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East Texas Baptist University celebrated the achievements of 202 graduates at its commencement ceremonies in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center on Saturday, Dec. 7. Guided by University President J. Blair Blackburn, the ceremony marked the conferral of degrees to 140 undergraduate and 62 graduate students. The event was filled with Scripture readings, songs of praise and worship, heartfelt prayers, and blessings bestowed upon the graduates. The December 2024 graduating class marked the largest fall class in university history. “This milestone commencement is a result of the combined efforts of faculty and staff focusing on ETBU’s mission of graduating Christian servant leaders so they can follow their calling to God and humanity,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Sanders said. U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin from West Virginia delivered the commencement address during the morning ceremony. He has represented West Virginia in the United States Senate since Nov. 15, 2010. Senator Manchin grew up in a coal mining community, learning the values of family, fairness and hard work from his immigrant grandparents, who inspired his commitment to public service. As a former small business owner, state legislator, and six-term governor of West Virginia, Manchin prioritized “retail government,” focusing on constituent engagement and bipartisan solutions. His legislative efforts emphasized job creation, fiscal responsibility and a balanced energy policy that integrates environmental and economic needs. Manchin chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and serves on the Appropriations, Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. “It is an honor to have Joe Manchin, United States senator for West Virginia, here with us today,” President Blackburn said. “Thank you for serving your home state of West Virginia and our nation. Sen. Manchin is respectfully regarded as an esteemed statesman among both political parties. Americans across our country, and those of us in Texas, are grateful for Sen. Manchin and his leadership.” Manchin urged graduates to embrace their calling and approach life with a spirit of unity and collaboration. “There’s no way in the world you can make it by yourself,” Senator Manchin said. “I’ve never had anybody who worked for me; they worked with me. We all have to work together to make something happen. Success depends on the team moving in the same direction. Whether you’re leading a team or contributing to one, always remember that it’s not about tearing people down but building them up so they can rise and grow. That’s how we create lasting impact.” In the afternoon ceremony, Karen O’Dell Bullock was awarded an honorary doctorate and delivered the keynote address. An esteemed scholar and educator, Bullock has taught at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels for over 30 years. A Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduate with M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees, she has held leadership roles at Southwestern, Dallas Baptist University, and B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary, where she recently retired but continues teaching and mentoring doctoral students. Bullock serves as executive vice president of the Baptist Center for Global Concerns, addressing global inequities through leadership training, agricultural projects and medical clinics. She is a passionate advocate for Christian heritage, missions and justice, and also chairs the Baptist World Alliance Commission Council. “We are what we read,” Bullock stated while addressing the graduates. “We are shaped and influenced by the books we read. They prepare us not only for interesting conversations but also for facing the real challenges of life. As graduates of East Texas Baptist University, an institution grounded in Christian values, you’ve been immersed in God’s Word. Its teachings are woven into the fabric of this campus, from the halls to the classrooms. These divine messages inspire us to grow in character, to deepen our faith, and to prioritize being over mere knowing or doing. You’ve been challenged to follow Christ while pursuing your academic goals. As you step into the world, remember that life won’t always be easy. You may face hardships, trials, and setbacks. But God promises to strengthen you and sustain you.” Each semester, ETBU President Blackburn presents an award to a graduate who represents a Christian leader, scholar and servant on campus and in the local community. Hannah Hobson, a bachelor of arts graduate in worship studies, was honored with the President’s Award for the Fall 2024 graduating class at East Texas Baptist University. A native of Shreveport, Hobson achieved an exceptional academic record, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout her time at ETBU. Hobson, a gifted musician and devoted leader, has been a cornerstone of ETBU’s chapel bands for the past three and a half years. Her campus involvement also includes marching band, pep band, symphonic band, pom and theatre, showcasing her multifaceted talents. Hannah represented ETBU on the band and choir global study and serve trip to Israel and earned a place in the College Band Directors National Association Intercollegiate Honor Band. Her outstanding achievements were further recognized with the Department of Music and Theatre Arts Academic Excellence Award. Beyond campus, Hobson has faithfully served in ministry. She has completed practicum hours at First Methodist Church in Marshall and contributed to the worship ministry at First Methodist Church in Shreveport, where her father serves as music minister. “The quality of Hannah’s academic work is superior,” Nathan Phillips, chair of the Department of Music and Theatre Arts and Director of Bands, said. “She completes assignments thoroughly and often goes beyond the requirements in order to do her best work. As a musician, Hannah is one of the finest instrumentalists I’ve ever taught. She has superior technique and musicianship and elected to give two recitals that were not required for her degree. She treats everyone she meets with compassion and fairness. She goes out of her way to serve and encourage and gives of her time and energy.” Blackburn encouraged the graduates and reminded those in attendance of the university’s Christ-centered mission. “Today, we celebrate your academic achievements, spiritual growth, and answered callings to serve,” Blackburn said. “As a Christ-centered university, ETBU has equipped you to become Christian servant leaders, ready to impact the world with the hope, love, and light of Jesus Christ. From this Hill and ETBU, we are sending you out as Kingdom leaders — educated, empowered, and emboldened to influence and impact people. May you carry the torch of faith and transform lives, for the glory of God.”The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into the life sciences field has created exciting new opportunities for advancements in diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine. However, obtaining patent protection for AI/ML-based inventions in life sciences can be difficult, particularly due to the challenges posed by US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 101 , which governs patentable subject matter. Patent applications directed to inventions at the intersection of AI/ML and life sciences are frequently rejected at the patent office under subject matter ineligibility grounds – more frequently than other life sciences inventions. Patent applicants in this area must navigate the heightened scrutiny applied by patent examiners, who may issue rejections on dual grounds: (1) that claims are directed to an abstract idea, and (2) that claims are directed to a natural phenomenon. Life sciences enterprises are often familiar with Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories (2012), in which the Supreme Court ruled that natural laws, such as drug dosage correlations, are not patentable unless supplemented by additional, inventive steps. Meanwhile, in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International (2014), the Court held that abstract ideas such as those represented in computer-related inventions must include a significant inventive concept to be patent eligible under § 101. When life sciences companies utilizing AI/ML technologies pursue patent protection, it is common for their patent applications to face both types of subject matter eligibility rejections under § 101, particularly when the claims are viewed as directed to either abstract ideas or natural laws – or both. Inventions that incorporate AI/ML models often center around the use of data processing techniques, such as predictive modeling or the analysis of biological data. While these are powerful tools for advancing research and clinical applications, claims directed to these techniques are at risk of being categorized as directed to an abstract idea without significantly more technical elements necessary to be patent eligible. This risk is higher if a patent application’s claims are framed too broadly or focus only on general computational steps without clearly establishing a concrete, technical application. For example, claims that merely describe steps like "receiving data," "analyzing data," and "generating a prediction"—without grounding the process in a specific technical application such as within a specific biological or clinical workflow—risk being rejected under these grounds. This is a common challenge for life sciences innovations that use AI/ML for purposes like disease prediction or biomarker discovery. Additionally, AI/ML technologies applied to image processing, such as radiological imaging, play a critical role in medical diagnostics. Without reciting an explicit technical improvement or enhancement to existing AI/ML techniques, or otherwise integrating the inventive concept into a practical application, claims to such inventions may not meet the threshold for patentability under § 101. Another frequent basis for rejection is raised against claims directed to AI/ML models that work with biological data, such as genetic correlations or physiological responses. In particular, when claims rely on the detection or analysis of natural relationships (e.g., the correlation between gene mutations and disease risk), they can be rejected under § 101 for reflecting a natural law without a sufficient technological improvement. Simply applying AI/ML to recognize or model these biological phenomena may not be enough; the claims must reflect a transformative application that goes beyond mere observation of natural laws. For example, an AI system that identifies genetic mutations linked to cancer may face rejection if the invention is viewed by the patent office as merely reflecting a known biological relationship. In some cases, AI/ML-assisted life sciences inventions encounter dual rejections , where claims are simultaneously deemed ineligible due to being directed both to abstract ideas and to natural phenomena. For instance, a patent claim that describes a machine learning model analyzing biological data might face rejection as directed to an abstract idea due to the computational focus while also being rejected for reflecting a natural law if it only observes natural biological relationships without representing a technological improvement or novel clinical application. Consider a claim directed at a machine learning model that analyzes genomic sequences to predict disease susceptibility. If the claim simply recites data processing steps—such as inputting genomic data, processing the data, and producing an outcome—it could be rejected as being directed to an abstract idea. This type of rejection is more likely if the claim does not connect the use of an ML model with a specific technical improvement represented by the invention. Similarly, a claim involving AI technology to detect correlations between genetic mutations and cancer risk could be rejected under § 101 if it only describes the natural law—the relationship between mutations and disease risk—without presenting a transformative application, such as utilizing the AI model to guide therapeutic decisions in real-time, which might represent a practical and inventive application representing significantly more than simply an underlying abstract idea. Strategies to Obtain Patent Eligible AI/ML Claims One of the most effective strategies for avoiding § 101 issues is to tie the AI/ML process to a specific technical solution within the life sciences context. Instead of merely claiming the computational steps or data analysis, the patent application should focus on how the AI/ML system enhances a particular biological or clinical process. For example, if the AI model is used to predict disease risk based on genomic data, the claims should emphasize any novel preprocessing techniques, feature extraction methods, or advanced machine learning architectures that contribute to faster diagnostics, more accurate predictions, or improved clinical outcomes. This approach aligns with the Supreme Court’s guidance in Mayo by ensuring that claims involving natural phenomena, such as genetic correlations, include additional inventive steps that transform the natural law into a patent-eligible application. By focusing on how the AI/ML process improves the life sciences workflow—whether by reducing error rates, increasing efficiency, or providing more accurate diagnoses—the claims demonstrate a concrete, technical benefit that addresses both the Mayo and Alice issues. Another strategy for avoiding § 101 issues is to incorporate real-world transformations or hardware integration into the claims. By showing how the AI/ML system is connected to physical devices or real-world processes, the claims can move beyond abstract ideas and natural phenomena. For instance, AI-driven diagnostic tools could interact with medical devices (including wearable devices) to process biological samples, or AI models could adjust therapeutic dosages in real-time based on patient data. Linking the AI process to tangible outcomes, such as physical transformations or hardware interaction, strengthens the case for a claim’s eligibility. This approach directly addresses the Mayo requirement by showing how the AI system translates natural biological phenomena into a practical application. Likewise, it satisfies the Alice framework by introducing a significant inventive concept through real-world integration. In drafting the claims, care should be taken to avoid divided infringement between different third parties that may eviscerate the strong protection that well-written claims can offer to patentees, especially now where there are many thousands of patent applications already filed with the USPTO. Finally, it is crucial to go beyond generic data processing in the claims. AI/ML systems in life sciences should be characterized in a way that highlights how they uniquely process biological data, offering specific benefits that set them apart from standard computational models. For example, the AI model may include innovative error correction mechanisms to handle noisy biological data, or it may dynamically adapt to real-time patient inputs to enhance predictive accuracy. By emphasizing these unique data processing features, the claims move beyond generic data manipulation, making the invention more likely to be patent-eligible. This strategy addresses the dual concerns of Mayo and Alice , ensuring that the AI/ML system provides both a transformative application of natural laws and a significant inventive concept that distinguishes it from abstract ideas. Conclusion For life sciences companies developing AI/ML-assisted technologies, successfully navigating § 101 rejections requires a strategic focus on specific technical solutions , real-world applications , and innovative data processing methods . Beyond obtaining patents, enforcement under Section 101 raises additional considerations. Patent holders should be aware of potential attacks on validity during enforcement, particularly in litigation. Future articles in this series will delve into further strategies for successfully enforcing AI/ML life sciences patents. By partnering with sophisticated patent counsel to develop claims that highlight the tangible benefits and transformative use of AI/ML in biological and clinical contexts, life sciences companies can strengthen their patent applications and increase the likelihood of securing patent protection. As AI/ML continues to revolutionize the life sciences, robust patent strategies are critical to maintaining a competitive edge in this rapidly evolving industry.

NEW ORLEANS , Nov. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until December 9, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against EngageSmart, Inc. ("EngageSmart" or the "Company") (NYSE: ESMT), if they (1) purchased or otherwise acquired EngageSmart common stock between October 23, 2023 and January 26, 2024 , or (2) held EngageSmart common stock as of the December 21, 2023 record date of the take-private acquisition of the Company (the "Merger") by Vista Equity Partners Management, LLC and its affiliates. This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware . Get Help EngageSmart investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-esmt/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit The Complaint alleges that a pattern of material misstatements and omissions of material facts concealed the conflicted and tainted sales process that led to EngageSmart's January 2024 take-private Merger with Vista, which was motivated not by what was best for Unaffiliated Stockholders but by controlling shareholder General Atlantic's desire to monetize part of its five-year investment in EngageSmart while maintaining its control position or, at the very least, to roll over some of its equity to maintain an upside benefit in the Company going forward, in violation of an "equal treatment" provision in the Company charter. The case is Altshares Event-Driven ETF v. Engagesmart, Inc., et al., No. 24-cv-1083. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com , investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/engagesmart-shareholder-alert-claimsfiler-reminds-investors-of-lead-plaintiff-deadline-in-class-action-lawsuit-against-engagesmart-inc--esmt-302319112.html SOURCE ClaimsFiler

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