OKRA.ai, an Envision Pharma Group Company, Appoints Dr. Yahya Anvar to Senior Leadership Position

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Jun 15, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – OKRA.ai, an Envision Pharma Group (Envision) company, has appointed senior leader Dr. Yahya Anvar as Chief of AI Science & Insights to unleash the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and to further support the life sciences industry.

"I am excited about continuing the innovative collaboration between Envision and OKRA.ai along with Yahya as a senior leader as it further solidifies our Envision commitment to the expansion of OKRA.ai and leadership in the AI and technical space," shares Meg Heim, CEO of Envision Pharma Group. "His leadership is critical to our vision to accelerate the delivery of our compelling combination of technology-enabled capabilities and solutions to clients as we continue to strengthen our offerings across the product life cycle, but more importantly to support patients in their journey to health and wellness."

Anvar joined OKRA.ai in 2019, heading the Data Science team. During his tenure, he has led the development of AI solutions across OKRA.ai's portfolio of products and services. Prior to joining the company, he served as the principal investigator of preclinical personalized medicine at Leiden University Medical Center. He has over 14 years of experience in the healthcare sector and is the author of over 30 peer-reviewed scientific articles. Anvar holds a PhD in Computational Biology from the faculty of Medicine at Leiden University, and an MSc in Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence from Brunel University.

Anvar shares, "It is an absolute privilege to be leading the AI insights and science at Envision and pushing the boundaries of what AI has to offer to better patients' outcomes. Making an impact through solutions that provide actionable, explainable insights is what we thrive for. There is no better time for new beginnings than today, and I'm so excited to be working with the Envision team to transform the industry as we know it."

Dr. Loubna Bouarfa, Head of AI & Innovative Platforms at Envision, shares, "It was a pleasure to work with Yahya; he has been an exceptional leader of the Data Science team at OKRA.ai. His role has now expanded to cover AI insights and scientific expertise across the entire Envision organization following our recent acquisition. I look forward to working with him in driving AI innovation and propelling Envision to new heights."

About Envision Pharma Group

Founded in 2001, Envision Pharma Group is a leading global technology-enabled strategic solutions partner for the life sciences industry, working with over 200 pharma and biotech companies, including 18 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies. Envision supports clients across the product life cycle through a comprehensive suite of services and industry-leading technology solutions that include artificial intelligence and natural language processing, commercialization and integrated strategic consulting, evidence-based scientific communications and engagement, HEOR/market access and data analytics, medical capabilities, and omnichannel solutions. Learn more at www.envisionpharmagroup.com.

Contact Information:
Colleen Carter
Associate Director, Communications, Office of CEO
colleen.carter@envisionpharma.com
1 (508) 505 8856

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

YSB Inc. Global Offering

HONG KONG, Jun 15, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – YSB Inc. (the "Company"; Stock code: 9885) announced the details of its global offering (the "Global Offering") and its proposed listing on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Stock Exchange").

Highlights of the Global Offering:
— Number of Offer Shares under the Global Offering: 15,808,800 Shares (subject to the Over-allotment Option).
— Number of Hong Kong Public Offer Shares: 1,581,200 Shares (subject to reallocation).
— Number of International Offer Shares: 14,227,600 Shares (subject to reallocation and the Over-allotment Option).
— Maximum Offer Price: HK$23.00 per Share plus brokerage of 1.0%, SFC transaction levy of 0.0027%, AFRC transaction levy of 0.00015% and Stock Exchange trading fee of 0.00565% (payable in full on application in Hong Kong Dollars, subject to refund).
— The Hong Kong Public Offering commences at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2023 and is expected to close at 12:00 noon (at 11:30 a.m. for HK eIPO White Form applications) on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
— Dealings in the Shares on the Stock Exchange are expected to commence at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.
— The stock code of the Shares is 9885.
— Shares of the Company will be traded in board lots of 200 Shares each.
— China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited is the Solo Sponsor and Sole Global Coordinator. China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited and CMB International Capital Limited are Joint Global Coordinators. China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, CMB International Capital Limited, ICBC International Securities Limited, ABCI Capital Limited and Fosun International Securities Limited are the Joint Bookrunners. China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, CMB International Capital Limited, ICBC International Securities Limited, ABCI Securities Company Limited, Fosun International Securities Limited, Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited, Tiger Brokers (HK) Global Limited and Valuable Capital Limited are the Joint Lead Managers.

The Global Offering comprises a total of 15,808,800 Shares (subject to the Over-allotment Option), consisting of initially 1,581,200 Hong Kong Offer Shares (subject to reallocation) and 14,227,600 International Offer Shares (subject to reallocation and the Over-allotment Option).

The Hong Kong Public Offering commences at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2023 and is expected to close at 12:00 noon (or at 11:30 a.m. for HK eIPO White Form applications) on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Dealings in the Shares on the Stock Exchange are expected to commence at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Shares of the Company will be traded in board lots of 200 Shares each and the stock code of the Shares will be 9885.

The Company is expected to grant to the International Underwriters the Over-allotment Option, exercisable by the Sole Overall Coordinator (on behalf of the International Underwriters) at any time from the Listing Date until 30 days after the last day for lodging applications under the Hong Kong Public Offering (being Thursday, 20 July 2023), pursuant to which the Company may be required to issue up to an aggregate of 2,371,200 Shares, representing not more than 15% of the number of Offer Shares initially available under the Global Offering, at the Offer Price, to cover over-allocations in the International Offering, if any.

Assuming that the Over-allotment Option is not exercised, after deducting the underwriting commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by us in connection with the Global Offering, and assuming an Offer Price of HK$21.00 per Share (being the mid-point of the Offer Price), the Company estimates that it will receive gross proceeds of approximately HK$332.0 million from the Global Offering, and net proceeds of approximately HK$253.6 million from the Global Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Global Offering for the following purposes:

— Approximately 45% of the net proceeds, or approximately HK$114.1 million, is expected to be used to further develop the Company's pharmaceutical circulation business;
— Approximately 25% of the net proceeds, or approximately HK$63.4 million, is expected to be used to further develop other businesses of the Company;
— Approximately 22% of the net proceeds, or approximately HK$55.8 million, is expected to be used for research and development; and
— Approximately 8% of the net proceeds or approximately HK$20.3 million is expected to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Company has entered into a cornerstone investment agreement ("Cornerstone Investment Agreement") with the cornerstone investor ZGC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ("Cornerstone Investor"), pursuant to which the Cornerstone Investor has agreed to (subject to certain conditions) subscribe, or cause its designated entities to subscribe, for such number of Offer Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole board lot of 200 Shares) that may be purchased at the Offer Price of an aggregate amount of up to approximately US$12.8 million (approximately HK$100.3 million) (exclusive of brokerage, SFC transaction levy, AFRC transaction levy and Stock Exchange trading fee) ("Cornerstone Investment" or "Cornerstone Placing"). The Cornerstone Placing will form part of the International Offering, and Cornerstone Investor will not acquire any Offer Shares under the Global Offering (other than pursuant to the Cornerstone Investment Agreement). The Offer Shares to be acquired by the Cornerstone Investor will rank pari passu in all respects with the fully paid Shares in issue and will be counted towards the public float of the Company under Rule 8.24 of the Listing Rules.

China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited is the Solo Sponsor and Sole Global Coordinator. China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited and CMB International Capital Limited are Joint Global Coordinators. China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, CMB International Capital Limited, ICBC International Securities Limited, ABCI Capital Limited and Fosun International Securities Limited are the Joint Bookrunners. China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, CMB International Capital Limited, ICBC International Securities Limited, ABCI Securities Company Limited, Fosun International Securities Limited, Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited, Tiger Brokers (HK) Global Limited and Valuable Capital Limited are the Joint Lead Managers.

About YSB Inc.
YSB Inc. is China's largest and fast-growing digital pharmaceutical platform serving businesses outside of hospitals in terms of total GMV (marketplace model and self-operation model combined) in 2022. As an enabler of the digitalisation of the outside-of-hospital pharmaceutical and medical service market, the Company has developed technology-backed solutions to connect and empower the upstream, including pharmaceutical companies, distributors and vendors, and the downstream, including pharmacies and primary healthcare institutions. The Company's total GMV reached RMB37.8 billion in 2022, representing a CAGR of 38.6% from that in 2020, both the highest among leading digital pharmaceutical platforms serving businesses outside of hospitals in China. The Company serves the largest digital pharmaceutical transaction and service network as of December 31, 2022, and had the highest average number of monthly active buyers of approximately 310 thousand among digital pharmaceutical platforms serving businesses outside of hospitals in China in 2022.

Important:
1. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for securities. This press release is not a prospectus. Potential investors should read the Prospectus for detailed information about the Global Offering described above before deciding whether or not to invest in the Shares thereby being offered. An application to subscribe for the shares referred to in this press release by any persons shall be made solely based on the Prospectus and the application form to be issued by the Company on June 15, 2023.
2. No application to subscribe for the Shares of the Company should be made by any person nor would such application be accepted without the completion of a formal application form or other application procedure that is issued with or in respect of the shares of the Company.

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

NSI Lab Solutions Launches MicroVive: The Only 30-Day Rehydration Fluid for Microbiological Cultures

Raleigh, NC, Jun 14, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – NSI Lab Solutions is excited to introduce MicroVive(TM), the only 30-day rehydration fluid for freezer storage of microbiological-certified reference materials. MicroVive is a single formulation designed to protect bacterial and fungal cell viability during frozen storage for up to 30 days. It is available in either 1.2 or 9 mL pre-proportioned volumes and sold in packs of 20 vials.

MicroVive is perfectly suited for use with NSI Lab Solutions' microbiological-certified reference materials (CRMs) and is the right solution when a laboratory requires multiple cultures to be ready at the same time. Simply place an aliquot of the hydrated inoculum into the MicroVive fluid and store it in the freezer for up to 30 days; frozen samples can then be thawed once for another use.

"We are pleased to add MicroVive to our growing microbiology portfolio," said Evangeline Gonzalez, President, Antylia Diagnostics division. "As we deliver new products for our customers, we are leveraging ZeptoMetrix(R) leadership in new product development. And, with MicroVive, our Certified Reference Materials team is excited to partner with laboratories around the world to maximize workflow flexibility."

More information on how to order new MicroVive and additional NSI Lab Solutions products can be found at https://nsilabsolutions.com/product/microvive/.

Contact Information:
Lauren Stainback
Global Product Manager & Applications Specialist
lauren.stainback@antylia.com

Related Files
NSI Lab Solutions Launches MicroVive.pdf
https://cdn.newswire.com/files/x/a3/3a/995ce1250b9dc1c78eb2b8444ee9.pdf

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

Proventus Bioscience Breaks Ground on Its New Production Facility and Expansion of Its Laboratories and Fermentation Plant

MONTREAL, QUEBEC, Jun 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Proventus Bioscience, a biotech company that produces sustainable biological microorganisms for use by various industries, announced the start of construction of its new 20,000-square-foot production plant and corporate headquarters at 4455 Griffith St., Saint-Laurent, QC.

Proventus' new 20,000-square foot facility is designed to be compliant with current Good Manufacturing Practices (camps) required by the food industry that include bio-infused products for probiotics, agriculture formulations, and treatments for waste management and pollution control. GMP was first developed by the World Health Organization in 1968 and has since evolved and expanded, with 100 countries adopting the provisions in their own requirements.

Speaking at the company's official announcement, the founders of Proventus, Mr. Vincent Delorenzo and Peter Bozel, commented on the company's incredible growth over the last seven years as proof that the company's technology is widely accepted by the industry. The demand for Proventus' products is what propelled this incredible expansion:

"The inauguration of this facility will take place sometime in August and will give Proventus a launching pad from [which to] introduce novel first-in-class sustainable microbial formulations that can be used for a wide spectrum of industries and add many new novel products such as biostimulants and bio-protectants for use in agriculture and remediation of polluted soils.

"Our plans and pipeline for new products are ambitious but attainable because our technology solution is unique in the remediation of polluted waters and soils and for enhancement of biorational agricultural production practices by developing biologicals as compliments or replacement for chemical fertilizers and plant protectants. Its efficacy is being [proven daily] in farmers' fields and in tests conducted in laboratories and greenhouses at respected research institutions throughout Canada.

"Proventus' core technology is in constant development. We have acquired the most up-to-date fermentation equipment, solid-state fermenters, high-capacity freeze dryers and methods to formulate and stabilize viruses, bacteria, and fungi for optimal activity under all environmental conditions."

Internationally recognized plant scientist Dr. George Lazarovits heads the Proventus Scientific Advisory Board.

Visit proventusbioscience.com or call 438-387-1117 for more information.

About Proventus Bioscience Inc.

Proventus Bioscience Inc., based in Montreal, is a biotech company that develops sustainable biological products for the management of polluted environments and for use in sustainable agriculture. It has pioneered many other products with eco-positive solutions and continues to develop new innovations as a response to market changes on its own as well as with major partnerships.

Acknowledgment:

Proventus Bioscience would like to take this opportunity to thank the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec for its financial support. REGI is a national funding program that supports the economic growth of businesses and regions through innovation.

Contact Information
Vincent DeLorenzo
Founding Member
info@proventusbioscience.com

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

SinoMab Submits another IND Application for SM17 for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis, Which was Accepted by NMPA CDE

HONG KONG, Jun 12, 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 an Investigational New Drug application ("IND") for SM17, a humanised anti-IL-17RB monoclonal antibody for injection, for atopic dermatitis ("AD") , has been filed with and accepted by the Center for Drug Evaluation ("CDE") of the National Medical Products Administration of China ("NMPA"). The present IND submission, once granted, will enable the Company to conduct comprehensive clinical development program in China which leads to indication for treatment of AD.

SM17 is a humanized, IgG4-k monoclonal antibody targeting IL-17RB, which is a global first-in-class monoclonal antibody drug targeting IL-17BR with the potential for treating atopic dermatitis, asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other immunological disorders. The IND is mainly for the treatment of AD, and the Company will initiate a Phase I clinical study in China upon approval of the present IND.

SM17 could suppress Th2 immune responses by binding to IL-17RB on Type 2 Innate Lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and Type 2 helper T (Th2) cells, blocking a cascade of responses induced by interleukin-25 (IL-25). IL-25 is a critical cytokine classified as "alarmin", which has shown to be implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases, especially for AD. Around the globe, about one-fifth of the population were affected by AD at a certain stage of life, especially during the period of children. The condition is extremely volatile and can be difficult to be totally cured. It significantly reduces the quality of life of patients, and requires highly effective products to make up for unmet medical needs.

As a long-standing chronic disease, new cases of AD are growing rapidly in China with broad market potential. According to Frost & Sullivan, there were approximately 65.7 million AD patients in China in 2019 and is expected to grow to 81.7 million in 2030, and 30% of which will be moderate-to-severe patients. China's AD medicine market was US$600 million in 2019, and is expected to grow to US$1.5 billion in 2024, and is expected to increase to US$4.3 billion in 2030, indicating a considerable market size. We expect that targeting upstream mediators of the Th2 inflammatory cascade, such as IL-17RB, will have a broad effect on skin inflammation. Coupled with the vast market potential of AD market and the lack of effective treatment methods, it is believed that the research and development of its treatment has market potential.

The Company is also committed to advancing multiple indications studies for SM17, laying a foundation for proof of concept and drug launches. In the United States, 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. Since then, none of the subjects reported a serious adverse event. At present, we are in full steam ahead to accelerate the progress of our clinical study, and expect the Phase I clinical study can be completed by the end of this year, six months ahead of the original anticipated completion date. In China, in addition to the acceptance of the application of SM17 for the treatment of AD, the new drug application for the treatment of asthma was also accepted by NMPA CDE on May 19 this year. If approved, the phase I clinical trial will be accelerated.

Dr. Shui On LEUNG, Executive Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SinoMab said that, "As a global first-in-class humanised IgG4-k monoclonal antibody targeting IL-17RB, SM17 has made good progress in several new drug research with the Company's proactive progress. The acceptance of the new drug application for SM17 not only helps the Company to carry out the clinical research and development project for the treatment of AD in China, but also reflects the high efficiency of the research and development of new drugs. The Company is confident in the significant clinical trial and commercial development prospects of the new drug of SM17, and expects that the new treatment option will benefit more Chinese patients in the future, to jointly write a new chapter in the treatment of AD. In addition, the Company will continue to insist on independent innovation, strive to improve the research of new drugs, continuously expand the indication population, and provide more effective treatment solutions for patients in China and worldwide with no efforts, with an aim to become a global leader in innovative therapies for immunological diseases."

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. Cita 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

China Medical System: The first ‘Diazepam Nasal Spray’ Approved for Marketing in China

l CMS is pleased to announce the NDA of the first Diazepam Nasal Spray has been approved for marketing in China. The Product can meet current clinical needs for accessible and convenient treatment option of domestic epilepsy patients 6 years of age and older with seizure clusters/acute repetitive seizures. The Product can be administered at anytime and anywhere, and has the differentiated advantage of seizure rescue, with the characteristic of convenience and optimization through intranasal administration

l The Product’s formulation incorporates a unique combination of Vitamin E-based solvents and Intravail^® absorption enhancer, and the Product has high bioavailability, outstanding absorbability, tolerance and reliability

l In 2023, CMS’s innovation development is stepping into a new cycle of harvesting, and the Product is CMS’s third innovative drug approved for marketing in China this year

SHENZHEN, CHINA, June 12, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – On June 12, China Medical System Holdings Limited (“CMS” or the “Group”) announced that on June 7 2023, the New Drug Application (NDA) of Diazepam Nasal Spray (the “Product”) received approval from the National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA). The Product is the first diazepam nasal spray in China, and it is indicated for the acute treatment of intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity (i.e. seizure clusters, acute repetitive seizures) that are distinct from a patient’s usual seizure pattern in patients with epilepsy 6 years of age and older.

The Product is a proprietary formulation of diazepam administered through the nasal mucosa, and has high bioavailability, outstanding absorbability, tolerance and reliability. Product formulation incorporates a combination of Vitamin E-based solvents and Intravail^® absorption enhancer. Intravail^® transmucosal absorption enhancement technology enables the non-invasive delivery of a broad range of proteins, peptides and small-molecule drugs.

The results of the Product’s US related clinical trial showed that 87% of seizure cluster episodes used a single dose of the Product over a 24-hour period. A post hoc analysis of these data showed the Product had a rapid onset of action with the median time from administration of the Product to seizure cessation of 4 minutes. Further analyses showed using the Product as intermittent rescue therapy significantly improves the quality of life of epileptic patients and may reflect a beneficial effect in increasing time between seizure clusters. In 2020, the Product was approved for marketing in the United States of America.

The active pharmaceutical ingredient of the Product is Diazepam, belonging to the class of benzodiazepines, which are the first-choice drugs for the treatment of seizure clusters. However, there has been a lack of drugs for the treatment of seizure clusters in the China. The Product is the first drug approved in China for the treatment of seizure clusters. It can be administered intranasally at the appropriate time by patients or their caregivers under prescription from a doctor and guidance from medical staff. The Product can meet current clinical needs for accessible and convenient treatment option of domestic epilepsy patients with seizure clusters. The Product can be administered anytime and anywhere, and has the differentiated advantage of seizure rescue, with the characteristic of convenience and optimization through intranasal administration.

CMS has always focused on unmet clinical needs, and joined hands with global innovation forces to build a pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem in an open and collaborative setting, to continuously develop differentiated innovative products for patients. Starting from 2023, CMS’s innovation development is stepping into a new cycle of harvesting. Diazepam Nasal Spray is CMS’s third innovative drug approved for marketing in China this year, following the approval of Methotrexate Injection and Tildrakizumab Injection. CMS will steadily prepare for the commercialization of innovative products to benefit more patients in China as soon as possible.

Seizure Clusters/Acute Repetitive Seizures

According to the clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines epilepsy volume (revision in 2023), seizure clusters/acute repetitive seizures are defined as ≥3 seizures/24h for adults, ≥3 seizures/12h for children, ≤8h between each seizures, and the consciousness returning to normal level between the two seizures. Seizure clusters are common in certain epilepsy syndromes, menstrual seizures, and drug-refractory epilepsy. If not treated in time, some will develop into status epilepticus, endangering the lives of patients.

According to estimation, there are about 6.4 million active epilepsy patients in China, and about 0.3 million new cases reported each year. However, due to a lack of proper awareness towards epilepsy and limited medical resources, the current treatment gap for patients with active epilepsy in China is 49.8%, based on which it is estimated that about 3 million patients with active epilepsy in China have not received appropriate treatment. At present, there is still a lack of epidemiological research on seizure clusters in China. According to overseas studies, the rate of outpatient incidence of seizure clusters is about 15% and therefore it is estimated that nearly 500,000 patients with active epilepsy receiving regular treatment still have seizure clusters.

For further detailed information regarding Diazepam Nasal Spray, please see the following link for “Voluntary and Business Update Announcement: New Drug Application of Diazepam Nasal Spray Approved in China” issued by CMS on June 12, 2023: https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2023/0612/2023061200453.pdf

About CMS

CMS is a platform company linking pharmaceutical innovation and commercialization with strong product lifecycle management capability, dedicated to providing competitive products and services to meet unmet healthcare needs. In 2022, the Group recorded a turnover of RMB9,150 million; in the case that all medicines were directly sold by the Group, the turnover reached RMB10,498 million. Profit for the year reached RMB3,276 million.

CMS focuses on developing first- or best-in-class innovative products and has made the layout of 30 differentiated pipeline products with strong market potential. CMS deeply engages in specialty therapeutic fields, and has developed proven commercialization capabilities, extensive networks and expert resources, resulting in leading academic and market positions for its major marketed products. CMS continues to strengthen the competitiveness of its cardio-cerebrovascular/gastroenterology business, and independently operated dermatology and medical aesthetic business, and ophthalmology business, whilst enhancing the scale and efficiency. CMS also entered into the Southeast Asian market to create new opportunities to further enhance the sustainable development of the Group.

Media Contact

Brand: China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

Contact: CMS Investor Relations

Email: ir@cms.net.cn

Website: https://web.cms.net.cn/en/home/

Source: China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

International Confederation of Midwives to Host Thousands of Delegates at Its 33rd Triennial Congress in Bali

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS, Jun 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) is excited to announce that the 33rd ICM Triennial Congress will take place in Bali from 11-14 June 2023. The event will bring together over 2,300 midwives, maternal health advocates, and healthcare professionals from around the world to share knowledge and best practices and to celebrate the crucial role of midwives in improving maternal and newborn health.

ICM Congress – Day 1
Indonesian Midwives participate in the 33rd ICM Triennial Council meeting in Bali.

According to a recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO), one woman dies every two minutes from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications globally. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need to invest in maternal healthcare and the critical role of midwives in ensuring safe and healthy childbirth, but also in providing essential reproductive health services.

"The 33rd Triennial Congress is a unique opportunity to bring together midwives from all over the world to collaborate and share evidence-based practices and experiences," said Dr. Franka Cadee, President of the ICM. "We are delighted to be able to bring everyone together again after the pandemic, and we hope to raise awareness of the critical role of midwives in the reproductive health of women, gender-diverse people, and families globally."

The Congress will feature plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and poster presentations covering a wide range of topics related to midwifery, including maternal and newborn health, family planning, and midwifery education and regulation. Participants will have the opportunity to network with colleagues from around the world and share their knowledge and experiences. It will also provide a platform for midwives to advocate for increased investment in the profession and to advance midwife-led education and integration into health systems worldwide.

"Together with all midwives in Indonesia, it is an honour to host this sharing and learning session, especially with the charm of the island of Bali, whose nature, culture, and beauty are nothing short of inspirational," said Emi Nurjasmi, President of the Indonesian Midwives Association and ICM Board Member representing Southeast Asia. "With delegates, speakers, and exhibitors from around the world, this Congress is designed not only to support the growth of the midwifery profession, but also to encourage midwives and women to come together, build relationships, grow ideas, and identify pathways for advancement."

For more information about the 33rd ICM Triennial Congress, please visit the Congress website at https://midwives2023.org/.

ICM is pleased to provide complimentary media passes to journalists interested in covering the Congress. Submit a request for accreditation of media representatives at the link below:

https://midwives2023.org/media/

The International Confederation of Midwives is an international, accredited non-governmental organisation that supports, represents and works to strengthen professional associations of midwives throughout the world.

Contact Information
Daniela Drandic
Head of Communications
d.drandic@internationalmidwives.org

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

Xuanzhu Biopharm, a subsidiary of Sihuan Pharmaceutical, progresses at full speed in innovative research and development, Presents major research results of birociclib, the start product, at the international stage in ASCO

HONG KONG, Jun 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd. (the "Company" or "Sihuan Pharmaceutical", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group", HKEX stock code: 0460) is pleased to announce that the Group recently attended the 59th American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago, the United States with its major research results, which demonstrated the efficacy of the innovative CDK4/6 inhibitor birociclib independently developed by Xuanzhu Biopharm, its subsidiary, in the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer after monotherapy and combination therapy (including endocrine therapy and chemotherapy), which was highly recognized by the industry worldwide and further validated the corporate value of Xuanzhu Biopharm.

The CDK4/6 inhibitor with a novel structure for HR+/HER2-advanced breast cancer, which was independently developed by Xuanzhu Biopharm, an innovative pharmaceutical subsidiary of Sihuan Pharmaceutical, is also the first CDK4/6 inhibitor in mainland China to conduct a registration clinical trial for monotherapy final-line treatment, and has significant advantages. Being able to present the latest clinical progress at the ASCO annual meeting is a great recognition by the international academic community of Xuanzhu Biopharm's global innovation and R&D capabilities.

In the drug design of birociclib, Xuanzhu Biopharm has differentially constructed a unique molecular structure through the analysis of molecule-protein binding, and coupled with the leading technology, it can inhibit CDK6 moderately while inhibiting CDK4 potently, effectively reducing the side effects of the drug. Preclinical studies have shown that birociclib has a unique pharmacokinetic profile that can effectively pass the blood-brain barrier and is expected to be effective in patients with brain metastases from breast cancer. Therefore, birociclib, as an innovative CDK4/6 inhibitor developed by a domestic company, is expected to gain global presence with its excellent monotherapy efficacy, safety and tolerability, and the potential for additional combination therapy. The excellent clinical results disclosed by Xuanzhu Biopharm at the ASCO annual meeting highlighted the development potential of birociclib.

Through the Group's innovation-oriented research and development, the indications covered by birociclib have been further expanded, enabling the drug to capture the emerging opportunities in the blue ocean market in China and globally, thereby providing more options for cancer treatment in the future and better benefiting patients worldwide. In addition, the latest excellent clinical results show that birociclib is now at a critical stage of development, with positive results in both monotherapy and combination therapy, reliable safety and efficacy, and significant clinical relevance and differential advantage. In the future, Sihuan Pharmaceutical is expected to explore the maximization of value of this major product. With the huge market space of breast cancer treatment sector and excellent product efficacy, the drug will be able to capture market share rapidly and contribute to the development of the Company at full speed.

Dr. Che Fengsheng, Chairman and Executive Director of Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group commented, "In recent years, Sihuan Pharmaceutical has successfully transformed into a two-pronged business model of "Innovation + Medical Aesthetics". We have over 40 medical aesthetics products and over 50 innovative drugs, many of which have already entered the harvesting stage. This shows that the R&D and commercialization process of the Group's pipeline is progressing in an orderly manner, and the presentation of our major research results at the international stage means that our innovation capability has been widely recognized by international biopharmaceutical peers, and proves that the Company is growing in a more certain manner. In the future, driven by strong R&D capabilities and systematic competitive advantages, the Group will strive to become a company with excellent investment value and growth potential."

Currently, Xuanzhu Biopharm has over 10 products approved to conduct clinical trials, and over 10 drug candidates in the preclinical development stage. The pipeline layout is complete and balanced in long, medium, and short terms, with strong capability to innovate continuously, and another ALK/ROS1 dual-target inhibitor is also in phase III clinical trials. For biological drugs, KM501, a bispecific antibody drug conjugate, KM257, a bispecific antibody drug, and KM602, a CD80 fusion protein drug, have all entered phase I clinical trials.

In fact, Xuanzhu Biopharm has been making breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment in recent years and continues to deepen and expand its research scope, covering the whole range of breast cancer targets through self-development and product introduction, in order to capture the first-mover advantage in this specialized sector. Under the strategy of focusing on breast cancer treatment, clinical efficacy differentiation and R&D progress are the comparative advantages of Xuanzhu Biopharm, which also provide Sihuan Pharmaceutical with more drug development directions and a more extensive market.

Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd.
Founded in 2001 and listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in 2010, Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd. ("Sihuan Pharmaceutical" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") (HKEX: 0460) is an international medical aesthetic and biopharmaceutical company led and driven by innovation, with a leading independent production, and R&D technology platform, a rich global product pipeline and a mature and excellent sales system. Focusing on high-growth therapeutic areas such as medical aesthetics, oncology, metabolism, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, modern Chinese medicine and industrial hemp, it adheres to its overall strategic objective of "Adhering to the full-speed promotion of a two-wheeled strategy of Sihuan medical aesthetics and biopharmaceuticals" to build a leading medical aesthetics and biopharmaceutical company in China.

For more information about Sihuan Pharmaceutical, please visit the Company's website at https://www.sihuanpharm.com/

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

Coya Therapeutics Reports Additional Biomarker and Imaging Data Showing Decrease in Neuroinflammation with COYA 301 in Alzheimer’s Disease

Houston, TX, Jun 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Coya Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: COYA) ("Coya" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing multiple therapeutic programs intended to enhance Treg function, including biologics, today reported additional biomarker and brain imaging results from an open-label proof-of-concept clinical study for COYA 301 in patients with mild to moderate AD. Results of the study will be presented June 7th, 2023, at the LD Micro Conference in Los Angeles, CA. The clinical study data can be viewed here.

Highlights:
– Coya reports new data illustrating that administration of COYA 301 (low dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2)) in an open- label study in 8 patients with mild to moderate AD (COYA 301 Trial) resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the expression of three well characterized proinflammatory cytokines — Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and Interleukin 1- Beta (IL-1β) — which correlated with lack of cognitive decline of the patients over the course of the study.
– TNF-α is one of the main inflammatory cytokines involved in initiating and propagating an inflammatory response and its role in the pathophysiology of AD has been documented. The proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β have also been documented to play a central role in AD and in the development of neuroinflammation and induction of neuronal damage.
– Furthermore, Coya reports a case study of a patient in the COYA 301 trial who had pre-treatment and post-treatment Positron Emission Tomography (PET) brain scans to evaluate neuroinflammation. Meaningful reductions in neuroinflammation were observed throughout the cerebral cortex including hippocampal regions following treatment with COYA 301, which correlated with improvement in cognitive function in this patient.
– Coya previously reported that patients in the COYA 301 trial achieved a statistically significant improvement in cognitive function, as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination test (MMSE) and no cognitive decline when measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), and the Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes scale (CDR-SB).
– Coya also previously reported that treatment with COYA 301 restored peripheral Treg function and numbers, significantly lowered the levels of systemic chemokines CCL11, CCL2, and cytokine IL-15, and was well tolerated.
– An ongoing academic phase 2 double blind randomized trial (supported by the Gates Foundation and Alzheimer's Association) for use of low dose IL-2 in up to 46 mild to moderate AD patients that is underway at Houston Methodist (led by Alireza Faridar M.D. and the Chair of Coya's SAB, Stanley Appel, M.D.), should report top line data in Q2 2024, and inform Coya on its strategy.

The open-label study enrolled 8 patients with confirmed presence of brain amyloid pathology and baseline MMSE scores between 12 and 25. The patients were treated with five day-courses of COYA 301 for four monthly cycles and were followed for two months post-treatment. Treg function and numbers, serum biomarkers of inflammation, and cognitive functioning as measured by the ADAS-Cog, CDR-SB and MMSE assessment tools were evaluated.

Clinically, evaluation of cognitive function showed that administration of COYA 301 resulted in a statistically significant improvement in mean MMSE scores during the treatment phase, compared to mean MMSE score at baseline (p=0.015). Consistent with the positive trend in MMSE score, mean scores in ADAS-Cog and CDR-SB scales did not significantly change at the end of treatment with COYA 301, compared to pre-treatment baseline scores, indicating no cognitive decline as measured by these validated instruments.

In addition to COYA 301 administration resulting in a statistically significant reduction of blood biomarkers CCL11, CCL2, and IL-15. Today, we report statistically significant reductions in the peripheral expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. These biomarkers are well characterized in playing a central role in AD pathophysiology, propagation of neuroinflammation, and contribution to neuronal damage. The consistent reduction of these cytokines correlated with lack of cognitive decline of the patients over the course of the study. Further, the significant reduction of proinflammatory cytokine expression and the lack of clinical decline also correlated with significant increase of regulatory T cell function following the administration of COYA 301.

One of the patients in the study underwent a pre- and post-treatment PET brain scan using a radioligand for imaging 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), a biomarker for neuroinflammation. Increased binding of TSPO to activated microglia in brain regions is indicative of heightened inflammation and be observed with a color code with red, orange, and yellow. In contrast, images in green and blue indicate lower levels of neuroinflammation. In this patient, the pre-treatment PET scan showed high levels of TSPO binding indicative of inflammation throughout the cerebral cortex in both sagittal and coronal views, including in hippocampal regions. The PET scan after the last cycle of COYA 301 showed marked reduction in TSPO binding across the brain representing lowered inflammation. This reduction in inflammation corresponded to improvement in cognitive function as measured by MMSE scores in this patient with AD.

"We believe these additional data further support our Treg-focused approach to develop safe and effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases of high unmet need. We remain excited about the outcome of our studies with COYA 301 in AD and COYA 302 in ALS, and look forward to the next steps in progressing these programs," Howard H Berman, Ph.D., founder and Chief Executive Officer of Coya commented.

About Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for up to 80% of dementia cases, affecting an estimated 5.7 million Americans. In more than 90% of people with Alzheimer's, symptoms do not appear until after age 60. The incidence of the disease increases with age and doubles every 5 years beyond age 65. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. It is the sixth leading cause of death among all adults and the fifth leading cause for those aged 65 or older. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives 4 to 8 years after diagnosis but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors. (1),(2)

References
(1) Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).
(2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov).

About Coya Therapeutics, Inc.

Headquartered in Houston, TX, Coya Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: COYA) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing proprietary treatments focused on the biology and potential therapeutic advantages of regulatory T cells ("Tregs") to target systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation. Dysfunctional Tregs underlie numerous conditions including neurodegenerative, metabolic, and autoimmune diseases, and this cellular dysfunction may lead to a sustained inflammation and oxidative stress resulting in lack of homeostasis of the immune system. Coya's investigational product candidate pipeline leverages multiple therapeutic modalities aimed at restoring the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions of Tregs. Coya's lead therapeutic programs includes Treg-enhancing biologics (COYA 300 Series product candidates) COYA 301 and COYA 302, which are intended to enhance Treg function and expand Treg numbers. COYA 301 is a cytokine biologic for subcutaneous administration intended to enhance Treg function and expand Treg numbers in vivo, and COYA 302 is a biologic combination for subcutaneous and/or intravenous administration intended to enhance Treg function while depleting T effector function and activated macrophages. These two mechanisms may be additive or synergistic in suppressing inflammation. For more information about Coya, please visit www.coyatherapeutics.com.

Contact:
Howard Berman, CEO
Email: Howard@covatherapeutics.com
Phone: +18327786285

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements that are based on our management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this presentation, including information concerning our current and future financial performance, business plans and objectives, current and future clinical and preclinical development activities, timing and success of our ongoing and planned clinical trials and related data, the timing of announcements, updates and results of our clinical trials and related data, our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval, the potential therapeutic benefits and economic value of our product candidates, competitive position, industry environment and potential market opportunities. The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors including, but not limited to, those related to risks associated with the impact of COVID-19; the success, cost and timing of our product candidate development activities and ongoing and planned clinical trials; our plans to develop and commercialize targeted therapeutics; the progress of patient enrollment and dosing in our preclinical or clinical trials; the ability of our product candidates to achieve applicable endpoints in the clinical trials; the safety profile of our product candidates; the potential for data from our clinical trials to support a marketing application, as well as the timing of these events; our ability to obtain funding for our operations; development and commercialization of our product candidates; the timing of and our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals; the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of our product candidates; the size and growth potential of the markets for our product candidates, and our ability to serve those markets; our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; future agreements with third parties in connection with the commercialization of our product candidates; our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection; our dependence on third party manufacturers; the success of competing therapies or products that are or may become available; our ability to attract and retain key scientific or management personnel; our ability to identify additional product candidates with significant commercial potential consistent with our commercial objectives; and our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks may emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed herein may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Although our management believes that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances described in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

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

GeneTex Launches PD-L1 Antibody Comprehensively Validated by MS Validated Antibodies GmbH for Immunohistochemistry

IRVINE, CA, Jun 6, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – GeneTex, a multinational antibody manufacturing company, is leveraging its recombinant monoclonal antibody production platform to produce best-in-class biomedical research reagents. The specificity of these new antibodies is established through meticulous in-house validation testing based on knockdown/knockout methodologies complemented by other strategies. GeneTex has employed this process to develop and thoroughly validate its new programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibody for immunohistochemistry (IHC).

The interaction between PD-L1 (CD274/B7-H1) and its receptor programmed death-1 (PD-1) is not only a focus of cancer immunotherapy research but also has major therapeutic relevance for many solid malignancies. PD-L1 is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that binds to PD-1 expressed on T cells and other effectors to quash immune system overactivation and autoimmunity. Cancer cells exploit this and overexpress PD-L1, creating an immunosuppressive state through induced cell death of anti-tumor T cells. Thus, gauging PD-L1 expression on tumor cells can identify cancers that may respond to anti-PD-L1/PD-1 agents. Given the importance of PD-L1 detection in patient tumor samples for both prognostic and treatment considerations, reliable reagents are clearly essential for both research and clinical decision-making.

Immunohistochemistry is utilized routinely in both academic and clinical settings to determine PD-L1 expression in both normal and cancerous tissues. GeneTex's recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibody (PD-L1 antibody [HL1041]) is a cited, PD-L1-specific, knockout-validated reagent that performs in three applications (i.e., western blot, immunocytochemistry, and IHC). To further evaluate this antibody's IHC capabilities, GeneTex enlisted the assistance of MS Validated Antibodies GmbH (MSVA), a company with demonstrated proficiency in IHC optimization that has assessed over 5000 antibodies for their functionality in formalin-fixed tissue IHC. MSVA completed an extensive analysis of the GeneTex antibody's staining on tumor samples and a broad array of normal tissues, comparing the signal to that of another well-established PD-L1 antibody (see Figure). GeneTex clone [HL1041] exhibited excellent sensitivity and specificity. Marco Sauter, MSVA CEO, commented, "As formalin fixation alters the structure and accessibility of many epitopes, a trustworthy antibody validation for IHC invariably requires the analysis of a very broad range of formalin-fixed tissues. Our analysis of more than 70 different normal tissue types and of a broad range of different cancers exceeds what regulatory agencies currently require. We are gratified that our MSVA approach could help to identify PD-L1 clone [HL1041] with binding properties that are comparable to the most established PD-L1 antibodies on the market."

The need for quality antibodies to visualize the expression of biomarkers crucial for cancer biology research and patient care remains vast, particularly for IHC. GeneTex is presently developing reagents against a number of key targets. Allen Lee, GeneTex's Vice President of Business Development, stressed the importance of expertise-based collaborations to create gold-standard products for scientists and clinicians: "GeneTex is excited to extend our partnership with MSVA. Their IHC validation services align perfectly with GeneTex's core mission, which is to provide the biomedical community with the highest quality immunological reagents supported by extensive research, development, and validation."

GeneTex products are for research use only. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Media Contact:
Allen Lee
Phone: 949.553.1900
Email: allensl@genetex.com
www.genetex.com

Contact Information
Allen Lee
Vice President – Business Development
allensl@genetex.com
(949)553-1900

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