Health

6 HEALTH • Summer 2016 neered organ implant company Biostage has announced it will release 2.8 million shares of common stock in an effort to raise $5 million. The Holliston company, formerly known as Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology, announced it would offer approximately 2.8 million shares of common stock at a purchase price of $1.76 per share. The gross pro- ceeds from the sale will be approxi- mately $5 million, according to a release from the company. The funds will be used for general corporate purposes, including research and development and advancing Biostage's Cellframe technology toward filing an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration later this year for clinical trials of its esophageal implants. Biostage also announced that it has successfully regenerated a complete section of esophagus in a large-ani- mal study, with the results having implications for the treatment of can- cer and other illnesses. The Holliston company, formerly known as Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology, announced in a release that it had successfully regenerated a segment of esophagus in a study of its Cellspan organ implants conducted with the Mayo Clinic. The company reported that it used Cellspan esophageal implants to rebuild a section of the animal's esophagus. The proprietary biocompatible synthetic scaffold seeded with the recipient animal's own stem cells were surgically implanted in place of an esophagus section that had been removed. The study used Yucatan pigs as they are the most similar to humans, accord- ing to a spokesperson for Biostage. Spring Bank raises $15M in IPO MILFORD — Milford-based Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, an ear- ly-stage biotech that develops target- ed therapies for viral diseases, has completed its initial public offering for gross proceeds of approximately $15 million. The IPO of 920,000 shares of common stock at a public- offering price of $12 per share result- ed in gross proceeds from the IPO of approximately $11 million before o f f e r i n g - r e l at e d e x p e n s e s . Additionally, Spring Bank received approximately $5.4 million in pro- ceeds upon the exercise of warrants to purchase 643,826 shares of com- mon stock of the company, which were exercised in connection with the closing of the initial public offer- ing. Milford company creates Zika testing material MILFORD — Milford-based SeraCare Life Sciences has launched a new material that can be used by scientists to help develop Zika virus assays. The technology, called the AccuPlex Zika Reference Material, provides a secure, non-reproducible and fully extractable positive material covering the entire Zika virus genome, according to SeraCare. It fast-tracks the development and vali- dation of polymerase chain reaction- based Zika virus assays. It is the latest technology from SeraCare that pro- vides better evidence and character- ization of molecular assays. Because the material is based on SeraCare's existing AccuPlex recombinant virus technology, it was developed in a matter of weeks. Reliant receives hypertension distinction WORCESTER — Reliant Medical Group has been recognized for its efforts to combat hypertension by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Worcester- based health care system was named a Million Hearts 2015 Hypertension Control Champion earlier this month. The distinction recognizes doctors and practices achieving blood pressure control for at least 70 percent of adult patients with hyper- tension, or high blood pressure. Reliant was one of 18 healthcare pro- viders nationwide — and the only provider in Central Massachusetts – to be recognized. Reliant has been successful in combating hypertension because it effectively coordinates treatment among healthcare profes- sionals while also inspiring patients to take a proactive role in their care, { Health Care Briefs } Holden Hearing Aid Center, Inc. 695 Main Street, Holden MA 01520 Phone: (508) 829-5566 www.HoldenHearingAid.com Let our Center help you HEAR better! Matthew Moreno, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology Swim Plugs We offer comprehensive hearing care services including complete hearing evaluations, hearing loss rehabilitation, education and counseling. Amplified Phones Hearing Aids Batteries & Accessories Assisted Listening Devices Hearing Evaluations Wax Removal Hearing Protection Musician's Ear Plugs Continued from Page 5

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