Friday 29 July 2022

PRESTIGE BIOPHARMA AND INTAS PHARMACEUTICALS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO COMMERCIALIZE BEVACIZUMAB BIOSIMILAR IN THE US, EUROPE, CANADA, MENA, BRAZIL, MEXICO, SOUTH AFRICA, CIS AND THE SEA COUNTRIES

SINGAPORE, July 27 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Prestige Biopharma Limited (KRX: 950210, hereafter referred to as “Prestige”) and Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited (hereafter referred to as “Intas”) today announced that the two companies have entered into a binding agreement for the exclusive partnership and supply for the commercialization of Prestige Biopharma’s bevacizumab biosimilar, in the US, Europe, Canada, MENA, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Prestige’s bevacizumab (HD204) is a mAb biosimilar to Roche’s Avastin®, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is used in combination with other therapies to treat patients with multiple forms of cancer including metastatic colorectal cancer, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, advanced kidney cancer, certain types of epithelial cancers and cancers of the cervix. HD204 is currently in Phase III clinical development (SAMSON-II) and the US and EU filing is planned next year. Positive results were previously reported from the Phase I clinical trial (SAMSON-I) which evaluated the pharmacokinetics, safety and immunogenicity of HD204 to Avastin®.

The partnership arrangement includes the exclusive rights for Intas and its affiliate Accord Healthcare that will commercialize the bevacizumab biosimilar in the US, Europe, Canada, MENA, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, leveraging their strong sales and marketing capabilities and experience in successfully bringing new biosimilars to market. As one of the key players in the global biosimilar market, Accord has a longstanding commitment to oncology with proven commercial capabilities and it currently supplies around one in three injectable oncology medicines in Europe. 

EGON ZEHNDER APPOINTS DE RENZY CHANNER AS GLOBAL HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Egon Zehnder, the world’s preeminent leadership advisory firm, has appointed Rachael De Renzy Channer as its global head of Sustainability.

“Our firm has been committed to creating a more sustainable world for years, and Rachael will bring greater visibility, alignment, and commitment to our firm’s purpose, which is ‘Leadership for a Better World’,” said chief executive officer, Edilson Camara in a statement.

Based in London, De Renzy Channer has led the global Sustainability Practice Group at Egon Zehnder over the past three years, helping organisations around the world develop their cultures, teams and leaders to be forces for good. 

She co-authored the firm’s recent sustainability report, which surveyed hundreds of leaders globally on the state of sustainability in their organisations.

In her role, De Renzy Channer will lead Egon Zehnder’s impact efforts -- from regional to global sustainability initiatives, driving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) transformation, to connecting with other organisations to improve its shared world.

“Sustainability is never about ticking boxes, but about driving forward a more inclusive and sustainable world.

“This change starts from within, and I am happy to continue this journey with our firm in this new role,” said De Renzy Channer.

-- BERNAMA

SUSTAINED EFFICACY OF LONG-ACTING CABOTEGRAVIR FOR PREP AMONG CISGENDER WOMEN - FINDINGS FROM HPTN 084 STUDY

DURHAM, N.C., July 29 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Researchers from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) presented updated results from the HPTN 084 long-acting cabotegravir (CAB) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) study at the AIDS 2022 conference in Montreal. New findings show reductions in HIV incidence were sustained in the 12 months following trial unblinding (November 5, 2020, through November 5, 2021). 

“These results are encouraging as CAB efficacy was sustained during the 12 months following unblinding, confirming a high level of protection against HIV acquisition among study participants assigned female at birth,” said Dr. Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, HPTN 084 protocol chair, director of research at Wits RHI, and research professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

HPTN 084 is an ongoing Phase 3 randomized, controlled trial that previously demonstrated the superiority of ViiV Healthcare’s long-acting cabotegravir compared to daily oral tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) for HIV prevention in individuals assigned female at birth. The blinded portion of the trial was stopped at a planned interim review in November 2020 due to evidence of superior efficacy when compared to daily oral TDF/FTC. Participants were subsequently unblinded and continued their original randomized study regimen pending a protocol amendment to offer open-label CAB. 

“HIV infection continues to threaten the health of women worldwide,” said Dr. Myron Cohen, HPTN co-principal investigator, and director of the Institute for Global Health at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. “Empowering women with safe and effective PrEP options is critical to reducing HIV as a global health threat.” 

HPTN 084 enrolled 3,223 cisgender women at research sites in Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Twenty-three incident infections (3 CAB, 20 TDF/FTC) were detected in the 12-month unblinded period. Of these, two (1 CAB, 1 TDF/FTC) were determined to have occurred during the blinded phase. Only one of the CAB cases (blinded phase case) had ever received an injection. An additional 83 confirmed pregnancies (43 CAB, 40 TDF/FTC) occurred in the unblinded period. No congenital anomalies were reported. 

“The additional pregnancy incidence data highlight the importance of establishing the safety and pharmacology of CAB among pregnant individuals,” said Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, HPTN co-principal investigator, director of ICAP, and professor of epidemiology and medicine at Columbia University in New York. 

HPTN 084 was co-funded by NIAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and ViiV Healthcare. Study product was provided by ViiV Healthcare and Gilead Sciences, Inc. Three other NIH institutes also collaborated on HPTN 084: the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.   

About HPTN 

The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) is a worldwide collaborative clinical trials network that brings together investigators, ethicists, community members, and other partners to develop and test the safety and efficacy of interventions designed to prevent the acquisition and transmission of HIV. The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, Office of The Director, the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, all part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, co-fund the HPTN. The HPTN has collaborated with more than 85 clinical research sites in 19 countries to evaluate new HIV prevention interventions and strategies in populations with a disproportionate HIV burden. The HPTN research agenda – more than 50 trials ongoing or completed with over 161,000 participants enrolled and evaluated – is focused primarily on discovering new HIV prevention tools and evaluating integrated strategies, including biomedical interventions combined with behavioral risk reduction interventions and structural interventions. For more information, visit hptn.org.


Eric Miller
HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN)
9193846465
emiller@fhi360.org 

SOURCE : HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN)

Thursday 28 July 2022

BUSINESSES, OTHER ORGANISATIONS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN GLOBAL ETHICS DAY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- The ninth annual Global Ethics Day, an initiative of Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, will be celebrated on Oct 19, 2022, with the theme “Ethics Empowered”.

 “Global Ethics Day provides opportunities to listen, learn, and contribute to a worldwide dialogue on the values and principles we care about in 2022,”  said Carnegie Council president Joel Rosenthal in a statement.

“This year, we hope and expect that new voices will enrich Global Ethics Day with ideas for empowering ethics now and into the future.”

On #GlobalEthicsDay, Carnegie Council invites citizens, businesses, professional organisations, schools, governments, and nonprofits from across the world to demonstrate their commitment to using ethics as a force for good.

Activities may include debates, panels, social media campaigns, exhibits, videos, and pop-up events.

Those interested in participating in Global Ethics Day 2022 should visit Carnegie Council’s website to access resources such as key messages, a social media toolkit, and suggestions for ways to participate in this year’s event.

In 2021, more than 170 organisations and institutions in 45 countries participated in the international day of ethical action.

Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs is an independent, research-driven nonprofit that works to empower ethics by identifying and addressing the most critical ethical issues of today and tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA

NIPPON EXPRESS (CHINA) BEGINS PROVIDING CONSOLIDATED TRANSPORT SERVICE USING SCHEDULED RORO VESSEL BETWEEN QINGDAO AND OSAKA

 

AsiaNet 97215

TOKYO, July 28, 2022 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ --

Nippon Express (China) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "NX China"), a group company of Nippon Express Holdings, Inc., launched its own consolidated transport service between Qingdao and Osaka on June 11 using a scheduled RORO vessel known for its speed and punctuality.
 
Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202207254265-O3-TrMAc08G
 
Image1:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202207254265/_prw_PI7fl_VH5yKfYU.jpg
 
 
Image2:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202207254265/_prw_PI8fl_cwi8Z62F.jpg
 
 
With the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement (*) having gone into effect this past January, trade between Japan and China has picked up and demand for cross-border electronic commerce (EC) products, fresh foods and other consumer goods has risen rapidly.
 
To provide its customers with better transport options, NX China has developed its own consolidated transport service offering speed and punctuality via a scheduled RORO vessel operated by China's Dongchen Line Co., Ltd. (DCL), to connect Qingdao and Osaka in three days. The lead time is comparable to that of air transport while being much less expensive. This service is available not only for container cargo but for special-sized and long-length bulk cargo as well.
 
(*) Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement
Fifteen countries -- Japan, China, South Korea, the 10 ASEAN member states, Australia and New Zealand -- have signed this economic cooperation agreement covering a region accounting for about 30% of the world's GDP, total trade and population and about 50% of Japan's total trade (as of April 2022).
 
The NX Group will continue meeting the diversifying logistics needs of its customers with the aim of "creating new ideas and value that expand the field of logistics" as stated in its corporate philosophy.
 
Service overview and features
-Frequency: One sailing per week (using DCL's scheduled RORO vessel)
-Lead time: Transport between Qingdao Port and Osaka Port in three days
*Air transport requires two days and conventional ocean transport six days (for transport arranged by NX China).
-Quality: Safe and high-quality transport service is provided through a seamless transport system managed from departure to destination by the NX Group.
-Cost performance: About one-fourth the cost of air freight for shipments of 150 kg or more
 
Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/
 
NX Group's official LinkedIn account:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/
 

Source: Nippon Express Holdings, Inc.

Vaxart provides update on proxy voting

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Clinical-stage biotechnology company Vaxart Inc urged its stockholders of record on April 11, 2022, to vote on its proxy if they have not yet done so and encouraged them to vote yes on all Proxy Proposals, including Proxy Proposal #2.

Proposal #2 is an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorised number of shares of its common stock to 250 million shares.

“Proposal #2 is important for shareholders and for the company, because it would enable us to continue to work to unlock and create value by investing in the business so that we can progress our programmes,” said Vaxart’s Chief Executive Officer Andrei Floroiu in a statement.

“It would also allow us to maintain a strong balance sheet and remain in a strong competitive position, and it would enable us to continue to attract and retain key talent. We strongly urge shareholders to vote before the Aug 3, 2022, deadline.”

Both leading independent proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis, recommend that shareholders support Proposal #2.

Vaxart’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders was adjourned to Aug 4.

-- BERNAMA

Wednesday 27 July 2022

BUDDHIST LEADER CALLS ON STATES TO COMMIT TO "NO FIRST USE" OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN ADVANCE OF NPT MEETING

 

AsiaNet 97196

TOKYO, July 27, 2022 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ --

On July 26, ahead of the Tenth NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) Review Conference that opens on August 1 at UN Headquarters in New York, Soka Gakkai International (SGI) President Daisaku Ikeda called on the five nuclear-weapon states to declare that they will never be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict: the principle of "No First Use."
 
Today the risk that nuclear weapons will be used is at its highest level since the Cold War. Ikeda, a passionate campaigner for nuclear abolition for over 60 years, urges the five nuclear-weapon states under the NPT -- the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China -- to give substance to a joint statement made by their leaders on January 3, 2022, that "a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," by declaring policies of No First Use.
 
He proposes that the following points be included in the Final Document of the Review Conference:
 
-That the five nuclear-weapon states pledge to continue to abide by their January Joint Statement, immediately pursuing measures to reduce the risks posed by nuclear weapons in accord with their Article VI nuclear disarmament commitments.
 
-That the five nuclear-weapon states, as a matter of highest priority, declare their commitment to the principle of No First Use at the earliest possible date.
 
-That in order to give concrete form to the joint statement's declaration that "none of our nuclear weapons are targeted at each other or at any other State," the principle of No First Use be universalized as the security policy of all states possessing nuclear weapons as well as the nuclear-dependent states.
 
Ikeda urges: "We must remember that it was never the purpose of the NPT to establish continuing nuclear threat and confrontation as the inevitable fate of humankind." He asks us to learn from the world's hibakusha -- the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and the testing of nuclear weapons -- who insist that no one anywhere should suffer what they have endured.
 
Ikeda argues that commitment to No First Use would also free resources to protect people from shared threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
 
On August 4, during the NPT Review Conference, the SGI will hold a side event promoting No First Use together with other like-minded organizations.
 
Read full statement:
https://sgi-peace.org/resources/2022-statement-calling-for-no-first-use
 
Daisaku Ikeda (1928 - ) is a Buddhist philosopher, author and president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), an NGO promoting peace, culture and education in consultative status since 1983 with UN ECOSOC. Every year since 1983, Ikeda has authored peace proposals offering concrete approaches to resolving the complex global issues facing humanity, centering on the need to abolish nuclear weapons.
www.daisakuikeda.org
 
 
Source: Soka Gakkai International
 
Contact:
Joan Anderson
International Office of Public Information
Soka Gakkai
+81-80-5957-4711
anderson[at]soka.jp

BLACK & VEATCH EBOOK HIGHLIGHTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATURAL GAS TO HASTEN ASIA'S ENERGY TRANSITION

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- Black & Veatch in its new eBook, Natural Gas: An Energy Transition Fuel for Asia, highlighted opportunities for innovation and lowering energy system emissions. 

These opportunities include production and supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel the generation of electric power through turbine technology and the development of alternative sustainable fuels such as hydrogen.

According to a statement, the eBook illustrates how cost efficiencies can be achieved by planning through the entire current and future natural gas value chain.

“To accommodate increased variable renewable generation, deploying integrated solutions, including gas-fired generation, will be critical to stabilise regional grids and enhance their resilience,” said Black & Veatch’s Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Narsingh Chaudhary.

Chaudhary added that while both wind and solar power help address clean energy by replacing fossil energy with zero-emission electricity, in the near-term as energy storage technologies evolve, a mix of generation solutions is the best course of action.

In the eBook, Black & Veatch energy experts assess opportunities to monetise gas fields from early-stage commercial modelling of bankable projects through to the schedule and modularity advantages of building floating LNG infrastructure.

It details how holistic project planning can present opportunities to co-locate and integrate LNG receiving terminals alongside gas-fired power plants as well as other off-takers of ‘cold energy’ including data centres through to refrigeration facilities, while also designing for the longer-term combustion of carbon-emissions-free green hydrogen at gas-fired power facility.

Black & Veatch is a 100-per cent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure.

More details at www.bv.com.

-- BERNAMA

JUMIO RECORDS HIGHEST EVER SALES QUARTER




KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- Jumio, the leading provider of orchestrated end-to-end identity proofing, eletronic Know-Your-Customer (e-KYC) and anti-money laundering solutions, has achieved its highest ever sales quarter in its history.

According to its statement, the achievement was driven by the ongoing need for modern enterprises across all industries and geographies to know and trust their online users, from onboarding to ongoing monitoring.

The success correlates with the company’s global research, which found that 80 per cent of consumers prefer identity verification measures when choosing online brands and that financial services (75 per cent) and healthcare (57 per cent) are the most important industries for online identity verification.

It said the Jumio KYX Platform makes it easy to establish the identity and risk profile of new users, authenticate and monitor existing users, and detect suspicious transactions to meet increasingly complex compliance mandates.

“As customer’s choice and satisfaction increasingly rely on an organisation’s ability to protect the customer’s identity and data, leading enterprises are entrusting Jumio with the protection of their digital ecosystems more than ever.

“Our relentless focus on innovation enables our customers and partners to deliver an intuitive and cutting-edge online experience to their end users,” said Jumio chief executive officer, Robert Prigge.

Other notable achievements in the second quarter include key executive hires, such as the appointment of Susan Walker as chief financial officer in May and Stuart Wells as chief technology officer in April

The company also unveiled its new Innovation Lab in San Diego in April.

Based in Palo Alto, California, Jumio operates globally with offices in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

-- BERNAMA

KEPLER GROUP HIRES GOOGLE SALES PARTNER VETERAN AS CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL

 NEW YORK, July 27 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kepler Group, the global digital marketing services pioneer, has hired Ruchi Prasad as General Counsel to bolster its corporate development and sales partner solutions efforts. This strategic hire positions Kepler to help clients navigate increasingly complex privacy and regulatory requirements, and to meet increased demand for first-party data solutions.

Prasad will lead legal affairs for both Kepler, the Group’s media activation and marketing strategy arm, and Napkyn, its recently acquired full-stack Google Marketing Platform Sales Partner business. The companies help brands like AT&T, American Express, Dunkin’ Donuts, J.Crew, Nissan, Pepsico, Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, and over 100 others better leverage the power of data, technology and insights to create meaningful, profitable connections with consumers.

Prasad brings over 12 years of legal experience in global, high-tech markets, most recently as General Counsel for the Americas at Media.Monks and Global General Counsel for MightyHive. She has also held legal policy positions at Twitter and Visa.

“As we continue to invest in our international expansion and burgeoning partner relationships, Ruchi is exactly the right person to strategically inform these opportunities,” said Joshua Lerman, Kepler’s recently-promoted Global CEO. “In the short time since she started, she has already added value to our work with our largest partners.”

Prasad added, “I am thrilled to join Kepler Group and help catalyze this next stage of growth. Kepler and Napkyn leadership teams have built a robust foundation and, as the company continues to innovate and evolve, I look forward to using my experience in global expansion, legal operations, regulatory matters, and data privacy.”

In addition to responsibility for all aspects of Kepler and Napkyn's global legal affairs, Prasad will act as an advisor to the firm's executive leadership on strategic growth initiatives.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c1d22ae-27d8-4ba1-96c1-9aea2cecc932


Contact:
Carolyn Powell
cpowell@keplergrp.com
518.755.8165

SOURCE : Kepler Group LLC

Axie Infinity selects GeeTest solution for balancing fraud protection

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- Axie Infinity, the frontrunner in blockchain-based play&earn gaming, has chosen GeeTest CAPTCHA solution to preserve crypto assets security and fight mass online bot threats while enhancing the user experience.

According to a statement, GeeTest CAPTCHA solution plays a critical role in preserving crypto exchange security and mitigating bot attacks.

GeeTest has been committed to bringing advanced biometric data and AI-powered bot management technology to the global market and has occupied Top1 market share in APAC and services with over 320,000 enterprises worldwide presently including Airbnb and Nike.

Most notably, GeeTest has achieved absolutely comprehensive coverage in the blockchain industry with over 20 per cent of the Top 50 crypto exchanges that chose GeeTest to fight fraud attacks, including BINANCE, FTX, and Poloniex.

Currently, GeeTest has operations around the world and cooperates with over 320,000 enterprises worldwide.

More details at https://www.geetest.com/en/

-- BERNAMA


Tuesday 26 July 2022

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY PARTNERS TALENTSPRINT TO CREATE GLOBAL DEVOPS EXPERTS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- TalentSprint, a global education technology (edtech) company, has announced a multi-year and multi-programme partnership with Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) School of Computer Science (SCS), Executive and Professional Education.

First to be launched under this partnership is the Advanced Certificate Programme in DevOps, a set of practices that combines software development and IT operations, aiming at fulfilling the growing need for new-age DevOps professionals in the APAC region.

Commenting on the launch, Director of Executive Education at the CMU-SCS Ram Konduru said: “We were exploring international markets like India, Middle East and Southeast Asian markets that have a growing demand for tech professionals.

“We wanted to collaborate with a serious edtech company that could align with our core competencies and help us reach out to new geographies. We are happy to announce our association with TalentSprint and launch our first programme in DevOps.”

Meanwhile, TalentSprint chief executive officer Santanu Paul said: “CMU’s School of Computer Science is iconic and this association is a validation of our success in path-breaking programmes with leading institutes and global tech organisations in India and the US.

The six-month high-impact programme, designed and taught by the expert faculty of CMU-SCS, will be delivered on TalentSprint’s digital platform ipearl.ai and help participants with in-depth knowledge of various new-age DevOps tools.

Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will receive CMU’s globally recognised certificate. 

-- BERNAMA

Monday 25 July 2022

DIGITAL DOMESTIC MONEY TRANSFER TRANSACTIONS TO EXCEED 300 BILLION BY 2026 -- JUNIPER RESEARCH


KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- The volume of digital domestic money transfer payments will exceed 300 billion globally for the first time in 2026, up nearly 50 per cent from 207 billion in 2022, according to a new study by Juniper Research.

It said the key drivers are super-apps, where multiple services including payment and financial transaction processing are available in one app.

“(They) are driving digitisation of previously cash-based payments, by including messaging and access to other services alongside payments,” the research firm said in a statement.

Its research predicts the top three markets in terms of usage -- China, the United States and India -- will account for just under 74 per cent of global digital domestic money transfer transactions in 2026.

“The appeal of social payments, where payments are integrated into social platforms, has driven transactions in these three countries,” Juniper Research said.

The report recommends money transfer vendors identify the most popular social platforms in each country and aim to create partnerships that enable social payments.

Research co-author Damla Sat explained: “Money transfer vendors should focus on highest growth markets to secure the best return on investment, with Latin America and West Europe identified as having the strongest forecast growth rates.”

Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, providing consultancy, analyst reports, and industry commentary.

-- BERNAMA

Saturday 23 July 2022

Alsym Energy, Synergy Marine, Nissen Kaiun to jointly develop batteries for marine use

 


KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- Battery maker Alsym™ Energy and Synergy Marine will collaborate with Japan’s Nissen Kaiun to jointly develop applications specific to the marine shipping industry using Alsym’s high-performance, low-cost technology.

Singapore-based Synergy Marine is a leading global ship management services provider managing more than 500 vessels while Alsym is a developer of next-generation rechargeable batteries.

“Synergy Marine is on the cutting edge of technology in the maritime sector, and we are honoured to be part of their journey to work with owners in their transition away from fossil fuels,” Alsym Energy president and chief executive officer Mukesh Chatter said in a statement.

“By manufacturing batteries from low-cost, readily available materials that are inherently non-flammable and non-toxic, we are providing an economically-viable way to help them decarbonise while also lowering operating expenditures and insurance costs associated with lithium and cobalt-based battery technologies,” Mukesh said.

Alsym will provide Synergy and Nissen Kaiun with one gigawatt of batteries per year for three years starting in the company’s first year of high-volume production, conditional on the battery systems meeting key performance levels and regulatory requirements specific to cargo ships and tankers. 

The statement said Alsym’s batteries may be used to propel cargo ships and tankers as they enter and leave port, power berthed ships, and support peak shaving applications at sea.

The company plans to start pilot manufacturing its non-flammable batteries for electric vehicles, ships, and stationary storage later this year at its facility in Massachusetts, with high-volume production expected to follow in 2025.

By using low-cost, inherently non-flammable raw materials with robust global supply chains, Alsym’s aims to provide batteries at a fraction of the cost of lithium-based technologies, making electrification both safe and economically viable. 

More details at www.alsym.com.

-- BERNAMA

Friday 22 July 2022

DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR TO SHOWCASE WORKS FROM OVER 1,500 FIRST NATIONS ARTISTS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives will be celebrated in Darwin, Australia, from Aug 2-7 in an unmissable showcase of art, design and culture at Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) Foundation’s series of iconic events.

DAAF is Australia’s largest and most celebrated First Nations visual art event, which will return for the 16th year to run both online and in person this Aug 5-7, according to a statement.

The internationally celebrated art fair sits alongside the Foundation’s two Indigenous Fashion Projects events, Country to Couture on the Aug 2, and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards on the Aug 3, bringing Australia’s most acclaimed and vibrant First Nations artists and designers to the national and global stage.

As the only Australian event of its kind, DAAF has secured a reputation as one of the country’s most significant and internationally recognised arts events.

It creates a unique opportunity to connect with, and ethically purchase art directly from Art Centres, as well as meeting the artists and learning firsthand about their cultural heritage, stories, history and traditional artistic practices through a range of masterclasses, talks and demonstrations.

DAAF 2022 is on track to be the most successful and widest reaching yet, with a record 76 Art Centres participating in the Foundation’s inaugural hybrid delivery of the event.

The first week of August is predicted to be one of the biggest showcases of First Nations talent in the world.

Music, art and culture will collide as The Collective unifies to bring the public a unique experience across the creative industries in the Northern Territory.

-- BERNAMA

INNIO Waukesha, Detechtion Technologies collaborate to enable transition to net zero

 

Christopher Smith, President and CEO of Detechtion Technologies, and Bud Hittie, President of INNIO Waukesha Inc. (Photo: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- INNIO Waukesha Gas Engines Inc (INNIO Waukesha) and Detechtion Technologies Inc (Detechtion) has entered into a collaboration to expand asset connectivity, drive a customer-centric digital ecosystem and empower customers’ transition to decarbonisation.

Decarbonisation is the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions through the use of low carbon power sources.

The partnership combines INNIO Waukesha engine analytics with Detechtion's technology to form a single solution to help customers to remotely manage their assets securely and in real-time. The system anticipates unexpected events, determines if assistance is required, improves energy production, and reduces plant downtime.

The cloud-based digital solution supports remote asset insights and analysis across a fleet of installed natural gas engine and compressor packages. 

INNIO Waukesha Inc president Bud Hittie said: "The  solution combines INNIO's strength in engine analysis with Detechtion's wide range of compressor diagnostics. This collaboration enables us to drive our customer-centric strategy, helping drive the transition to net zero."

Detechtion Technologies president and chief executive officer Christopher Smith said the partnership will benefit the industry's need for solutions that offer deeper visibility and better control throughout the compressor skid while optimising operations. 

Teams from both the companies have a wealth of knowledge and are eager to create an even more powerful solution, Smith said.

INNIO is an energy solutions and service provider and Waukesha is its brand of engines. Detechtion is an asset optimisation provider in upstream oil and gas sector.

More details at www.innio.com.

-- BERNAMA

Thursday 21 July 2022

YOHJI YAMAMOTO INC. LAUNCHES NEW CONCEPTUAL PROJECT "WILDSIDE YOHJI YAMAMOTO" GLOBALLY ON JULY 20

TOKYO, July 21 (Bernama) -- YOHJI YAMAMOTO Inc. launched a conceptual project, "WILDSIDE YOHJI YAMAMOTO," on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 on the online platform. WILDSIDE YOHJI YAMAMOTO, with its concept color as black -- the symbol of YOHJI YAMAMOTO, launched the collaboration in a wide range of genres, not only fashion, but also art, interior design, and lifestyle.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107269/202207193946/_prw_PI2fl_WLqc2EOC.png

Image: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107269/202207193946/_prw_PI5fl_z8w27854.jpg

WILDSIDE YOHJI YAMAMOTO: https://wildside-online.com

Special items are launched for collaboration with such Japanese brands as "NEEDLES," "NOMA t.d.," "HYSTERIC GLAMOUR," "AMBUSH," and "MINEDENIM."

An original brand by YOHJI YAMAMOTO Inc., WILDSIDE YOHJI YAMAMOTO is also launched at the same time. With military, work, and sports as keywords, elements extracted from the essence of YOHJI YAMAMOTO are re-constructed with a casual taste. This is a unisex collection that has been updated with modern customization and functionality.

Photos: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/202207193946?p=images

Collection: https://www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp/collection/wildside-yohji-yamamoto/wildside-yohji-yamamoto-launch-collection/ 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=43701



HITACHI ENERGY INKS MOU WITH H2 GREEN STEEL TO SUPPORT STEEL INDUSTRY DECARBONISATION

KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- Hitachi Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with H2 Green Steel to leverage electrification, digitalisation, and hydrogen to support the decarbonisation of the steel industry.

H2 Green Steel, a Swedish industrial start-up, is on a mission to accelerate the global steel industry’s greatest technological shift by eliminating almost all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the steel production process.

It is planning to build its first fossil-free steel plant in Boden, Sweden, alongside a giga-scale electrolyser plant for the production of green hydrogen.

In a statement, Hitachi Energy, Europe, Middle East and Africa head, Johan Soderstrom said the collaboration with H2 Green Steel is a pioneering example of how the company is working together and creating additional benefits for customers.

“We are supporting H2 Green Steel’s electrification project and at the same time, we are able to secure green steel for our products, which is in line with our purpose: advancing a sustainable energy future for all,” he added.

Starting with the plant in Boden, H2 Green Steel will leverage Hitachi Energy’s capabilities to optimise customers’ value chain to plan, build, operate, and maintain the power infrastructure that includes information technology and operational technology.

The steel production in Boden will use green hydrogen instead of coal in a fully integrated process using end-to-end digitalisation, which reduces up to 95 per cent CO2 emissions compared to traditional steelmaking.

More details at https://www.hitachienergy.com.

-- BERNAMA

MEDTECH INNOVATOR NAMES 20 PREMIER STARTUPS FOR ANNUAL ASIA PACIFIC ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME

KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- MedTech Innovator, the largest accelerator of medical technology companies in the world, in partnership with Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed), has selected 20 companies to participate in the organisation’s third annual Asia Pacific Accelerator programme.

The companies, among others, are 4baseCare; AEvice Health; Alimetry; Bioscan Research; Cell4D; DC Medical; ErleaDx; and, Lenexa Medical.

In a statement, the company said that the MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific offers best-in-class start-ups with opportunities to work with investors, business leaders and allied service professionals in the medical technology industry to help drive the commercialisation of life-changing technologies throughout the region. 

The 2022 cohort companies will also compete for up to US$300,000 (US$1=RM4.447) in cash prizes and awards. 

“This year’s selected cohorts for our Asia Pacific Accelerator programme represent some of the region’s most promising entrepreneurs looking to solve significant real-world problems in healthcare.

“Together with our sponsors, we look forward to helping them bring their innovations to patients in need,” said MedTech Innovator chief executive officer Paul Grand.

Over 250 companies applied for the Asia Pacific programme, but only four startups from the 2022 Asia Pacific cohort will advance to compete in the grand finals at APACMed’s Medtech Forum 2022 in Singapore, which runs from September 26-27, 2022.

Attended by healthcare industry leaders, healthcare providers, and investors from across the region, the MedTech Forum will also showcase solutions from the 20 accelerator companies. 

The winning company, which will be determined by audience vote, stands to win a non-dilutive cash prize and the title of the 2022 MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific Winner.

-- BERNAMA

DigitalBridge names Tae Ahn as head of Asia capital formation




KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- DigitalBridge Group Inc (DigitalBridge) has appointed Tae E. Ahn as managing director and head of Asia capital formation at DigitalBridge Investment Management, effective immediately.

According to a statement, he will be based in Singapore, where he will work alongside DigitalBridge’s existing team with a focus on capital formation, co-investment and client relationship management across Asia-Pacific.

“We are pleased to welcome Tae to DigitalBridge, expanding our Asia-Pacific presence and further supporting our investment team with capital formation capabilities,” said DigitalBridge chief commercial and strategy officer Kevin Smithen.

Ahn brings more than 15 years of capital formation and business development leadership experience in the financial sector, along with deep expertise in Asian markets.

Prior to joining DigitalBridge, he served as senior client relationship manager and head of Korea at global private markets firm Partners Group. In that role, which he held for seven years, Ahn led fundraising, client relationship management and deal sourcing.

“I have long admired DigitalBridge’s investment thesis within the digital infrastructure landscape, and I am excited to contribute to its continued growth and success across the Asia-Pacific market.

“I look forward to working closely with the entire investment team to enhance business development efforts while leveraging my experience and insights to cultivate relationships and promote global investments,” Ahn said.

Ahn holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in international economic policy from Columbia University.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, DigitalBridge has key offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Singapore.

-- BERNAMA



ALVAREZ & MARSAL OPENS NEW OFFICE IN MALAYSIA LED BY MANAGING DIRECTOR TZE YANN TAN



Firmwide growth and increased market demand fuels A&M’s Asia-Pacific investments and lines of service


KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) today announced the opening of its new office in Malaysia, with the appointment of Corporate Performance Improvement (CPI) Managing Director, Tze Yann (Z) Tan as country leader. A&M’s Malaysia office extends the firm’s geographic footprint by leveraging its newly launched Southeast Asia and Australia (SEAA) business unit and fusing the firm’s strategic growth plans with its regional commitment.

In his new role, Mr. Tan will lead a team of about 20 A&M Malaysia professionals. He will work with Utsav Garg, a Managing Director and head of A&M’s SEAA business unit, to marshal the firm’s CPI, Private Equity Performance Improvement, and Restructuring & Turnaround lines of service, both focused on addressing market concerns and solving regional clients’ complex problems. Yoong Ming Chin, a Senior Director with Alvarez & Marsal’s Performance Improvement practice in Southeast Asia and Australia, will also join the Malaysia office.

Luis De Lucio, Managing Director and Head of Alvarez & Marsal’s Emerging Markets practice, said, “The Malaysia office opening represents the next phase of our Asia-Pacific (APAC) growth strategy. By aligning our operations in SingaporeIndonesia and Australia we are furthering our ability to maximize value and drive change for clients as we lay the groundwork for a future office in Vietnam. Tze’s and Yoong Ming’s in-depth market knowledge and experience enhances our global network of boots-on-the-ground experts.”

Mr. Tan brings 20 years of experience in end-to-end operations performance improvement and supply chain management gained in both consulting and corporate roles. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Tan spent 12 years with SC Johnson and Son in Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur, where he most recently served as Senior Director and Head of Supply Chain for Asia-Pacific. Before that, he served as SC Johnson and Son’s Director for Greater China Supply Chain and China Manufacturing Operations. He also spent eight years with McKinsey & Company.

Mr. Chin brings more than 13 years of strategy and operations consulting experience in the telecommunications, media and technology, financial services, payments, automotive, pharmaceutical, and retail industries across Southeast Asia. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Chin served as Senior Managing Consultant with Mastercard Advisors, Asia Pacific, for three years. He also served as Senior Project Manager following eight years with Roland Berger SEA.

Mr. Garg noted that A&M’s value proposition of supporting corporate and PE clients with hands-on execution aimed at realizing tangible results was increasingly important given significant market disruption across Southeast Asia. “A number of our corporate and private equity clients are facing critical challenges with the perfect storm of a changing economic environment, tightening liquidity situation, supply chain disruptions, and volatility in commodity markets,” he said. “Tze and Yoong Ming represent A&M’s muddy, boots-on-the-ground philosophy that enables us to address growing market demand in Malaysia and across SEAA.”

Mr. Tan added, “Continuing uncertainty and economic volatility calls for A&M’s practical approach and results-driven mindset. The firm’s integrated structure will help clients across Malaysia and SEAA capitalize on opportunities and mitigate risks.”

Mr. Tan earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in industrial and operations engineering from the University of Michigan and an executive MBA from Kellogg-HKUST School of Management. Mr. Chin earned a bachelor’s degree in mechatronics engineering from Monash University Malaysia.

About Alvarez & Marsal

Companies, investors, and government entities around the world turn to Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) for leadership, action and results. Privately held since its founding in 1983, A&M is a leading global professional services firm that provides advisory, business performance improvement and turnaround management services. When conventional approaches are not enough to create transformation and drive change, clients seek our deep expertise and ability to deliver practical solutions to their unique problems.

With over 6,000 people across five continents, we deliver tangible results for corporates, boards, private equity firms, law firms and government agencies facing complex challenges. Our senior leaders, and their teams, leverage A&M’s restructuring heritage to help companies act decisively, catapult growth and accelerate results. We are experienced operators, world-class consultants, former regulators and industry authorities with a shared commitment to telling clients what’s really needed for turning change into a strategic business asset, managing risk and unlocking value at every stage of growth.

To learn more, visit: AlvarezandMarsal.com. Follow A&M on LinkedInTwitter, and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220719005988/en/

Contact

Sandra Sokoloff, Director of Global Public Relations
Alvarez & Marsal, +1 212-763-9853

Source : Alvarez & Marsal

Wednesday 20 July 2022

ST KITTS AND NEVIS TO HOST ITS FAMOUS RESTAURANT WEEK AFTER TWO YEARS BREAK

 Basseterre, July 20 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After a two-year hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, St Kitts and Nevis will once again celebrate the annual "Restaurant Week" from July 14 to 24, 2022. With this, the twin island country is set to celebrate its culture, cuisine, and local ingredients with the island's best chefs.
 
Restaurant week is an event where restaurants offer reduced or fixed price menus so that customers can try many different types of food that may normally be out of their price range. 
 
Mid and upper-range establishments join restaurant week annually, but any restaurant can take part in the event. The general concept is that local restaurants partner with local tourist organizations or chambers of commerce to promote a week of lunch and dinner specials.
 
St Kitts and Nevis’ restaurant week will also shine a spotlight on Kittitian and Nevisian farmers. During each stage of the activities and competitions during the week, the restaurants will highlight the significance of farmers among the travellers. They will showcase the vibrant cultural and authentic cuisine of the twin island with magnificent events. 
 
Among the events planned for this year is the Tasting Showcase, which will be held in both St Kitts and Nevis, where restaurants serve up dishes made from this year's theme ingredient - sweet potato. The St Kitts Tasting Showcase takes place on July 10 and the Nevis version on July 16. 
 
Another key event on the calendar will be Grill Fest on July 23, which “pays tribute to the grill masters as they vie for the title of Best Grill Master in two categories: poultry and seafood". Every participating restaurant will offer savoury dishes and beverages to the attendees as they will witness the serving up of the tasty dishes featuring the sweet potato. 
 
Participating restaurants will design one-off menus, each incorporating the theme ingredient. More than 50 restaurants will be participating in the event to give local experiences through culinary, entertainment and artisans.
 
One of the participating restaurants will be Serendipity, a cosy restaurant situated in the historic Fortlands, a short walk from downtown Basseterre. Both Serendipity's extensive lunch and dinner menus will offer the patrons a wide variety of local and international cuisine. 
 
Another restaurant, Four Seasons Resort Nevis, will participate in St Kitts and Nevis Restaurant Week and its three-course menu will surely showcase the talent of the Four Seasons culinary team. Natalia Ristorante resorts also expressed pleasure in announcing their participation in this annual tradition of dining out and celebrating local ingredients. Their chefs have curated a special three-course menu featuring simple Italian classics and sweet potato.
 
Besides this, the event will also feature restaurants such as Arther's, Sunset Cafe, Park Hayyat and over fifty restaurants. 
 
St Kitts and Nevis have built an excellent reputation for cuisine in recent years. Chefs on the islands guard local recipes zealously, but as well as Creole and West Indian fare, they also specialize in Chinese, Western and Indian dishes. 
 
The restaurants of the twin island welcomed tourists with fresh fruit on the market and beach promenades selling mangoes, papayas, bananas and much more. Moreover, the country is also famous for imported drinks. In addition to that, the local cooking is simple, spicy and makes use of the plentiful fresh fish, vegetables, and fruit. 
 
Restaurants such as Frigate Bay and Turtle Bay located in the capital, Basseterre and the southern peninsula resort area offer good options ranging from fine dining to family restaurants, serving a mixture of local and international cuisine to the visitors. 
 
Moreover, St Kitts and Nevis cuisines incorporate the finest fresh local ingredients into simple, flavourful dishes. People will find many things to do in St Kitts, but none of them is more satisfying than sitting down and enjoying the local delicacies. 
 
The country has paved the progressive path with the help of tourism and the Citizenship by Investment Programme. The Federation is profoundly known as one of the best nations providing economic citizenship. 
 
Launched in 1984, the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere is a pioneer of the Citizenship by Investment industry. The Citizenship by Investment Programme of St Kitts and Nevis has also been regarded world's best by the CBI Index 2021 of the Financial Times published in the PWM Magazine. St Kitts and Nevis have been ranked first for Citizenship Time, Due Diligence and Family in the Index. 
 
St Kitts and Nevis is providing alternative citizenship to investors across the globe in exchange for the financial contribution to the country's economy. It has also been regarded as the longest-running in the world for running the programme for more than three decades. 
 
Interested candidates can apply for alternative citizenship of the country through the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF), which is popularly known as Fund Option. This investment option was established in the year 2018 to support various socio-economic initiatives in the country. The SGF supports the ongoing advancement of St Kitts and Nevis and provides the country with the potential to grow as a prospering small-island country. The investment will enhance the future of investors, as well as the future of St Kitts and Nevis.
 
Some of the key benefits offered by the Programme of St Kitts and Nevis are as follows:
 
• Open routes to a global market

• Opportunity to become a global citizen

• Enables to add additional dependants under one application

• Offers numerous business opportunities

• Diversify your portfolio

• An efficient platform for wealth planning
 
About St Kitts and Nevis: 

One must visit the travel destination; St Kitts and Nevis is an exceptional place for travellers who love to relish a stay in the lap of nature. The twin island Federation is famous for sandy as well as silver beaches and coral reefs. The tourists are attracted to the beautiful and mesmerizing sights of the Federation. Moreover, St Kitts and Nevis have also regarded as the safest in the Caribbean region.

PR St Kitts and Nevis
Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
pr@csglobalpartners.com

SOURCE : Government of St. Kitts and Nevis