Category Archives: Progress

For years, the American Society of Clinical Oncologys annual meeting has served as the main forum for advances in cancer immunotherapies like Merck & Co.s Keytruda and Bristol Myers Squibbs Opdivo.

While new data continue to emerge for those drugs and their competitors, this years conference was headlined by dramatic data for another type of cancer medicine from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, which put pressure on rival Gilead. And with CAR-T therapies now established, attention has shifted to other emerging approaches for training the immune system to attack tumors.

Read on for updates on Gilead, bispecific antibodies for blood cancer and gamma delta cell therapy.

ASCO is an important conference for any biotech developing a cancer drug. But this years meeting was particularly so for Gilead, which has spent a decade and billions of dollars trying to build its oncology business. Analysts and investors were eagerly awaiting the details of a key study of the breast cancer drug Trodelvy, for which it paid $21 billion to acquire last year. Updates were also expected for magrolimab, another cancer medicine Gilead recently bought in a large deal.

The drugs either underwhelmed or were upstaged by others, however. Trodelvy led to a 1.5-month improvement over chemotherapy on a measure of tumor progression in a late-stage study of patients with a common form of metastatic breast cancer. The result fell short of the 2-month target doctors surveyed by analyst firm RBC Capital Markets felt would warrant meaningful use, according to a research note.

Trodelvy was also overshadowed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyos rival breast cancer drug, Enhertu, whose data in so-called HER2 low tumors were so striking they received a standing ovation at the meeting.

All the enthusiasm for Trodelvy has evaporated after those results, wrote Baird analyst Brian Skorney in a note on Sunday, adding that Enhertus likely approval in HER2 low breast cancer could limit Trodelvys revenue potential.

Analysts were similarly unimpressed by the latest data for magrolimab, a blood cancer drug that was slowed by safety concerns this year. Initial data showed a response rate of 50% for a combination of magrolimab and the chemotherapy azacitidine in an early-stage trial in myelodysplastic syndrome. That rate has fallen to 33% with additional data, barely surpassing whats been observed in tests of chemotherapy alone, Skorney wrote.

Complete response rates slipped in a Phase 1 acute myeloid leukemia study as well. The updates show Gileads drug has sufficient activity, though its perhaps not the home run it was initially hoped to be, wrote RBC analyst Brian Abrahams in a note to clients.

Gilead will likely need to show more before investors view the cancer portfolio as a major growth driver, Abrahams added. Shares ticked down 2% in early Monday trading.

The biotech did get a reprieve on Friday, however, announcing that regulators had lifted their last remaining hold on studies of magrolimab in lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Cell therapy has become a powerful new treatment option for blood cancers like lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Approved drugs from Gilead, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis and Johnson & Johnson use souped-up immune cells genetically modified and infused back into patients to attack cancers.

But the approach, while potent, involves a painstaking manufacturing process that requires physicians to carefully time treatment. In multiple myeloma, Bristol Myers and J&J have struggled to keep up with demand, Stat News has reported, further complicating cell therapy's use.

While drugmakers expect to overcome those hurdles with time, they are busy advancing other ways to redirect immune cells to target cancer. One alternative uses an antibody to latch onto protein flags found on the surface of immune cells and their cancerous targets, bringing them into tumor-killing contact.

These so-called bispecific antibodies have already shown promise in some of the same blood cancers addressed by CAR-T cell therapies. At ASCO, Roche and J&J revealed updated clinical trial data supporting their respective medicines for lymphoma and multiple myeloma. AbbVie and partner Genmab, meanwhile, will present data on their lymphoma bispecific antibody at the European Hematology Association's meeting next weekend.

Scott Gottlieb, formerly Food and Drug Administration commissioner and currently a member of Pfizers board, pointed to bispecific antibody data as some of the most exciting to come out of ASCO this year.

"That data looks very promising," he said on CNBCs Squawkbox program Monday, noting the therapies from Roche and partners AbbVie and Genmab specifically.

Specifically, Roche's data showed treatment led to responses in half of patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who were treated in the study. Nearly 40% went into remission.

Notably, about a third of the 154 participants had previously received CAR-T therapies, which have recently been approved in the U.S. for earlier use in treating advanced lymphoma.

"We still need longer follow-up for the bispecific antibodies," said Kerry Savage, a medical oncologist at The University of British Columbia, who discussed Roche's abstract at ASCO on Friday. "We don't know the curative potential yet, but it's certainly encouraging so far."

AbbVie and Genmab's results, which will be presented on Saturday at EHA, showed a slightly higher overall response rate of 63% and a similar remission rate of 39% among adults with several variations of relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma.

J&J, meanwhile, brought updated data to ASCO for its multiple myeloma bispecific teclistamab, which were also published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The data showed treatment could beat back cancer and, in about 40% of patients, lead to remission.

"The high rate of deep and durable responses in this population indicates the potential for teclistamab to provide substantial clinical benefit to a broader population of patients," researchers wrote in NEJM.

The search for more convenient alternatives to personalized cell therapies has led to other off-the-shelf strategies besides bispecific antibodies. One emerging approach involves gamma delta T cells, rare white blood cells that can recognize a range of targets.

Adicet Bio, In8Bio, Immatics, among others, are developing treatments and multiple large companies have shown interest in their work. Bristol Myers Squibb just last week expanded an existing deal with Immatics, while Takeda and Johnson & Johnson have recently made investments, too.

Adicets program, a potential treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma, is the most advanced of the group, making its trial results an important proof point for the field.

Prior to the meeting, Adicet said four of six treated patients with a low or medium dose went into remission, with two of the three patients treated still cancer free after three months. Importantly, there were no serious immune or neurological side effects reported.

At ASCO, Adicet disclosed results from two additional patients as well as longer follow-up from others. While early, the findings are in the range with CAR-T therapy. As of May 31, six of eight patients including two at the highest tested dose had responded to treatment. All six initially went into remission.

Notably, these were heavily pretreated patients, three of whom whose disease had progressed after CAR-T. Adicet hasnt reported any cases of severe cytokine release syndrome, a common side effect of CAR-T.

Yet the treatments durability remains in question. Though four of the complete responses are ongoing, only one has lasted longer than six months. One patient previously in remission died from COVID-19, while another relapsed.

Adicet plans to pick a dose to advance into further testing. The company amended its trial to include a higher dose as well as potentially evaluate a multiple-dose regimen, a strategy other off-the-shelf cell therapy developers are testing as well.

See the article here:

ASCO 2022: Gilead's tough weekend, bispecific progress and 'gamma delta' cell therapy - BioPharma Dive

GREEN BAY For the first time in its history, the city of Green Bay raised theProgress Prideflag Tuesday to celebrate June as Pride Month.

Rainbow lights have illuminated the Ray NitschkeBridge every June for the last three years, so it came as something of a surprise for at least one attendee, Amy DeBraske, 42, to learn this was the first year the city raised the Pride flag.

It's been a long time coming, she said, and the symbolism behind the flag is personalfor DeBraske, who brought her daughter Piper to the ceremony.

"Our family has always embraced diversity within our community.One of the reasons to share this moment with Piper is she is a member with the LGBTQAI+ community," DeBraske said."I also have two children who aremembers of the community. I thought it was very significant to raise the flag."

Mayor Eric Genrich and members of the city's Equal Rights Commission raised the Progress flagat noon in front of City Hall beforea few dozen attendees. The Progress flagincludes colors associated with the originalrainbow flag,transgender community members,marginalized LGBTQ communities of color, community members lost to AIDS and those currently living with AIDS.

Waving the flagsymbolizes a fight for liberation in the queer community, and Green Bay's gesturecomes as politicianshave introduced over 200 anti-LGBTQ bills across the country.

"When I talk about compassion, it means standing with people… especially in times of trial," Genrich told the crowd."If anybody's paying attention to what's going on with the world right now, it's more vital than ever to stand with those who are vulnerable, who are under attack, and that's certainly true of the LGBTQ community."

This year, the citytripled its scorein an annualreportby the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index, which tracks municipalresources forthe LGBTQ community.

With a score of 84, Green Bay is a single point shy of being considered an "All-Star" status.

It's something that Eliza Cussen, a Wisconsin organizer with the Human Rights Campaign, sees as a major success for the city.

"The Municipal Equality Index is not just an indicator of LGBTQ+ inclusion, it's a liveability index showing how cities invest in community," Cussen said. "We can say unequivocally that Green Bay is a good place for LGBTQ+ people to live, work and raise a family."

In his speech Tuesday, Michael Vinson, a member of the Equal Rights Commission, told the crowd he and his husband were among the first men to marry in the city of Green Bay.

"Personally this moment means so much to so many people in our community," Vinson told the crowd. "It speaks to the visibility and inclusion that the city continues to embrace under the leadership of our fantastic mayor."

And DeBraske, who was born and raised in Green Bay, said the city is a safe place to raise children who belong to the LGBTQ community.

"They do feel safe. They feel included in the community, not just the LGBTQ community, but the community as a whole," DeBraske said.

Natalie Eilbert isthe mental health reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK-Central Wisconsin You canreach her atneilbert@gannett.comor view her Twitter profile at@natalie_eilbert.

Read more from the original source:

For the first time in the city's history, Green Bay raises the Progress flag for Pride Month - Green Bay Press Gazette

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is pleased with the progress of his 2021 draft class.

The Patriots addressed the need for a franchise quarterback last April, selecting Mac Jones with the organizations first overall selection. Along the way, they also drafted defensive tackle Christian Barmore and running back Rhamondre Stevenson, both of whom have ended up becoming key contributors for New England.

Other picks from last years draft look to have a breakout season. Wide receiver Tre Nixon falls into that category. He was the last draft selection of longtime Patriots director of player personnel Ernie Adams.

Now, the former UCF standout is catching the eye of Belichick, as Nixon and the rest of the 2021 class continues to improve. He has had a terrific two days at minicamp.

With the Patriots undergoing a rebuild, a stellar 2021 draft class is important for future success. So far, it looks as though they are on the right track. Progress will be important in particular for Jones and Barmore, as they look to be the positional anchors for the future.

See the original post:

Bill Belichick pleased with progress of 2021 draft class with Tre Nixon shining at minicamp - Patriots Wire

Global energy and climate leaders are gathering in Denmark for a major ministerial meeting that could drive urgently needed improvements in energy efficiency, with new analysis by the International Energy Agency showing that stronger efficiency measures can reduce energy bills, fuel imports and greenhouse gas emissions quickly and significantly.

The IEAs 7th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Snderborg, Denmark, from June 7-9, is bringing together more than 20 Ministers from countries around the world including Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Panama, Senegal, Sweden and the United Kingdom as well as African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Amani Abou-Zeid and European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko will address the Conference live via video link. Decision-makers from industry, finance, international organisations and civil society will also participate in the discussions.

With the world contending with its biggest energy crisis since the 1970s, the focus of the Global Conference is on how to implement measures quickly to reduce energy use, with the aim of easing cost pressures on consumers, cutting reliance on fuel imports and driving progress towards climate goals while supporting job creation and economic growth. The new IEA analysis, published to coincide with the Global Conference, underscores the vital role of energy efficiency and energy saving in meeting todays crises by immediately addressing the crippling impacts of the spike in energy prices, strengthening energy security and tackling climate change.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said: Energy efficiency is a critical solution to so many of the worlds most urgent challenges it can simultaneously make our energy supplies more affordable, more secure and more sustainable. But inexplicably, government and business leaders are failing to sufficiently act on this. The oil shocks of the 1970s set in motion major advances in efficiency, and it is utterly essential that efficiency is at the heart of the response to todays global energy crisis. The leaders meeting at the IEA Global Conference on Energy Efficiency need to make this the moment when the world hits the accelerator on efficiency or we may fail to respond to the current energy crisis properly and pay the price for years to come.

This years Global Conference is jointly organised by the IEA and Denmarks Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities, with support from Danish engineering company Danfoss.

Denmarks Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities Dan Jrgensen said: Its no longer a question of whether we should implement more energy efficient solutions and technologies globally its a question of how we are going to do that. By increasing our energy efficiency, we can reduce our dependence of Russian oil and gas completely and move closer to achieving climate neutrality. The conference in Snderborg and the gathering of energy and climate leaders from various sectors and all parts of the world is an important step in the right direction.

Danfoss President and CEO Kim Fausing said: If the world is to meet climate goals to limit global warming, energy efficiency measures must be prioritized. A third of the reduction needed in CO2 emissions this decade according to the IEA net zero scenario must come from improvements in energy efficiency. The good news is that the solutions are there to improve energy efficiency in all sectors. We dont need to wait. We need action because the greenest energy is the energy we dont use.

On the main conference day on June 8, leaders in industry, government and civil society are discussing issues such as buildings of the future, the role of consumer behaviour, and how to unlock financing for efficiency measures. The following day will include a unique closed-door session where Ministers from around the world will share best practices on how to accelerate progress. The town of Snderborg will also host a number of technological showcases for the leaders to visit.

According to the new IEA analysis, doubling the current global rate of energy intensity improvement to 4% a year has the potential to avoid 95 exajoules a year of final energy consumption by the end of this decade compared with a pathway based on todays policy settings. This is equivalent to the current annual energy use of China. That level of savings would reduce global CO2 emissions by an additional 5 billion tonnes a year by 2030, about a third of the total emissions reduction efforts needed this decade to move the world onto a pathway to net zero emissions by mid-century, as laid out in the Net Zero Roadmap the IEA published last year.

These extra efficiency efforts would cut global spending on energy. For example, households alone could save as much as USD 650 billion a year on energy bills by the end of the decade compared with what they would have spent in a pathway based on todays policy settings. The amount of natural gas that the world would avoid using as a result of this would be equal to four times what the European Union imported from Russia last year, while the reduced oil consumption would be almost 30 million barrels of oil per day, about triple Russias average production in 2021. Compared to today, this global push on efficiency would help create 10 million additional jobs in fields ranging from building retrofits to manufacturing and transport infrastructure.

The new IEA analysis shows the significant opportunities for rapid energy efficiency gains in all sectors of the global economy. Most of these opportunities involve readily available technologies and would fully pay for themselves through lower running costs, especially at todays high energy prices. By 2030, around a third of the avoided energy demand comes from deploying more efficient equipment, ranging from air conditioners to cars. About a fifth comes from electrification, such as switching to heat pumps or electric cars. Digitalisation and use of more efficient materials in industry provide much of the rest.

The new analysis complements the insights on the critical role of energy efficiency and energy saving measures in addressing todays global energy crisis that were highlighted by the IEAs recent10-Point Plan to Reduce the European Unions Reliance on Russian Natural Gasand10-Point Plan to Cut Oil Use, as well as Playing my part: How to save money, reduce reliance on Russian energy, support Ukraine and help the planet, which was developed in cooperation with the European Commission.

Read the original here:

Meeting of Ministers from around the world can turbocharge energy efficiency progress to combat energy crisis and meet climate goals - News - IEA

Australias food safety report card for the past 12 months is mixed, according to the Food Safety Information Council (FSIC).

There was a decline in reported Salmonella infections and a survey found fewer people are washing chicken. However, another poll revealed handwashing had decreased while poisonings continue to be recorded linked to wild mushrooms.

The report card was released ahead of the fourth World Food Safety Day on June 7.

Australia sees an estimated 4.1 million cases of food poisoning each year that result in 31,920 hospitalizations, 86 deaths and 1 million visits to doctors.

Mixed results and social media salesCathy Moir, FSIC chair, said: This past 12 months has seen a mixed report card for Australian food safety and now we are out and about with relaxing public health measures required to control COVID-19 infections we need to make sure we are following basic food safety tips such as correct handwashing, cooking processes and refrigeration temperatures.

The council also criticized some social media firms such as Facebook and WeChat for hosting advertisements for sales of unregulated food and advised people not to risk buying anything from an unregulated seller.

A study inCommunicable Diseases Intelligence showed a 27 percent reduction in reported salmonellosis cases in Australia in 2020 linked to public health measures to control COVID-19 transmission compared with the previous five years.

Factors behind the decline include restaurant and food business closures during coronavirus lockdowns and fewer international travelers acquiring food poisoning abroad. People may have been less likely to seek medical attention and there may have been changes in laboratory testing capacity.

Aconsumer survey found 49 percent of Australian cooks were still washing raw whole chicken before cooking. However, this was down from 60 percent when the question was asked in 2011. Washing raw poultry can spread bacteria to hands, surfaces and other foods that may not be cooked. It is also unnecessary as cooking poultry correctly will kill any bacteria.

Another survey, in October 2021, revealed there had been a 15 percent decrease in the number of times people washed or sanitized their hands a day, on average, since the previous year.

Following floods and wet weather, wild mushrooms have been growing. There have been some cases of death cap mushroom poisoning including a young child in Victoria and two young children and a man in the Australian Capital Territory, all of whom were hospitalized. FSIC advice is not to pick or eat wild mushrooms and to clear any of them growing where children play.

Other WFSD eventsOther countries are also marking World Food Safety Day with different activities, including a dance challenge to raise awareness about the importance of food safety from June 7 to 14 in Mongolia.

The Argentinian Food Safety Commission and Argentinian Microbiology Association are holding a webinar on June 6 and the African Union Commission is running a virtual eventon June 6 and 7. A symposium is set for June 7 in Saudi Arabia.

INFOSAN is organizing a webinar on improving emergency response in food safety while Environmental Health Australia and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) in the United States will present a series of live discussions on June 7.

A virtual run is being organized by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and a Barcelona Food Safety Forum event will focus on alternative sources of protein.

TheEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA)and Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) are holding two roundtables with one promoting the #EUChooseSafeFood campaign.

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) will be talking about food safety and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on June 7.

A Danish Agriculture and Food Council and Food Nation webinar will focus on plant-based foods.Italys Scientific Society for Evidence on Environment, Food and Workplace Safety is organizing a webinar about edible and poisonous mushrooms and supplements.

The South African Food Safety Summit, sponsored by Marler Clark, will take place on June 7 and 8.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here.)

Here is the original post:

'Mixed' progress on food safety in Australia in past year - Food Safety News

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, on World Ocean Day, The Bumble Bee Seafood Company issued its 2022 Seafood Future Report. The report highlights the progress made the last 12 months through a variety of strategic partnerships that reflect Bumble Bees purpose and ongoing commitment to feeding a growing population by protecting the worlds ocean and the people who rely on it for their livelihoods.

We debuted our Seafood Future report in 2020 as a way to hold our company accountable to continuing to work toward solutions in the areas of sustainable fishing, safe and fair labor practices and improving the health of our oceans, said Jan Tharp, President and CEO, The Bumble Bee Seafood Company. We are grateful for the progress we have been able to make this past year in particular by collaborating with like-minded organizations that share our commitment to Fish, the Ocean, and People.

Progress highlighted in the 2022 Seafood Future report includes:

In addition, Bumble Bee is dedicated to supporting the communities and coastal environments in the areas where we operate and beyond. In 2021, we began a partnership with The San Diego Foundation to award local Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) students with academic scholarships on an ongoing basis. Earlier this year, we joined Dole Packaged Foods to support the Sunshine for All Cities program, which brings healthy foods and educational opportunities to those who lack access. And throughout the past year, Bumble Bee Seafood Company team members have participated in over 20 different coastal and community cleanups around the world, preventing over 11,000 pounds of trash from reaching our ocean.

We believe in feeding the world and in protecting our ocean, and we know we cant do the first without also focusing on the second, said Leslie Hushka, SVP of Global Corporate Social Responsibility, The Bumble Bee Seafood Company. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with partners, within the industry, and with NGOs to continue to push forward our effort to close the gaps on challenges in ocean sustainability and social impact.

The Seafood Future Report and more information about the companys sustainability efforts can be found at https://thebumblebeecompany.com/impact/.

ABOUT THE BUMBLE BEE SEAFOOD COMPANY

The Bumble Bee Seafood Company is passionately pursuing its purpose of feeding peoples lives through the power of the ocean. The iconic 120-year-old fishing company consistently aims to deliver delicious, healthy and affordable food to consumers while working hard to find new ways to protect the ocean and those that rely on it. Bumble Bee is firmly anchored in a commitment to connect the world to the ocean by re-defining sourcing, producing and enjoying products from and inspired by the ocean.

Bumble Bees full line of seafood and specialty protein products are marketed in the U.S., Canada and over 50 markets globally under leading brands including Bumble Bee, Anova, Brunswick, Clover Leaf, Snows, Wild Selections and Beach Cliff. For more information about the company, visit TheBumbleBeeCompany.com. For product information, visit http://www.BumbleBee.com.

See the original post here:

Progress Through Partnerships: The Bumble Bee Seafood Company Releases its 2022 Seafood Future Report - Business Wire

$7.7 million in corporate giving to support veterinary professionals, access to veterinary care and disaster relief

Continued progress toward colleague diversity aspirations, including 45% of executive team being women

Innovative solutions Performance Ranch, BLOCKYARD and CLARIFIDE support cattle producers sustainability goals

Reduced energy intensity in manufacturing and R&D by 14%, exceeding goal and making progress on commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030

PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 08, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zoetis today published its 2021 Sustainability Progress Update describing the companys progress toward achieving its Driven to Care long-term sustainability aspirations and continued disclosure on environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics. The report highlights the companys journey to champion a healthier, more sustainable future through specific actions that support Communities, Animals and the Planet. These commitments build on Zoetis purpose and help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Complementing the report is the companys ESG and SASB Index, which shares key ESG performance indicators, including those identified by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) for the healthcare biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industry.

"In our second year of reporting to our Driven to Care aspirations and targets, we have made solid progress in our journey toward healthier animals and a healthier world," said Jeannette Ferran Astorga, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at Zoetis and President of the Zoetis Foundation. "Im especially proud of how our colleagues across the globe have driven our progress in caring for our communities and customers through volunteering, developing innovative solutions for products and packaging, and minimizing our own carbon footprint."

Communities Care and CollaborationZoetis invested $7.7 million in communities through corporate giving in 2021, with activities focused on supporting veterinary professionals, expanding access to animal care and providing animal care in disaster relief. Specifically, the Zoetis Foundation provided grants of $755,000 for scholarships in its first year, and Zoetis provided an additional approximately $100,000 in corporate contributions for scholarships to support over 450 veterinary students. Additionally, Zoetis provided approximately $2.6 million in monetary and in-kind donations to support over 119,000 pet owners in need and $1.6 million in monetary and in-kind product donations to care for over 721,000 animals impacted by natural disasters.

Story continues

Building on last years announcement of the Zoetis Foundation, the companys progress update provides metrics around grants provided in 2021 and the establishment of its U.S. Matching Gifts and Dollars for Doers programs. Last year, the Zoetis Foundation committed $35 million over five years to advance opportunities for veterinarians and farmers.

The report also highlights progress toward the companys diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) aspirations, including 45% of the executive team being women:

+1% progress to increase representation of women at the director level and above globally

+0.4% progress to increase representation of Black colleagues in the U.S.

+2.5% progress to increase representation of people of color at all levels in the U.S.

+0.7% progress to increase representation of Latinx colleagues in the U.S.

As part of ongoing efforts to support colleagues, the company also disclosed that 92% of colleagues participated in DE&I education offerings, and shared active numbers of colleagues in its Colleague Resource Groups. Zoetis also included details of the companys sustainability governance structure, including board oversight and working groups and reported on the companys supplier diversity program.

Animals - Innovation in Animal HealthBy focusing its innovation expertise and partnerships on solving sustainability challenges facing animals and people, Zoetis is committed to helping achieve the SDGs including Zero Hunger and No Poverty. In its progress update, Zoetis provides details of how products such as Performance Ranch, BLOCKYARD and CLARIFIDE can help its cattle customers meet their productivity and sustainability needs. The report also includes an explanation of the companys approach to solutions for agricultural emissions.

Updated metrics are also included for the companys African Livestock Productivity and Health Advancement (A.L.P.H.A.) initiative to support sustainable livestock health and production in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2021, Zoetis trained 25,500 farmers, veterinary professionals, distributors and lab personnel 30% were women and treated 4.8 million cows and 121.6 million chickens in the region.

Further highlighting the work of Zoetis Center for Transboundary and Emerging Diseases (CTED), and earning Zoetis recognition as one of Fast Companys Most Innovative Companies in 2022, the report includes an update on donating more than 26,000 doses of the companys COVID vaccine to zoos and sanctuaries in more than a dozen countries, and supplying rabies vaccines to the World Organization for Animal Health Rabies Vaccine Bank. The progress report also describes the companys collaborative approach to promoting responsible use of antibiotics in Latin America and southeast Asia and reducing animal testing through partnerships in Brazil and the E.U.

Planet the Drive to Protect our PlanetIn minimizing the carbon footprint and improving environmental sustainability of the companys locations, Zoetis reported it reduced energy intensity in its manufacturing and R&D locations by 14%, exceeding its goal of 5% reduction by 2025. The company also sourced 13.5% renewable electricity and 6.1% renewable energy in 2021 as progress toward its RE100 commitment to source 100% renewable energy in its own operations by 2030 which the company accelerated by 20 years in January 2022. Additionally, the report includes details about the companys plans to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2030 by focusing on energy efficiency and minimizing energy needs, purchasing renewable electricity, electrifying its fleet, and offsetting the remaining emissions. Zoetis reported a 10% reduction in Scope 1 emissions intensity in its manufacturing and research and development operations from 2020.

In re-thinking product packaging to further reduce the companys environmental footprint, in 2021 Zoetis developed internal processes and policies to ensure new product packaging designs consider environmental factors. The report highlights initiatives in Australia, Canada, the E.U., New Zealand and the U.S. where Zoetis colleagues reimagined product packaging, from replacing virgin materials with recycled-content materials to creating programs that divert packaging from landfills. Zoetis also joined the Sustainable Packaging Coalition to collaborate on sustainable packaging solutions that will benefit the companys customers and the environment.

For more detailed disclosure on the companys ESG programs, practices and policies, please see zoetis.com/sustainability or download Zoetis 2021 Sustainability Progress Update and 2021 ESG and SASB Index. Zoetis will continue to share updates on its sustainability activities, including progress against its Driven to Care goals, and report annually.

About ZoetisAs the worlds leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After 70 years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide, from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The companys leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $7.8 billion in 2021 with approximately 12,100 employees. For more, visit http://www.zoetis.com.

DISCLOSURE NOTICESForward-Looking Statements: This press release, the 2021 Sustainability Progress Update and 2021 ESG and SASB Index contain forward-looking statements which reflect the current views of Zoetis with respect to: our progress toward our Driven to Care aspirations; our sustainability, energy and climate goals, targets and plans; business plans or prospects; future operating or financial performance; the plans and future work of the Zoetis Foundation, and other future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Zoetis expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, including in the sections thereof captioned "Forward-Looking Statements and Factors That May Affect Future Results" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our Current Reports on Form 8-K. These filings and subsequent filings are available online at http://www.sec.gov, http://www.zoetis.com, or on request from Zoetis.

All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted.

2022 Zoetis Services LLC. All rights reserved.

ZTS-CORZTS-IR

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220607006295/en/

Contacts

Media Contacts:Christina Lood1-973-822-7249 (o)christina.lood@zoetis.com

Bill Price1-973-443-2742 (o)william.price@zoetis.com

Investor Contact:Steve Frank1-973-822-7141 (o)steve.frank@zoetis.com

Read this article:

Zoetis Releases 2021 Sustainability Update to Share Progress in Championing Healthier Communities, Animals and the Planet - Yahoo Finance

Welcome back for another mailbag offering.

If mailbag 1.0 was more of a broader look with a strong Who Says No? trade element this second posting will be slightly more roster-specific, plus a longer look at the Evgeni Malkin situation. Again, there were plenty of questions about the crowd on defense. There were also a handful of questions about Quinton Byfield, which isnt surprising considering his lofty draft status (No. 2 in 2020) and the high expectations that go along with players drafted so high.

So lets start with some Byfield questions, some of which were grouped together.(Some questions have been lightly edited for style and clarity.)

What are the organizations expectations for Quinton Byfield next season? Joshua B.

What do the Kings need to see out of Byfield next year? I assume hell be with the team out of camp for the whole season. Michael F.

In a word: progression.

How far he progresses will be up to him. The Kings clearly want him to succeed for a number of reasons, starting with the fact they have a lot invested in him. He was getting chances to play even when he was overmatched in the regular season.

At some point, hell need to be a top-six forward. They will need to see progression, and they hope to see a lot of it.

Of course, its hard to be patient. I keep going back to an interview that I did with ESPN/TSN broadcaster Ray Ferraro approximately 14 months ago. The primary topic of our conversation was Gabriel Vilardi (who had been made a healthy scratch) but it touched on the bigger picture of development timelines. Ferraro said: Some guys just jump into the lineup, and off they go and you never think about them again.

Still, few teams experience the luxury of a finished product. Those who promote the notion of patience will point to the career arc of Adrian Kempe, who is coming off a career-high 35 goals. Kempe, 25, has played in 390 NHL games. Still, he displayed flashes of promise much earlier, scoring a hat trick in his 31st NHL game. The Kings will need to see more hints of promise from Byfield this upcoming season. And it doesnt have to be a hat trick.

Most media pundits had Byfield eventually taking over from Phillip Danault at 2C with Danault sliding down to 3C, but with the unexpected offense that Danault discovered and with Anze Kopitar looking more like hes losing a step it hurts to say that do you think it makes more sense for Danault to supplant Kopitar at 1C, with Kopitar to 2C? I cant see Byfield leapfrogging Danault anytime soon on the depth chart and I dont think we would ever see Kopitar in a 3C role, which would leave our former No. 2 pick languishing in a no-mans land of sorts. If this is the case, might it be better to package Byfield (as much as I hate thinking about that) in a deal for a true star/scoring winger? Craig H.

The question from Craig is slightly different than the other two about Byfields future, so it gets a separate answer. At this stage, I cant see the Kings packaging Byfield in a trade for two reasons.

1. Teams rarely move on from a No. 2 draft pick this quickly, and 2. The conservative nature of Kings GM Rob Blake.

After those two reasons, there really doesnt need to be another one!

The whole point about drafting Byfield is anticipating that somewhere down the road, you would need someone for the next generation to do what Anze Kopitar did for the previous generation. In three years, maybe Kopitar is a 3C, and there may not be a clearly defined 1C/2C, depending on how Danault and Byfield are trending. The best-case scenario for the Kings is that Byfield reaches his full potential and is a true 1C by then. A reminder: Byfield wont turn 23 until August 2025.

What Kings prospects does the team value the most? Which ones have taken significant steps in their development and which have been more stagnant? Will T.

Sometimes, its more enlightening to get answers outside the organization. Ive asked an NHL executive from another team about Ontario AHL and twice he has brought up how much he likes the progression of defenseman Helge Grans. He added that the Kings will have to be patient with Grans, who was drafted in the second round (No. 35) in 2020.

There should be concern about the way Alex Turcotte is trending. Turcotte, the No. 5 in 2019, has been beset by numerous injuries since joining the organization. But rightly or wrongly, you have to live with comparisons to your draft class.

Not only are the two players drafted right after Turcotte Moritz Seider (Detroit) and Dylan Cozens (Buffalo) making an impact in the NHL, there is Trevor Zegras, who went No. 9 to the Ducks. Zegras is close by in Anaheim and has the star power and charisma that goes beyond goals and assists. It is a wow factor that only comes along every so often and matters when you are in the entertainment industry.

Whats our defense going to look like next year? Having too many prospects isnt a bad thing, but theres not enough room for everyone! Patrick S.

Mikey Anderson-Drew DoughtySean Walker-Matt RoyTBD-Sean Durzi

Thats my (early) take on it. Walkers recovery from ACL surgery is on track and he is expected to be ready for training camp. He is on the left side here because he has played that position and that would help alleviate the surplus on the right. Could highly touted prospect Brandt Clarke the Kings first-round draft choice in 2021 stick with the big team? Again, AHL Ontario is not an option for him. Its either the NHL or OHL Barrie. I dont have him in the top six at this moment because it feels premature to do so before he even steps on the ice in training camp or plays in his first rookie tournament. Mononucleosis prevented him from playing in the 2021 event in Arizona. If he knocks the socks off the coaching staff in camp and preseason games, then thats a different story.

Conceivably, Alex Edler could slide into the third pair on the left side, where it is left open for a free-agent signing or trade target. Or Tobias Bjornfot, if he has a bounce-back camp/preseason and doesnt start the season in the AHL.

Have coaches considered transitioning one of our many right-shot defensemen to the left side to help resolve the imbalance? Also, Doughty said the team needs to add more toughness. Does that make it more likely that they try to keep Brendan Lemieux? Don N.

One of Dons questions goes nicely with the previous entry about the defense. Walker and Durzi are both comfortable on the left side. While Roy could do it and has done it, he plays his best on the right side. That came up in my recent question-and-answer session with assistant coach Trent Yawney, who runs the defense. Yawney noted that Roys game really took off after Roy was moved back to the right side again this past season.

In a perfect world, youd like to have three lefty-righty pairs, but it rarely works out that way.

Regarding toughness, one of my first phone calls would be to the agent of Nic Deslauriers, who was once in the Kings organization. He was mentioned in Mailbag 1.0 as someone the Kings should target in the summer.

Undoubtedly, Deslauriers will draw plenty of interest. Not only would he address the toughness issue but Deslauriers has the ability to kill penalties. For a fourth-line player, he checks a lot of boxes.

Hardest question of the offseason: Keep Sean Durzi or trade him? Hes developed so much but with the logjam, is he expendable? Chris T.

Almost everyone is expendable, but I understand where you are going with the question. The most valuable trade chips that the Kings possess are on the back end starting with Durzi. As an aside, the Seattle Kraken could use someone like Durzi to run the power play.

But Durzi has that it factor, which is hard to define but you know it when you see it. Durzi embraces the big moments and tough assignments. Teammates have a lot of time for someone who was willing to take on Nashvilles Yakov Trenin.

On left defense, I dont see Olli Maatta sticking around. Maybe the Kings give Edler another go on another budget-friendly deal but, if they dont, shouldnt they give Jacob Moverare a shot to develop on the third pair? He seems like he could be solid if given a long enough opportunity. Daniel C.

I suspect Maatta will get a better offer elsewhere than what the Kings could put together for him. Given the way Edler played before his injury and after his injury it would be worth bringing him back on the contract you described. He had a meaningful impact on the young defense corps, as well as on his Swedish countrymen on the blue line and those up front, Kempe and Carl Grundstrom and even Viktor Arvidsson. You cant discount that.

It will have to be a win-win situation for the organization and Edler, who is 36 and is closing in on an important individual milestone, just 34 games away from 1,000 NHL games played. If his minutes are managed correctly, he could still be a valuable asset on a team-friendly contract.

The Kings rank dead last in shooting percentage and are a high volume shot team. They rank better in high-danger shooting percentage. How much of their inability to finish do you think is a result of the system they play vs. a lack of players who are highly skilled finishers? Andy G.

It is/was not an especially gifted group when it came to finishing plays. Every team is a little bit different. The Colorado Avalanche have players who dont need four chances to score a goal. If they get one or two, it is probably going in.

I have read multiple reports that the Kings might be interested in Evgeni Malkin if he does not re-sign in Pittsburgh. I know he still averaged either a point per game or close to it, but do you think that would be a good idea? It seems like it would create a serious logjam at center, and definitely would not leave a spot for Byfield or whatever other kids are on the verge. Jason F.

I thought it made sense to place the question about Malkin right after Andys question because, well, Malkin isnt going to need four chances to score a goal. Or three.

Moreover, the power-play questions would vanish with Malkin stepping on the ice in L.A. Suddenly the system would look much better and everyone on the staff would look a lot smarter.

First off, it would be a bold move and also out of step with the way Kings management team has been operating. They made three strategic additions last offseason but this would be classified as a win-now move, costing a lot of money. Malkin is still a very good player and is determined to prove that hes put his injuries behind him. Knee surgery kept him out of the lineup until Jan. 11 and he was more than a point-a-game player, finishing with 42 points in 41 games.

Its worth looking at it from Malkins point of view. If Pittsburgh isnt offering what he deems a reasonable contract, then what does he want? Hes not going to give teams a Mark Giordano-type discount. Does he have a wish to live in Los Angeles?

The best resource on Malkin in Pittsburgh happens to be colleague Rob Rossi of The Athletic, who has covered Malkin since his first days in the NHL. He has made two trips to Russia to spend time with Malkin for stories and they are working on a book together.

Rossi said: To doubt Evgeni would be folly, given how badly he wants to get back (his) level. Its language similar to what he used after his first knee surgery forced him to miss the end of the 2010-11 and his personal struggles off the ice detailed in a story written after I spent time with him in Moscow in July 2019 impacted him negatively in 2018-19.

Now, he wore a younger mans clothes after each of those seasons, but he followed each with arguably his two best offensive seasons. Also, dont discount his true motivation: becoming the first Russian to win four Cup titles. If he cant do that in Pittsburgh, hed love to show the Penguins he can do it elsewhere.

Hi Lisa. Wondering what your thoughts are on Kopitar and the Hockey Hall Of Fame? Hes often compared to Patrice Bergeron and they each won the Selke Trophy and Mark Messier Leadership Award. I think Bergeron is a lock for the HHOF, so would Kopitar be there, too? Kevin L.

I appreciated that Kevin submitted a question that I can answer without hesitation.

Yes.

If I had a vote (and I do not), Kopitar would be in. You referenced his individual credentials and there are the two Stanley Cup championships to bolster the argument. At 34, he finished sixth in Selke voting this year.

(It was cool to see that fellow media member Wayne Gretzky of TNT had Kopitar No. 1 on his Selke ballot.)

I also think it shouldnt be overlooked what Kopitar has done internationally, with a deep commitment to his native Slovenia. At 17, Kopitar was representing Slovenia in Olympic qualifying tournament games, and went on to play in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, marking the first time Slovenia accomplished such a feat in mens hockey. I suspect that first would carry significant weight with the HHOF voters.

I miss Frozen Fury in Vegas. That is all. Dunc F.

Same.

Is there any chance the Kings will offer-sheet anyone this offseason? I would like to see them try and bring Arcadia native Jason Robertson back home. David T.

Every team has its own style and approach. Offer sheets are uncommon because they rarely work and you leave yourself open to retribution. If the player is good enough like Robertson you dont get him. He is just too important to the Dallas Stars future. A conventional team like the Stars would automatically match. I just cant see any other course of action.

Should the Kings adopt a load-management style for some of the older core players? (Example: Kopitar and Doughty play 60 games tokeep them fresh for playoffs.) Jazz

In the shortened 56-game season in 2021, there were some questions about load management. Maybe teams would have to weigh that intriguing option. But the answer was always no it would not happen.

NHL players just would not go for it. It never felt like a concept that would fly in a league like the NHL. Players will tell you if they even miss a game or two, they start to feel theyre missing their edge.

There are 18 position players and you can manage their load within games if you want. That ultimately could be the solution with Kopitar as they could start to cut his minutes back in a logical fashion.

Have you watched Shoresy on Hulu? Its fun to see Kings legend Jordan Nolan as a character. Keoni M.

That is on my future viewing list. The first order of business is wrapping up the final season of Downton Abbey yes, Im hopelessly years behind on that one and then getting up-to-date on Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix.

Frankly, I wish more NHL general managers/coaches were outspoken as Christian Horner of Red Bull. Alas, one can dream

(Top photo of Quinton Byfield: Bailey Hillesheim / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Read more:

Quinton Byfields progress, and the L.A. Kings 2022-23 defense: Mailbag, part 2 - The Athletic

Crews set up sidewalk and barrier-free ramps on northbound Legacy Drive at Travis Drive. (Courtesy city of Frisco)

Legacy Drive reconstruction

Traffic is scheduled to switch to the new northbound lanes of Legacy Drive in early June. The goal of the project is to reconstruct Legacys existing lanes and widen the road from four to six lanes between SH 121 and Warren Parkway. The first phase of the project, which consists of paving the roads, is 95% complete, according to a May public works department report. The contractor is paving the remaining right-turn lanes, inlet tops, sidewalks and the barrier-free ramp.

Timeline: July 2021-spring 2023

Cost: $18.2 million

Funding source: city of Frisco

Town and Country Boulevard widening

Construction of Town and Country Boulevard is ongoing. The projects contractor is adding median crossovers, temporary pavement, and backfilling and sodding the eastbound parkway. This project will reconstruct the existing westbound lanes in addition to adding two new eastbound lanes and bike lanes. Traffic will drive on the eastbound lanes until crews finish the westbound lanes.

Timeline: April 2021-fall 2022

Cost: $4.7 million

Funding source: city of Frisco

UPCOMING PROJECTS

Panther Creek Parkway widening

The design of Panther Creek Parkway is 90% complete, according to a May public works department report. The project will widen the parkway from a four-lane divided road to a six-lane divided road. The third westbound lane will run from Knotty Pine Street to Dallas Parkway, and the added eastbound lane will run from east of Legacy Drive to Dallas Parkway. The project is also expected to improve capacity and mobility at the Panther Creek and Legacy intersection.

Timeline: summer 2022-early 2023

Cost: $3.7 million

Funding source: city of Frisco

Lebanon Road widening

Preliminary designs for reconstruction of Lebanon Road from FM 423 to Todd Drive is underway. This project will convert Lebanon into a six-lane divided roadway. City staff recently completed site visits to assess pavement conditions and identify what areas need to be rehabilitated.

Timeline: early 2023-spring 2024

Cost: $11 million

Funding source: city of Frisco

Follow this link:

Legacy Drive traffic switches, Panther Creek Parkway progress and more Frisco transportation updates - Community Impact Newspaper

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yamaha Rightwaters recapped sustainability and conservation initiative progress from the past 12 months during 2022 Capitol Hill Oceans Week. From June 2021 through June 2022, Yamaha Rightwaters sponsored new carbon sequestration and plastics recycling programs in addition to projects that continue to support marine habitat restoration, managing the spread of invasive species and meaningful scientific research.

Conservation is always the center of Yamaha Rightwaters initiatives and partnership development. Were committed to protecting water our most essential natural resource, said Martin Peters, Division Manager, External Affairs, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. Were looking to ensure clean water and sustainable fisheries for future generations to enjoy, and we know carbon sequestration and the reduction of ocean acidification will continue to play a major role in the health of our waterways.

Yamaha Rightwaters recently joined forces with Texas A&M Universitys Harte Research Institute and the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) to initiate a new conservation project designed to restore the degraded oyster beds of St. Charles Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. The ultimate goal of this study is to quantify the amount of carbon a living oyster can sequester. This data will allow Yamaha Rightwaters, CCA and other conservation organizations to scale future oyster reef restoration projects and to sequester measurable, certifiable amounts of carbon, thereby combating ocean acidification while also creating essential fish habitats.

In June of 2021, Yamaha Rightwaters announced support for the Ducks Unlimited Gulf Coast Initiative, which aims to restore more than 78,000 acres in coastal Louisiana and Texas. In addition to the habitat benefits for fish and wildlife, this project will also help filter nitrates from agricultural runoff while sequestering tons of carbon dioxide each year.

Yamaha Rightwaters also became a supporter of The Billion Oyster Project in 2021, an organization dedicated to restoring oyster reefs to New York Harbor in collaboration with New York City communities. Activities include rearing oysters in four nurseries, planting oysters in suitable areas and using the project as a STEM teaching opportunity. To date, the organization has introduced 75 million oysters to the harbor with the participation of more than 6,000 students.

In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic in U.S. waterways, Yamaha Rightwaters launched a reverse logistics recycling program in August of 2021 to return the protective covers from select boat builders, retail dealers and its three boat production facilities. To date, the program is responsible for returning 17,911 pounds of Polyethylene and Polypropylene sheet plastics back into base materials. Contributing manufacturers include Contender Boats, Regulator Marine, Xpress Boats, Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing (YJBM), Skeeter, G3 Boats, Valhalla Boats, Grady-White Boats and Sportsman Boats.

With a focus on managing the spread of aquatic invasive species, Yamaha Rightwaters is working with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and members of the $689 billion recreational industry to create a blue-ribbon commission, which will convene leading biologists, environmentalists, policy makers and resource managers to assess existing mitigation efforts and identify more effective eradication solutions. The commission will present findings to Congress and the administration in 2023 with the goal of passing comprehensive legislation to better manage aquatic invasive species.

In addition, Yamaha Rightwaters currently sponsors the Coastal Conservation Association-Maryland (CCAMD) Aquatic Invasive Species Count, a part fishing tournament, part citizen-science project. The program documents the occurrence of snakehead, blue catfish and flathead catfish, all of which are invasive to Chesapeake Bay. These species negatively impact economically critical native species, such as blue crabs and striped bass, through predation and competition for food and habitat.

Yamaha Rightwaters also continues to support organizations including the NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful and Keep the Golden Isles Beautiful, Florida State University Coastal Marine Laboratory, the Conch Republic Marine Army, the Potomac River Keepers and Wounded Nature-Working Veterans through efforts including clean up events, outboard-powered research vessels and continued conservation education.

Serving as the umbrella for all of Yamaha Marines sustainability projects, Yamaha Rightwaters officially launched on World Oceans Day 2019 and marks its three-year anniversary this week. The initiative expanded overseas in 2021 when Yamaha Motor Australia became the first major sponsor of the 100 Smarter Cities for Cleaner Oceans through its alliance with clean technology start-up Seabin.

Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit, based in Kennesaw, Ga., markets and sells marine outboard motors ranging in size from 2.5 to 425 horsepower. It also markets and sells fiberglass, jet-drive sport boats ranging from 19 to 27 feet, and personal watercraft. The unit includes manufacturing divisions of Yamaha Marine Systems Co., Inc., including Kracor of Milwaukee (rotational molding), Bennett Marine of Deerfield Beach, Fla. (trim tabs), and Yamaha Marine Precision Propellers of Indianapolis (stainless steel propellers). Yamaha Marine Group is a division of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., based in Cypress, Calif.

This document contains many of Yamaha's valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only and are not intended to be an endorsement.

REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.

2022 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Go here to see the original:

Yamaha Rightwaters Reports Annual Initiative Progress - Business Wire