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KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) — Lotus Pharmaceuticals, a multinational pharmaceutical company, has announced a global collaboration with Alvogen, a privately owned United States (US)-based pharmaceuticals company, and NRx Pharmaceuticals Inc (NRx), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company.

According to a statement, the global collaboration agreement covering the development and commercialisation of NRX-101 for suicidal treatment-resistant bipolar depression (S-TRBD) for global markets.

“This is an exciting transaction for Lotus. The addition of NRX-101 to our pipeline is completely in-line with our strategic objective to drive heightened innovation that addresses significant unmet medical needs,” said its Chief Executive Officer, Petar Vazharov.

Under the terms of the agreement, relating to NRX-101 for the US market, NRx is entitled to receive an initial payment of US$10 million upon achieving both a successful read-out from the ongoing Phase 2b/3 clinical trial in S-TRB and completion of a Type B meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (US$1=RM4.59)

NRx would receive an additional payment of US$5 million upon receipt of FDA approval for NRX-101 as well as bonus milestone payments of increasing amounts up to US$330 million based on reaching certain net sales targets.

In addition to success-based payments, NRx is eligible to receive a royalty on net sales between 12 per cent and 16 per cent contingent on certain sales thresholds for the US market and other success-based payments for markets outside of the US.

Lotus will acquire worldwide rights for NRX-101 for treatment of S-TRBD and will be responsible for commercialisation of NRX-101 in markets outside of the US through their direct commercial presence in certain Asian markets or through Lotus’s export division where the company currently markets an extensive portfolio of products through top-tier partners.

Lotus will partner with Alvogen to commercialise NRX-101 for treatment of S-TRBD in the US market through Alvogen’s Almatica label. Almatica is the CNS-focused division of Alvogen that currently markets six branded products.

Alvogen and Lotus have committed to fund the next registrational study in suicidal treatment-resistant bipolar depression to support approval of NRX-101 contingent upon successful results of the ongoing Phase 2b/3 clinical trial and completion of a Type B meeting with the FDA.

— BERNAMA

Equatic emerges from the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering’s Institute for Carbon Management with carbon dioxide removal agreement from The Boeing Company

LOS ANGELES, June 1 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Carbon removal company Equatic recently spun out from the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering’s Institute for Carbon Management to deploy the first technology that combines carbon dioxide (CO₂) removal and carbon-negative hydrogen generation. Addressing both legacy and future emissions in a single process, the multi-product climate solution enables decarbonization at the scale, speed and cost necessary to mitigate climate change.

Alongside the launch, Equatic is announcing that it has entered into a pre-purchase option agreement with Boeing, a leading global aerospace company. Under the agreement, Equatic will remove 62,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and will deliver 2,100 metric tons of carbon-negative hydrogen to Boeing.

“The world has two unprecedented challenges: how to remove and permanently store gigatons of carbon dioxide and how to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” says Lorenzo Corsini, Principal Advisor at Equatic. “Equatic’s first-of-its-kind technology solves both. It combines basic principles of chemistry with the natural capabilities of the world’s best carbon removal tool, the ocean, to create the most promising solution for scalable decarbonization — cost-effectively and at a globally-relevant scale.”

The oceans are the world’s largest reservoir of carbon dioxide. One quarter of the world’s daily CO₂ emissions are drawn down into the ocean. Equatic’s technology accelerates and amplifies this natural cycle to remove and durably store CO₂. The entire removal and sequestration process happens within the boundaries of an industrial carbon removal plant, enabling Equatic to precisely measure CO₂ down to the gram.

“To mitigate ongoing and accelerating climate change in the timeframe necessary to avoid irreversible consequences, we need truly disruptive carbon management technologies,” says Lord John Browne, Founder, and Chairman at BeyondNetZero, and the former CEO of BP who is now the Chairman of Equatic’s Advisory Board. “Equatic’s breakthrough technology absorbs carbon dioxide via the oceans and has the added benefit of generating green hydrogen as a by-product. The good news is that the costs are low enough to allow unprecedented scaling and adoption globally.”

Equatic currently operates two carbon removal pilots in Los Angeles and Singapore. One hundred percent of the CO₂ removed from these pilots has been pre-sold, including via pre-purchase agreements with global payment solution provider, Stripe. Equatic expects to reach 100,000 metric tons of carbon removal per year by 2026 and millions of metric tons of carbon removal for less than $100 per metric ton by 2028.

Furthermore, Equatic will become a dominant producer of carbon-negative hydrogen — hydrogen created from processes that reduce atmospheric CO₂. The hydrogen will be sold as a clean energy source to decarbonize industrial processes, produce electricity for the transportation sector, create Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and fuels for trucking, and power the Equatic technology itself.

“The aviation industry has an important role to play in global decarbonization efforts. Reaching aviation’s sustainability goals will require a multi-faceted approach and Boeing sees immense value in Equatic’s technology,” said Sheila Remes, Boeing’s Vice President of Environmental Sustainability. “SAF is enormously important to reaching the commercial aviation industry’s net zero by 2050 goal, and we are excited to partner with Equatic on both green hydrogen feedstock and carbon dioxide removal.”

Equatic emerges from UCLA with over $30M in initial funding including grants and equity investments from organizations such as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation, the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, the National Science Foundation, YouWeb Incubator, The Nicholas Endowment, Singapore’s Temasek Foundation, PUB: Singapore’s National Water Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).

Equatic’s Technology

Equatic’s carbon removal plant uses four inputs–seawater, air, rock, and renewable electricity–to remove and store CO₂ while simultaneously generating carbon-negative hydrogen. Equatic passes an electrical current through seawater (electrolysis) and then passes atmospheric air through the processed seawater (direct air capture); these steps trap CO₂ in solid minerals and as dissolved substances that are naturally found in the oceans, ensuring that the trapped CO₂ will remain stable for 100,000+ years. Finally, Equatic uses rock to neutralize the processed seawater and ensure that the ocean’s chemistry is preserved.

This patented process is the key to delivering scalable, high-quality carbon removal, durable and permanent storage, and accessible, carbon-negative hydrogen fuel. It allows for:

●   Gigaton-Scale Carbon Removal and Storage. Carbon removal requires CO₂ (1) capture, (2) transport, and (3) permanent storage. Seawater is unique in that it can do all three at once. Equatic amplifies this natural carbon cycle to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere by leveraging the size and scale of the oceans and allows the oceans to serve as an enormous storage reservoir of CO₂.
●   Multi-Product Solution. The hydrogen gas that is co-produced can be used to power the process itself, or sold as a carbon-negative fuel source. Combining CO₂ removal and hydrogen production within a single industrial footprint and the same process equipment significantly reduces the cost associated with both. It also enables Equatic to create a clean fuel to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thereby avoiding fossil fuel-related emissions.
●   Industry-Leading Monitoring, Verification and Reporting. Equatic offers a contained solution that does not rely on the open ocean. As such, Equatic is the only ocean-based carbon removal company that transparently measures removal with extreme certainty. This enables the company to sell highly-sought, high-quality, permanent carbon removal credits.

To learn more about Equatic, visit equatic.tech. For open positions, visit equatic.tech/careers.

About Equatic
Equatic is a carbon removal company leading the industry in combined carbon dioxide removal and carbon-negative hydrogen generation. Using a patented seawater electrolysis process, Equatic amplifies the ocean’s inherent ability to absorb and store massive amounts of carbon. Formerly known as Project SeaChange, the technology was created and developed at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering’s Institute for Carbon Management. Equatic operates two pilots in Los Angeles and Singapore, respectively, and works with industry pioneers, national agencies, and government leadership to scale climate solutions at unprecedented rates. The company sells high-quality carbon removal credits and is the only ocean-based carbon removal company that measures removal with unprecedented certainty.

Contact information
LaunchSquad for Equatic

Equatic@launchsquad.com

SOURCE : Equatic

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 (Bernama) — The Globe Group, a leading digital solutions platform in the Philippines, has achieved a major milestone in its health tech initiative with the recent launch of the KonsultaMD SuperApp.

In a statement, the company said this groundbreaking app showcased new capabilities and a deeper and broader provider network, marking a significant advancement in the country’s healthcare industry.

“We have very exciting plans for KonsultaMD. It seeks to address a very big issue in the Philippines. With a ratio of one doctor for every 30,000 citizens, bringing healthcare access to the public is really our goal.

“The more we make the SuperApp easy to use and inject many more services into it, we think it is going to resonate with our customers and the public,” said Globe Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ernest Cu.

The SuperApp is the next-generation iteration of KonsultaMD, a telehealth platform established by the Globe Group in 2015 that has since been instrumental in digitising healthcare services in the Philippines.

It bridges the gap between various health and medical services, consolidating them into one cohesive platform. This feature is particularly beneficial for those residing in remote areas where access to doctors is limited or none at all.

Bringing together services of top medical apps KonsultaMD, HealthNow and AIDE, the SuperApp features doctor consultations, a 24/7 online pharmacy with same-day delivery, at-home lab testing, diagnostics, wellness services, and physical therapy, among others.

The app also empowers users to consult with over 1,000 medical professionals with more than 40 specialisations including mental health, through on-demand video or chat from the comfort of their own homes.

The KonsultaMD SuperApp exemplifies the Globe’s commitment to making healthcare accessible to all, with plans for further expansion and improvement.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) — Nihon Ceremony Inc announced that online reservations have begun for TIAD, Autograph Collection, the new hotel scheduled to open this July in Nagoya, Japan.

Operated by Nihon Ceremony, the hotel will represent the fourth Japan-based addition to Marriott International’s Autograph Collection (R), and the first in the Nagoya area (as of May 2023).

Autograph Collection hotels advocates for the original, championing the individuality of each of its over 270 independent hotels located in the most desirable destinations across more than 45 countries and territories.

According to a statement, each hotel is a product of passion, inspired by a clear vision, soul and story that makes it individual and special “Exactly Like Nothing Else”.

Hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection properties offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint.

TIAD has 14 classes of guest rooms in three room categories, with all rooms providing over 50 square metre of floor space.

Among others, the Euphoria Deluxe Twin Park View room faces Hisaya-odori Park where guests can enjoy the greenery of the park and the seasonal scenery from the floor-to-ceiling window, while the Euphoria Premier King Park View has a balcony that overlooks the leafy Hisaya-odori Park in which guests can enjoy four seasons through the bathroom window while relaxing in the bath.

In addition, the 96 square metre Suite is located in the southwest corner of the building, facing leafy Hisaya-odori Park, while the Presidential Suite, located in the northwest corner of the 14th floor, feature a walk-in closet, balcony and large bathroom with steam sauna, promises a top-quality stay in the region.

Guests will also be able to use the exclusive wellness zone, featuring an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, and wellness lounge serving fresh smoothies and snacks.

More details at https://hotel-tiad.com/english.

— BERNAMA

AsiaNet 100103

^{Yili unveils the WISH2030 Declaration}

HOHHOT, China, May 24, 2023 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

On May 22, which celebrates the International Day for Biological Diversity, Asian dairy giant Yili Group held its “ESG and Social Value Forum” and officially released three new ESG reports: the 2022 Sustainability Report, the 2022 Annual Report on Biodiversity Conservation, and the Net-Zero Carbon Future Report 2022.

The forum was held at the Yili Modern Intelligent Health Valley, which is widely known as the “Dairy Silicon Valley”. Together with its global partners, Yili unveiled the WISH2030 Declaration for a Sustainable Future, calling for the entire industry to work together to create value and build a better future. At the forum, Pan Gang, Chairman and President of Yili Group, underscored Yili’s longstanding commitment to always adhere to the principles of altruism and ensure positive long-term development. The company is dedicated to uniting diverse stakeholders to establish a “global health ecosystem” and enable the business community and wider society to enjoy mutual prosperity.

In 2007, Yili became the first private company in China to publish a corporate citizenship report, and the Group’s concept of “green leadership” has received growing recognition globally ever since. From Yili’s debut at the inaugural Summer Davos in 2007 to its pioneering role as the first Chinese food company to join the United Nations Global Compact, Yili has also actively participated in the COP13, COP14, and COP15 Conferences of the Convention on Biological Diversity, demonstrating its dynamic commitments aimed at supporting sustainable development worldwide.

In 2023, Yili released its 17th consecutive sustainability report. The Group’s latest report received a “five-star” rating from the Chinese Expert Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility Report Rating and has also been highly recognized by the United Nations. Liu Meng, Head of the China Office of the United Nations Global Compact, commended Yili for having actively responded to the United Nations’ call for businesses to address major sustainability challenges and emphasized how the company’s efforts have proven conducive to promoting and empowering more enterprises and industries to achieve sustainable high-quality development.

This year, Yili upgraded its “WISH” system to the “WISH2030” Golden Key Sustainable Development System, which prioritizes four major areas: “Comprehensive Value Management”, “High-Quality Products and Services”, “A Net-Zero Carbon Better Future”, and “Shared Prosperity of a Better Life”.

Qian Xiaojun, Director of the Research Center for Green Economy and Sustainable Development at Tsinghua University, pointed out that Yili has successfully maintained business growth for 30 consecutive years. Even in the challenging and uncertain year of 2022, Yili’s total revenue achieved year-on-year growth of more than 11%, while its net profit attributable to the parent company realized year-on-year growth of more than 8%. The robust growth figures reflect the strength of the company’s ‘long-termism’ values.

In celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, Yili once again joined forces with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to launch the “Yili Homeland Initiative: Satine Empty Carton Recycling Plan” while also releasing a limited-edition packaging featuring unique animal species that inhabit grasslands and wetlands. Lu Lunyan, Chief Representative of the WWF Beijing Office, said, “The health of nature directly affects human well-being. The WWF and Yili are dedicated to continuing actively supporting conservation and development, safeguarding the health of biodiversity, and improving people’s well-being.” For every 2,000 empty Satine milk cartons that are successfully recycled, a home can be created for grassland and wetland animals.

Source: Yili Group

Image Attachments Links:

   Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=440890

   Caption: Pan Gang, Chairman and President of Yili Group

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   Caption: Yili unveils the WISH2030 Declaration