WholisticResearch Reveals the Best Nootropics of 2023

LONDON, Aug 18, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – WholisticResearch, a leading authority in the realm of cognitive enhancement research, has recently unveiled its list of the top nootropic supplements for 2023. Following rigorous testing and comprehensive analysis, the organization has identified the most effective cognitive enhancers available on the market today. Authored by Jacob Kovacs, the head researcher at WholisticResearch, the article delves into the top nootropics that may enhance cognitive abilities.

Best Nootropics

Understanding Nootropics

Nootropics, often referred to as "brain boosters," have gained significant attention for their potential to boost focus, productivity, memory, and mood. As the article states, "Nootropics are a new class of brain enhancers that may increase focus and productivity, enhance memory, and improve mood." With a plethora of options available on the market, the article serves as a guide to understanding which nootropics are truly effective.

Jacob Kovacs emphasizes the importance of making informed choices. He notes, "There are several cognitive enhancers that are being researched for their potential to increase mental performance, cognitive function, and mental health." The article further elaborates on how these nootropics function, their pros and cons, and what makes them stand out.

Methodology

WholisticResearch employed a meticulous testing and review process to determine the top-quality nootropics. This process encompassed factors such as effectiveness, ingredients, brand reputation, transparency, production method, user feedback, price, and value.

A Comprehensive Approach

WholisticResearch's article is not just a list but a comprehensive guide. It details the mechanism of action of nootropics, stating, "Nootropics are substances that may improve cognitive function, memory, and focus. They may also help to increase intelligence and creativity." The article also addresses frequently asked questions about nootropics, ensuring readers are well-informed.

The Challenges of Cognitive Enhancement

Cognitive enhancement is not a straightforward process. The brain is a complex environment for compounds, and intricate cognitive enhancement strategies are required. WholisticResearch acknowledges that new compounds are increasingly adopting complicated strategies. They emphasize that hands-on research is crucial to determining the correct product and its manufacturing process.

About WholisticResearch

Founded in 2019, WholisticResearch has been at the forefront of cognitive enhancement research. Their primary focus is on the latest nootropics and peptides that can potentially improve cognitive function. The organization also reviews the most recent research on vitamins and supplements that may boost cognition. WholisticResearch continues to be a beacon of information and research in the realm of cognitive enhancement, driven by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contact Information
Jacob Kovacs
Author
jacob@wholisticresearch.com

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Asensus Surgical Continues to Spearhead Innovations and Growth in Surgical Robotics

NEW YORK, Aug 17, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – PCG Digital — Driving towards its goal of continued global growth in the surgical robotics sector, Asensus Surgical (NYSE American: ASXC) provided a positive update on both recent accomplishments and the company's projected outlook for the coming year. Asensus' trajectory shows strong promise and interest, with marked advancements in the adoption of its state-of-the-art products and a clear vision for future innovations.

Q2 in Review:

– Progress across Key Areas: The company reported meaningful progress across its key areas, including the broader utilization of the Intelligent Surgical Unit(TM) (ISU(TM)), the advancement of their clinical body of evidence, and the continued optimization of their flagship product, Senhance(R) Surgical System.

– Robust Worldwide Growth: A 27% year-over-year growth was observed in the second quarter, with more than 1,000 Senhance procedures performed globally. This consistent growth rate of around 10% sequentially underscores the firm's commitment to expansion and stability.

– Global Reach: Asensus Surgical continues to make international inroads. Notably, the initiation of the Senhance program at Fukuoka Tokushukai Hospital in Kasuga City, Japan, and the successful establishment of an exclusive Senhance program within the pediatric surgery department of a leading U.S. hospital indicates its expanding global footprint and trajectory.

– Pediatric Space Advancements: Pediatric surgeons are drawn to the Senhance system's specialized features, smaller instruments, and real-world data demonstrating safety and effectiveness in the wake of Asensus obtaining FDA clearance in March 2023.

– Clinical Registry Expansion: The TRUST(TM) clinical registry, which collects both intraoperative and postoperative follow-up data, has expanded to include data from over 2,500 patients. This data supports quality clinical publications and aids in the company's market development strategy.

– Active Participation in Industry Events: Asensus Surgical participated in several key industry events, including the Society of Robotic Surgery Annual Meeting in Australia and the joint meeting of IPEG and ESPES, to generate excitement and showcase the capabilities of Senhance, LUNA, and the ISU.

Financial Overview:

Asensus reported revenue of $1.1 million for Q2 2023, a slight increase from $1 million in Q2 2022. This includes lease revenue, instruments, and accessories as well as services. Although there was a reported net loss of $20.7 million for Q2 2023, the company's strong cash position, bolstered by a recent offering that generated approximately $10 million, extends the company's cash runway through the second quarter of 2024.

Strategic and Surgical Precision

– LUNA Surgical System: The upcoming LUNA Surgical System is a significant development. By the end of 2023, the company aims to complete full system integration and testing for LUNA. Regulatory filings are anticipated in late 2024, with hopes of FDA clearance by mid-2025. This would pave the way for a commercial launch in the second half of 2025.

– Economic Flexibility: With LUNA, Asensus is considering a subscription-based model for hospitals, offering an innovative approach to ensure broader adoption without increasing procedure costs.

– Expansion of ISU and Senhance: 2023 will also see Asensus entering into an agreement with a strategic graphics hardware provider and ramping up pilot manufacturing for the future ISU. Furthermore, a total of 10 to 12 new Senhance programs are expected to be initiated throughout the year.

A Closer Look:

Anthony Fernando, President and CEO at Asensus, attributes ongoing growth to two key factors: 1) More surgeons within the same hospital adopting the system and 2) Additional installations coming up to speed.

Fernando has previously stated that from a pipeline point of view, Asensus feels very bullish and that it can deliver on its commitment of 10 to 12 systems. Fernando further commented on the timing of the additional systems that the decision cycle is a long one because hospitals are doing the diligence and trying to get as much consensus internally as they can with surgeons so they can make the program successful.

Fernando added that pediatrics is "somewhat of an underserved space" and that the value of smaller instruments, haptic feedback, and innovative digital capabilities is becoming more and more attractive to pediatric surgeons, particularly in the United States.

Finally, the team is making excellent progress on the LUNA R&D front. They continue to receive positive feedback from surgeons who are looking forward to utilizing both 3- and 5-millimeter instruments as well as eye-tracking features and independent arms: "They can see the improvements, and that's what's driving a high level of interest," Fernando added.

Asensus Surgical's recent achievements and future plans suggest a company that is not only growing but also driving significant innovations in digital surgery. With their commitment to delivering better outcomes for patients and continuous advancements, the company's trajectory of sustained growth and leadership in its domain is drawing surgeons, patients, and investors alike.

Disclaimer

This communication was produced by PCG Digital Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of PCG Advisory Inc., (together "PCG"). PCG is not a registered or licensed broker-dealer nor investment adviser. No information contained in this communication constitutes an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security. PCG may be compensated by respective clients for publicizing information relating to its client's securities. See www.pcgadvisory.com/disclosures.

PCG Digital
info@pcgadvisory.com
646-863-6341

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

New CGFNS Survey of Immigrant Nurses in the U.S. Reveals Their Economic Impact

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Aug 16, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – In addition to helping alleviate a chronic nursing shortage in the United States, immigrant nurses are estimated to spend well over $46 billion annually in the U.S. economy while providing hundreds of millions more in financial support to family members back home, according to a report from CGFNS International, a global leader in credentials evaluation services that support health worker mobility.

The Economics of Nurse Migration report is based on a survey of more than 1,500 foreign-educated nurses who have used the organization's credentials verification services to facilitate their migration to the U.S. The results offer a window into the economic experiences and impact of nurse immigrants working in the U.S., as well as the driving reasons for their migration.

The report can be downloaded from cgfns.org/eonm23.

"This report quantifies the financial costs and sacrifices associated with nurse migration while highlighting the substantial contributions that immigrant nurses make to host countries and the economies of both the host and sending nations," said Dr. Peter Preziosi, CGFNS International's President and CEO.

In the survey, the main reasons nurses cited for migrating were largely balanced across three key drivers – familial (31 percent), professional (29 percent) and economic (25 percent). In terms of their economic impact, the survey results showed:

The average salary for respondents was $65,700 within the first three years of arrival and $71,800 overall, compared with $89,000 average salary for registered nurses in the U.S. A quarter of respondents reported making more than $90,000 annually.

Immigrant nurses reported spending 60 percent of their income in their communities on housing, other necessities and local shopping, with another 25 percent for taxes.

Two-thirds (66 percent) send money home to friends and family on a regular basis – averaging about five percent of their spending. Of those that sent money, 44 percent reported sending home more than 10 percent of their monthly salary.

Extrapolating from other data showing there are 688,000 immigrants in the U.S. nursing workforce of more than 4.3 million, the CGFNS report estimates that after sending $1.6 billion in remittances to the communities they left, immigrant nurses spend at least $46.9 billion annually in the U.S. economy.

About half (52 percent) of nurse immigrants reported engaging a recruiter to handle their migration process. However, that proportion rises to 79 percent when narrowing the sample to those who migrated in the past three years.

Fifty-two percent of survey respondents who used a recruitment firm elected to use a Certified Ethical Recruiter (CER), a designation given to those firms that agree to additional oversight by CGFNS's Alliance for Ethical Recruitment Practices and comply with its ethical code.

"By illuminating these essential aspects of nurse migration to the United States, we aim to provide policymakers, healthcare leaders, and stakeholders with a comprehensive perspective that transcends mere statistics and embraces the inherent value of immigrant nurses to both America's health systems and economy," said Preziosi.

About CGFNS International, Inc.

Founded in 1977 and based in Philadelphia, CGFNS International is an immigration-neutral not-for-profit organization proudly serving as the world's largest credentials evaluation organization for the nursing and allied health professions. CGFNS International is an NGO in Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is a member of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO). For more information, visit https://www.cgfns.org.

Contact Information:
Mukul Bakhshi, Esq.
Chief of Strategy and Government Affairs
mbakhshi@cgfns.org
(215) 243-5825

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Essex Bio-Technology Posts Sound 2023 Interim Financial Results, Revenue Up 37.1%, Profit Up 22%

HONG KONG, Aug 16, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Essex Bio-Technology Ltd ("Essex" or the "Group", Stock Code: 1061.HK) today announced the interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2023 ("the period under review").

Financial Performance Returned to Pre-COVID-19 Operating Level

During the period under review, the Group achieved a consolidated revenue of approximately HK$899 million, with an increase of 37.1% as compared to the same period last year, indicating normalcy in business to the pre-COVID-19 operating level. The profit of the Group increased by 22.0% to approximately HK$170 million as compared to approximately HK$139.2 million for the same period last year.

As of 30 June 2023, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of approximately HK$506 million (31 December 2022: approximately HK$543 million). The Board is pleased to propose an interim dividend of HK$0.045 (For the six months ended 30 June 2022: HK$0.04) per ordinary share for the six months ended 30 June 2023.

Revenue Growth in Ophthalmology and Surgical Segments

The Group's revenue is primarily made up of the segments of Ophthalmology and Surgical (wound care and healing). For the six months ended 30 June 2023, the revenue of Ophthalmology increased by 41.6% to approximately HK$382 million, accounting for approximately 42.4% of the Group's revenue, while the revenue of Surgical up 34.0% to approximately HK$518 million, representing approximately 57.6% of the Group's revenue. The core products that are as current growth driver under each segment are:

1. Ophthalmology – Beifushu series (Beifushu eye drops, Beifushu eye gel and Beifushu unit-dose eye drops), Tobramycin Eye Drops, Levofloxacin Eye Drops, Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops and Iodized Lecithin Capsules; and

2. Surgical (Wound care and healing) – Beifuji series (Beifuji spray, Beifuji lyophilised powder and Beifuxin gel), Carisolv dental caries removal gel, Dr. YaDian mouth wash,Yi Xue An Granules and PELNAC collagen-based artificial dermis.

Significant Business Development Activities

The Group is committed to pragmatically investing in new products and technologies to strengthen the Group's product and research and development ("R&D") pipeline as near to mid-term growth driver in ophthalmology and long-term plan for new therapeutics in oncology. During the period under review, major investments in ophthalmic products that are currently in an advanced stage of clinical development are outlined as follows:

Re-establishing the VISTA programme after the acquisition of SkQ1's intellectual property rights

In order to provide the Group with flexibility and independence in the continuing development of the US FDA VISTA programme in the field of dry eye disease and to allow the Group to explore further the development of products for other ophthalmic indications, the Group successfully secured a patent assignment deed and a patent and know-how licence agreement relating to SkQ1 in the field of ophthalmology from Mitotech.

Following the acquisition of the intellectual property rights relating to SkQ1 on 13 October 2022, the Group's priority is to complete the transfer of chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC), know-how and intellectual property rights relating to SkQ1 from Mitotech. Concurrently, the Group is re-establishing the VISTA programme with regulators for mitigating any identifiable risks before continuing with the clinical trial. According to Frost & Sullivan, the estimated number of patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye disease was around 119.7 million in the PRC in 2020. It is expected that the size of the potential market of the SkQ1 product will be significant.

EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) global phase 3 clinical study makes significant progress

In 2020, the Group entered into a co-development and exclusive licence agreement with Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. to co-develop a pharmaceutical product (EB12-20145P), a recombinant anti-vascular endothelial growth factor ("anti-VEGF") humanised monoclonal antibody injection for the treatment of exudative (wet) age-related macular degeneration ("wet-AMD"). As at the date of this announcement, the product has been approved to commence phase 3 clinical trials in Australia, the United States, Singapore, Russia, Serbia and European Union countries such as Hungary, Spain, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Poland. So far, the first patient has been dosed in a phase 3 clinical study for EB12-20145P for the treatment of wet-AMD in the PRC, Latvia, Australia and the United States. Also, the phase 1/2 clinical study for EB12-20145P for the treatment of wet-AMD has shown its safety and tolerability and demonstrated preliminary efficacy.

In February 2023, the Group entered into an amendment agreement with Henlius to amend certain terms of the co-development and exclusive license agreement, which included payments for regulatory and commercial sales milestones and development costs in respect of the Anti-VEGF licensed product, details of which are in the announcement dated 22 February 2023 and the annual results announcement on 8 March 2023.

The Anti-VEGF Licensed Product can be used for treating wet-AMD, diabetic macular edema, macular edema caused by retinal vein occlusion and myopic choroidal neovascularisation. According to Frost & Sullivan, the estimated number of patients with these 4 categories of disease was around 15.8 million in the PRC in 2020. Assuming each patient applies 4 doses in the first year of treatment and 2 to 3 doses in subsequent years, it is expected that the size of the potential market of the Anti-VEGF licensed product will be significant.

Honors and Awards Obtained In 2023

Zhuhai Essex Bio-Pharmaceutical Company Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group, has been recognised as one of the 2022 top 100 innovative companies in Zhuhai, and has also been recognised as one of the 2022 top 100 chemical pharmaceutical companies in the PRC. The Group's Beifushu has been awarded as one of the Chinese reputable medicine brands in five consecutive years. This is a testament to the recognition by the industry for the efficacy and quality of our flagship biologic drug.

Market Development Entrenched Market Access Capability

The Group has been relentlessly investing in establishing and strengthening its market access capability. As at 30 June 2023, the Group maintains a network of 43 regional sales offices in the PRC with a total number of more than 1,200 sales and marketing representatives, covering more than 12,100 hospitals and medical providers, coupled with more than 2,100 pharmaceutical stores, which are widely located in the major cities, provinces and county cities in the PRC. Sales to lower-tier cities is supplemented by on-line platform for medical consultation and e-prescription, the on-line platform is further deployed for serving patients with chronic diseases.

The Group's expansion of its market access into Southeast Asian countries via its base in Singapore has been gaining good development traction since 2020.

Research and Development

During the period under review, the Group remains focused executing its 5-year (2021 to 2025) R&D's development plans. As at 30 June 2023, there are 16 R&D programmes in the pre-clinical to clinical stage, out of which the following 4 ophthalmology programmes are as mid-term growth drivers:

— EB11-18136P: SkQ1 eye drops, second phase 3 clinical trial (US FDA) (VISTA-2) topline data released on 24 February 2021
— EB11-15120P: Azithromycin eye drops, ongoing review by external key opinion leaders (National Medical Products Administration ("NMPA") in the PRC)
— EB12-20145P: Bevacizumab for wet age-related macular degeneration ("wet-AMD"), phase 3 clinical trial (US FDA, European Medicines Agency, Therapeutic Goods Administration and NMPA in the PRC)
— EB11-21148P: Cyclosporine eye drops, phase 2 clinical trial (NMPA in the PRC)

The Group holds a total of 73 patent certificates or authorisation letters, which include 52 invention patents, 14 utility model patents and 7 design patents. The Group currently has diversified its R&D resources to multiple research sites in Zhuhai (PRC), Boston (United States), London (United Kingdom) and Singapore which support not only our pursuit of new therapeutics but also our recruitment of global talents.

Mr. Patrick Ngiam, Chairman of Essex, said, "With tenacity and strength, we are pleased to return our business performance to the pre-COVID-19 operating level. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, being resilient, relevant and growth ready, the Group is optimistic of delivering progressive results.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all stakeholders, business associates and valued customers for the trust, support and cooperation accorded to us, and each and every member of the Group for their relentless efforts rendered in shaping the Group into being a progressive and promising pharmaceutical player."

About Essex (1061.HK)
Essex Bio-Technology Limited is a bio-pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercialises genetically engineered therapeutic b-bFGF (FGF-2), having six commercialised biologics marketed in China since 1998. Additionally, it has a portfolio of commercialised products of preservative-free unit-dose eye drops and Iodized Lecithin Capsules etc.. The products of the Company are principally prescribed for the treatment of wounds healing and diseases in Ophthalmology and Dermatology, which are marketed and sold through approximately 12,100 hospitals and managed directly by its 43 regional sales offices in China. Leveraging on its in-house R&D platform in growth factor and antibody, the Company maintains a pipeline of projects in various clinical stages, covering a wide range of fields and indications.

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

AcroMeta’s Laboratory Construction Business Rides on Singapore’s Pandemic Readiness Strategy

SINGAPORE, Aug 15, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – ACROMETA Group Limited, an established specialist engineering service provider in the field of controlled environments serving mainly the healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, research and academia sectors, announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary company Acromec Engineers Pte Ltd has been awarded a S$19 million contract for the design and construction of a 1,500 sqm high containment biosafety level research laboratory.

The facility is designed for research on highly infectious pathogens potentially carried by infected animals and spread through airborne transmission.

The state-of-the-art project involves the construction of a high containment biosafety laboratory using modular panels for both reliability and durability to withstand long periods of hard usage and repeated commissioning. Construction would be carried out in a 'live' building with many existing tenants without affecting their operations. The facility is expected to be completed and certified by 2024 and will be compliant with WHO and MOH high containment facility standards.

Mr Lim Say Chin, ACROMETA's Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "The award to Acromec is a testament to our engineering experience and capabilities. With its expertise and established track record in controlled environments engineering, AcroMeta is positioned to benefit from the construction of such laboratories as governments in the region strengthen their biomedical R&D capabilities to counter threats from infectious diseases."

Acromec, the wholly-owned engineering subsidiary of the Group, is an established specialist engineering services provider with more than 25 years of experience in the field of controlled environments. It has designed and built several high biosafety level R & D laboratories and manufacturing facilities for biomedical companies, such as 10X Genomics, Integrated DNA Technologies, and GenScript.

Research laboratories a vital link in Singapore's pandemic readiness strategy

Singapore emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic as one of the countries that scored high marks for its handling of the crisis. Every aspect of the pandemic was systematically studied, monitored, and appropriate actions taken – from procurement and cold storage of vaccines for the entire resident population, to laboratory testing and identification of each mutated variant of the virus as it evolved.

But the pandemic also revealed the need for Singapore to be prepared for future pandemics. The government has implemented the findings of the Covid-19 White Paper published on 8 March 2023 which detailed the 7 lessons to be learned from the pandemic and implemented a pandemic readiness strategy. The strategy takes a whole-country approach and involves participation by, and collaboration with the private sector as well as with the entire population.

Mr Levin Lee Keng Weng, ACROMETA's Executive Chairman, added: "Laboratories for the testing, identification and carrying out of research with live virus is a vital link in the Singapore government's preparedness strategy for future pandemics. These laboratories are not standard laboratories but highly specialised facilities; the design and construction of which can only be done by a handful of controlled environments experts such as Acromec."

This media release has been reviewed by the Company's Sponsor, Evolve Capital Advisory Private Limited. It has not been examined or approved by the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited, and the Exchange assumes no responsibility for the contents of this document, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this document.

The contact person for the Sponsor is Mr. Jerry Chua, 138 Robinson Road, #13-02 Oxley Tower, Singapore 068906, jerrychua@evolvecapitalasia.com.

Reference:
https://links.sgx.com/1.0.0/corporate-announcements/QYHDGZS2TXQ25H0Q/cc60f5adb8665785b09fc0d7833240cd9253d57800c21ff2906079f092b27884

https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Acrometa-ProjectWinPressRelease_15Aug2023IDLabs%20-%20Final.ashx?App=Announcement&FileID=769346

About ACROMETA Group Limited (SGX Stock Code:43F)

ACROMETA (Previously known as ACROMEC Limited) is an established specialist engineering services provider with more than 25 years of experience in the field of controlled environments.

The Group has, over the years, acquired expertise in the design and construction of facilities requiring controlled environments such as laboratories, medical and sterile facilities and cleanrooms.

ACROMETA's business is divided into three main business segments: (i) Engineering, procurement, and construction services, specialising in architectural, and mechanical, electrical, and process works within controlled environments; (ii) Maintenance and repair services of facilities and equipment of controlled environments and their supporting infrastructure. (iii) Co-Working Laboratory business; currently operates 6,500 square feet of co-working laboratory space at The German Centre in Singapore, serving SMEs and startups.

The Group mainly serves the healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, research and academia, and electronics sectors. ACROMETA's customers include hospitals and medical centres, government agencies, research and development companies or agencies, research and development units of multinational corporations, tertiary educational institutions, pharmaceutical companies, semiconductor manufacturing companies, and multinational engineering companies.

The Company has been listed on the Catalist board of the Singapore Exchange since 2016. For more information, please visit www.acrometa.com.

Media and Analysts Contact:

ACROMETA Group Limited
Ms. Cheah Lai Min
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +65 6415 0574
Email: laimin.cheah@acrometa.com

Waterbrooks Consultants Pte Ltd
Mr. Wayne Koo
Tel: +65 6958 8008 / +65 9338 8166
Email: wayne.koo@waterbrooks.com.sg, query@waterbrooks.com.sg

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Q&M 1H2023 Core Healthcare Revenue stays resilient as the Group focuses on organic growth plans

SINGAPORE, Aug 15, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Mainboard-listed Q&M Dental Group (Singapore) Limited ("Q&M", the "Company", and together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") today reported total revenue of S$87.1 million, and profit after tax attributable to parent of S$5.3 million for the first half ended 30 June 2023 ("1H2023"). The Group's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation ("EBITDA") for 1H2023 was S$18.5 million.

Core Healthcare Business revenue decreased marginally from S$83.7 million for 1H2022 to S$83.3 million for 1H2023, mainly due to higher revenue contribution from Singapore dental clinics offset by lower revenue contribution from Singapore medical clinics and the impact of the weakening Malaysian Ringgit for the Group's operations in Malaysia. The Group's other business segment ie medical laboratory were impacted by lower demand for Covid-19 testing.

Dr Ng Chin Siau, Group Chief Executive Officer of Q&M, said, "The continual resilience of Q&M's Core Healthcare Business is well appreciated by investors and reflects the Group's well-established foundations. Further, we will focus on organic growth following significant expansion of our dental clinic network across Singapore and Malaysia in 2022. We will continue to invest in technology and implement strategies that will enable us to further optimise productivity across our clinic network."

Recently, Q&M launched its dedicated mobile App on both the Apple Appstore and Google Play. With just the click of a few buttons, a patient can select their preferred date, time and clinic location to make appointments to see the dentist. Q&M's patients can receive timely reminders before the appointment dates and view past and future appointments, reschedule or cancel appointments anytime, as well as manage their digital receipts through the App. Additionally, results of x-rays taken are uploaded into the App for quick reference. The patient will receive a 6-monthly reminder notification when it is time for them to attend their dental check-up, so as to ensure their dental and oral conditions are closely monitored.

Looking ahead

Q&M Group has devised a holistic strategy to foster sustainable growth focusing on organic growth by leveraging on our brand and expertise and capitalising on opportunities to expand our services and reach.

We are working hard to build a strong platform upon which our future growth can be firmly established based on the following 5 thrusts:

1. Building Strong Foundations- strengthening the basics

Our cluster management system is being enhanced with dentists and dental assistants working even more closely together with area managers to optimise both human and physical resource allocation throughout the network.

2. Improving efficiency – reducing costs and wastage

Our Group is mindful of keeping costs low and using central purchasing as much as possible to reduce wastage and ensure more just-in-time ordering so that we can also reduce storage costs correspondingly.

3. Medical Laboratory

Post-pandemic, the Group's medical laboratory business, Acumen Diagnostic will continue to develop its range of tests and solutions to maximise its intellectual property and research capabilities for various medical purposes. These include the tests for sepsis, identification of bacteria pathogens and their associated antimicrobial resistance in hospitalised pneumonia.

4. Expanding our brand- locally and overseas

Beyond Singapore, the Group continues to explore good opportunities to develop a new sustainable growth pillar through organic growth and further expansion of its dental business in Southeast Asia growing private dental healthcare market. We are also exploring the expansion of the Q&M brand and knowhow beyond our current borders. As a premium dental group with a strong reputation for high-quality products and services, we are working towards exporting our expertise regionally and beyond in a deliberate and decisive manner.

Commitment to our Community

Anchored in the Company's philosophy, Q&M Free Dental Clinic Limited, a registered charity under the Commission of Charities, opened its first free dental clinic on 10 July 2023 in Chai Chee, to provide essential dental treatment for the underprivileged individuals and families in need.

This press release is read in conjunction with Q&M's 1H2023 results release on SGXNET.

For more information, please read the attached SGXNET announcement and media release.

https://links.sgx.com/1.0.0/corporate-announcements/N9238L5A9JUG97NG/ca70061aa798c196bcb9132653f9e01c12ad35d1d3327823f3a120d1949a5e95

[1] Core Healthcare Business excludes contributions from the Group?s medical laboratory and expenses incurred on the development of the Group?s digital Artificial Intelligence (AI) guided clinical decision support system as well as rental rebates received from the Singapore Government.

About Q&M Dental Group (Singapore) Limited (QC7.SI)

Q&M Dental Group (Singapore) Limited (QC7.SI) ("Q&M" or together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") is a leading private dental healthcare group in Asia.

The Group owns the largest network of private dental outlets in Singapore, operating 108 dental outlets across the country. Underpinned by about 270 experienced dentists and over 350 supporting staff, the Group sees an average of 40,000 patient visits a month in Singapore. The Group also operates 5 medical clinics and a dental supplies and equipment distribution company.

Outside of Singapore, the Group has 44 dental clinics and a dental supplies and equipment distribution company in Malaysia, as well as a dental clinic in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"). Q&M is also the substantial shareholder of Aoxin Q&M Dental Group Limited, a dental Group listed on the Catalist board of the Singapore Exchange that operates dental clinics and hospitals primarily in the north-eastern region of the PRC. The Group aims to expand its operations geographically and vertically through the value chain in Malaysia, the PRC and within the ASEAN region.

The Q&M College of Dentistry was established in 2019 to offer postgraduate dental education as part of its commitment to continual education and professional development of dentists. It offers Singapore's first private postgraduate diploma programme in clinical dentistry.

In 2020, the Group expanded into the medical laboratories and research industry with the strategic investment into Acumen Diagnostics Pte. Ltd. ("Acumen"). Currently, Acumen focuses on developing its range of medical research, tests and solutions to secure viable patents and to achieve successful commercialisation of the medical products in the near future.

The Group was listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited ("SGX- ST") on 26 November 2009.

For more information on the Group, please visit www.QandMDental.com.sg

For more information, please contact:
Waterbrooks Consultants Pte Ltd
Wayne Koo: wayne.koo@waterbrooks.com.sg, +65 9338-8166
Derek Yeo: derek@waterbrooks.com.sg, +65 9791-4707
General: query@waterbrooks.com.sg, +65 9690-4959

Proud Investor Relations partner:
https://www.waterbrooks.com.sg/ and https://www.shareinvestorholdings.com/

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

SinoMab Announces that IND Application of SM17 for the Treatment of Asthma was Approved by NAMP

HONG KONG, Aug 14, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – A Hong Kong-based biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of therapeutics for the treatment of immunological diseases- SinoMab BioScience Limited (Stock Code: 3681.HK, "SinoMab" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that the Investigational New Drug ("IND") application, for the treatment of patients with asthma for the Company's First-in-Class (FIC) therapeutic product SM17, was approved by the National Medical Products Administration of China (the "NMPA") on 11 August 2023. The Company plans to conduct a Phase I clinical study in China soon to investigate the safety profile of SM17 in Chinese population and to initiate the clinical development program of SM17 for the treatment of allergic diseases.

SM17 is a novel, first-in-class, humanized, IgG4-k monoclonal antibody which is capable of modulating Type II allergic reaction by targeting the receptor of a critical "alarmin" molecule interleukin 25 (IL-25). SM17 could suppress Th2 immune responses by binding to IL-25 receptor (also known as IL-17RB) on Type 2 Innate Lymphoid cells (ILC2s), and Type 2 helper T (Th2) cells, blocking a cascade of responses induced by IL-25, and suppressing the release of the downstream Th2 cytokines such asIL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. IL-25 is a critical cytokine classified as "alarmin", which has shown to be implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple airway viral responses and allergic diseases, such as asthma. Patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma are at risk of recurrent asthma exacerbations and hospitalizations, and uncontrolled severe asthma is associated with increased mortality and morbidity, diminished quality of life and increased health expenditures.

Meanwhile, the Company is also advancing the Phase I clinical study of SM17 in the U.S. at full speed. Based on the current progress, the Company expects to complete the Phase I clinical study by the end of this year, half a year ahead of the anticipated completion date. As early as March 2022, SM17's IND application for the treatment of asthma was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), and the first healthy subject had been successfully dosed in a Phase I clinical First-in-Human(FIH) clinical trial in June 2022. As of today, none of the subjects reported a serious adverse event.

As a new pathway for asthma treatment, therapy targeting the upstream mediators of the Th2 inflammatory cascade pathway, such as "alarmin", is expected to have a broad effect on airway inflammation. This is expected to lead to more effective control of asthma symptoms and an improvement in disease conditions compared to existing therapies. This has also been validated in the clinical trial of SM17.

The potential first-in-target antibody of SM17 has demonstrated the potential efficacy for multiple indications, including asthma and IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis). The above unique mechanism enables SM17 to cover more diversified indications, which can not only target indications with huge market size such as asthma and atopic dermatitis, but also treat diseases with high mortality rate such as IPF, and continuously expand its indication coverage. Compared with other currently approved therapeutic antibody drugs targeting ILC2s downstream pathway, SM17 has a differentiated advantage at the source.

As one of the global pandemics, asthma has caused social problems, with huge and urgent medical needs that cannot be ignored. The number of asthma patients worldwide is increasing year by year, and a large patient base is in urgent need of effective therapeutic drugs to alleviate unmet medical needs. According to the Frost & Sullivan Report, the number of asthma patients worldwide is expected to increase to approximately 860 million in 2030, of which the number of asthma patients in China will increase to 78.1 million which is higher than the global growth rate. The Company expects that targeting upstream mediators of the Th2 inflammatory cascade, such as the receptor for IL-25, will have a broad effect on airway inflammation, which is expected to provide a new therapeutic channel with efficacy and safety for asthma diseases and bring relief and treatment to asthma patients.

Dr. Shui On LEUNG, Executive Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SinoMab said that: "SM17's IND application for the treatment of asthma has been approved three months after it was accepted by the NMPA, which demonstrates that the efficient execution of the Company's new drug R&D program is well recognized by the NMPA, and also fully reflects the huge potential of SM17 in unmet medical needs for asthma treatment. We are confident in the huge clinical development and commercialization prospects of SM17, and will accelerate the progress of clinical trials and strive to achieve commercial business as soon as possible in the future. At the same time, we continue to expand the scope of indications so that new treatment options can benefit more Chinese patients in the future. The Company will continue to focus on autoimmune diseases, and spare no effort to provide more effective treatment options for Chinese and global patients with abundant technical reserves and strong innovation capabilities."

About SinoMab BioScience Limited
SinoMab BioScience Limited is dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of therapeutics for the treatment of immunological diseases. The R&D headquarters is located in Hong Kong and the production base is located in mainland China. The Company's flagship product SM03 is a potential global first-in-target mAb against CD22 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and has completed the Phase III clinical trial for rheumatoid arthritis in China, which has been recognized as one of the significant special projects of Significant New Drugs Development of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan Period and the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan Period. In addition, the Company possesses other potential first-in-target and first-in-class drug candidates, some of which are already in clinical stage, with their indications covering rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Alzheimer's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), pemphigus (PV), multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), asthma, and other diseases with major unmet clinical needs.

This press release is issued by Financial PR (HK) Limited on behalf of SinoMab BioScience Limited. For further information, please contact:

Financial PR (HK) Limited
Contact: Ms. Chloe Chiu / Ms. Serena Zhang / Ms. Willa Xue
Email: sinomab@financialpr.hk
Tel: (852) 2610 0846
Fax: (852) 2610 0842

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

CanariaBio Announces Enrollment Completion of Phase 2 Study of Oregovomab in Combination with Niraparib in the Treatment of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

SEOUL, S.KOREA, Aug 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – CanariaBio, a KOSDAQ-listed and a leading late-stage biotechnology company, announces the successful enrollment completion of a Phase 2 study of Oregovomab in combination with niraparib, GSK's poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, for treatment of patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.

This trial, known as FLORA-4 (NCT05335993), is being conducted by CanariaBio, with GSK providing clinical trial supply of niraparib. The study will assess the immunological and clinical activity, early humoral response, and disease control rate of concomitant Oregovomab and daily oral niraparib. This will be a preliminary investigation of the interaction of indirect immunization with Oregovomab and concomitant niraparib therapy and the immune modulatory effects associated with PARP inhibition. The key aim of the study is to explore whether a non-chemotherapy combination of Oregovomab and niraparib would potentially extend the platinum-free interval, which is known to have a favorable impact on subsequent treatment with platinum-based combination chemotherapy.

Ovarian cancer is known for its high recurrence rate. In this difficult landscape, Oregovomab has the potential of emerging as a promising immunotherapeutic agent. Through rigorous Phase II clinical trials, Oregovomab has not only demonstrated its safety profile but also showcased remarkable results by extending PFS by approximately 30 months when combined with chemotherapy, compared to conventional chemotherapy alone.

About Oregovomab

Oregovomab is a murine monoclonal antibody against CA 125, a biomarker commonly found in ovarian cancer. Indirect immunization with Oregovomab interacts with immune-modulating properties of infused paclitaxel and carboplatin, resulting in synergistic clinical benefits as observed in a Phase II trial. In a randomized Phase II clinical trial of 97 patients, treatment with Oregovomab in combination with chemotherapy had demonstrated a highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful outcome for both progression-free and overall survival compared to standard-of-care chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel). The risk of progression and of death was reduced by more than 50% when compared to control arm, and safety data showed that Oregovomab did not add incremental toxicity to the chemotherapy regimen. Clinical and translational results were published in Gynecology Oncology (2020) 156:523-529 and Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy (2020) 69: 383-397, respectively.

About ZEJULA (niraparib)

Niraparib is an oral, once-daily poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor approved by FDA and EMA for the use in ovarian cancer, marketed as ZEJULA by GSK. Niraparib is currently being evaluated in multiple pivotal trials. GSK is building a robust clinical development programme by assessing activity across multiple tumour types and evaluating several potential combinations of niraparib with other therapeutics. For questions or more information on niraparib, please visit www.gsk.com.

About CanariaBio Inc.

CanariaBio Inc. is a Korean biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of immunotherapies for cancer. CanariaBio's technology platform includes a portfolio of tumor antigen-specific monoclonal immunoglobulins targeting CA-125, MUC1, PSA and Her2/neu. The company is exploring the therapeutic potential of these antibodies as indirect immunizers in combination with other immune-modulating drugs or drug combinations to address unmet medical needs in oncology.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "should," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions. These statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release and the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release based on new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contact Information
Jacquelyn Choi
PR Manager
ipr@canariabio.com

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

iTolerance, Inc. and Northway Biotech Announce Partnership Agreement for Manufacturing of Streptavidin-FasL Fusion Protein for Innovative iTOL-100 Immunomodulatory Technology

MIAMI, FL & VILNIUS, LITHUANIA, Aug 1, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – iTolerance, Inc. ("iTolerance" or the "Company"), an early-stage regenerative medicine company developing technologies to enable tissue, organoid or cell therapy without the need for life-long immunosuppression, and Northway Biotech, an end-to-end biologics Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), today announced they have entered into a partnership agreement for the manufacturing of iTolerance's Streptavidin-FasL (SA-FasL) fusion protein, a crucial component of the proprietary iTOL-100 platform technology. The SA-FasL fusion protein has shown great potential in pre-clinical studies, establishing durable, localized immune tolerance and enabling implanted tissue, organoid, or cell therapy to function as a viable replacement for damaged native cells.

Under the terms of the agreement, Northway Biotech will leverage its expertise to develop a robust manufacturing process for the SA-FasL fusion protein. This involves producing a Master Cell Bank (MCB), developing and qualifying analytical methods, optimizing the formulation, development and scaling up of the production process, and manufacturing a cGMP drug substance batch for clinical studies.

"We believe this strategic partnership is not only a significant step for iTolerance, but also in developing advanced regenerative medicine technologies. We are incredibly delighted to establish this important partnership with Northway Biotech, a pre-eminent CDMO, to manufacture the clinical supplies necessary for our first in human clinical study for our lead program, iTOL-102," commented Dr. Anthony Japour, Chief Executive Officer of iTolerance. "We look forward to working closely with the Northway Biotech team to advance our iTOL-100 technology and progress towards providing treatment options that have the potential to cure diseases without the need for chronic immunosuppression."

"We are excited to be working with Northway Biotech on this critical component of our iTOL-100 technology. Northway has unique experience working with our cell line which we believe will accelerate our ability to prepare cGMP protein to support our planned first in human clinical study," added Dennis M. Hester, PhD, SVP of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls at iTolerance, Inc.

Prof. Vladas Algirdas Bumelis, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at Northway Biotech expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are delighted to embark on this dynamic project focused on producing the SA-FasL fusion protein for iTolerance. We believe this partnership is an exciting development in the regenerative medicine field, and we are honored to play a role in advancing this important work. With a commitment to meeting contractual timelines, our primary objective is to ensure the punctual delivery of these crucial materials to our esteemed partners at iTolerance."

Andre Markmann, PhD, VP of Business Development at Northway Biotech, added, "The partnership with iTolerance has been smooth sailing from the start. We are pleased to commence this project built on mutual trust and a collaborative spirit that drives both companies to perform at the highest level and deliver exceptional results."

About iTOL-100

iTolerance's iTOL-100 immunomodulatory technology is a biotechnology-derived Streptavidin-FasL fusion protein, a synthetic form of the naturally occurring protein FasL, mixed with a biotin-PEG microgel (SA-FasL microgel) that potentially allows convenient and effective co-administration with implanted cells or organoids to induce local immune tolerance without the need for life-long immunosuppression. This proprietary technology has broad applicability and can be applied to allogenic and stem cell-derived organoids across several diseases.

About iTolerance, Inc

iTolerance is an early-stage privately-held regenerative medicine company developing technologies to enable tissue, organoid or cell therapy without requiring life-long immunosuppression. Leveraging its proprietary biotechnology-derived Streptavidin-FasL fusion protein/biotin-PEG microgel (SA-FasL microgel) platform technology, iTOL-100, iTolerance is advancing a pipeline of programs using both allogenic pancreatic islets and stem cells that have the potential to cure diseases. The Company's lead program, iTOL-102, leverages significant advancements in stem cells to derive pancreatic islets, which allows an inexhaustible supply of insulin-producing cells. Utilizing iTOL-100 to induce local immune tolerance, iTOL-102 has the potential to be a cure for Type 1 Diabetes without the need for life-long immunosuppression. Additionally, the Company is developing iTOL-201 for treating liver failure by utilizing hepatocytes and iTOL-401 as a nanoparticle formulation for large organ transplants without the need for life-long immunosuppression. For more information, please visit www.itolerance.com.

About Northway Biotech

Northway Biotech is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) supporting customers worldwide. Its highly experienced, professional team executes projects at any stage, from cell line construction and process development to cGMP manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products. The company's wide-ranging expertise and vertically integrated service offering translate to the ability to rapidly execute multiple projects from its state-of-the-art GMP facilities while ensuring complete process and product compliance at all stages of research, development and commercial manufacturing. Northway Biotech is a privately owned company founded in 2004 and located in Vilnius, Lithuania, London, United Kingdom, and Waltham, MA, US. Further information can be found on Northway's website at www.northwaybiotech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe-harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as "anticipate", "being", "will", "plan", "may", "continue", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking.

All forward-looking statements are based upon iTolerance's current expectations and various assumptions. The Company believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. The Company may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation, anticipated levels of revenues, future national or regional economic and competitive conditions, and difficulties in developing the Company's platform technology. Consequently, forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as the Company's current plans, estimates and beliefs. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to update, republish, or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events, except as may be required by law.

Northway Biotech Contacts:
Vladas Algirdas Bumelis
CEO and Chairman of the Board
vladas.bumelis@northwaybiotech.com

iTolerance Contacts:
Investor Contact
Jenene Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
JTC Team, LLC
T: 833.475.8247
iTolerance@jtcir.com

Media Contact
Susan Roberts
T: 202.779.0929
sr@roberts-communications.com

Contact Information:
Vladas Bumelis
CEO and Chairman of the Board
vladas.bumelis@northwaybiotech.com

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Exploring New Collaborative Opportunities! The Indonesia-China Healthcare and Biotech Investment Forum Successfully Held

HONG KONG, Jul 31, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – On 27 July 2023, on the eve of the highly anticipated Chengdu FISU World University Games, the Minister of Health Indonesia Budi Gunadi Sadikin accompanied Indonesian President Joko Widodo on a visit to China. The Indonesia-China Healthcare and Biotech Investment Forum, co-hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in China and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bilateral Committee for China (KIKT), and supported by Legend Capital and Indonesia Chamber of Commerce in China (INACHAM), was successfully held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Chengdu. A total of 120 people, including Indonesian government officials, scholars, business people and leading Chinese healthcare companies, attended the event to jointly discuss the direction and opportunities for the development of healthcare and biotech in China and Indonesia.

Jafar WANG, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Legend Capital

Frank HONG, Managing Director of Legend Capital

The forum was chaired by Mr. Jafar WANG, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Legend Capital, who mentioned Legend Capital's latest "Ecosystem plus" strategy in healthcare, and hoped to collaborate with the excellent healthcare enterprises in China and Indonesia to build an open, innovative, and international ecosystem through this forum. Mr. Garibaldi Thohir, Chairman of Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bilateral Committee of China (KIKT), Mr. H.E. Djauhari Oratmangun, Indonesian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, and Mr. Arsjad Rasjid, Chairman of Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), each delivered opening speeches for the forum. They warmly welcomed Chinese healthcare companies investing and developing in Indonesia, combining innovative technologies, advanced concepts, and China's experience with Indonesia's national conditions, to promote the development of Indonesian healthcare and medical services.

The Minister of Health Indonesia, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, delivered a keynote speech on "Healthcare Policy and Planning in Indonesia". The speech systematically sorted out and discussed the overall health system in Indonesia from various perspectives, such as the current situation of Indonesian healthcare, the number and capabilities of medical personnel, the distribution of medical resources, and the coverage of universal health insurance. He indicated that the Indonesian healthcare system urgently needs to transform and develop, hoping to promote the transformation and upgrading of the healthcare system through the establishment of a nationwide disease prevention and control monitoring network, improving the level of primary healthcare services in Indonesia, training medical professionals and medical staffs, making rational use of funds from all parties, as well as cooperating deeply with Chinese companies through national projects. At last, He warmly welcomed Chinese companies to invest and develop in Indonesia and explore new opportunities and potentials for the development of the healthcare industry in both countries.

Mr. Frank HONG, Managing Director of Legend Capital, then delivered a speech on "Trends in Investment and Industrial Cooperation in Indonesia", sharing Legend Capital's investment strategies and choice of approaches in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia. He also elaborated on the current situation and upgrade demands of the Indonesian healthcare industry and suggested that excellent Chinese healthcare companies go abroad, increase investment in Indonesia and create more value for the two countries.

Subsequently, under the witness of the Minister of Health Indonesia and relevant government officials, the Ministry of Health Indonesia and Tsinghua University signed a strategic cooperation agreement. At the same time, a signing ceremony was also held between Chinese and Indonesian companies, whereby Chinese companies, including Sansure Biotech, Walvax Biotech, CanSino Bio, BGI, Sinovac Biotech, Zhifei Biological, and Wondfo Biotech, together with Indonesian companies such as UBC Medical, ETANA, Kalbe Farma, BioFarma, and Kimia Farma, reached partnership agreements, jointly supporting the coordinated development of the healthcare fields in China and Indonesia.

Mr. LI Ning, Vice President of BGI Group, gave a speech on "Trends in Life Science Technology", stating that BGI Group hopes to lead the innovative development of genomics with the integrated development model of "industry, university, and R&D", promote the transformation of gene technology achievements, and realize the benefits of gene technology to humankind.

During the panel discussion, Mr. Bonanza Perwira, Director of Centre for Global Health and Technology Policy of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, chaired a discussion on the "Prospects for Industrial Cooperation between China and Indonesia", which the Minister of Health Indonesia Mr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices of the Indonesian Ministry of Health Ms. Lucia Rizka Andalucia, Chairman of Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Arsjad Rasjid, Kimia Farma's President Director Mr. David Utama, and Kalbe Farma's President Mr. Vidjongtius participated in and responded to questions raised by the audience regarding Indonesian healthcare policies, Indonesian health insurance payment methods, foreign company access and commercialization, and partner selection, and expressed a warm welcome to more open cooperation with Chinese companies.

Subsequently, Mr. QI Fei, Executive Director of Legend Capital, presided over the panel discussion of "Attempts for Chinese Company Collaborating in Indonesia", which Mr. DAI Lizhong, Chairman and Founder of Sansure Biotech, Mr. WU Xiaobin, President and Chief Operations Officer of BeiGene, Mr. DONG Shaozhong, Vice President of Walvax Biotech, Ms. WANG Jing, Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Director of CanSino Bio, Mr. XIA Jusong, President of International Business at United Imaging Healthcare, and Mr. CHEN Kai, Executive Director of AstraZeneca China participated in and shared and discussed topics such as the trend of China-Indonesia cooperation, development opportunities in Indonesia, practical experience of entering the Indonesian market, and cooperation models between the two countries. It is hoped that Chinese healthcare enterprises can carry out broader and deeper cooperation with more countries to benefit more people around the world.

2023 is the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and is also a year of opportunities for both countries. With the joint efforts of both sides, it is believed that the collaborative development of China-Indonesia in healthcare fields will undoubtedly contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for human health.

About Legend Capital

Founded in 2001, Legend Capital is a leading VC&PE investor focusing on the early-stage and growth-stage opportunities in China, with offices across Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Seoul, Korea.

It currently manages USD and RMB funds of over US$10 billion in commitments, and has invested in around 600 companies, covering technology, healthcare, consumer, enterprise service and intelligent manufacturing sectors. Rooted in China, Legend Capital participated in the rise of many world-leading companies by solid investment coverage and systematic post-investment value-add. Over the years, Legend Capital has also become a widely recognized name in bridging key resources in China and overseas through cross-border activities, and a valuable partner to Chinese and overseas investors.

Legend Capital values long-term sustainable investment and incorporates ESG into its long-term development strategy. As a UNPRI signatory since November 2019, Legend Capital is among the first group of top VC/PE firms in China to join the initiative.

For more information, please visit www.legendcapital.com.cn/index_en.aspx and follow us on LinkedIn @Legend Capital ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/legend-capital ).

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