A collaboration amongst Dr. Frank Greenway of Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Dr. Beverly Ogden of Woman’s Hospital in partnership with LSU, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, was named as certainly one of three award recipients on the Baton Rouge Health-Tech Catalyst Pitch Night. The team will investigate non-invasive treatment of uterine fibroids, or benign growths, comparable to leiomyomas or myomas, that development from the muscle tissue of the uterus.

“Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors within the wall of the uterus which are common, and may cause bleeding, pain, and infertility,” Dr. Greenway said. “Dr. Ogden and I are excited to receive this award, which enables a study to substantiate that a secure, well-tolerated combination of a green tea extract and two vitamins improve the symptoms and quality of life for ladies with fibroids and avoid the necessity for hysterectomy surgery to remove the tumor.”

Fibroid tumors are disproportionately prevalent within the African American community, with as much as 25 percent of black women affected. The proposed study seeks to substantiate the findings from an analogous European study, with the goal of supporting the Baton Rouge Health District to advance clinical care, reduce associated pain, and reduce the frequency of invasive surgical procedures, while lessening the necessity for private or Medicaid dollars to be spent on hysterectomies.

By replacing expensive procedures with dietary supplements, the study has the potential to generate cost savings for Baton Rouge residents. The study will tentatively begin on June 1, and is planned to be accomplished by June 2024.

Pennington Biomedical is pursuing solutions to chronic health issues and diseases which are focused on making Louisiana healthier. Our talented researchers, including our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Frank Greenway, coupled with our unmatched labs and research facilities, places Pennington Biomedical on the forefront of the newest advances in the sphere. As a outstanding partner within the Baton Rouge Health District, Pennington Biomedical is proud to have Dr. Greenway represent us so well with this award from the Baton Rouge Health Tech Catalyst.”

Dr. John Kirwan, Pennington Biomedical executive director

A regional health and life science innovation cluster initiative led by the Baton Rouge Health District, the Baton Rouge Health-Tech Catalyst’s Launchpad Pitch Night is funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, or EDA, Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Construct to Scale program. The Pitch Night is the culmination of the Catalyst’s pilot grant funding opportunity. This 12 months, five applicants presented a broad scope of ideas, with three projects chosen for funding. The event was the second round of Launchpad funding, which cumulatively supports six total projects across two funding cycles.

“With the generous support of the EDA and along with our partners at Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Pennington Biomedical Research Center, we’re excited to supply this chance for our Baton Rouge Health District member institutions,” said Dr. Steven Ceulemans, executive director on the Baton Rouge Health District. “This initiative will create a launchpad to strengthen innovation, increase a culture of health, and proceed to make Baton Rouge a destination for healthcare at the guts of a healthy and vibrant community. We look ahead to seeing these projects come to fruition in the approaching months.”

The Launchpad Innovation Pilot Awards are designed to advertise and support collaboration across Baton Rouge Health District Member Institutions, while sparking and strengthening modern networks that allow institutions, technology, industry, and community partners to work together and increase their impact.

Joining the non-invasive uterine fibroid treatment study were “Developing Multicellular Organoid for Precision Therapy” by Dr. Beverly Ogden and Dr. Joseph Francis of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, and “Reconceptualizing How the Most Seriously Unwell Patients Experience the ED” by Dr. Mark Kantrow of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Dr. Nathan Freeman, Ochsner Health System in partnership with Baton Rouge General.

This 12 months’s Launchpad awards join a portfolio of lively, previously funded innovation pilot projects which include:

• BRG Fit! Total Health and Wellbeing – Baton Rouge General, in partnership with East Baton Rouge School System
• Increasing Endometrial Cancer Awareness and Cure for Louisiana Women – Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in partnership with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Woman’s Hospital & LSU Health Science Center – Recent Orleans
• Palliative Care Program for Individuals Living with Dementia – Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in partnership with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center

Source:

Pennington Biomedical Research Center