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Draper and Partners Awarded ARPA-H Funding to End Cold-Chain Dependence for Cell Therapies and Cancer Drugs

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Draper received up to $7.3 million other transaction award (OTA) from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) for Phase 1 of the agency’s BioStabilization Systems (BoSS) program, which aims to develop new methods to produce, store, and transport cell-based biologic medicines at room temperature. ARPA-H has committed funding of up to $87 million across the four-year program. 

The Reversible Ambient Temperature (RAB) team includes Draper as the Administrative Lead and Likarda as the Technical Lead. Other performers on the RAB team are Case Bioscience, CPSI Biotech, Fresenius Kabi, MiNK Therapeutics, and Sabrina Spencer, Ph.D., University of Colorado.

Biologics are complex medical treatments made from living organisms such as cells, genes and proteins that target specific parts of the immune system or natural body processes to stop inflammation or fight diseases, including certain cancers. Because biologics are made from living tissue, they are extremely fragile and sensitive to temperature changes. To maintain their viability, biologics must be kept frozen at ultra-cold temperatures in an unbroken “cold chain” from factory to patient. This cold chain is expensive, complex, and hard to scale. As a result, biologic treatments are only available at a handful of specialized medical centers.

BoSS seeks to overcome this temperature barrier by pursuing new technologies that enable the development, transport, and storage of biologics at room temperature, without any refrigeration. By bringing long-term shelf-life stability to cell-based therapies and biologics, BoSS is taking a “200-degree leap” – from -196°C to room temperature – to make life saving cell therapies as easy to store and ship as aspirin.

“Medicines manufactured from living cells represent a significant advancement in our ability to treat certain diseases and cancers. But the nature of these therapeutics, particularly the unbroken cold-chain requirement, makes them prohibitively expensive and inaccessible to most Americans,” said Kathryn Brinsfield, vice president and general manager, Biotechnology Systems at Draper. “The goal of this program is to expand patient access by eliminating the deep freeze requirement.”

The BoSS performer teams will work across two technical areas: interventions to stabilize cells for storage and then reactivate them on demand, and the creation of novel processing systems that ensure these interventions are efficient and scalable for manufacturing.

The RAB team’s biostabilization strategy, led by Likarda, will focus on simultaneous control of cell state, physical environment, and the cellular stress responses activated during freezing, dehydration, storage, and recovery. The bioprocessing engineering, led by Draper, will convert the manual steps of biostabilization into an automated, commercially viable workflow and will develop custom instruments to scale up the processes.

“The RAB team brings together deep expertise in cryoprotection, encapsulation, and cell state, with a focus on protecting cell viability throughout the stabilization and reanimation process, and the team has direct experience bringing products to market. Working in parallel, our interdisciplinary engineering team will develop the customized instruments needed to transfer these processes to clinical manufacturing environments,” said Jason Fiering, distinguished technical staff at Draper.

The performer teams will progress through a four-year, multi-phase program structure, with performance evaluated against increasingly stringent benchmarks for cell viability, production speed, and shelf-life stability.

This research was, in part, funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the United States Government.

About Draper

Draper is a non-profit research, development, and manufacturing company that solves some of the nation’s most important challenges. With more than 2,800 employees working in collaboration across 12 locations, Draper delivers transformative, mission-driven solutions that successfully meet our customers’ requirements. These efforts focus on four critical mission areas: Strategic Systems, Space Systems, Electronic Systems, and Biotechnology Systems. To extend our legacy into the future, the Draper Scholars program engages with the next generation of innovators while DraperSPARX™ seeks to partner with startups and small businesses that can further our mission. To learn more about Draper, visit www.draper.com. Follow Draper on Linked In and Instagram. 

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SOURCE Draper Laboratory

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FULTON BANK INTRODUCES CASHFLOW CENTRAL PLATFORM TO EMPOWER SMALL BUSINESSES

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LANCASTER, Pa., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fulton Bank is now offering CashFlow Central® from Fiserv, a single, integrated payments hub, designed to help small businesses better manage accounts receivable and accounts payable in one digital experience.

Available through Fulton’s small business mobile and online platforms, CashFlow Central helps business owners streamline payment activities, improve visibility into cash flow, and spend less time on manual processes so they can focus on growing their businesses.

“With CashFlow Central, we’re delivering a more modern, efficient way for small businesses to manage their money,” said Phil Smith, Fulton Bank Director of Business Banking. “By bringing invoicing, payments, and reporting into a single hub, this service gives our customers the tools they need to stay organized, get paid faster, and operate with greater confidence.”

Key features of CashFlow Central include:

Consolidation of accounts payable and receivable in a single platform for invoicing, vendor payments and payment trackingEnablement of payments by bank transfer or business credit cardProvision of real‑time payment status and visibility to reduce manual trackingIntegration with widely used accounting software to streamline reconciliationEnhanced cash management capabilities with the Insights Dashboard, providing greater visibility into incoming and outgoing paymentsAccessible through mobile and online banking channels with scalable package options to support growing business needs

Fulton Bank collaborated with Fiserv, a global payments and financial technology company, to deliver this solution to small business customers via Fulton’s mobile and online banking platforms.

“CashFlow Central gives financial institutions a powerful way to extend their value beyond traditional banking by helping small businesses simplify how they manage and move money,” said Justin Jackson, Head of CashFlow Central, Fiserv. “By bringing payables, receivables and visibility into one experience, Fulton Bank is equipping its business clients with tools that reduce friction, improve cash flow insight and support day‑to‑day growth.”

The addition of CashFlow Central reflects Fulton Bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting small businesses with practical, digital solutions tailored to their evolving needs.

For more information, visit Fulton Bank’s website at www.fultonbank.com/cashflowcentral.

About Fulton Bank
Headquartered in Lancaster, Pa., Fulton Bank is a premier community bank in the Mid-Atlantic region. As a subsidiary of Fulton Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: FULT), a $34 billion financial services holding company, Fulton Bank offers a broad array of products and services at more than 200 financial centers across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. At Fulton Bank, we seek to change lives for the better by building strong customer relationships, providing significant community support and empowering more than 3,400 employees to do the same. Through the Fulton Forward® initiative, we’re helping build vibrant communities. Learn more at www.FultonBank.com. Fulton Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.

About Fiserv
Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), a Fortune 500 company, is a global leader uniting commerce and finance. The company powers sustained growth and innovation at scale for financial institutions and businesses worldwide across payments, account processing, digital banking, merchant acquiring, network services, e-commerce, and Clover®, the all-in-one business management platform. Fiserv is a member of the S&P 500® Index and one of FORTUNE® America’s Most Innovative Companies. Visit fiserv.com and follow on social media for more information and the latest company news.

Media Contact:

Rachel Sharkey

(717) 291-2831

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SOURCE Fulton Bank, NA

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Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters to build national model for construction management degree at Slippery Rock University

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First online classes built on the foundation of apprenticeship learning begins Dec. 2026 

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Construction projects depend on people who understand how work happens in the field. A new degree launching in December 2026 is designed to help those workers prepare for the next stage of their careers by building a unique degree pathway that builds on what they have learned in the trade. 

The Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters have been primary architects of a unique curriculum for their members to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in construction management, leveraging the national academic reputation of Slippery Rock University.

“This partnership complements and expands on the skills of people in the construction industry and provides leadership training for their long-term career growth,” said Nicole Dafoe, dean of the College of Engineering and Science at SRU. “Together we will create the next generation of construction managers whose impact will extend far beyond construction, helping build the schools, health care facilities, workplaces and community spaces that strengthen the region and improve everyday life for us all.” 

The jointly developed curriculum focuses on the career growth of apprentices and journey workers, as well as community college students and career and technical education graduates. It provides a pathway into construction management that also prepares them for increased leadership opportunities around safety and construction technology. 

“Our industry faces a significant workforce shortage and an increasing need for skilled craftspeople, project managers, project engineers, estimators, and other construction professionals. Addressing this challenge requires collaboration, innovation, and investment in the next generation of industry leaders,” said John Mascaro Jr., president and CEO of Mascaro Construction Company (MCC), a family-owned company that serves as a catalyst for growth by creating projects that generate lasting value for communities throughout western Pennsylvania. “This partnership between Slippery Rock University and The EAS Carpenters Union brings trade expertise and higher education together to help meet the needs of our Industry. This is the kind of practical innovation that earns our support by creating and growing skilled union workers while helping to develop the next generation of construction leaders.” MCC has been named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s “Top Workplaces” for 10 consecutive years. 

The degree connects skilled trades learning with university coursework in construction leadership, safety and building technologies for apprentices, journey workers and other adults seeking to advance in the construction industry. 

“The concept of an either-or choice between trades education and higher education is outdated and represents a false dichotomy,” said Karen Riley, SRU president. “Both have tremendous value, and together they create greater opportunities for individuals, employers and our region. Bringing these pathways together allows us to respond more directly to what workers need to advance their careers and achieve their life goals, while also addressing what employers need to grow and strengthen the regional economy.”

For apprentices and journey workers, the path through higher education can be difficult to navigate. This program is designed to make that path clearer by connecting prior learning with coursework suited to working adults and a bachelor’s degree focused on the construction workforce. 

“The partnership rests on our mutual mission, education and excellence, and our combined dedication and contributions are essential to building the next generation of leaders,” said Alex Fulton, coordinator, EAS Carpenters Training Center. “The carpenters bring the technical expertise and experience from the job site and SRU has the experienced faculty with the demonstrated expertise needed to help our members take on new responsibilities as their careers develop.”

The degree includes three certificates in construction management, construction safety and construction technologies. Each gives students a focused area of study within the broader bachelor’s degree that also serves as progression milestones to their degree.

“The collaboration addresses a long-standing divide in how higher education and career choices are presented,” said Tim Slekar, associate provost for academic innovation at SRU. “The innovation here is bringing the skilled trades and higher education together in one connected pathway. By building university study on the foundation of apprenticeship learning, we’re combining the strengths of both to create new opportunities for workers and meet the needs of the construction industry.” 

“This program creates a continuum of learning and a clear pathway for career and professional development—from hands-on skills and technical expertise to the leadership and management capabilities needed to lead the next generation of the construction industry,” President Riley continued. “By connecting these educational pathways, we are not asking individuals to choose between trades and higher education; we are creating opportunities for them to build on both. ” 

Designed for adults balancing work and education, the program combines online coursework with in-person learning opportunities.

The first information session is scheduled to take place over Zoom on Monday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. To register visit sru.edu/BASTrade or contact Mike May, vice president for enrollment management, at 724.738.2015 or asktherock@sru.edu with questions.

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SOURCE Slippery Rock University

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Therap Services Hosts Virtual Event Addressing Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in LTSS and HCBS Programs

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TORRINGTON, Conn., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Therap Services, the national leader in HIPAA-compliant electronic documentation solutions for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), and Long-Term Services recently hosted a virtual event titled “Program Integrity for States and Providers: How to Identify and Avoid Fraud, Waste, and Abuse.”

More than 1,000 people registered for the event, including state directors, agency administrators and CEOs. The event focused on evolving Medicaid compliance requirements and strategies for identifying and avoiding fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA).

The event provided an opportunity for professionals across the IDD, HCBS, and LTSS sectors to learn about emerging compliance considerations, common FWA risks, and strategies for strengthening program integrity and accountability.

Key Topics Covered

Presenters discussed the changing Medicaid and HCBS regulatory landscape, state enforcement trends, the 2027 Medicaid Employment Mandate, provider enrollment moratoriums, and strategies for improving compliance and audit readiness through electronic documentation, EVV integration, AI-powered quality assurance, and governance controls.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the primary focus of Therap’s Program Integrity solutions for LTSS and HCBS providers?

A: Therap provides automated guardrails, claim-to-documentation linking, and real-time quality assurance tools to help providers prevent billing errors, maintain compliance, and mitigate Medicaid Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) risks.

Q: How does Therap help agencies prepare for state and federal audits?

A: Therap provides time-stamped audit logs, point-of-care Electronic Visit Verification (EVV), and reporting dashboards that help agencies verify service delivery and allows them to conduct self-audits before post-payment reviews.

Q: How can care providers protect themselves against payment holds or billing anomalies?

A: Providers can use role-based permissions, pre-billing automated checks, and Therap AI tools to identify missing notes and documentation gaps before claims are submitted to payers.

Looking Ahead

Therap Services’ 2026 Fall Showcase: Exploring New AI Analytics is scheduled for October 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST, featuring expanded AI analytics and Fatal Five functionality.

About Therap Services 
Therap provides HIPAA-compliant software for documentation, communication, reporting, EVV, and billing in human services settings.

Learn more: https://www.therapservices.net/

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SOURCE Therap Services

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