Day: September 5, 2023

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GMAC Expands Global Representation in Board and School Membership

New board chair, board members and member school span footprint from Asia to America

RESTON, Va., Sept. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a global association of leading graduate business schools, today announced changes to its board of directors. Themin Suwardy, a GMAC board member since 2019 and associate provost of postgraduate professional education at Singapore Management University, has been elected to chair the GMAC board. Ana María Zermeño Padilla, director of operations and academic experience at Tecnológico de Monterrey’s EGADE Business School in Mexico, as well as Curtis Ferguson, managing partner at Ventech China, have joined the GMAC board as its newest members.

In addition, GMAC welcomed Asia School of Business (ASB) as its 227th member school. Based in Kuala Lumpur, ASB was established in 2015 by the central bank of Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia, in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management in response to the need for world-class talent in Malaysia, the region and emerging world. Today, ASB’s award-winning MBA degree program has been hailed as one of the most innovative MBA programs in the world.

“GMAC research has shown that business schools in Asia Pacific are attracting more talent in-region than prior to the pandemic despite rebounding international mobility, while those in Latin America are benefiting from growing international applications,” said Joy Jones, CEO of GMAC. “I am thrilled to have these talented individuals and the esteemed ASB organization deepening their engagement with the Council, enhancing our board diversity and membership roster. They are bringing valuable perspectives and critical insights to GMAC’s global mission of helping business schools and talent discover and evaluate each other.”

More about New Directors on GMAC Board

Ana María Zermeño Padilla has a proven track record as an academic leader at several institutions among Tec de Monterrey System, including Virtual University and TecMilenio. At EGADE Business School, she oversees all student academic and life experience, administrative operations, and logistics for in-person and online students. She is a member of the board for Somos El Cambio and Instituto de Formacion y Perfeccionamiento Policial de San Pedro, both academic institutions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a master’s in education and a Ph.D. in education innovation from Tecnológico de Monterrey in addition to a master’s in business analytics from EGADE Business School.

Curtis Ferguson is a managing partner of Ventech China, where he leads investment in the country’s fast-growing consumer markets. He was a former executive at The Coca-Cola Company for nearly four decades and most recently the president of The Coca-Cola Greater China, Korea & Mongolia Business Unit. He has been actively involved in education, having served as the chairman of Cairo American College and on the Dean’s Advisory Council of his alma mater Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. His initiative of a scholarship program benefiting disadvantaged students from the Middle East and Africa has led to him and Coca-Cola being awarded the U.S. State Department Award for Corporate Citizenship. Mr. Ferguson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Indiana University Kelley School and is a graduate of the Executive Development Programs at Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

While GMAC welcomes the new leadership and addition to its board, GMAC also recognizes and thanks its outgoing board chair, Jon Erickson, former president of education and career services at ACT, and outgoing board member, Katy Montgomery, former associate dean of degree programmes at INSEAD.

“I have in the past years worked alongside Jon and Katy, witnessing firsthand their dedication as we together advocate for the graduate management education community. I am grateful for their contributions,” said Themin Suwardy, the newly elected GMAC board chair. “I look forward to leading the board, including our new additions Ana María and Curt, to create more values for the schools and candidates we so tirelessly serve.”

More about Asia School of Business and GMAC Membership

Asia School of Business (ASB) – the first GMAC member school from Malaysia – aspires to be a premier school of management in Asia recognized for its ability to develop transformative and principled leaders who will contribute to a better future and to the advancement of the emerging world. Their approach to learning focuses on classroom rigor combined with onsite action learning experiences throughout Asia. Besides the MBA degree program, ASB also offers an executive MBA, a master in central banking, and a master in management degree to be launched later this year.

To be considered for membership in GMAC, a school must maintain a selective admissions process; offer a master’s program in business administration, management subjects or equivalent; and demonstrate support of GMAC’s mission of providing the tools and information necessary for schools and talent to discover and evaluate each other.

About GMAC

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a mission-driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. GMAC provides world-class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry as well as resources, events, and services that help guide candidates through their higher education journey. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Test™ (GMAT™) exam is the most widely used graduate business school assessment.

More than 12 million prospective students a year trust GMAC’s websites, including mba.com, to learn about MBA and business master’s programs, connect with schools around the world, prepare and register for exams and get advice on successfully applying to MBA and business master’s programs. BusinessBecause and GMAC Tours are subsidiaries of GMAC, a global organization with offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com

Media Contact:

Teresa Hsu
Sr. Manager, Media Relations
Mobile: 202-390-4180
thsu@gmac.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8916819

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Le GMAC étend sa représentation mondiale au sein de son conseil d’administration et accueille une nouvelle école

Un nouveau président du conseil d’administration, de nouveaux membres au conseil et une nouvelle école membre, pour une présence de l’Asie à l’Amérique

RESTON, Virginie, 05 sept. 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Le Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), une association internationale d’écoles supérieures de commerce de premier plan, a annoncé aujourd’hui des changements dans son conseil d’administration. Themin Suwardy, membre du conseil du GMAC depuis 2019 et prévôt adjoint de l’enseignement professionnel de troisième cycle à la Singapore Management University, a été élu à la présidence du conseil d’administration du GMAC. Ana María Zermeño Padilla, directrice des opérations et de l’expérience universitaire à l’EGADE Business School de Tecnológico de Monterrey à Mexico, ainsi que Curtis Ferguson, associé directeur chez Ventech China, ont rejoint le conseil d’administration du GMAC en tant que tout nouveaux membres.

En outre, le GMAC a accueilli l’Asia School of Business (ASB) en tant que 227e école membre. Basée à Kuala Lumpur, l’ASB a été créée en 2015 par la banque centrale de Malaisie, Bank Negara Malaysia, en collaboration avec la MIT Sloan School of Management en réponse au besoin de talents de classe mondiale en Malaisie, dans la région et dans les pays émergents. Aujourd’hui, le programme de MBA primé de l’ASB a été salué comme l’un des programmes de MBA les plus innovants au monde.

« La recherche du GMAC a révélé que les écoles de commerce en Asie-Pacifique attirent davantage de talents dans la région qu’avant la pandémie malgré le rebond de la mobilité internationale, tandis que celles d’Amérique latine bénéficient de candidatures internationales en forte croissance », a déclaré Joy Jones, PDG du GMAC. « Je suis ravie de voir ces personnes talentueuses et la prestigieuse école ASB renforcer leur engagement envers le GMAC, améliorant ainsi la diversité de notre conseil d’administration et la liste de nos membres. Elles apportent de précieuses perspectives et des informations critiques à la mission mondiale du GMAC qui consiste à aider les écoles de commerce et les talents à se découvrir et à s’évaluer mutuellement. »

En savoir plus sur les nouveaux administrateurs du conseil du GMAC

Ana María Zermeño Padilla a fait ses preuves en tant que responsable universitaire de plusieurs institutions du système Tec de Monterrey, dont l’Université virtuelle et TecMilenio. À l’EGADE Business School, elle supervise toutes les expériences universitaires et de vie des étudiants, les opérations administratives et la logistique pour les étudiants en personne et en ligne. Elle est membre du conseil d’administration de Somos El Cambio et de l’Instituto de Formacion y Perfeccionamiento Policial de San Pedro, les deux étant des institutions universitaires. Elle est titulaire d’une licence en administration des affaires, d’un master en éducation et d’un doctorat en innovation de l’éducation obtenus auprès du Tecnológico de Monterrey, en plus d’un master en analytique des affaires délivré par l’EGADE Business School.

Curtis Ferguson est associé directeur de Ventech China, où il dirige les investissements sur les marchés de consommation en rapide expansion du pays. Il a été cadre chez The Coca-Cola Company pendant près de quatre décennies et, plus récemment, il occupait le poste de président de l’unité commerciale The Coca-Cola Greater China, Korea & Mongolia. Il s’est activement engagé dans l’éducation, ayant exercé les fonctions de président du Cairo American College et siégé au conseil consultatif du doyen de son alma mater, la Kelley School of Business de l’Université de l’Indiana. Son initiative portant sur un programme de bourses qui bénéficie aux étudiants défavorisés du Moyen-Orient et de l’Afrique lui a valu, ainsi qu’à Coca-Cola, de recevoir le prix U.S. State Department Award for Corporate Citizenship (Prix du Département d’État américain pour la citoyenneté d’entreprise). M. Ferguson est titulaire d’une licence délivrée par la Kelley School de l’Université de l’Indiana et diplômé des programmes de développement des cadres de la Stanford Graduate School of Business et de la Wharton School de l’Université de Pennsylvanie.

Tandis que le GMAC souhaite la bienvenue à la nouvelle direction et aux nouveaux membres de son conseil d’administration, le GMAC salue et remercie également son président de conseil sortant, Jon Erickson, ancien président des services d’éducation et de carrière chez ACT, et Katy Montgomery, membre sortante du conseil d’administration et ancienne doyenne associée des programmes d’études à l’INSEAD.

« Par le passé, j’ai travaillé avec Jon et Katy et été un témoin direct de leur engagement tandis que nous défendions ensemble la communauté de l’enseignement supérieur en gestion. Je les remercie pour leurs contributions », a déclaré Themin Suwardy, président nouvellement élu du conseil d’administration du GMAC. « J’ai hâte de diriger le conseil d’administration, avec nos nouveaux membres Ana María Zermeño Padilla et Curtis Ferguson, afin de créer plus de valeur pour les écoles et les candidats que nous servons sans relâche. »

En savoir plus sur l’Asia School of Business et l’adhésion au GMAC

L’Asia School of Business (ASB), première école membre du GMAC basée en Malaisie, aspire à devenir une école de management de premier plan en Asie, reconnue pour sa capacité à former des leaders réformateurs et ayant des principes, qui contribueront à un avenir meilleur et à l’avancement du monde émergent. Son approche de l’apprentissage se concentre sur la rigueur en classe combinée aux expériences d’apprentissage par l’action sur site dans toute l’Asie. En plus du programme de MBA, l’ASB propose aussi un MBA pour les cadres, un master en banque centrale et un master en management dont le lancement interviendra plus tard cette année.

Pour être considérée comme membre du GMAC, une école doit maintenir un processus d’admission sélectif ; proposer un programme de master en administration des affaires, en management ou équivalent ; et démontrer son soutien à la mission du GMAC en fournissant les outils et les informations permettant aux écoles et aux talents de se découvrir et de s’évaluer mutuellement.

À propos du GMAC

Le Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™) est une association de prestigieuses écoles supérieures de commerce du monde entier, au service d’une mission. Le GMAC fournit au secteur de l’enseignement supérieur en management des recherches, conférences sectorielles, outils de recrutement et évaluations de classe mondiale, ainsi que des outils, ressources, événements et services qui guident les candidats pendant leur parcours dans l’enseignement supérieur. Propriété du GMAC, qui assure sa gestion, l’examen du Graduate Management Admission Test™ (GMAT™) est l’évaluation pour école de commerce la plus largement utilisée.

Plus de 12 millions d’étudiants potentiels par an font confiance aux sites Web du GMAC, y compris mba.com, pour en savoir plus sur les programmes de MBA et de masters de commerce, contacter les écoles du monde entier, se préparer et s’inscrire aux examens, et obtenir des conseils sur les procédures d’admission aux programmes de MBA et de masters de commerce. BusinessBecause et GMAC Tours sont des filiales du GMAC, une organisation internationale avec des bureaux en Chine, en Inde, à Singapour, au Royaume-Uni et aux États-Unis.

Pour en savoir plus sur notre travail, rendez-vous sur www.gmac.com

Contact auprès des médias :

Teresa Hsu
Cadre de direction, Relations avec les médias
Portable : 202-390-4180
thsu@gmac.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8916819

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eLichens is introducing the first Natural Gas Detector integrating NB-IoT/LTE-M Connectivity from Sequans

Avolta Natural Gas Detector with NB-IoT/LTE-M Connectivity

eLichens is introducing the first Natural Gas Detector integrating NB-IoT/LTE-M Connectivity

GRENOBLE, France, Sept. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — eLichens, a leading provider of non-dispersive infrared sensors and detectors, is thrilled to announce the collaboration with Sequans, resulting in the latest evolution of its Avolta, Natural Gas Detector (NGD). This new edition of Avolta harnesses the power of NB-IoT/LTE-M technology, utilizing the Sequans’ Monarch-2 platform.

Avolta is a battery-operated NGD device with a longevity of 10 years. Avolta offers near-infrared spectroscopy to detect methane’s unique signature on the light spectrum, delivering unparalleled accuracy while effectively mitigating the risk of interference from other household chemicals.

The core mission of Avolta is to drive a significant reduction in methane emissions, safeguard the future of energy resources, and ensure the safety of individuals and the environment.

Avolta becomes an essential part of the net zero program that is reshaping the global economy.

“Accelerating the deployment of natural gas detection across the entire energy value chain is an essential part of global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Wahid Issa, eLichens CEO. “Avolta integrating Sequans’ Monarch-2 connectivity enables gas utilities to deploy ubiquitous NGD at an optimized cost of ownership, and ensures compliance with FirstNet certification and standards such as UL1484 and EN50194-1.”

“Monarch-2 GM02S is a LTE Cat M1/NB1/NB2 module based on Sequans’ second-generation Monarch 2 chipset platform. Monarch 2 includes Sequans’ RF Single-SKU™ front end and incorporates the Common Criteria EAL5+ secure enclave, enabling secure key storage and embedded SIM (iSIM),” said Georges Karam, CEO and President of Sequans.

For more information on Avolta: www.elichens.com/avolta-gas-leak-detector

About eLichens
eLichens mission is to provide solutions for detecting and monitoring climate issues related to environmental greenhouse gases. eLichens relies on a portfolio of patents and expertise that allow it to develop innovative and disruptive smart infra-red sensors and industrial IOT devices. eLichens is based in Grenoble, France with offices in the USA. Visit www.elichens.com

Contact: info@elichens.com

About Sequans
Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a leading developer and supplier of cellular IoT connectivity solutions, providing chips and modules for 5G/4G massive and broadband IoT. Founded in 2003, Sequans is based in Paris, France with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Finland, Taiwan, South Korea, and China. Visit Sequans online at www.sequans.com, and follow us on Twitter and Linked-In.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bd8a6db5-ae53-4d61-ae85-7108ba3d68b7

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000838118

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Zenas BioPharma ประกาศข้อตกลงว่าด้วยใบอนุญาตเชิงกลยุทธ์และความร่วมมือกับ Bristol Myers Squibb เพื่อพัฒนาและจำหน่าย Novel Bi-Functional Antibody Obexelimab ในญี่ปุ่น เกาหลีใต้ ไต้หวัน สิงคโปร์ ฮ่องกง และออสเตรเลีย

ความร่วมมือดังกล่าวช่วยส่งเสริมวิสัยทัศน์ของ Zenas ที่จะนำยาภูมิคุ้มกันวิทยาที่ใช้นวัตกรรมที่ทันสมัยไปสู่ผู้ป่วยทั่วโลก โดยใช้ความเชี่ยวชาญที่มีมายาวนานของ Bristol Myers Squibb ในด้านโรคที่เกิดจากภูมิคุ้มกัน

Zenas จะได้รับเงินสดล่วงหน้าเป็นจำนวน 50 ล้านดอลลาร์ และการลงทุนในหุ้นจาก Bristol Myers Squibb โดยอาจได้รับการชำระเงินเพิ่มเติมสำหรับความสำเร็จครั้งสำคัญ และค่าลิขสิทธิ์ในเขตที่ได้รับใบอนุญาต

วอลแทม แมสซาชูเซตส์, Sept. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zenas BioPharma บริษัทชีวเภสัชภัณฑ์ระดับโลกมุ่งมั่นที่จะเป็นผู้นำในด้านการพัฒนาและการจำหน่ายวิธีการรักษาโดยใช้ภูมิคุ้มกันวิทยา และได้ประกาศในวันนี้ว่าบริษัททำข้อตกลงว่าด้วยใบอนุญาตและความร่วมมือ กับ Bristol Myers Squibb Company เพื่อพัฒนาและจำหน่าย Obexelimab สำหรับโรคภูมิคุ้มกันต้านตนเองในญี่ปุ่น เกาหลีใต้ ไต้หวัน สิงคโปร์ ฮ่องกง และออสเตรเลีย

Obexelimab เป็นโมโนโคลนอลแอนติบอดีที่มีคุณสมบัติเหมือนของมนุษย์ แบบไบฟังก์ชันที่ไม่ทำลายเซลล์ ซึ่งจับ CD19 และ FcγRIIb เพื่อยับยั้งเซลล์บี พลาสมาบลาสต์ และเซลล์พลาสมาที่แสดง CD19 โดยยังอยู่ในขั้นตอนการตรจสอบ ขณะนี้ Obexelimab อยู่ในระหว่างการศึกษาโดยใช้วิธีฉีดเข้าใต้ผิวหนังในการทดลองระยะที่ 3 ซึ่งดำเนินการทั่วโลกในผู้ป่วยโรคที่เกี่ยวข้องกับ IgG4 (IgG4-RD) ซึ่งเป็นโรคที่ยังไม่มีวิธีการรักษาที่ได้รับการอนุมัติในปัจจุบัน นอกจากนี้ สารประกอบดังกล่าวยังอยู่ระหว่างการศึกษาในการทดลองระยะที่ 2/3 ทั่วโลกในผู้ป่วยโรคโลหิตจางจากภูมิคุ้มกันทำลายตนเองชนิดแอนติบอดีอุ่น (wAIHA)

“ความร่วมมือครั้งนี้นับเป็นความก้าวหน้าครั้งสำคัญในการทำให้ Obexelimab เป็นประโยชน์ต่อผู้ป่วยที่เป็นโรคภูมิคุ้มกันต้านตนเองทั่วโลกตามวิสัยทัศน์ของเรา” Lonnie Moulder ผู้ก่อตั้งและประธานเจ้าหน้าที่บริหารของ Zenas BioPharma กล่าว “ทีมงานที่มีประสบการณ์และความมุ่งมั่นเป็นอย่างยิ่งของ Bristol Myers Squibb เป็นพันธมิตรที่ยอดเยี่ยมเนื่องจากได้รับการพิสูจน์แล้วว่ามีความสามารถในด้านการพัฒนา กฎระเบียบ และการค้าทั้งในญี่ปุ่นและเขตที่ได้รับใบอนุญาต”

“ความร่วมมือนี้แสดงให้เห็นถึงโอกาสครั้งสำคัญที่จะตอบสนองต่อความต้องการด้านที่ยังไม่ได้รับความช่วยเหลือของผู้ป่วยโรค IgG4-RD ซึ่งยังไม่มีทางเลือกในการรักษาที่ได้รับอนุมัติ” Steve Sugino รองประธานอาวุโสและผู้จัดการทั่วไปในญี่ปุ่นของ Bristol Myers Squibb กล่าว “เรารู้สึกตื่นเต้นที่ได้ทำงานร่วมกับ Zenas BioPharma เพื่อช่วยให้ Obexelimab สามารถเข้าถึงได้ในเขตที่ได้รับใบอนุญาตแล้ว และเพื่อช่วยสร้างความเปลี่ยนแปลงให้กับชีวิตของผู้ป่วยที่กำลังรอคอยยานี้”

ตามข้อกำหนดในข้อตกลงว่าด้วยใบอนุญาต Zenas จะได้รับเงินสดล่วงหน้าเป็นจำนวน 50 ล้านดอลลาร์ และมีสิทธิ์ได้รับการชำระเงินเพิ่มเติมเมื่อมีความสำเร็จในด้านการพัฒนา กฎระเบียบ ตลอดจนเหตุการณ์สำคัญในด้านการค้า รวมถึงค่าลิขสิทธิ์จากยอดขายสุทธิของ Obexelimab ในเขตที่ได้รับใบอนุญาตแล้ว ดังนั้นเพื่อเป็นการแลกเปลี่ยน Bristol Myers Squibb จะได้รับสิทธิ์แต่เพียงผู้เดียวในการพัฒนาและจำหน่าย Obexelimab ในเขตที่ได้รับใบอนุญาตแล้ว นอกจากนี้ Bristol Myers Squibb กำลังลงทุนในหุ้นของ Zenas อีกด้วย

เกี่ยวกับ Obexelimab

Obexelimab เป็นโมโนโคลนอลแอนติบอดีที่มีคุณสมบัติเหมือนของมนุษย์ แบบไบฟังก์ชันที่ไม่ทำลายเซลล์ ซึ่งยังอยูในขั้นตอนการตรวจสอบในการทดลองระยะที่ 3 ยานี้เลียนแบบการทำงานของสารเชิงซ้อนแอนติเจน-แอนติบอดีโดยจับ CD19 และ FcγRIIb เพื่อยับยั้งการทำงานของเซลล์ตระกูลบี (B-lineage cell) ในการศึกษาทางคลินิกระยะเริ่มแรกหลายครั้ง รวมถึงโรคภูมิคุ้มกันต้านตนเองหลายชนิด ผู้ป่วย 198 รายได้รับการรักษาโดยใช้ Obexelimab ในการศึกษาทางคลินิกดังกล่าว Obexelimab แสดงให้เห็นการยับยั้งการทำงานของเซลล์บี โดยไม่ทำลายเซลล์เหล่านี้ จึงทำให้ได้ผลในการรักษาผู้ป่วยโรคภูมิคุ้มกันต้านตนเองชนิดต่าง ๆ Zenas ได้รับสิทธิ์ทั่วโลกแต่เพียงผู้เดียวสำหรับ Obexelimab ของ Xencor, Inc.

หากต้องการข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับการศึกษาระยะที่ 3 (INDIGO) สำหรับการรักษาโรคที่เกี่ยวข้องกับ IgG4 กรุณาเยี่ยมชม Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05662241 หากต้องการข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับการศึกษาระยะที่ 3 (SApHiAre) กรุณาเยี่ยมชม Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05786573

เกี่ยวกับโรคที่เกี่ยวข้องกับ IgG4

IgG4-RD เป็นโรคการอักเสบของเส้นใยแบบเรื้อรังที่เกิดจากภูมิคุ้มกัน และอาจส่งผลกระทบต่ออวัยวะต่าง ๆ รวมถึงต่อมน้ำลายที่สำคัญ เบ้าตา ต่อมน้ำตา ตับอ่อน ทางเดินน้ำดี ปอด ไต และเยื่อบุช่องท้อง ในสหรัฐอเมริกาเพียงประเทศเดียวมีผู้ป่วยประมาณ 20,000 รายที่ได้รับการวินิจฉัยว่าเป็นโรค IgG4-RD แม้โรคนี้จะเป็นที่รู้จักเพิ่มมากขึ้น แต่ก็ยังจำเป็นต้องมีการวิจัยและทางเลือกในการรักษาที่มีประสิทธิภาพเพิ่มเติมสำหรับผู้ที่ป่วยเป็นโรคที่ทำให้ร่างกายอ่อนแอนี้

การใช้กลูโคคอร์ติคอยด์ถือเป็นมาตรฐานที่ใช้กันโดยทั่วไปในการรักษา IgG4-RD ทั่วโลก โดยโรคนี้ยังไม่มีวิธีการรักษาที่ได้รับการอนุมัติแล้ว แม้กลูโคคอร์ติคอยด์และการรักษาด้วยการทำลายเซลล์บีที่มีอยู่ให้หมดไปจะเป็นวิธีที่ใช้กันโดยทั่วไป แต่ไม่ค่อยช่วยให้อาการทุเลาลงโดยไม่ต้องรักษาในระยะยาว และอาจทำให้เสี่ยงที่จะเกิดความเป็นพิษในผู้ป่วยเหล่านี้ การรักษาดังกล่าวอาจทำให้การตอบสนองต่อวัคซีนลดลง รวมถึงวัคซีนโรคติดเชื้อจากไวรัส SARS-CoV-2 และไข้หวัดใหญ่

ข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับ Zenas BioPharma

Zenas BioPharma เป็นบริษัทชีวเภสัชภัณฑ์ระดับโลกซึ่งมุ่งมั่นที่จะเป็นผู้นำในด้านการพัฒนาและการจำหน่ายวิธีการรักษาโดยใช้ภูมิคุ้มกันวิทยาสำหรับผู้ป่วยทั่วโลก ด้วยการพัฒนาและการปฏิบัติงานทางคลินิกทั่วโลก Zenas กำลังพัฒนาผลงานระดับโลกขั้นสูงที่ให้ความสมดุลในด้านการรักษาโรคภูมิคุ้มกันต้านตนเองที่ดีที่สุดเป็นอันดับที่หนึ่งสำหรับโรคที่ต้องใช้การรักษาระดับสูงทางการแพทย์แต่ยังไม่มีการรักษาในด้านดังกล่าวมากนัก ในขณะเดียวกันก็ตอบสนองความต้องการด้านค่านิยมเกี่ยวกับสภาพแวดล้อมในการดูแลสุขภาพระดับโลกที่มีการเปลี่ยนแปลงอยู่ตลอดเวลา การดำเนินธุรกิจของบริษัทมีการเติบโตอย่างต่อเนื่องโดยใช้กลยุทธ์การพัฒนาธุรกิจที่ประสบความสำเร็จ ทีมผู้บริหารที่มีประสบการณ์และเครือข่ายพันธมิตรทางธุรกิจของเราช่วยสามารถปฏิบัติงานด้วยความเป็นเลิศ เพื่อดำเนินการรักษาที่ช่วยสร้างความเปลี่ยนแปลงได้ โดยช่วยปรับปรุงคุณภาพชีวิตของผู้ที่ป่วยเป็นโรคภูมิคุ้มกันต้านตนเองและโรคหายาก หากต้องการข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับ Zenas BioPharma กรุณาเยี่ยมชม www.zenasbio.com และติดตามเราทาง Twitter ได้ที่ @ZenasBioPharma และ LinkedIn

ช่องทางติดต่อสำหรับนักลงทุนและสื่อ:
Joe Farmer ประธาน และประธานเจ้าหน้าที่ฝ่ายปฏิบัติการ
Zenas BioPharma
IR@zenasbio.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8916684

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Zenas BioPharma Fecha Acordo de Licenciamento e Colaboração Estratégica com a Bristol Myers Squibb para Desenvolvimento e Comercialização do Novo Anticorpo Bifuncional Obexelimab no Japão, Coreia do Sul, Taiwan, Cingapura, Hong Kong e Austrália

Colaboração promove a visão da Zenas de oferecer medicamentos inovadores baseados em imunologia para pacientes em todo o mundo, aproveitando a experiência de longa data da Bristol Myers Squibb com doenças imunomediadas

A Zenas receberá um adiantamento de US$ 50 milhões e um investimento de capital da Bristol Myers Squibb, juntamente com potenciais pagamentos e royalties com base em eventos no território licenciado

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A Zenas BioPharma, uma empresa biofarmacêutica global comprometida em se tornar líder no desenvolvimento e comercialização de terapias imunológicas, anunciou hoje que fechou um acordo de licenciamento e colaboração com a Bristol Myers Squibb Company para o desenvolvimento e comercialização do obexelimab para tratamento de doenças autoimunes no Japão, Coreia do Sul, Taiwan, Cingapura, Hong Kong e Austrália.

O obexelimab é um anticorpo monoclonal humanizado bifuncional, não citolítico de investigação que liga o CD19 e FcγRIIb para inibir a atividade das células da linhagem B, plasmabastos e células plasmáticas que expressam CD-19. O Obexelimab está sendo avaliado como uma injeção subcutânea em um estudo global de Fase III em pacientes com Doença Relacionada a IgG4 (IgG4-RD), uma doença para a qual atualmente não há tratamentos aprovados. O composto também está sendo avaliado em um estudo global de Fase II/III em pacientes com Anemia Hemolítica Autoimune de anticorpos quentes (wAIHA).

“Esta colaboração marca um passo importante no alcance da nossa visão de que o obexelimab venha a beneficiar pacientes com doenças autoimunes em todo o mundo”, disse Lonnie Moulder, Fundador e Diretor Executivo da Zenas BioPharma. “A equipe profundamente experiente e dedicada da Bristol Myers Squibb é parceira ideal por seu histórico comprovado de desenvolvimento, capacidades regulatórias e comerciais no Japão e em todo o território licenciado.”

“Esta colaboração é uma grande oportunidade para que possamos atender às necessidades não atendidas das pessoas que vivem com IgG4-RD, para as quais não há opções de tratamento aprovadas”, disse Steve Sugino, Vice-Presidente Sênior e Gerente Geral, Japão, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Estamos entusiasmados em trabalhar com a Zenas BioPharma na expansão do alcance do obexelimab no território licenciado e impacto na vida dos pacientes que estão à espera de um tratamento.”

Sob os termos do contrato de licença, a Zenas receberá um adiantamento de US$ 50 milhões em dinheiro e é elegível para receber pagamentos adicionais em conexão com o alcance de certos marcos de desenvolvimento, regulatórios e comerciais, bem como recebimento de royalties sobre as vendas líquidas do obexelimab no território licenciado. Em troca, a Bristol Myers Squibb receberá direitos exclusivos de desenvolvimento e comercialização do obexelimab no território licenciado. Além disso, a Bristol Myers Squibb está fazendo um investimento de capital na Zenas.

Sobre o Obexelimab

O obexelimab é um anticorpo monoclonal humanizado de Fase 3 bifuncional, não citolítico, de investigação que imita a ação dos complexos antígeno-anticorpo por ligação a CD19 e FcγRIIb para inibir a atividade das células da linhagem B. Em vários estudos clínicos em fase inicial, inclusive de diversas doenças autoimunes, 198 indivíduos foram tratados com obexelimab. Nestes estudos clínicos, o obexelimab demonstrou inibição da função das células B sem a redução das células, e um efeito encorajador no tratamento de pacientes com várias doenças autoimunes. Zenas adquire da Xencor, Inc. direitos mundiais exclusivos do obexelimab.

Mais informações sobre a Fase 3 (INDIGO) do estudo para o tratamento de Doenças Relacionadas à IgG4 estão disponíveis em clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05662241. Mais informações sobre a Fase 3 (SApHiAre) do estudo estão disponíveis em clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05786573.

Sobre a doença relacionada a IgG4

A IgG4-RD é uma doença fibroinflamatória crônica imunomediada que pode afetar múltiplos órgãos, incluindo as principais glândulas salivares, órbitas, glândulas lacrimais, pâncreas, árvore biliar, pulmões, rins e retroperitônio. Cerca de 20.000 pacientes são diagnosticadas com IgG4-RD somente nos Estados Unidos. Apesar da crescente visibilidade da doença, ainda há necessidade de mais pesquisas e opções terapêuticas eficazes para indivíduos que vivem com essa doença debilitante.

Em todo o mundo, o uso de glicocorticoides é amplamente considerado o padrão de tratamento para o tratamento de IgG4-RD. No momento não existe nenhum tratamento aprovado para esta condição. Embora comumente usados, os glicocorticoides e as terapias de depleção de células B disponíveis raramente levam a remissões livres de tratamento a longo prazo e estão associados a um alto risco de toxicidade para os pacientes. Tais terapias também podem prejudicar as respostas vacinais, incluindo as do SARS-CoV-2 e da gripe.

Sobre a Zenas BioPharma

A Zenas BioPharma é uma empresa biofarmacêutica mundial comprometida em se tornar líder global no desenvolvimento e comercialização de terapias imunológicas para pacientes em todo o mundo. Com desenvolvimento clínico e operações globais, a Zenas está avançando um portfólio global profundo e equilibrado das melhores terapêuticas autoimunes em potencial em áreas de alta necessidade médicas, atendendo aos requisitos de valor do dinâmico ambiente global de saúde. O pipeline da empresa continua a crescer por meio da nossa estratégia de desenvolvimento de negócios de sucesso. Nossa experiente equipe de liderança e rede de parceiros de negócios impulsionam a excelência operacional para oferecer terapias potencialmente transformadoras para melhorar a vida das pessoas que enfrentam doenças autoimunes e raras. Para mais informação sobre a Zenas BioPharma, visite www.zenasbio.com e siga-nos no Twitter em @ZenasBioPharma e LinkedIn.

Contato com Investidores e com a Mídia:
Joe Farmer, Presidente e COO
Zenas BioPharma
IR@zenasbio.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8916684

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Zenas BioPharma annonce un accord de licence et de collaboration stratégique avec Bristol Myers Squibb dans le but de développer et commercialiser le nouvel anticorps bifonctionnel obéxélimab au Japon, en Corée du Sud, à Taïwan, à Singapour, à Hong Kong et en Australie

Cette collaboration renforce la vision de Zenas consistant à apporter des médicaments innovants basés sur l’immunologie aux patients dans le monde entier en s’appuyant sur l’expertise de longue date de Bristol Myers Squibb dans les maladies à médiation immunitaire

Zenas recevra un paiement au comptant anticipé de 50 millions de dollars et un placement en actions de la part de Bristol Myers Squibb, ainsi que de potentiels paiements d’étapes supplémentaires et des redevances dans le territoire visé par la licence

WALTHAM, Massachusetts, 05 sept. 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zenas BioPharma, une société biopharmaceutique mondiale déterminée à devenir un leader dans le développement et la commercialisation de traitements basés sur l’immunologie, a annoncé aujourd’hui avoir conclu un accord de licence et de collaboration avec Bristol Myers Squibb Company dans le but de développer et commercialiser l’obéxélimab pour les maladies auto-immunes au Japon, en Corée du Sud, à Taïwan, à Singapour, à Hong Kong et en Australie.

L’obéxélimab est un anticorps monoclonal, humanisé, non cytolytique, bifonctionnel et expérimental qui lie la CD19 et le FcγRIIb afin d’inhiber les cellules B, les plasmablastes et les cellules plasmatiques exprimant la CD19. L’obéxélimab fait actuellement l’objet d’études en tant qu’injection sous-cutanée dans un essai mondial de phase III chez des patients atteints de maladie liée aux IgG4 (ML-IgG4), pour laquelle il n’existe actuellement aucun traitement approuvé. Le composé est également étudié dans le cadre d’un essai mondial de phase II/III chez des patients atteints d’anémie hémolytique auto-immune à auto-anticorps chauds (AHAI chaude).

« Cette collaboration marque une étape importante vers la réalisation de notre vision consistant à permettre aux patients vivant avec des maladies auto-immunes dans le monde entier de bénéficier de l’obéxélimab », a déclaré Lonnie Moulder, fondateur et président-directeur général de Zenas BioPharma. « L’équipe profondément expérimentée et passionnée de Bristol Myers Squibb est un partenaire idéal grâce à ses capacités éprouvées de développement, réglementaires et commerciales au Japon et dans l’ensemble du territoire visé par la licence. »

« Cette collaboration représente une opportunité importante de répondre aux besoins non satisfaits des personnes vivant avec la ML-IgG4, pour laquelle il n’existe aucune option de traitement approuvée », a commenté Steve Sugino, vice-président principal et directeur général au Japon chez Bristol Myers Squibb. « Nous sommes ravis de travailler avec Zenas BioPharma en vue d’étendre la portée de l’obéxélimab dans le territoire visé par la licence et d’avoir un impact sur la vie des patients qui sont dans l’attente. »

En vertu de l’accord de licence, Zenas recevra un paiement au comptant anticipé de 50 millions de dollars et est éligible à recevoir des paiements supplémentaires en relation avec l’atteinte de certaines étapes de développement, réglementaires et commerciales, ainsi que des redevances sur les ventes nettes de l’obéxélimab dans le territoire visé par la licence. En échange, Bristol Myers Squibb recevra les droits exclusifs pour développer et commercialiser l’obéxélimab dans le territoire visé par la licence. En outre, Bristol Myers Squibb fait un placement en actions dans Zenas.

À propos de l’obéxélimab

L’obéxélimab est un anticorps monoclonal, humanisé, non cytolytique, bifonctionnel et expérimental de phase 3 qui imite l’action de complexes antigène-anticorps en liant la CD19 et le FcγRIIb afin d’inhiber l’activité des cellules de lignée B. Dans plusieurs études cliniques de stade précoce, y compris pour diverses maladies auto-immunes, 198 sujets ont été traités avec l’obéxélimab. Dans le cadre de ces études cliniques, l’obéxélimab a démontré une inhibition de la fonction des cellules B sans les épuiser, donnant lieu à un effet thérapeutique encourageant chez les patients atteints de diverses maladies auto-immunes. Zenas a acquis des droits mondiaux exclusifs sur l’obéxélimab auprès de Xencor, Inc.

Davantage d’informations sur l’étude de phase 3 (INDIGO) pour le traitement de la maladie liée aux IgG4 sont disponibles sur clinicaltrials.gov : NCT05662241. Plus d’informations sur l’étude de phase 3 (SApHiAre) sont disponibles sur clinicaltrials.gov : NCT05786573.

À propos de la maladie liée aux IgG4

La ML-IgG4 est une maladie fibro-inflammatoire chronique à médiation immunitaire qui peut toucher plusieurs organes, notamment les glandes salivaires principales, les orbites, les glandes lacrymales, le pancréas, l’arbre biliaire, les poumons, les reins et le rétropéritoine. Environ 20 000 patients sont diagnostiqués comme étant atteints d’une ML-IgG4 rien qu’aux États-Unis. Bien qu’elle soit de plus en plus reconnue, il reste nécessaire de poursuivre la recherche et de trouver des options thérapeutiques efficaces pour les personnes qui vivent avec cette maladie invalidante.

Dans le monde entier, l’utilisation de glucocorticoïdes est largement considérée comme la norme de soins pour traiter la ML-IgG4. Il n’existe aucune option de traitement approuvée pour cette condition. Bien que couramment utilisés, les glucocorticoïdes et les traitements de déplétion des cellules B disponibles conduisent rarement à des rémissions à long terme sans traitement, et sont associés à un risque élevé de toxicité chez ces patients. Ces traitements pourraient également altérer les réponses vaccinales, y compris celles contre le SRAS-CoV-2 et la grippe.

À propos de Zenas BioPharma

Zenas BioPharma est une société biopharmaceutique mondiale déterminée à devenir un leader dans le développement et la commercialisation de traitements basés sur l’immunologie pour les patients dans le monde entier. Avec un développement et des opérations cliniques à l’échelle mondiale, Zenas fait progresser un portefeuille mondial approfondi et équilibré de thérapies auto-immunes potentielles premières et meilleures de leur catégorie dans des domaines où les besoins médicaux ne sont pas satisfaits, tout en répondant aux exigences de valeur de l’environnement dynamique mondial des soins de santé. Le portefeuille de la société continue de croître grâce à notre stratégie de développement commercial fructueuse. Notre équipe de direction expérimentée et notre réseau de partenaires commerciaux stimulent l’excellence opérationnelle pour apporter des thérapies potentiellement transformatrices afin d’améliorer la vie des personnes confrontées à des maladies rares et auto-immunes. Pour tout complément d’information sur Zenas BioPharma, veuillez consulter le site www.zenasbio.com et nous suivre sur Twitter à l’adresse @ZenasBioPharma et LinkedIn.

Contact auprès des investisseurs et des médias :
Joe Farmer, président et directeur de l’exploitation
Zenas BioPharma
IR@zenasbio.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8916684

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Zoom introduces Zoom AI Companion — available at no additional cost with paid Zoom user accounts

New generative AI-powered assistant helps improve collaboration and productivity

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) announced that Zoom AI Companion (formerly Zoom IQ), the company’s generative AI digital assistant, is now included at no additional cost for customers with the paid services in their Zoom user accounts¹. AI Companion reinforces Zoom’s vision to deliver limitless human connection on one platform, empowering people by increasing their productivity, enhancing their skills, and improving team effectiveness. Zoom also announced today that Zoom IQ for Sales, its conversational intelligence software, will be renamed Zoom Revenue Accelerator.

Since Zoom introduced generative AI in early June, thousands of companies have benefited from free trials of Team Chat compose and Meeting summary. Beginning this fall, Zoom will significantly expand its generative AI offering across its platform with the launch of AI Companion, at no additional cost with paid Zoom user accounts.

Zoom’s federated approach to AI delivers high-quality results and lowers costs by dynamically incorporating its own large language models, along with third-party models such as Meta Llama 2, OpenAI, and Anthropic.

Rooted in this unique approach, Zoom AI Companion delivers powerful, real-time digital assistant capabilities to help users improve productivity and work together more effectively. Zoom customers can expect to see AI Companion throughout the entire platform, from Meetings, Team Chat, Phone, Email, and Whiteboard, with additional features on the roadmap.

“We are transcending the hype in generative AI by delivering tangible products and disrupting the industry’s pricing model, making it easy for businesses and people like you and me to leverage generative AI’s full benefits in our day-to-day work,” said Smita Hashim, chief product officer at Zoom. “We were founded on doing what’s right for our customers, and we firmly believe that offering Zoom AI Companion at no additional cost to our paid Zoom user accounts delivers tremendous value as we all navigate the challenges facing us today. We are excited to see our customers and users start using AI Companion and about our strong roadmap for further innovation underpinned by a commitment to responsible AI.”

How Zoom is Putting Customer Privacy First with Generative AI

Zoom’s goal is to invest in AI-driven innovation that enhances user experience and productivity while prioritizing trust, safety, and privacy. In August, Zoom shared that it does not use any customer audio, video, chat, screen-sharing, attachments, or other communications-like customer content (such as poll results, whiteboards, or reactions) to train Zoom’s or third-party artificial intelligence models. Additionally, AI Companion is turned off by default — account owners and administrators control whether to enable these AI features for their accounts. Zoom provides admins and users control and visibility when AI features are being used or activated. By putting its customers’ privacy needs first, Zoom is taking a leadership position, enabling its customers to use AI Companion and its capabilities with confidence.

Modern Work Powered by Zoom AI Companion

AI Companion makes it easy and frictionless to collaborate and become more productive, removing repetitive tasks and distractions, and helping teams collaborate more effectively.

AI Companion incorporates several new real-time AI capabilities immediately, with additional capabilities expected to launch over the next few months. AI Companion is transforming modern work in the following ways:

  • With Zoom Meetings, users can watch recordings faster through highlights and smart chapters, and review summaries and next steps, so they can easily catch up on a missed meeting. In the meeting, if enabled by the meeting host, attendees can catch up quickly without disrupting the meeting flow by discreetly submitting questions via the in-meeting AI Companion side panel to receive an AI-generated answer on what they missed. Post-meeting, hosts can receive an automated meeting summary to share with attendees and those who were unable to attend a meeting. These capabilities help team members who may be in different time zones catch up asynchronously. Planned for spring 2024, users will also have the ability to receive real-time feedback on their presence in meetings, as well as coaching on their conversational and presentation skills.
  • Zoom Team Chat is critical for real-time and asynchronous work, but it is easy to get lost in the volume of messages. AI Companion allows users to quickly draft messages based on the context of a chat thread, as well as change tone and length, so they can spend less time composing replies. In the coming weeks, users will be able to catch up on long chat threads through generative AI summarization, and by early 2024, users will have the ability to auto-complete chat sentences and schedule meetings from a chat.
  • This fall, Zoom Whiteboard users will get help from AI Companion with generating and categorizing ideas, and by spring 2024, users will be able to harness their whiteboard content to generate images and populate whiteboard templates.
  • Additionally, in early fall, Zoom Mail users will be able to get draft email suggestions. By spring 2024, users will be able to add meeting summaries to Zoom Notes and summarize SMS threads and calls with Zoom Phone.
  • In spring 2024, users will be able to interact with AI Companion through a conversational interface that will be able to understand the context of questions and support users with their content across the Zoom platform, such as prior meetings, chats, and select connected third-party apps, even initiating actions on their behalf. For example, users will be able to interact with AI Companion to get help with:
    • Pre-meeting preparation: Ask AI Companion to find the status of key projects to prepare for an upcoming customer meeting. AI Companion will be able to surface knowledge from meetings, chats, whiteboards, emails, documents, and, with users’ permission, from third-party applications on behalf of the user, to provide the latest updates.
    • In-meeting real-time support: Ask AI Companion real-time questions during the meeting to catch up on key points in the discussion, create and file a support ticket on an issue raised during a call, or provide a draft response to a question raised during the meeting.
    • Post meeting: Ask AI Companion to summarize the meeting that was held, automatically identify action items and key stakeholders, and surface the next steps to the relevant stakeholders in Team Chat or, with users’ permission, in their third-party applications.

Easy intuitive interface

Users will be able to access AI Companion from within their existing workflows such as within Zoom Meetings, Zoom Team Chat, and Zoom Whiteboard for capabilities such as Meeting summaries, Team Chat compose, and Whiteboard generation with a simple, easy-to-use experience. Starting now, users can additionally have interactive capabilities with AI Companion via a side panel by accessing these directly within the Meetings experience; this capability will expand across the Zoom platform in spring 2024, as capabilities are added.

For more information on AI Companion, visit the Zoom website.

About Zoom
Zoom is an all-in-one intelligent collaboration platform that makes connecting easier, more immersive, and more dynamic for businesses and individuals. Zoom technology puts people at the center, enabling meaningful connections, facilitating modern collaboration, and driving human innovation through solutions like team chat, phone, meetings, omnichannel cloud contact center, smart recordings, whiteboard, and more, in one offering. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more info at zoom.com.

Zoom Public Relations
Lacretia Taylor
press@zoom.us

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¹ Zoom AI Companion may not be available for select verticals and select regional customers.

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8916139

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Zenas BioPharma Announces Strategic License and Collaboration Agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb to Develop and Commercialize Novel Bi-Functional Antibody Obexelimab in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia

Collaboration furthers Zenas’ vision to bring innovative immunology-based medicines to patients around the world by leveraging Bristol Myers Squibb’s long-standing expertise in immune-mediated diseases

Zenas will receive a $50 million up-front cash payment and an equity investment from Bristol Myers Squibb, along with additional potential milestone-based payments and royalties in the licensed territory

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zenas BioPharma, a global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of immunology-based therapies, today announced that it has entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb Company to develop and commercialize obexelimab for autoimmune diseases in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.

Obexelimab is an investigational bifunctional, non-cytolytic, humanized monoclonal antibody that binds CD19 and FcγRIIb to inhibit B cells, plasmablasts, and CD19-expressing plasma cells. Obexelimab is currently being studied as a subcutaneous injection in a global Phase III trial in patients with IgG4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD), a disease for which there are currently no approved treatments. The compound is also being studied in a global Phase II/III trial in patients with warm antibody Auto-Immune Hemolytic Anemia (wAIHA).

“This collaboration marks an important step forward in realizing our vision for obexelimab to benefit patients living with auto immune diseases globally,” said Lonnie Moulder, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Zenas BioPharma. “The deeply experienced and passionate team at Bristol Myers Squibb is an ideal partner based on their proven development, regulatory and commercial capabilities in Japan and throughout the licensed territory.”

“This collaboration represents an important opportunity to address unmet needs for people living with IgG4-RD, for which there are no approved treatment options,” said Steve Sugino, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Japan, Bristol Myers Squibb. “We are excited to work with Zenas BioPharma to expand the reach of obexelimab in the licensed territory and to make an impact on the lives of patients that are waiting.”

Under the terms of the license agreement, Zenas will receive a $50 million up-front cash payment and is eligible to receive additional payments in connection with the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as royalties on net sales of obexelimab in the licensed territory. In exchange, Bristol Myers Squibb will receive exclusive rights to develop and commercialize obexelimab in the licensed territory. In addition, Bristol Myers Squibb is making an equity investment in Zenas.

About Obexelimab

Obexelimab is an investigational Phase 3-stage, bifunctional, non-cytolytic, humanized monoclonal antibody that mimics the action of antigen-antibody complexes by binding CD19 and FcγRIIb to inhibit B-lineage cell activity. In several early-stage clinical studies, including in various autoimmune diseases, 198 subjects were treated with obexelimab. In these clinical studies, obexelimab demonstrated inhibition of B cell function without depleting the cells, resulting in encouraging treatment effect in patients with various autoimmune diseases. Zenas acquired exclusive worldwide rights to obexelimab from Xencor, Inc.

More information on the Phase 3 (INDIGO) study for the treatment of IgG4 Related Disease is available at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05662241. More information on the Phase 3 (SApHiAre) study is available at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05786573.

About IgG4-related disease

IgG4-RD is a chronic, immune-mediated fibro-inflammatory disease that can affect multiple organs including the major salivary glands, orbits, lacrimal glands, pancreas, biliary tree, lungs, kidneys, and retroperitoneum. Approximately 20,000 patients are diagnosed with IgG4-RD in the United States alone. Despite its increasing recognition, there remains a need for further research and effective therapeutic options for individuals living with this debilitating disease.

Across the world, the use of glucocorticoids is widely considered to be the standard of care for treating IgG4-RD. There are no approved treatment options for this condition. While commonly used, glucocorticoids and available B cell depleting therapies rarely lead to long-term, treatment-free remissions, and are associated with a high risk of toxicity in these patients. Such therapies may also impair vaccine responses, including those for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza.

About Zenas BioPharma

Zenas BioPharma is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of immunology-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.

Investor and Media Contact:
Joe Farmer, President & COO
Zenas BioPharma
IR@zenasbio.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8916029

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Sabin Vaccine Institute Leads Public and Private Sector Fight to Prevent HPV and End Cervical Cancer with Global HPV Consortium Launch in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Global HPV Consortium, a worldwide public and private collaboration focused on accelerating prevention of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and eliminating cervical cancer, launched today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Sabin Vaccine Institute will lead the Consortium as its Secretariat.

“We are building a new ecosystem in global public health,” said Anuradha Gupta, President of Global Immunization at Sabin. “We aim to create and implement a strategic roadmap focused on improving access and adoption of the tools in our HPV prevention arsenal – vaccines, screening, and treatment of precancerous lesions.”

Cervical cancer affects more than 600,00 women each year. It kills approximately 350,000 women annually, is increasing in frequency, and is highly preventable with the HPV vaccine. Almost 90% of the deaths from cervical cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries, where resources including secondary prevention such as screening and treatment, are limited. Without action, cervical cancer is projected to increase almost 50% by 2040.

“Today, we gather at a crossroads of innovation, commitment and resolve, to confront an issue of key importance to women and families world-wide: HPV – the human papillomavirus – and cervical cancer,” said Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization. “Cervical cancer is not only a health concern, but also a barrier to women’s ability to pursue an education, advance their economic opportunities and support the well-being of their families. That’s why the launch of the HPV Consortium is not just timely, but essential.”

The Consortium brings together a transdisciplinary alliance of public and private stakeholders, including organisations working on vaccination, cancer-control, non-communicable diseases, HIV, reproductive and adolescent health, gender equity and women empowerment. Joining the launch are country leaders, policy makers, implementers, researchers, youth advocates, women champions, non-profits, and industry representatives including manufacturers of vaccines, syringes, cold-chain, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

These goals support the groundbreaking 2018 World Health Organization Initiative to end cervical cancer –the first cancer targeted for elimination – and the World Health Organization’s 90-70-90 strategy of 90 percent of women vaccinated, 70 percent screened, and 90 percent treated by 2030.

“The Consortium is critical for building a better understanding of the impact of HPV and of cervical cancer on women,” said Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, who is delivering the keynote address. “We have work to do if we truly want to eliminate cervical cancer.”

Although the HPV vaccine has been available for 17 years, fewer than 1 in 7 eligible girls have received the vaccine and the global number vaccinated for HPV fell during the pandemic.

“The pandemic has highlighted the need for new collaborations. The Consortium’s uniqueness lies in the wide range of diverse partners uniting behind a common cause,” said Gupta. “It is time to topple silos and work across disciplines to prevent HPV, stop needless deaths and end cervical cancer.”

The Consortium will meet through Sept. 6.

For more information about the Consortium, visit: www.globalhpvconsortium.org

For media inquiries: press@sabin.org

About the Sabin Vaccine Institute

The Sabin Vaccine Institute is a leading advocate for expanding vaccine access and uptake globally, advancing vaccine research and development, and amplifying vaccine knowledge and innovation. Unlocking the potential of vaccines through partnership, Sabin has built a robust ecosystem of funders, innovators, implementers, practitioners, policy makers and public stakeholders to advance its vision of a future free from preventable diseases. As a non-profit with three decades of experience, Sabin is committed to finding solutions that last and extending the full benefits of vaccines to all people, regardless of who they are or where they live. At Sabin, we believe in the power of vaccines to change the world. For more information, visit www.sabin.org and follow us on X, @SabinVaccine.

Media Contact:
Monika Guttman
Media Relations Specialist
Sabin Vaccine Institute
+1 (202) 662-1841
press@sabin.org

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8916130

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William Ruto: Africa can meet all energy needs

The President of Kenya, William Ruto, highlighted this Monday, in Nairobi, the potential of Africa’s renewable resources that can supply all of the continent’s energy needs.

“The continent has enough potential to be fully self-sufficient with the combination of wind, solar, geothermal and sustainable energy, biomass and hydroelectric energy”, said the President at the opening of the plenary session of the ministerial segment of the African Climate Summit, which he hosts.

Indeed, added the Kenyan President, Africa can be a green industrial hub that helps other regions achieve their net zero emissions strategies by 2050.

Looking at the light, present almost every year, such availability makes Africa’s solar potential particularly unique, perfectly suited to industrial energy needs – something it finds more challenging in temperate climates.

Moreover, restoring and expanding Africa’s natural resources and carbon sinks is not just an environmental imperative, but an unparalleled economic gold mine.

“They have the potential to absorb millions of tons of CO2 annually, which should translate into billions of dollars, better livelihoods and millions of opportunities across the continent”, William Ruto envisaged, underlining that such action also contributes to the protection of biodiversity.

To him, Africa’s renewable energy resources are not just an environmental need, but an ultimate catalyst for radical socio-economic prosperity.

According to the president, they can feed development, boost economic growth, create jobs and lift millions of people out of energy poverty – all while reducing our carbon footprint, continentally and globally.

Kenya National Network

As an example, he brings his country as a good example of what is possible, having a national grid that currently operates at 3 GigaWatts, 92% of which is renewable energy.

The ambition is audacious, but achievable, said the Kenyan statesman, further explaining that 100% renewable by 2030 and a 100 GigaWatt network, fully renewable by 2040 is possible.

Thus, to bridge the investment gap in order to allow the continent to meet its energy needs, the Head of State advocates creating demand on a sufficient scale to provide incentives for adequate private investment in developed energy infrastructure.

Adding value to minerals

In front of a large audience, the President of Kenya demonstrated other Geoeconomic opportunities for Africa.

Highlighting Africa’s important intervention in the extraction of minerals, he recalls that much of it needs the addition of greater value – smelting, refining, assembly and even the production of electric vehicles (EV), as happens in other geographies.

Still based on calculations to aggregate the various perspectives, it predicts that by 2025, it is estimated that the mining of essential minerals for batteries, such as nickel, lithium and cobalt, will generate around 11 billion dollars in value.

However, he adds, if the next step is taken and value-added activities are involved, such as refining these minerals into industrial quality metals, this value could quadruple, to US$50 billion.

He then clarified that considering the end-to-end value chain of electric vehicles, including battery and all other components, the market value skyrockets to an astonishing seven billion dollars, adding that these numbers demonstrate clearly that Africa can no longer afford a short-term minimalist, raw materials-based approach.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

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African summit outlines new funding architecture

African countries are to outline, this Tuesday, in Nairobi, Kenya, a new climate finance architecture, after defaults by industrialized countries.

In the high-level segment of the African Climate Summit, which brings together Heads of State and Government, the African Union, among other partners, countries will create the conditions of the “Global Climate Agenda”.

In this session, in which some Heads of State and Government will speak, including Angola, the Declaration of Nairobi will be adopted, as well as high-level ones from Member States and guests.

The summary and route from Nairobi to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate-COP28, scheduled for December this year, will also be presented in this session.

The issue of promoting the blue economy, green minerals and manufacturing, transforming Africa’s food systems, expanding Africa’s adaptation, renewable energy and transition are other points to be reviewed in this high-level segment.

Under the motto “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World”, the Summit focuses on presenting innovative green growth and climate financing solutions in Africa and the world.

The forum will take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where a mini-summit is already taking place, bringing together technicians from several countries, including Angola.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

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Gov. Oborevwori urges corps members to provide quality education in host communities

The Delta State Governor, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, has called on corps members posted to their various places of primary assignment to help the state governments in providing quality educational services in their host communities.

Oborevwori, represented by the Chief of Staff (COS), Mr Johnson Erijo, said this on Tuesday, at the closing ceremony of the orientation of Batch B Stream II members, at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, Issele Uku.

“Delta State will utilise your services in all spheres of life, and particularly, in the area of teaching our young ones in our various schools.

“You are, therefore, to ensure that positive values and knowledge are imparted to these children that God has placed you to serve,” he said.

He urged the corps members to see their service year as a mark of honour and call to service in recognition of their worth to Nigeria.

“I enjoin you, therefore, to use this opportunity to make new friends, break new grounds and gain a better understanding of Nigeria and the people of Delta State.

“You are encouraged to devote some of your time to self-development and reflection on your plans for post-service life.

“Please, avoid needless travels as the risks involved are many,” he said.

He said that the government was working to lay a solid foundation, so that the future, where they aspire to be leaders, would hold genuine hopes and bright prospects for a greater nation.

“Our country is currently passing through some economic challenges, but our great nation will come out of it, stronger, better and more prosperous.

“Please be confident of a fairer economic, social and political stability in that future where you will surely be its leaders,” he said.

The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Olusegun Alao, urged the corps members to see themselves as leaders of today rather than leaders of tomorrow.

Alao said that he was confident that the trainings they acquired during the orientation course had prepared them.

“I congratulate, you my dear corps members, for successfully completing the 21 days orientation course.

“I commend you all for your courage and commitment which led to the success recorded.

“I, therefore, enjoin you to continue with the Post-Camp SAED Training wherever you are posted to.

“The government and people of Delta State will appreciate your contributions to the development of Delta in the areas of education, infrastructure and healthcare delivery during your one year service.

“I assure you that your contributions will be printed in gold in the history of the State,” the coordinator said.

He said it had been the tradition of the state government to continue to recognise hard work among corps members deployed to Delta State.

“I humbly renew our request for continued infrastructural development of this camp in order to conveniently accommodate and cater for the welfare of corps members that will be deployed to the state,” Alao said.(NAN)(nannews.com.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Make home fronts peaceful for your husbands, NAOWA chairperson charges members

The wife of the General Officer Commanding(GOC), 82 Division, Mrs Nafesat Dada, has urged wives of army personnel to keep supporting their husbands by making their homes peaceful for them at all times.

Dada, who is the Chairperson of Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) 82 Division Chapter, gave the advice on Tuesday during her familiarisation visit to 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia.

She charged the wives to always keep the home front running well to give their husbands necessary support and peace of mind in order to make progress in the discharge of their national duties.

“We should treat our men as our babies by caring for them because they pass through a lot of pressure and we know that the South-East generally is facing another phase of life.

“We want them to always be strong as we women always know ourselves to be strong people and supportive weapon for our husbands,” she said.

The GOC’s wife charged the women to shun tribalism and any other acts capable of causing disaffection among themselves in the barracks.

Dada, who inspected some of NAOWA facilities, promised to support the army personnel’s wives for them to achieve their goals.

She thanked the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Nsikak Edet, for being supportive and caring to the wives and army personnel in the barracks.

The brigade commander expressed gratitude to the NAOWA chairperson and her team for the visit, while pledging his support for the women’s projects.

He said he was working tirelessly towards addressing some of the challenges being faced in the barracks, including unstable power supply, water shortage, lack of school, poor transportation and others.

“We have a challenge of school and we should have NAOWA school for our children in this barrack.

“We are working very hard to make sure that we overcome those challenges soon,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the GOC’s wife and the brigade commander made presentations to each other.(NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Soludo announces free antenatal, delivery care for expectant mothers

Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra on Tuesday launched free antenatal care and delivery for expectant mothers for the remaining period of his administration.

Soludo described the gesture as part of his government’s palliative measures to cushion the effect of hardship on Anambra people.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the launch took place at the Nnobi General Hospital in Idemili South Local Government Area.

The governor said that his administration was committed to ensuring unhindered access to health care, especially at the grassroots level.

“We have been renovating and equipping our hospitals.

“Over 300 health workers have been recruited and I recently approved the recruitment of additional 500 to work at the primary healthcare centres.

“We want to make medical services available to everyone and we have adopted telemedicine to ensure unlimited access to healthcare in the state.

“Under my watch as the governor, we will be implementing free antenatal care and delivery for pregnant women.

“But I employ you to give birth to the number of children you can take care of.

“Our goal is to prioritise the health of pregnant women and their unborn babies.

“I urge our health workers to give quality attention to our pregnant women at no cost,” Soludo said.

He further said that other interventions had been mapped out for civil servants, pensioners and households to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

“From now to December, all workers and pensioners will be paid N12,000 monthly, in addition to their salaries and pensions.

“Pensioners, who retired from 2018 to 2022, were not paid their gratuities but since we came in, we have cleared 2018 and 2019 gratuities.

“We started paying those who retired in 2020 and we will continue to pay.

“Part of the interventions is the distribution of bags of rice to 300,000 households and it will commence by the end of the month,” the governor said.

Also, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said the free services would be implemented at all the government health facilities in the state.

He urged pregnant women in the state to take advantage of the governor’s kind gesture but cautioned health workers against the abuse of the opportunity.

“The governor’s good intention for pregnant woman should not be taken for granted.

“Any health worker found demanding money or diverting materials and drugs would face serious sanctions.

“We appeal to residents to help us monitor the exercise, if they discover any irregularity they should as a matter of urgency report to us so that we can address it,” Obidike said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Zulum approves N2bn workers’ loan, 30 buses to ease transportation

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has announced the approval of N2 billion for workers’ loan and 30 buses to ease their transportation and prevailing economic difficulties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Zulum also directed the Ministry of Finance to implement outstanding promotion benefits to workers.

He spoke during a meeting with officials of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

“Borno Government has approved the release of N2 billion to the state chapter of NLC as loan to state civil servants.

“Futhermore, we have approved the release of 30 buses mainly to convey civil servants to thier respective places of work within Maiduguri and environs.

“In response to their request, government has also directed the Ministry of Finance to ensure the implementation of promotion benefits to all those promoted between 2016 and April 2022,” Zulum said.

He also announced an increase, from N100 million to N200 million, the monthly release to the Office of the Head of Service for the settlement of backlog of gratuity.

He lauded the understanding shown to his administration by workers and promised to continue to do his best for workers and other citizens within the meagre state resources.

Responding, the state NLC Chairman, Mr Yusuf Inuwa, described the meeting with the governor as the third and fruitful.

Inuwa said that the union tabled nine demands of which five were met.

“We presented and discussed one item after another to arrive at a solution.

“We sent about nine items as proposal and we are able to get five,” Inuwa said.

He said that one of the approvals from the governor included the allocation to workers some of the government houses approved for sale by a committee.

On the N2 billion loan for workers, the labour leader said that N1.5 billion would go to the state workers, while N500 million would go to their local government counterparts. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria