advisor (“RIA”) firms nationwide. We are steadfast in our commitment to the advisor-centered model and the belief that Americans deserve access to personalized guidance from a financial advisor. At LPL, independence means that advisors have the freedom they deserve to choose the business model, services, and technology resources that allow them to run their perfect practice. And they have the freedom to manage their client relationships, because they know their clients best. Simply put, we take care of our advisors, so they can take care of their clients.


About CG Advisor Network


As part of our adaptive, life-centric approach to wealth planning, CG Advisor Network enables advisory firms to provide high net-worth and affluent clients with personalized risk-managed solutions easily and effectively. By implementing our unique platform that promotes scalability and operational efficiency, advisors leverage our powerful, repeatable system to help them spend less time on investment management and back-office duties, and more time building their business. Made up of independent certified financial professionals that are held to the fiduciary standard, CG Advisor Network is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) headquartered in Haslett, Michigan offering services nationwide.

*Value approximated based on asset and holding details provided to LPL from year-end 2022.

**Top RIA custodian (Cerulli Associates, 2020 U.S. RIA Marketplace Report); No. 1 Independent Broker-Dealer in the U.S. (Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine 1996-2022); among third-party providers of brokerage services to banks and credit unions, No. 1 in AUM Growth from Financial Institutions; No. 1 in Market Share of AUM from Financial Institutions; No. 1 in Market Share of Revenue from Financial Institutions; No. 1 on Financial Institution Market Share; No. 1 on Share of Advisors. (2021-2022 Kehrer Bielan Research & Consulting Annual TPM Report). Fortune 500 as of June 2021.

LPL Financial and its affiliated companies provide financial services only from the United States.

***Model Wealth Portfolios (MWP) advisory platform won the Money Management Institute/Barron’s 2022 Industry Award for Wealth Management Platform of the Year. The award honors wealth management firms whose investment advisory platform exemplifies innovation in delivering better outcomes for investors and financial advisors.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. CG Advisory Services and CG Advisor Network are separate entities from LPL Financial.

We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the “Investor Relations” or “Press Releases” section of our website.

Connect with Us!

https://twitter.com/lpl



https://www.linkedin.com/company/lpl-financial



https://www.facebook.com/LPLFinancialLLC

https://www.youtube.com/user/lplfinancialllc


Media Contact:



[email protected]

(704) 996-1840

Tracking #1-05367261



P.F. Chang’s Transforms Its Digital Presence with Progress, Increasing Site Page Views by More Than 40%

Powered by Progress Sitefinity, restaurant operator launches modern, accessible and award-winning website to create exceptional customer experiences

BURLINGTON, Mass., April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Progress (Nasdaq: PRGS), the trusted provider of application development and infrastructure software, today announced that P.F. Chang’s has transformed its digital presence with Progress® Sitefinity®, dramatically improving site speed and providing exceptional usability for its customers.

With more than 300 restaurants in 22 countries, P.F. Chang’s is the first internationally recognized multi-unit Asian culinary brand to honor and celebrate the 2,000-year-old tradition of wok cooking as the center of the guest experience. As the digital world continues to evolve, P.F. Chang’s saw an opportunity to upgrade its website design and supporting technologies and ensure its digital presence supports the needs of the modern consumer. Additionally, P.F. Chang’s is deeply committed to providing exceptional usability, with strict adherence to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA and accommodating users of all types as consistent with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).

Teaming with Progress partner Americaneagle.com, P.F. Chang’s rebuilt its digital presence using the latest version of Sitefinity—resulting in a 41% increase in site page views, a 40% year-over-year increase in the number of keywords ranked on page one of Google, and a 20% year-over-year increase of organic impressions on its menu pages.

“At P.F. Chang’s, our priority is to be channel agnostic, allowing guests to interact with P.F. Chang’s when, where and how they want,” said Genaro Perez, Senior Vice President of Marketing at P.F. Chang’s. “The digital experience is a crucial aspect of our omnichannel approach, and this update offers an enhanced online experience consistent with the premium service offered in our restaurants. We look forward to continually evolving with new innovations that engage our customers and meet them where they are.”

Through this transformation, P.F. Chang’s was able to:

  • Improve ADA compliance and accessibility.
  • Increase page speed and performance, driving better customer experiences.
  • Reduce dependencies on frontend developers to achieve quicker time to market for site updates, giving marketers more control and decreasing site maintenance costs.
  • More efficiently optimize content structure and hierarchy, leading to significant visibility increases in organic search.

As a result, P.F. Chang’s was recognized as winner of the 2022 Progress Sitefinity Website of the Year Awards, which acknowledge Progress partners and customers for the exceptional digital experiences they deliver to their customers and end users. 

“Progress empowers leading brands and organizations worldwide to create digital customer experiences that are critical drivers of their success,” said Loren Jarrett, General Manager of Digital Experience at Progress. “P.F. Chang’s has demonstrated the impact that creatively designed and well-executed digital experiences can have on customer engagement and business performance.”

Progress Sitefinity delivers intelligent tools for marketers and an extensible platform for developers to create engaging web and cross-channel digital experiences. To read more about customers’ experience using Sitefinity, click here.

About P.F. Chang’s

Founded in 1993 by Philip Chiang and Paul Fleming, P.F. Chang’s is the first internationally recognized multi-unit Asian culinary brand to honor and celebrate the 2,000-year-old tradition of wok cooking as the center of the guest experience. With roots in Chinese cuisine, today’s menu at P.F. Chang’s spans across all of Asia, honoring cultures and recipes from Japan, Korea, Thailand, and beyond. Each item offers a unique exploration of flavor, whether it’s a handcrafted cocktail, wok-fired lunch bowl, or celebratory multi-course dinner. Worldwide, P.F. Chang’s has more than 300 restaurants in 22 countries and U.S. airport locations, including a growing number of convenient P.F. Chang’s To Go locations offering takeout and delivery. For more P.F. Chang’s news, visit pfchangs.com and follow us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram @pfchangs.

About Progress

Dedicated to propelling business forward in a technology-driven world, Progress (Nasdaq: PRGS) helps businesses drive faster cycles of innovation, fuel momentum and accelerate their path to success. As the trusted provider of the best products to develop, deploy and manage high-impact applications, Progress enables customers to develop the applications and experiences they need, deploy where and how they want and manage it all safely and securely. Hundreds of thousands of enterprises, including 1,700 software companies and 3.5 million developers, depend on Progress to achieve their goals—with confidence. Learn more at www.progress.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Progress is a trademark or registered trademark of Progress Software Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contacts:           
Kim Baker
Progress
+1-800-213-3407
[email protected]



Erasca Presents Promising Initial Phase 1b Dose Escalation Data from FLAGSHP-1 for ERAS-601 Plus Cetuximab in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors at the 2023 AACR Annual Meeting

ERAS-601, a potential best-in-class SHP2 inhibitor, blocks oncogenic signal transduction to delay onset of therapeutic resistance

Combination was well-tolerated; supports ‘three weeks on, one week off’ dosing of ERAS-601

Dose expansion data in HPV-negative HNSCC expected in H1 2024

SAN DIEGO, April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Erasca, Inc. (Nasdaq: ERAS), a clinical-stage precision oncology company singularly focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing therapies for patients with RAS/MAPK pathway-driven cancers, today presented promising initial Phase 1b dose escalation data from FLAGSHP-1 for ERAS-601 in combination with cetuximab (ERBITUX®) in patients with advanced solid tumors as part of a poster presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. ERAS-601 is a potent, selective, oral small molecule SHP2 inhibitor with best-in-class potential. The poster is available online at Erasca.com/science/presentations.

“We are pleased with the outcome of the FLAGSHP-1 dose escalation evaluation of ERAS-601 plus cetuximab, which supports ERAS-601 being a backbone for combination therapy. The combination with cetuximab was well-tolerated with favorable pharmacokinetics and no apparent drug-drug interactions. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first clinical evaluation of a SHP2 inhibitor and EGFR monoclonal antibody, the combination of which effectively inhibits oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase signaling,” said Jonathan E. Lim, M.D., Erasca’s chairman, CEO, and co-founder. “That we saw predominantly low-grade adverse events (AEs) reinforces our hypothesis that a ‘three weeks on, one week off’ dosing regimen for ERAS-601 in combination may lead to fewer and milder AEs.”

Dr. Lim continued, “The stable disease observed during this initial all comers dose escalation evaluation in heavily pretreated patients supports our plan to explore preliminary efficacy in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), an indication of high unmet need, with the now identified maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for the combination. We believe this patient population may be particularly responsive to this combination based on encouraging synergistic activity observed in preclinical studies. We expect to share initial Phase 1b dose expansion combination data in the first half of 2024.”

Poster Presentation Highlights


Preliminary dose escalation results of ERAS-601 in combination with cetuximab in FLAGSHP-1: A Phase I study of ERAS-601, a potent and selective SHP2 inhibitor, in patients with previously treated advanced or metastatic solid tumors


ERAS-601 in combination with cetuximab inhibits RAS/MAPK signaling at multiple nodes which is predicted to limit the development of treatment resistance and offer more robust synergistic anti-tumor activity over monotherapy alone. Characterization of the safety profile, determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD)/recommended dose (RD), and characterization of the pharmacokinetic profile of ERAS-601 in combination with cetuximab was evaluated as part of the Phase 1/1b FLAGSHP-1 trial in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

  • ERAS-601 in combination with cetuximab shows promising preliminary safety and tolerability with reversible and manageable treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs)
  • Only grade 1 or 2 TRAEs occurred at or below the combination MTD for ERAS-601
  • ERAS-601 MTD was determined to be 40 mg BID 3/1 (three-week dosing followed by a one-week break) in combination with cetuximab (500 mg/m2) administered every 2 weeks
  • Initial Phase 1b dose expansion data in HPV-negative HNSCC tumors (NCT04670679) is expected in H1 2024

About Erasca

At Erasca, our name is our mission: To erase cancer. We are a clinical-stage precision oncology company singularly focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing therapies for patients with RAS/MAPK pathway-driven cancers. Our company was co-founded by leading pioneers in precision oncology and RAS targeting to create novel therapies and combination regimens designed to comprehensively shut down the RAS/MAPK pathway for the treatment of cancer. We have assembled what we believe to be the deepest RAS/MAPK pathway-focused pipeline in the industry. We believe our team’s capabilities and experience, further guided by our scientific advisory board which includes the world’s leading experts in the RAS/MAPK pathway, uniquely position us to achieve our bold mission of erasing cancer.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Erasca cautions you that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and include, but are not limited to: our expectations regarding the potential therapeutic benefits and safety profile of our product candidates, including ERAS-601; and the planned advancement of our development pipeline, including the anticipated timing of data readouts for the FLAGSHP-1 trial, and other upcoming development milestones. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business, including, without limitation: our approach to the discovery and development of product candidates based on our singular focus on shutting down the RAS/MAPK pathway, a novel and unproven approach; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment, and completion of clinical trials and preclinical studies; our dependence on third parties in connection with manufacturing, research, and preclinical and clinical testing; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate efficacy of our product candidates that may limit their development, regulatory approval, and/or commercialization, or may result in recalls or product liability claims; unfavorable results from preclinical studies or clinical trials; results from preclinical studies or early clinical trials not necessarily being predictive of future results; the inability to realize any benefits from our current licenses, collaborations, and acquisitions and any future licenses, collaborations, and acquisitions, and our ability to fulfill our obligations under such arrangements; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; our dependence on third parties in connection with our existing collaboration and supply agreements and the inability realize any benefits from such agreements; our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates and maintain our rights under intellectual property licenses; our ability to fund our operating plans with our current cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities; our ability to maintain undisrupted business operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and global geopolitical events, such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine; unstable market and economic conditions and adverse developments with respect to financial institutions and associated liquidity risk may adversely affect our business, financial condition and stock price, and the broader economy and biotechnology industry; and other risks described in our prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in our quarterly report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and any subsequent filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

ERBITUX® is a registered trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

Contact:

Joyce Allaire
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
[email protected]



The Wait is Over: El Pollo Loco’s Shredded Beef Birria is Back for a Limited Time Only

El Pollo Loco invites all food lovers to experience the deliciousness of its fan favorite Birria while it lasts

COSTA MESA, Calif., April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — El Pollo Loco, Inc. (“El Pollo Loco” or “Company) (Nasdaq: LOCO), the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain is introducing the fan favorite Shredded Beef Birria to the menu for the second year running. After sparking a viral “Birria Craze” on TikTok with El Pollo Loco afficionados who could not wait to get their dip on, the company has brought back the celebration of authentic Mexican flavors that can be experienced in a variety of entrees, such as two Crunchy Tacos, Grilled Burrito or Overstuffed Quesadillas paired alongside a Consomé Dipping Sauce.

“Not only did we make history last year as the first QSR to add Shredded Beef Birria to our menu, it was also a record breaking LTO for the brand across sales and social engagement,” says Chief Marketing Officer Andy Rebhun. “Knowing there is such enthusiasm and demand for birria, we knew we had to bring it back this year to surprise and delight new and existing consumers. Our culinary team worked hard to ensure that this year’s version of Shredded Beef Birria is even better and El Pollo Loco is excited to share it with everyone.”

The culinary team at El Pollo Loco has made some upgrades to the Shredded Beef Birria including the addition of a crispier shell on the crunchy taco and an even more flavorful Consomé Dipping Sauce. Every order is packaged in a specially designed carrier box featuring a choice of one of three entrées, savory Consomé Dipping Sauce, and a side of Fresh Tortilla Chips. Options include:

  • Birria Crunchy Taco Box: Two crunchy corn tortillas filled with beef birria, cheese, onion & cilantro. The new, crispier taco shell texture will ensure the most dippable, crunchable moment for the tacos. Served with Consomé Dipping Sauce & Fresh Tortilla Chips.

  • Birria Grilled Burrito Box: Warm flour tortilla filled with beef birria, cheese, sour cream, rice, beans, cabbage, onion & cilantro. Served with Consomé Dipping Sauce & Fresh Tortilla Chips.

  • Birria Overstuffed Quesadilla Box: Warm flour tortilla filled with beef birria, avocado, cheese, onion & cilantro. Each quesadilla is artfully folded in a hexagon shape, filled and grilled to seal in the delicious flavors. Served with Consomé Dipping Sauce & Fresh Tortilla Chips.

Loco Rewards® members who sign up for the app will access the product 48 hours early (beginning 4/18), to be eligible consumers must download the newly revamped Loco Rewards® App and visit any El Pollo Loco restaurant to scan their member QR code. Be sure to sign up for the Loco Rewards Program™ to reap all additional member benefits.   

Shredded Beef Birria is available systemwide from April 20 to June 28. To place an order, visit ElPolloLoco.com or the Loco Rewards App.About El Pollo Loco   

El Pollo Loco (Nasdaq:LOCO) is the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant with a mission to bring people together around food, family, and culture in the communities it serves. El Pollo Loco is renowned for its handcrafted food, an innovative blend of traditional Mexican cuisine and better-for-you eating, that Los Angeles is known for. Since 1980, El Pollo Loco has successfully opened and maintained 490 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Louisiana while remaining true to its Mexican-American heritage. El Pollo Loco continues to grow and evolve, nourishing connections to tradition, culture, and one another through fire-grilled goodness that makes us feel like familia. For more information, visit us at ElPolloLoco.com.   
  
Like: www.facebook.com/ElPolloLoco   
Follow on Twitter:@ElPolloLoco   
Follow on Instagram:@ElPolloLoco   
Follow on TikTok:@ElPolloLoco  
Subscribe: www.youtube.com/OfficialElPolloLoco   
Join Loco Rewards: www.elpolloloco.com/rewards   
Join our Team:www.elpolloloco.com/careers   
  
MEDIA CONTACT:   
Courtney Simich  
Edible, Inc  
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/47afac17-3b8b-4f38-a10b-bc8d8709872f



Progyny and RESOLVE to Honor National Infertility Awareness Week® by Lighting the Empire State Building and Ringing the Nasdaq Stock Market Closing Bell

A fertility benefits leader and national infertility nonprofit association take over New York City to support the millions of people who need family building care

NEW YORK, April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Progyny, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGNY), a leading benefits management company specializing in fertility and family building benefits solutions, in its capacity as an official partner for National Infertility Awareness Week 2023, and RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association today announced both organizations will light the top of the Empire State Building in orange, the official color for infertility awareness, and ring the Nasdaq Stock Market Closing Bell on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

National Infertility Awareness Week brings attention to the far-reaching impact of infertility and the struggle that millions of people endure to build their family. With the CDC reporting that one in five married women in the U.S. deal with infertility, Progyny and RESOLVE share a common goal of removing the stigmas and barriers that stand in the way of building families.

“Progyny is honored to play a role in raising awareness of infertility and supporting the millions of people in need of family building services, this week and always. We believe our efforts will be amplified beyond New York City and create a lasting impact globally,” said Pete Anevski, Progyny’s CEO. “As the fertility and family building benefits provider of choice for hundreds of the world’s leading employers, we have already helped tens of thousands of people on their family building journeys and are eager to continue to provide care for those who are struggling to realize their dreams of parenthood.”

To recognize the millions who struggle with infertility, Progyny, RESOLVE, and leading employers who recognize the importance of providing value-based family building care will participate in Nasdaq’s Closing Bell Ceremony on April 25, 2023, from 3:45 P.M. to 4:15 P.M. Eastern Time.

To amplify the message even further, Progyny and RESOLVE, along with fertility advocate, NAACP and Daytime Emmy® award-winning television host, acclaimed pop-vocalist, and founder of the Faith & Familia Foundation, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, will light the top of the Empire State Building orange to recognize and give voice to the millions of people who struggle to build their families. This will be the second consecutive year the skyline of New York City and the Empire State Building will be lit in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week.

“Having experienced first-hand how difficult it can be to build a family, I am honored to be a part of National Infertility Awareness Week and join Progyny and RESOLVE in bringing awareness to this disease and fighting for access to family building care,” said Adrienne Bailon-Houghton. “The Faith and Familia Foundation was born out of the idea that everyone should be able to receive the support they need when dealing with infertility, and with these two organizations I feel hopeful that we can achieve that dream.”

“RESOLVE would like to thank Progyny for supporting and recognizing National Infertility Awareness Week as an important national movement that brings attention to the barriers millions of people face when trying to build a family,” said Barbara Collura, President/CEO for RESOLVE. “When people, whether in New York City or through social media, see this iconic building lit in our awareness orange and visually recognize their struggles, they will feel seen. When you feel seen, you find a way to use your voice to create change.”

The Closing Bell Ceremony will be webcasted online. If you’d like to view the ceremony live, visit https://www.nasdaq.com/marketsite/bell-ringing-ceremony. If you would like to learn more about the Empire State Building, visit https://www.esbnyc.com/about/tower-lights.

To learn more about Progyny, visit www.progyny.com. To learn more about RESOLVE, visit, www.resolve.org.


About Progyny

Progyny (Nasdaq: PGNY) is a leading fertility benefits management company. We are redefining fertility and family building benefits, proving that a comprehensive and inclusive solution can simultaneously benefit employers, patients, and physicians.

Our benefits solution empowers patients with education and guidance from a dedicated Patient Care Advocate (PCA), provides access to a premier network of fertility specialists using the latest science and technologies, reduces healthcare costs for the nation’s leading employers, and drives optimal clinical outcomes. We envision a world where anyone who wants to have a child can do so.

Headquartered in New York City, Progyny has been recognized for its leadership and growth by CNBC Disruptor 50, Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare, Financial Times, INC. 5000, and Crain’s Fast 50 for NYC. For more information, visit www.progyny.com.


About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association


Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for the millions of people experiencing infertility or who face barriers to building a family. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing community to these women and men, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options. For more information, visit www.RESOLVE.org.

For Further Information, Please Contact:

Investors:
James Hart
[email protected]

Media:
Selena Yang 
[email protected] 



Tenable Enhances Rapidly Growing Technology Ecosystem Program with New Go-To-Market Benefits

Largest Exposure Management and Vulnerability Management technology partner ecosystem expands program support to include Tenable OT Security

COLUMBIA, Md., April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tenable®, the Exposure Management company, today announced significant enhancements to its Technology Ecosystem Program, driven by a shift toward exposure management solutions. The program has also expanded to include integrations with its innovative ​​operational technology (OT) security solution, Tenable OT Security.

Organizations around the world trust Tenable and the breadth and depth of its robust exposure management ecosystem to analyze, gain context and take decisive action to better understand and reduce their exposure to cyber risk. Tenable has a rich ecosystem with over 125 security and IT operations technology partners and more than 250 unique product integrations designed to enrich data, enhance visibility, automate workflows and improve overall security posture.

The enhanced program provides a variety of technical, sales and marketing benefits to fuel partners’ go-to-market strategies, such as social media support, joint webinar opportunities, thought leadership blog opportunities, logo listing on the Tenable Technology Partner site, access to the Tenable Assure referral program and more. In addition, Tenable has always provided its technology partners with use of its APIs free of charge, eliminating any budgetary constraints or headaches. Tenable also supplies partners with developer quick-start guides, development tools and support, free developer access and a clearly-defined validation process enabling engineering teams to efficiently and effectively create integrations that meet market demands.

“We pride ourselves on the success and innovative collaborations that our Technology Ecosystem Program generates,” Ray Komar, vice president of technology and cloud alliances, Tenable. “Organizations’ attack surfaces continue to expand in tandem with increasing cyber attacks exploiting known vulnerabilities. Investing in our partners reinforces our commitment to provide customers with the tools, resources and seamless integrations they need to understand and reduce their risk.”

The Tenable Technology Ecosystem Program is a part of Tenable Assure, the company’s partner program, which includes its channel and managed security services partner program.

Tenable today also unveiled the winners of its Global Partner Awards at Tenable AssureWorld 2023, the company’s virtual partner conference.

More information on the Tenable Technology Ecosystem is available at https://www.tenable.com/partners/technology. Technology vendors interested in partnering with Tenable can apply at https://www.tenable.com/partners/tech-alliances-application.

About Tenable

Tenable® is the Exposure Management company. Approximately 43,000 organizations around the globe rely on Tenable to understand and reduce cyber risk. As the creator of Nessus®, Tenable extended its expertise in vulnerabilities to deliver the world’s first platform to see and secure any digital asset on any computing platform. Tenable customers include approximately 60 percent of the Fortune 500, approximately 40 percent of the Global 2000, and large government agencies. Learn more at tenable.com.

Media Contact:

Tenable
[email protected]



Theratechnologies Data Presentations at AACR 2023 Showcase Potential of Sudocetaxel Zendusortide as a Single Agent and in Combination with other Anticancer Therapies

  • Preclinical data suggests that sudocetaxel zendusortide can induce immune cell infiltration in “cold” tumors and improve efficacy for PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor
  • Additional in vivo data demonstrate significant activity of sudocetaxel zendusortide against SORT1+ triple-negative (TNBC) and HER2+ breast cancers
  • High expression of SORT1 in multiple solid tumor types further supports rationale for targeted therapy with sudocetaxel zendusortide

MONTREAL, April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Theratechnologies Inc. (“Theratechnologies” or the “Company”) (TSX: TH) (NASDAQ: THTX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies, today presented preclinical data that demonstrate the potential utility of its lead investigational peptide drug conjugate (PDC) candidate, sudocetaxel zendusortide (TH1902) — both as a single agent and in combination with other anticancer therapies — in targeting tumors that express the sortilin (SORT1) receptor. The new data were presented in poster sessions at the 2023 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in Orlando, Fla.

In two separate posters presented at AACR, sudocetaxel zendusortide demonstrated increased anti-cancer efficacy in combination with programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitor therapy in a melanoma mouse model; and as a single agent against SORT1-positive TNBC or HER2+ breast cancer models, resulting in complete tumor regression. Furthermore, sudocetaxel zendusortide generated superior activity in comparison to a combination of Herceptin and docetaxel in the HER2+ Herceptin-resistant tumor model. A third poster showed high expression of SORT1 in multiple tumor types, compared to healthy tissues, bolstering the rationale for SORT1 inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach.

“It’s particularly exciting to see in the melanoma animal model that using the SORT1 receptor with sudocetaxel zendusortide in combination with immunotherapy shows greater tumor inhibition and longer survival compared to immunotherapy alone,” said Christian Marsolais, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Theratechnologies. “Collectively our three AACR poster presentations reinforce the potential of sudocetaxel zendusortide, on its own and in combination, to enable targeted delivery of anticancer therapy. We look forward to further characterizing this novel investigational agent as we seek partners and advance our clinical development program.”

Induction of
immune cell infiltration and improvement of anti-tumoral activity of anti-PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor

In the first AACR poster, researchers reported that sudocetaxel zendusortide induces immune cell infiltration and potentiates the anti-tumoral activity of anti-PD-L1 therapy in a melanoma mouse model. Surprisingly, in this non-immunogenic, or “cold,” tumor type, immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis showed a net increase in total leukocyte infiltration within sudocetaxel zendusortide-treated tumors compared with docetaxel-treated tumors, especially with regard to marked increases in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor-associated macrophages. Researchers also observed elevated cytotoxic T and natural killer cells in the sudocetaxel zendusortide-treated tumors.

Next, the researchers halved the doses of sudocetaxel zendusortide and docetaxel and combined each agent with an anti-PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor. Notably, sudocetaxel zendusortide alone showed greater tumor growth inhibition than docetaxel, anti-PD-L1 or anti-PD-L1/docetaxel combination. In addition, the sudocetaxel zendusortide/anti-PD-L1 combination significantly increased tumor growth inhibition and median survival over either anti-PD-L1 or sudocetaxel zendusortide as single agents (21 days compared to 2.5 and 12.5 days, respectively). The investigators attributed the superior anticancer activity of sudocetaxel zendusortide over docetaxel, in part, to the modulation of infiltrating immune cells within the tumor microenvironment.

“Our data are the first to demonstrate that immune cell infiltration patterns could play a pivotal role in the sudocetaxel zendusortide-associated anti-tumoral response,” commented Dr. Marsolais. “Given that preclinical results showed a statistically significant improvement in the efficacy of an anti-PD-L1 inhibitor for tumors treated with sudocetaxel zendusortide in contrast to docetaxel, we are hopeful that further research with combination therapy may also lead to improved clinical outcomes.”

Breast cancer data

The second AACR poster reported high expression of SORT1 in several TNBC and HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines as well as in more than 60-75% of cases from commercial breast cancer tissue microarrays. Researchers further observed that SORT1 is involved for both cell surface recognition and internalization of the peptide, TH19P01, without payload. Fluorescence microscopy showed rapid uptake and co-localization of both TH19P01 and sudocetaxel zendusortide in the late endosomal and lysosomal compartments at the perinuclear region, indicating that both compounds are internalized through a receptor-mediated endocytosis (a cellular process in which substances are brought into the cell) pathway.

In a murine MDA-MB-231 TNBC tumor model, weekly administration of sudocetaxel zendusortide at a dose (35 mg/kg) equivalent to the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of docetaxel (15 mg/kg) led to complete and sustained tumor regression, while docetaxel only inhibited tumor growth by half. Furthermore, in mice bearing HER2-positive breast tumor tissue grafts, sudocetaxel zendusortide induced complete tumor regression, unlike docetaxel, Herceptin and Herceptin/docetaxel combination.

Based on the demonstrated high anticancer properties of sudocetaxel zendusortide against SORT1-positive TNBC and Herceptin-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer models, as well as its higher tolerability compared to docetaxel, the researchers concluded that sudocetaxel zendusortide can be a promising avenue for further evaluation in the treatment of patients with SORT1-positive breast cancers.

SORT1 expression data

To better understand SORT1 expression, the Theratechnologies research team used IHC to screen 19 cancer tissue microarrays with 1394 evaluable cancer cores. They scored each cancer core using an H-score ranging from 0 to 300, whereby a score of 0 indicates no cell staining for SORT1 and a score of 300 corresponds to strong SORT1 staining in all cells. The table below summarizes the percentage of cancer cores with moderate to high SORT1 expression (defined as H-score ≥ 100) as well as the average H-score for each cancer type evaluated:

Cancer type No. evaluable cores % with H-score ≥ 100 Average H-score
Endometrial 94 90 197
Thyroid 108 92 188
Melanoma 155 83 184
Bladder 118 81 156
Testis 40 100 116
Lung 152 58 112

• Small cell lung

44

95

183

• Non-small cell lung

108

43

82
Small intestine 54 63 102
Eye 26 46 83
Cervix 376 38 75
Prostate 150 39 71
Liver 121 23 52

Results of the three presentations at AACR 2023 validate and build upon previous reports on the pattern and prevalence of SORT1 expression in common tumor types, underscoring the promise of SORT1 as a target for the delivery and internalization of anticancer therapeutic agents.

Full posters can be found on Theratechnologies’ website.

About Immunotherapy in Cold and Hot Tumors

Immunotherapies have significantly improved the treatment of cancer. Researchers continue to explore the power of the body’s own immune system to find and destroy cancer cells. “Hot” tumors show signs of inflammation, meaning the tumor has already been infiltrated by immune cells rushing to fight the cancerous cells. Only a few types of cancers are considered to be hot.

“Cold” tumors have not yet been infiltrated with T cells. This signals that the immune response is not working, making it difficult to provoke an immune response with immunotherapies. Most cancers of breast, ovary, prostate, pancreas and brain (GBM) are cold tumors, and are largely treated with traditional therapies like radiation and chemotherapy. As a result, much research has been done to understand how to turn cold tumors hot by reversing the suppressive microenvironment surrounding cold tumors and attracting more of the right anti-tumor lymphocytes.

About SORT1+ Technology™ and Sudocetaxel Zendusortide (TH1902)

Theratechnologies is currently developing a platform of proprietary peptides called SORT1+ TechnologyTM for cancer drug development targeting SORT1 receptors. The SORT1 receptor plays a significant role in protein internalization, sorting and trafficking. It is highly expressed in cancer cells compared to healthy tissue, which makes SORT1 an attractive target for cancer drug development. Expression of SORT1 is associated with aggressive disease, poor prognosis and decreased survival. It is estimated that the SORT1 receptor is expressed in 40% to 90% of cases of endometrial, ovarian, colorectal, triple-negative breast and pancreatic cancers.

Sudocetaxel zendusortide (TH1902) is currently Theratechnologies’ lead investigational PDC candidate for the treatment of cancer derived from its SORT1+ Technology™. It is the Company’s proprietary peptide linked to docetaxel – a commonly used cytotoxic agent used to treat many cancers. The FDA granted fast track designation to TH1902 as a single agent for the treatment of all sortilin-positive recurrent advanced solid tumors that are refractory to standard therapy. Sudocetaxel zendusortide is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial, although patient recruitment was voluntarily paused on December 1, 2022. In alignment with this decision, the FDA placed the trial on partial clinical hold. The Company is currently preparing a protocol amendment, which includes recommendations from the Scientific Advisory Committee meeting held in March 2023.

About Theratechnologies

Theratechnologies (TSX: TH) (NASDAQ: THTX) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies addressing unmet medical needs. Further information about Theratechnologies is available on the Company’s website at www.theratech.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, “Forward-Looking Statements”), within the meaning of applicable securities laws, that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. You can identify Forward-Looking Statements by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “outlook”, “believe”, “plan”, “envisage”, “anticipate”, “expect” and “estimate”, or the negatives of these terms, or variations of them. The Forward-Looking Statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the development of peptides through our SORT1+ Technology™ platform, and of its lead investigational peptide sudocetaxel zendusortide in enabling targeted delivery of anticancer therapy, the potential treatment of cancer, including potentially in combination with other anticancer therapies, using sudocetaxel zendusortide, and the filing of an amended protocol with the FDA to resume the Phase 1 clinical trial using sudocetaxel zendusortide. Although the Forward-Looking Statements contained in this press release are based upon what the Company believes are reasonable assumptions in light of the information currently available, investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on these statements since actual results may vary from the Forward-Looking Statements. Certain assumptions made in preparing the Forward-Looking Statements include that results from our pre-clinical trial will be replicated into humans during clinical trials into human, if any, sudocetaxel zendusortide will prove safe and effective and will be approved by regulatory authorities for the treatment of cancer, and we will resume our Phase 1 clinical trial using sudocetaxel zendusortide. Forward-Looking Statements assumptions are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Theratechnologies’ control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such Forward-Looking Statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impossibility to demonstrate the safe and effective use of sudocetaxel zendusortide and other PDC in our clinical trials, the impossibility to resume the Phase 1 clinical trial using sudocetaxel zendusortide if the FDA does not approve the amendments to our Phase 1 clinical trial protocol, the incapacity of the Company to obtain positive results from the continuous development of its SORT1+ TechnologyTM platform, and the incapacity to find a partner for the development of our SORT1+ TechnologyTM platform. We refer current and potential investors to the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Information Form dated February 27, 2023, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov as an exhibit to our report on Form 40-F dated February 28, 2023 under Theratechnologies’ public filings for additional risks related to the Company. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other risks and uncertainties carefully and not to put undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements. Forward-Looking Statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date of this press release and represent our expectations as of that date. We undertake no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Contacts:

Media inquiries:
Julie Schneiderman
Senior Director, Communications & Corporate Affairs
[email protected]
1-514-336-7800

Investor inquiries:
Elif McDonald
Senior Director, Investor Relations
[email protected]
1-438-315-8563