Author: jezzabellemente

The festival offers expanded screenings, special exhibitions, and shows from May 1st to 10th.

JEONJU, South Korea, April 19 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — This May, the 25th Jeonju International Film Festival takes place in Jeonju, the most Korean city. The festival will screen 232 independent, short, and alternative films from 43 countries.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240418220307/en/

JEONJU CITY (Mayor Woo Beom-ki) announced that the Jeonju International Film Festival, a beloved annual tradition in Jeonju, a major Asian tourist destination celebrated for its rich history and gastronomy, will present an enhanced program this year to mark its 25th anniversary.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Jeonju International Film Festival embraces the theme “Beyond the Frame.” This slogan captures the festival’s commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new avenues. Curating diverse programs, venues, and events, the festival fosters a network between independent filmmakers and the local film industry. It also upholds its unique spirit of exploration and innovation.

Running from May 1st to 10th, the Jeonju International Film Festival opens with “All the Long Nights” (2024) by Miyake Sho and concludes with “Matt and Mara” (2024) by Kazik Radwanski. During the festival, a total of 232 films will be screened, including 162 feature films and 70 short films, all chosen through competitive processes. This selection boasts 10 films each in the international competition, Korean competition, and a special category for barrier-free films.

A special exhibition titled “See Again: 25+50” co-hosted with the Korean Film Archive, celebrating its 50th anniversary, is a highlight this year. The exhibition showcases the early works of renowned Korean directors like Ryu Seung-wan, Bong Joon-ho, Jeong Ji-woo, and Hong Sang-soo, alongside the latest digital restorations of classic Korean films, including “The Widow” (1955) by Korea’s pioneering female director Park Nam-ok, and “Mist” (1967) by Kim Su-yong. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=48422

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 19 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BioNexus Gene Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: BGLC), a global leader in genomic diagnostics and healthcare technology, announces a strategic investment by its wholly owned subsidiary, MRNA Scientific Sdn Bhd, in Ascension Innovation Sdn Bhd (AISB), a privately held Malaysian company. This investment underscores BGLC’s commitment to advancing healthcare solutions through cutting-edge AI and predictive analytics.

Background:

· MRNA Scientific Sdn Bhd:
o A wholly-owned subsidiary of BGLC, MRNA Scientific specializes in blood-based genomic screening and dynamic genome profiling.
MRNA’s innovative techniques enable early disease detection, personalized health management, and AI-driven insights.
· Ascension Innovation Sdn Bhd (AISB):
o AISB is a trailblazer in healthcare technology, committed to enhancing patient experiences and outcomes.
o Their flagship platform, aiCMS, empowers clinics, physicians, and patients to have better control over healthcare delivery through personalized patient health management.

Strategic Investment and Handover Ceremony:

· MRNA Scientific’s investment of RM 1.2 million (approx. USD $250k) will occur in two tranches. The Company has made an initial payment of approx. RM 100k, to be followed by a final payment of RM 1.1million, subject to a formal agreement. Our investment in AISB signifies a strategic move to accelerate healthcare innovation. The investment, funded internally, is expected to constitute an indicative equity of approximately 10% of the ordinary shares in AISB upon completion.
· The infusion of capital will further AISB’s development and accelerate its AI rollout, including:
o AI Assistance in the Clinic and on-App: The AI features include the integration of predictive and generative AI note taking/analysis and diagnosis aids via Large Language Model (LLM), voice transcription, and natural language assistance for service selection and bookings.
o Predictive Analytics and Personalized Solutions: aiCMS will enhance early disease detection and personalized health recommendations in clinic and on-app, with the integration of in-app predictive health and wellness recommendations, medical translation services, and AI medical image analysis.

Ceremony Participants:

· MRNA Scientific Directors:
o Mr. Kenny Lai
o Mr. CC Wong
· AISB Directors:
o Mr. Andrew Teng (Chief Executive Officer, CEO)
o Mrs. Penny Attenbrough (Chief Strategy Officer, CSO)

Expanding Market Reach:

· MRNA Scientific and BGLC believe that this strategic investment will allow BGLC’s Blood-based Genomic Screening (BGS) liquid biopsies and other diagnostic services to be better marketed and accessible to a wider range of customers and healthcare providers, through integration into AISB’s aiCMS and the aiCARE app, enabling direct booking via healthcare providers and patients.
· By combining MRNA’s expertise in genomics and AISB’s innovative platform, patients and healthcare professionals will benefit from advanced diagnostics and personalized care.

Digital Health & AI Market:

· The global digital health market size was estimated at USD 240.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.9% from 2024 to 2030¹.
· The global market size for AI in Healthcare is expected to reach USD 187.7 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.5% from 2024 to 2030^².
· Given the market size and opportunities in Digital Health and AI in Healthcare, MRNA and BGLC will closely consider opportunities to increase our participation in this market, including the potential to increase our investment in AISB and other technology platforms.

AISB’s Projections:

· Projected Revenue in Malaysia:
o As stated in its investment documents, AISB anticipates substantial revenue growth driven by increased adoption of aiCMS, with projections reaching RM 75million collectively for 2024-2028.
o The platform’s comprehensive suite of services positions it as a game-changer in the Malaysian healthcare landscape.
o These revenue projections were part of the approved prospectus on the Securities Commission of Malaysia approved pitchIN Funding platform.
· Clinics and Service Providers:
o AISB aims to onboard a significant number of healthcare and wellness providers, and corporations.
o Since its recent launch, aiCMS has already proven market traction with over 30 healthcare providers and corporations in its initial segue into this broad market.
· User Base and Health Records:
o With 145,000+ registered users and 340,000+ individual health records in its database, the aiCMS platform is already making an impact in the market.
o The platform’s scalability has the potential for exponential growth.

Quotes:

· Mr. Sam Tan, CEO, BioNexus Gene Lab Corporation: “Our investment in AISB reflects our belief in their transformative healthcare solutions. Together, we aim to revolutionize patient care through predictive and generative AI.”
· Mr. Andrew Teng, CEO, Ascension Innovation Sdn Bhd: “We welcome MRNA Scientific’s support and look forward to leveraging their expertise. The future of healthcare lies in predictive analytics and personalized solutions.”

The handover ceremony took place at the Apollo Men’s Wellness Centre in Starhill, Kuala Lumpur on April 18^th, 2024, witnessed by Mr. Sam Tan, Chief Executive Officer of BioNexus Gene Lab Corp (BGLC).

About BioNexus Gene Lab Corporation:

BioNexus Gene Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: BGLC) is a global leader in RNA-based genomic diagnostics, committed to advancing personalized medicine and improving global health outcomes.

For more information, visit BioNexus Gene Lab Corp.’s website: www.bionexusgenelab.com

About Ascension Innovation Sdn Bhd:

Ascension Innovation Sdn Bhd (AISB) is at the forefront of healthcare technology, driving innovation through its flagship platform, aiCMS.

For more information, visit Ascension Innovation Sdn Bhd’s website: www.aisb.io

^¹https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/digital-health-market
^²https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/artificial-intelligence-ai-healthcare-market

For media inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations
BioNexus Gene Lab Corporation
Email: ir@bionexusgenelab.com

Disclaimer:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions involving risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:

· Projected revenue growth
· Market trends and adoption rates
· The potential impact of aiCMS on patient care

These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

1. Market and Industry Risks:

 – Rapidly evolving healthcare technology landscape

 – Regulatory changes and compliance challenges

 – Competitive pressures and market dynamics

2. Operational and Financial Risks:

 – Execution of strategic initiatives

 – Financial performance and liquidity

 – Intellectual property protection

3. External Factors:

 – Global economic conditions

 – Public health crises (e.g., pandemics)

 – Political and geopolitical uncertainties

Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. BGLC undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 protect forward-looking statements from litigation risks.

Investors are encouraged to review BGLC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a comprehensive understanding of the company’s business, financial performance, and risk factors. 

BioNexus Gene Lab Corporation
Tower B, Vertical Business Suite 10-2
No. 8, Jalan Kerinchi, Bangsar South,
59200, Kuala Lumpur 

Note to Editors: High-resolution images and additional information are available upon request.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at 
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c3545c8-1c0f-47c1-aabc-7a3e4d1de620

Source: BioNexus Gene Lab Corp.

–BERNAMA

Key collaborations will bolster fisheries governance through greater transparency, data-sharing and policy reform

ATHENS, Greece, April 17 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global Fishing Watch, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing ocean governance through transparency of human activity at sea, has announced three pioneering collaborations with Greece, Panama and the West African Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC) in a bid to harness technology and data-driven solutions for enhanced transparency, improved fisheries management and greater ocean sustainability.

The partnerships, unveiled at the 9th Our Ocean Conference held in Athens, Greece, will leverage open data to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, promote sustainable fisheries management and enable marine protection through deepened engagement with governmental bodies spanning three continents. In addition, they will provide Global Fishing Watch the opportunity to highlight transparency as a critical marine management tool and advance policy reforms regarding the adoption of vessel tracking methods like automatic identification systems (AIS) and vessel monitoring systems (VMS), as well as regional data sharing practices. 

“Today’s announcements mark a milestone in our collaborative efforts to mobilize open data and technology in the fight against illegal fishing and toward improved global fisheries management,” said Tony Long, chief executive officer of Global Fishing Watch. “More importantly, our expanding network of partnerships shows that governments and multilateral institutions are increasingly recognizing the role Global Fishing Watch can play in achieving better and more transparent ocean governance.” 

“Collaborative partnerships, political will and open data can drive tangible impact and help deliver lasting results for a sustainable ocean future for all,” Mr. Long added.

Leveraging Technology for Ocean Action

Presented at an official conference side event co-hosted by Greece, the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation and Global Fishing Watch, the partnership with Greece commits authorities to utilizing Global Fishing Watch’s platform, which provides visualizations and analysis of fishing activity, for critical support in bolstering the country’s marine protection efforts.

“Greece commits to establishing a scientific monitoring and surveillance system for all its marine protected areas that will be supported with advanced monitoring techniques and digital tools, such as remote sensing and automatic communication with sea vessels,” Dr. Petros Varelidis, Secretary-General for Natural Environment and Waters of the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy, confirmed. “The support of Global Fishing Watch and the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation will enable us to monitor fishing activity in near real-time.” 

A ‘significant step forward’ against IUU fishing

The Our Ocean Conference also welcomed a new partnership between Global Fishing Watch and the seven West African SRFC Member States comprising Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Through the new three-year agreement with SRFC, Global Fishing Watch will support Member States with analysis and generated insights to inform targeted monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) actions, bolstering countries’ abilities to manage activity in their waters and safeguard livelihoods and regional economic and environmental ecosystems. 

The 5,500 kilometer coastline of West Africa is home to some of the most diverse fisheries in the world and maritime activity plays a key role across the region. Indeed, fisheries and aquaculture directly contribute US$24 billion to the African economy, with the demand for fish expected to increase by 30 percent by 2030. Inadequate monitoring and enforcement, however, have led to rampant IUU fishing, with nearly 40 percent of fish caught illegally, resulting in substantial economic losses and environmental degradation.  

“The collaboration with Global Fishing Watch represents a significant step forward in the fight against illegal fishing in West Africa,” said Dr. Khallahi Brahim, Permanent Secretary of the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission. “By joining forces, Global Fishing Watch and the SRFC can help transform fisheries governance, protect marine resources and secure the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the fishing industry.”

The new partnership will work to ensure that SRFC Member States are fully equipped for better cooperation, monitoring and compliance, and also help establish cross-cutting initiatives with key stakeholders in ocean governance. The collaboration will pave the way for policy reforms and seek to establish AIS usage and data sharing as central pillars of SRFC Member States’ governance practices. It will also support government agencies in developing and retaining capacity to harness data and technology to strengthen management, including MCS, enforcement and marine protection. 

Charting a new era of ocean governance

Global Fishing Watch’s activity on the margins of the Our Ocean Conference also saw the renewal of an ongoing collaboration with the Government of Panama, first launched in 2019, aimed at building an improved, collaborative framework for data-sharing and policy development.  

The updated agreement reflects a deepened relationship between the two parties and a growing commitment to fisheries transparency. Supplementing the VMS data of its vast international fleet, which has been visible on the Global Fishing Watch map since October 2019, Panama will now share vessel data from its list of international licenses, including fishing licenses, areas of operation and information related to fishing support vessels. Over the next five years, Global Fishing Watch will also provide technical and data-driven assessments for the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama to help inform national policies and regulations related to fisheries management.

“We are pleased to announce the renewal of the memorandum of understanding with Global Fishing Watch in our tireless fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” said Hamed Tuñón, General Administrator, Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama. “Our strengthened alliance reflects the continued commitment of both parties to protecting our oceans and preserving their biodiversity. Together, we will continue to use innovative technology and collaborative strategies to ensure the sustainability of our valuable marine resources.” 

“Now, more than ever, the global community must rally behind landmark initiatives to protect our ocean, combat harmful practices, and achieve ambitious conservation targets such as safeguarding at least 30 percent of the ocean by 2030,” Mr. Long concluded. “Achieving these critical commitments will be virtually impossible without Global Fishing Watch’s innovative ocean monitoring technology and expertise.”

Attachments

• Global Fishing Watch Map
• Technology for Good: How Innovation and Data Can Deliver Ocean Action

Kimberly Vosburgh
Global Fishing Watch
5185902979
KIMBERLY@GLOBALFISHINGWATCH.ORG 

SOURCE : Global Fishing Watch

GUIYANG, China, April 12, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

On April 11^th, 2024, the 18^th Guizhou Tourism Industry Development Conference, hosted by the People’s Government of Guizhou Province and themed “Promoting Deep Integration of Culture and Tourism and Building a World-class Tourist Destination”, kicked off in Xingyi city, Southwest China’s Guizhou province, on the basis of “simplicity, delicacy, thoughtfulness and safety”.

In order to accelerate the development of Guizhou’s tourism industry and cultivate it into a pillar industry, the Guizhou Tourism Industry Development Conference has been held annually since 2006. It has been applied and held in rotation by all cities and prefectures in Guizhou, which has been successfully held for 17 sessions.

Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is located in the southwest of Guizhou Province, China. It enjoys excellent transportation infrastructure and is famous for its well-preserved and unique natural scenery and rich ethnic cultures. The tourism resources in this region are mainly composed of mountain landscapes, ethnic cultures and historical relics. With typical karst landform, famous scenic spots include Maling River Canyon and Wanfeng Forest in Xingyi, Wanfeng Lake, and Guizhou Longhua Stone Group. Besides, there is a kind of Bouyei ethnic group’s talking and singing folkart called “Eight-Note Seated Singing”. 

In recent years, Qianxinan Prefecture has promoted Health Tourism by combining the original mountain tourism resources. Numerous health tourism projects and top quality tourism routes have been launched to attract healthy lifestyle-seeking tourists.

Source: The People’s Government of Guizhou Province

–BERNAMA

Compact, single-use, and simple-to-use technology offers surgeons a fast, reliable navigation solution for hip arthroplasty

LONDON, April 12 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Smith+Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology company, announced an agreement with NAVBIT to exclusively distribute the NAVBIT SPRINT™ in Australia during the recent Australian Orthopedics Association COE Meeting in Sydney. A single-use, sterile navigation system with everything provided in a small carton, NAVBIT SPRINT™ is designed to suit busy surgeons – and its convenient product format makes it extremely practical and cost efficient for hospitals and day surgery environments. This exclusive distribution builds upon the agreement Smith+Nephew announced for Japan in April 2023.

Lynette Walter, NAVBIT’s CEO said, “We are absolutely delighted to expand our partnership with Smith+Nephew into the Australian market. We are committed to supporting and serving our great Australian surgeons with smart, useful technologies – and we look forward to complementing the Smith+Nephew implant range with this very neat navigation technology.”  

“We are seeing the positive impact that NAVBIT SPRINT™ offers our customers in Japan and look to experience the same results in the Australian market” noted Kenneth Garcia, Senior Vice President and General Manager, International for Smith+Nephew. “Many customers are seeking innovative solutions for THA planning and execution and NAVBIT will help us serve that specific market segment.”

Post-operative dislocation remains the second most common reason for revision of a total hip replacement in registries around the world¹^–⁵ as data suggests only 49% of acetabular cups are accurately aligned when using manual instrumentation.⁶ Simran Sabharwal, Vice President Global Hip Marketing for Smith+Nephew explained that, “NAVBIT SPRINT offers an innovative enabling technology solution that has been proven to address inaccuracies in cup placement, thereby reducing the risk of dislocation while providing efficiencies in the episode of care.”

“In the past, surgery was more art than science. Today we have higher expectations around the accuracy and precision of our surgery,” said Professor Bill Walter, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Founder of NAVBIT. “Outliers are becoming less acceptable to surgeons and to patients. Surgeons will have to answer the question: If there is a technology available that can make you more accurate, why are you not using it?”

NAVBIT SPRINT™ is available through Smith+Nephew in Japan and Australia and has two product variants: for supine patient position and for lateral patient position; making is suitable for a range of surgical approaches, including the direct anterior approach and the posterior approach.

– ends –
 

Enquiries

Media

David Snyder +1 978-749-1440

Smith+NephewAdd any caveats/disclaimers here

References

1. Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR). Hip, Knee & Shoulder Arthroplasty: 2020 Annual Report, Adelaide; AOA, 2020: 1-474. [Available at: https://aoanjrr.sahmri.com/annual-reports-2020]
2. National Joint Registry for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 17th Annual Report. [Available at: http://www.njrcentre.org.uk/njrcentre]
3. American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR), The Seventh Annual Report of the AJRR on Hip and Knee Arthroplasty 2020, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
4. Italian Arthroplasty Register, Addendum to the Annual Report 2019, English Version of Tables and Figures, October 2020
5. Agarwal S, Eckhard L, Walter WL, et al. The Use of Computer Navigation in Total Hip Arthroplasty Is Associated with a Reduced Rate of Revision for Dislocation: A Study of 6,912 Navigated THA Procedures from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2021.
6. The John Charnley Award: Risk Factors for Cup Malpositioning: Quality Improvement Through a Joint Registry at a Tertiary Hospital.  Malchau et al Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2011 Feb; 469(2): 319–329.

About Smith+Nephew

Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology business focused on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue. We exist to restore people’s bodies and their self-belief by using technology to take the limits off living. We call this purpose ‘Life Unlimited’. Our 18,000 employees deliver this mission every day, making a difference to patients’ lives through the excellence of our product portfolio, and the invention and application of new technologies across our three global business units of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound Management.

Founded in Hull, UK, in 1856, we now operate in more than 100 countries, and generated annual sales of $5.5 billion in 2023. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN). The terms ‘Group’ and ‘Smith+Nephew’ are used to refer to Smith & Nephew plc and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

For more information about Smith+Nephew, please visit www.smith-nephew.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

Forward-looking Statements
This document may contain forward-looking statements that may or may not prove accurate. For example, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading profit margins, market trends and our product pipeline are forward-looking statements. Phrases such as “aim”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “well-placed”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target”, “consider” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by the statements. For Smith+Nephew, these factors include: conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, economic and financial conditions in the markets we serve, especially those affecting healthcare providers, payers and customers; price levels for established and innovative medical devices; developments in medical technology; regulatory approvals, reimbursement decisions or other government actions; product defects or recalls or other problems with quality management systems or failure to comply with related regulations; litigation relating to patent or other claims; legal and financial compliance risks and related investigative, remedial or enforcement actions; disruption to our supply chain or operations or those of our suppliers; competition for qualified personnel; strategic actions, including acquisitions and disposals, our success in performing due diligence, valuing and integrating acquired businesses; disruption that may result from transactions or other changes we make in our business plans or organisation to adapt to market developments; relationships with healthcare professionals; reliance on information technology and cybersecurity; disruptions due to natural disasters, weather and climate change related events; changes in customer and other stakeholder sustainability expectations; changes in taxation regulations; effects of foreign exchange volatility; and numerous other matters that affect us or our markets, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or reputational nature. Please refer to the documents that Smith+Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith+Nephew’s most recent annual report on Form 20-F, which is available on the SEC’s website at www. sec.gov, for a discussion of certain of these factors. Any forward-looking statement is based on information available to Smith+Nephew as of the date of the statement. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith+Nephew are qualified by this caution. Smith+Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in circumstances or in Smith+Nephew’s expectations.

^◊ Trademark of Smith+Nephew. Certain marks registered in US Patent and Trademark Office.

SOURCE:Smith & Nephew UK Ltd

–BERNAMA