EBR

Aizon Appoints Scott B. Waldman to Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Aizon , an Artificial Intelligence (AI) SaaS provider that transforms pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, today announced the appointment of Scott B. Waldman to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), effective immediately.

Key Points: 
  • Aizon , an Artificial Intelligence (AI) SaaS provider that transforms pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, today announced the appointment of Scott B. Waldman to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), effective immediately.
  • “I am pleased to welcome Mr. Waldman to Aizon’s Board of Directors, where he will play an integral role in supporting the execution of our strategy during this next pivotal phase of growth,” said Pep Gubau, Aizon CEO and co-founder.
  • On behalf of the entire Board, we are looking forward to working alongside Scott as we continue to scale to support even more global customers.”
    Mr. Waldman has led and advised life sciences companies for more than 25 years.
  • I am thrilled to join such an innovative and dynamic company, and look forward to working closely with the Board and leadership team to take Aizon to the next level.”

InstantGMP™ Celebrates Vita Pros' Enhancement of Electronic Batch Record Software with InstantGMP QMS

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 26, 2024

CARY, N.C., Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- InstantGMP™, a leading provider of GMP manufacturing software, is thrilled to announce that Vita Pros, a trusted client with over a decade of experience in private label supplement development and manufacturing, has elevated their Electronic Batch Record (EBR) software by integrating InstantGMP QMS, a cutting-edge Quality Management System (QMS) module.

Key Points: 
  • InstantGMP™, a leading provider of GMP manufacturing software, is thrilled to announce that Vita Pros, a trusted client with over a decade of experience in private label supplement development and manufacturing, has elevated their Electronic Batch Record (EBR) software by integrating InstantGMP QMS, a cutting-edge Quality Management System (QMS) module.
  • CARY, N.C., Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- InstantGMP™ , a leading provider of GMP manufacturing software, is thrilled to announce that Vita Pros , a trusted client with over a decade of experience in private label supplement development and manufacturing, has elevated their Electronic Batch Record (EBR) software by integrating InstantGMP QMS , a cutting-edge Quality Management System (QMS) module.
  • Jamie Schroetter, Owner of VitaPros, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Adding InstantGMP QMS to our existing software was a strategic move.
  • Responding to customer demands for guaranteed Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance, Vita Pros has integrated InstantGMP QMS into their Electronic Batch Record (EBR) software.

Students lose out as cities and states give billions in property tax breaks to businesses − draining school budgets and especially hurting the poorest students

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

Bubbling paint mars some walls, evidence of the water leaks spreading inside the aging building.

Key Points: 
  • Bubbling paint mars some walls, evidence of the water leaks spreading inside the aging building.
  • “It’s living history,” said Mayes during a mid-September tour of the building.

Property tax redirect

  • The lack of funds is a direct result of the property tax breaks that Kansas City lavishes on companies and developers that do business there.
  • Between 2017 and 2023, the Kansas City school district lost $237.3 million through tax abatements.
  • An estimated 95% of U.S. cities provide economic development tax incentives to woo corporate investors.
  • Tax abatement programs have long been controversial, pitting states and communities against one another in beggar-thy-neighbor contests.
  • All told, tax abatements can end up harming a community’s value, with constant funding shortfalls creating a cycle of decline.

Incentives, payoffs and guarantees

  • Incumbent governors have used the incentives as a means of taking credit for job creation, even when the jobs were coming anyway.
  • Fairleigh Jackson pointed out that her daughter’s East Baton Rouge third grade class lacks access to playground equipment.
  • The temporary site has some grass and a cement slab where kids can play, but no playground equipment, Jackson said.
  • “When I think about playground equipment, I think that’s a necessary piece of child development,” Jackson said.
  • The city has two bodies that dole them out: the Development Authority of Fulton County, or DAFC, and Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development agency.
  • The deals handed out by the two agencies have drained $103.8 million from schools from fiscal 2017 to 2022, according to Atlanta school system financial statements.
  • What exactly Atlanta and other cities and states are accomplishing with tax abatement programs is hard to discern.
  • Under city and state tax abatement programs, companies that used to be in Kansas City have since relocated.

Trouble in Philadelphia

  • On Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, an environmental team was preparing Southwark School in Philadelphia for the winter cold.
  • While checking an attic fan, members of the team saw loose dust on top of flooring that contained asbestos.
  • Within a day, Southwark was closed – the seventh Philadelphia school temporarily shuttered since the previous academic year because of possible asbestos contamination.
  • A 2019 inspection of the John L Kinsey school in Philadelphia found asbestos in plaster walls, floor tiles, radiator insulation and electrical panels.
  • The study estimated that a 21.7% increase could eliminate the high school graduation gap faced by children from low-income families.
  • The same researchers found that spending increases were associated with reductions in student-to-teacher ratios, increases in teacher salaries and longer school years.
  • Other studies yielded similar results: School funding matters, especially for children already suffering the harms of poverty.
  • For families in school districts with the lost tax revenues, their neighbors’ good fortune likely comes as little solace.
  • Throughout the U.S., parents with the power to do so demand special arrangements, such as selective schools or high-track enclaves that hire experienced, fully prepared teachers.
  • If demands aren’t met, they leave the district’s public schools for private schools or for the suburbs.
  • Some parents even organize to splinter their more advantaged, and generally whiter, neighborhoods away from the larger urban school districts.

Rethinking in Philadelphia and Riverhead

  • A school serving students who endure housing and food insecurity must dedicate resources toward children’s basic needs and trauma.
  • But districts serving more low-income students spend less per student on average, and almost half the states have regressive funding structures.
  • Facing dwindling resources for schools, several cities have begun to rethink their tax exemption programs.
  • The Philadelphia City Council recently passed a scale-back on a 10-year property tax abatement by decreasing the percentage of the subsidy over that time.

Kansas City border politics


Like many cities, Kansas City has a long history of segregation, white flight and racial redlining, said Kathleen Pointer, senior policy strategist for Kansas City Public Schools.

  • Meanwhile, Kansas City is still distributing 20-year tax abatements to companies and developers for projects.
  • Developers typically have plans in place when they knock on our door.” In Kansas City, several agencies administer tax incentives, allowing developers to shop around to different bodies to receive one.
  • “That was a moment for Kansas City Public Schools where we really drew a line in the sand and talked about incentives as an equity issue,” Pointer said.
  • After the district raised the issue – tying the incentives to systemic racism – the City Council rejected BlueScope’s bid and, three years later, it’s still in Kansas City, fully on the tax rolls, she said.
  • Recently, a multifamily housing project was approved for a 20-year tax abatement by the Port Authority of Kansas City at Country Club Plaza, an outdoor shopping center in an affluent part of the city.
  • All told, the Kansas City Public Schools district faces several shortfalls beyond the $400 million in deferred maintenance, Superintendent Jennifer Collier said.

East Baton Rouge and the industrial corridor


It’s impossible to miss the tanks, towers, pipes and industrial structures that incongruously line Baton Rouge’s Scenic Highway landscape. They’re part of Exxon Mobil Corp.’s campus, home of the oil giant’s refinery in addition to chemical and plastics plants.

  • The company posted a record-breaking $55.7 billion in profits in 2022 and $36 billion in 2023.
  • A mile drive down the street to Route 67 is a Dollar General, fast-food restaurants, and tiny, rundown food stores.
  • East Baton Rouge Parish’s McKinley High School, a 12-minute drive from the refinery, serves a student body that is about 80% Black and 85% poor.
  • The experience is starkly different at some of the district’s more advantaged schools, including its magnet programs open to high-performing students.
  • Baton Rouge is a tale of two cities, with some of the worst outcomes in the state for education, income and mortality, and some of the best outcomes.
  • “It was only separated by sometimes a few blocks,” said Edgar Cage, the lead organizer for the advocacy group Together Baton Rouge.
  • “Underserved kids don’t have a path forward” in East Baton Rouge public schools, Cage said.
  • “Baton Rouge is home to some of the highest performing schools in the state,” according to the report.

Louisiana’s executive order

  • John Bel Edwards signed an executive order that slightly but importantly tweaked the system.
  • On top of the state board vote, the order gave local taxing bodies – such as school boards, sheriffs and parish or city councils – the ability to vote on their own individual portions of the tax exemptions.
  • And in 2019 the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board exercised its power to vote down an abatement.
  • Edwards’ executive order also capped the maximum exemption at 80% and tightened the rules so routine capital investments and maintenance were no longer eligible, Hansen said.
  • In 2019, the campaign worked: the school board rejected a $2.9 million property tax break bid by Exxon Mobil.
  • In fact, according to Hansen, loopholes were created during the rulemaking process around the governor’s executive order that allowed companies to weaken its effectiveness.
  • By receiving tax exemptions, Exxon Mobil was taking money from her salary to deepen their pockets, she said.
  • Christine Wen worked for the nonprofit organization Good Jobs First from June 2019 to May 2022 where she helped collect tax abatement data.
  • Nathan Jensen has received funding from the John and Laura Arnold Foundation, the Smith Richardson Foundation, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Washington Center for Equitable Growth.

Aizon Secures $20M in Series C Funding Led by NewVale Capital to Enhance Pharma Manufacturing Outcomes

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024

Aizon , an Artificial Intelligence (AI) SaaS provider that transforms pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, today announced that it has closed $20 million in Series C funding led by NewVale Capital, a growth equity fund that invests in proven, revenue-generating service businesses in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

Key Points: 
  • Aizon , an Artificial Intelligence (AI) SaaS provider that transforms pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, today announced that it has closed $20 million in Series C funding led by NewVale Capital, a growth equity fund that invests in proven, revenue-generating service businesses in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
  • Existing investors Atlantic Bridge, Crosslink Capital, and Uncork Capital also participated in the round.
  • This infusion of capital, combined with the continued support of key investment partners, will enable Aizon to significantly scale, accelerate its development pipeline, and better serve its customers.
  • With Aizon, customers unlock next-generation insights and enhanced decision-making capabilities and can discover new optimisation paths, reduce costs, predict deviations, and enhance their manufacturing systems.

InstantGMP Inc. Welcomes Insane Labz to Enhanced Manufacturing Excellence

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

CARY, N.C., Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- InstantGMP™, the leader in software systems that captures your manufacturing, inventory and quality data, is excited to announce its newest client, Insane Labz®, a renowned nutritional supplement company.

Key Points: 
  • Derek Mathis, Quality Manager of Insane Labz, shared, "InstantGMP PRO has revolutionized our manufacturing processes.
  • Initially relying on third-party co-packers, Insane Labz established its own manufacturing facility in 2014, demonstrating a commitment to producing high quality products in an FDA registered, cGMP certified facility.
  • InstantGMP PRO provides Insane Labz with an end-to-end integrated manufacturing/inventory/quality system that enables precise control over formulation, ingredient sourcing, manufacturing, testing, and product distribution.
  • Derek Mathis, Quality Manager of Insane Labz, expressed his enthusiasm for this software solution by stating, "InstantGMP PRO has revolutionized our manufacturing processes.

Animal Alliance of Canada and the Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre call for independent investigation of abuse of power at the Ministry of Natural Resources

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Two wildlife advocacy organizations are calling on the Ontario government for a fully independent investigation.

Key Points: 
  • Two wildlife advocacy organizations are calling on the Ontario government for a fully independent investigation.
  • What a waste of tax dollars for what are allegedly only minor regulatory infractions,” said Liz White, Director, Animal Alliance of Canada.
  • “Two decades later, this same Ministry continues to abuse its power to terrorize community volunteers and threaten innocent animals.
  • “The time for a fully independent investigation of MNRF’s ongoing abuse of power and intimidation of wildlife rehabilitation sanctuaries is long overdue,” said DuBreuil.

Positive results from first-in-human completely leadless CRT in the US, published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

The positive results published in JACC are based on a 1-year follow-up of the first-in-human implantation in the US of totally leadless CRT pacing utilizing the Micra™ leadless pacing system in the right ventricle in conjunction with EBR's investigational WiSE® CRT Electrode in the left ventricle of the heart.

Key Points: 
  • The positive results published in JACC are based on a 1-year follow-up of the first-in-human implantation in the US of totally leadless CRT pacing utilizing the Micra™ leadless pacing system in the right ventricle in conjunction with EBR's investigational WiSE® CRT Electrode in the left ventricle of the heart.
  • This first use in the US of the WiSE CRT System as a first-line therapy is a future market expansion opportunity for EBR.
  • "It's great to see these positive results being published in a world-leading cardiology journal, such as The Journal of the American College of Cardiology," said John McCutcheon, President & CEO of EBR Systems.
  • "This case study highlights the potential of totally leadless CRT for patients struggling with traditional CRT, but also beyond these patient groups, the 64 million heart failure patients across the globe."

Blue Diamond Herbs Invests In InstantGMP™ PRO For Manufacturing Excellence

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023

CARY, N.C., Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- InstantGMP™, the trusted leader in all-in-one software solutions for pharmaceutical manufacturing, is thrilled to announce its partnership with Blue Diamond Herbs, a rising star in the Kratom industry. As Blue Diamond Herbs embark on its journey toward industry leadership, it has chosen InstantGMP™ PRO software to ensure exceptional quality, compliance, and efficiency in its operations.

Key Points: 
  • As Blue Diamond Herbs embark on its journey toward industry leadership, it has chosen InstantGMP™ PRO software to ensure exceptional quality, compliance, and efficiency in its operations.
  • As Blue Diamond Herbs embark on its journey toward industry leadership, it has chosen InstantGMP™ PRO software to ensure exceptional quality, compliance, and efficiency in its operations.
  • Luke Didio, Founder & President of Blue Diamond Herbs, expressed his excitement about their investment in InstantGMP™ PRO software, stating, " InstantGMP™ PRO software aligns perfectly with our commitment to quality and efficiency."
  • Blue Diamond Herbs, although relatively new to the Kratom market, has quickly positioned itself as a frontrunner in the industry.

New Criminal Justice Data Tool Brings Transparency to East Baton Rouge Parish

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, La., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new criminal justice data tool – Commons – has launched with data from the East Baton Rouge (EBR) Parish District Attorney's Office. The data dashboard, created by the non-profit organization Measures for Justice, in partnership with the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, makes accurate, local criminal justice data available to the East Baton Rouge Parish public and tracks policy goals set by the D.A.'s office and community leaders.

Key Points: 
  • EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, La., Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new criminal justice data tool – Commons – has launched with data from the East Baton Rouge (EBR) Parish District Attorney's Office.
  • The data dashboard, created by the non-profit organization Measures for Justice , in partnership with the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, makes accurate, local criminal justice data available to the East Baton Rouge Parish public and tracks policy goals set by the D.A.
  • By opening up access to our criminal justice data, we are taking a significant step towards ensuring a fair and equitable system for all residents of East Baton Rouge Parish," said Hillar C. Moore III, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney.
  • East Baton Rouge Parish is part of a larger network of counties across the country implementing Commons as a way to bring data transparency to the local criminal justice system.

Runway Growth Finance Corp. Provides Second Quarter 2023 Portfolio Update

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 11, 2023

WOODSIDE, Calif., July 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Runway Growth Finance Corp. (Nasdaq: RWAY) (“Runway Growth” or the “Company”), a leading provider of flexible capital solutions to late- and growth-stage companies seeking an alternative to raising equity, today provided an operational and portfolio update for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • WOODSIDE, Calif., July 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Runway Growth Finance Corp. (Nasdaq: RWAY) (“Runway Growth” or the “Company”), a leading provider of flexible capital solutions to late- and growth-stage companies seeking an alternative to raising equity, today provided an operational and portfolio update for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.
  • Runway Growth is poised to capitalize on select opportunities in the second half of 2023.”
    In the second quarter of 2023, Runway Growth funded four new investments in existing portfolio companies.
  • During the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, Runway Growth experienced four prepayments totaling $88.7 million and scheduled principal amortization of $2.8 million.
  • As of June 30, 2023, the Runway Growth portfolio included 33 debt investments to 31 portfolio companies and 58 equity investments in 43 portfolio companies, including 25 portfolio companies where Runway Growth holds both a debt and equity investment.