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Proceeds to fund global Phase 3 registration program for the company’s lead product candidate, Obexelimab, and support the clinical development of other pipeline programs

Series B equity financing led by Enavate Sciences, a portfolio company of Patient Square Capital, also included new investors Longitude Capital and Vivo Capital

WALTHAM, Mass., Nov 10 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zenas BioPharma, a global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of immune-based therapies, today announced proceeds of $118 million in connection with the issuance of Series B preferred shares. In addition to Enavate Sciences, which led the Series B equity financing, new Zenas shareholders include Longitude Capital, Vivo Capital, Rock Springs Capital, Perceptive Advisors, Agent Capital, Pivotal bioVenture Partners and Superstring Capital. Existing investors Fairmount, Wellington Management, Tellus BioVentures, Quan Venture Fund, and Xencor, Inc. also participated in the financing, which included the infusion of new capital as well as the conversion of convertible notes issued to certain of the investors in advance of the closing of the Series B financing.

Proceeds from the financing will support the clinical advancement of the company’s lead product candidate Obexelimab, including a global Phase 3 registration trial in patients with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), which will be initiated in late 2022. In addition, the new funding will progress the company’s other global autoimmune disease programs into clinical development in 2023.

“We are thrilled to support Zenas as an innovative leader in biotechnology as the team executes the clinical development plans for IgG4-RD and the robust pipeline of immune-based therapies so adeptly acquired through strategic business development. We believe Zenas will successfully commercialize innovative therapies to improve the lives of those facing autoimmune and rare diseases,” said James Boylan, Chief Executive Officer of Enavate Sciences.

“We are thrilled to have the support of Enavate and this top-tier group of global investors as we continue to advance our deep and balanced pipeline of clinical stage autoimmune therapeutics and execute our successful business development strategy,” said Lonnie Moulder, Founder and Executive Chairman of Zenas BioPharma.

In connection with the Series B financing, Enavate Sciences CEO Jim Boylan, Longitude Capital Co-founder and Managing Director Patrick Enright, and Vivo Capital Managing Partner Hongbo Lu have joined the Zenas Board of Directors.

About Zenas BioPharma

Zenas BioPharma is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of immune-based therapies for patients around the world. With clinical development and operations globally, Zenas is advancing a deep and balanced global portfolio of potential first- and best-in-class autoimmune therapeutics in areas of high unmet medical need while meeting the value requirements of the dynamic global healthcare environment. The company’s pipeline continues to grow through our successful business development strategy. Our experienced leadership team and network of business partners drive operational excellence to deliver potentially transformative therapies to improve the lives of those facing autoimmune and rare diseases. For more information about Zenas BioPharma, please visit www.zenasbio.com and follow us on Twitter at @ZenasBioPharma and LinkedIn.

About Obexelimab

Obexelimab (ZB012), is an investigational phase III-stage, novel bifunctional antibody with first-in-class potential that inhibits B-cell lineages that express CD19. Simultaneous binding to CD19 and Fc_ƳRIIB by obexelimab mimics a natural antigen-antibody complex and down-regulates B-cell activity. In early-stage clinical studies, obexelimab effectively demonstrated inhibition of B-cell function without depleting the cells and generated an encouraging treatment effect in patients with multiple autoimmune diseases. Zenas acquired exclusive worldwide rights to obexelimab from Xencor, Inc.

About IgG4-RD

IgG4-RD is a chronic and serious, fibroinflammatory disease typically affecting multiple organs and sites (e.g., pancreas, liver, kidney, bile duct, salivary and lacrimal glands). ~20K people are diagnosed with IgG4-RD in the US, with similar prevalence rates across geographies. Many patients have some degree of irreversible organ damage at the time of diagnosis. Although nearly all patients initially respond to first line glucocorticoid (GC) therapy, chronic GC therapy is associated with toxicity and relapse is common as patients are tapered off or tapered to low doses.

About Enavate Sciences

Enavate Sciences is a platform created by Patient Square Capital dedicated to supporting therapeutic companies advancing medicines and enabling technologies with transformative potential to address patient need. Through the application of capital support and operational experience, Enavate strives to enable and empower a diverse portfolio of therapeutics companies to accelerate innovation. To learn more about Enavate, please visit www.enavatesciences.com.

About Longitude Capital

Longitude Capital is a leading healthcare venture capital firm that invests in transformative biotechnology, medical technology, and health solutions companies seeking to improve clinical outcomes, enhance quality of life, and drive efficiency of healthcare delivery. Founded in 2006, Longitude Capital invests in both privately held and publicly traded companies through a variety of investment approaches. Longitude Capital has offices in Menlo Park, CA, Boston, MA, and Greenwich, CT. For more information, please visit www.longitudecapital.com or LinkedIn.

About Vivo Capital

Founded in 1996, Vivo Capital is a leading global healthcare investment firm with a diverse, multi-fund investment platform in venture capital, growth equity, buyout, and public equities. Vivo has approximately $6.4 billion in assets under management and has invested in over 300 public and private companies worldwide. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in Asia, the Vivo team consists of more than 50 multi-disciplinary professionals. Vivo invests broadly in healthcare across all fund strategies, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services, with a focus on the largest healthcare markets globally.

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^{The Nature Conservancy and Mary Kay Inc. announced their partnership in 1990. Mary Kay has continued to generously support TNC’s work with an expanded focus on oceans work around the globe. (Credit: The Nature Conservancy)}

DALLAS, Nov 11 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Throughout 2022, Mary Kay Inc., a global advocate for corporate sustainability and stewardship, has worked to elevate ocean awareness in climate work and as an approach to address the climate crisis.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221110005014/en/

This month, Mary Kay was recognized in The Nature Conservancy’s 2022 Global Reefs Impact Report. The Nature Conservancy’s report highlights their recent achievements and how the organization has partnered with the private sector to successfully implement innovative marine conservation programs that protect and preserve life in our oceans.

The report showcased a newly launched project focused on “Super Reefs.” Super Reefs are highly resilient and can survive in a warming ocean. The mission of the Super Reefs project is to identify, protect, and grow a global network of Super Reefs to secure the future of coral reefs. The Super Reefs team brings together experts in ocean science, conservation, and management from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Stanford University, and The Nature Conservancy, along with private sector support from Mary Kay, to support governments and communities at this critical moment in the history of coral reefs.

“I’ve seen reefs that have been destroyed, and I’ve seen reefs that have bounced back in my lifetime,” says Elizabeth McLeod, Global Reefs Systems Lead at The Nature Conservancy. “We have an imperative to get out in the water, to identify coral reefs that can survive climate change and ensure that they are protected from other impacts.”

“Our partnership with The Nature Conservancy stretches back more than 32 years—but we’re just getting started,” said Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operation Officer for Mary Kay Inc. “Throughout 2022, we’ve doubled down on our sustainability efforts, including a focus on ocean health. The health of our oceans is the health of our planet, and it’s essential we do our part to protect them.”

In 2022, Mary Kay supported 11 projects related to global ocean protection initiatives to improve ocean health for nature and people through the protection and restoration of critical habitats such as coral reefs, oyster reefs, and coastal wetlands. These important projects included:

• Restoring Asia Pacific shellfish reefs in Australia, Hong Kong, China, and the Coral Triangle;
• Ensuring that coral protection and restoration efforts in the Coral Triangle countries – Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands – are supported through conservation efforts and initiatives that positively impact the whole region;
• Supporting women environmental leaders in the Pacific in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands;
• Coastal conservation and restoration in the Gulf Coast and assessing the feasibility of blue carbon markets to support long-term wetland management; and
• Improving fisheries in Mexico to empower communities and women in the fishing industry.

To read more about Mary Kay’s commitment to sustainability, visit marykayglobal.com/sustainability and download Mary Kay’s global sustainability strategy: Enriching Lives Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.

About The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters, and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably, and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 79 countries and territories, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

About Mary Kay Inc.

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty company in 1963 with one goal: enriching women’s lives. That dream has blossomed into a multibillion-dollar company with millions of independent sales force members in nearly 40 countries. As an entrepreneurship development company, Mary Kay is committed to empowering women on their journey through education, mentorship, advocacy, networking, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in enriching lives today for a sustainable tomorrow, partnering with organizations from around the world focusing on promoting business excellence, supporting cancer research, advancing gender equality, protecting survivors of domestic abuse, beautifying our communities, and encouraging children to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
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Contact

Mary Kay Inc.
Corporate Communications
marykay.com/newsroom
972.687.5332 or media@mkcorp.com

The Nature Conservancy
Misty Edgecomb
Communications Director
medgecomb@tnc.org or 484-343-3223

Source : Mary Kay Inc.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) — Adagene Inc (Adagene) has announced clinical data from phase 1b/2 studies of its anti-CTLA-4 antibody candidate, ADG116, in two poster presentations at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) Annual Meeting in Boston.

Acording to a statement, the first poster reviewed data from an open label, phase 1b/2 dose escalation and dose expansion trial evaluating ADG116 as monotherapy and in combination with toripalimab in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced metastatic solid tumours.

The poster is titled “A Phase 1b/2 Study of a Novel Anti-CTLA-4 NEObody™ ADG116 Monotherapy and in Combination with Toripalimab (Tori; Anti-PD-1 Antibody) in Patients with Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors”.

Key findings as of the data cutoff date on Sept 19, 2022, include compelling, differentiated safety profile demonstrated with ADG116 monotherapy up to 15 mg/kg; and monotherapy efficacy shown in heavily pre-treated patients.

Meanwhile, findings from a second poster, “A Phase 1b/2, Open-Label, Dose Escalation and Expansion Study of an Anti-CTLA-4 NEObody™ ADG116 in Combination with Pembrolizumab (Anti-PD-1 Antibody) in Patients with Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors: A Preliminary Update”, established a safe and potentially active dose level for ADG116 in combination with pembrolizumab.

“These data provide compelling clinical evidence for our unique approach to targeting a distinct and highly conserved epitope of CTLA-4 with NEObody ADG116 to achieve enhanced anti-CTLA-4 blockade for both improved efficacy and safety profiles in single agent and combination settings, when combined with two different anti-PD-1 therapies,” said Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Adagene, Peter Luo, Ph.D.

Adagene Inc is a platform-driven, clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to transforming the discovery and development of novel antibody-based cancer immunotherapies.

More details at https://investor.adagene.com.

— BERNAMA

^{The press conference’s carbon footprint is offset by the carbon credits issued by the VCS program, making it Singapore’s first “Zero Carbon Conference”. (Photo: Business Wire)}

SINGAPORE, Nov 7 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Zero Carbon Future Private Limited, the most active carbon market in Asia, launched the Zero Carbon EX platform on November 5^th, 2022 in Singapore.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221106005063/en/

The platform, a promising one to be the largest carbon trading platform in Asia-Pacific region, will accelerate the globalization of Zero Carbon Future Pte Ltd and contribute to the global warming mitigation work.

The Zero Carbon EX platform, developed and operated by Singapore Zero Future Pte Ltd, is a PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) one-stop service platform specializing in the carbon neutral related, carbon asset management business. The platform provides carbon credit development, carbon asset custody, carbon emission accounting, carbon neutrality consulting and other zero carbon products, contributing to the zero carbon actions.

What is worth mentioning here is that the press conference today is offset by carbon credits issued by the VCS program, making it a “Zero Carbon Conference”.

Jonathan Yap, CEO of Northwaters Capital Pte Ltd, said after introducing Northwaters Capital’s business scope and social impact, “We have launched the Carbon Assets Global Opportunity Fund to invest in carbon credit assets around the world. Northwaters Capital is well positioned to identify advanced climate technology projects in carbon neutrality and to facilitate the commercialization of these projects in Asia-Pacific region and other carbon neutral related businesses. We are delighted to work with Zero Carbon Future Pte Ltd to promote the development and expansion of the global carbon credit market. Asia’s carbon markets present both exciting possibilities and challenges. In the future, we believe we can become a leader in this field to support the growth of carbon markets and the development of green technologies in Asia.”

Northwaters Capital Phase I Fund has successfully purchased 2 million tons of VCS carbon assets, becoming the largest carbon asset management company in Asia-Pacific region.

At the launching ceremony, Northwaters Capital Pte Ltd and Zero Carbon Future Pte Ltd signed a custodian agreement of 2 million tons of VCS carbon assets to be managed on the Zero Carbon EX platform.

Dr. Bangdao Chen, CEO of Zero Carbon Future Pte Ltd, introduced the background of the launch and the application scenarios of the Zero Carbon EX platform in detail, “It is committed to building a Web3 digital asset standard and green finance system for the purpose of carbon neutral and environmental protection. The Zero Carbon EX platform will build a new green financial ecology to reduce carbon asset market barriers to entry, and enable more individuals, businesses and government to accept the carbon neutral concept and configure carbon assets by providing a safe and easy-to-use carbon asset account service. In future, everyone will have a ‘carbon’ account and a ‘carbon’ purse, combining daily life with carbon neutral. Through the trading and flow of ‘green’ digital currency based on carbon assets, countries around the world will be linked into a network to accelerate the process of global carbon peak and carbon neutrality.”

Wu Guoliang, Chairman of the ASEAN Strategic Committee of China Carbon Neutral Group, said, “We provide a one-stop carbon neutral solution that powers carbon credit asset development, production and investment services for enterprises, governments and individuals, engaging in carbon neutral business on a global scale leveraging the complementary and synergistic effects of carbon finance and carbon technology. Today, we are here to witness the launch of the Zero Carbon EX platform, resulting in a business partnership between Northwaters Capital and Zero Carbon Future, with two million tons of VCS carbon credits under escrow, which is part of an effort of the trading markets for carbon credits to support the sustainability of decarbonization. With Singapore as a regional gateway for carbon services, it is expected to facilitate the development of Singapore’s carbon services ecosystem by working with more international companies.”

About 30 guests and journalists, including Jonathan Yap, CEO of Northwaters Capital Pte Ltd, and Professor Bill Roscoe, Chief Scientist Advisor of Zero Carbon Future Pte Ltd, attended the launch ceremony of the Zero Carbon EX platform.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221106005063/en/

Contact

Zero Carbon Future Pte Ltd
006588185333
ir@zerocarbonfuture.ltd

Source : Zero Carbon Future Private Limited

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) — American Express Travel has published the 2023 Trending Destinations list, featuring the 10 most popular destinations for travel next year, identified by global American Express Card Member travel reservations.

The destinations are Copenhagen; Florida Keys; Istanbul; Lisbon; Mexico City; Montenegro; Paris, Sydney; Woodstock; and Fiji’s Yaukuve Island.

In a statement, it said American Express Travel Consultants also created three-day itineraries for each of these destinations, providing inspiration on the top places to stay, eat, shop and explore the local culture.

This includes how Platinum card members can spend the “bonus vacation day” they receive with a guaranteed 4pm check-out when they book a Fine Hotels + Resort property through American Express Travel.

“When card members book trips through American Express Travel, they are trusting us with their most valuable resource, their time.

“Our global footprint, over 100 years of travel expertise and deep understanding of our card members, give us a unique ability to inspire travellers with this year’s list of Trending Destinations, make the planning process easy, and confidently advise them on what to do when they get there,” said American Express Travel president, Audrey Hendley.

In addition to top destinations, American Express Travel has also identified key trends driving travel in 2023, including new adventures that are in demand, vacationing with holistic health in mind, and seeking out personalised experiences.

American Express Travel’s 2023 Trending Destinations are selected based on global American Express card member bookings through American Express Travel, looking at year-over-year travel growth between 2019 and 2022.

American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.

— BERNAMA