Envision Pharma Group Appoints Healthcare Industry Expert and Experienced Leader Dr. Jennifer Costello, PharmD, BCPS, CMPP, as Chief Medical Officer

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / May 4, 2023 / Envision Pharma Group (Envision) has appointed Dr. Jennifer Costello, PharmD, BCPS, CMPP, to the role of Chief Medical Officer. Jennifer will be responsible for progressing work across all sectors of Envision’s business, including Technology, Medical, Commercial, Public Affairs, and Value & Access and Data Analytics.

Meg Heim, CEO of Envision Pharma Group, adds, “I am so excited to welcome Jennifer to the Envision team as Chief Medical Officer. Jennifer’s deep expertise in science and commercialization in the life sciences industry, in addition to her extensive pharmaceutical understanding and experience will further support the acceleration of our business expansion, mission, and commitment to our vision as a technology-enabled partner to the life sciences industry.”

Jennifer is an accomplished pharmaceutical and healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience across the healthcare sector. She brings to this role extensive cardiovascular, medical, and patient care-related focused expertise, with a successful track record of leading high-performing cross-matrix teams with global impact.

Prior to joining Envision, Jennifer held multiple leadership roles in global medical affairs and publications, US HEOR publications, and global scientific content. She developed a reputation for leading successful partnerships with cross-functional colleagues, advocacy partners, and academic groups that resulted in building innovative programs that foster healthcare transformation.

Jennifer joins Envision from Bristol Myers Squibb, where she most recently led cardiovascular (CV) patient advocacy across its CV portfolio (early phase assets to marketed products). She drove the development and execution of global and US strategies for a successful launch of a first-in-class CV asset, working across early asset development, commercial, and medical affairs teams. For her work in this space, she was awarded the coveted “Innovation Award” from BMS.

Before joining the pharmaceutical industry, her 16 years of experience as a practicing clinical pharmacist was within the academic medical-teaching hospital. Jennifer served in numerous roles as a pediatric critical care specialist, adult ambulatory clinical care specialist, hospital administrator, and as a Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services. Under a collaborative practice agreement, she also led outpatient care optimization, directly co-managing heart failure, antithrombotic, and diabetic patients.

Jennifer received her PharmD from Northeastern University, completed her ASHP PGY-1 residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center, and received her board certification as a pharmacotherapy specialist from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. She served in adjunct teaching positions with Rutgers University and the University of Florida. She has authored over 50 publications and posters and served as a pharmacy national thought leader within the heart failure, antithrombotic, and diabetes management space.

Jennifer adds, “I am delighted and humbled to join the Envision team during this transformative time. I am looking forward to meeting and working with our Envision family, customers, and partners. This is an exciting period for our industry at large, and I am privileged to build upon our company vision, award-winning technology, and innovation as medical affairs and global healthcare communication leaders.”

About Envision Pharma Group
Founded in 2001, Envision Pharma Group is a leading global technology-enabled strategic solutions partner for the life sciences industry, working with over 200 pharma and biotech companies, including 18 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies. Envision supports clients across the product life cycle through a comprehensive suite of services and industry-leading technology solutions that include artificial intelligence and natural language processing, commercialization and integrated strategic consulting, evidence-based scientific communications and engagement, HEOR/market access and data analytics, medical capabilities, and omnichannel solutions. Learn more at www.envisionpharmagroup.com.

Contact Information

Colleen Carter
Associate Director, Communications, Office of the CEO
[email protected]
1 (508) 505 8856

SOURCE: Envision Pharma Group

 

Global Chauffeur Service Blacklane Names Ebony S. Morczinek as Chief Financial Officer

Ebony S. Morczinek – Blacklane Chief Financial Officer
Ebony S. Morczinek - Chief Financial Officer (2)

Ebony S. Morczinek – Blacklane Chief Financial Officer

Morczinek will accelerate the continuous scaling of Blacklane by driving growth through capacity optimization and the use of finance to drive strategy and localisation.

BERLIN, May 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, global chauffeur service Blacklane announced that it has appointed Ebony S. Morczinek as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately. She will report to Blacklane CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Jens Wohltorf, and is charged with optimizing the finance functions with a focus on enabling global and local operational management to drive Blacklane’s growth. With more than 20 years of experience directing all facets of economics, operations, and executive-level business administration for top-tier organizations, Morczinek brings proven leadership and valuable insights to the Blacklane team.

Most recently, Morczinek served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Europe for global meal kit provider Marley Spoon, where she was recognized for doubling gross revenue while leading integrated operations across six countries in Europe. Before that, she was the Chief Financial Officer of the Global Services division at Likewize (formerly Brightstar Corporation), where she spearheaded IPO readiness for the global telecommunications company. Stations at companies such as Citigroup and Lufthansa complement her career, giving her experience in working with large organizations as well as start-ups.

“I am thrilled to join the Blacklane team and further establish our leadership position in the premium mobility and travel industry,” said Ebony S. Morczinek. “My goal is to support Blacklane’s growth trajectory in a sustainable way, while having a keen eye on the business opportunities which will come through markets and our investor community. My thanks go to Jens and the Board for the trust they have placed in me as we drive Blacklane’s success story based on a common mission to create true peace of mind by delivering perfect experiences around the world to inspire a better future.”

“We are continuing to grow Blacklane’s executive team and it fills me with great pleasure to welcome Ebony to our group,” says Dr. Jens Wohltorf, Co-Founder And CEO of Blacklane. “Coming out of a highly successful period where we quadrupled revenue in 2022 year-over-year and won a significant investment from Gargash Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility, in 2023 we plan to introduce innovative products as well as expand and open markets. Ebony’s expertise in a wide range of strategic operational and financial tasks will bring Blacklane to the next level as it continues to revolutionize our industry.”

Press Materials

ABOUT BLACKLANE
Blacklane’s global chauffeur service brings peace of mind to travelers moving through a fast-paced world. The crew’s dedication to safety, reliability, and smart technology places Blacklane at the forefront of a new era of stress-free travel. Since 2017, the company has been carbon-neutral, combining a five-star guest experience with care for the planet. Upgrade your travels on Blacklane’s mobile apps or website.

For Blacklane global media inquiries, please contact:
Blacklane GmbH

Radmila Palová

[email protected]

+49 157 80 67 4435

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4536f7bf-c270-42da-abde-ac36d5f5ebd6

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8831916

FEMA GRAS status for Sweegen’s sweet protein brazzein technology

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., May 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global sweetness and flavor innovator, Sweegen has announced that its highly sought-after sweet protein Ultratia™ brazzein technology received the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status from the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA).

“Our customers and the industry have eagerly anticipated our brazzein FEMA GRAS status, and now we are excited to offer it as the star sweet protein in our Sweetensify Flavors Collection,” said Luca Giannone, SVP of Sales. “We’re pleased to demonstrate our Ultratia brazzein in the newly launched Sweetensify Flavors Collection at the IFT First trade show in Chicago July 17-19, 2023.”

Brands are encouraged to visit Sweegen’s food and beverage application team at IFT First, the Sweegen booth, located at the South Building — S1619 — IFT, for a sensory experience and learn how it can easily fit into their food and beverage products.

Sweegen is the first to attain FEMA GRAS status and to produce brazzein commercially globally. The designation is important because it allows manufacturers to use Sweegen’s Sweetensify Flavors confidently, including the novel sweet protein brazzein in their product formulations.

Brazzein’s unique characteristics make it special, and its commercialization and scaling have been challenging until now. Brazzein is a rare sweet protein that originates from the fruit of the West African climbing plant, oubli. To produce brazzein sustainably, Sweegen uses a proprietary precision fermentation process, which creates clean high-purity ingredients.

“This important milestone in food and beverage creation symbolizes Sweegen delivering on its promise to brands for opening doors to scalable state-of-the-art technology for creating better-for-everyone food and beverages,” said Hadi Omrani, VP of technical and regulatory affairs. “The FEMA GRAS status is a testament to the safety of brazzein as a flavor modifier that our customers can trust to explore new and exciting taste-modulating solutions.”

Sweetensify Flavors for taste modulation improves and modulates a variety of taste attributes, which can help brands push the boundaries of healthier product innovation. Brazzein’s exceptional formulation qualities inspired Sweegen to launch Sweentisify Flavors in April 2023. It is the newest flavor tool starring its novel sweet protein Ultratia brazzein, which also features thaumatin II and other unique proteins.

“Sweegen’s product development teams have discovered remarkable synergies between Sweetensify Flavors and our Signature Stevia systems,” said Casey McCormick, VP of global innovation.

Sweet proteins like brazzein have an affinity for different taste receptors on the tongue, especially the receptor known as T1R3, which is associated with both umami and sweetness perception. Leveraging this unique attribute, Sweetensify Flavors will enable product developers to maintain the quality of characteristic flavors and sweetness while reducing the amount of sugar they use in products.

“Sweegen’s Ultratia brazzein has received great feedback from our customers during the initial formulations phase and tastings,” said Casey McCormick, VP of global innovation. “Now, the timing of the FEMA GRAS status perfectly coincides with the launch of Sweegen’s Sweetensify Flavors, which offers the best sensory experience in better-for-everyone products.”

Sweegen recently attained FEMA GRAS status for thaumatin II, a sweet protein complementary to brazzein. With the addition of brazzein, Sweegen continues to expand its portfolio of safe and effective taste modulating flavors that can help food and beverage manufacturers meet the demand for healthier and delicious products to align with consumers’ holistic approaches to wellness.

About Sweegen

Sweegen provides sweet-taste solutions for food and beverage manufacturers around the world.
We are on a mission to reduce sugar and artificial sweeteners in the global diet. Partnering with customers, we create delicious zero-sugar products that consumers love. With the best modern sweeteners in our portfolio, such as Bestevia® Rebs B, D, E, I, M, and N, and sweet proteins brazzein and thaumatin, along with our deep knowledge of flavor modulators and texturants, Sweegen delivers market-leading solutions that customers want, and consumers prefer. Well. Into the Future.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1996. Sweegen’s actual results may differ from the estimates, assumptions, and other illustrative material contained herein, and consequently, a reader should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, illustrative information regarding Sweegen’s bottom-up assumed market potential, assumed hit rate, and the resulting revenue based on these model inputs. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results.

Industry, Market, and Other Data
In this press release, we rely on and refer to information and statistics regarding market participants in the sectors in which Sweegen competes and other data. We obtained this information and statistics from our own internal estimates and third-party sources, including reports by market research firms and company filings. We do not expressly refer to these sources. All of this information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and the sources of such information cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. The industry in which Sweegen operates is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of important factors, any of which could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by Sweegen or third parties.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, among other statements, statements regarding the future prospects for Reb M stevia leaf sweetener, brazzein, and thaumatin. These statements are based on current expectations, but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond Sweegen’s control.

Relevant risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements and therefore should be carefully considered. Sweegen assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.

Attachments

Ana Arakelian, Head of Public Relations and Communications
Sweegen
+1.949.709.0583
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8831913

CBUAE raises base rate at 25 basis points

ABU DHABI, 3rd May, 2023 (WAM) — The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has decided to raise the Base Rate applicable to the Overnight Deposit Facility (ODF) by 25 basis points from 4.90 percent to 5.15 percent, effective from Thursday, 4th May 2023. This decision was taken following the US Federal Reserve Board’s announcement on 3rd May 2023 to increase the Interest on Reserve Balances (IORB) by 25 basis points. The CBUAE also has decided to maintain the rate applicable to borrowing short-term liquidity from the CBUAE through all standing credit facilities at 50 basis points above the Base Rate. The Base Rate, which is anchored to the US Federal Reserve’s IORB, signals the general stance of the CBUAE’s monetary policy. It also provides an effective interest rate floor for overnight money market rates. Khoder Nashar

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

U.S. Federal Reserve hikes interest rates by 25 basis points

WASHINGTON, 3rd May, 2023 (WAM) — The U.S Federal Reserve, in its meeting held today, raised interest rates by 25 basis points (bp). The decision sets the U.S. Central Bank’s benchmark overnight interest rate to the 5.00 percent 5.25 percent range, the tenth consecutive increase since March 2022. Khoder Nashar

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

Palestinian detainee Izz al-Din Amarneh suspends hunger strike

Visually impaired Palestinian detainee Izz al-Din Amarneh suspended today his hunger strike which lasted for 12 days in protest of his detention without charge or trial by the Israeli occupation authorities. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) said Amarneh’s decision to suspend his hunger strike came as a result of an agreement with the Israeli occupation authorities to release him in upcoming October. Amarneh, 52, a blind man from the town of Ya’bad in the northern West Bank province of Jenin, was arrested by the Israeli occupation authorities in February 2022, and has been held in administrative detention ever since. He is a former prisoner in Israeli jails. Amarneh has five sons and daughters. His two male sons, Ahmad and Mujahed, are also currently imprisoned by the Israeli occupation authorities. International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have described Israel’s use of administrative detention as a bankrupt tactic, and have long urged Israel to bring its use to an end.

Source: Palestine News & Information Agency (WAFA)

Israeli occupation forces injure 4 Palestinians in Huwara

Israeli occupation forces injured four Palestinians by rubber-coated rounds today during confrontations in the town of Huwara, in the northern West Bank province of Nablus, according to medical sources. Ahmad Jibril, a spokesman for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, said four Palestinians sustained injuries from rubber-coated rounds while others suffocated from teargas fired at them by Israeli occupation soldiers in Huwara. He said a child was hospitalized at the Huwara Emergency Center after he suffocated from Israeli teargas, while many others were treated at the scene of the confrontations by medical personnel. The confrontations erupted against the backdrop of Israel’s cold-blooded murder of Palestinian young woman Eman Odeh, 26, earlier today at a checkpoint in the town.

Source: Palestine News & Information Agency (WAFA)

GS’S BAISSARI MEETS BELGIAN AMBASSADOR, BISHOP OF MARONITE EPARCHY OF LATAKIA

Acting Director General of General Security, Brigadier General Elias Baissari, on Thursday received in his office, Belgian Ambassador to Lebanon, Koen Vervaeke. Discussions reportedly touched on issues of common interest. Brigadier General Baissari also received Bishop of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Latakia, Rev. Antoine Chbeir, with whom he discussed the general situation.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon