Market Newsdesk

New York, NY, July 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) today announced an addition to its strong roster of data and technology fueled marketing service providers with the launch of Performance Art, a new global agency that brings together deep data, technology and CRM expertise with highly-awarded creative talent. CEO Andrea Cook, Chief Creative Officer Ian Mackenzie, and Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Sellors, the leadership team that helped build FCB/SIX, will take the helm at Performance Art in analogous roles. The agency will partner closely with a range of IPG companies and build on the company’s foundational data and technology layers at Acxiom and Kinesso in order to provide clients with data-driven marketing solutions. Performance Art will build on a founding roster of existing talent and clients, including BMW, CIBC, and Black & Abroad. 

The team at Performance Art is known for its ability to combine data and technology with platform-level creative ideas for clients — producing global work that has been widely lauded across the industry. Notably, FCB/SIX Toronto’s “Go Back to Africa” initiative for Black & Abroad won the Creative Data Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2019. The campaign used AI and data to reframe the way people think about Africa and created a platform that displaces the hate surrounding the racial slur. 

Separately, FCB/SIX will continue to operate as an integrated global unit within the FCB network, reporting into Tina Allan, FCB’s newly-appointed Global Partner, Data Science and Connections.

“Five years ago, we set a vision to help refocus the marketing landscape on the individual. This is consistent with the audience-led vision IPG has for marketing, which combines creativity with data and technology. Today, we are embarking on the next chapter of our journey and an evolution of our vision — to build an organization where the specialist talents of each team member will be nurtured by others who are inspired by and dedicated to creative data, technology, CRM, systems design and customer experience strategy.  With our specialist focus, and the ability to partner across the entire IPG portfolio, we are excited to scale our success in creating individualized brand experiences for clients in all sectors, geographies and channels,” said Andrea Cook, CEO of Performance Art.  

“Clients recognize that the future of marketing is dependent on connecting data and creativity, and are looking for partners like Performance Art to help drive growth. We are excited to continue serving our clients with high-performance creative solutions, and connecting into a broad range of IPG’s portfolio companies and clients. Our vision is to help brands around the world make the highest performing work, in the most creative way,” added Ian Mackenzie, Chief Creative Officer of Performance Art.

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About Interpublic

Interpublic (NYSE: IPG) (www.interpublic.com) is a values-based, data-fueled, and creatively-driven provider of marketing solutions. Home to some of the world’s best-known and most innovative communications specialists, IPG global brands include: Acxiom, Craft, FCB, FutureBrand, Golin, Huge, Initiative, Jack Morton, Kinesso, MAGNA, Matterkind, McCann, Mediahub, Momentum, MRM, MullenLowe Group, Octagon, R/GA, UM, Weber Shandwick and more. IPG is an S&P 500 company with net revenue of $8.06 billion in 2020.

About Performance Art

Performance Art is a full-service, global digital agency network that brings together deep data, technology and CRM expertise with highly-awarded leadership and creative talent. With a specialist approach focused on the individual, the agency leverages creative data, technology consulting and implementation, CRM, systems design and customer experience strategy to help brands make the highest performing work, in the most creative way.  Performance Art is part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG). Learn more at and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook (@performanceart) and Instagram (@Performance.art.agency). www.performanceart.com  

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Contact Information

Tom Cunningham
(Press)
(212) 704-1326

Jerry Leshne
(Analysts, Investors)
(212) 704-1439

SAN DIEGO, July 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bionano Genomics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BNGO) announced today that two peer-reviewed studies from world renowned scientists and clinicians from prestigious institutions in Europe including Radboud University Medical Center, Cochin Hospital in Paris, Hospices Civils in Lyon and the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand were published back-to-back in the American Journal of Human Genetics. One study analyzed the genomes of patients with inherited genetic disease and one study those of hematological malignancies. These seminal papers outline the utility of optical genome mapping (OGM) as a superior alternative to traditional methods for structural variant (SV) analysis. The results showed OGM was 100% concordant with findings from fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), karyotype, and CNV-microarray when these traditional methods identified one or more pathogenic variants in samples from study subjects. Additionally, the higher resolution of OGM for all types of variants relative to traditional cytogenomics techniques allowed for a more precise characterization of breakpoints and the identification of genes they affect, the detection of smaller cancer-associated events that usually escape detection by traditional means, and the discovery of additional complexity of rearrangements. These publications will appear in the August print issue and are available online today at http://www.cell.com/ajhg

Among the key conclusions presented in both studies, is that OGM has the potential to become a primary analysis for most molecular cytogenetics applications and provides a complement to existing sequencing-based methods for a more comprehensive view of genome variation. The authors describe OGM as a better alternative to traditional cytogenetics assays for both inherited genetic disease and hematological malignancy applications since it consolidates multiple antiquated methods requiring manual integration for interpretation into a single workflow with higher resolution for detection of all classes of SVs. Additionally, the authors highlight that the OGM workflow is ready to implement into routine clinical practice and that data can be easily analyzed by lab-oriented personnel, which is of crucial importance for clinical adoption and distinguishes OGM from sequencing-based methods which require complex analytical pipelines and specialized bioinformatic teams. 

Dr. Laïla El Khattabi from Cochin Hospital in Paris, France, in collaboration with Dr. Alexander Hoischen and Dr. Caroline Schluth-Bolard, has led the consortium for this first publication where 85 constitutional samples with chromosomal aberrations in the context of developmental or reproductive disorders were analyzed by OGM and traditional cytogenetics techniques. She said, “OGM can really revolutionize the detection of chromosomal aberrations. I think it could be the most significant technological breakthrough in the history of cytogenetics since the CNV-microarray. This work is really just a beginning, and we are very enthusiastic about continuing it.”

The study of 52 hematological malignancy samples led by Dr. Alexander Hoischen from Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, analyzed a wide variety of myeloid and lymphoid samples (including CML, CLL, AML, ALL, MDS, MPN, and MM), representing the full range of hematological malignancy patients referred to the clinic. Dr. Hoischen, who co-coordinated the constitutional study as well, added, “I see many opportunities for advanced genome analysis methods to completely transform the way we analyze samples in our laboratories and clinics. Our goals are to provide workflows that find more variants, faster, so critically important information is available sooner and more reliably. OGM is one of the methods we believe is very promising. By streamlining the workflow and providing data and reports that can be readily interpreted and used by our teams without requiring specialized training, we believe OGM can become an alternative and maybe even a replacement for traditional cytogenetics in hematologic malignancies and genetic diseases. The fact that OGM and sequencing, including long-read sequencing, are highly complementary gives us an array of tools that can form the lab of the future. The progress Bionano has made with OGM has been substantial and we are excited about continuing to help guide them forward.”

Erik Holmlin, PhD, chief executive officer of Bionano Genomics, commented “Bionano is poised to substantially transform genetic analysis with OGM and these publications set the baseline for the transformation. In the past, we have seen methods that replace legacy workflows by being easier to implement and operate while providing a better result, which together drive wider adoption and utilization. Examples include the transformation of microbiology by rapid PCR methods, automation of immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization by integrated pathology instruments and the total transformation of DNA (Sanger) sequencing by next-generation sequencing. Each of these innovations has resulted in more efficient workflows with substantially better health outcomes than could have been possible with the legacy methods. We believe OGM with our Saphyr® system has the potential to similarly redefine structural variant analysis in genetics and cancer. The publications appearing today are an important step in that process. We are grateful to the study leaders and authors for their incredible work.”

The publication on constitutional samples is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.05.012, the publication on hematological malignancies is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.06.001

About Bionano Genomics

Bionano is a genome analysis company providing tools and services based on its Saphyr system to scientists and clinicians conducting genetic research and patient testing, and providing diagnostic testing for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disabilities through its Lineagen business. Bionano’s Saphyr system is a research use only platform for ultra-sensitive and ultra-specific structural variation detection that enables researchers and clinicians to accelerate the search for new diagnostics and therapeutic targets and to streamline the study of changes in chromosomes, which is known as cytogenetics. The Saphyr system is comprised of an instrument, chip consumables, reagents and a suite of data analysis tools. Bionano provides genome analysis services to provide access to data generated by the Saphyr system for researchers who prefer not to adopt the Saphyr system in their labs. Lineagen has been providing genetic testing services to families and their healthcare providers for over nine years and has performed over 65,000 tests for those with neurodevelopmental concerns. For more information, visit www.bionanogenomics.com or www.lineagen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes and are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things: the potential for OGM with Saphyr to revolutionize cytogenetic analysis; our beliefs regarding the potential benefits of Bionano’s Saphyr technology; the significance of large SVs in genetic research; and the execution of Bionano’s strategy. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include the risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the global economy; general market conditions; changes in the competitive landscape and the introduction of competitive products; changes in our strategic and commercial plans; our ability to obtain sufficient financing to fund our strategic plans and commercialization efforts; the ability of medical and research institutions to obtain funding to support adoption or continued use of our technologies; the loss of key members of management and our commercial team; and the risks and uncertainties associated with our business and financial condition in general, including the risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and in other filings subsequently made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.

CONTACTS

Company Contact:

Erik Holmlin, CEO
Bionano Genomics, Inc.
+1 (858) 888-7610
[email protected]

Investor Relations and

Media Contact:

Amy Conrad
Juniper Point
+1 (858) 366-3243
[email protected]

VICTORIA, British Columbia, July 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, TELUS and the Victoria Cool Aid Society announced a new partnership through TELUS’ innovative mobile Health for Good program that will bring primary care to underserved people in the Victoria area. According to a 2020 survey¹ studying Victoria’s homelessness and housing needs, over 1,500 individuals experience homelessness in Greater Victoria on any given night. These individuals face additional barriers outside of homelessness and are in need of health services including primary care, harm reduction services, and mental health supports. The Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinic, powered by TELUS Health, is a specially-equipped clinic on wheels that provides trauma-informed, primary medical treatments, mental health services, addiction support as well as COVID-19 assessments and testing directly to people who need it most.

“At TELUS, we believe that everyone should have access to healthcare when and where they need it, regardless of their socio-economic status. Through our partnership with Cool Aid, we are removing many of the barriers facing underserved and at-risk populations in the Victoria region by providing access to critical healthcare, social support, and COVID-19 testing,” said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS. “As we continue to navigate the global pandemic, today’s expansion of our Health for Good program will enable us to care for our most marginalized citizens at a time when access to high-quality, compassionate healthcare, including vital support for mental wellness, has never been more important.”

The Mobile Health Clinic is equipped with TELUS Health’s electronic medical record (EMR) technology, TELUS Mobility services and TELUS LTE Wi-Fi network technology to assist the onboard care team in delivering immediate, quality care. Leveraging TELUS Health EMR technology, skilled practitioners will be able to collect and store data, examine results over time, and provide better continuity of care to patients who previously had undocumented medical histories.

“Bringing the Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinic to the Victoria region further expands our community health centre model of care and services for those who experience barriers to primary care and services,” said Mary Chudley, director of health and support services at Cool Aid. “Many marginalized communities including those who are under-housed or experience homelessness have not had access to primary care in years or do not have a documented medical history that can be referenced by healthcare practitioners. By facilitating better continuity of care, these services help those who cannot easily access traditional medical care, yet are in urgent need. With the mobile clinic, we are able to provide primary care to individuals who need complex care. This kind of outreach will ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.”

The vehicle is divided into two main areas: the first for patient reception and nursing care; and the second with an examination table and doctor’s workstation including equipment necessary to provide primary healthcare such as routine testing, contraception, STI treatment, harm reduction services, and mental health care and counselling. The clinic will also include:

• Blood pressure machine with thermometer and pulse oximeter
• Otoscope and ophthalmoscope
• Emergency and harm reduction supplies
• COVID-19 assessments and testing

Locations that the clinic will visit throughout Greater Victoria continue to be determined in collaboration with community partners to reach people in need where they are – in parks, shelters, supportive housing locations, soup kitchens, food banks, and on the streets. Staffed by a comprehensive team including physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and outreach workers, the clinic will be able to deliver specialized care to the target population where and when they need it.

“By going to our clients instead of asking them to come to us, we get to step into their world and see the many barriers and challenges they are facing that may not be apparent when meeting with them in a more clinical setting,” said Robyn Kyle, Cool Aid Health outreach worker. “Part of what makes outreach workers so crucial, especially in a healthcare context, is that we have the tools to address those barriers and challenges, which inevitably leads to better healthcare engagement and better outcomes.”

Backed by a $10 million commitment from TELUS, the TELUS Health for Good program is active from coast-to-coast with clinics operating in Vancouver, Surrey, Edmonton, Ottawa, Mississauga-Peel Region, Waterloo Region, Montreal, Halifax and Toronto.

For more information about TELUS Health for Good, visit telus.com/healthforgood.

About TELUS Health for Good

Since 2014, TELUS Health for Good has been helping to remove many of the barriers Canadians living on the streets face in receiving medical care and reconnecting thousands of patients to the public healthcare system. The Mobile Health Clinics provide essential primary medical care, including electronic medical records, and have enabled over 70,000 patient visits since the program’s inception. Today, through numerous partnerships, volunteers, and the power of technology, TELUS Health for Good is an efficient and innovative mobile healthcare delivery tool to reach communities in need by bringing healthcare directly to the people that need it most.

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with $16 billion in annual revenue and 16 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. We leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. In 2020, TELUS was recognized as having the fastest wireless network in the world, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that make our lives better. TELUS Health is Canada’s leader in digital health technology, improving access to health and wellness services and revolutionizing the flow of health information across the continuum of care. TELUS Agriculture provides innovative digital solutions throughout the agriculture value chain, supporting better food outcomes from improved agri-business data insights and processes. TELUS International (TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience innovator that delivers next-generation AI and content management solutions for global brands across the technology and games, ecommerce and FinTech, communications and media, healthcare, travel and hospitality sectors. TELUS and TELUS International operate in 25+ countries around the world. Together, let’s make the future friendly.

Driven by our passionate social purpose to connect all citizens for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired TELUS, our team members and retirees to contribute more than $820 million and 1.6 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow us @TELUSNews on Twitter and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.

About the Victoria Cool Aid Society

The Victoria Cool Aid Society believes that everyone deserves home, health and community. We create opportunities for people who are homeless or living in poverty and we make a difference through housing, health and dental care, community, and emergency shelters. Founded in 1968, Cool Aid helps more than 12,000 people in the Capital region every year, at 20 locations in Victoria, Saanich and Langford, including more than 7,000 Community Health Centre patients. For more information about Cool Aid, visit coolaid.org.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Lena Chen        
TELUS Public Relations
[email protected]

Tracey Robertson
Cool Aid Community Engagement Member
[email protected]

¹
2020 Greater Victoria Point-in-Time Homeless Count and Housing Needs Survey, Page 5 https://www.crd.bc.ca/docs/default-source/housing-pdf/housing-planning-and-programs/crd-pit-count-2020-community-report-2020-07-31.pdf.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2b098471-13f4-43e4-89ed-645f54085808