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The Consumer Goods Forum, in Partnership With Capgemini, Publishes Its Global Health and Wellness Digital Framework

PARIS, October 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ —

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) is pleased to announce the launch of the Global Health and Wellness Digital Framework, developed in partnership with Capgemini. The aim of the Framework is to provide CGF members and stakeholders with a guide to how digital can support the goal of positively impacting behavioural change to help people live healthier lives.

The new framework outlines the role that digital technology can play for companies as they build tailored roadmaps for their health initiatives. The framework includes five steps to move the goals of any individual initiative to a portfolio of prioritised interventions to help drive behavioural change.

With case studies from CGF members, including the Migros Wellbeing Journey, Walgreens Balance Rewards for Healthy Choices®, L’Oréal’s Digitising Human Experiences and Danone’s Chatbots, as well as Spoon Guru’s Artificial Intelligence-based Food Search and Discovery, and Yuka’s app to keep consumers informed about the food they eat, the Framework also provides examples of how digital is already driving positive changes in consumer behavior.

Sharon Bligh, Director, Health & Wellness, The Consumer Goods Forum, said, Members of The Consumer Goods Forum are committed to driving positive change on a global scale. It is part of what makes us unique as an organisation. With an increased focus on digital we hope this framework will help inspire retailers and manufacturers around the world to pick up the baton and join us on this collaborative and digital journey to empower healthier people. Thank you to all CGF members who leaned in to help us co-build this with Capgemini.

Behavioural Change and Digital as an Enabler 

Digital communications are now an essential part of everyday life and one of the most effective ways to reach consumers with accurate and personalised information. Digital is seen as a critical component for CGF members if they are to achieve their aim of taking a proactive, leadership role in empowering consumers to live healthier lives and drive shared business value, while providing transparent information and improving trust in the industry.

Kees Jacobs, Vice President, Global Consumer Products & Retail Sector, Capgemini said, Capgemini is pleased to have partnered with The Consumer Goods Forum and its members to develop a Digital Framework that will serve as a guide for companies all over the world embarking on a transformation journey for their business. Using our knowledge and experience working with clients across the industry, we see digital playing an important role for retailers and manufacturers in enabling healthier lives.

For more information, please see the Global Health and Wellness Digital Framework.

About The Consumer Goods Forum 

The Consumer Goods Forum (“CGF”) is a global, parity-based industry network that is driven by its members to encourage the global adoption of practices and standards that serves the consumer goods industry worldwide. It brings together the CEOs and senior management of some 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders across 70 countries, and it reflects the diversity of the industry in geography, size, product category and format. Its member companies have combined sales of EUR 3.5 trillion and directly employ nearly 10 million people, with a further 90 million related jobs estimated along the value chain. It is governed by its Board of Directors, which comprises more than 50 manufacturer and retailer CEOs. For more information, please visit: http://www.theconsumergoodsforum.com.

About Capgemini 

A global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation, Capgemini is at the forefront of innovation to address the entire breadth of clients’ opportunities in the evolving world of cloud, digital and platforms. Building on its strong 50-year heritage and deep industry-specific expertise, Capgemini enables organizations to realize their business ambitions through an array of services from strategy to operations. Capgemini is driven by the conviction that the business value of technology comes from and through people. It is a multicultural company of 200,000 team members in over 40 countries. The Group reported 2017 global revenues of EUR 12.8 billion.

Visit us at http://www.capgemini.com. People matter, results count.

China’s First International Seminar on Hot Springs and Climate Health Tourism Kicked off on Oct. 16 in BeiBei, Chongqing

CHONGQING, China, Oct. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — On October 16, China’s First International Seminar on Hot Springs and Climate Health Tourism was held in BeiBei, Chongqing. Hot springs and climate experts, scholars and related entrepreneurs came from various countries such as China, Italy, Russia, and Japan (in total approximately 350 attendees) came together to discuss the topic of hot springs and climate health and how to transform Chongqing into a hot springs travel destination.

This seminar was held with the theme of “Assembling the World’s Next Hot Spring Capital, Hot Springs, and Climate Health Tourism.” During the opening ceremony, Zhang Yue, a secretary of the Zhongwen Association, stated that Chongqing is striving to develop the world’s first “Hot Springs Capital” brand, inviting the World Hot Springs Organization to build a Chongqing office and transform the city into a hot springs travel destination. Chongqing actively promotes this development of their tourist economy, and, in turn, paves a new road for the development of global hot spring tourism.

Throughout the seminar, Chongqing signed a number of hot springs and climate health tourism projects. These projects cover areas such as hot springs, leisure reports, and industrial research and utilization.

In addition to the brainstorming sessions, such as the expert lectures and guest dialogues, the World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy (Chongqing office), Chongqing Hot Spring Tour Association, Chongqing Hot Spring Tourism Alliance and other institutions received awards.

17 experts in the field of hot springs and climate health care were officially hired as the first group of consultants for Chongqing hot spring and climate healthcare tourism during the meeting including Mr. Umberto Solimene, Mr. Giovanni Gurnari, Mr. Giorgio D’Alessandro, and Mr. Otsuka Yoshinori. Umberto Solimene, president of the World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy, read out the “Chongqing Consensus on World Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy Tourism”.

These experts will provide strong intellectual support for Chongqing to build a world-class hot spring tourist city and spa resort, and help the industry innovate with their cutting-edge academic philosophies.

Chongqing is rich in hot spring geothermal resources. At present, the known hot spring distribution area amounts to 10,000 square kilometers with 146 hot spring mines, 560 million cubic meters of geothermal water per year, and 400,000 cubic meters of scientific exploitable capacity per day. The current exploitable capacity accounts for only 20.2 % of the reasonable exploitable capacity. Chongqing was named the world’s first ” Hot Springs Capital” as early as 2012.

Beibei District, one of the top five hot spring tourism destinations in China, is known as the hometown of Chinese hot springs for its unique hot spring resources endowed by nature. Taking advantage of this symposium, Chongqing will speed up the building of “World Hot Springs Valley” and make every effort toward upgrading the “Hot Springs Capital”

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Stars of Science Presents Its Top Nine Innovators

DOHA, Qatar, October 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ —

Record number of women make Stars of Science Shortlist 

Qatar Foundation’s (QF) edutainment reality TV show Stars of Science has concluded its Season 10 auditions – and the competition has just begun. The jury has selected the top nine innovation masterminds who will now fly to the workshops at Qatar Science & Technology Park to transform their ideas into products and compete for the show’s ultimate title of ‘Best Arab Innovator’.

Four of the top nine innovators are women. From the Information and Communications Technology episode, two innovators survived the auditions. Sylia Khecheni earned her ticket to enter the prototyping phase with an intricate Home Privacy Drone Blocker, a device that stops video transmissions without damaging the source of the intrusive signal. Meanwhile, fellow contestant Rooda Al Qebaisi welcomed the opportunity to put her Dynamic VIP Seating Manager to the test.

Anna Malek’s business-savvy nature fuels her passion to ensure her Smart Car Seat not only protects newborn children, but also gives parents peace of mind; while scientific researcher Nour Majbour will work on her Parkinson’s Early Detection Kit, and is keen to find a binary way of detecting signs of the disease.

The largest pool of contestants this year came from the biomedical rounds, with 10 contestants in the shortlist, and five making it into the top nine. In the upcoming episode, neurosurgeon Walid Albanna will work on his Neurovascular Google Analyzer, designed to aid doctors in detecting early signs of recurring strokes. Ahmed Zahlan, the youngest innovator on the show, has high hopes that his Contactless Gluten Detector will ultimately be used by those who struggle with gluten-related allergies. And driven by his zest for measurable results, Abdullah Al Sairafi will be seen aiming to perfect his Sports Performance Patch.

With only two places remaining after these rounds, five hopefuls from the energy and environment episode competed for their final chance to book their spot among the show’s top nine. Artist Salim Al Kaabi has been selected to work on his Safe Frankincense Varnish for Artists, a product that nullifies the harsh side effects of varnish while retaining the ability to make timeless paintings. Meanwhile, Ghassan Oueidat stood out with his novel idea of using a Dry-Ice Cleaner Bot to autonomously clean tower blocks. Viewers can tune in on October 20 for the action-packed prototyping episode.

Contact: Mariam Diefallah – +974-6683-6932 – MDiefallah@webershandwick.com 

Kazia Raises A$3.4 Million to Progress R&D Programs

SYDNEY, Oct. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Kazia Therapeutics Limited (ASX: KZA; NASDAQ: KZIA), an Australian oncology-focused biotechnology company, is pleased to announce the completion of a placement of KZA shares, primarily to sector-specialist institutional investors in Australia and internationally, at a price of A$0.38 per share. The placement will raise approximately A$3.4 million (exclusive of costs).

In addition, Kazia will launch a Share Purchase Plan (SPP) to allow eligible existing holders of KZA securities the opportunity to acquire new fully-paid ordinary shares on the same terms as the placement. The SPP will open on Tuesday 23 October 2018, and documentation will be separately mailed to eligible shareholders at that time.

Key Points

  • High-quality specialist institutional investors lead this investment and strengthen the Company’s registry, motivated by corporate transformation, quality of management, and significant potential of pipeline
  • Capital raised secures Company’s ability to progress GDC-0084 and Cantrixil programs through four critical value-driving inflection points during calendar 2019
  • Placement of $3.4 million, at a small discount to market price of 11.6% and with no warrants, strengthens balance sheet while safeguarding interests of existing shareholders
  • SPP provides opportunity for existing shareholders to augment their holding at the same price as the institutional placement, and directors intend to participate

Kazia Chairman, Iain Ross, commented, “The ability of the Company to now command the interest of professional institutional investors is a powerful endorsement both of the quality of our pipeline and of the work that has been done over the past several years to move it forward. The next twelve months or so is a tremendously important period for Kazia, and today’s placement positions us to advance GDC-0084 and Cantrixil through their phase IIa and phase I studies respectively, providing four important data read-outs across the two programs.”

He added, “The Board has been determined to respect the support and commitment of existing shareholders and, to that end, today’s modest placement has been conducted at a small discount and without the issuance of warrants. In addition, we have signaled our intent to provide via a Share Purchase Plan the ability for existing shareholders to enjoy the same opportunity as institutional shareholders. Each of the directors have indicated their intention to participate in the SPP.”

Over the previous twelve months, Kazia has secured orphan designation from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for its lead program, GDC-0084, which was followed by successful commencement of a phase IIa clinical trial in the United States. The phase IIa trial aims to provide safety and efficacy data supporting future use of the drug in glioblastoma, the most common and most aggressive form of primary brain cancer, which is estimated to represent a commercial market opportunity in excess of US$ 1 billion. The mechanism of the drug is well-validated, given two approved products already in the class, but GDC-0084 is uniquely differentiated by its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In September 2018, the Company announced a clinical collaboration with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States to explore GDC-0084 in the treatment of an aggressive form of childhood brain cancer.

Institutional Placement

Under the terms of the placement, approximately 8.9 million new ASX-listed fully-paid ordinary shares have been allocated to institutional, professional, and sophisticated investors at a price of A$0.38 per share, representing an 11.6% discount to the last closing price on Friday 12 October 2018 (A$0.43). Settlement and issuance of shares is expected to occur in several tranches during the week beginning Tuesday 23 October 2018, and will be fully disclosed to the ASX at that time. The placement has been led by WG Partners, LLP.

The proceeds from the placement and SPP will be used to fund the Company’s R&D activities and provide working capital into 2020, yielding four critical value-driving data read-outs across the GDC-0084 and Cantrixil programs.

No shareholder approval is required for the placement. The placement shares will be allocated using the Company’s available placement capacity under its 15% limit in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 7.1 and its additional 10% limit in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 7.1A. The placement shares will rank equally with the Company’s existing shares on issue. The placement will not be underwritten.

Share Purchase Plan (SPP)

Following settlement of the placement, the Company intends to offer an SPP to existing eligible shareholders. 

Under the SPP, eligible shareholders of ASX securities, listed on the Kazia register at 7:00 pm (Sydney time) on the record date of Wednesday 17 October 2018, will be offered the opportunity to apply for up to A$15,000 of fully paid ordinary shares in Kazia without incurring brokerage or other transaction costs. This will be subject to certain eligibility criteria and other terms and conditions of the SPP which will be set out in the SPP booklet and dispatched to eligible shareholders. The indicative timetable is as follows:-

Record Date for Eligible Shareholders

Wednesday 17 October 2018

SPP Opens

Tuesday 23 October 2018

SPP Closes

Friday 16 November 2018

SPP Shares Issued

Friday 23 November 2018

SPP Shares Commence Trading on ASX

Tuesday 27 November 2018

The issue price of shares under the SPP will be equal to the Placement price of A$0.38. Shares issued under the SPP will rank equally with the Company’s existing shares on issue. The SPP will not be underwritten. The Directors have not set a cap or a target for the amount to be raised under the SPP, however under Listing Rule 7.2 Exemption 15, the maximum number of shares issued under the SPP will be 30% of the Company’s issued share capital, which at the issue price of $0.38 amounts to $6,533,297.

Not for release to US newswire services or distribution in the United States

[ENDS]

About Kazia Therapeutics Limited

Kazia Therapeutics Limited (ASX: KZA, NASDAQ: KZIA) is an innovative oncology-focused biotechnology company, based in Sydney, Australia. Our pipeline includes two clinical-stage drug development candidates, and we are working to develop therapies across a range of oncology indications.

Our lead program is GDC-0084, a small molecule inhibitor of the PI3K / AKT / mTOR pathway, which is being developed to treat glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and most aggressive form of primary brain cancer in adults. Licensed from Genentech in late 2016, GDC-0084 entered a phase II clinical trial in March 2018. Initial data is expected in early calendar 2019. GDC-0084 was granted orphan designation for glioblastoma by the US FDA in February 2018.

TRX-E-002-1 (Cantrixil), is a third-generation benzopyran molecule with activity against cancer stem cells and is being developed to treat ovarian cancer. TRX-E-002-1 is currently undergoing a phase I clinical trial in Australia and the United States. Initial data was presented in June 2018 and the study remains ongoing. Cantrixil was granted orphan designation for ovarian cancer by the US FDA in April 2015.

Summary Information

The following disclaimer applies to this announcement and any information contained in it (the Information). The Information in this announcement is of general background and does not purport to be complete. It should be read in conjunction with Kazia’s other periodic and continuous disclosure announcements lodged with ASX Limited, which are available at www.asx.com.au. You are advised to read this disclaimer carefully before reading or making any other use of this announcement or any Information contained in this announcement. In accepting this announcement, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions including any modifications to them.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Kazia’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Kazia, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Kazia makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this announcement, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of this announcement.

Not for Release in the United States

This announcement has been prepared for publication in Australia and may not be released to US wire services or distributed in the United States. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such an offer would be illegal. The securities referred to in this announcement have not been, nor will be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 (Securities Act), or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. Accordingly, such securities may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the United States or to any US person (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act) or to any person acting for the account or benefit of a US person, except in transactions (i) registered under the US Securities Act (which the Company has no obligation to do) or (ii) exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States.

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UPDATED — JHL Biotech Announces China Approves Phase I and Phase III Clinical Trial Application for Bevacizumab Biosimilar to Treat Cancer

HSINCHU and WUHAN, Oct. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — JHL Biotech announced that the National Medical Products Administration of the PRC (NMPA) has approved JHL’s Phase I and Phase III Clinical Trial Application for a proposed bevacizumab biosimilar, JHL1149, to treat several forms of cancer, including advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic colorectal cancer, metastatic kidney cancer, advanced cervical cancer and recurrent ovarian cancer.

Racho Jordanov, JHL Biotech, Co-Chairman and CEO stated, “We are very excited for our second biosimilar to be approved for clinical trials by the NMPA. This marks the second NMPA approval we have received in just four months and puts us another step closer to our vision of manufacturing biologics of the highest quality from China for the world.”

About JHL Biotech
JHL Biotech, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company founded by a group of industry veterans with deep experience in biologics development and operations. With a mission to provide the world with affordable medicines of exceptional quality, the company is focused on research and development of new protein-based therapies and biosimilars and providing contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services to global pharmaceutical clients. JHL Biotech is uniquely positioned to be a leading global supplier of high quality biologics because of its experienced leadership team, ongoing global clinical trials for its pipeline of biosimilar candidates, and two Asia-based world-class biologics manufacturing facilities built in accordance with United States, European Union, and ICH cGMP regulations and standards. JHL Biotech is backed by premier financial firms, including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Sequoia Capital, Biomark Capital, Milestone Capital, Fidelity and the China Development Industrial Bank. For more information, please visit www.jhlbiotech.com.

Media Contact:
Amber Chen | Email: achen@jhlbiotech.com | Phone: +886 3-658-3899
Lee Henely | Email: lhenely@jhlbiotech.com | Phone: +886 3-658-3899

Forward-Looking Statement 
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “will,” “outlook” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. JHL undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of either company. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements.

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Source: JHL Biotech, Inc.

Kafuring showcases its leading implanter pen technology at ISHRS 26th World Congress

BEIJING, Oct. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — The 26th World Congress of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS 26th World Congress) was held in Los Angeles on October 10. Li Xingdong, the hair transplantation expert and Beijing-based hospital group Kafuring chairman; Zou Jianhong, the Kafuring hair transplant technology research institute president; Both of them were invited again as participants to discuss and promote the healthy development of the global hair transplant industry with industry leaders and experts from all over the world.

During the event, Mr. Li delivered a keynote speech entitled “Scalp Expansion Combined with Hair Transplantation in the Treatment of Large Area Cicatricial Alopecia” and shared his thoughts on and experience with clinical therapy for intractable cicatricial alopecia. It was followed by several alopecia patients who came up to the podium and demonstrated their results in 10 days and 14 months after having received the transplant surgery at one of the Kafuring hospitals. The results received recognition from leading international experts, serving as further testament to the contribution that China’s leading implanter pen technology has made to the sector.


Chairman Li Xingdong delivering a keynote speech

Mr. Li explained that the implanter pen technology initially applied in China had been brought from the US. Kafuring now holds granted patents for four iterations of the technology. The salient features of the technology and procedure are the smaller size of the incision combined with the high density and natural direction of the transplanted hair. Dr. William Rassman, a world leader in hair transplant technology, once confirmed that Kafuring is one of the best hair transplant organizations in China as it provides patients with the minimally invasive solution developed with its leading technologies and equipment in full compliance with the US and European standards.


Group photo of the leading international experts in the hair transplant industry

Thanks to its leading implanter pen technology and proven excellent results, Kafuring was invited as the sole medical company based outside of Europe to attend the recent Business Triumph Festival organized by the Europe Business Assembly (EBA) in Cannes, France. At the event, Karfuring garnered the 2018 EBA European Quality Award in Healthcare.

Kafuring has initiated the roll out of its global strategy with the opening of its US flagship office. The office is the first overseas operation established by a Chinese hair transplant organization. Kafuring plans to next expand into Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

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Taiho Ventures Expands Investment Pool to US$300 Million to Continue Quality Investments and Accelerate Open Innovation

MENLO PARK, Calif. and TOKYO, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Taiho Ventures, LLC, a strategic corporate venture capital arm of Taiho Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd., announced on October 16 that Taiho Ventures increased its investment pool by US$250 million from the initial US$50 million to US$300 million. The increase in the investment pool illustrates Taiho Ventures’ strong commitment to its continuous support of innovative biotech start-ups pursuing cutting-edge drug discovery activities based on state-of-the-art science. Taiho Pharmaceutical also aims to accelerate its open innovation through these investment efforts.

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Taiho Ventures is actively searching for opportunities around the world to invest in promising start-up companies that conduct innovative first-in-class drug discovery and establish unique platform technologies, primarily in the oncology field, leveraging the resources that Taiho Pharmaceutical has assembled as a pioneer of oral anticancer drugs. Since its inception in 2016, Taiho Ventures has built an innovative investment portfolio that includes Arcus Biosciences, PACT Pharma, Harpoon Therapeutics, Storm Therapeutics, ORIC Pharmaceuticals and Quentis Therapeutics.

With Arcus Biosciences, the first investment from Taiho Ventures, Taiho Pharmaceutical entered into an option agreement in September 2017 to in-license exclusive development and commercialization rights of product candidates in Arcus pipeline programs in Japan and the rest of Asia (excluding China). In July 2018, Taiho Pharmaceutical exercised the option on their adenosine receptor antagonist AB928.

“Taiho Pharmaceutical aims to be a global oncology company,” said Masayuki Kobayashi, President and Representative Director at Taiho Pharmaceutical. “We conduct innovative R&D into new drugs originating in Japan based out of our drug discovery research facilities in Tsukuba, Ibaraki. This has brought many compounds to clinical study.* In addition to its mainstay in-house drug discovery, Taiho Pharmaceutical will also continue to access groundbreaking innovation, primarily in the oncology field, through Taiho Ventures, in an effort to further strengthen its drug discovery capabilities.”

* For details about compounds under development, see the website below. https://www.taiho.co.jp/en/science/pipeline/

About Taiho Ventures, LLC

Taiho Ventures, LLC is the strategic corporate venture capital arm of Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a Japanese specialty pharma focusing on oncology, allergy and immunology, and urology. Taiho Ventures is looking at early-stage preclinical oncology companies as well as platform technology companies for our core therapeutic areas. Taiho Ventures will review the wide variety of modalities for both biologics and small molecules. The company will also consider the option type of investments and spin-outs, in addition to the pure equity investments.

About Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Japan)

Taiho Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. (https://www.otsuka.com/en/), is an R&D-driven specialty pharma focusing on the three fields of oncology, allergy and immunology, and urology. Its corporate philosophy takes the form of a pledge: “We strive to improve human health and contribute to a society enriched by smiles.” In the field of oncology, in particular, Taiho Pharmaceutical is known as a leading company in Japan for developing innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer, a reputation that is rapidly expanding through their extensive global R&D efforts. In areas other than oncology, as well, the company creates and markets quality products that effectively treat medical conditions and can help improve people’s quality of life. Always putting customers first, Taiho Pharmaceutical also aims to offer consumer healthcare products that support people’s efforts to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. For more information about Taiho Pharmaceutical, please visit https://www.taiho.co.jp/en/

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CStone Receives U.S. IND Approval for PD-L1 Antibody CS1001

SUZHOU, China, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — CStone Pharmaceuticals (“CStone”) today announced the recent approval of investigational new drug (IND) application from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for CS1001, a fully human anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibody independently developed by CStone. This marks CStone’s first drug to gain IND approval in the United States, and henceforth the company expects to make further IND filings with the FDA for other self-developed pipeline drug candidates.

 “We are very happy to gain approval to begin clinical trials in the United States, which marks the entry of CS1001 into fully global development.” Dr. Frank Jiang, CStone’s Chairman and CEO, commented, “CStone already had three products entering Phase I clinical trials in Australia during the first half of 2018. CS1001’s IND approval further demonstrates our global clinical capabilities and aspiration. “

CS1001 is China’s first fully human and full-length anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody. The US clinical trial is a bridging Phase I dose-escalation study, designed to confirm CS1001’s recommended Phase II dosage (RP2D) in US patients with solid tumors.

Dr. Jason Yang, Chief Medical Officer at CStone, said, “CS1001 has already successfully completed a Phase I dose-escalation study in China. The safety and preliminary efficacy data set a solid foundation for starting clinical evaluation in the US. We aim to accelerate CS1001’s global development to provide patients with a new treatment option as soon as possible.”

About CS1001

CS1001 is an investigational monoclonal antibody directed against PD-L1 being developed by CStone Pharmaceuticals. Authorized by the U.S.-based Ligand Corporation, CS1001 is developed by the OMT transgenic animal platform, which can generate fully human antibodies in one step. As a fully human, full-length anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, CS1001 mirrors natural G-type immune globulin 4 (IgG4) human antibody, which can reduce the risk of immunogenicity and potential toxicities in patients, a unique advantage over similar drugs.

Currently, CS1001 has completed a Phase I dose-escalation study in China, which showed the drug to be well-tolerated and produced sustained clinical benefit during the Phase Ia stage of development. In addition, two pivotal Phase II studies have been initiated in China: for natural killer cell/T-cell lymphoma (CS1001-201) and classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (CS1001-202). Meanwhile, Phase III studies are under way or being prepared both in China and globally for various serious tumor indications.

About CSTONE

CStone Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company devoted to the development of innovative drugs. With a broad pipeline, the company engages in the development of cancer therapeutics with a special focus on immuno-oncology based combination therapies. All members of the management team are seasoned executives from top multinational pharmaceutical companies. CStone has successfully built up its core competency in clinical development and translational medicine. The company is backed by prestigious VC/PE funds via two financing rounds to date, raising $150 million in a Series A round in July 2016, followed by $260 million in a Series B round in May 2018. With an experienced team, a rich pipeline, a robust R&D model, and substantial funding, CStone is well positioned as the partner of choice for multinational pharmaceutical / biotech companies to develop drugs in China and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about CStone Pharmaceuticals, please visit: www.cstonepharma.com.

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UN tackles global health care issue with Arcadier, an Australian co-founded marketplace creator

SYDNEY and SINGAPORE, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Arcadier, the online marketplace builder created by Australian and Singaporean co-founders, has been chosen by the United Nations Office for Project Services’ (UNOPS) Defeat-NCD (Non-Communicable Disease) Partnership as the partner for their Defeat-NCD Marketplace.


The Arcadier Defeat-NCD Marketplace development team

Arcadier has created more than 7,000 marketplaces in over 130 countries since its inception by Australians Dinuke Ranasinghe, Paul Cascun and Singaporean Kenneth Low in 2013.

The Defeat-NCD marketplace will enable the cost-effective and efficient provision of essential NCD supplies to national NCD programmes in low-resource countries. NCDs claim more than 41 million lives each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally[1].

Set to launch by end Q1 2019, the Defeat-NCD Marketplace will be made available to pre-approved buyers, including government agencies and non-governmental groups, who will be able to source for NCD supplies. Having these supplies in a global, private marketplace will allow multiple countries to pool their buying power; resulting in lower prices from greater efficiencies in planning, manufacturing and supply chain.

Arcadier aims to deploy the marketplace in 100 resource-poor countries over the next three to five years. A pilot list of six countries representing Southeast Asia, Africa, Central Europe and the Americas, will be able to purchase pre-approved supplies and undergo training from Arcadier on the use of the system. The company will be opening offices in Europe and Africa to support this initiative.

Dr Mukesh Kapila, Chief Executive of the Defeat-NCD Partnership, said: “The world is moving towards digitalization and the UN is constantly seeking new technology to solve major world issues. We are excited to partner Arcadier to create the Defeat-NCD Marketplace, which will reduce barriers and costs in the distribution of quality-assured NCD medicines, diagnostics and associated equipment to where they are needed most, speedily and reliably.”

Speaking of the announcement, Dinuke Ranasinghe, Chief Executive Officer of Arcadier, said, “This partnership adds a powerful operational capability to our team and effectively moves us from a marketplace provider to a technology company that manages and operates global, online marketplaces, with potentially thousands of SKUs from hundreds of sellers that will impact the lives of millions of people around the world. We’re confident that the experience we have working on commercial marketplaces around the world will lead us to success in this project.”

Media Contact

Kenneth Low
press@arcadier.com
www.arcadier.com 

Photo – https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181012/2264910-1

United Nations chooses leading marketplace builder Arcadier to defeat non-communicable diseases around the world

SINGAPORE, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Arcadier, a Singapore-headquartered online marketplace builder, has been chosen by the United Nations Office for Project Services’ (UNOPS) Defeat-NCD (Non-Communicable Disease) Partnership as the partner for their Defeat-NCD Marketplace.


The Arcadier Defeat-NCD Marketplace development team

The online marketplace will enable the cost-effective and efficient provision of essential NCD supplies to national NCD programmes in low-resource countries. NCDs claim more than 41 million lives each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally.

Set to launch by end Q1 2019, the Defeat-NCD Marketplace will be available to pre-approved buyers, including government agencies and non-governmental groups, who will be able to source for NCD supplies. Having these supplies in a global, private marketplace will allow countries to pool their buying power; with lower prices from greater efficiencies in planning, manufacturing and supply chain.

Arcadier aims to deploy the marketplace in 100 resource-poor countries over the next three to five years. A pilot of six countries representing Southeast Asia, Africa, Central Europe and the Americas, will be able to purchase pre-approved supplies and undergo training on the system. Arcadier will be opening new offices in Europe and East Africa to bridge efforts between its African operations and the UN. 

Dr Mukesh Kapila, Chief Executive of the Defeat-NCD Partnership, said: “The world is moving towards digitalization and the UN is constantly seeking new technology to solve major world issues. We are excited to partner Arcadier to create the Defeat-NCD Marketplace, which will reduce barriers and costs in the distribution of quality-assured NCD medicines, diagnostics and associated equipment to where they are needed most, speedily and reliably.”

The marketplace is based on Arcadier’s platform, which has been in development since 2013 and used to create more than 7,000 marketplaces in over 130 countries.

Speaking of the announcement, Dinuke Ranasinghe, Chief Executive Officer of Arcadier, said, “This partnership adds a powerful operational capability to our team and effectively moves us from a marketplace provider to a technology company that manages and operates global, online marketplaces, with potentially thousands of SKUs from hundreds of sellers that will impact the lives of millions of people around the world. We’re confident that the experience we have working on commercial marketplaces around the world will lead us to success in this project.”

Media Contact

Kenneth Low
Public Relations for Arcadier
press@arcadier.com
www.arcadier.com

Photo – https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181012/2264910-1