Latest news with #SAH
Associated Press
09-07-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Qanatpharma, Zuse Institute Berlin, Enamine, and Proteros biostructures Announce Generative-AI Driven Lead Discovery Collaboration
Joint research program targets new treatments for life-threatening complication of brain hemorrhage An international discovery collaboration is harnessing AI-powered drug discovery to develop a first-in-class therapy to prevent delayed cerebral ischemia in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The program sets a precedent for the use of generative AI technologies in accelerating early-stage drug discovery for cerebrovascular conditions. STANS, Switzerland and TORONTO and MUNICH and BERLIN and KYIV, Ukraine, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Qanatpharma (QP), Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB), Enamine, and Proteros biostructures today announced the launch of a research collaboration to accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutics targeting cerebral perfusion deficits associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The collaboration focuses on a protein target identified by QP that is involved in regulating cerebrovascular resistance in the brain—a mechanism shown to be compromised in patients with SAH. This program spans the drug discovery and development process from early generative molecular design and docking studies done by the ZIB developing its proprietary algorithms, via the REAL®-directed compound synthesis by Enamine, the world's largest supplier of make-on-demand small molecules, to the validation of hit compounds by Proteros using their structure-based drug discovery platform. Targeting a Critical Unmet Need in Stroke Recovery Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a severe form of stroke caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain. A leading complication in SAH survivors is delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), a condition that reduces cerebral perfusion and significantly contributes to long-term neurological damage, disability, and death. Current treatment options are largely ineffective. Nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker currently approved as a standard of care for SAH, fails to target the molecular mechanism underlying DCI presumably explaining its limited clinical efficacy. Together, the partners of this collaboration combine detailed insights into the microvascular nature of cerebrovascular complications with computational innovation, medicinal chemistry, protein sciences, biophysics, biochemistry, and structural biology, including cryo-EM, to develop targeted small molecule lead candidates. QP initiated the collaboration to develop its well-characterized cerebrovascular target into an innovative therapy. ZIB brings deep expertise in high-performance computing, ligand docking, and AI-based generative ligand design. Enamine's unique key to access ultra-large chemical space via the REAL® approach, its unparalleled compound libraries and synthesis capabilities allow rapid translation of virtual hits into real novel chemical matter. Proteros leverages its drug discovery platform to deliver structurally enabled Qualified Hits Lead Series with fully characterized Mode-of-Action enabling downstream Lead Optimization and pre-clinical development. 'Delayed cerebral ischemia is a major contributor to poor outcomes following subarachnoid hemorrhage, and current treatment options remain limited,' said Dr. Steffen-Sebastian Bolz, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Qanatpharma. 'By building this consortium, we are bringing together the brightest machine learning engineers, chemists, structural biologists, and other scientists to tackle this critical complication. Together, we aim to accelerate the development of a targeted therapy that could significantly improve recovery and long-term outcomes for patients affected by SAH.' DSc. Yurii Moroz, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Enamine: 'Our consortium with strong complementary expertise leverages the challenging opportunity to navigate towards the most suitable first-in class drug candidate by pushing the limits of accessible chemical space,' and Dr. Sven H. Wagner, Vice President of Partnerships at Enamine Germany said 'Enamine underscores with our consortium its partnership commitment translating critical discoveries without delay, with highest scientific rigor and under challenging funding bottlenecks into life-saving medicines for patients with high unmet medical need such as with conditions of delayed cerebral ischemia with SAH.' 'We are pleased about this collaboration aiming to address a drug target identified by QP which could transform the treatment of life-threatening complications,' said Dr Torsten Neuefeind, founder and CEO of Proteros. Next Steps and Outlook This multiparty collaboration has already initiated compound screening efforts and will proceed to in vitro validation studies in the second half of 2025. This marks the most significant effort so far towards understanding and ultimately treating diseases driven by microvascular dysfunction with innovative compounds. The program sets a precedent for the use of generative AI technologies in accelerating early-stage drug discovery for cerebrovascular conditions. Stakeholders and researchers interested in collaboration or progress updates are invited to follow the project via QP's website or contact the collaborators directly. Company Summaries: About Qanatpharma AG Qanatpharma (QP) is a Phase 2 clinical-stage biopharma company developing innovative therapies for diseases where microvascular dysfunction is a central feature. QP manages a pipeline that spans from microvascular target discovery and validation via AI-driven drug development to preclinical studies and, ultimately, clinical trials. For more information, please visit About Zuse Institute Berlin The Zuse-Institute Berlin (ZIB) is an interdisciplinary research institute for applied mathematics and data-intensive high-performance computing. Its research focuses on modeling, simulation and optimization with scientific cooperation partners from academia and industry. For more information, please visit About Enamine Ltd. Enamine is the leading provider of chemical compounds and a scientifically driven integrated discovery Contract Research Organisation for integrated discovery with unique partnering opportunities in exploring new chemical space. The company combines access to the in-house produced screening compounds (4.5M in stock) and building blocks (350K in stock) with a comprehensive platform of integrated discovery services in bioinformatics, biology, and chemistry to advance and accelerate the efforts in drug discovery. For more information, please visit: About Proteros biostructures GmbH Proteros is a structure-based drug discovery provider with cutting edge platform to unlock even the most technically challenging drug targets. For more information, please visit Contact Information For Qanatpharma: Dr. Philipp Trepte Managing Director Qanatpharma Germany GmbH Phone: +49 152 08734310 Email: [email protected] For Zuse Institute Berlin: Dr. Christopher Secker Project lead for the Zuse Institute Phone: +49 30 84185-386 Email: [email protected] For Enamine: DSc. Yurii Moroz Vice President of Sales and Marketing Email: [email protected] For Proteros biostructures: Dr. Debora Konz Makino VP Business Unit Hit & Lead Finding Phone: +49 89 700761-0 Email: [email protected]
African Manager
05-07-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Poulina Group Holding finalizes strategic stake acquisition in JM Holding
Poulina Group Holding (PGH) announced to its shareholders and the public the completion of its strategic acquisition, following the acceptance of its offer to acquire 45.48% of JM Holding's capital, a stake previously held by Olea Holding. As a reminder, JM Holding is the main shareholder in the Société d'Articles Hygiéniques (SAH), holding 65.73% of its capital. The transaction was carried out between Partner Investment, a PGH subsidiary, and Olea Holding Limited. All preconditions for the deal have been fully met, including institutional approvals, audit completion, contract signing, and regulatory authorizations. The JM Holding share price was indexed based on a valuation of SAH shares at 12 Tunisian dinars per share, with the transaction set to close on July 7, 2025. This indirect stake in SAH, equivalent to 29.9% of its capital, aligns with PGH's targeted investment and business diversification strategy, focusing on high-potential sectors. The deal also marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the two groups to create lasting industrial, logistical, and commercial synergies. The transaction was facilitated by MAC SA, a leading financial advisor whose support was instrumental in the successful conclusion of negotiations. Following the deal, Mrs. Jalila Mezni and Mr. Mounir El Jaiez remain the majority shareholders of JM Holding, which continues to be the main shareholder of SAH. Both reaffirm their commitment to advancing SAH's ambitions and growing the Lilas brand.
Hamilton Spectator
12-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
How Sault Ste. Marie is reconstructing plastic surgery care
When most people hear 'plastic surgery,' they think of facelifts and nose jobs. But on the fourth floor of Sault Area Hospital, it's hand burns, skin cancers, breast reconstructions and trauma injuries that fill the surgical slate. For the past two years, Dr. Cory Goldberg has been bringing his reconstructive expertise north from Toronto, helping bridge a significant gap in specialized care. At one point, Sault Area Hospital had three plastic surgeons. Two have since left for more lucrative opportunities in the United States, leaving Dr. Timothy Best as the sole full-time plastic surgeon in the region since 2023. At this time, most patients requiring plastic surgery had to travel to have access to care. By that time, Dr. Goldberg had already been travelling to Sault Ste. Marie for over a decade, offering consultations through Laser Advantage. When he learned of the shortage in care, he arranged a locum position at the hospital. Now, he works in tandem with Dr. Best and the SAH staff to provide consistent and reliable care. Through the locum program, Dr. Goldberg travels to Sault Ste. Marie once a quarter, staying for a week at a time. While in the city, he provides on-call coverage for trauma and burn cases and runs hospital-based clinics primarily focused on skin cancer, hand injuries and breast surgeries. 'When I come up to the Sault, it's kind of like a community service, but it's one that I enjoy a lot, because I enjoy contributing to the community, and I also really like applying my skill,' said Goldberg. 'I never really intended to be purely a cosmetic surgeon. It just so happened that way, and the healthcare resources have sort of pushed me to do that because things were just so hard in the hospital.' Goldberg left his hospital job in Toronto due to deteriorating healthcare resources and long wait times, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and made providing comprehensive reconstructive care increasingly difficult. During a recent locum visit, he saw about 10 hand injuries requiring care from a plastic surgeon in just one day. 'Things like burns, tendon repairs, nerve reconstruction — these are procedures people don't realize fall under the scope of plastic surgery,' he said. Plastic surgeons, he explained, handle 90 per cent of hand surgeries in Canada. Without timely access to care, patients may face serious consequences, from delayed healing to permanent impairments and costly secondary procedures. 'A fracture that doesn't heal properly may need to be rebroken, and scarred tissue may need to be released. The longer the wait, the worse the outcome,' said Goldberg. In Sault Ste. Marie, where access to specialty care is limited, these delays are a real concern. Recent visits have included complex procedures, such as immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy — a service rarely available in smaller communities due to logistical challenges. 'That kind of coordination is hard to pull off, and I don't think it's been happening here very often, if at all,' he said. Working closely with Dr. Best, Goldberg helps ensure continuity of care between visits. 'It's a very well-coordinated system. I'm confident my patients won't fall through the cracks while I'm away.' Despite the clear need, attracting and retaining full-time plastic surgeons in northern communities remains difficult. Financial pressures, lifestyle preferences, and a lack of infrastructure all play a role. 'I know the two plastic surgeons who used to be here both left for the U.S.,' Goldberg said. 'The compensation system here can't compete, and many physicians trained in urban centres aren't eager to relocate.' He adds that locum coverage can be one of the most practical strategies to ensure continuity in rural and remote communities. 'I think that this kind of rotation is, you know, suits the community ideally, because for me, it would be hard to move up here full time and give up my own my own practice, but at the same time coming up here intermittently and being able to enjoy it and practice here works well, but I think that this is one of the reasons why plastic surgery is, you know, short staffed in a lot of rural places, because there's not a lot of places that can really support a plastic surgeon in a full time practice' He said that the SAH makes the experience to Sault Ste. Marie worthwhile. 'The staff are spectacular. They're so good to work with. They really make it easy for me to get things done,' said Goldberg. 'And the patients also are really, you know, laid back, and they're very appreciative, because, you know, I recognize that many of them, otherwise, either wouldn't get care or they would have to travel a long distance to get it. So they're just very grateful, appreciative people.' 'This is kind of my outlet to use my skills where otherwise I would sort of have the skill set that I wouldn't be using. So this is, this is kind of fun for me. I really enjoy it.' Programs like Ontario's Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI) and the Northern Specialist Locum Program (NSLP) have been vital in bringing physicians like Dr. Goldberg to remote and underserved communities. Still, the broader issue persists: a shortage of specialists and insufficient infrastructure to support them. For surgeons, the ability to provide care hinges not just on skill but also on hospital resources — operating room time, anesthesiology coverage, and adequate staffing. 'Your entire practice is tied to the hospital,' said Goldberg. 'If those supports aren't in place, it's hard to do your job effectively. That's why so many rural hospitals struggle to attract surgeons.' The implications for patients are significant. Delayed treatment can result in prolonged disability, increased healthcare costs, and long-term effects on mental health and productivity. 'It's dramatic and very under-recognized,' Goldberg said. 'It's not just about fixing a hand. It's about helping someone return to work, avoid chronic pain, and live a full life.' As Sault Ste. Marie continues to grow, so too does the need for sustainable solutions to its healthcare challenges. Until then, the dedication of visiting specialists like Dr. Goldberg is helping to fill critical gaps. The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government.
