SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — The Fourth China Smart City International Expo 2018 (CSCE) was inaugurated at Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center on August 21, 2018. The expo is co-hosted by the China Center for Urban Development, the National Development and Reform Commission, Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government and Ping An of China. At the event, Ping An of China, for the first time, delivered and made public a presentation on China’s first “1+N” smart city platform system and solutions. The presentation demonstrated how the platform was designed based on the “intelligent and efficient” building concept, and relies on four core technologies – intelligent cognition, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and cloud. At this year’s CSCE, an important gateway for smart healthcare, Ping An Medical Technology showcased its latest medical technology solutions in a move to publicize Ping An of China’s smart city medical ecosystem.

Ping An Technology showcases five smart medical solutions

Intelligent eye screening platform

Diseases of the ocular fundus can be easily detected and diagnosed early with AI. At the exhibition, Ping An Medical Technology released for the first time an OCT intelligent diagnostic system for ocular fundus diseases jointly developed with US-based Optovue. The system is the industry’s first AI image screening system that seamlessly combines OCT fundus examination and AI lesion screening. From OCT examination to patient scan code to obtain an intelligent screening report, the entire process can be completed in three minutes. Based on Ping An’s deep learning technology, the intelligent eye screening platform can study and analyze thousands of data points collected during the course of the examination of the fundus, to screen for diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). At present, the platform has an accuracy rate for recognizing diabetic retinopathy of 98.5%, and its AMD model can automatically locate the drusen (yellow deposits under the retina) and conduct relevant quantitative analysis. The platform was built based on Ping An Technology’s deep knowledge in the field of computer vision, and won a world first in EX (hard exudates) image segmentation, world second in HE (bleeding) segmentation and world third in MA (microaneurysm) segmentation task at the Indian Diabetic Retinopathy Image Dataset (IDRiD) fundus analysis competition held by ISBI, an international conference.

Intelligent imaging quality control platform

Based on the AI algorithms, the platform identifies the lesions automatically and smartly assists in the diagnosis according to the images displayed in a standard medical image format. In addition, the system is able to control the quality of the imaging diagnosis using AI technology with the aim of reducing the number of missed imaging-based diagnoses and improving the usefulness of imaging for clinical diagnosis as well as productivity at hospitals. After the hospital technician uploads the images, quality control experts use the online image quality control assessment functionality to deliver final rating results. The advantages of the platform include examining the images using advanced AI technology and clearly displaying the conditions of lesions. The platform provides physicians with real-time visibility of data on quality control results and the comparisons between quality and quantity of the images examined in terms of the device, location of the lesions, profile of the patient and timestamp.  

Intelligent imaging diagnostic system

Early this year, Ping An Technology broke world records for the detection of lung nodules and reduction in the number of false positives with accuracy rates of 95.1% and 96.8% respectively, placing the firm in the leadership position in terms of these two indexes which are part of the Lung Nodule Analysis (LUNA) assessment standard, the internationally accepted standard within the medical imaging field. By leveraging the advanced technology, the company’s intelligent medical imaging screening system can complete the AI-based interpretation of CT scans and intelligent reporting within one minute. Ping An Technology has developed medical imaging models targeting over 30 types of diseases, 200 million patients and 600 million people identified as in need of disease screening. The system plays a key role in local hospitals. Within one week of deploying the system at a county-level hospital, over 60 patients were detected with lung nodules and one patient was detected with suspicious lung nodules and immediately transferred to a superior Grade III, Class A hospital due to the severity of the finding.

Intelligent disease risk prediction system

Built on big data, AI and machine learning technology, the intelligent disease risk prediction system mines the data that can identify disease risk factors from a large number of characteristics. The system, which covers prediction models for 30 chronic diseases including cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and respiratory diseases as well as their complications, automatically screens for disease risk factors from more than 3.5 million physical examinations and electronic medical records and builds intelligent disease prediction models using a machine learning method.

Taking cardio-cerebrovascular diseases as an example, it only takes approximately five minutes to generate prediction results for five main cardio-cerebrovascular diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and myocardial infarction. Developed in collaboration with several medical authorities including the Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health and Family Planning Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, the system has achieved success in the prediction of infectious diseases and risk factor screening of chronic diseases. It can predict the incidence of infectious diseases one week in advance of existing methods, with an over 86 percent accuracy rate for influenza and hand-foot-and-mouth disease and an over 90 percent accuracy rate during peak periods of occurrence.

Intelligent medical assistant

The intelligent medical assistant is a chat robot based on natural language processing (NLP) technology. Rooted in medical knowledge and covering pre- and post-diagnosis medical scenarios, the assistant comes equipped with four main functions: triage, guidance, patient Q&A and follow-up. The algorithms of the triage model support the identification of more than 2,000 symptoms and the diagnosis of 500 diseases including 35 common diseases, with the accuracy rate for the top most common five answers reaching 95 percent. In terms of patient Q&A, a diabetes Q&A model is now available and has compiled over 800 frequently asked questions covering 90 key categories from more than 40 million questions, with an 90.1 percent accuracy rate, 20 percent higher than data-trained open AI platforms for general purposes.

The five flagship solutions provided by Ping An Medical Technology have all seen application in real life. The company has established partnerships with nearly 100 Chinese healthcare organizations, including Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and the Fourth People’s Hospital of Datong, among several other Grade-III, Class-A hospitals, as well as the people’s hospitals of Longli county, Guizhou province and Xinhuang Dong Autonomous County, Hunan province, in addition to several other Grade-II and local medical organizations. 

Ping An Medical Technology was formerly known as Ping An Technology Smart Medical Center. Ping An Technology, a high-tech hub within Ping An Group, has been regarded as one of the key engines in terms of technology research and development. With the gradual maturity and wide adoption of medical technologies and capabilities, Ping An Medical Technology has been given a mission to create a closed-loop medical ecosystem. From establishing technological partnerships with medical manufacturers, including Sanofi and Optovue, to expanding into consumer applications, the company is outlining a vision for the smart medical sector that includes all of its key technologies, with the aim of helping build a new smart city.

About Ping An Technology

Ping An Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ping An Group, is committed to using AI, intelligent cognition, blockchain, cloud and other cutting-edge technologies to create a new cloud-based life for people. As a subsidiary, Ping An Technology is the high-tech core and tech business incubator within Ping An Group, and is responsible for the development and operation of the critical platforms and services for the group. As an independent entity, Ping An Technology strategizes with smart technology and manufacturing to focus on healthcare, finance, and smart city areas. Ping An Technology is dedicated to implementing the corporate philosophy of “technology changes life” by applying the international certificated technological capabilities to actual business scenarios.

More than 4,000 IT professionals and management experts form a high-level R&D force to provide expert-level technical support for the stable and reliable operation of the platform. The established cloud ecosystem has already been accessed by over 400 million of internet users.

About Ping An Medical Technology

Based on leading AI technology and the Ping An Cloud, Ping An Medical Technology, a medical center within Ping An Group, has improved its end-to-end solution portfolio that spans the entire process from pre-diagnosis to post-diagnosis by assisting the government in implementing smart medical programs and helping medical organizations enhance medical efficiency. The intelligent portfolio includes disease risk prediction, triage, medical image screening, auxiliary diagnosis and treatment, ICU management and follow-up visit systems. With a complete medical knowledge spectrum, including medicines, diseases, prescriptions and risk factors, the company’s network covers over 700 smart auxiliary diagnosis and treatment models for common diseases as well as some 800 million patients. Ping An Medical Technology has worked closely with the medical administrations of many Chinese provinces and cities, and established partnerships with nearly 100 Chinese medical organizations. 

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Source: China Biologic Products Holdings, Inc.

Strategic expansion will meet increasing global demand for biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing

COPENHAGEN, Denmark and BOTHELL, Washington, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — AGC Biologics, a global leader in clinical and commercial manufacturing of therapeutic proteins, announced today that as part of its global expansion strategy, the company is increasing manufacturing capacity at its Copenhagen, Denmark facility. 

The Copenhagen facility will add a Single-use Bioreactor (SUB) 6Pack™ suite, consisting of six 2000L production bioreactors and a 2000L seed train. The addition of this proprietary bioreactor configuration will enable more flexible, innovative and customized cGMP production capabilities, offering scales from 2000L to 12000L within a single run. The six bioreactors will be run in single unit operations or in groups; simultaneously, sequentially or staggered; to meet each client’s specific production needs.

The expansion also includes additional capabilities for harvesting, purification, buffer and media production that will support the processing of different therapeutic proteins, including high antibody titer processes. The new suites are scheduled to be online in November 2018, and are expected to support the manufacturing of several commercial products.

“We’re very pleased to implement this important capital expansion that addresses our clients’ evolving needs for increased capacity and customization in development and production,” said Gustavo Mahler, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of AGC Biologics. “The investment in our Copenhagen site enables AGC Biologics to offer more production capabilities within accelerated timelines, while continuing to provide our deep industry expertise, continuous innovation and proven technical excellence.”

About AGC Biologics
AGC Biologics is a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), with a strong commitment to deliver the highest standard of service to our clients and partners. AGC Biologics is the product of the convergence and integration of Asahi Glass Company (AGC) Bioscience, Biomeva GmbH, and CMC Biologics. The company currently employs more than 850 employees worldwide. Our extensive network spans three continents, with cGMP-compliant facilities in Seattle, WA; Berkeley, CA; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Yokohama, Japan; and Chiba, Japan.

AGC Biologics offers deep industry expertise and unique customized services for the scale-up and cGMP manufacture of protein-based therapeutics; from pre-clinical to commercial production, for mammalian and microbial. Our integrated service offerings include cell line development, bioprocess development, formulation, analytical testing, antibody drug development and conjugation, cell banking and storage, and protein expression — including our proprietary CHEF1^® Expression System for mammalian production. Further information can be found at www.agcbio.com.

AGC Biologics Media Contact Information:
Bob Broeze
Chief Business Officer
Email: bbroeze@agcbio.com 
Phone: +1 609.273.3414

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BANDUNG, Indonesia, Aug. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — INDOHUN is holding The Global Health Diplomacy (GHD) 2.0 which carries the big theme “strengthening the health system in the SDG era” at Bidakara Hotel, Bandung on August 25-29, 2018. SDG’s or Sustainable Development Goals is a development agenda that has been set by the United Nations for the benefit of people throughout the world. Regarding SDG’s fulfillment, the health system as a foundation for the quality of human resources is important in the effort to achieve the development agenda in general.

GHD 2.0: Multi-national Training for Multi-sector Health Issues in the Sustainable Development Goals’ Era

In an effort to strengthen the health system in the SDG era, this health diplomacy training titled GHD 2.0 brings together young health professionals from various institutions from different countries, such as Andalas University, Chulalangkorn University, Flinders University, University of Stirling, International University of Japan, Kasetsart University, etc. to be educated to do health diplomacy.

GHD also provides practical education to hone participants’ skills. Each participant is required to follow a whole series of activities including practice of diplomacy and negotiation, political communication and lobbying, and the official international trial simulation or multi-stage negotiation simulation (MSNS). The training aims to give participants realistic diplomatic simulations. In the simulation, they are required to act as Indonesian Health Diplomats with high integrity for the nation and state.

“Not only through MSNS, the participants were also provided with training on diplomatic strategies and table manner training which is very important for global health diplomats,” explained Wiku Adisasmito, Professor of the University of Indonesia’s Health Faculty.

GHD 2.0 is attended by up to 40 participants consisting of various health-related professionals, including nurses, researchers, lecturers, NGOs practitioners, civil servants, private employees, doctors, and postgraduate students from various scientific backgrounds such as medicine, public health, health and international development, social policy and criminology, international relations, bio-veterinary medicine, tropical medicine, etc.

Supported by 9 international-class speakers who are professionals in their fields, GHD 2.0 hopes to produce reliable health diplomats who can contribute positively in the global sphere. Dr. Laura Bloomberg – Dean of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, USA; Prof. Wiku Adisasmito – Professor in health policy, University of Indonesia and INDOHUN coordinator; Prof. Makarim Wibisono – Indonesian representative for the United Nations (2004-2007); Dr. Sudeepa Abeysinghe – Global Health Policy Unit, The University of Edinburgh, UK; William Bazeyo, M.D., M.Med., Ph.D. – Dean of the School of Public Health, Makerere University – Uganda (2009 – 2017); Dr. Remco van de Pas – Maastricht Center for Global Health, Maastricht University – Netherlands and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Dr. Aidil Chandra Salim – Indonesian Ambassador to Fiji; Odo Manuhutu, Director of Sesparlu, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Maj. Gen. TNI (Ret.) Dr. Suwarno – Head of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense’s education and training agency (2010-2013) is a line of speakers who will equip GHD 2.0 participants with various knowledge and skills related to health diplomacy.

Updates on the implementation of GHD 2.0 for five days can be monitored through the GHD 2.0 web page: http://www.globalhealthdiplomacy.id/

Media Contact:
Syayu Zhukhruffa 
Communication Manager 
Indonesia One Health University Network (INDOHUN) 
G Building 3rd Floor, Room G316 
Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java 
phone/fax: +6221 29302084

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SHANGHAI, Aug. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — The Xu Laboratory at the iHuman Institute of ShanghaiTech University has deciphered the high-resolution crystal structure of the first human Frizzled receptor. As a gatekeeping protein in regulating the fundamental Wnt signaling in embryonic development and tumorigenesis, the Frizzled receptors (FZDs) have been cancer drug targets for decades without success. However, these results, which illustrate the unique architecture of Frizzled-4 in ligand-free state and explain the long-standing hurdle of identifying potent ligand for this family of receptors, will benefit basic and therapeutic research that could lead to important new drug discoveries. These new findings are published today in the advanced online edition of the journal Nature, titled “Crystal structure of Frizzled 4 receptor in ligand-free state” by Yang et al.

“In order to understand why no one has been able to develop good tool ligands or drug molecules for FZDs and to tackle the mystery of FZD signaling, we solved the intact transmembrane domain structure of Frizzled4 receptor (FZD4) at 2.4 angstrom resolution,” said Fei Xu, Assistant Professor at iHuman Institute and the School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, and corresponding author of the study.  

Surprising to the authors was the observation that the traditional orthosteric ligand binding site is very narrow making it hard for small molecules to enter or bind. “These findings improve our understanding of the FZD ligand and signaling, and show that ligand design for this pocket may require special considerations that could be inspired by this crystal structure,” said Fei Xu.

“To generate a more stable human FZD4 protein amenable for structure determination in the absence of a ligand (apo state), the team spent four years and screened hundreds of constructs, optimized purification procedures, and tried thousands of possible crystallization methods,” said Shifan Yang, postdoctoral fellow at iHuman Institute, and first author of the paper. “It turns out to be extremely challenging to obtain diffraction-quality crystals, likely due to the lack of a tool ligand to lock the flexible region in the protein.”

With further optimization of protein engineering, purification, and crystallization conditions, the team finally solved the structure of FZD4 in the apo state, which is the first structure of the Frizzled family GPCRs and the first apo structure of a ligand-regulated GPCR.

“For close personal reasons, I chose FZD4 four years ago when I started my postdoctoral career. It is an amazing protein, as it is not only a target for eye blindness given its critical role in retinal angiogenesis, but also a unique representative for us to understand other FZDs which are emerging cancer drug targets,” said Shifan Yang.

“The orthosteric ligand binding pocket is very unique in FZD4 and other FZDs,” said Yiran Wu, Research Assistant Professor at iHuman Institute, and second author of this paper. “It is not only narrow, but also highly hydrophilic making traditional GPCR ligands difficult to bind tightly.”

In addition to the discovery of a vacant pocket, this work also reveals an unusual packing in transmembrane helix VII and the short helix8, providing new insight into a potential activation mechanism of this family of receptors. “Such a remarkable structure provides a more accurate template to redirect the efforts on Frizzled drug discovery”, said Raymond Stevens, Director of iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University.

Other key co-authors of this paper are: Shaowei Dong, Yuxiang Chen, Yu Guo, Suwen Zhao, Bingjie Zhang, Wenqing Shui, and Mengchen Pu from ShanghaiTech University; Ting-Hai Xu, Parker W. de Waal, Yuanzheng He, Zachary J DeBruine, Eric Xu, and Karsten Melcher from the Van Andel Research Institute; and Gye Won Han, Petr Popov, and Vsevolod Katritch from the University of Southern California. Financial support for this work comes, in part, from the Shanghai Municipal Government, ShanghaiTech University, and an NSF of China grant.

Link to the full text: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0447-x

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Source: Bridge Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Industry’s Most Established Educational Platform and Product Showcase for Natural & Organic Professionals to Convene 29-31 August in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — With the global demand for organic products continues to rise, organic food and beverages market is forecasted to nearly triple by 2025 reaching $320.5 billion; an estimated 9.5% compounded annual growth rate in organic personal care market; all eyes are on Asia to fuel that surge. From natural foods & beverages offering plant base alternatives and natural ingredients, to natural beauty products toting cruelty-free manufacturing and clean packaging, to the growing nutraceuticals market in response to natural and healthy lifestyles, Asia is projected to witness the fastest growth in the “organic movement” and account for over 12% of global revenue by 2025.

Glowing Skin Luxury Body Oil for Dry Skin by Atlantis Skincare

As proof, this month in Hong Kong from 29-31 August, the 5^th edition of Natural & Organic Products Asia (NOPA) will host first time to debut products for the worldwide market alongside 1,000s of organic and natural products from international bestselling companies and manufacturers.

Natural & Organic Products Asia (NOPA) 2018 expects to welcome over 6000 trade professionals in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 29-31 August

Established since 2014, Natural & Organic Products Asia has provided the leading platform for introducing one of the largest ranges of international natural and organic products throughout Asia.  This year’s edition will see the launch of several first time to debut products including Glowing Skin Luxury Body Oil for Dry Skin by U.K. based Atlantis Skincare loaded with vitamins, proteins, amino acids and antioxidants and Turmeric & Orange Coffee Body Scrub & Mask by Pure Purpose Cosmetic in U.K., an award-winning body scrub that helps with brightening the skin and improves skin circulation. NOPA 2018 will also play host to the eat-like-a-Finn experience with featured foods from Finland — some of the purest foods grown in the world due to cultivation within the clean Arctic climates — including the healing properties of Finnish luminous oats. “Try Swedish” is another experiential component at NOPA 2018 offering visitors a sample of the healthy Swedish lifestyle in “Swedish Fika” or the art of the Swedish coffee break.  

Exhibitor presents their latest innovations at NOPA Live Theatre

Likely one of the most anticipated components to Natural & Organic Products Asia is the return of the NOPA Live Theatre where dozens of NOPA’s selected exhibitors present their latest natural and organic innovations in 15-minute internals inclusive of product application demonstrations, live tasting and sampling, and Q&A direct with the manufacturers. Products showcasing in the Live Theatre this year include PuraCHOICE, the only hypoallergenic cleaner removing surface and airborne allergens that is safe for both you and the environment and NAVEEN PMD Outdoor Activity Shielding Spray, a 100% natural insect repellent suitable for all family including toddlers.

Looking to better understand the natural and organic market? The changing consumer habits for natural and organic products? Or want to know about current business opportunities to be made in this growing industry? NOPA’s Natural Business Forum features 20 business seminars in conjunction with companies like Google, Baidu, WGSN, Hong Kong Organic Resource Center, the Federation of Beauty Industry Hong Kong and many more. Some featured sessions this year includes Benefits of Propolis, Different Usage & Applications; Innovating with Wellness Technology; and Ethical Labels in Cosmetics Industry.

Natural and Organic Products Asia 2018 expects to welcome over 6,000 trade professionals to the event’s four exhibiting zones including Natural Food & Beverage, Health and Nutrition, Natural Beauty & Spa, Natural Living together with national pavilions and the innovative Start-up Zone. Online registration is open through Friday 24 August and onsite registration commences Wednesday 29 August at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For more information on all NOPA 2018 activities, exhibiting companies, and up to date conference schedules visit: www.naturalandorganicasia.com.

For enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Winnie Ho
Assistant Marketing & Communications Manager
UBM Asia Ltd.
Tel: +852-2827-6211
Email: winnie.ho@ubm.com

About Natural and Organic Asia

Rebranded as Natural and Organic Asia in August this year, the exhibition is part of UBM, which in June 2018 combined with Informa PLC to become a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organiser in the world.

To learn more and for the latest news and information, visit www.ubm.com and www.informa.com.

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TOKYO, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Asia’s largest exhibition and conference dedicated to the Medical Device Design and Manufacturing industry, “Medtec Japan 2019” will be held in Tokyo from 18^th Mon — 20^th Wed March 2019.

Medtec Japan 2018

Medtec Japan 2018

Medtec Japan 2018

Over 560 exhibitors from some 25 countries around the world exhibited their latest technologies and services last year in Japan, the second largest medical device market in the world after the United States. With a rapidly aging population and rising demand for increasingly sophisticated treatments, the medical devices industry is one of the few sectors that have seen continuous and steady growth.

Over 31,000 visitors attended the previous event from nearly 30 countries.  Medtec Japan is a highly targeted event, with over 60% of visitors coming from medical device manufacturers. Among them are buyers and R&D staff from companies such as Terumo Corporation, Olympus Corporation, Nihon Kohden Corporation, OMRON Corporation, PHC Co., Ltd., Kawasumi Laboratories Inc., Nipro Corporation, Fukuda Denshi Co., Ltd., JMS Co., Ltd., Create Medic Co., Ltd., HOYA Corporation, Konica Minolta, Inc.,  Canon Medical Systems Corporation, Sysmex Corporation, FujiFilm Corporation, Toray Medical Co., Ltd., GC Co., Ltd., J. Morita Mfg. Corp, Yoshida Seisakusho Co., Ltd., and Eisakusho Co., Ltd.

Medtec Japan is co-located with five other exhibitions:

• ElectroMED Japan
• Smart Health Japan
• Test Kit Japan
• Care/Welfare Robot & Device Expo
• Medical CITY / Disaster Medical / Innovation for Creative Technology (NEW)
  Connected service / technology, Wi-Fi service / technology, Telecommunication service / technology, Signal, Power saving Technology, Censor, Security system , Security camera, GPS, Cloud service, Smart Hospital Technology, Service and Technology for Ultra-aging society, Healthcare management service/facility/technology, Smart House, AI, Manpower service, Nursing human resource development service, Disaster medical, and Medical equipment / Technology for Disaster medical

Putting the Global Spotlight on Japan’s cutting-edge Medical Technologies:

Medtec Japan is one of the ten highly-focused life science related exhibitions that will be held concurrently in Tokyo under an umbrella “Japan Life Science Week 2019”. Japan Life Science Week provides a unique platform for the creation of new business opportunities in the field of medical devices and pharmaceuticals, as well as focusing world attention on Japan’s cutting-edge medical technologies.

Medtec Japan 2020 will be held in Tokyo from 18th Mon – 20th Wed March 2020. For more information, please visit www.medtecjapan.com.

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Source: UBM Japan Co., Ltd.

PATH and Quansys Biosciences, Inc. improve access of the Q-Plex™ Human Micronutrient Array for low- and middle-income countries with a new price of US$1.43 per analyte

SEATTLE, Aug. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — PATH and Quansys Biosciences, Inc., have agreed to reduce the cost of the Q-Plex™ Human Micronutrient Array (7-Plex), an innovative nutrition tool launched in January 2017 to improve women’s and children’s health around the world.

With the assistance of PATH, Quansys has lowered the price of the micronutrient array to $1.43 per analyte, making it even more affordable and accessible to the countries that need it most. This new price was the result of a yearlong collaboration between the two organizations. PATH and Quansys explored commercialization options to support an improved pricing structure better aligned with the needs of nutritional programs, while also being sustainable for Quansys.

The micronutrient array is now available at a significantly lower price than current commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based methodologies, while offering several advantages over ELISA methods which include multiplexing capability, ease of use, faster run times, and automated read-outs. The new price, which equates to $400 per test kit, is available to low- and middle-income countries, and organizations involved in public health research that benefits low- and middle-income countries.  

“PATH and Quansys want to ensure the micronutrient array is affordable for organizations working in nutrition in low- and middle-income countries,” says Neha Agarwal, commercialization officer at PATH. “We collaborated with Quansys to streamline the production process, resulting in a more accessible pricing structure and broader access for the world’s most vulnerable communities.”

More than two billion people are affected by micronutrient deficiencies. These conditions contribute to impaired development, disease, and death, with the burden falling especially hard on young children and expectant mothers in low- and middle-income countries. Micronutrient deficiencies can be addressed through nutrition programs, but it can be difficult and expensive to conduct wide-scale population surveillance needed to guide these interventions.

The micronutrient array simultaneously quantifies vitamin A, iron, and iodine deficiency biomarkers in addition to biomarkers for inflammation and Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Prior to its introduction, users needed to use multiple diagnostic tests for these biomarkers, testing for one analyte at a time with multiple samples. Furthermore, in low-resource and remote settings, these samples needed to be shipped internationally for analyses, requiring time and high costs. Multiplexing enables researchers to obtain more information from a single sample in less time and at lower cost, and the robust nature and ease of use of the Q-Plex technology allows for testing of samples near the communities where they are collected.

As expanded population surveillance becomes simpler and more cost effective with new tools such as the micronutrient array, countries and programs can make data-driven decisions for public health interventions and put limited resources to the most effective use.

The micronutrient array is the result of a partnership between PATH, Quansys, and the University of Washington. The array is manufactured with ISO 9001 and 13485 quality systems to ensure a consistently high-quality product.

The Q-Plex Human Micronutrient Array (7-Plex) can be ordered directly from Quansys Biosciences.

Q-Plex is a trademark of Quansys Biosciences, Inc.

This project is supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

About PATH

PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide. Learn more at www.path.org.

About Quansys Biosciences, Inc.

At Quansys Biosciences, our teams build and develop customizable multiplex and singleplex protein assay technologies that allow pharmaceutical companies, clinical laboratories, government institutions, universities, and researchers around the world access to large amounts of quantitative data quickly and efficiently. Q-Plex Array Technology has been aiding researchers to better understand disease and improve their biological sample testing since 2005.
www.quansysbio.com

To learn more about Quansys and Q-Plex: 
Meghan Young
myoung@quansysbio.com
(435) 213-9818

Contact:

BEIJING, Aug. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Shineco, Inc. (“Shineco” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: TYHT), a manufacturer and distributor of Chinese herbal medicines, organic agricultural products, specialized textiles, and other health and well-being focused plant-based products in China, announced today that the Company, through its joint venture company, Xinjiang Shineco Taihe Agriculture Technology Ltd. (“Xinjiang Taihe”), has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement (the “Agreement”) with the People’s Government of Bayingolin Mongol (“Bazhou”) Autonomous Prefecture (“Bazhou Autonomous Prefecture”) for the Company’s Apocynum Industrial Integration Construction Project (the “Project”.)

As previously disclosed in a press release dated July 2, 2018, the Company officially established its Apocynum Industrial Integration Construction Project in Bazhou. The Project is now operated by the Company’s joint venture company, Xinjiang Shineco Taihe Agriculture Technology Ltd. and has secured the requisite local government approvals.

The Company and the Bazhou Autonomous Prefecture have entered into the Agreement to take full advantage of the local ecology of Bazhou for growing Apocynum, accelerate the processing and development of Apocynum, expand and strengthen the Apocynum industry, promote ecological restoration, boost farmers’ income and assist the local population alleviate poverty. The cooperation between the Company and the Bazhou Autonomous Prefecture is expected to play an active role in and provide benefits to the local economy and locals’ livelihood. After consultation, the two parties formed a strategic partnership to build a whole industrial chain development model and industrial layout integrating Apocynum fiber extraction, cotton and linen blending and comprehensive utilization, and promote the development of the Apocynum industry in Bazhou.

Pursuant to the Agreement, both parties agree to establish a long-term and stable cooperation mechanism to develop relations of mutual cooperation, honesty and trustworthiness, and mutual development. Specific cooperation matters are expected to operate in a market-oriented manner. Based on relevant local industrial policies, the Bazhou Autonomous Prefecture is expected to support the Company by coordinating support and advocating for financial assistance and subsidies on behalf of the Company when the Company applies for preferential policies in the areas of ecological protection, poverty alleviation, technological innovation, investment promotion, textiles and clothing in the countries, autonomous regions and autonomous prefectures. The Company plans to promote the planting of Apocynum plants on fallow farmland or grassland without affecting the local water ecology or increasing water use indicators and carry out the transformation of secondary grassland to improve the yield and quality of Apocynum. The Company intends to carry out Apocynum growing, cutting, and cultivation activities based upon the principles of preserving the ecological environment, wild vegetation, and maintaining the original ownership of the grassland. We expect to apply scientific methods in Apocynum planting and harvesting, and Apocynum cultivation is planned to be fully optimized to maintain water and soil and minimize the effects of wind and sand, and to avoid vegetation degradation of the Apocynum plants that may otherwise be caused by unlimited cultivation.

The Company expects the Project will absorb the local rural surplus labor force in Bazhou to carry out Apocynum cultivation, harvesting and other activities. The Company plans to use its information, technology, human capital, industry coordination, other competitive advantages and support the development of Apocynum industry chain projects such as Apocynum landscape tourism development, fiber comprehensive extraction and blending processing, bio-pharmaceuticals and food processing to promote the extension of the Apocynum industrial chain and increase the added value of products.

Mr. Yuying Zhang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Shineco, stated, “Shineco will always insist on serving local economic development and maintaining long-term close cooperative relations with the People’s Government of Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. This Agreement opens a new chapter in the relationship between Shineco and the People’s Government of Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. We expect to use our advantages in scientific research and industrial planning to provide comprehensive support for the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. We believe our capabilities and advantages will become a major engine in the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture to drive the rapid development of the local economy.”

About Shineco, Inc.

Incorporated in August 1997 and headquartered in Beijing, China, Shineco, Inc. (“Shineco” or the “Company”) is a Delaware holding company that uses its subsidiaries’ and variable interest entities’ vertically- and horizontally-integrated production, distribution and sales channels to provide health and well-being focused plant-based products in China. Utilizing modern engineering technologies and biotechnologies, Shineco produces, among other products, Chinese herbal medicines, organic agricultural produce and specialized textiles. For more information about the Company, please visit  www.tianyiluobuma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains information about Shineco’s view of its future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from historical results or those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with its ability to raise additional funding, its ability to maintain and grow its business, variability of operating results, its ability to maintain and enhance its brand, its development and introduction of new products and services, the successful integration of acquired companies, technologies and assets into its portfolio of products and services, marketing and other business development initiatives, competition in the industry, general government regulation, economic conditions, dependence on key personnel, the ability to attract, hire and retain personnel who possess the technical skills and experience necessary to meet the requirements of its clients, and its ability to protect its intellectual property. Shineco encourages you to review other factors that may affect its future results in Shineco’s registration statement and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information, please contact:

Tina Xiao
Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Phone: +1-917-609-0333
Email: tina.xiao@ascent-ir.com

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