Malaysian Genomics to Offer World’s First DNA-Driven Fertility Test

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia, Feb 22, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad, a leading genomics and biopharmaceutical specialist, today announced that the Group has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Divine Genes Sdn Bhd to collaborate on business opportunities in relation to the improvement and international distribution of genetic tests for reproductive health.

Sasha Nordin, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad

Divine Genes is an investment holding company with businesses in pharmaceutical product distribution, financial consultancy services as well as general merchandise and trading.

Under the strategic collaboration, Divine Genes' genetic test for reproductive health will be added to Malaysian Genomics' genetic test portfolio, which will market and distribute these tests in Malaysia and overseas. Both parties will also cooperate in improving the product.

En. Sasha Nordin, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Genomics said, "Decreasing fertility and birth rates are common across the world, and demand for reproductive medicine is growing in many countries. This new, pioneering DNA-driven fertility test can help reproductive health specialists and their patients make important decisions in support of improving the outcome of fertility treatments. This test will form a critical part of Malaysian Genomics' genetic screening portfolio of over 550 tests available across Southeast Asia and the Middle East where we have a presence."

Dr. Pawel Suwinski, Director of Divine Genes said, "This is a good opportunity for us to work with an organisation with the market reach, track record and platform to distribute our test. This collaboration is a good platform for both parties to leverage on each other's strengths in improving the product and expanding the market for the test."

Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad: 0155 [BURSA: MGRC] [RIC: MGRC:KL] [BBG: MGRC:MK], http://www.mgrc.com.my/

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

Led by Legend Capital, Macrolux Completes Nearly CNY100 million Series A Round

HONG KONG, Feb 16, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Shenzhen Macrolux Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Macrolux") recently announced the completion of its Series A round by securing nearly CNY100 million, which is led by Legend Capital.

Founded in October 2020 and headquartered in Shenzhen, Macrolux is a medical technology company focusing on innovative solutions for endoscopic interventional diagnosis and treatment. Macrolux's founding team is formed from experts from leading medical device companies in China and has more than a decade of experience in product development, global marketing and the production management of endoscopes and minimally invasive surgical devices. With a vision of detecting diseases earlier and offering patients better treatments, Macrolux is committed to providing the world with endoscopic interventional diagnosis and treatment solutions covering departments including urology, respiration, and digestion by leveraging its engine for innovation-driven development.

Regarding this fundraising round, ZHANG Weiqiang, General Manager of Macrolux, said: "I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the investors for their trust in Macrolux. Disposable electronic endoscopes are an early market experiencing rapid growth. With years of concentrating on the product development and technological innovation of disposable endoscopes, Macrolux has formed strong competitiveness in many aspects and aims to introduce solutions to the world that better meet customer needs relying on our ten more years of technology accumulation in the industry."

Joe ZHOU, Managing Director of Legend Capital, said: "Legend Capital has focused on endoscopic diagnosis and treatment, which is a development direction of minimally invasive medical treatment. It is noticed that disposable endoscopes have solved the sore points of traditional medical devices in multiple application scenarios and have begun to penetrate rapidly in recent years. All the functional teams of Macrolux are experienced and have worked in a balanced way for a long time and shared complete commercialization experience from scratch to impressive performance. We are honored to cooperate with the team and look forward to the company's innovative series of products accelerating penetration into clinical applications to benefit patients globally."

Legend Capital has long been paying attention to the investment in the field of medical devices and diagnostics with a focus on three major themes: first, major diseases, especially the unmet clinical needs of chronic diseases; second, the first and uniqueness in technology, which enables a company to become or have the potential to become a leading player in subdivided industries; the third is the "device +" investment opportunities brought by the integration of medical devices and interdisciplinary technologies such as AI, IoT and Big Data.

At present, Legend Capital has invested in numerous leading companies in the subdivided industries, including Careray Digital Medical Technology (688607.SH), Axonics (AXNX), New Horizon Health (06606.HK), Wuhan Easy Diagnosis Biomedicine (002932.SZ), Berry Genomics (000710.SZ), Aohua Photoelectricity Endoscope (688212.SH), Chemclin Diagnostics (688468.SH), Bio-heart Biological (02185.HK), STAR Sports Medicine, ET Healthcare, GKHT Medical Technology, Hailai Xinchuang Medical Technology, Yeasen Biotechnology, and Dearer Medical.

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).

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

Innovation is the Key Benchmark, Focus on Four Healthcare Industry Sub-Sectors in 2023, Says Jafar Wang of Legend Capital

HONG KONG, Feb 15, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Legend Capital invested in 29 healthcare companies that officially disclosed financing rounds in 2022, according to the VBDATA Database. Since 2007, Legend Capital has continuously invested in healthcare across industry sub-sectors including innovative drugs, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostic technology, professional services and supply chain. Overtime, it has built a powerful healthcare ecosystem encompassing more than 140 portfolio companies. Through value-added initiatives including strategic management and business empowerment activities, Legend Capital has the capability to bring far more value to the table in addition to financial resources.

Breakthrough and global innovations are the key benchmarks by which Legend Capital judges and selects projects in a changing external environment. How did Legend Capital navigate the challenges of 2022 and how does it see the market in 2023? What are the key healthcare investment themes? In an interview with VCBeat, Jafar Wang, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Legend Capital, shared his perspectives:

"Five significant changes in primary market investments"

Legend Capital observed several important evolvements in the healthcare investment market during 2022:

First, the industry's overall investment pace slowed down, with considerable decrease in deal count, deal size, and the speed of decision-making. Activity level of the healthcare investment market has returned to normalcy after an overheated period of 2020-2021, which now appears on the same level as 2019.

Second, there has been significant changes in investors' selection criteria. Institutional investors need to evaluate whether a project has demonstrated breakthrough innovation, whether it is among the top three in its field, and whether it has the potential to compete on the global stage for first-in-class or best-in-class status. As a result, investors look to sector leaders for investment opportunities.

Third, there is growing emphasis on exit and exit management.

Fourth, emerging markets are receiving more attention as industry participants turn their overseas focus from developed markets to emerging economies. On the one hand, investors have increased their allocation to emerging markets, such as Legend Capital's expansion into Southeast Asia. Similarly, more players are aggressively expanding abroad in the hope that their products and services will reach the wider emerging markets. For Chinese healthcare companies, these markets will be a key destination in the next five to ten years.

Lastly, there is general awareness in the industry that the window for biotech companies to transition into biopharma has closed for the moment. Biotech companies should continue to focus on their core competencies in technology innovation and product development, while actively pursue collaborations in manufacturing, supply chain, and downstream commercialization with top-tier industry players.

"An investment strategy focused on innovation and early-stage opportunities"

Regardless of changes to the external environment, Legend Capital continues to uphold the importance of being an investor in value, innovation, in early-stage firms, in core technologies, and taking the long view. Our selection criteria for deals remain consistently high.

In 2022, Legend Capital established a Frontier Biotechnology Fund to invest in innovative seed and start-up stage biotechnology and MedTech companies. Although such investments carry higher risks, they could potentially create game-changing results for the industry. This fund will mainly focus on the commercialization of ideas and products from academia, overseas returnees, and well-known spin-off teams or founders. Legend Capital values cutting-edge, innovative, and disruptive technologies, and we are willing to make bigger bets and dedicate more resources towards these seed and angel stage projects.

Legend Capital is also devoted to investing in the independence and security of the healthcare supply chain. Two years ago, we put forward the view that an independent and secure supply chain, as well as import substitution, are among the best investment opportunities over the next five years. We are not only focused on the China market, but with an eye to the international potential of investee companies. The idea of supply chain investment is to help resolve bottlenecks faced by the industry while also serving the global market.

In terms of Legend Capital's healthcare ecosystem, we are continuously expanding this ecosystem and improving synergies within. In the past, our value-added services were geared towards management guidance, but two years ago, we increased efforts to empower our portfolio companies with industry perspectives. To date, Legend Capital has invested in more than 140 healthcare companies, and established a complete, one-stop value-added service system across research, production, supply chain, and commercialization function. Our presence in sub-sectors from life science tools to preclinical research, clinical CRO, manufacturing and commercialization allow Legend Capital to bring synergy to portfolio companies. As this value-add ecosystem evolve and portfolio companies reap the benefits, oftentimes prospective investees become more receptive to our investment; they see Legend Capital as an investor with abundant industry resources, rather than a pure financial investor.

Additionally, Legend Capital cooperates closely with industry-leading firms to bring additional resources to our healthcare ecosystem, which helps portfolio companies in their business development. Through product licensing and strategic collaborations, we have strengthened the connection among the ecosystem, portfolio companies, and industry peers. Working with healthcare companies in the industry not only aids the development of our portfolio companies, but also present potential new opportunities for Legend Capital. For instance, we have been able to generate new investments with our industry partners through efforts such as co-investments, incubation, and spin-offs. This may very well become a common investment practice in the future.

Throughout 2022, Legend Capital had five healthcare-related IPOs, including Recbio Technology, R&G Pharmastudies, MicuRx Pharmaceutical, Sipai Health Technology, and Lunit; in addition, nearly 10 portfolio companies were exited through M&A. A RMB 300+ million GP-led secondary transaction was completed during the year after concluding a $270 million one in 2021. We will continue to utilize secondary tools in the future to generate large-scale exits for existing LPs, which also create opportunities to partner with new LPs while supporting our portfolio companies on their journeys, to ultimately achieve a win-win for all parties.

"Opportunities are bred from innovation"

Legend Capital maintains a diversified portfolio of companies in innovative drugs and biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostic technology, professional service and supply chain, and will continue to actively invest going forward. In 2023, our healthcare investment efforts will focus on three main areas.

For biotech, Legend Capital will concentrate on small nucleic acid medicines and CGT-related verticals such as gene editing and induced pluripotent stem cells. In MedTech, more focus will be placed on life science tools, import substitution, and consumer healthcare. In professional services and supply chain, with the evolvement of CGT and small nucleic acid pharmaceuticals, CRO and CDMO may present new investment prospects. In addition to investing in pharmaceutical CRO and CDMO, Legend Capital saw success in 2022 with investments in medical device and diagnostic CRO and CDMO so we will continue to invest in these fields.

Leveraging our vast portfolio ecosystem, Legend Capital will continue to make significant investments in supply chain independence, including upstream consumables, machinery, and life science tools. To achieve the best outcomes, Legend Capital will collaborate with its leading portfolio companies in the future on co-investments and help them with potential M&A opportunities.

In summary, Legend Capital believes that the best investment opportunities arise from breakthrough innovation. For instance, our portfolio company Harbour BioMed recently announced that the U.S. FDA has cleared the IND application to commence clinical trials of its globally first-in-class fully human monoclonal antibody HBM1020 targeting B7H7 (also known as HHLA2) in the U.S. HBM1020 is also the globally first-ever monoclonal antibody targeting B7H7 cleared by the regulatory agency for clinical trials. HBM1020 may present a novel anti-tumor therapeutic complementary to PD-(L)1 therapeutics to patients, especially for PD-L1 negative/refractory patients. Regardless of the outcome, we believe a company will stand a better chance to break out from intense competition when it has the courage and boldness to be the innovator.

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).

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

The Evolving Global Landscape in Vaccine Development: Novotech and Endpoints News Webinar

SYDNEY, AU, Feb 15, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Novotech, the leading Asia Pacific centred biotech CRO with extensive experience in vaccine trials, is convening an expert panel webinar covering the evolving landscape in vaccine development.

Register here https://webinars.endpts.com/keeping-pace-with-the-evolving-global-landscape-in-vaccine-development/

Between 2017 and 2021, there were close to 1,400 industry-sponsored single country vaccine based clinical trials globally, with the Asia Pacific involved in over 45% of the trials. Download our latest data report here: Vaccines – Asia Pacific Clinical Trial Landscape. https://novotech-cro.com/whitepapers/vaccines-asia-pacific-clinical-trial-landscape

The webinar, Keeping pace with the evolving global landscape in vaccine development, will hear from a panel of life science experts on the latest advancements and innovative modalities paving the way in the global vaccine development space including:

– The COVID-19 impact on drug development and the regulatory landscape.
– Key factors contributing to Asia Pacific being recognised as the hub for vaccine development and opportunities for biotech's to leverage.
– Key considerations for pre-clinical and clinical planning to accelerate vaccine development, supporting a robust global strategy.

Date/Time: March 09 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Register here https://webinars.endpts.com/keeping-pace-with-the-evolving-global-landscape-in-vaccine-development/

Panelists:

SUSHANT SAHASTRABUDDHE
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR GENERAL, INTERNATIONAL VACCINE INSTITUTE (IVI)
Dr. Sushant Sahastrabuddhe, Associate Director General at the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), joined in July 2010, leading the clinical trials of IVI's typhoid vaccine and process to achieve its licensure, the global clinical development of and licensure of SK bioscience's COVID-19 vaccines and Phase 1 and 2 trials of Bharat Biotech's Chikungunya vaccine. As a vaccine enthusiast with more than 17 years of experience in multiple countries across diverse projects, he continues to lead collaborative efforts with companies and partners in Korea, India and globally to get these vaccines through early- to late-stages of their clinical development. Dr. Sahastrabuddhe is also the Associate Editor for Vaccines for tropical diseases and associated with Yonsei University as Research Professor and with Universite Claude Bernanrd, Lyon France as Research Fellow. In 2021, Dr. Sahastrabuddhe was named an 'Honorary Citizen of Seoul' for his contributions to the joint efforts with Korean companies and international partners to develop vaccines against COVID-19 and other diseases.

PAUL GRIFFIN
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, INFECTIOUS DISEASES PHYSICIAN, MICROBIOLOGIST, UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
An Infectious Diseases Physician and Microbiologist, Dr. Paul Griffin was appointed as the Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health Services in 2013 and continues an appointment as an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Queensland Medical School. Additionally, Dr. Griffin chairs the Advanced Training Committee in Infectious Diseases with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the committee that oversees the training of Infectious Diseases specialists in Australia.
Previously, Dr. Griffin was the Principal Investigator (PI) and Medical Director at Nucleus Network, a contract research organization specializing in infectious diseases trials, which included a PI role on in excess of 125 clinical trials predominantly in Infectious Diseases including novel vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines. With fellowships in Infectious Diseases from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, in Clinical Microbiology from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and from the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine, Dr. Griffin has an active interest in vaccine education and advocacy and has become a trusted media authority and spokesperson across the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BABAJI YADAV
SENIOR CONSULTANT, NOVOTECH DRUG DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING
Babaji Yadav is a Senior Consultant with over eight years of academic experience in pre-clinical oncology drug development and eight years of industry experience in drug development. Babaji has a strong background in pharmaceutical sciences with a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Previously he has worked as a Research Project Manager to oversee IND-enabling toxicology studies for lead oncology drugs and, prior to joining Novotech, was a Clinical Project Manager for early-phase oncology trials. Babaji is a UK Registered Toxicologist and at Novotech he is focused on providing technical toxicology advice and product development strategies to facilitate the entry of client's compounds into clinical trials. Babaji has experience in small molecules, combination products, and biologicals including vaccines, proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and advanced cell and gene therapies.

JENNIFER ARELLANO
DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES (PHILIPPINES), NOVOTECH
Jennifer Arellano is the Director of Clinical Services in the Philippines with over 25 years of technical and leadership experience in managing clinical trial operations for sponsors and CROs. With a Bachelor of Industrial Pharmacy from the University of the Philippines and a Pharmacist license, Jennifer's research operations experience includes monitoring, auditing, project leadership, feasibility, study start-up, driving inspection readiness and hosting regulatory inspection, client engagement and business development, learning & development and organization SOP development/review. Jennifer has contributed to the transformation of the Philippine clinical research industry – bringing improvement to the local clinical research regulations and practices and is the founding President of a non-profit organization, the Philippine Clinical Research Professionals Inc, with more than 400 members from pharmaceutical and CROs, and has more recently, volunteered pro-bono services during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide trial management consultancy to the Philippine DOH-funded trials such as WHO Solidarity COVID-19 Treatment and Vaccine trials, Avigan COVID-19 treatment trial, and Philippine Heart Association funded cardiovascular outcome study.

Novotech has recently acquired EastHORN, a European CRO with clinical, medical and regulatory expertise in multiple strategically important locations across the continent. The acquisition is part of Novotech's global expansion program in Europe and the US.

Novotech has recently been benchmarked as a top 10 CRO among the world's leading CROs, is the recipient of the Asia Pacific Cell & Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Excellence award and the Asia-Pacific Contract Research Organization Company of the Year Award, and has signed 45 Leading Site Partnership agreements over the last 3 years.

Novotech offers biotechs a unique and unparalleled suite of early to late-phase CRO services across Europe and the US, with a specialist focus on Asia Pacific where the company has built a reputation for delivering high-quality expedited clinical trials.

About Novotech (Novotech-CRO.com)

Novotech is internationally recognized as the leading Asia Pacific centred biotech Contract Research Organization (CRO) with global execution capabilities. Novotech is a clinical CRO with labs, phase I facilities, drug development consulting services and FDA regulatory expertise and has experience in over 3,700 pre-clinical and clinical projects, including Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials and bioequivalence studies. Novotech is positioned to serve biotech clients conducting clinical trials in Asia Pacific, the US and Europe. Novotech has over 2,700 staff working across offices in 20 geographies. For more information visit https://novotech-cro.com/contact

Media Contact
David James
E: communications@novotech-cro.com
AU: +61 2 8218 2144
USA: +1 415 951 3228
Asia: +65 3159 3427

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

ONERHT Foundation together with Chui Huay Lim Club and Ee Hoe Hean Club raise close to S$500,000 to promote medical care and support for disadvantaged groups

SINGAPORE, Feb 14, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – ONERHT Foundation Ltd, the corporate social responsibility vehicle of RHTLaw Asia LLP and the RHT Group of Companies (collectively, "ONERHT"), together with its co-organisers Chui Huay Lim Club and Ee Hoe Hean Club, has raised close to S$500,000 to promote health and wellness among disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our community.

Guest-of-Honour Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, (7th from left) onstage with Organising Committee members and advisors, generous donors and the esteemed artists at the event

The charity gala dinner held on 8th February 2023 was themed "In Pursuit of Excellence – ONERHT Foundation Charity Gala Dinner 2023" and attended by Guest-of-Honour Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health together with more than 400 guests.

Funds raised through the event will be used to support three local charitable healthcare institutions: Singapore Thong Chai Medical Institution, Ren Ci Hospital and Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital. Each with its own storied history of service to the community, these three institutions serve thousands of patients every month, regardless of background, race and religion. The funds will enable the three hospitals to expand their services and facilities to support the growing healthcare needs of an ageing population.

Ms Kaylee Kwok, Chairman of ONERHT Foundation, said, "Tackling the challenges of today's complex world requires the combined effort of various stakeholders from private and public sectors driven by a common purpose for good. We are inspired by the sense of purpose and dedication to selfless service demonstrated by local charitable healthcare institutions. We believe businesses can emulate their values by recognising our shared responsibility to deliver positive impact to the community and to think beyond profit."

Mr Ng Hoy Keng, President of Chui Huay Lim Club, said, "We hope to continue our collaboration with community groups to organise more cultural and charity events at the Chui Huay Lim Club, bringing vibrancy to the club while leveraging its modern facilities which are open to all."

Mr Aw Chye Wee, Chairman of Ee Hoe Hean Club, said, "Through its philanthropic members past and present, the Ee Hoe Hean Club has a long history of giving back to the community, including donations for the Tong Chai Medical Hall. It is our hope that we will be able to pass on this spirit of giving to the next generation."

The gala dinner marks the end of a three-day public exhibition of Chinese paintings and calligraphy artworks by Hong Kong artists Mr Alfred Cheung and Mr Wong Wai Ho. A successful silent auction of the artworks was held during the exhibition at the Chui Huay Lim Club between 6-8 February.

"This was a joint effort made possible by the effort of our co-organisers and the generosity of our donors, sponsors and esteemed artists," added Ms Kwok.

Since its inception in 2015, the Foundation has with the support of its donors and sponsors been able to raise more than S$4 million for more than 24 charitable organisations.

ONERHT Foundation Ltd

A Singapore registered charity and grant-making philanthropic organisation, ONERHT Foundation Ltd ("Foundation") enables RHTLaw Asia LLP and the RHT Group of Companies (collectively, "ONERHT") to do right and do good through various charitable endeavours.

Set up by ONERHT in 2015, the Foundation was registered as a Singapore charity by the Commissioner of Charities and a grant-making philanthropic organisation by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore on 16 September 2016 and 28 November 2016 respectively.

The Foundation seeks to establish, inspire and encourage the right philanthropic culture among the corporate and legal fraternity of giving back to the community in a focused, hands-on and meaningful manner. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than S$4 million to support more than 24 beneficiaries involved in education, the environment and sustainability, disadvantaged groups as well as the arts and sports. For more information, please visit www.onerht.foundation

For media enquiries, please contact:
Elliot Siow / elliot.siow@rhtgoc.com / +65 8375 0417

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

EC Healthcare Announced Strategic Alliance with Prudential

HONG KONG, Feb 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – EC Healthcare (the "Company", which together with its subsidiaries is referred to as the "Group", SEHK stock code: 2138), the largest non-hospital medical group in Hong Kong*, is pleased to announce that the Group formed partnership with Prudential Hong Kong Limited ("Prudential") to jointly offer tailored and value-added healthcare services, enabling customers to achieve their health and wealth ambition. Through this partnership, customers of Prudential can enjoy exclusive offer on bivalent vaccination service provided by EC Healthcare via online reservation platform, amongst many other healthcare services.

EC Healthcare has been developing a one-stop, multi-disciplinary, enclosed healthcare service platform and positioning strategic collaboration with insurance giants as a crucial part of the Group's core strategy. Benefiting from the long-stand leading brand and the comprehensive healthcare services provided under the unique one-stop healthcare ecosystem, the Group formed a strategic partnership with Prudential based on mutual trust, further enriching the Group's vertically integrated healthcare ecosystem. With the shared "Client-centric" belief, the Group will partner with Prudential to make premium preventive and precision medicine affordable, attainable, and sustainable to customers.

Mr. Leslie Lu, Executive Director and Co-CEO of EC Healthcare said, "We are glad to partner with Prudential, the Hong Kong leading insurance product provider, to provide premium and diversified healthcare services. Hong Kong's private healthcare market has huge potential. We believe that the strategic partnership will boost higher customer public traffic with strong synergy in the healthcare sector, enhance the organic growth of the Group's medical and healthcare business. In the future, we will forge ahead with our deep strategic cooperation with the key players in the technology, telecommunications, insurance, property and pharmaceutical industries to enrich EC Healthcare's enclosed healthcare ecosystem."

Mr. Lawrence Lam, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Hong Kong Limited, said, "As Prudential, we understand every customer is unique with diverse needs to realize their life goals and dreams. By joining hands with industry leaders such as EC Healthcare and by making health and financial security available at moments that matter most to our customers, we empower customers to succeed in their wellbeing and protection journey and to get the most out of life."

About EC Healthcare
EC Healthcare is Hong Kong's largest non-hospital medical service provider*, leveraging its core businesses of preventive and precision medicine, and committed to developing medical artificial intelligence by integrating its multi-disciplinary medical services. The move, which is supported by the Group's high-end branding and quality customer services, is aimed at offering customers safe and effective healthcare and medical services with professionalism. The Group is a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Composite Index and the MSCI Hong Kong Small Cap Index.

The Group principally engages in the provision of one-stop medical and health care services in Greater China. The Group provides a full range of services and products under its well-known brands, including those of its one-stop aesthetic medical solutions provider DR REBORN which has ranked first in Hong Kong by sales for years, a professional hair care center HAIR FOREST, primary care clinics jointly established with health management centre re:HEALTH, a vaccine centre Hong Kong Professional Vaccine HKPV, General outpatient clinic Tencent Doctorwork, the largest one-stop pain management centre in Hong Kong New York Medical Group, the comprehensive dental centres Bayley & Jackson Dental Surgeons, EC DENTAL CARE and Health and Care Dental Clinic, an advanced diagnostic and imaging centre HKAI, an oncology treatment centre reVIVE, a day procedure centre HKMED, a specialty clinic PREMIER MEDICAL CENTRE, SPECIALISTS CENTRAL and NEW MEDICAL CENTER, a paediatric centre PRIME CARE, a gynaecology specialist ZENITH MEDICAL CENTER AND PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS CENTRE, PathLab Medical Laboratories, Ophthalmology Center VIVID EYE and EC Veterinary Hospital and Imaging Center.

*According to independent research conducted by Frost and Sullivan in terms of revenue in 2020 and 2021

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

First Patient in the US Dosed in a Global Multicentre Phase 3 Clinical Study of Bevacizumab for treatment of Ophthalmic Diseases

HONG KONG, Feb 10, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Essex Bio-Technology Ltd ("Essex" or the "Group", Stock Code: 1061.HK) today announced that the first patient in the United States (US) was dosed in a global multi-centre phase 3 clinical trial (NCT04740671) of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O), a recombinant anti-VEGF humanised monoclonal antibody injection jointly developed by the Group and Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. ("Henlius", Stock Code: 2696.HK), for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). Previously, the first patients in the European Union (EU) and Australia were dosed in the same global multicenter phase 3 clinical trial of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O). Meanwhile, the first patient has been dosed in a parallel phase 3 clinical trial in China for EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) for the treatment of wAMD.

This randomised, double-blinded, active-controlled, global phase 3 study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) with ranibizumab in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). Eligible patients will be randomised 1:1 to receive intravitreal injection of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) (1.25 mg) or ranibizumab (0.5 mg) every 4 weeks for 48 weeks. The primary objective is to compare the efficacy of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) with ranibizumab at Week 36 in patient's study eye with wAMD. The primary endpoint is the mean change from baseline in the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at Week 36. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of other efficacy endpoints, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profiles.

EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) is a recombinant anti-VEGF humanized monoclonal antibody injection constructed using genetic engineering technology independently developed by Henlius. EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) can inhibit VEGF's binding to its receptor Flt-1 (VEGFR-1) and KDR(VEGFR-2) on endothelial cells to inhibit the activation of its tyrosine kinase signalling pathway, inhibit endothelial cell proliferation and reduce angiogenesis, thereby treating eye diseases associated with angiogenesis. According to the requirements of ophthalmic drugs, the Company has developed EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) which optimizes the prescription, specifications, and production processes of HANBEITAI, assuming that the active ingredients remain unchanged. Through a series of comparability analysis, it is proved that the changes in the production process and prescription of the preparation have no adverse impact on the quality, safety and efficacy of the preparation.

In addition to the EU and Australia, the clinical trial applications of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) had been approved in Singapore and other countries and regions. Essex and Henlius will jointly manage progressively the global multi-centre clinical trials of EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) and apply marketing authorization in China, Australia, the EU, and the US around the globe based on the research results. EB12-20145P (HLX04-O) has the potential to be one of the first bevacizumab approved for use in ophthalmic diseases, benefiting more patients with eye diseases worldwide.

About wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in the elderly worldwide [1]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 30 million people have suffered from AMD globally, and about half a million people become blind due to AMD each year [2]. Wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) is characterized by the formation of subretinal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and is responsible for approximately 90% of cases of AMD-related blindness. Due to an aging population, wAMD has become a serious social medical problem and indicated a huge burden of unmet need [3]. With the development of treatment for fundus diseases, anti-VEGF drugs are becoming the first-line therapy for the management of wAMD [4], with the efficacy and safety of vitreous injection of bevacizumab for wAMD verified in multiple clinical studies[5-11].

About Essex
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 Shilishun (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 10,710 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.

Reference
[1] Ouyang Lingyi, Xing Yiqiao. Advances in the use of anti-VEGF drugs in wet age-related macular degeneration [J]. International Eye Science, IES,2020(1).
[2] Resnikoff S, Pascolini D, Etya'ale D, Kocur I, Pararajasegaram R, Pokharel GP, Mariotti SP. Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Bull World Health Organ. 2004 Nov;82(11):844-51.
[3] Wong WL, Su X, Li X, et al. Global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2014;2(2): e106-116.
[4] Li X R, Liu J P. Recognition of anti-VEGF therapy base on the mechanism of VEGF in wet age-related macular degeneration[J]. Zhonghua Shiyan Yanke Zazhi/Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology, 2012, 30(4):289-292.
[5] Tufail A, Patel PJ, Egan C, Hykin P, da Cruz L, Gregor Z, Dowler J, Majid MA, Bailey C, Mohamed Q, Johnston R, Bunce C, Xing W; ABC Trial Investigators. Bevacizumab for neovascular age related macular degeneration (ABC Trial): multi-centre randomized double masked study. BMJ. 2010 Jun 9;340:c2459.
[6] Martin DF, Maguire MG, Ying GS, Grunwald JE, Fine SL, Jaffe GJ. Ranibizumab and bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med. 2011 May 19;364(20):1897-908.
[7] Chakravarthy U, Harding SP, Rogers CA, Downes SM, Lotery AJ, Wordsworth S, Reeves BC. Ranibizumab versus bevacizumab to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration: one-year findings from the IVAN randomized trial. Ophthalmology. 2012 Jul;119(7):1399-411.
[8] Kodjikian L, Souied EH, Mimoun G, Mauget-Faysse M, Behar -Cohen F, Decullier E, Huot L, Aulagner G; GEFAL Study Group. Ranibizumab versus Bevacizumab for Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration: Results from the GEFAL Noninferiority Randomized Trial. Ophthalmology. 2013 Nov;120(11):2300-9.
[9] Krebs I, Schmetterer L, Boltz A, Told R, Vecsei-Marlovits V, Egger S, Schonherr U, Haas A, Ansari-Shahrezaei S, Binder S; MANTA Research Group. A randomized double-masked trial comparing the visual outcome after treatment with ranibizumab or bevacizumab in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Br J Ophthalmol. 2013 Mar;97(3):266-71.
[10] Berg K, Pedersen TR, Sandvik L, Bragadottir R. Comparison of ranibizumab and bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration according to LUCAS treat-and-extend protocol. Ophthalmology. 2015 Jan;122(1):146-52.
[11] Schauwvlieghe AM, Dijkman G, Hooymans JM, Verbraak FD, Hoyng CB, Dijkgraaf MG, Peto T, Vingerling JR, Schlingemann RO. Comparing the Effectiveness of Bevacizumab to Ranibizumab in Patients with Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The BRAMD Study. PLoS One. 2016 May 20;11(5): e0153052.

Media Enquiry:
Strategic Financial Relations Limited (Website: http://www.sprg.com.hk)

Shelly Cheng +852 2864 4857 shelly.cheng@sprg.com.hk
Yan Li +852 2114 4320 yan.li@sprg.com.hk
June Tuo +852 2864 4848 june.tuo@sprg.com.hk
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Media: media@essex.com.cn

Investor Enquiry:
Investor Relations: investors@essex.com.cn

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Novotech Global Report: Robust Phase 1 Trial Growth Across Asia Pacific

SYDNEY, AU, Feb 10, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Novotech, the leading Asia Pacific centred biotech CRO, has published a new global report on Phase 1 trial activity including current metrics on fast growth regions and therapeutic areas. The data analysis found that Asia Pacific has been the fastest-growing region for Phase 1 trials in the last ten years, reaching a share of 58% in 2022, with China leading the Phase I trials globally.

According to the report, titled "Phase I Global Clinical Trial Landscape – Focus on Asia Pacific", in 2022 Asia Pacific accounted for a 58% share of the approximately 3,600 Phase I trials initiated globally in 2022. The report found that Asia Pacific has been the fastest growing region for Phase 1 trials in the last ten years with a 10Y CAGR of 18%. Between 2018 and 2022, the region has had consistent performance and has been maintaining its majority share since 2018, with a peak of 61% share achieved in the year 2021. Mainland China, Australia, South Korea, Japan and India were the top five Asian locations, and together contribute over 50% of the global phase I trials.

One of the key reasons why Asia Pacific is in demand is that it has the shortest patient enrolment duration and fastest recruitment rate. Asia Pacific region has a much wider patient base which expedites the patient time recruitment process and shortens the trial duration enabling initiation and completion of trials.

The report found that Asia Pacific also leads phase I trials across the top therapeutic areas. Oncology, infectious disease, CNS, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders are the top therapeutic areas of Phase I trials across the top Asian locations of China, Australia, South Korea, Japan and India. Of all the five locations put together, China occupies the major share (>80%) of phase I trials in all the top therapeutic areas considered together.

View "Phase I Global Clinical Trial Landscape – Focus on Asia Pacific", the new report, on this link: https://tinyurl.com/novotech-global-report

See the report for Phase 1 location and therapeutic area analysis including:
– IMMUNOMODULATORY THERAPY
– IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY
– ADOPTIVE CELL THERAPY
– ALLOGENIC, AUTOLOGOUS, STEM CELL AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
– DNA AND RNA
– VACCINES
– MULTI-SPECIFIC MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY
– MICROBIOME

Cell & Gene

The latest data also shows Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region globally for cell & gene therapy trials representing more than a third of all cell & gene studies, with China leading in the region. The region already accounts for over a third of cell & gene therapy trial activity and shows a nearly 50% faster growth rate in cell & gene therapy trials compared to ROW between 2016 and 2021. China shows a 15% faster growth rate than the ROW. After oncology, the majority of cell & gene trials are in infectious diseases, CNS, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the Asia Pacific is the leading location globally for CAR-T trials with China attracting ~60% of all CAR-T trials globally between 2015-2022.

European expansion – global footprint

Novotech offers a unique and unparalleled suite of early to late-phase CRO services across Europe and the US, with a specialist focus on Asia Pacific where the company has built a reputation for delivering high-quality expedited clinical trials. Novotech recently acquired EastHORN, a European CRO with clinical, medical and regulatory expertise in multiple strategically important locations across the continent. The acquisition is part of Novotech's global expansion program in Europe and the US.

Award recognition

Novotech has recently been benchmarked as a top 10 CRO among the world's leading CROs, has been awarded the Asia-Pacific Cell & Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Excellence award and selected for the Asia-Pacific Contract Research Organization Company of the Year Award. The company has signed 45 Leading Site Partnership agreements over the last 3 years.

View "Phase I Global Clinical Trial Landscape – Focus on Asia Pacific", the new report, on this link: https://tinyurl.com/novotech-global-report

About Novotech (Novotech-CRO.com)

Novotech is internationally recognized as the leading Asia Pacific centred biotech Contract Research Organization (CRO) with global execution capabilities. Novotech is a clinical CRO with labs, phase I facilities, drug development consulting services and FDA regulatory expertise and has experience in over 3,700 pre-clinical and clinical projects, including Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials and bioequivalence studies. Novotech is positioned to serve biotech clients conducting clinical trials in Asia Pacific, the US and Europe. Novotech has over 2700 staff working across offices in 20 geographies. For more information visit https://novotech-cro.com/contact

Media Contact
David James
E: communications@novotech-cro.com
AU: +61 2 8218 2144
USA: +1 415 951 3228
Asia: +65 3159 3427

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

Asia Pacific Cell & Gene Research: Novotech is Growing 50% Faster than ROW

SYDNEY, AU, Feb 3, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Novotech, the leading Asia Pacific focused biotech specialist CRO and recipient of the Asia Pacific Cell & Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Excellence award, said the number of cell & gene therapy trials in the region was growing 50% faster than ROW. The majority of trials are in oncology, specifically for blood cancers, viral infections, and solid tumors.

Novotech, which has extensive experience in cell & gene therapy clinical trials, is sponsoring the 6th Annual Cell And Gene Therapy Innovation Summit in Berlin, Germany (15-16 February 2023).

The company recently acquired EastHORN, a European CRO with clinical, medical and regulatory expertise in multiple strategically important locations across the continent. The acquisition is part of Novotech's global expansion program in Europe and the US.

The acquisition means biotech clients can access Novotech's unique and unparalleled suite of early to late-phase CRO services across Europe and the US, with a specialist focus on Asia Pacific where the company has built a reputation for delivering high-quality expedited clinical trials.

The latest data shows Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region globally for cell & gene therapy trials representing more than a third of all cell & gene studies, with China leading in the region.

The region already accounts for over a third of cell & gene therapy trial activity and shows a nearly 50% faster growth rate in cell & gene therapy trials compared to ROW between 2016 and 2021. China shows a 15% faster growth rate than the ROW. After oncology, the majority of cell & gene trials are in infectious diseases, CNS, and cardiovascular diseases.

In addition, the Asia Pacific is the leading location globally for CAR-T trials with China attracting ~60% of all CAR-T trials globally between 2015-2022.

Novotech CEO Dr. John Moller said: "Cell & gene therapy research typically presents another level of complexity and regulatory processes which means an experienced CRO partner is vital. Our deep experience, exceptional site and investigator relationships – which also translates to patent access – our project management approach focused on problem-solving, ownership and flexibility, and our investments in data and technology combine to deliver the service biotechs need in this specialist sector for success."

Novotech has recently been benchmarked as a top 10 CRO among the world's leading CROs, selected for the Asia-Pacific Contract Research Organization Company of the Year Award, and has signed 45 Leading Site Partnership agreements over the last 3 years.

Download our latest data report:
Evolution of Clinical Trials in the Asia Pacific Region Compared to the US and the EU5
https://novotech-cro.com/whitepapers/evolution-clinical-trials-asia-pacific-region-compared-us-and-eu5

About Novotech (Novotech-CRO.com)

Novotech is internationally recognized as the leading Asia Pacific centred biotech Contract Research Organization (CRO) with global execution capabilities.

Novotech is a clinical CRO with labs, phase I facilities, drug development consulting services and FDA regulatory expertise and has experience in over 3,700 pre-clinical and clinical projects, including Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials and bioequivalence studies. Novotech is positioned to serve biotech clients conducting clinical trials in Asia Pacific, the US and Europe. Novotech has over 2,700 staff working across offices in 20 geographies. For more information visit https://novotech-cro.com/contact

Media Contact
David James
communications@novotech-cro.com
AU: +61 2 8218 2144
USA: +1 415 951 3228
Asia: +65 3159 3427

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

Cantor Fitzgerald Initiates Coverage on Prenetics with “Overweight” Rating

HONG KONG, Jan 26, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – It is reported that Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Prenetics Global (PRE.US) with "Overweight" rating and target price at USD7.00.

Cantor Fitzgerald holds a favorable view of the consumer and clinical testing markets, with Prenetics' focus on diagnostic and preventive testing coupled with personalized and primary care facilities to address a global market opportunity of over $200 billion. In addition, Cantor Fitzgerald believes its commercialization strategy in rolling out tests both via B2C and B2B in the future, depending on which avenue will result in the broadest adoption with the lowest amount of operating expenses, is unique and sound. Prenetics looks to add new tests to its platform through acquisitions and partnerships, resulting in faster time to market and a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem in a not-so-distant future.

Meanwhile, with Prenetics' ecosystem coming together and being able to uniquely demonstrate profitability given its lower operating expenses and R&D expenses relative to peers, Cantor Fitzgerald thinks Prenetics' shares are also attractively valued.

In the near term, Prenetics will focus on Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and the UK, where the company has strong leadership teams in place and benefits from little to no competition, most notably in Asia.

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