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Education Healthcare

Why students in a top NJ college health program are improving public vaccine efforts

Students in the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey are monitoring vaccine hesitancy in vulnerable populations to help inform public policy.

 

EWING, NJ – The U.S. administered over 200 million COVID-19 vaccines in President Biden’s first 100 days in office. However, vaccination rates are now falling by disturbing measures, from a high of 3.38 million to 2.86 million people vaccinated per day. Emboldened by the federal government pausing Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine in April, vaccine hesitancy remains a national crisis. Students in the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) have partnered with the New Jersey Public Health Association to understand why vulnerable demographics are hesitant to get vaccinated and how to improve New Jersey’s state messages to these populations.

TCNJ public health major, Arianna Ceballos, Class of 2022, is spearheading this effort. “Being Hispanic, I see hesitancy firsthand. There is a lot of unreliable information circulating, and I’m driven to take an active role in countering this misinformation”, she says. As part of her capstone project, a cumulative experiential learning assignment, Ceballos is working with the New Jersey Public Health Association to organize virtual focus groups to monitor vaccine hesitancy in vulnerable demographics, including African Americans and Latinx communities. The study will continue through June, to be presented and published over the summer.

Associate Professor and Public Health Chair, Dr. Brenda Seals, leverages rich health communication experiences and institutional relationships to advise the initiative. “The current messages articulated by the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and state disclaimers to encourage vaccination are usually limited to fact lists,” explains Seals. “Drawing upon data from New Jersey state, county and city departments, we found little outreach to vulnerable populations to include them in larger vaccination conversations. We are honored to collaborate with the New Jersey Public Health Association to directly address vaccine hesitancy and inform public policy.” Dr. Brenda Seals is a former CDC REACH Grant Co-Investigator, and has worked with Native American and African American populations for studies of cancer, HIV, violence and injury, mental health and health disparities.

Founded in 1875, the New Jersey Public Health Association is the oldest public health organization in the U.S. Its mission is to strengthen, advocate and advance public health in New Jersey.

Dean of TCNJ’s School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science Carole Kenner remarks, “Our students and faculty members embrace the teacher-scholar model and include students in faculty research and scholarship. We at the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science pride ourselves on taking students seriously; empowering them to contribute their scholarship to projects beyond campus borders.”

TCNJ’s School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals—through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science, and physical education teaching—for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes.

Contact Information

Crothers Consulting | info@crothersconsulting.co | (800) 831-3840

Categories
Healthcare

Teva to highlight research in respiratory care at upcoming 2021 American Thoracic Society International Conference

Two e-posters include new data across asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphasizing Teva’s commitment to patients with respiratory diseases

TEL AVIV, Israel & PARSIPPANY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Teva Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA), today announced that it will present two new e-posters at the upcoming American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference, taking place virtually May 14-19, 2021. One of the two e-posters details data on increased short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) use in patients with poorly controlled asthma, as measured by Teva’s ProAir® Digihaler® (albuterol sulfate) inhalation powder, a SABA inhaler prescribed to people 4 years of age and older to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people who have reversible obstructive airway disease or prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, that automatically detects, records, and stores data on inhaler events. The second e-poster includes data on real-world uncontrolled COPD therapy.

“Teva is proud of the analyses being presented at this year’s ATS meeting, which underscore our commitment to the respiratory disease community,” said Danny McBryan, MD, Head of Global Medical Affairs & Pharmacovigilance, at Teva Pharmaceuticals. “The ProAir® Digihaler® findings are particularly exciting as the data collected by the electronic sensor embedded within the device provides objective inhaler use data that can be used to help inform treatment decisions in the management of patients who suffer from asthma and acute symptoms of COPD.”

The following e-posters, accompanied with an audio file featuring the studies’ authors, will be available online at the start of the meeting on May 14, 2021 and can be accessed via the ATS meeting website at www.conference.thoracic.org. Additionally, abstracts presented at the virtual conference were published in the Online Abstract Issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Volume 203, May 3, 2021.

  • Abstract A1459 – Short-acting beta-agonist bursts and overuse in patients with poorly controlled asthma, as recorded by a digital inhaler
    • This analysis aimed to identify SABA bursts and SABA overuse in patients with asthma using the ProAir® Digihaler®.
  • Abstract A2259 – Assessing Real-World Uncontrolled COPD Therapy Using a US Administrative Claims Database
    • This study evaluated real-world administrative claims data to assess increased SABA and systemic corticosteroid use in patients with COPD as an indicator of “uncontrolled disease or suboptimal therapy.”

ProAir® Digihaler® Indications and Usage

ProAir® Digihaler® (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Powder is a prescription medicine used in people ≥4 years of age for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in people who have reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Important Safety Information About ProAir® Digihaler®

  • Contraindications: ProAir Digihaler (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Powder is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to albuterol or patients with a severe hypersensitivity to milk proteins. Rare cases of hypersensitivity reactions, including urticaria, angioedema, and rash have been reported after the use of albuterol sulfate. There have been reports of anaphylactic reactions in patients using inhalation therapies containing lactose.
  • Paradoxical Bronchospasm: ProAir Dighaler can produce paradoxical bronchospasm that may be life-threatening. Discontinue ProAir Digihaler and institute alternative therapy if paradoxical bronchospasm occurs.
  • Deterioration of Asthma: Need for more doses of ProAir Digihaler than usual may be a marker of acute or chronic deterioration of asthma and requires reevaluation of treatment, such as possible need for anti-inflammatory treatment, e.g., corticosteroids
  • Use of Anti-Inflammatory Agents: ProAir Digihaler alone may not be adequate to control asthma in many patients. Early consideration should be given to adding anti-inflammatory agents, e.g., corticosteroids
  • Cardiovascular Effects: ProAir Digihaler, like other beta-adrenergic agonists, can produce clinically significant cardiovascular effects in some patients, as measured by heart rate, blood pressure, and/or symptoms. If such effects occur, the drug may need to be discontinued. ProAir Digihaler, like all sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension
  • Do Not Exceed Recommended Dose: Fatalities have been reported in association with excessive use of inhaled sympathomimetic drugs in patients with asthma
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions including Anaphylaxis: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur after administration of albuterol sulfate, as demonstrated by rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, and oropharyngeal edema. Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, pruritus, and rash have been reported with the use of therapies containing lactose, an inactive ingredient in ProAir Digihaler
  • Coexisting Conditions: ProAir Digihaler, like all sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes mellitus; and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines
  • Hypokalemia: As with other beta-agonists, ProAir Digihaler may produce significant hypokalemia in some patients. The decrease is usually transient, not requiring supplementation
  • Most common adverse reactions (≥1% and >placebo) are back pain, pain, gastroenteritis viral, sinus headache, urinary tract infection, nasopharyngitis, oropharyngeal pain and vomiting
  • Drug Interactions: Other short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilators should not be used concomitantly with ProAir Digihaler
    • Beta-Blockers: Beta-adrenergic-receptor blocking agents not only block the pulmonary effect of beta-agonists, such as ProAir Digihaler, but may produce severe bronchospasm in asthmatic patients. Therefore, patients with asthma should not normally be treated with beta-blockers
    • Diuretics: Caution is advised in the coadministration of beta-agonists with non-potassium sparing diuretics (such as loop or thiazide diuretics). Consider monitoring potassium levels
    • Digoxin: Carefully evaluate the serum digoxin levels in patients who are currently receiving digoxin and ProAir Digihaler
    • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors or Tricyclic Antidepressants: ProAir Digihaler should be administered with extreme caution to patients being treated with these agents, or within 2 weeks of discontinuation of these agents, because the action of albuterol on the cardiovascular system may be potentiated. Consider alternative therapy

Please read the full Prescribing Information.

About Teva

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) has been developing and producing medicines to improve people’s lives for more than a century. We are a global leader in generic and specialty medicines with a portfolio consisting of over 3,500 products in nearly every therapeutic area. Around 200 million people around the world take a Teva medicine every day, and are served by one of the largest and most complex supply chains in the pharmaceutical industry. Along with our established presence in generics, we have significant innovative research and operations supporting our growing portfolio of specialty and biopharmaceutical products. Learn more at www.tevapharm.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding ProAir® Digihaler®, which are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to:

  • the commercial success of our Digihaler portfolio;
  • our ability to successfully compete in the marketplace, including: that we are substantially dependent on our generic products; consolidation of our customer base and commercial alliances among our customers; delays in launches of new generic products; the increase in the number of competitors targeting generic opportunities and seeking U.S. market exclusivity for generic versions of significant products; our ability to develop and commercialize biopharmaceutical products; competition for our specialty products, including AUSTEDO®, AJOVY® and COPAXONE®; our ability to achieve expected results from investments in our product pipeline; our ability to develop and commercialize additional pharmaceutical products; and the effectiveness of our patents and other measures to protect our intellectual property rights;
  • our substantial indebtedness, which may limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, engage in additional transactions or make new investments, may result in a further downgrade of our credit ratings; and our inability to raise debt or borrow funds in amounts or on terms that are favorable to us;
  • our business and operations in general, including: uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our business, financial condition, operations, cash flows, and liquidity and on the economy in general; our ability to successfully execute and maintain the activities and efforts related to the measures we have taken or may take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated costs therewith; effectiveness of our optimization efforts; our ability to attract, hire and retain highly skilled personnel; manufacturing or quality control problems; interruptions in our supply chain; disruptions of information technology systems; breaches of our data security; variations in intellectual property laws; challenges associated with conducting business globally, including political or economic instability, major hostilities or terrorism; costs and delays resulting from the extensive pharmaceutical regulation to which we are subject or delays in governmental processing time due to travel and work restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; the effects of reforms in healthcare regulation and reductions in pharmaceutical pricing, reimbursement and coverage; significant sales to a limited number of customers; our ability to successfully bid for suitable acquisition targets or licensing opportunities, or to consummate and integrate acquisitions; and our prospects and opportunities for growth if we sell assets;
  • compliance, regulatory and litigation matters, including: failure to comply with complex legal and regulatory environments; increased legal and regulatory action in connection with public concern over the abuse of opioid medications and our ability to reach a final resolution of the remaining opioid-related litigation; scrutiny from competition and pricing authorities around the world, including our ability to successfully defend against the U.S. Department of Justice criminal charges of Sherman Act violations; potential liability for patent infringement; product liability claims; failure to comply with complex Medicare and Medicaid reporting and payment obligations; compliance with anti-corruption sanctions and trade control laws; and environmental risks;
  • other financial and economic risks, including: our exposure to currency fluctuations and restrictions as well as credit risks; potential impairments of our intangible assets; potential significant increases in tax liabilities (including as a result of potential tax reform in the United States); and the effect on our overall effective tax rate of the termination or expiration of governmental programs or tax benefits, or of a change in our business;

and other factors discussed in this press release, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2021 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, including in the sections captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements.” Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Contacts

IR Contacts

United States
Kevin C. Mannix (215) 591-8912

Israel
Yael Ashman 972 (3) 914-8262

PR Contacts
United States
Doris Yiu (973) 265-3752

Israel
Yonatan Beker 972 (54) 888 5898

Categories
Business Healthcare

Blair partners with American Nurses Foundation for National Nurses Day on May 6 to give back to nurses

~ Proud to Partner with the American Nurses Foundation to Support the Health and Wellbeing of Nurses

 

WARREN, Pa. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — In honor of all the nurses on the frontlines of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Blair is partnering with the American Nurses Foundation to offer a donation of $1 for every unit sold of our popular Fleece Jacket from May 6, 2021 – May 12, 2021 up to $10,000. From all of us at Blair we want to thank and support current and former nurses for the tremendous sacrifices they make each and every day and even more so in the last year due to the pandemic. Blair has offered everyday essentials tailored to real-life versatility since 1910 and the brand’s bestselling Fleece Jacket provides comfort to those who have provided comfort to so many in our communities.


“Many of our customers are current or former nurses so this truly feels personal to us and we can’t thank them enough for all the hard work and sacrifice they’ve made during this difficult time. We are proud to recognize and give back to those on the front lines helping to battle the ongoing pandemic by partnering with the American Nurses Foundation,” stated Mark Williams, EVP and President of Orchard Brands.

 

Patrick Giblin Development Associate at the American Nurses Foundation said, “This year Nurses Week offers a glimpse of optimism after a year with little time for the traditional celebrations. Our vision is to achieve a healthy world through the power of nursing, and this is more relevant than ever today. Since our founding in 1955 as the research, education, and charitable affiliate of American Nurses Association, we have fought tirelessly to advance the nursing profession in research, education, and clinical while also investing in the wellbeing and success of individual nurses.”

 

Bobby Ferrario, Chief Marketing and Customer Officer at Orchard Brands added “Blair has been committed to the power of community since our founding in 1910, and we are proud to honor our heritage and customers through this partnership. Our donations made on behalf of our customers are just a small way of saying thank you while recognizing their dedication, compassion and devotion to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

 

About Orchard Brands

Orchard Brands is an omni-channel multi-brand portfolio of apparel retailers providing curated lifestyle and fit solutions at a great value through its catalog and eCommerce channels. The portfolio includes four well-established brands, including Blair – established in 1910 in Warren, Pennsylvania (www.blair.com), Haband – established in 1925 in Paterson, New Jersey (www.haband.com), Appleseed’s – established in 1946 in Beverly, Massachusetts (www.appleseeds.com), and Draper’s & Damon’s – established in 1927 in Pasadena, California (www.drapers.com).

 

About Blair

Blair offers women’s and men’s apparel and accessories with a focus on value and style and was established in 1910 in Warren, Pennsylvania where it still resides today. Blair Women’s features on-trend looks in a full range of sizes designed to fit her lifestyle and her budget. Blair Men’s is a resource for updated comfortable classics in extended sizes at affordable prices. Blair is part of the Orchard Brands multi-brand portfolio. Its fashion offerings are available for purchase through its catalogs and online at www.blair.com.

Contacts

Media Contact:
Chris Tukua – SVP, Treasurer and Investor Relations
MR@bluestembrands.com

Categories
Business Healthcare

Wellsheet appoints Healthcare Veteran Ryan Sadlo to help health systems modernize EHR Systems to address physician burnout

New Vice President of Growth to Accelerate Commercial Operations in the Public and Private Sector

NEWARK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #CernerWellsheet Inc., the company transforming the physician experience with the EHR, announced it has appointed Ryan Sadlo to the newly created position of VP of Growth. Wellsheet is prioritizing national adoption of its predictive workflow platform as health systems, in both the private and public sectors, struggle to reduce physician burnout, which reached unmatched levels during the pandemic. Wellsheet is scaling commercial operations based on the success of existing deployments and new market opportunities and Ryan is leading this effort.


“Wellsheet tackles one of the top challenges facing health systems today, which is reducing physician burnout. Health systems recognize that it is vital to support clinicians on the front-lines and real-time data is key. Wellsheet combines multiple sources of data, including from the EHR, payer, and HIE systems, to provide new insights to physicians. Seamless access to data in real-time improves the quality of care by improving clinical decision support and identifying gaps in care. Ryan understands the EHR market and has the track record to expand Wellsheet’s national footprint. We are delighted to have him lead our growth efforts,” said Craig Limoli, CEO and founder of Wellsheet.

“I am excited to join Wellsheet because it brings much needed innovation to the EHR, through its FHIR-based API integration model. Currently, the amount of time physicians spend with administrative duties is increasing while time spent seeing patients is decreasing. Wellsheet is at the forefront of expanding capabilities for providers at the point of care in a way that’s never been done before. I’ve been incredibly impressed by the Wellsheet product and the team’s ability to quickly advance the offering in response to evolving market needs.”

Ryan has extensive experience building and growing teams to take innovative health IT solutions to both health systems and health plans. Most notably, he led the commercialization of the Podimetrics SmartMat for four years, a remote patient monitoring solution capable of detecting 97% of diabetic foot ulcers five weeks before clinical presentation. During this time, Ryan secured contracts with multiple health systems and health plans, including a national roll-out with the Veterans Health Administration. Ryan holds an MBA from Rice University and is passionate about bridging the gap between the implementation of technology solutions and the realization of value creation for customers.

To learn more:

About Wellsheet

Wellsheet’s predictive clinical workflow platform uses the FHIR API standards to work within an existing EHR to surface the most relevant content for physicians in a view that is contextualized and prioritized for their needs. Its cloud-based predictive workflow is integrated with both Epic and Cerner to reduce a physician’s time in the EHR, lessening physician burnout and improving the quality of patient care. Wellsheet’s SaaS-based offering is deployed in large healthcare providers. Learn more at www.wellsheet.com or follow us on Twitter @Wellsheet_Inc.

Contacts

Mari Mineta Clapp

mari@wellsheet.com

Categories
Education Healthcare

Why social media use overcomes vaccines hesitancy: Experts at top New Jersey College Arts and Communication School announce successful practices

Doctor injecting person

 

A team of internationally recognized health communication scholars at The College of New Jersey has identified successful initiatives using social media.

 

“Health organizations such as WHO and CDC can combat COVID-19 vaccination misinformation by implementing engaging, interactive social media campaigns”

EWING, NJ — Overcoming vaccine hesitancy is a national emergency, and a team of internationally recognized health communication scholars in the Department of Communication Studies in the School of the Arts and Communication at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) has identified successful initiatives using social media.

 

TCNJ’s Department of Communication Studies currently ranks number one in New Jersey and received the 2013 National Communication Association Rex Mix Program of Excellence Award as the nation’s best undergraduate communication studies department. These TCNJ communication studies experts discovered five vital strategies that lead to effective outcomes: mobilize multiple social media platforms; enlist a wide range of cultural influencers; engage social media users with entertaining and interactive campaign messages and activities; communicate scientific facts about COVID-19 to reduce stigma; and showcase both Republicans and Democrats supporting vaccination.

 

In many countries, social media netizens and content providers are eager to cooperate with national leaders to encourage mask-wearing, social distancing and hand washing. Dr. John C. Pollock, Professor of Communication Studies and Public Health, editor of forthcoming 2021 book “COVID-19 in International Media”, says, “New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern’s appearance on a Facebook app nightly in sweatshirt or pajamas to remind fellow Kiwis to practice safety precautions and ‘stay in bubbles’ is a powerful lesson for leaders everywhere.”

 

Pollock’s research uncovers comprehensive national polls finding that in order to de-politicize vaccination communication messages, reducing the association of health promotion with political partisanship is essential for saturated vaccination. He also notes many countries distribute widely song and dance videos promoting precautionary COVID-19 practices, suggesting the US should enlarge the number of participating musical leaders, beyond Dolly Parton or Columbia neurosurgeon Dr. Olajide Williams, who founded Hip Hop Public Health and animated features extolling the benefits of ‘community immunity’.

 

According to Dr. Yifeng Hu, Associate Professor and Chair of Communication Studies at TCNJ, author of a systematic review on health communication research in the digital age, “Health organizations such as WHO and CDC can combat COVID-19 vaccination misinformation by implementing engaging, interactive social media campaigns through a variety of entertaining digital communication strategies.”

 

“My research suggested that in earlier pandemic stages, one in five tweets contained elements of stigma communication,” says Assistant Professor of Communication Studies and Public Health, Dr. Yachao Li, author of the article “Constructing and Communicating COVID-19 Stigma on Twitter.” Negative attitudes and discrimination toward front line workers can isolate and discourage people from seeking medical care or vaccines. Widespread distribution of engaging, accurate, and up-to-date information is essential to reduce pandemic stigma.

 

“I’m very proud of the way our school’s health communication scholars have employed their expertise to successfully address the most dangerous pandemic in modern memory”, says Dr. Maurice Hall, Dean of TCNJ School of the Arts and Communication.

 

The three health communication scholars on the international COVID-19 team teach in the School of the Arts and Communication, TCNJ’s interdisciplinary arts, performance, music, multimedia and communication studies branch. Proud to provide students with a top-tier liberal arts education, the School is an inclusive community of dedicated teaching professionals focused on preparing young minds to flourish as productive citizens in a complex world. Watch student films and music performances on ArtsComm DIGITAL, a brand-new digital platform by the School of the Arts and Communication.

Contact Information

Crothers Consulting | info@crothersconsulting.co | (800) 831-3840

Categories
Business Healthcare

Shionogi strengthens U.S. Executive Leadership Team to support growth

Appoints Executive Vice President Nathan McCutcheon to the Role of Chief Operating Officer

Names Senior Vice President Gianine Esposito to the Executive Committee

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Shionogi Inc., a pharmaceutical company with a significant focus on infectious diseases, announced today the expanded leadership roles of executive vice president Nathan McCutcheon and senior vice president Gianine Esposito.


Mr. McCutcheon has been appointed to the newly created position of chief operating officer. In his new role, Mr. McCutcheon will be responsible for achieving the company’s annual financial targets and leading all commercial operations, distribution and business development activities.

“Nate has been an influential leader since joining Shionogi, building a top-tier commercial organization to help us achieve our objectives,” said Akira Kato, Ph.D., President and CEO at Shionogi Inc. “It is our vision to build our U.S. business into a major contributor of value for Shionogi globally. This requires significant business development efforts to accelerate our near to mid-term inorganic growth while solidifying our commitment to helping patients in the field of infectious diseases. Nate’s career experience both strategically and operationally are well aligned with our growth opportunities for Shionogi U.S.”

Ms. Esposito, senior vice president, human resources, will join the Shionogi Inc. Executive Committee. In her current role, she is responsible for all aspects of human resources, corporate development and communications.

“I am pleased to welcome Gianine to the Executive Committee to help guide our company through the next level of growth,” said Dr. Kato. “She is a seasoned human resources leader who will bring a valuable perspective as we develop our talent and advance our business in the U.S.”

Mr. McCutcheon, who brings more than 20 years of commercialization experience in large, mid-sized and start-up pharmaceutical companies to his new role, joined Shionogi in 2019 as chief commercial officer and Executive Committee member. In his previous positions, he has served as general manager of multiple business units, led numerous product launches and has held roles in both global and U.S. capacities. McCutcheon has held leadership roles at Mallinckrodt, Allergan and Eli Lilly, among others. Mr. McCutcheon earned his M.B.A. from the Kelley School of Business, and a Bachelor of Science from Ball State University.

Ms. Esposito joined Shionogi in 2011 and assumed her position as senior vice president, human resources, in April 2020. With a 20-year career in human resources, she has held various leadership roles for companies, including Ferring Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Liz Claiborne, Inc. and Gap Inc. Ms. Esposito received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Connecticut.

About Shionogi

Shionogi & Co., Ltd. is a major Japanese research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing benefits to patients based on its corporate philosophy of “supplying the best possible medicine to protect the health and wellbeing of the patients we serve.”

Shionogi Inc., the U.S. subsidiary, currently holds the rights to products in several therapeutic areas with a specific commercialization focus on anti-infectives within the hospital. With the recent successful launch of FETROJA® (cefiderocol), Shionogi Inc. is positioned for growth by expanding its portfolio through business development efforts aligned with infectious disease/hospital promotion and our pipeline. Shionogi Inc. is based in N.J.

For more information on Shionogi Inc., please visit www.shionogi.com. For more information on Shionogi & Co., Ltd., visit https://www.shionogi.com/global/en/.

Forward Looking Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations in light of the information currently available, assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Risks and uncertainties include general domestic and international economic conditions such as general industry and market conditions, and changes of interest rate and currency exchange rate. These risks and uncertainties particularly apply with respect to product-related forward-looking statements. Product risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion and discontinuation of clinical trials; obtaining regulatory approvals; claims and concerns about product safety and efficacy; technological advances; adverse outcome of important litigation; domestic and foreign healthcare reforms and changes of laws and regulations. Also, for existing products, there are manufacturing and marketing risks, which include, but are not limited to, inability to build production capacity to meet demand, unavailability of raw materials and entry of competitive products. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts

Lindsay Bohlander, Senior Director, Corporate Development & Communications

+1 973-307-3718

Lindsay.Bohlander@shionogi.com

Categories
Healthcare Technology

Certara to present at the BofA Securities 2021 Virtual Health Care Conference

PRINCETON, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Certara, Inc. (Nasdaq: CERT), a global leader in biosimulation, today announced that it will be participating in the BofA Securities 2021 Virtual Health Care Conference.

William Feehery, CEO, and Andrew Schemick, CFO, are scheduled to present on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 2:45 p.m. ET. A live webcast will be available on Certara’s investor relations website at https://ir.certara.com and will be available for replay for 90 days thereafter.

About Certara

Certara accelerates medicines using biosimulation software and technology to transform traditional drug discovery and development. Its clients include more than 1,650 global biopharmaceutical companies, leading academic institutions, and key regulatory agencies across 61 countries.

Contacts

Investor Relations Contact:
David Deuchler

Gilmartin Group

ir@certara.com

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Tang, Ph.D.

Finn Partners

elizabeth.tang@finnpartners.com

Categories
Business Healthcare

Teva to present new analyses of AUSTEDO® (deutetrabenazine) tablets and assessment of schizophrenia clinical outcomes at upcoming 2021 American Psychiatric Association annual meeting

Four posters examine the long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of AUSTEDO in patients with tardive dyskinesia and a review of clinical outcome measures in schizophrenia

TEL AVIV, Israel & PARSIPPANY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Teva Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA), today announced four new posters examining long-term analyses of AUSTEDO® (deutetrabenazine) tablets and clinical outcome measures in schizophrenia will be presented at the upcoming 2021 American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting taking place May 1-3, 2021.

“These analyses support our ongoing efforts to improve the lives of people with neurological and psychiatric disorders, and we remain committed to driving progress for patients and the physicians who manage their care,” said Denisa Hurtukova, MD, VP, Head of North America Medical Affairs. “We look forward to participating in meaningful scientific exchange at APA around the body of evidence supporting the long-term use of AUSTEDO as a treatment option for tardive dyskinesia, and to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges and unmet needs in the mental health space.”

Teva will highlight long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability data from the pivotal ARM-TD and AIM-TD clinical trials, as well as a three-year open-label extension study for AUSTEDO in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD). These analyses examined the improvements in quality of life (QoL) and patient-centered outcomes with AUSTEDO by assessing QoL via modified craniocervical dystonia questionnaire (mCDQ-24) scores and patient-centered outcomes via abnormal involuntary movement scale (AIMS) scores through week 106 in a three-year open-label extension study. Exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIRs) were used to assess the frequency of adverse events (AEs) through week 145 of the study.

Additionally, Teva will present a comprehensive overview of the clinical outcome measures used in schizophrenia over the past 10 years.

Posters will be available online at the start of the meeting on May 1, 2021 and can be accessed via the APA meeting website at: www.psychiatry.org/annualmeeting.

The full set of Teva-sponsored data to be presented includes:

AUSTEDO®

De novo:

  • Poster 4849: Long-Term Deutetrabenazine Treatment Is Associated with Sustained Improvements in Quality of Life in Patients with Tardive Dyskinesia
  • Poster 4390: Improvements in Patient-Centered Outcome Measures with Long-Term Deutetrabenazine Treatment among patients with Tardive Dyskinesia
  • Poster 4807: Long-Term Safety of Deutetrabenazine in Patients with Tardive Dyskinesia: Results from the Completed, 3-year Open-Label Extension Study

Schizophrenia

De novo:

  • Poster 4744: Clinical Outcome Assessment Instruments in Schizophrenia: A Scoping Review

AUSTEDO® Indications and Usage

AUSTEDO® is indicated for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington’s disease and for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia in adults.

Important Safety Information About AUSTEDO®

Depression and Suicidality in Patients with Huntington’s Disease: AUSTEDO® can increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior (suicidality) in patients with Huntington’s disease. Balance the risks of depression and suicidality with the clinical need for treatment of chorea. Closely monitor patients for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Inform patients, their caregivers, and families of the risk of depression and suicidality and instruct them to report behaviors of concern promptly to the treating physician. Exercise caution when treating patients with a history of depression or prior suicide attempts or ideation. AUSTEDO® is contraindicated in patients who are suicidal, and in patients with untreated or inadequately treated depression.

Contraindications: AUSTEDO® is contraindicated in patients with Huntington’s disease who are suicidal, or have untreated or inadequately treated depression. AUSTEDO® is also contraindicated in: patients with hepatic impairment; patients taking reserpine or within 20 days of discontinuing reserpine; patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or within 14 days of discontinuing MAOI therapy; and patients taking tetrabenazine (Xenazine®) or valbenazine (Ingrezza®).

Clinical Worsening and Adverse Events in Patients with Huntington’s Disease: AUSTEDO® may cause a worsening in mood, cognition, rigidity, and functional capacity. Prescribers should periodically re-evaluate the need for AUSTEDO® in their patients by assessing the effect on chorea and possible adverse effects.

QTc Prolongation: AUSTEDO may prolong the QT interval, but the degree of QT prolongation is not clinically significant when AUSTEDO is administered within the recommended dosage range. AUSTEDO should be avoided in patients with congenital long QT syndrome and in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a potentially fatal symptom complex reported in association with drugs that reduce dopaminergic transmission, has been observed in patients receiving tetrabenazine. The risk may be increased by concomitant use of dopamine antagonists or antipsychotics. The management of NMS should include immediate discontinuation of AUSTEDO®; intensive symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring; and treatment of any concomitant serious medical problems.

Akathisia, Agitation, and Restlessness: AUSTEDO® may increase the risk of akathisia, agitation, and restlessness. The risk of akathisia may be increased by concomitant use of dopamine antagonists or antipsychotics. If a patient develops akathisia, the AUSTEDO® dose should be reduced; some patients may require discontinuation of therapy.

Parkinsonism: AUSTEDO® may cause parkinsonism in patients with Huntington’s disease or tardive dyskinesia. Parkinsonism has also been observed with other VMAT2 inhibitors. The risk of parkinsonism may be increased by concomitant use of dopamine antagonists or antipsychotics. If a patient develops parkinsonism, the AUSTEDO® dose should be reduced; some patients may require discontinuation of therapy.

Sedation and Somnolence: Sedation is a common dose-limiting adverse reaction of AUSTEDO®. Patients should not perform activities requiring mental alertness, such as operating a motor vehicle or hazardous machinery, until they are on a maintenance dose of AUSTEDO® and know how the drug affects them. Concomitant use of alcohol or other sedating drugs may have additive effects and worsen sedation and somnolence.

Hyperprolactinemia: Tetrabenazine elevates serum prolactin concentrations in humans. If there is a clinical suspicion of symptomatic hyperprolactinemia, appropriate laboratory testing should be done and consideration should be given to discontinuation of AUSTEDO®.

Binding to Melanin-Containing Tissues: Deutetrabenazine or its metabolites bind to melanin-containing tissues and could accumulate in these tissues over time. Prescribers should be aware of the possibility of long-term ophthalmologic effects.

Common Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions for AUSTEDO® (>8% and greater than placebo) in a controlled clinical study in patients with Huntington’s disease were somnolence, diarrhea, dry mouth, and fatigue. The most common adverse reactions for AUSTEDO® (4% and greater than placebo) in controlled clinical studies in patients with tardive dyskinesia were nasopharyngitis and insomnia.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning.

About Teva

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) has been developing and producing medicines to improve people’s lives for more than a century. We are a global leader in generic and specialty medicines with a portfolio consisting of over 3,500 products in nearly every therapeutic area. Around 200 million people around the world take a Teva medicine every day, and are served by one of the largest and most complex supply chains in the pharmaceutical industry. Along with our established presence in generics, we have significant innovative research and operations supporting our growing portfolio of specialty and biopharmaceutical products. Learn more at www.tevapharm.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding AUSTEDO, which are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to:

  • the commercial success of AUSTEDO;
  • our ability to successfully compete in the marketplace, including: that we are substantially dependent on our generic products; consolidation of our customer base and commercial alliances among our customers; delays in launches of new generic products; the increase in the number of competitors targeting generic opportunities and seeking U.S. market exclusivity for generic versions of significant products; our ability to develop and commercialize biopharmaceutical products; competition for our specialty products, including AUSTEDO, AJOVY® and COPAXONE®; our ability to achieve expected results from investments in our product pipeline; our ability to develop and commercialize additional pharmaceutical products; and the effectiveness of our patents and other measures to protect our intellectual property rights;
  • our substantial indebtedness, which may limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, engage in additional transactions or make new investments, may result in a further downgrade of our credit ratings; and our inability to raise debt or borrow funds in amounts or on terms that are favorable to us;
  • our business and operations in general, including: uncertainty regarding the magnitude, duration, and geographic reach of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our business, financial condition, operations, cash flows, and liquidity and on the economy in general; our ability to successfully execute and maintain the activities and efforts related to the measures we have taken or may take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated costs therewith; effectiveness of our optimization efforts; our ability to attract, hire and retain highly skilled personnel; manufacturing or quality control problems; interruptions in our supply chain; disruptions of information technology systems; breaches of our data security; variations in intellectual property laws; challenges associated with conducting business globally, including political or economic instability, major hostilities or terrorism; costs and delays resulting from the extensive pharmaceutical regulation to which we are subject or delays in governmental processing time due to travel and work restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; the effects of reforms in healthcare regulation and reductions in pharmaceutical pricing, reimbursement and coverage; significant sales to a limited number of customers; our ability to successfully bid for suitable acquisition targets or licensing opportunities, or to consummate and integrate acquisitions; and our prospects and opportunities for growth if we sell assets;
  • compliance, regulatory and litigation matters, including: failure to comply with complex legal and regulatory environments; increased legal and regulatory action in connection with public concern over the abuse of opioid medications and our ability to reach a final resolution of the remaining opioid-related litigation; scrutiny from competition and pricing authorities around the world, including our ability to successfully defend against the U.S. Department of Justice criminal charges of Sherman Act violations; potential liability for patent infringement; product liability claims; failure to comply with complex Medicare and Medicaid reporting and payment obligations; compliance with anti-corruption sanctions and trade control laws; and environmental risks;
  • other financial and economic risks, including: our exposure to currency fluctuations and restrictions as well as credit risks; potential impairments of our intangible assets; potential significant increases in tax liabilities; and the effect on our overall effective tax rate of the termination or expiration of governmental programs or tax benefits, or of a change in our business;

and other factors discussed in this press release and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, including in the sections captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements.” Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Contacts

IR Contacts

United States
Kevin C. Mannix

(215) 591-8912

Israel

Yael Ashman

972 (3) 914-8262

PR Contacts

United States
Doris Yiu

(973) 265-3752

Israel
Yonatan Beker

972 (54) 888 5898

Categories
Business Healthcare

AM Best assigns credit ratings to Hospitals insurance Company, Inc.

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” to Hospitals Insurance Company, Inc. (HIC) (New York, NY). The outlook assigned to the Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect HIC’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The balance sheet strength assessment reflects the company’s risk-adjusted capitalization at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which benefits from modest underwriting leverage, prudent reserving practices and a conservative investment portfolio. The company has a history of organic surplus growth and good quality of capital with no debt or surplus notes. HIC reported pre-tax operating income in each of the prior five years. Five-year average operating ratios and return metrics are better than the medical professional liability (MPL) peer group composite. AM Best expects these metrics to be more in line with or slightly outperform the peer group composite in the future.

HIC specializes in providing MPL insurance to hospitals and physicians affiliated with its insured hospitals in New York. Along with its sister company, Healthcare Risk Advisors (HRA), the combined entities offer an integrated approach to claims handling, risk management and data analytics that can provide a broad set of risk finance and risk transfer solutions to clients. While HIC has elevated product and geographic concentration risks as a single-state, primarily monoline insurer, this is mitigated partially by management’s significant depth of experience in the New York hospital professional liability market.

The Doctors Company, An Interinsurance Exchange (TDC), the second largest MPL insurer in the United States, acquired HIC in 2019. The company served the major N.Y. hospital systems—Mount Sinai, Montefiore and Maimonides—before its acquisition, and continues to do so post-acquisition. HIC recently opened its distribution model to accept other hospitals and physician groups in New York. While growth is projected to be moderate over the next few years, the planned expansion does carry a degree of execution risk. AM Best considers the group’s risk-management capabilities appropriate for the group’s risk profile. HIC has largely adopted the ERM practices of its parent, TDC.

The stable outlooks reflect the expectation that HIC will maintain a balance sheet assessment at the strongest level over the intermediate term with adequate operating results contributing to surplus growth needed to support the company’s expanding book of business following the opening of the HRA/HIC program to hospitals and physician groups in New York.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media – Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2021 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Jieqiu Fan
Senior Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5372
jieqiu.fan@ambest.com

Sharon Marks
Associate Director
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5477
sharon.marks@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jim Peavy
Director, Communications
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

Categories
Healthcare Local News

Bristol Myers Squibb presents positive data from two pivotal Phase 3 psoriasis studies demonstrating superiority of deucravacitinib compared to placebo and Otezla® (apremilast)

Significantly more patients treated with deucravacitinib achieved PASI 75 and sPGA 0/1 compared to patients treated with placebo and Otezla at Week 16, with an increased benefit versus Otezla at Week 24 and maintained through Week 52

Deucravacitinib was well tolerated with a low rate of discontinuation due to adverse events

Deucravacitinib is a first-in-class, oral, selective tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor with a unique mechanism of action

Results presented as late-breaking research at the 2021 American Academy of Dermatology Virtual Meeting Experience

PRINCETON, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $BMY #AADVMX2021Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) today announced positive results from two pivotal Phase 3 trials evaluating deucravacitinib, an oral, selective tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 trials, which evaluated deucravacitinib 6 mg once daily, met both co-primary endpoints versus placebo, with significantly more patients achieving Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 response and a static Physician’s Global Assessment score of clear or almost clear (sPGA 0/1) after 16 weeks of treatment with deucravacitinib. Deucravacitinib was well tolerated with a low rate of discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs).


Deucravacitinib demonstrated superior skin clearance compared with Otezla® (apremilast) for key secondary endpoints in both studies, as measured by PASI 75 and sPGA 0/1 responses at Week 16 and Week 24. Findings include:

PASI 75 Response in POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2:

  • At Week 16, 58.7% and 53.6% of patients receiving deucravacitinib achieved PASI 75 response, respectively, versus 12.7% and 9.4% receiving placebo and 35.1% and 40.2% receiving Otezla.
  • At Week 24, 69.0% and 59.3% of patients receiving deucravacitinib achieved PASI 75 response, respectively, versus 38.1% and 37.8% receiving Otezla.
  • Among patients who achieved PASI 75 response at Week 24 with deucravacitinib and continued treatment with deucravacitinib, 82.5% and 81.4%, respectively, maintained PASI 75 response at Week 52.

sPGA 0/1 Response in POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2:

  • At Week 16, 53.6% and 50.3% of patients receiving deucravacitinib achieved sPGA 0/1 response, respectively, versus 7.2% and 8.6% receiving placebo and 32.1% and 34.3% receiving Otezla.
  • At Week 24, 58.4% and 50.4% of patients receiving deucravacitinib achieved sPGA 0/1 response, respectively, versus 31.0% and 29.5% receiving Otezla.

“In both pivotal studies, deucravacitinib was superior to Otezla across multiple endpoints, including measures of durability and maintenance of response, suggesting that deucravacitinib has the potential to become a new oral standard of care for patients who require systemic therapy and need a better oral option for their moderate to severe plaque psoriasis,” said April Armstrong, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Dean and Professor of Dermatology at the University of Southern California. “As many patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis remain undertreated or even untreated, it is also highly encouraging to see that deucravacitinib improved patient symptoms and outcomes to a greater extent than Otezla.”

Superiority of Deucravacitinib Versus Placebo and Otezla

Deucravacitinib demonstrated a robust efficacy profile, including superiority to placebo for the co-primary endpoints and to Otezla for key secondary endpoints. In addition to PASI 75 and sPGA 0/1 measures, deucravacitinib was superior to Otezla across both studies in multiple other secondary endpoints, demonstrating significant and clinically meaningful efficacy improvements in symptom burden and quality of life measures.

POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 Results at Week 16 and Week 24

Endpoint

POETYK PSO-1 (n=666)

POETYK PSO-2 (n=1,020)

Deucravacitinib

6 mg

(n=332)

Otezla

30 mg

(n=168)

Placebo

(n=166)

Deucravacitinib

6 mg

(n=511)

Otezla

30 mg

(n=254)

Placebo

(n=255)

PASI 75*a

Week 16

58.7%*

35.1%

12.7%

53.6%*

40.2%

9.4%

Week 24

69.0%

38.1%

59.3%

37.8%

sPGA 0/1*b

Week 16

53.6%*

32.1%

7.2%

50.3%*

34.3%

8.6%

Week 24

58.4%

31.0%

50.4%

29.5%

(Scalp) ss-PGA 0/1c

Week 16

70.8%*

39.1%

17.4%

60.3%*

37.3%

17.3%

Week 24

71.8%

42.7%

59.7%

41.6%

PSSD-Symptoms CFBd

Week 16

-26.7*

-17.8

-3.6

-28.3*

-21.1

-4.7

Week 24

-31.9

-20.7

-29.1

-21.4

DLQI 0/1e

Week 16

40.7%*

28.6%

10.6%

38.0%*

23.1%

9.8%

Week 24

47.8%

24.2%

41.8%

21.5%

*Co-primary endpoints for POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 were PASI 75 and sPGA 0/1 for deucravacitinib vs placebo at Week 16.

a. PASI 75 is defined as at least a 75% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores. *p<0.0001 vs placebo. †p<0.0001 vs Otezla. ‡p=0.0003 vs Otezla.

b. sPGA 0/1 is defined as a static Physician’s Global Assessment (sPGA) score of clear or almost clear. *p<0.0001 vs placebo. †p<0.0001 vs Otezla.

c. ss-PGA 0/1 is defined as a scalp-specific Physician’s Global Assessment (ss-PGA) score of clear or almost clear in those with ss-PGA of at least 3 (moderate) at baseline. POETYK PSO-1: *p<0.0001 vs placebo. †p<0.0001 vs Otezla. POETYK PSO-2: *p<0.0001 vs placebo. †p<0.0001 vs Otezla. ‡p=0.0002 vs Otezla.

d. Change from baseline (CFB) in Psoriasis Symptoms and Signs Diary (PSSD) captures improvement in symptoms of itch, pain, stinging, burning and skin tightness in patient eDiaries. *p<0.0001 vs placebo. †p<0.0001 vs Otezla.

e. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 0/1 scores reflect no effect at all on patient’s life in patients with a baseline DLQI score of ≥2. POETYK PSO-1: *p<0.0001 vs placebo. †p=0.0106 vs Otezla. ‡p<0.0001 vs Otezla. POETYK PSO-2: *p<0.0001 vs placebo. †p<0.0001 vs Otezla.

Safety and Tolerability

Deucravacitinib was well-tolerated and had a similar safety profile in both trials. At Week 16, 2.9% of 419 patients on placebo, 1.8% of 842 patients on deucravacitinib and 1.2% of 422 patients on Otezla experienced serious adverse events (SAEs) across both studies. The most common AEs (≥5%) with deucravacitinib treatment at Week 16 were nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infection with low rates of headache, diarrhea and nausea. At Week 16, 3.8% of patients on placebo, 2.4% of patients on deucravacitinib and 5.2% of patients on Otezla experienced AEs leading to discontinuation. Across POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 over 52 weeks, SAEs when adjusted for exposure (exposure adjusted incidence per 100 patient-years [EAIR]) were 5.7 with placebo, 5.7 with deucravacitinib and 4.0 with Otezla. In the same timeframe across both studies, EAIRs for AEs leading to discontinuation were 9.4 with placebo, 4.4 with deucravacitinib and 11.6 with Otezla. No new safety signals were observed during Weeks 16‒52.

Across both Phase 3 trials, rates of malignancy, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), venous thromboembolism (VTE) and serious infections were low and generally consistent across active treatment groups. No clinically meaningful changes were observed in multiple laboratory parameters (including anemia, blood cells, lipids and liver enzymes) over 52 weeks.

“The findings from both studies affirm that deucravacitinib – a first-in-class, oral, selective TYK2 inhibitor with a unique mechanism of action that inhibits the IL-12, IL-23 and Type 1 IFN pathways – may become an oral treatment of choice for people living with psoriasis. We believe deucravacitinib has significant potential across a broad range of immune-mediated diseases, and we are committed to further advancing our expansive clinical program with this agent,” said Mary Beth Harler, M.D., head of Immunology and Fibrosis Development, Bristol Myers Squibb. “We are in discussions with health authorities with the goal of bringing this new therapy to appropriate patients as soon as possible. At Bristol Myers Squibb, we are committed to building an immunology portfolio that addresses pressing unmet needs that exist for those impacted by serious dermatologic conditions and other immune-mediated diseases, to ultimately deliver the promise of living a better life.”

These results are available as a late-breaking research presentation (Session S033 – Late-Breaking Research Abstracts) as part of the 2021 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Virtual Meeting Experience (VMX). Full results of both studies will be submitted to a medical journal for peer review. In November 2020 and February 2021, respectively, Bristol Myers Squibb announced positive topline results from POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2.

Visit www.bms.com/media/medical-meetings/bms-at-aad-vmx.html for more information on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific approach and resources on psoriasis and immune-mediated diseases.

Virtual Investor Event

Bristol Myers Squibb will host a virtual Investor Event on Friday, April 23, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. EDT to discuss the POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 data presented at AAD VMX. Company executives will provide an overview of data presented and address questions from investors and analysts.

Investors and the general public are invited to listen to a live webcast of the event at http://investor.bms.com. Materials related to the webcast will be available at the same website prior to the event. An archived edition of the Investor Event will be available later that day.

About Deucravacitinib

Deucravacitinib (pronounced doo-krav-a-sih-ti-nib) is a first-in-class, oral, selective tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor with a unique mechanism of action. Deucravacitinib is the first and only TYK2 inhibitor in clinical studies across multiple immune-mediated diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb scientists designed deucravacitinib to selectively target TYK2, thereby inhibiting signaling of interleukin (IL)-12, IL-23 and Type 1 interferon (IFN), key cytokines involved in psoriasis pathogenesis. Deucravacitinib achieves a high degree of selectivity by uniquely binding to the regulatory, rather than the active, domain of TYK2, which is structurally distinct from the regulatory domains of Janus kinase (JAK) 1, 2 and 3. At therapeutic doses, deucravacitinib does not inhibit JAK1, JAK2 or JAK3. Due to the innovative design of deucravacitinib, Bristol Myers Squibb earned recognition with the 2019 Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award for the science underpinning the clinical development of deucravacitinib.

Deucravacitinib is being studied in multiple immune-mediated diseases, including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition to POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2, Bristol Myers Squibb is evaluating deucravacitinib in three other Phase 3 studies in psoriasis: POETYK PSO-3 (NCT04167462); POETYK PSO-4 (NCT03924427); POETYK PSO-LTE (NCT04036435). Deucravacitinib is not approved for any use in any country.

About the Phase 3 POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 Studies

PrOgram to Evaluate the efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib, a selective TYK2 inhibitor (POETYK) PSO-1 (NCT03624127) and POETYK PSO-2 (NCT03611751) are global Phase 3 studies designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of deucravacitinib compared to placebo and Otezla® (apremilast) in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Both POETYK PSO-1, which enrolled 666 patients, and POETYK PSO-2, which enrolled 1,020 patients, were multi-center, randomized, double-blind trials that evaluated deucravacitinib (6 mg once daily) compared with placebo and Otezla (30 mg twice daily). POETYK PSO-2 included a randomized withdrawal and retreatment period after Week 24.

The co-primary endpoints of both POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 were the percentage of patients who achieved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 response and those who achieved static Physician’s Global Assessment (sPGA) score of 0 or 1 at Week 16 versus placebo. Key secondary endpoints of the trials included the percentage of patients who achieved PASI 75 and sPGA 0/1 compared to Otezla at Week 16 and other measures.

About Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a widely prevalent, chronic, systemic immune-mediated disease that substantially impairs patients’ physical health, quality of life and work productivity. Psoriasis is a serious global problem, with at least 100 million people worldwide impacted by some form of the disease, including around 14 million people in Europe and approximately 7.5 million people in the United States. Up to 90 percent of patients with psoriasis have psoriasis vulgaris, or plaque psoriasis, which is characterized by distinct round or oval plaques typically covered by silvery-white scales. Despite the availability of effective systemic therapy, many patients with moderate to severe psoriasis remain undertreated or even untreated and are dissatisfied with current treatments. People with psoriasis report an impact on their emotional well-being, straining both personal and professional relationships and causing a reduced quality of life. Psoriasis is associated with multiple comorbidities that may impact patients’ well-being, including psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and depression.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Celgene and Juno Therapeutics are wholly owned subsidiaries of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. In certain countries outside the U.S., due to local laws, Celgene and Juno Therapeutics are referred to as, Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb company and Juno Therapeutics, a Bristol Myers Squibb company.

Otezla® (apremilast) is a registered trademark of Amgen Inc.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, that future study results will be consistent with the results to date, that deucravacitinib (BMS-986165) may not receive regulatory approval for the indication described in this release in the currently anticipated timeline or at all and, if approved, whether such product candidate for such indication described in this release will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb’s business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

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Nina Goworek

908-673-9711

Nina.Goworek@bms.com