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New Guideline Improves Patient Access to Advanced Ultrasound Assessment of Liver Diseases and Transplant Options, Experts Say

New Guideline Improves Patient Access to Advanced Ultrasound Assessment of Liver Diseases and Transplant Options, Experts Say

Business Wire14-07-2025
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Patients with liver diseases will have expanded access to advanced ultrasound imaging and transplant options, thanks to new policy allowing doctors to use contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to help assess certain liver cancers and determine whether a liver is healthy enough for transplantation, according to experts affiliated with the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS).
Patients with liver diseases will have expanded access to advanced ultrasound imaging and transplant options, thanks to new policy.
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'This eliminates a significant roadblock to the appropriate use of CEUS at a time when patient lives are at stake,' said Dr. Yuko Kono, a transplant hepatologist and CEUS expert at the University of California San Diego and a member of the ICUS Board of Directors.
ICUS was an early and strong supporter of the inclusion of CEUS as an approved imaging option for evaluation of a prevalent form of liver cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) under guidelines and policies established by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).
While OPTN plays a crucial role in the evaluation and allocation of livers for transplantation, its guidelines and policies often have a broader impact on the clinical practice of hepatology and the use of CEUS to evaluate liver disease, according to Dr. Andrej Lyshchik, a professor of radiology at Thomas Jefferson University and CEUS expert. Dr. Lyshchik is also a member of the ICUS Board of Directors.
'We cannot underestimate the clinical importance of having CEUS officially included in our imaging tool boxes,' said Dr. Lyshchik.
ICUS called the new OPTN policy 'a critical step toward modernizing the diagnostic framework for HCC.'
ICUS also said that the policy change will 'promote consistency, reduce interpretation errors, and enhance communication with referring physicians' by aligning OPTN imaging classification criteria with a standardized reporting and data collection system known as LI-RADS ®.
CEUS is a safe, low-cost diagnostic imaging tool that is routinely used worldwide to assess abdominal and pelvic organs and tumors, heart and vascular disease, chronic gastro-intestinal diseases and other serious medical conditions, and to monitor therapy.
'CEUS solves many clinical problems efficiently, without exposure to ionizing radiation, and with sensitivity and specificity comparable to and sometimes better than contrast-enhanced CT and MRI,' said Dr. Stephanie Wilson, a clinical professor of radiology and gastroenterology at the University of Calgary and Co-President of ICUS.
Because ultrasound systems are readily available in many medical centers throughout the world and provide reliable diagnostic information in real time, CEUS often streamlines clinical workflows and reduces delays in diagnosis and treatment, she added.
Three ultrasound contrast agents are currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration: Definity (Lantheus); Lumason (Bracco Imaging) and Optison (GE Healthcare).
ABOUT ICUS:
The International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) is a nonprofit medical society dedicated to advancing the safe and medically appropriate use of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to improve patient care globally. Membership in ICUS is free of charge and there is no fee for ICUS educational programs, CME credits, newsletters or other resources.
To join ICUS and learn more about CEUS, visit www.icus-society.org and download ICUS CONNECT, the free ICUS mobile app.
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Median Technologies Has Completed a Capital Increase of € 23.9 Million
Median Technologies Has Completed a Capital Increase of € 23.9 Million

Business Wire

time2 hours ago

  • Business Wire

Median Technologies Has Completed a Capital Increase of € 23.9 Million

SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Not to be published, distributed or disseminated, directly or indirectly, in the United States of America, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Japan Median Technologies (FR0011049824, ALMDT, PEA-PME scheme eligible, 'Median' or the 'Company'), manufacturer of eyonis®, a suite of artificial intelligence (AI) powered Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) for early cancer diagnosis, and a leading provider of AI-based image analyses and central imaging services for oncology drug developers, today announces the success of its capital increase targeting institutional and retail investors through a priority subscription period, a public offering, and a private placement with qualified investors (together, the 'Offering'). The Offering was exclusively open to investors, whether retail or institutional, subscribing for a minimum amount of €100,000 per investor. As a result, subscription requests for a total amount below €100,000 per investor were not allocated. The Offering, launched on July 23, 2025, amounted to a total gross proceed of 23.9 million euros, including the issuance premium. The Company exercised the extension clause granted by the Board of Directors as part of the transaction for an amount of 1.9 million Euros. "I would like to thank all our investors—both institutional and individual—for their support and trust during this capital increase. We are particularly proud to have expanded and strengthened our shareholder base with the participation of renowned Swedish, US, French, German and UK investors (Lungstrom Family Office, Lion Point Life Science Partners, Celestial Successor Fund, Matignon Finance, Invus, Herald Investment Trust, et Tragara Holdings). We also welcome the continued commitment of representatives of the Brag family and friends, who have renewed their trust in the future of the Company. 'This equity financing adds to the up to €37.5 million EIB financing line signed in July 2025 and allows us to meet the contractual conditions to draw down the first €19 million tranche. The Company's cash runway is now extended through the fourth quarter of 2026, and potentially way beyond with the full exercise of the warrants, which can generate additional equity of €51.7 million', said Fredrik Brag, CEO and Founder of Median Technologies. 'This transaction provides us with the solid financial resources needed for the commercial launch of our Software as a Medical Device eyonis® LCS in the United States, while also strengthening our position to finalize negotiations with commercial partners for the distribution of our eyonis® LCS product. Furthermore, the funds raised will also enable us to continue and accelerate our technological and clinical development efforts for the next medical imaging software devices in our eyonis® suite—namely, eyonis® IPN for the incidental detection of lung cancer, and eyonis® HCC for the early diagnosis of primary liver cancer', Brag added. Main terms of the Offering The Offering, carried out with the cancellation of shareholders' preferential subscription rights and including a five-trading-day subscription period (on both irreducible and reducible bases), amounted to total gross proceeds of 23.9 million euros, including the issuance premium. In accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, the Offering was addressed to investors, whether retail or institutional, who will subscribe to it for a total consideration of at least €100,000 per investor. In total, the Offering resulted in the issuance of 14,424,541 new ordinary shares of the Company (the 'New Shares'), each accompanied by a warrant (the 'Warrants' and, together with the New Shares to which they are attached, the 'ABSA'). The new ABSA were issued at a price of €1.66 per ABSA, including the issuance premium, representing approximately 72.3% of the Company's existing share capital on a non-diluted basis. This price reflects a nominal discount of 17.9% compared to the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of the Company's shares over the twenty trading days preceding and through the date of July 18, 2025. The Offering was allocated as follows: On an irreducible and reducible basis during the priority subscription period to existing shareholders: 9,201,890 new ABSA, representing 64% of the capital increase, As part of the public offering in France: 241,224 new ABSA, representing 2% of the capital increase, As part of the Global placement targeting qualified investors (the 'Global Placement'), which included (a) a private placement to a limited number of accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501(a) of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the 'Securities Act')) and/or qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A of the Securities Act), and (b) an international offering outside the United States in 'offshore transactions' pursuant to Regulation S of the Securities Act ('Regulation S'), (A) within the European Union (including France), to qualified investors as defined in Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 14, 2017, as amended, and (B) outside the European Union (excluding South Africa, Japan, Australia, and Canada) in accordance with applicable laws in each relevant jurisdiction: 4,981,427 new ABSA, representing 35% of the capital increase. Settlement and delivery of the ABSA and their admission to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris market is expected to take place on August 5, 2025. The New Shares will be of the same class and fully fungible with the Company's existing ordinary shares, will carry all rights attached to existing shares, and will be admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Paris under the same ISIN code: FR0011049824 - ALMDT. Two warrants attached to the new shares entitle the holder thereof to subscribe for three new ordinary shares of the Company at a total exercise price of €7.17, i.e., an exercise price of €2.39 per new ordinary share. The theoretical value of each warrant is €0.90 per new ordinary share, based on the Black-Scholes model and assuming a volatility of 76%. The warrants will be detached from the new shares immediately upon issuance and will be admitted to trading on Euronext Growth under ISIN code FR0014011D04. The full exercise of the 14,424,541 warrants subscribed as part of the Offering would represent additional gross proceeds of 51.7 million euros. The warrants will expire 30 months after their issuance date, i.e., on 5 February 2028. The Offering did not and will not require the preparation of a prospectus subject to approval by the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers), in accordance with Article 1.4.d) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated June 14, 2017, as amended. Intended use of the transaction's net proceeds Approximatively one-third of the net proceeds will be used to support eyonis® Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) progress towards major milestones consisting of commercial launch and sales development in the U.S, Approximatively one-third of the net proceeds will be used to accelerate the expansion of Median's proprietary suite of Software as a Medical Device, eyonis®, for image-based early cancer diagnosis, notably the scientific and clinical development of Software as a Medical Devices for incidental findings of pulmonary nodules (eyonis® IPN) and liver cancer early diagnosis (eyonis® HCC), and Approximately one-third of the net proceeds will be used to finance the Company's general corporate needs and to support its cash position through the fourth quarter of 2026. 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Risk factors The principal risk factors related to the Offering are spelled out below: Shareholders who did not subscribe to the Offering will have their percentage interest in the Company's equity diluted as a result of the issuance of the New Shares, and may experience further dilution upon the potential exercise of the Warrants as well as, more generally, through any future capital increases that may be required to support the Company's financing needs. The market price of the Company's shares could fluctuate and fall below the subscription price of the ABSAs and/or not reach a sufficient level to make the exercise of the BSAs attractive. The volatility and the liquidity of the Company's shares could fluctuate significantly. Those other risk factors relating to the Company and its activities contained in Note 6, Section ' P. Specific Risk Factors' to the Company's Annual Financial Report, available on the Company's website in the 'Investors' section. Forward-looking statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts. They include projections and estimates, as well as the assumptions on which these are based, statements concerning projects, objectives, intentions, and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, or future performance. These forward-looking statements can often be identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates" or "plans" and any other similar expressions. Although Median's management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Median Technologies, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Median Technologies as of the date of the press release. Median Technologies does not undertake to update any forward-looking information or statements, subject to applicable regulations, in particular Articles 223-1 et seq. of the General Regulation of the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers. 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UnitedHealth Group Announces Changes to Leadership Team
UnitedHealth Group Announces Changes to Leadership Team

Business Wire

time10 hours ago

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UnitedHealth Group Announces Changes to Leadership Team

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Chris Bryant Named Acorn Health's Senior Vice President of Client Acquisition and Marketing
Chris Bryant Named Acorn Health's Senior Vice President of Client Acquisition and Marketing

Business Wire

time12 hours ago

  • Business Wire

Chris Bryant Named Acorn Health's Senior Vice President of Client Acquisition and Marketing

CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acorn Health, a leading national provider of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has welcomed Chris Bryant as senior vice president of client acquisition and marketing. 'Chris is a recognized leader in driving record-setting growth and his strong background as a leader in healthcare will enable him to make important contributions to Acorn Health.' Share In this role, Bryant leads national growth and outreach efforts, combining his operational expertise with a personal passion for supporting families. He also oversees marketing operations and Acorn Health's admissions team. 'Chris is a recognized leader in driving record-setting growth and his strong background as a leader in healthcare will enable him to make important contributions to Acorn Health,' said Krista Orellana (Boe), M.A., BCBA, executive vice president of growth and chief clinical officer of Acorn Health. 'He brings a deep personal connection to his work and a strong commitment to expanding access to high-quality care, and we are thrilled to have him with us.' Bryant is a healthcare growth leader with more than 20 years of experience in sales operations, business development and marketing across the post-acute care space, with a focus on pediatric services. He has led growth initiatives, process improvements, business development and value-based care initiatives in previous leadership roles at Amedisys, Gentiva, and Aveanna Healthcare. He holds a bachelor's degree in public and therapeutic recreation from Georgia Southern University. 'I knew after a few conversations with Acorn Health's leadership team that this was a group of people who truly live their mission every day,' said Bryant. 'As a proud parent of a child on the autism spectrum, the opportunity to lead our growth efforts and support other families on their journey was a dream come true. It is the greatest responsibility of my career, and I am eager to support Acorn Health as we connect more communities with the best clinical care in the ABA space.' Along with Bryant's appointment, Acorn Health announces the following senior leadership promotions to drive innovation in autism care nationwide: Krista Orellana (Boe), M.A., BCBA, has been named executive vice president of growth and chief clinical officer. In this role, she leads initiatives to drive overall census growth, strengthen payer relationships and support inclusive access to services across Acorn Health. Orellana joined the organization in 2015 and previously served as chief clinical and compliance officer and clinical director of Northern Michigan operations. She has served on the Michigan Autism Council since 2018 and has been recognized twice as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Michigan by Women We Admire. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and biology from Central Michigan University and a master's degree in applied behavior analysis from Western Michigan University. Scott Semmel has been named senior vice president of payer relations. In this role, he focuses on aligning payer engagement with clinical access and organizational goals. Semmel joined Acorn Health in early 2025 as vice president of payer relations. He serves on the board of directors for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley and as public policy committee chair for the Pennsylvania Homecare Association. He holds a bachelor's degree in biology from DeSales University. About Acorn Health: Acorn Health is accredited by the Autism Commission on Quality and offers both center-based and in-home services nationwide in more than 70 centers located throughout Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. Founded in 2018, Acorn is committed to providing industry-leading quality clinical care through applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy to give children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) the opportunity to live more independent and meaningful lives. Cases of ASD are on the rise; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 31 children is living with ASD. ABA therapy, a program endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General, provides individualized plans for each patient based on agreed upon clear, measurable goals with the child's family. Acorn Health uses its proprietary Behavioral Health Index to measure success in ways that are easily understood by families, clinicians and educators. To learn more about Acorn Health, visit and to learn about career opportunities, visit To inquire about ABA therapy at Acorn Health, please call 844.244.1818.

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