NOTICE: Donations for Hurricane Laura Evacuees

Donations for Hurricane Laura Evacuees

The New Orleans Health Department and the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness are working with DCFS to identify evacuee needs that can be filled by the generosity of community organizations and residents. 

On Monday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday, Sep. 1, the United Way and the Junior League of New Orleans will accept donations for select items identified by DCFS as high priority needs:

United Way Donation Drop Off

Items being sought for donations include soap, hand sanitizer, masks, lotion, baby powder, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, brushes, combs, cotton swabs, chapstick, small children’s toys, and feminine hygiene products. These items can be dropped off at the United Way, 2515 Canal St., Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Junior League Donation Drop Off

Items being sought for donations include clean, new or gently-used clothing (men’s, women’s, children) and new socks and underwear. These items can be dropped off at the Junior League, 4319 Carondelet St., Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Please do not drop off any donations directly at shelters. 

 


AxoSim is Hiring

AxoSim is Hiring

Are you looking for a fulfilling career in neurological drug discovery at a rapidly growing startup? AxoSim is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher and a Research Associate! Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/2VVpLnY

AxoSim’s NerveSim™, powered by Nerve-on-a-Chip®, and BrainSim™ platforms are revolutionizing the way that biopharmaceutical companies develop neurological drugs, and empower advancements in human neuroscience so that patients in need can get the care they deserve.

AxoSim reduces clinical failure and enables companies to develop effective drugs more quickly and at a lower cost. They work with clients to become an integral part of the drug development process, fostering #innovation and facilitating breakthroughs in the treatment of the world’s most devastating diseases.

Learn more about their exceptional team, a little bit about life at AxoSim, and other career opportunities!


BARDA Update: TMC Innovation Event

BARDA Update: TMC Innovation Event

The eradication of any novel biological threat demands the development of groundbreaking technologies and treatments in our biomedical ecosystem. In the face of SARS-CoV-2, the Biomedical Advanced Development and Research Authority (BARDA) has played a crucial role in funding many critical medical countermeasures. The steps of identifying, adapting, and applying research and development to respond to novel threats like coronavirus can often be perplexing. In an effort to demystify this process and empower everyday researchers and biotech innovators, two BARDA DRIVe accelerators have teamed up. On August 25th, TMCx & M2D2 will be hosting “Demystifying Pathways to Innovation Partnerships with Health Systems”. Alongside representatives from BARDA, they will provide actionable insights on how to position your product to hospital stakeholders & key decision-makers. To learn more and register for this important & informative discussion, visit: http://ow.ly/2mn150B3QM4


Community Update: Ochsner Vaccine Trial

Community Update: Ochsner Vaccine Trial

Ochsner was selected as 1 of 73 sites around the world to test Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. In total, Pfizer has received over $1B in funding from BARDA – a testament to their ability to develop a safe and effective vaccine that can meet the urgent needs of our nation. This is just one exemplary component of the massive effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, and there is surely no shortage of questions about this overall process. The study officials at Ochsner are happy to answer your questions. Simply contact them at 504-703-8283 or email COVIDvaccine@ochsner.org to learn more. You can learn more about this recent development here.


COVID-19 Innovation Showcase: Summary & Outcomes

COVID-19 Southeast Innovation Showcase

NOBIC partnered with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Biolocity (Atlanta, GA), and First Flight Venture Center (Research Triangle, NC), to host this unique event.

 

In the past months, COVID-19 has permeated nearly every facet of our lives and has tested our healthcare system’s durability.

One critical problem has been our public health infrastructure’s capacity to trace, triage, and predict the spread of the disease. With this in mind, BARDA put forth an initiative to develop adjunctive diagnostic technologies critical to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our health infrastructure during the COVID-19 outbreak.

These technologies provide support in two ways: providing patients with a means of self-monitoring or diagnosis and enabling the healthcare provider with remote monitoring or diagnostic capability throughout the patient’s continuum of care. This initiative also includes funding awards for the development of means of diagnosing the severity of illness or early recognition of decompensation for improved clinical management of patients.

To promote this opportunity and the improvements in this area, the New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) partnered with other accelerators in the Southeast United States. In conjunction with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)Biolocity (Atlanta, GA), and First Flight Venture Center (Research Triangle, NC), NOBIC hosted the Southeast COVID-19 Innovation Showcase.

The technological emphasis of this virtual showcase focused on telehealth applications, wearables, and non-invasive (or minimally invasive) sensors or algorithm-based tools. There were opportunities throughout the exhibition for both presenters and attendees to hear directly from BARDA DRIVe detailing available funding for innovations providing solutions to COVID-19. During this event, highlighted presentations were the presentations from entrepreneurs to showcase their remote patient monitoring technologies followed by feedback and partnering from a panel of experts and funders from across the Southeast. The panel featured a range of experts from biosecurity, finance, epidemiology, and more!

Dr. Lucienne Ide, MD, PhD, Rimidi

Presenting on behalf of Biolocity was Dr. Lucienne Ide, MD, PhD. Dr. Ide is the founder of rimidi©. Their core product in combating the spread of COVID-19 is a comprehensive care management platform. To optimize this software, they combine clinical data, real-time patient monitoring, personal physiological signatures, and overlay healthcare workflows to create a unified understanding and spur a coordinated healthcare response. Some tools used in this effort include EMR integration, smart device symptom surveillance, laboratory screening, and biometric monitoring.

 

Dr. Mark Sendak, Pandemic Response Network

Hailing from the Research Triangle area was Dr. Mark Sendak, presenting his newly formed Pandemic Response Network©. PRN is a burgeoning network of health-based organizations, community-based organizations, state and federal agencies and associations, public and private employers, and religious organizations working together to connect people with the critical and supportive resources they need during the pandemic. Its mission is to help people stay safe and connected during pandemics. To accomplish this, PRN uses a web-based survey and a team of healthcare professionals who provide feedback and guidance to participants on how to care for themselves. The group calls people across the United States when symptoms of COVID-19 are severe enough to seek care at a hospital or a healthcare facility. This combination of monitoring and feedback can help anyone stay safe and connected, especially those who are isolated or need support in managing their health.

 

Dr. Nassir Marrouche, BioStrap/TRIAD

Representing the New Orleans area and Tulane University was Dr. Nassir Marrouche, a globally renowned electrophysiologist and pioneer in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. He recently founded TRIAD, a collaborative arrhythmia research effort that brings together a cross-departmental team of physicians, scientists, researchers, MRI, and imaging specialists dedicated to improving successful prediction, prevention and outcomes in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

His presentation focused on the latest findings of the WEIACOR Trial (using WEArable devices to investigate the long-term Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular and behavioral health), and what they will mean for the latest iteration of Biostrap. They have continually monitored various biometrics of COVID-19 patients to uncover trends associated with the disease. They have determined that remote wearable monitoring can significantly improve our ability to overcome pandemic-related hurdles. They have also pioneered the machine-learning concept incorporating biometrics to predict the effects of the disease and prevent its spread. At its conclusion, the study will further enhance clinicians’ ability to detect COVID, determine predictive factors, and develop preventative strategies.

The nexus of ideas provided by the event yielded immediate positive results for presenters and attendees, including partnerships formed and financing opportunities offered. If you have any interest in contacting one of the participants in this event, please reach out to the respective coordinator:


Biolocity: Christina Wessels, Christina.Wessels@bme.gatech.edu

First Flight Venture Center: Emil Runge, erunge@ffvcnc.org

New Orleans BioInnovation Center: Andrew Pettus, apettus@neworleansbio.com