AGC to Expand GMP-Compliant Synthetic Pharmaceutical Intermediate and Active Ingredient Production Capacity Tenfold

— Broadened CDMO Business Will Cover Commercial New Drugs As Well As in Development Stage of Ones –

TOKYO, July 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — AGC Inc., a world-leading manufacturer of glass, chemicals and high-tech materials, announced on July 12 a major expansion of facilities at its Chiba Plant that will result in an approximately tenfold increase in the company’s GMP(*1)-compliant synthetic pharmaceutical intermediate and active ingredient (*2) production capacity. The new capacity is set to come online in October 2019.

AGC began developing and manufacturing pharmaceutical and agrochemical intermediates and active ingredients on a contract basis in the 1980s. Leveraging its edge in fluorine technologies and extensive experience in in-house drug discovery and other fields, AGC now offers a range of CDMO (*3) services tailored to customer needs.

While AGC has to date mainly provided CDMO services for in the development stage of new drugs, this expansion will give AGC the end-to-end capability to produce commercial drugs too, allowing it to deliver more advanced one-stop solutions. The new facilities will also be capable of producing hard-to-handle active ingredients, such as the highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients typically used in cancer therapy. AGC will therefore be able to meet a wider
range of customer demand.

The AGC Group’s “AGC plus” management policy identifies the life sciences as one of its strategic businesses. Moving forward, the group will continue to invest in the capacity needed to meet ongoing growth in demand for pharmaceutical intermediate and active ingredient CDMO services.

(*1) GMP: Good manufacturing practice (standards governing the production and quality control of pharmaceutical products and quasi-drugs).

(*2) Synthetic pharmaceutical intermediates and active ingredients: Intermediates and active ingredients for pharmaceutical products that are produced by chemical synthesis.

(*3) CDMO: Contract development and manufacturing organization (a company that develops production methods and manufactures products for another company on a contract basis).

For more information, please visit: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/201807095798-O1-vIa55jNK.pdf

About the AGC Group

AGC Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President & CEO: Takuya Shimamura) is the parent company of the AGC Group, a world-leading glass solution provider and supplier of flat, automotive and display glass, chemicals, ceramics and other high-tech materials and components. Based on more than a century of technical innovation, the AGC Group has developed a wide range of cutting-edge products. The AGC Group employs some 50,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of approximately 1.5 trillion Japanese yen through business in about 30 countries. For more information, please visit: http://www.agc.com/en/.

* The company changed its name from Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. to AGC Inc. on July 1, 2018.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agc-to-expand-gmp-compliant-synthetic-pharmaceutical-intermediate-and-active-ingredient-production-capacity-tenfold-300679858.html

Source: AGC Inc.

Oura Health Strengthens Its Position in the US Market

OULU, Finland, July 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ —

Company moves to 12.5M€ in total private funding and appoints new board members with US industry expertise for latest growth phase  

Oura Health, the Finnish health technology company behind the Oura ring, has moved its total private funding to 12.5M€ after the closure of a round led by US-based Bold Capital Partners and Finland’s Tesi. The funding will be used to scale US market operations and push the Oura platform forward.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8362451-oura-health-strengthens-position-us-market/

The Oura ring and app guides wearers towards better sleep, recovery and readiness to perform by analyzing the body’s sleep, activity levels, daily rhythms and physiological responses.

Former Oura Health CEO Petteri Lahtela will focus on developing new products and services in his new roles as Oura Health President and Chief Innovation Officer while continuing his position on the Oura Health board. Former Ouraring Inc. President Harpreet Rai has been appointed as the new Oura Health CEO, with US industry specialists Stephen Friend and Kevin Lin also joining the Oura Health board.

The successful launch of the new Oura ring shows the level of innovation and craftsmanship that Oura Health is capable of. Moving forward, our main goal is to drive awareness and sales in our largest market, while doubling down on the very innovation that brought us here in the first place, says Harpreet Rai, CEO of Oura Heath.

I have great respect for Harpreet. He knows the US market and can lead us towards growth and greater market penetration. Im excited for this next phase for Oura, and am looking forward to focusing on new innovative products and services which I am most passionate about, says Oura Health CIO Petteri Lahtela.

Oura Health CEO Harpreet Rai previously led investments in technology, media and telecom at New York-based Hedge Fund Eminence Capital. He is joined on Oura’s board by Twitch Co-founder and former COO Kevin Lin, and M.D., Ph.D. Stephen H. Friend, Chairman of the Board and Past-President of Sage Bionetworks, a non-profit organization that provides the tools and environment to conduct dynamic, large-scale collaborative biomedical research. Approximately 60% of active Oura users and pre-orders for the new Oura ring originate from the US.

Oura has built an extremely capable team that combines and harnesses technological, commercial and design expertise. There has been strong demand for the new ring. Meanwhile, both operative and governance changes within the company will boost Ouras growth and development. Finland is home to a number of international brands famous for products and services based on biometric measuring. Oura has all the resources needed to join this elite band, says Jussi Sainiemi, Investment Director at Tesi.

We have succeeded in creating a new category within wearables. We combined science, technology and design with ultimate wearing comfort. Bringing sleep and recovery from daily mental and physical strain into the core of the user experience with the first generation Oura ring was the right choice. Our users are very committed and our retention rates are much higher compared to wearables in general. We need to continue innovating in all areas to maintain our pioneering position, concludes Lahtela.

Mr. Kevin Lin, the co-founder and former COO of Twitch, has been appointed chairman of the board. He brings along his vast experience in scaling teams, building communities, growing sales and developing monetization strategies based on his experience at Twitch. He also notably raised multiple rounds of funding and delivered significant shareholder value with Twitch’s exit to Amazon. 

M.D., Ph.D. Stephen H. Friend is the Chairman of the Board and Past-President of Sage Bionetworks, a non-profit organization that provides the tools and environment to conduct dynamic, large-scale collaborative biomedical research. Dr. Friend was most recently at Apple Inc. where he worked on ways to impact peoples lives in health and disease. Currently hes designing a virtual institute to explore fundamental issues around how to make individual symptom predictions and how to return agency to individuals so they might navigate their own paths between health and disease. 

Harpreet Rai is based in San Francisco and has a long background in finance. He was previously at Eminence Capital for 9 years, a multi-billion dollar hedge fund in New York City, where he led investments in technology, media and telecom. Prior to Eminence, Harpreet was at Morgan Stanley in their M&A group. Harpreet Rai joined Ouraring Inc., Oura Healths US subsidiary, as President in 2017 and succeeds Petteri Lahtela as the new CEO, effective June 1st, 2018.   

About Oura Health Ltd. 

Oura Health Ltd. is a Finnish health technology company founded in 2013. Oura is the world’s first wellness ring and app that shows how your body responds to your lifestyle by analyzing your sleep, activity levels, daily rhythms and the physiological responses in your body. Personalized for you, Oura guides you towards better sleep, recovery and readiness to perform. Oura has users in over 60 countries, and several top universities, research organizations, sleep clinics, and companies are utilizing the data and insights Oura provides.

In addition to the CES 2016 Best of Innovation Award, Oura Health has received among others the Fitness Award of the American Women’s Health Magazine in May 2016. In 2017, Oura Health was selected as the Best Health/Lifestyle Startup in Finland at the Nordic Startup Awards. Oura Health Ltd.’s HQ and major manufacturing facilities are located in Oulu, Finland. Other locations include Helsinki and San Francisco. For more information, visit http://www.ouraring.com.

About BOLD Capital Partners 

BOLD Capital Partners (“BOLD”), is a venture capital firm targeting investments in early stage and growth technology companies. BOLD is particularly interested in entrepreneurial leaders that leverage exponential technologies to transform the world and create innovative solutions to humanities’ grand challenges. The investment platform leverages the resources of Singularity University and the Peter Diamandis ecosystem to actively seek and support world-class entrepreneurs. BOLD has offices in Santa Monica and Palo Alto, California.

About Tesi 

Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) is a venture capital and private equity company that accelerates companies’ success stories by investing in them directly and via funds. Tesi always invests together with other investors, providing them with access to high quality deal-flow in Finland. Our investments under management total €1.2 billion and we have altogether 700 companies in portfolio. http://www.tesi.fi and @TesiFII

For additional information

Media kit with pictures

John Cozzi
press@ouraring.com

Video:  https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/717286/Oura_Health_Sleep.mp4 

Video: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8362451-oura-health-strengthens-position-us-market/

Source: Oura Health Ltd.

New Mactan-Cebu Airport Seen to Boost Medical Tourism in PH

CEBU, Philippines, July 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — The new Terminal 2 of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) began commercial operations last July 1, barely a month after the resort-themed terminal was inaugurated. The new terminal is designed for international flights while the older Terminal 1 will be for domestic flights.


Maayo Hotel and Maayo Well is Cebu’s first 4-star hotel and wellness complex, combining top-of-the-line hotel services, game-changing integrative medicine, and professional aesthetic services in one world-class facility.

The 17.5-billion-peso terminal is now home to 26 airlines flying to 30 domestic destinations and 25 international destinations. With a floor area of 65,000 square meters, double the minimum 27,000 square meters based on the concession agreement, MCIA Terminal 2 is designed to increase the airport’s total handling capacity.

Cebu officials are predicting passenger capacity in the airport to double as well, from 4.5 million passengers a year to 12.2 million passengers a year. With this, tourism in the city is expected to experience a huge boost, and the anticipated influx of travelers will require new hotels and new services to meet the growing demand of visitors.

Among Cebu’s numerous world-class tourism destinations, the province’s health and wellness hubs could very well take the spotlight due to the recent global wellness tourism boom. One standout among Cebu’s health and wellness hubs is the Maayo Hotel and Well complex, Cebu’s first 4-star hotel and wellness center.

A first in the country’s medical tourism industry, the Maayo complex combines top hotel services, state-of-the-art integrative medicine, and excellent aesthetic services in one world-class facility that provides a holistic, patient-centered, wellness experience. “Maayo” in Cebuano means good, kind, or well — a reflection of what the complex stands for in terms of its people, the place, services and facilities.

In line with Maayo’s dedication in offering a gentle and kind wellness experience, unlike the usual hospital, there is no intimidating clinical vibe or harsh smell of medicine and hospital chemicals. This is to ensure that guests do not get the stiff and overwhelming hospital vibe that oftentimes scares them and makes their medical experience stressful.

Located on Plaridel Street, Mandaue City, 15 minutes from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Maayo Hotel is near Mactan Island’s beaches, Cebu’s metropolis, shopping destinations, and entertainment hubs. Maayo Hotel has 229 guest rooms, several function rooms, a gym and spa, an infinity pool with a panoramic view of the city, an outdoor jogging trail, and a space for yoga.

Adjacent to Maayo Hotel is Maayo Well, which offers world-class outpatient services done in just a few hours. Maayo Well offers modern equipment and treatments designed to provide a seamless guest-centered wellness experience. Maayo Well also offers outpatient services in the lines of general medicine, dental, aesthetic, nutrition and physical wellness, performed by internationally and locally trained field specialists.

A hydrofacial, or a lightening or age-defying facial, a body toning Discovery PICO treatment, body-contouring Exilis, restorative dentistry, rejuvenating health drips and infusions are some of the treatments guests can get in Maayo. For tourists that put a premium on privacy, a unique but important element of Maayo Hotel and Maayo Well is the discretion and security that its guests are offered. There are entrances and exits in the facility for guests who prefer to make their wellness experience private or to just keep to themselves during their stay.

With the opening of the new Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the region’s tourism is expected to grow exponentially with Maayo Hotel and Well at the center of Cebu’s wellness and medical tourism activities.

Photo – https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180710/2164808-1

HiNounou launches China’s first dedicated Seniors insurance as a Service with AXA Partners China and PingAn at RISE

HONG KONG, July 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — HiNounou Intelligent Robot (Shanghai) Company Ltd launches its wellness platform and ecosystem hosting the first affordable and dedicated “insurance as a service” for China’s Seniors from AXA Partners China and PingAn.


HiNounou Healthcare Kit

HiNounou Intelligent Robot (Shanghai) Company Ltd. is a connected healthcare and intelligent data platform company on a mission to empower the world’s Seniors to live longer, healthier and happier, at home. Powered by AI, IoT, Blockchain, and Genomics, HiNounou’s platform and ecosystem now offer AXA Partners China and Ping An’s first dedicated “insurance as a service” product for China’s Seniors, regardless of their medical history. 

Today the average life expectancy in China for Seniors is 75 years, however, the average healthy life expectancy is only 68 years. This leaves 7 years where the person will be unhealthy, resulting in a significant financial burden on the Senior and their families, with more than 50% of health expenses being paid out of pocket. 

80% of chronic diseases can be mitigated with healthy lifestyle choices. While chronic diseases account for 63% of global deaths, health systems are unadapted and preformatted to cure rather than to prevent illness. A lack of monitoring and preventive measures also results in a lack of timely and effective care. In addition, an acute shortage of caregivers and eldercare facilities for Seniors means a lonely and difficult experience of growing old at home.

Following a combined 12 years of R&D in 4 countries, with 4 Nobel Prize-winning University Hospitals, HiNounou has designed a comprehensive healthcare as a service solution for Seniors. 

HiNounou’s wellness platform and ecosystem provide Seniors with access to no-underwriting accident and death insurance as a service up to the age of 100 years from its partner, China’s #1 insurer, PingAn.

A 24/7 teleconsultation hotline to medical professionals, is delivered in partnership with the world’s leading insurer AXA, through the AXA Partners China teams.

HiNounou Cofounder Charles Bark is excited to share HiNounou’s dream, “This is my dream to take care of my aging mother who lives far away from me. Starting in Mainland China, Singapore, and HongKong, HiNounou delivers a comprehensive healthcare solution that empowers Seniors and gives families peace of mind. In partnership with AXA Partners China and PingAn, two of the world’s leaders in insurance, we can ensure that Seniors, have access to affordable health care and adequate insurances.”

“AXA Partners China is very proud to partner with HiNounou in China, HongKong and in Singapore. Together we innovate to make health insurance accessible and affordable to senior citizens. Technology and data have the power to improve prevention and optimize the efficiencies of our healthcare ecosystems,” said Jerome Itty, the regional CEO of AXA Partners Asia.

For more information, Visit https://hinounou.prezly.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS

HINOUNOU INTELLIGENT ROBOT COMPANY

Leesa SoulodreLeesa@hinounou.com – +65-81862155
Danying (Helene) Zhu – Helene@hinounou.com – +86-159-0055-9629

HiNounou will be onsite at RISE from 10-12th July for interviews and showcasing on the 11th on the GROWTH platform at stand G109. Please email Leesa@hinounou.com to confirm your interview slot.

AXA PARTNERS CHINA

Thibault Demoures – Thibault.Demoures@partners.axa – +852-5508-8020

Photo – https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180710/2183315-1

ReThink Leadership: Tap Into the Subconscious and Lead Inclusively

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — LeadWomen announces an unconventional conference, ReThink Leadership, to examine unconscious bias and build inclusion by using storytelling and theatre techniques followed by interactive, engaging and strategy-building workshop and expert sharing.


ReTHINK LEADERSHIP, Tap into Your Subconscious & Lead Inclusively

The brain receives a million pieces of information at a given time, but one can only consciously process about a fraction of those pieces. To process the rest, people rely on the subconscious, which helps people filter information by taking mental shortcuts.

Unconscious bias refers to the information, attitudes, and stereotypes that inform the subconscious information-processing and dictates the process by which people take these mental shortcuts.

The conference offers an Xperience where actors cum facilitators help leaders recognise some of the most prevalent unconscious biases and how these biases do not just affect the decisions that people make, but they also affect how people communicate with each other every day. These biases can unknowingly shape an organization’s culture, which if not made aware, will hinder inclusivity at all levels.

Corporate scenarios enacted in the Xperience will create the foundation for workshop conversations. With guidance from these actors cum facilitators, participants find common ground, gain skills and strategies to understand the experiences and perspectives of others and enable the development of action plans to tackle unconscious bias and how to lead inclusively.

The keynote and panel speakers will also present ideas and strategies to manage implicit bias.

“The take-away is clear: implicit bias is a natural, unavoidable part of our brain function; however, through acknowledgement and by being more conscious of the subconscious mindsets, corporate leaders can help create a truly inclusive workplace,” said Dr. Marcella Lucas, CEO of LeadWomen.

If anyone is championing Inclusion & Diversity Leadership in the workplace, the conference provides incredible insight, knowledge and ideas for change and implementation, in addition to network opportunities with corporate and business leaders.

The conference targets two key groups where mindset change can start: Champions of Change and Change Makers.

The conference will be held on 8 & 9 August, 2018 at Le Meridien, Kuala Lumpur Sentral.

For more information about the Conference, please visit https://lead-women.com/conference or contact us at info@lead-women.com or Tel: +603-2035-9710

About Leadwomen Sdn Bhd

LeadWomen is doing important work in encouraging greater gender diversity in decision-making positions and on corporate sector boards.

We are very active in championing the gender diversity case at senior positions by raising the visibility and profiles of suitably qualified women and at the same me driving the demand and acceptance for these women into such positions.

PR Contact: rozita@lead-women.com

Photo – https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180710/2181866-1

Kiara Health’s Vision to Transform Healthcare across Sub-Saharan Africa Applauded by Frost & Sullivan

Kiara Health provides tailored, high-quality medical solutions for every market and channel

LONDON, July 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Based on its recent analysis of the African health product and technology distributor market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Kiara Health with the 2018 African Visionary Innovation Leadership Award for its efforts to raise the level of healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The company aims to achieve this goal by offering world-class medical technologies such as robotic devices, point-of-care diagnostic tools, prescription, and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products. Kiara Health ensures that its products are optimally distributed across SSA by partnering with international device and pharmaceutical companies.


Frost & Sullivan recognizes Kiara Health with the 2018 African Visionary Innovation Leadership Award for its efforts to raise the level of healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The company’s nuanced understanding of the fast-growing SSA market allows it to tap the opportunities presented by the high prevalence of diseases in markets like South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nigeria,” said Takudzwa Musiyarira, Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “Its footprint in these four key markets makes it the ideal partner for the in-licensing, registering, and commercialization of products from highly regulated markets.”

Kiara Health has shown a strong dedication to lowering healthcare and medication costs by manufacturing generic pharmaceuticals locally. It does this by leveraging its market position and expertise and by acquiring affordable, world-class products from other highly regulated markets. It has multiple exclusive marketing and sales agreements with global pharmaceutical companies to distribute their products in SSA. Consequently, it can supply goods for several therapeutic and physiological categories including respiratory, infectious diseases, oncology, cardio-metabolic, the central nervous system, analgesia, dermatology, anesthesia, the gastrointestinal tract, and the genitourinary tract.

Significantly, all of Kiara’s products include security tagging to prevent counterfeiting in the vulnerable African health and pharmaceutical markets. It also offers enhanced value by tailoring solutions for the private, public, and funded healthcare segments.

“The company maintains its structure and order through a governance framework and operative management systems, ensuring that its executive team can mitigate risks and regulate marketing code compliance. As the regulatory standards in many African markets have improved, Kiara Health is well positioned to navigate the challenges and opportunities inherent in harmonization and new regulatory regimes,” noted Musiyarira. “Overall, Kiara’s vision and focus on solutions and values make it a worthy recipient of Frost & Sullivan’s Visionary Innovation Leadership award.”

Each year, Frost & Sullivan bestows this award upon the company that demonstrates excellence in growth and customer value. It recognizes the superiority of the product/service as well as the overall customer, purchase, ownership, and service experience offered, which results in the recipient company seeing above-market growth and greater share of wallet. The award lauds the growth, diversification, and sustainability strategies of the company.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Kiara Health

Kiara Health is an African pharmaceutical company with a purpose to commercialize uniquely differentiated health products and technologies that meet unmet needs in select high growth African countries. The Kiara Health Team have extensive knowledge of, and broad and far-reaching networks within the African Pharma Markets. In doing what we do well, we deliver a profitable and sustainable performance for our Partners.

Contact:

E: info@kiarahealth.com

About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today’s market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector, and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Ana Arriaga
P: 210.247.3823
F: 210.348.1003
E: ana.arriaga@frost.com

Editor’s Note: Fitness Bullying

Are you guilty of fitness bullying? Are you one of those who makes fun of larger sized individuals while they are trying to exercise? Do you make fun of others while stating that they cannot do or perform your exercise routines? If you lift weights, do you make fun of others who don’t?

All of these are a form of bullying.

When a person decides to make a better version of themselves, they should be applauded and supported, not ridiculed to the point of making them feel worse. A person who is 160kg should not be laughed at while they try new workouts. Just because they are huffing and puffing more than you does not make their efforts any less than yours.

Ask yourself the next time you feel like ridiculing someone in the gym or your yoga class – what does making fun of the other person bring you? Does it make you happy? Will it help you lift more weights or perform a more vigorous Crossfit session?

A fit and healthy lifestyle community should be a supportive one, especially to each other. Comparing yourself to another who is struggling or trying really hard will not make your workouts better nor will it make you a better person.

Allow the other person to celebrate their small successes. Let them achieve their goals. Let us all celebrate our bodies and successes, no matter how small they are. Let’s encourage each other rather than trying to shame the other person to the point of them staying away from being a better version of themselves.

 

 

Sinovac Raises $86.73 Million Through Private Placement Transaction

  • Vivo Capital and Advantech Capital Each Hold an Approximately 8.3% Stake in Sinovac After the Private Placement Transaction
  • Proceeds Will Be Used to Fund Improvement and Construction of Facilities for R&D Relating to Quality Control and Production of New Vaccines Projects
  • Sinovac’s Board of Directors Terminates the Amalgamation Agreement to Take the Company Private

BEIJING, July 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ –Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SVA) (“Sinovac” or the “Company”), a leading provider of biopharmaceutical products in China, today announced that it has completed a private placement of its common shares (a “private investment in public equity,” or “PIPE”) with private investors Vivo Capital and Advantech Capital. Sinovac will receive gross proceeds of $86.73 million. The proceeds will be used to increase the Company’s capabilities in research relating to quality control and to build additional production facilities to support the development and commercialization of sIPV-based combination vaccine and other new vaccine projects. It also will help Sinovac meet the growing demand for vaccines in China driven by loosening family planning policies, an aging population and an increasing awareness of vaccines, as well as increased global vaccine market demand for combination vaccines that aim to reduce risks associated with administration. 

The Company also today announced the termination of the Amalgamation Agreement to take the Company private, previously entered into on June 26, 2017, with Sinovac (Cayman) Limited (“Parent”) and Sinovac Amalgamation Sub Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. The decision to terminate the going-private transaction was reached by Sinovac’s Board of Directors based on the recommendation of the independent special committee of directors formed to review the proposal.

“This PIPE transaction will improve Sinovac’s capability to continue its mission of researching, developing, manufacturing and commercializing vaccines that protect against human infectious diseases,” said Mr. Weidong Yin, Chairman, President and CEO of Sinovac. “With vaccine demand increasing and recognizing that the going-private transaction may not complete, the Board worked with management and the Board’s external financial and legal advisors to review the Company’s standalone business plan. The Board concluded that this transaction is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. We are confident that the facilities enabled by this capital investment will create value for all shareholders and lead to solutions that address the significant unmet medical need for vaccines in China and globally.”

Vivo Capital and Advantech Capital each received a total of 5.9 million Sinovac common shares for $7.35 per share, representing an aggregate of approximately 19.9% of the outstanding shares of Sinovac immediately before the share issuance, and representing 16.6% of the outstanding shares of Sinovac after the share issuance. Under the terms of the transaction, the new investors have the right to appoint a designee to the Sinovac’s Board of Directors, expanding the Board by one member. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Mr. Shan Fu, Managing Partner at Vivo Capital since 2013, joined Sinovac’s Board of Directors.  Prior to joining Vivo,  Mr. Fu was Senior Managing Director in the Private Equity group and the Chief Representative of Blackstone’s Beijing Office. Additionally, Mr. Fu’s qualifications include experience in the Department of Foreign Investment in China’s National Development and Reform Commission, the State Economic and Trade Commission, the Office of Economic and Trade in State Council, and the Office of Production in State Council.

Now that funding is secured, the Company is commencing plans for new production and research facilities to support the development and commercialization of sIPV-based combination vaccine and other new vaccine projects. According to the World Health Organization, when it comes to administering vaccines to children, the key advantage of administering several vaccines at once is fewer clinic visits, which saves time and money. Also, when a combined vaccination is possible (e.g. for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus), it results in fewer injections and reduces discomfort for the child. The Company is committed to developing additional vaccines that will enhance health in China and around the world, all while creating shareholder value.

Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor, and Latham & Watkins LLP serves as legal advisor, to the Company in connection with the PIPE transaction. 

About Sinovac

Sinovac Biotech Ltd. is a China-based biopharmaceutical Company that focuses on the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of vaccines that protect against human infectious diseases. Sinovac’s product portfolio includes vaccines against enterovirus71, or EV71, hepatitis A and B, seasonal influenza, H5N1 pandemic influenza (avian flu), H1N1 influenza (swine flu), and mumps. Healive, the hepatitis A vaccine manufactured by the Company has passed the assessment under WHO Prequalification procedures in 2017. The EV71 vaccine, an innovative vaccine developed by Sinovac against hand foot and mouth disease caused by EV71, was commercialized in China in 2016. In 2009, Sinovac was the first company worldwide to receive approval for its H1N1 influenza vaccine, which it has supplied to the Chinese Government’s vaccination campaign and stockpiling program. The Company is also the only supplier of the H5N1 pandemic influenza vaccine to the government stockpiling program. The Company is developing a number of new products including a Sabin-strain inactivated polio vaccine, pneumococcal polysaccharides vaccine, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and varicella vaccine. Sinovac primarily sells its vaccines in China, while also exploring growth opportunities in international markets. The Company has exported select vaccines to over 10 countries in Asia and South America. For more information please refer to the Company’s website at www.sinovacbio.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement may include certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts, but are forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sinovac-raises-86-73-million-through-private-placement-transaction-300675823.html

Source: Sinovac Biotech Ltd.

SAI Global and ERM Forge Global Strategic Partnership to Advance Environmental, Health and Safety Innovation

-Leading EHS software solutions vendor joins forces with global EHS consultant to create an ecosystem of EHS innovation and best practice delivery

CHICAGO, July 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — SAI Global, a leading provider of integrated risk management solutions, and Environmental Resources Management (ERM), the global leader in environmental, health and safety (EHS) consultancy services, have today announced a strategic partnership to rapidly deploy best in class technology for the EHS market.

Through leading risk software, including a comprehensive EHS risk offering, together with ERM’s deep domain knowledge and software implementation best practice, the new partnership will provide technology, expertise, and will elevate innovative and best practice EHS solutions delivered to customers.

“Our clients trust us to help lead their EHS transformation, and our collaboration with ERM will contribute to our mission to develop real innovation with best practices,” said SAI Global CEO Peter Granat. “With this agreement in place our clients will benefit from real expertise, creating time to value and an ecosystem of innovation inclusive of market education, customer experience, and best practices to help them advance confidently and build better EHS outcomes.”

“We have been working with clients around the world for over 40 years, across a broad range of industry sectors, helping them to understand and manage their environmental, health and safety, risk, and social impacts,” commented Shawn Doherty, Global Head of Digital Business & Transformation at ERM. “Through the sharing of expertise and applying our deep industry experience working with our partners, we have helped many clients improve their EHS operations. We are delighted to add SAI Global to the ecosystem of trusted partners we have been collaborating with to better serve our clients on their digital EHS journey.”

“Collaboration and strategic partnerships in the EHS market have a key role to play when it comes to better serving customers by merging talent, expertise, and technology,” commented David Metcalfe, CEO of independent analyst firm, Verdantix. “Deepening ties between organizations like ERM and SAI Global fosters collaboration and innovation and allows them to offer services and solutions that help their customers effectively manage regulatory and financial risk, drive compliance, and boost efficiency.”

About SAI Global

SAI Global helps organizations proactively manage risk to create trust and achieve business excellence, growth, and sustainability. Our integrated risk management solutions are a combination of leading capabilities, services and advisory offerings that operate across the entire risk lifecycle allowing businesses to focus else ware. Together, these tools and knowledge enable clients to develop an integrated view of risk.

We have global reach with locations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. For more information visit www.saiglobal.com.

About ERM

ERM is the world’s leading environmental, health, safety, and sustainability company with over 4,500 consultants working across multiple industry sectors in more than 140 countries. The ERM Information Solutions specialty business practice is the most experienced EHS Information and Sustainability team in the market, as recognized year-over-year by outside analysts. We provide our clients with complete information solutions development life-cycle services ranging from strategy development and solution selection and design to implementation services and long-term sustainment support. For over 20 years ERM has helped clients meet their EHS information needs in all EHS and Sustainability business and functional areas. ERM provides clients value through a breadth of domain, business process and technical solution experience, coupled with objective and candid advice. This helps ensure that clients achieve safer, more sustainable operations while improving performance and reducing risk.

For more information visit www.erm.com.

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Neovii & Mundipharma Confirm In-licensing Agreement for the Development and Promotion of Grafalon(R) in China and Japan for Solid Organ & Stem Cell Transplant

SINGAPORE, July 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Neovii pharmaceuticals AG of Rapperswil, Switzerland and Mundipharma have entered into an agreement giving Mundipharma the rights to develop and distribute its polyclonal antibody immunosuppressant Grafalon®, in China and Japan from end October.

Grafalon® is indicated in solid organ transplant for prevention and treatment of acute rejection, graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) in stem cell transplant (SCT) and in the treatment of aplastic anemia. Grafalon® is the recognised standard of care in leading transplant centers.

Under its license, Mundipharma intends to strengthen the distribution and support of Grafalon® in these key markets to advance the clinical development for the prevention of chronic GvHD in SCT.

Grafalon® is currently approved for prevention of rejection and the treatment of acute steroid resistant rejection in solid organ transplant in China.

Grafalon®, has been used for over 30 years to treat patients, and is currently available in over 50 countries worldwide. Neovii is a global leader in polyclonal antibody immunosuppressive therapy used in organ transplantation and hematology/oncology.

Juergen Pohle, Neovii CEO commented, “We are very enthusiastic to work with Mundipharma as a partner to develop Grafalon® in China further by developing its indication for use in stem cell transplantation and further solidifying the position of Grafalon® as a leading treatment for solid organ transplant patients in China.” 

Mundipharma CEO, Raman Singh, said, “We are excited to establish a partnership with Neovii that will have an positive impact on patients in China and Japan, who will have access to the leading technology for prevention of GvHD.

“We view Grafalon® as a strategic complement to our existing haemotology and oncology franchise,” he added. “SCT continues to be the only curative therapy for many patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and Grafalon® has the potential to help them avoid the debilitating and potentially fatal effects of GvHD.”

(R): GRAFALON is a registered trademark of Neovii.

About Grafalon® 

Grafalon® is a rabbit anti-human T-lymphocyte immunoglobulin (ATLG), used as part of immunosuppressive regimens for the prevention of graft versus host disease in stem cell transplantation, prevention and treatment of rejection in solid organ transplantation or as immunosuppressive in the treatment of aplastic anemia (in accordance with country-specific approved indications). With more than 200,000 treated patients to date in more than 50 countries, Grafalon® enjoys worldwide recognition among solid organ and stem cell transplant teams and has transformed the way transplant teams manage the care of their patients around the world.

About Neovii

Neovii is an independent, dynamic, rapidly-growing and global biopharmaceutical company with a patient-focused mission to develop and market novel life-transforming therapies.

Neovii has been dedicated for over three decades to improving the outcomes in transplantation medicine and the treatment options for hemato-oncological as well as immune disorders. Neovii Pharmaceuticals AG’s global headquarters is located in Rapperswil, Switzerland and has a branch office in Massachusetts, USA. Its biotechnology manufacturing facility is in Graefelfing, Germany. Neovii’s products are available in over 50 countries worldwide.

About Mundipharma

Mundipharma is a network of independent associated companies which are privately owned entities covering pharmaceutical markets in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. The headquarters for these territories is in Singapore. Mundipharma is a prime example of an organization that consistently delivers high-quality medicines while standing by the values it represents. Its mission is to alleviate the suffering of patients and to substantially improve their quality of life. Mundipharma is dedicated to bringing to patients the benefit of novel treatment options in fields such as pain, oncology, oncology supportive care, ophthalmology, respiratory disease and consumer healthcare.

For more information please visit: www.neovii.com and www.mundipharma.com.sg

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