Netjoy records new high gross billing hitting RMB8.137 billion in 2023

HONG KONG, Mar 29, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Netjoy Holdings Limited (“Netjoy” or “the Company”, together with its subsidiaries, “the Group”, stock code: 2131.HK), a leading one-stop short video marketing solution platform service provider in the PRC, announced today its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2023 (the “Reporting Period”), reporting historical high total bill and marked increase in profitability.

Steady high-quality development Consolidating business and exploring new opportunities

In 2023, benefitting from thriving cutting-edge technologies such as AI and social media content platforms increasingly leaning towards “short video”, the content forms in various digital economic fields became more diverse and intelligent. During the Reporting Period, the Group adhered to its development strategy underscored by technologies and creativity, and effectively met the higher requirements of advertisers in digital marketing, channel diversity, and achieving precise results. In 2023, the Group fortified its results performance and saw its profitability rebound. Moreover, with leading marketing techniques and the ability to provide one-stop solutions, its businesses either grew with robust or prided strong growth momentum.

During the Reporting Period, the Group achieved healthy gross bill growth, reaching historical high at RMB 8.137 billion, 10.54% higher than the RMB7.361 billion in 2022. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of its gross bill between 2018 and 2023 was 38.25%. With its business layout steadily expanding and active adjustment made to the structure of its quality customer base, the Group record total revenue of RMB3.01 billion.

With efforts made to raise operational efficiency, optimize cost structure and respond with flexibility to market demand, the Group managed to markedly boost profitability. Its gross profit increased by 722.62% year-on-year to RMB 250.75 million, with gross profit margin at 8.33%, up by 7.41 percentage points year-on-year. Adjusted net profit rose 112.53% year-on-year to RMB 24.96 million, and cash and cash equivalents were RMB361 million, reflective of the Group being cash-sufficient to support operation and pursue new initiatives.

Upgrading platform technology Driving business growth of high-quality and efficiency

Short video marketing is one of the core strengths of the Group. During the Reporting Period, the Group provided customized online marketing solutions to 1,089 advertisers and gross profit margin of the business increased by 5.30 percentage points year-on-year to 5.70%. By utilizing platform systems like “Tianji” and “Tradeplus”, the Group was able to produce content in scale, ensures precise delivery, employs big data to analyze effectiveness and carry out independent budget management to meet customers’ fine demands along the short video marketing chain.

With the Group having completed interation and upgrade of “Tianji”, the number of users of the platform increased by 188.24% year-on-year to 490 during the Reporting Period, and its highest quarterly turnover continued to climb, by 18.85% year-on-year, to RMB1.324 billion. Moreover, the Group has invested more resources into research and commercialization of AIGC technology, and has used AIGC products to automatically create short video scripts, social media content and graphics, and advertising images and video materials. During the Reporting Period, the Group’s gross billing per capita increased by 16.19% year-on-year to RMB23.18 million, and the Group’s own video production team had put out the most more than 436 project items per capita in a month, 21.45% more year-on-year. The cumulative impressions generated by the Group’s programmed and delivered short videos have surpassed 1,303.7 billion, with views exceeding 468.8 billion.

Deepened close cooperation with leading platforms to foster consumer base expand

During the Reporting Period, as online marketing content has become more diverse and personalized, the Group established a high-standard virtual reality (“VR”) production base and forged strategic partnerships with leading domestic metaverse and AI technology companies. It also continued to deepen cooperation with leading content platforms such as Douyin Group, Kuaishou, Tencent, Xiaohongshu, Alibaba Group, and JD.com, and expanded its reach to new platforms such as Bilibili and Alipay. The Group also further expanded its customer base. As at the end of 2023, it served 1,089 advertisers, representing a 21.54% increase year-on-year, from industries like financial services, Internet services, online games, culture and media, e-commerce, and others, boasting a clientele with a stable and balanced structure, and heading for diversified development.

The Group also exports creative short videos to help it tap the international market. With the help of AI translation, AI avatar synthesis and other technologies, it managed to localize production of creative videos for markets such as Europe, America and Southeast Asia, empowering corporate customers to speed up advance into overseas markets and increase brand awareness. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Group’s business covered markets with users speaking 13 foreign languages namely English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Indonesian, Malay and became partner of TikTok and Temu in commercial video creation.

Improved full-solution e-commerce service system to form vertical advantages in multiple fields

In 2023, the Group gradually improved its e-commerce service system which covers different marketing formats, including brand self-broadcasting, KOL promotion and store operations, to provide brands with complete e-commerce chain services based on the short video ecology comprising “people, goods and venues”. During the Reporting Period, the Group achieved effective gross merchandise volume (“effective GMV”) of RMB1,129.15 million, 293.13% more year-on-year. With big data analytic skills and shrewd insights of customer needs, the Group provided the short video marketing Click ID (“CID”) technical services, which facilitated seamless data linkages for e-commerce customers both within and outside the advertising placement station.

Also in 2023, the Group enhanced its e-commerce service advantages for serving such vertical industries as 3C digital, beauty and personal care, household daily cleaning, pet foods, local living, and Big Health-related products. It was able to extensively reach upstream suppliers and downstream sales terminals of the e-commerce industrial chain, expand coverage of its yet more comprehensive e-commerce service capability, as well as strengthen influence in the social media e-commerce industrial chain.

During the Reporting Period, the Group’s headquarters in Xi’an overseeing business in central and western China began operation and became its important business operation and development base. This headquarters served as a crucial base for various functions, including the Group’s research and development, video production, live e-commerce operation, short video and live broadcasting training, etc., giving the Group a better business management model and cost structure, allowing it to improve internal human resources allocation and business operational efficiency on multiple fronts.

Looking ahead at 2024, the Group is committed to advancing its major development strategies of “Platformization,” “Diversification,” and “Internationalization.” Building upon this foundation, the Group will continue to pursue R&D of and apply the latest digital technologies to power up AIGC technology, strengthen its diversified business matrix and explore new models to help it thrive on new potential-rich business tracks. To further expand its market share, the Group will also deepen its e-commerce industrial chain layout and intensify its presence in key vertical industries. In addition, it will improve international resources so as to enlarge the room for value growth in overseas markets. Moreover, the Group will seek strategic cooperation, and investment merger and acquisition opportunities, integrate upstream and downstream resources to give full play to its leading role, and seize market opportunities compatible with its capabilities and advantages, and hasten laying out and developing its high-value business ecology.

About Netjoy Holdings Limited

Founded in 2012, Netjoy Holdings Limited (“Netjoy”, stock code: 2131.HK) is a leading one-stop short video marketing solutions platform provider in the PRC. The Group is committed to connecting global customers with Chinese audiences efficiently using cutting-edge marketing technology. It provides advertisers in its diverse and high-growth customer base with full-chain integrated short-video marketing services, comprising content production, programmatic and precise cross-platform advertising, real-time performance monitoring and data analytics.

With a self-developed cloud service system, Netjoy provides services, including internet services, online gaming, financial services, and e-commerce, to 29,643 advertisers in 277 vertical segments. Armed with leading technological advantages and rich industry experience, the Group has expanded its diversified business to cover new fields such as e-commerce services, cross-border brand services and the talent economy.

For more information about Netjoy Holdings Limited, please visit: www.netjoy.com

Sino Biopharm (1177.HK) Announces 2023 Annual Results

HONG KONG, Mar 29, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited (“Sino Biopharm” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) (HKEX:1177), a leading innovation-driven pharmaceutical conglomerate in the PRC, has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2023.

During the year, the Group recorded revenue of approximately RMB26.20 billion, an increase of approximately 0.7% over last year. Profit attributable to the owners of the parent company was approximately RMB2.33 billion. Earnings per share attributable to the owners of the parent company were approximately RMB12.59 cents, a decrease of approximately 7.8% over last year, which was mainly due to the lower financial performance of an associate over last year. Excluding the profit attributable to the owners of the parent from the discontinued operations, the share of profits and losses of associates and a joint venture (net of related tax and non-controlling interests), one-off adjustments for the impairment and fair value changes of certain assets and liabilities (net of related tax and noncontrolling interests), fair value (gains)/losses of current equity investments, share-based payments (net of related non-controlling interests), loss on extinguishment of partial convertible bond, fair value gain of convertible bond embedded derivative component, effective interest expenses, exchange gain and fair value losses of derivative financial instruments in relation to foreign currency forward contracts of the convertible bond debt component, adjusted non-HKFRS profit attributable to the owners of the parent was approximately RMB2.59 billion, an increase of around 1.5% over last year. The Group’s liquidity remains strong, with total fund reserve at approximately RMB21.13 billion, including cash and bank balances classified under current assets of approximately RMB9.45 billion, bank deposit classified under non-current assets of approximately RMB7.31 billion, and the wealth management products of approximately RMB4.37 billion in aggregate.

The Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend payment of HK3 cents per share (2022: HK6 cents). Together with the interim dividend of HK2 cents already paid, the total dividend for the year amounted to HK5 cents (2022: HK12 cents).

Sales: Strong and effective sales system continued to drive sales and revenue of innovative products

On the strong foundation its generic drug business provides, the Company is transforming at full steam powered by innovation, with innovative products business driving revenue growth and contributing an increasing share to its revenue every year. Revenue from innovative products amounted to RMB9.89 billion, up by 13.3% year-on-year, and accounted for 37.8% of the Group’s total revenue.

During the year, the sales of oncology medicines amounted to approximately RMB8.80 billion, representing approximately 33.6% of the Group’s revenue. The sales of surgery/analgesia and liver disease amounted to approximately RMB3.75 billion and RMB3.82 billion, respectively, representing approximately 14.3% and 14.6% of the Group’s revenue, respectively. In addition, sales contributions from various areas such as respiratory, cardio-cerebral vascular medicines and others were progressing simultaneously. Among them, the sales of respiratory and cardio-cerebral vascular medicines accounted for approximately 11.3% and 10.5% of the Group’s revenue, respectively.

R&D: Vigorously conducted innovative product R&D and actively applied for patents

The Group has continued to focus its R&D efforts on new medicines in the four therapeutic areas of oncology, liver diseases, respiratory system and surgery/analgesia. As at the end of the reporting period, the Group had 145 products under development, including 60 oncology products, 9 liver disease products, 31 respiratory system products, and 15 surgery/analgesia products, of which 67 were Category I innovative products.

The Group also attaches tremendous importance to the protection of intellectual property rights and encourages its member enterprises to file patent applications in order to enhance the Group’s core competitiveness. During the reporting period, the Group filed 841 new patent applications and received 264 patent invention approvals. As at the end of the reporting period, the Group had accumulated 4,311 effective patents and patent applications and obtained 1,595 patent invention approvals.

Prospects: Enhanced the efficiency of R&D in the four main therapeutic areas and actively promoted the dual-pronged development strategy

With the COVID-19 pandemic gradually subsiding, the economic and social order has returned to normal, and the pharmaceutical industry is expected to recover. The Group has been closely monitoring the development of the country, society and industry, and has made timely adjustments to its development strategies, focused on the operation of core assets to realize rapid business development and steady improvement in results.

Sino Biopharm is committed to “be a leading global pharmaceutical company through delivering innovative therapies for patients”. The Group has stepped up its R&D investment in medicines and built strong internal R&D capabilities. At the same time, it has vigorously promoted business development and strategic cooperation, striving to become the best partner for global pharmaceutical and biotechnology enterprises. At present, the Group has entered the harvest period of its innovative development. In the next three years, more than 10 innovative products are expected to be launched to market, and another 30 or more innovative products under R&D have the potential to be launched by 2030, which will further promote the high-quality development, strengthen the Group’s dominance in the four aforementioned therapeutic areas and provide strong impetus for its future sustainable growth. Meanwhile, the Group will adhere to its dual-pronged approach in the implementation of its globalization strategy, so as to become an important platform of global innovation. Through this approach, the Group will introduce global pharmaceutical innovations to China to benefit Chinese patients, and also go global and open up new markets to accelerate the satisfaction of unmet clinical needs worldwide.

Looking ahead, the Group will further focus on its core business and innovation, and continue to improve R&D efficiency and quality in the four major therapeutic areas. It will also actively accelerate the deployment for globalization of its business and is expected to achieve faster growth in 2024.

About Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited (HKEX:1177)

Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited is a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company continuing to invest in Oncology, Hepatology, Respiratory and Surgery, exploring innovative therapies to improve the lives of patients. The company has strong manufacturing capabilities and broad patient access across China. Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited is committed to bring innovation to address unmet healthcare needs globally. The company was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2000, and was selected as a component of the MSCI Global Standard Index in China in 2013; In 2018, it was selected as a constituent stock of Hang Seng Index; The company has been listed in the “Top 50 Global Pharmaceutical Enterprises” published by the authoritative American magazine Pharmaceutical Manager for five consecutive years, and has been rated as the “Top 50 Best Companies in Asia Pacific” by Forbes (Asia) for three consecutive years.

For more information, please visit: www.sinobiopharm.com

TANAKA Memorial Foundation Announces Recipients of FY2023 Precious Metals Research Grants

Professor Haruichi Kanaya of Kyushu University presented the Umekichi Tanaka Award for research on bonding wire with electromagnetic wave shielding function, and Professor Seiji Ogo of Kyushu University presented the Gold Award for the development of precious metal hydrogen energy electron carriers
The development of bonding wires that contribute to highly reliable high-frequency wireless communication circuits and the creation of a hydrogen-derived electron carrier that enables direct use of electrons when needed received awards

TOKYO, Mar 29, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – The TANAKA Memorial Foundation’s Representative Director, Hideya Okamoto, announced the recipients of the FY2023 Precious Metals Research Grants.

Following a rigorous screening process, the Umekichi Tanaka Award, for 10 million yen, was presented to Professor Haruichi Kanaya of Kyushu University, and the Gold Award, for 2 million yen, was presented to Professor Seiji Ogo of Kyushu University. In addition, one research project received the Silver Award, and three Young Researcher Awards were presented.

The TANAKA Memorial Foundation undertakes programs designed to foster developments in new precious metal fields while contributing to the advancement of science, technology, and socio-economics for the overall enrichment of society. The research grant program was launched in FY1999 and has continued each year since with the goal of supporting the various challenges of the “new world opened up by precious metals.” This year, the program’s 25th year, the Umekichi Tanaka Award was established in honor of the founder, Umekichi Tanaka, who was instrumental in expanding the industrial use of precious metals, and researchers were invited to apply for the program in a wide range of fields where precious metals can make contributions to the research and development of new technologies, and research and development can be applied to precious metals. As a result, a total of 210 applications were received, and a total of 19 research grants of 19.9 million yen was awarded.

The names of the recipients of the Umekichi Tanaka Award and Gold Award, their research, and the reasons for their selection are below.

Umekichi Tanaka Award
Professor Haruichi Kanaya of Kyushu University
Research on bonding wire with electromagnetic wave shielding function
This research engages in development to make it possible to use bonding wire in the high-frequency band, which was not previous possible, by coating the surface of bonding wire with a magnetic thin film containing precious metals. It is an extremely groundbreaking advancement that further applies the unprecedented phenomenon of magnetic thin films under study. It is expected to be applied to general electric wires, and the great potential for the expansion of precious metals into new material fields was also highly rated.

Gold Award
Professor Seiji Ogo of Kyushu University
Development of precious metal hydrogen energy electron carriers
This research seeks to create a single hydrogen-derived electron (precious metal complex) that can extract electrons from hydrogen under mild conditions and directly use the electrons when needed, as an unprecedented concept. It was highly rated not only as innovative energy carriers for the realization of carbon neutrality, but also as a potential for direct use in various catalytic reactions.

One Silver Award, three Young Researcher Awards, and 13 TANAKA Special Awards were also granted. The recipients and an overview of the Precious Metals Research Grants are indicated below. Applications for the FY2024 research grants are scheduled to open in the fall.

Overview of the 2023 Precious Metals Research Grants

[Conditions]
Research content that falls under any of the following
– New technology related to precious metals (new materials, processing methods, process development, etc.)
– Research that brings about innovative evolution in product development (new functions, process development, computational science, etc.)
– Research and development of new products using precious metals
– Effective technologies for creating a well-balanced and prosperous society
* Precious metal refers to eight elements of platinum, gold, silver, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and osmium.
* If development is conducted jointly (or planned to be) with other material manufacturers, please indicate so.
* Products that have already been commercialized, put to practical use, or that are planned are not eligible.

[Grant Amounts] (Maximum amounts from a grant pool of 20 million yen)
– Umekichi Tanaka Award (New): 10 million yen
– Gold Award: 2 million yen
– Silver Award: 1 million yen
– Young Researcher Award: 1 million yen
– TANAKA Special Award (Previously Encouragement Award): 300,000 yen
* The grant amount is treated as a scholarship donation.
* Awards may not be granted in some cases.
* The Platinum Award was discontinued from this year.

[Eligible Candidates]
– Personnel who belong to (or work for) educational institutions in Japan (universities, graduate schools, or technical colleges) or public and related research institutions may participate.
* As long as the applicant is affiliated with a research institution in Japan, the base of activity can be in Japan or overseas.
* The Young Researcher Awards are for researchers under the age of 37 as of April 1, 2023.

[Application Period]
– 9am, September 4, 2023 (Mon) – 5pm, November 30, 2023 (Thu)

[Inquiries Concerning the Research Grant Program]
Precious Metals Research Grants Office
Global Marketing / R&D Supervisory Department, TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.
22F Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6422
E-mail: joseikin@ml.tanaka.co.jp
TANAKA Memorial Foundation website: https://tanaka-foundation.or.jp

TANAKA Memorial Foundation
Organization Name: TANAKA Kikinzoku Memorial Foundation
Address: 22F Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Hideya Okamoto (Special Advisor, TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.)
Incorporated: 2015
Purpose of Business: To provide grants for research related to precious metals to contribute to the development and cultivation of new fields for precious metals, and to the development of science, technology, and the social economy.
Areas of Business:
– Provision of grants for scientific and technological research related to precious metals.
– Recognition of excellent analysis of precious metals and holding of seminars and other events.

TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: 22F, Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Founded: 1885
Incorporated: 1918*
Representative: Koichiro Tanaka, Group CEO
Capital: 500 million yen
Net sales of consolidated group: 611,100 million yen (as of the fiscal year ended December 2023)
Employees in consolidated group: 5,355 employees (as of the fiscal year ended December 2023)
Main businesses of the group: The holding company at the center of TANAKA PRECIOUS METALS is responsible for strategic and efficient group management and management guidance to group companies.
Website: https://www.tanaka.co.jp/english (TANAKA PRECIOUS METALS)
https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en (Industrial products)
* Tanaka Holdings adopted a holding company structure on April 1, 2010.

Press Inquiries
TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.
https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-media/

Press Release: http://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20240329EN.pdf

703-Carat L’Heure Bleu Tanzanite Carving Sets New GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS(TM) Title as World’s Largest Cut Tanzanite

HILLSBORO, OR, Mar 29, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – It was an exciting day at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon,when artist Naomi Sarna’s 703-carat L’Heure Bleu tanzanite carving set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title as the world’s largest cut tanzanite, on March 9.

A standing room only crowd witnessed the “weigh in” as Guinness World Records adjudicator, Michael Empric, verified and announced the results. Gemstone experts, Jessie English, J.S. English Appraisals and Madeline Saunders, Oregon Estate Jewelry, were the official witnesses for the weighing. Rice Museum board president Gail Spann and museum director, Kim Vagner were also on hand for this historic event.

“As the Director of the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals board, and long-time supporter of this wonderful ‘gem’ in Hillsboro, I couldn’t have been more delighted that we hosted Naomi Sarna on her adventure with Guinness World Records that was enjoyed by many attendees! We are lucky to have such talent grace our Museum’s doorstep,” said Gail Copus Spann, president, board of directors, Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals.

Several years ago, artist Naomi Sarna was invited to travel to the Tanzanite mines located in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. She was asked to create a carving for an international competition. The mines are on the ancestral land of the Maasai and it is the only place in the world where this blue-violet gemstone is found. While there Sarna was asked to do humanitarian work, so she taught Maasai women how to make wire-wrap jewelry from tanzanite. Touched by the community, the poverty and the eye disease she witnessed, Sarna decided that she when she sells her award-winning tanzanite L’Heure Bleu carving, she will donate the profits to the world-renowned Portland-based Casey Eye Institute to provide eyecare to the Maasai. Dr. Andreas Lauer, Chair of the Casey Eye Institute came as its representative and just as the weighing ceremony took place, doctors from the Institute were touching down in Tanzania for a cataract conference!

“The Casey Eye Institute is in Naomi’s debt. In the future, patients, their families and the Maasai community will feel her passion and love as they express it through their smiles and joy from improved vision,” commented Dr. Andreas K. Lauer, director, Casey Eye Institute.

“The Guinness World Records brings international recognition and attention to my tanzanite carving L’Heure Bleu. This recognition gives great strength to my promise to help the Maasai with their vision difficulties. This is the cornerstone for our future hopes to provide eye care to the Maasai in Tanzania,” stated artist Naomi Sarna.

While she was in Tanzania, Sarna was presented with several tanzanite crystals eventually selecting the piece that she hand-carved into the 703-carat L’Heure Bleu. It won a First-Place Spectrum Award for carving from the American Gem Trade Association. It sits on a Sterling Silver base inspired by the winds of Tanzania’s Great Rift Valley.

Contact Information
Naomi Sarna
info@naomisarna.com

Related Images

SOURCE: Naomi Sarna Designs

View the original press release on newswire.com.

Finerca Celebrates Milestone of 10,000 Clients with Launch of Exclusive Master Course in CFD Trading

NEW YORK, Mar 29, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Finerca, the leading provider of educational trading courses, proudly announces a significant milestone: reaching 10,000 clients. To commemorate this achievement and further empower aspiring traders, Finerca is excited to unveil its latest offering – a cutting-edge Master Course in Contract for Difference (CFD) trading.

Limited Time Offer: Enroll Now for Only $10 >> https://finerca.com/

Empowering Traders through Knowledge: Finerca’s Commitment to Success

At Finerca, they understand that knowledge is the key to success in the dynamic world of trading. their mission has always been to equip their clients with the tools and education necessary to navigate the capital markets confidently. With the launch of their Trading Course Academy, they continue to uphold this commitment by providing unparalleled resources designed to foster financial literacy and empower individuals to achieve their trading goals.

A Vision of Excellence: Finerca Academy’s Comprehensive Educational Platform

Whether the user is a novice trader taking users’ first steps into the world of finance or a seasoned professional seeking to refine users’ skills, Finerca Academy offers a comprehensive range of educational materials tailored to meet users’ needs. From informative articles and engaging videos to interactive webinars and more, their platform is designed to cater to diverse learning styles and preferences.

Charting Path to Success: Flexible Learning Options with Finerca

At Finerca, they recognize that every trader’s journey is unique. That’s why they offer flexible learning options that allow users to tailor users’ educational experience according to users’ individual preferences. Whether users prefer to follow a structured curriculum or chart users’ own course, Finerca Academy provides the resources and support users need to become the ultimate trader.

Discover the Art of Financial Mastery: Enroll in Finerca’s Master Course Today

As they celebrate the milestone of 10,000 clients, they invite users to join us on a journey of discovery and empowerment. With their new Master Course in CFD trading, users’ll gain invaluable insights and strategies to unlock financial success in today’s competitive markets. Don’t miss this opportunity to take users’ trading skills to the next level – enroll in Finerca Academy’s Master Course today! List of all their courses can be found here: https://finerca.com/course/

About Finerca

Finerca is a premier provider of educational trading courses, dedicated to helping individuals around the world achieve financial success. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for empowering traders through knowledge, Finerca is proud to be a trusted resource for aspiring investors everywhere.

Contact Information:

For media inquiries or to learn more about Finerca Academy and their latest Master Course in CFD trading, please contact:
Lea Zima – Head of marketing
Finerca Academy
https://finerca.com/

SOURCE: Finerca Academy

Atlas Lithium Secures US$ 30,000,000 Strategic Investment and Offtake Agreement from Mitsui

Boca Raton, Florida–(ACN Newswire – March 28, 2024) – Atlas Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ: ATLX), a lithium exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that it has signed definitive investment and offtake agreements with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (“Mitsui”) which the Company considers as strong validation of its project and team. Mitsui is purchasing US$ 30,000,000 in common shares of Atlas Lithium at a 10% premium to the 5-day VWAP (the “Strategic Investment”) and at the same time entering into an Offtake Agreement (the “Offtake”) for the future purchase of 15,000 tons of lithium concentrate from Phase 1 and 60,000 tons per year for five years from Phase 2 of Atlas Lithium’s soon to be producing Neves Project in Brazil’s Lithium Valley. The Strategic Investment provides Atlas Lithium with immediately available funds to continue its rapid development towards revenue generation with the production and sale of high-quality, low cost, environmentally sustainable lithium concentrate.

Mitsui and Atlas Lithium entered a Memorandum of Understanding as announced in January 2023 and the two companies have since developed a close rapport which has included multiple due diligence visits by Mitsui executives and technical experts to the Company’s project, and visits by Atlas Lithium’s management to several of Mitsui’s offices in Brazil, the United States, Canada, and Japan. The Strategic Investment is a culmination of the mutual interest in growing Atlas Lithium. It delivers additional financing to allow Atlas Lithium to continue to aggressively advance its development towards operation of an open pit lithium mine and spodumene concentrating facility by the fourth quarter of 2024. Mitsui has a strong presence in Brazil dating from 1960 and a long history of profitable mining investments in the country.

“Today marks a significant milestone for Atlas Lithium as we progress towards our goal of becoming a key lithium supplier to the global EV battery materials supply chain. Mitsui’s investment reflects confidence in our team, assets, and business model,” stated Marc Fogassa, CEO and Chairman of Atlas Lithium. “I am honored and humbled to be here in Tokyo signing this historical agreement for Atlas Lithium that will undoubtedly result in great value creation for our shareholders. I have watched the relationship of our companies grow and I believe that this partnership with Mitsui strengthens Atlas Lithium substantially.”

Figure 1: Signing Ceremony with Marc Fogassa, Atlas Lithium CEO and Chairman, and Akinobu Hashimoto, General Manager, Mitsui’s New Metals & Aluminum Division.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6706/203432_5c1d4a44842b48a4_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Atlas Lithium Management Joined by Mitsui Senior Executives, Including Tetsuya Fukuda, Chief Operating Officer, Mineral & Metal Resources Business Unit, and Masaya Inamuro, General Manager, Corporate Planning & Strategy Division.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6706/203432_5c1d4a44842b48a4_003full.jpg

Closing of the investment is expected within ten days, subject to customary approvals. Additional details are provided on a Form 8-K form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today. Atlas Lithium’s advisor is Goldman Sachs & Co. and its legal counsel is DLA Piper U.S.

About Atlas Lithium Corporation

Atlas Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ: ATLX) is focused on advancing and developing its 100%-owned hard-rock lithium project in Brazil’s Lithium Valley, a well-known lithium district in the state of Minas Gerais. In addition, Atlas Lithium has 100% ownership of mineral rights for other battery and critical metals including nickel, rare earths, titanium, graphite, and copper. The Company also owns equity stakes in Apollo Resources Corp. (private company; iron) and Jupiter Gold Corp. (OTCQB: JUPGF) (gold and quartzite).

About Mitsui

Mitsui & Co. is a global trading and investment company with a presence in more than 60 countries and a diverse business portfolio covering a wide range of industries. The company identifies, develops, and grows its businesses in partnership with a global network of trusted partners including world leading companies, combining its geographic and cross-industry strengths to create long-term sustainable value for its stakeholders. Mitsui has set three key strategic initiatives for its current Medium-term Management Plan: supporting industries to grow and evolve with stable supplies of resources and materials, and providing infrastructure; promoting a global transition to low-carbon and renewable energy; and empowering people to lead healthy lives through the delivery of quality healthcare and access to good nutrition. Visit www.mitsui.com for more information.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward looking statements are based upon the current plans, estimates and projections of Atlas Lithium and its subsidiaries and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the forward- looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning market and industry segment growth and demand and acceptance of new and existing products; any projections of production, reserves, sales, earnings, revenue, margins or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; uncertainties related to conducting business in Brazil, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: results from ongoing geotechnical analysis of projects; business conditions in Brazil; general economic conditions, geopolitical events, and regulatory changes; availability of capital; Atlas Lithium’s ability to maintain its competitive position; manipulative attempts by short sellers to drive down our stock price; and dependence on key management.

Additional risks related to the Company and its subsidiaries are more fully discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 27, 2024. Please also refer to the Company’s other filings with the SEC, all of which are available at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent the Company’s views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations:
Brian Bernier
Vice President, Investor Relations
+1 (833) 661-7900
bwb@atlas-lithium.com
https://www.atlas-lithium.com/
@Atlas_Lithium

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Dynasty Fine Wines Announces 2023 Annual Results

HONG KONG, Mar 28, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Dynasty Fine Wines Group Limited (“Dynasty” or “the Group”) (Stock Code: 00828), a premier grape winemaker in China, today announced its audited annual results for the year ended 31 December 2023 (“the Year”).

In 2023, the Group’s increase in revenue was primarily due to the recovery of sales, especially in the medium-end wine products, resulting from the normalisation of consumption scenes and resumption of consumer sentiment in the PRC after the dismantlement of pandemic control measures at the end of 2022. The Group’s operating activities continue to maintain a growth in sales during the year. During the Year, the revenue of the Group increased by 9% year-on-year to HK$262.8 million and the Group’s profit attributable to owners of the Company increased by 31% year-on-year to HK$21.3 million. Earnings per share of the Company (the “Share”) was HK$1.62 cents per Share based on the weighted average number of approximately 1,314.9 million Shares in issue during the Year. There was no potential dilutive Share for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Benefited from resumption of consumption scenario such as banquets and gatherings nationwide, sales of red wines products grew well over the year and served as the Group’s primary revenue contributor. Sales of red and white wines products accounted for approximately 52% and 44% for the year (2022: red and white wines: approximately 47% and 50%). The gross margin of red wine products and white wine products in 2023 were 32% and 38% respectively (2022 – 32% and 44% respectively). The overall gross profit margin decreased to 34% in 2023 (2022: 38%), mainly as due to increase in reimbursement of marketing expenses under sales arrangement and delivery charge (especially e-commerce sales) during the year.

The Group has been actively pursuing innovation, embracing the “5+4+N” product strategy. The Group produced a wide range of more than 100 wine products under the “Dynasty” brand to meet the demands and preferences of different consumer groups mainly in the mass-market segments in the PRC wine market. During the year, the Group launched a new high-end product, i.e. Dynasty Chinese Zodiac Commemorative Dry Red Wine for the Gui Mao Year of Rabbit, integrating the high quality with the Chinese zodiac culture and the leading rise of Chinese-style fashionable products. The Group also launched new products, including the NIANHUA series and Constellation series, FU series, via an improved business model, which is safeguarding channel profit while also meeting consumers’ demand for fine wines. Meanwhile, the Group has, heeding market and consumer demands, upgraded Golden Dynasty products and adopted new strategies to improve its existing product system. During the year, with leading and well-proven technologies it prides, the Group carried out comprehensive upgrade of its production techniques, packaging design, etc. With China chic on the rise, the new upgraded design is set to resonate with Chinese consumers confident of their culture, help strengthen awareness of the Dynasty brand and attract mainstream consumers fancying China-made products and China chic.

Moreover, the Group sold chateau wine imported from France and other foreign branded wines in the PRC wine market through the Group’s existing distribution network to introduce some classic “old world” and “new world” varietals to cater for a market that prefers the taste of foreign premium wines.

Regarding online sales, the Group continues putting resources for improvement of the online sales channels and optimisation of online stores interface so as to capture the change of customer consumption behavior in the PRC. During the year, apart from the existing exclusive products for e-commerce platforms, the Group had also been developing emerging marketing channels, such as live broadcasting. To strengthen brand awareness, the Group has launched a “Chinese style” edition showing its name in Chinese, to bring home its position as a domestic grape wine brand and also to attract mainstream e-commerce consumers who love domestic made products. The Group actively promoted the exclusive products series for e-commerce platforms via e-commerce channels. In addition to mainstream e-commerce platforms, efforts have been made to exploit new retail channels using such supplementary promotional means as live streaming or videos, with progress. The e-commerce sales grew significantly over the year, sales of which has doubled that of the last year 2022 and became another new growth point for the Group’s revenue. The Group believes that the online platform not only serves as a business-to-customer trading platform between the Group and the consumers, but also an additional marketing and promotion channel for the brand. Thus, the platform should enhance the overall business potential of the Group.

The Group has a sufficient supply of quality grapes or grape juice. Currently, the Group has more than 10 major grape juice suppliers with whom the Group has enjoyed long-term relationships, mainly located in Tianjin, Hebei, Ningxia and Xinjiang. To optimise the supply network, the Group kept identifying new suppliers that comply with the quality requirements. The Group also strengthened presence by subsidiaries set up in Ningxia and Xinjiang during the year targeted to enhance the supply and procurement of quality grapes and grape juice in those regions with premium vineyards.

In the future, the Group will further strengthen presence in Ningxia and Xinjiang to secure the supply of quality grapes and grape juice, and continues the development of the first phase of a winery nearby Eastern foot of Helan Mountain in Ningxia, named Tianxia Winery, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024. The winery will integrate pressing, fermentation, processing, testing and research and development as a whole, with an annual production and processing capacity of 5,000 tonnes. The winery would become a new long-term and stable economic growth point of the Group and help the regional presence and layout of Dynasty wines, as well as in line with the overall planning and industry planning for the development of China’s wine industry.

Mr. Wan Shoupeng, Chairman of Dynasty, concluded, “Looking ahead to 2024, the Group will focus on product quality, reinvent consumption scenarios and strive to guide market spending, while continuing to build Dynasty into a brand representative of Chinese wines and its wines into iconic products, inheriting the classics. The Group will also be persistent in meeting consumer demand by pursuing innovations for its wine series. Meanwhile, the Group will invest more resources in brand development and e-commerce business to fully vitalize its brand and drive the development of its major products, with the aim of bringing Dynasty’s superior wines to more consumers in the PRC. In view of the continual resumption of economic growth and consumption in the PRC, especially robust in festivals, the Board currently remains cautiously optimistic on the business in 2024. The Group will continue to be well prepared to proactively develop the market, improve quality and boost sales volume, under the trend of support for the expansion of domestic consumption by the country.

About Dynasty Fine Wines Group Limited

Dynasty Fine Wines Group Limited was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with the stock code 00828 on 26 January 2005. Founded in 1980, Dynasty is the premier grape winemaker in China. It is principally engaged in the production and sale of grape wine products under its reputable “Dynasty” brand. Dynasty is the first Sino-foreign joint venture wine company in China with Tianjin Food Group Limited and the French grape wine giant, Remy Cointreau, as its current major shareholders. The Group produces and sells more than 100 grape wine product series, and introduces imported wine products, providing high-quality and value-for-money grape wines to the full range of consumer groups in China.

For media enquiries:
Strategic Financial Relations (China) Limited
Ms. Anita Cheung, Tel: 2864 4827
Ms. Renly HONG, Tel: 2864 4897
Email: sprg-dynasty@sprg.com.hk

Fosun’s Next Step: “Deep Mining” for Stable Profits

HONG KONG, Mar 28, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – On 27 March 2024, Fosun International (HKEX: 0656) announced its 2023 annual results. During the Reporting Period, Fosun’s total revenue amounted to RMB198.2 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 8.6%; profit attributable to owners of the parent was RMB1.38 billion, representing a significant year-on-year growth.

Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun International, said in the annual results conference on 28 March, “For Fosun, these results performance did not come easily. Over the past year, despite the fluctuations in the external economic environment, our industrial operational capabilities have not only withstood the test, but have also improved significantly. Thanks to our focus on core businesses, we have yielded gratifying results.”

Over the past three years, globalization headwinds caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, slow economic recovery and geopolitical factors, have put pressure on Chinese companies, including Fosun. Fosun resolutely implemented the business streamlining strategy and focused on its core businesses, successively divesting a number of non-core assets and focusing on the household consumption sector to pursue high quality development growth.

With the implementation of the business streamlining strategy, Fosun divested some non-core businesses that had previously provided stable cash flows. The subsequent improvement in cash flow has brought market attention to how Fosun will sustain stable profit growth as it did over the past decade.

At the results conference, Guo Guangchang said, “We will push forward with innovation-driven development and global operations. Fosun used to ‘explore and mine’ (which means exploring opportunities and establishing a presence in various industries) globally to look for suitable projects. Now we already have sufficient ‘good mines’ (which means businesses with established presence), we will gradually shift towards ‘deep mining’ (which means focusing on the development of our core industries) and ‘developing good mines’ (which means tapping into industries with high value-added development and growth potential), focusing on building businesses that can sustainably, predictably, and stably generate profits. We will continue to develop the industries where we boast clear competitive advantages, enhancing certainty and making stable profit growth as the core objective of Fosun’s future operations to gradually increase dividends.”

“Deep mining” to deepen advantageous industries

The results announcement shows that Fosun’s focus on its core businesses in the household consumption sector has gradually yielded results. In 2023, Fosun’s four core subsidiaries, namely Yuyuan, Fosun Pharma, Fosun Tourism Group (FTG), and Fosun Insurance Portugal, demonstrated steady revenue, contributing 72% of Fosun’s revenue.

Specifically, Yuyuan Jewlery & Fashion Group achieved a revenue of RMB36.727 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 11.05%. Shanghai Henlius, a subsidiary of Fosun Pharma, achieved full-year profits for the first time and an operating income of RMB5.3949 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 67.8%. Club Med, a subsidiary of FTG, achieved record-breaking performance, with a business volume reaching RMB15.12 billion in 2023, representing a year-on-year increase of 19.2%; Atlantis Sanya’s business volume surged 90.9% year-on-year to RMB1.67 billion. Through providing high-quality services, Fosun Insurance Portugal maintained a 30% market share in Portugal, securing its leading position.

For Fosun, these achievements are the results of its continuous strategic evolution. Over the past ten years, Fosun has continued to expand its business presence globally, “prospecting” and “exploration” across various industries, and has rapidly developed into a global enterprise with total assets exceeding RMB800.0 billion and businesses across various industries.

In recent years, faced with the complex and volatile economic landscape and pandemic situation, Fosun decisively focused on family consumers, implemented industry-focused strategies in the three major segments of Health, Happiness, and Wealth, “deep mining” to further develop advantageous industries and secure more stable cash flow and profit growth.

Today’s Fosun is more focused and its business structure is more streamlined and healthier.

Looking at the financial indicators, Fosun achieved growth in both revenue and profit in 2023, further optimized its capital and asset structure, and maintained sufficient liquidity. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the consolidated interest-bearing debt decreased by RMB15 billion as compared with the end of 2022, interest-bearing debt at the group level decreased by RMB9.2 billion as compared with the end of 2022, total debt continued to reduce both at consolidated statements of the Group and at the Group level. The total debt-to-asset ratio at the consolidated statements of the Group stood at 50.4%, representing a decrease of 2.9 percentage points from 31 December 2022. Cash and bank balances and term deposits reached RMB92.46 billion.

While reducing its debts, Fosun also enhanced its asset-light operational capabilities.

Developing a more flexible and efficient asset-light operational capabilities have become part of Fosun’s strategic adjustments. In March this year, Fosun Pharma, together with seven investors including Shenzhen FoF planned to jointly establish a RMB5.0 billion biopharmaceutical fund, with the entire raised funds to be invested in fields of biopharmaceuticals, cells, and genes. Shanghai Fujian Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Fosun Pharma, won the bid through the public selection process in Shenzhen to exclusively manage the fund.

Since the second half of last year, Guo Guangchang has publicly stated several times that Fosun will continue to reduce debt, maintain asset-light operation, focus on research and development and innovation, and allocate its competitive resources to its advantageous industries to reap high-quality growth. At the results conference, he also expressed that in the future, Fosun will remain committed to the strategy of further reducing the proportion of heavy assets and enhancing its asset-light operational capabilities.

Fosun leverages its profound innovation and industrial operational capabilities to cooperate with local governments to jointly promote technology innovation and commercialize the scientific research achievement, which has become Fosun’s new approach to asset-light operations. With the establishment of the RMB5.0 billion target fund, Fosun is poised to leverage Shenzhen as a platform to expand its presence in the domestic and global biopharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Fosun will focus on strengthening its research and development efforts and business presence in innovative products and technologies.

In 2023, FTG’s tourism operation accounted for 93% of its revenue, demonstrating a further improvement in asset-light operational capabilities. For example, Club Med’s resorts that adopt the leasing and management model accounted for 85%, while the proportion of self-owned resorts dropped to 15%. In October 2023, Club Med opened its first urban resort – Club Med Urban Oasis Nanjing Xianlin Resort, opening up the new field of urban vacations; in November, Taicang Alps Resort, dedicated to providing ice and snow vacations, also opened with great success, creating a pure Alpine ice and snow vacation experience.

Strengthen innovation and globalization advantages

Leveraging on the two core growth drivers of innovation and globalization, Fosun has continued to deepen its efforts in advantageous industries and reap more stable profits.

Fosun has integrated innovation into its corporate DNA since the development of hepatitis B PCR reagents at its establishment. Over the years, Fosun has continued to increase its investment in innovation year by year. In 2023, Fosun’s investment in technology innovation for the year reached RMB7.4 billion.

In recent years, Fosun’s innovation strategy has continued to bear fruit, with a number of new products and new indications approved for marketing. Shanghai Henlius’ independently developed HANSIZHUANG (serplulimab injection), the world’s first anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody approved for first-line treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), has obtained approvals for four indications, benefiting more patients and becoming a “star product” in the domestic biopharmaceutical industry. Its independently developed HANQUYOU (trastuzumab injection), used for the treatment of breast cancer, is expected to become the first domestic-produced biosimilar drug approved for marketing in China, the European Union and the United States.

Since its establishment in 2010, Shanghai Henlius has adhered to the path of independent research and development. With 13 years of continuous investment in funds, talent, and technology, as of the end of 2023, Shanghai Henlius had 5 products launched in China, 2 launched in overseas markets, marking a historic turning point in its business performance as the first profitable Hong Kong-listed “18A” biopharmaceutical company.

In addition, Fosun Pharma’s subsidiary Guilin Pharma’s second-generation artesunate for injection became the first injectable artesunate presented with a single solvent system approved by the World Health Organization (WHO-PQ); since its launch more than two years ago, Yi Kai Da, China’s first CAR-T cell therapy product developed by Fosun Kite has been used to treat hundreds of patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (r/r DLBC) and has received conditional approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for a new second-line indication.

The Da Vinci Surgical Robot, a star product at previous China International Import Expos (CIIEs), has also successfully achieved localization. Intuitive Fosun’s domestically-produced Da Vinci Xi Surgical System was successfully approved by the NMPA and officially commenced production, truly realizing “made in China, joint R&D and global sales”. At present, more than 360 units of Da Vinci Surgical Robot have been installed in China, benefiting more than 420,000 patients to date.

“Globalization” serves as another core competitive advantage of Fosun and is a significant attribute linked to its external recognition. Since Fosun International’s listing in 2007, Fosun’s globalization journey has spanned nearly 17 years. It has now established business presence in over 35 countries and regions, and its “global organization + local operation” model has become increasingly mature.

In 2023, Fosun International’s overseas revenue amounted to RMB89.2 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 6%, accounting for 45% of total revenue. Many products of Fosun have entered overseas markets. For example, Shanghai Henlius’s independently developed HANQUYOU (trastuzumab injection) has been approved for marketing in more than 40 countries and regions worldwide, making it the domestically-produced biosimilar drug with the highest number of market approvals; in December 2023, Shanghai Henlius’ first innovative drug HANSIZHUANG (serplulimab injection) was approved for marketing in Indonesia, becoming the first domestically-produced anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody successfully approved for marketing in a Southeast Asian country.

In the tourism sector, which naturally boasts “globalization genes”, Club Med, a subsidiary of FTG, witnessed growth in its global business in 2023. In particular, Club Med’s business volume in the Americas increased by 24% compared with the same period in 2022; with the recovery of tourism market in Brazil, Brazil became the second worldwide sales market in terms of business volume; the business volume of Club Med’s Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region grew 7% and 11% in 2023 compared to that of 2022 and 2019 respectively.

Shede Spirits, a subsidiary of Fosun, has also accelerated its overseas expansion, with overseas revenue increasing by 86.94% in 2023 and significant breakthroughs in both overseas distribution channels and duty-free channels. It has entered 31 countries and regions and established its presence in 45 duty-free shops.

Fosun’s globalization means more than just “two-way engagement” between the global and Chinese markets. It also encourages Fosun’s overseas subsidiaries to actively expand their businesses in local and overseas markets. For example, Fosun Insurance Portugal has continued to expand its presence in overseas markets such as South America and Africa. In 2023, its international business reported an overall gross written premiums of EUR1,703 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 10.6%. Hainan Mining completed its investment in KOD and KMUK, and obtained a controlling stake in the lithium mine asset of Bougouni in Mali, Africa, marking a critical step in its new energy industry layout and internationalization strategy.

In addition to the “hard power” of its businesses, Fosun’s “soft power” accumulated in its globalization journey is equally invaluable. From late 2023 to early 2024, the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival, a national intangible cultural heritage, made its overseas debut. Designated as part of the opening festivities celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, as well as the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, the Festival Dragons et Lanternes held in Paris, France for 72 days attracted nearly 200,000 local visitors.

By continuing to promote innovation and globalization strategies, Fosun is building a moat of competitive advantages in multiple industries such as healthcare and tourism to ensure stable profit growth in the future.

In the letter to shareholders, Guo Guangchang expressed that, “In the future, we will continue to focus on core businesses, leveraging our unique strengths to enhance our capabilities and strengthen our foundation, and actively invest and expand in advantageous sectors. Through forward-looking planning, we will deeply explore the capabilities and value of the Fosun ecosystem, endeavoring to create more good products and services for one billion families worldwide.”

Avance Clinical at World Vaccine Congress to Share Latest Vaccine Clinical Trial News Including an HIV-1 Study

Adelaide, AU & North Carolina, USA, Mar 28, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Avance Clinical, the award-winning Australian and North American market-leading CRO for biotechs, will attend World Vaccine Congress in Washington DC (April 1-4, 2024) and share the latest clinical trial client news including the Uvax Bio announcement. (Booth #267)

Avance Clinical CEO, Yvonne Lungershausen said the World Vaccine Congress was an important event for the company’s US and Australian teams as they continue to excel in biotech vaccine CRO services.

Lungershausen said Avance Clinical is a mid-sized, agile, and responsive CRO with a proven track record of swiftly advancing high-quality clinical programs. “This makes us an ideal CRO partner for vaccine focussed biotechs,” she said. Lungershausen said the company has had significant vaccine client successes in infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and RSV, as well as other diseases such as Hypertension and Psoriasis.

She said Avance Clinical is proud to be working with many innovative vaccine biotech companies including Uvax Bio who have just announced another milestone in their Phase I HIV study. Mary Giffear, Uvax Bio’s Director of Clinical Operations reported, “we have completed enrollment in our Phase 1 study of the Company’s HIV-1 vaccine candidates, UVAX-1107 and UVAX-1197, and the Australia-based trial is on schedule.”

Lungershausen said Avance Clinical is focussed on accelerating drug development for its biotech clients, from preclinical stages through to Phase III.

“This is our GlobalReady program and we have more than 90 biotech clients leveraging this unique, streamlined multi-region process. With a globalized strategy, we ensure efficiency every step of the way,” she said.

“Biotechs are looking for a partner that can seamlessly help transition them with the ability to start fast with high-quality data that is readily accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory agencies. Our in-house global regulatory affairs team assists biotechs to navigate regulatory complexities with confidence and work to support our clients with FDA, EMA and TGA submissions,” she said.

“In addition, our GlobalReady Site Partnership Network of over 1,250 highly qualified sites across the United States ensures maximum efficiency and effectiveness in our biotech’s clinical trials,” she said.

Another key advantage for vaccine biotechs is that Avance Clinical is accredited as a gene technology CRO which allows it to manage pre-clinical and clinical trials for vaccines and GMO therapies.

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has developed globally compliant regulations and accreditations which are in line with international guidelines.

Avance Clinical’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Gabriel Kremmidiotis said: “This means that as an OGTR accredited CRO we can support our international biotech clients with extensive OGTR knowledge and experience to accelerate their clinical research. Indeed, we would argue the clarity around the OGTR regulations makes Australia one of the most attractive destinations for Cell and Gene Technology research,” he said.

Find out more:

Learn about the GlobalReady model
For more information about the benefits of running your next study with Avance Clinical contact us
Request a Proposal here

Media Contact:
Avance Clinical
media@avancecro.com
Kate Thompson

About Avance Clinical

Avance Clinical is the largest premium full-service Australian and North American CRO delivering quality clinical trials, with globally accepted data, in Australia, New Zealand and the US for international biotechs. The company’s clients are biotechs completing Phase I to Phase III of their drug development program that requires fast, agile, and adaptive solution-oriented clinical research services.

Frost & Sullivan Awards
Avance Clinical, a Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific CRO Market Leadership Award recipient for the past four years, has been providing CRO services in the region for more than 26 years.

Pre-clinical through to mid to late phase
Avance Clinical offers pre-clinical services with their experienced ClinicReady team right from pre-clinical through to Phase III clinical services leveraging significant Australian Government incentive rebates of up to 43.5% and rapid start-up regulatory processes.

With experience across more than 120 indications, the CRO can deliver world-class results and high-quality internationally accepted data for FDA and EMA review.

Technology
Avance Clinical uses state-of-the-art technology and gold standard systems across all functional areas to provide clients with the most effective processes. Medidata, Oracle, TrialHub, Certinia, Salesforce, Zelta and Medrio are just some of the technology partners.

www.avancecro.com

Turning Loss into Profit in 2023: IGG Achieved over HK$430 million in 2H23

HONG KONG, Mar 28, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – IGG Inc (“IGG” or “the Group”, stock code: 799.HK), a leading global developer and publisher of mobile games and applications, is pleased to announce the audited consolidated financial results of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2023.

In 2023, the Group ushered in a new chapter marked by a breakthrough in business and a remarkable turnaround from loss. Drawing on over a decade of experience and expertise in the strategy games genre, the Group developed two highly-rated strategy games, “Doomsday: Last Survivors” and “Viking Rise”, following the success of “Castle Clash” and “Lords Mobile”. “Lords Mobile”, IGG’s flagship title launched nearly eight years ago, continued to generate stable revenue, contributing over HK$3.1 billion. Throughout the year, intensive marketing campaigns for “Doomsday: Last Survivors” and “Viking Rise” yielded strong growth momentum, with “Doomsday: Last Survivors” generating nearly HK$700 million in revenue and “Viking Rise” contributing HK$400 million. Adding to the Group’s growth trajectory, the APP Business contributed HK$580 million, accounting for 11% of IGG’s revenue. The combination of two new strategy games and the APP Business not only propelled the Group to an impressive HK$5.3 billion in revenue – a remarkable15% year-on-year increase – but have also contributed a net profit of over HK$160 million in the second half of 2023, marking a new era of growth and diversification. During the year, revenue from Asia, Europe and North America accounted for 44%, 28% and 23%, respectively, of the Group’s total revenue.

With the contribution of the aforementioned businesses and continuous resource optimization, the Group successfully turned its losses around, resulting in a net profit of over HK$430 million in the second half of 2023 and an annual net profit of HK$73 million. After experiencing losses in previous stages, the Group’s core business turned the tide and generated a net profit of approximately HK$380 million in the second half of 2023 and an annual net profit of over HK$17 million. The Group’s investments recorded a net profit of over HK$55 million due to fair value gains. As at 31 December 2023, the Group’s mobile games were available in 23 different languages worldwide, with over 1.7 billion users in total and over 25 million monthly active users (“MAU”)[1] across more than 200 countries and regions.

“Lords Mobile”, IGG’s blockbuster title with innovative features, is the Group’s first cross-platform, multi-language, real-time game designed for global gamers. Since its launch in 2016, the game has garnered widespread acclaim from gamers, recognized for its longevity[2] and ability to generate stable revenue for the Group. As at 31 December 2023, it has amassed 670 million registered users worldwide and has 9 million MAU. Leveraging its previous successful collaborations with “Saint Seiya” and “Kung Fu Panda”, “Lords Mobile” further expanded its user base this year through collaborations featuring “How to Train Your Dragon”, “Armored Combat Worldwide”, and “Dreamworks Shrek”. Entering 2024, the Group remains dedicated to releasing exciting new game content, including a new feature “Guild Expedition”, thereby ensuring that monthly gross billing stays above HK$240 million.

“Doomsday: Last Survivors” has become a favorite for 33 million gamers with its distinctive post-apocalyptic survival theme, deep integration of “real-time” and “strategy” gameplay, and epic 3D visuals. Following a marketing campaign that began in early 2023, the game’s monthly gross billing reached a noteworthy milestone of HK$82 million and experienced a subsequent increase to HK$100 million in March 2024. The Group continued to release new content for the game, including features such as “New Immigration Decree”, a “Bounty Ground” Battle Royale gameplay, and “Archipelago Raid”, a large-scale cross-kingdom event, to provide players a truly unique battle experience. During 2023, “Doomsday: Last Survivors” garnered multiple awards, including five awards at the NYX Game Awards: “Mobile Game – Strategy”, “Mobile Game – Best Gameplay”, “Mobile Game – Best Character Design”, “Mobile Game – Best Game Design”, and “Mobile Game – Best Art Direction”, and “Best Overseas Game” by Youxi Tuoluo. These awards are a testament to the game’s exceptional quality and global appeal.

“Viking Rise”, a Viking-themed strategy game, received widespread acclaim when it was launched in late 2022. Through continuous improvement, the gaming experience was elevated to new heights. The introduction of a “Mounts” system, along with a large-scale battle event “Kingdom Mayhem – Expedition to England”, and the addition of “Mystic Realm”, was well-received by the game’s 21 million players and earned it the “Best of 2023 Awards — Best for Tablets” by Google Play.

The APP Business’s continued success in the second half of 2023 led to remarkable revenue of HK$580 million. This constituted 11% of total revenue, and emerged as a pivotal force driving the Group’s revenue growth and diversification. As at 31 December 2023, the APP Business has over 350 million registered users worldwide and approximately 9.5 million MAU. The Group is committed to the ongoing promotion and diversification of its product portfolio to take the APP Business to the next level.

By adhering to its long-term operational strategy, the Group will drive steady growth in both its core game business and the APP Business. Additionally, the Group will continue to embrace and adopt Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (“AIGC”) technology to optimize costs and enhance profitability. In the first quarter of 2024, the game business demonstrated continued growth, with the Group’s total gross billing estimated to approach HK$1.4 billion, representing an approximate 20% increase compared to the first quarter of 2023. As the Group seizes opportunities to drive growth, aggressive marketing campaigns may lead to a short-term volatility in profits. Nonetheless, IGG remains confident of its overall financial performance for the full year and long-term growth. Embracing the corporate spirit of “Innovators at Work, Gamers at Heart”, the Group will continue to strengthen its global R&D and operation capabilities, to relentlessly pursue its strategy of quality, innovation, and excellence in creating innovative yet timeless games.

About IGG Inc

Established in 2006, IGG Inc is a leading global mobile games and applications developer and operator with headquarters in Singapore and local offices in the United States, China, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Türkiye, Italy and Spain. IGG offers multi-language and multifarious games to users around the world. The Group has established long-term partnerships with over 100 business partners, including global platforms, advertising channels, and vendors such as Apple, Google and Meta. IGG’s most popular games include “Lords Mobile”, “Doomsday: Last Survivors”, “Viking Rise”, “Castle Clash”, and “Time Princess”.

[1] The Group’s users in total and monthly active users include users of mobile games and apps.

[2] Source: Sensor Tower, a third-party analytics platform