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Washington Research Foundation awards $10M to Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology to advance cell and genome technologies

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Five-year grant, one of the largest in the foundation’s history, will support groundbreaking work by UW Medicine’s Brotman Baty Institute and the Allen Institute

SEATTLE, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Washington Research Foundation (WRF) has pledged $10 million over five years in support of a new program led by UW Medicine’s Brotman Baty Institute (BBI) and the Allen Institute. The program, SeaBridge, will advance cell and genome reprogramming technologies developed at the Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology (Seattle Hub) to help address a wide range of diseases. The grant is among the largest in WRF’s 44-year history.

“This is beyond exciting. Large-scale grant partnerships can really help to accelerate critical life science initiatives in our region. SeaBridge is a great example of this.” Dr. Tom Daniel, president and CEO of WRF

Seattle Hub is a collaboration among BBI, the Allen Institute, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). Dr. Jay Shendure, BBI Scientific Director, leads Seattle Hub. He also holds faculty positions at the University of Washington School of Medicine and is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator.

Building on core technologies developed at BBI, Seattle Hub opened in January 2024 to generate foundational datasets, models and molecular infrastructure to re-engineer cells to record their own histories and reprogram disease states into healthy functions. The Allen Institute and the CZI each committed $35 million in 2023 to establish Seattle Hub.

The purpose of the SeaBridge grant is to train a new generation of scientists, leverage the region’s expertise in cell therapy, and launch startups to drive clinical applications that will improve health through advanced treatment options for diseases that include cancers, as well as neurological and immune disorders.

The SeaBridge program will recruit and train 40 postdoctoral fellows to further advance Seattle Hub’s technologies, which include the DNA Typewriter and ENGRAM created in Shendure’s UW Medicine lab. In addition to Shendure, the SeaBridge program will also be led by Seattle Hub Co-Director Dr. Marion Pepper, Chair of the UW Medicine Department of Immunology, and Dr. Jesse Gray, Seattle Hub Senior Director, Strategy and Platform, at the Allen Institute.

“This generous WRF grant enables Seattle Hub to establish a new postdoctoral fellowship training program, a program that will move Seattle forward as the epicenter of synthetic biology,” said Pepper.

The fellowship program will be administrated by BBI. Fellows will carry out their work at UW Medicine and other academic research institutions in the state. The hope is that researchers will advance several technologies to the point where new companies can be created locally to commercialize novel therapeutics, diagnostics or other cell-based technologies that address a variety of clinical conditions and diseases.

“Our vision is these new companies will bridge Seattle’s rich synthetic biology ecosystem and our enterprising fellows to create companies armed with new clinical interventions to improve patients’ lives,” said Gray.

Seattle Hub received a $105,000 planning grant from WRF last year to develop a detailed plan for the SeaBridge program.

WRF made the $10M award through its new BioInnovation Grant program, President and CEO Dr. Tom Daniel said, which the foundation launched in response to a key goal of its 2023 strategic plan: increasing support for big, emergent opportunities to advance Washington state’s life sciences ecosystem and improve lives.

“This is beyond exciting,” Daniel said. “Large-scale grant partnerships can really help to accelerate critical life science initiatives in our region. SeaBridge is a great example of this.”

Additional support for the SeaBridge program includes commitments from BBI, CZI, the Allen Institute, UW Medicine, and the fellows’ host institutions.

Dr. Meher Antia, Director of Grant Programs at WRF, said, “WRF is delighted to support the SeaBridge program through our first BioInnovation Grant. SeaBridge fulfils many of the goals of the BioInnovation Grant program in translating a novel and exciting platform technology into concrete applications in a way that builds on the region’s strengths. The matching funds from CZI, BBI, UW Medicine and the Allen Institute make this a genuine partnership between WRF, the research institutions and other funders, which is also a key feature of the BioInnovation Grants.”

About Washington Research Foundation:

Washington Research Foundation (WRF) supports research and scholarship in Washington state, with a focus on life sciences and enabling technologies.

WRF was founded in 1981 to assist universities and other nonprofit research institutions in Washington with the commercialization and licensing of their technologies. WRF is one of the foremost technology transfer and grant-making organizations in the nation, having earned more than $445 million in licensing revenue for the University of Washington and providing over $170 million in grants to the state’s research institutions to date.

WRF Capital, the investment vehicle for Washington Research Foundation, has backed 132 local startups since 1996. Returns support the foundation’s investment and grantmaking programs.

For additional information, please visit wrfseattle.org.

About the Brotman Baty Institute:

The Brotman Baty Institute leverages of Seattle’s culture of collaboration in genomics, bioinformatics, and data science through private and public funding. It builds on its successes in long-read and RNA sequencing, single cell profiling, and genomic variation analyses, among other areas of research with potential clinical applications.

Since it was established in 2017 with philanthropic support from Jeff and Susan Brotman and Dan and Pam Baty, BBI has been recognized for its work at the intersection of technology and health in the Puget Sound region and beyond. Its scientists and researchers at UW Medicine, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Seattle Children’s have broken barriers across organizational lines.

Learn more at Brotmanbaty.org

Media Contact

Dale Wadman, Washington Research Foundation, (206) 336-5600, dale@wrfseattle.org, https://www.wrfseattle.org/ 

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SOURCE Washington Research Foundation

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leap-group-relaunches-humanview-a-growth-intelligence-system-built-to-explain-why-customers-behave-the-way-they-do-302918557.html

SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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