5/18/22

Proofpoint Showcases Unique People-Centric Cybersecurity Innovation Across All Product Lines at Protect 2022 Conference

SINGAPORE, May 18, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Proofpoint, Inc., a leading cybersecurity and compliance company, announced today at its annual Protect 2022 conference a host of people-centric innovations across its entire product line, meeting customer demand for solutions that address the security and compliance needs of today's increasingly cloud-reliant, distributed workforce. These enhancements empower companies worldwide to stay ahead of a continually evolving threat landscape and better protect their most important asset - their people - from attacks and compliance risks related to email, cloud, data and collaboration tools.

"We are focused on developing security innovations that protect people - wherever they may work - and defend their data from today's most harmful risks. To stay ahead of the threat actors, we invest hundreds of millions annually into our products and rely on the most advanced AI/ML technologies to defend our customers," said Ashan Willy, Proofpoint's Chief Executive Officer. "Our unmatched AI-powered data intelligence and ongoing commitment to innovation are why 75% of the Fortune 100 trust Proofpoint as their cybersecurity partner."

Every day, Proofpoint analyzes an incredible data set of more than 2.6 billion email messages, 49 billion URLs, 1.9 billion attachments, 28.2 million cloud accounts and over 500 million events associated with potential data loss. This gives us and our customers unmatched visibility into the threat landscape.

"Driven by the accelerated adoption of work-from-anywhere practices, our Information Protection and Cloud Security Platform is now deployed to over 25 million users worldwide," continued Willy. "Over the past 12 months, we have become the most utilized insider threat solution in the market, and our DLP solution is trusted by some of the world's biggest brands. This speaks to our ability to solve the most complex information protection challenges faced by organizations today."

Proofpoint reinvests twenty percent of its annual revenue into R&D, one of the highest percentages in the industry. The following people-centric enhancements benefit from that research and address critical areas for organizations, including cloud application security, information protection across cloud, web, endpoint and email, insider threat, deep threat intelligence, compliance, email authentication, and employee security awareness.

Proofpoint Threat Protection Platform leverages over 26 different layers of detection to uncover sophisticated email fraud attacks, including BEC, account compromise, and ransomware. With Proofpoint's leadership in innovation, we migrated over 2.7 million enterprise seats to Proofpoint over the last year, and now protect over 200,000 small businesses with Proofpoint Essentials.

- Advanced Business Email Compromise Behavioral Analysis Defense Protection, Powered by New Supernova Behavioral Engine:Launched a year ago, Proofpoint's Supernova detection platform has delivered a 2x improvement in BEC detection with higher fidelity and lower false positives, stopping over 5 million BEC attack attempts per month. Starting in Q3, a new engine in Supernova will provide advanced behavioral analysis that identifies anomalous communication patterns for an organization's employees, improving detection efficacy for BEC, supplier risk, third-party account compromise, phishing, and ransomware threats. The new engine will be provided as a free detection stack upgrade to enterprises using Proofpoint email security.

- Secure Email Relay: Available now, Proofpoint Secure Email Relay provides centralized security control and visibility into application email, including 3rd party senders, as well as protects against data leaks and secures sensitive data by applying payload encryption and DLP to application email.

- Managed Email Security: Offers customers best-in-class services to complement their email security investment and drive a more sophisticated program that reduces operational overhead while improving risk posture and visibility.

- Cloud Threat Response Auto-Pull: Available since February 2022, the SaaS version of TRAP provides mail-centric Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (mSOAR), simplifying deployment and management of the automated removal of malicious and unwanted messages and compromised account remediation. Within 3 months of availability, over 600 enterprises have adopted Cloud Threat Response Auto-Pull.

Proofpoint Security Awareness Platform has over 35 million users and attracted over 2,500 new enterprise customers in the past year, with over 100 million annual simulated phishing tests sent.

- Micro-learning and Adaptive Learning Framework: Available now, our new framework provides flexibility to maximize allocated training time and improves user engagement with a more personalized learning experience that allows users to build on prior knowledge over time. The framework is built across 10 common security domains with progressive levels - delivering concise content that is not longer than 3 minutes and available in 41 languages.

- Email Warning Tags (EWT): This feature provides "in-the-moment" contextual nudges to alert users about uncertain email through embedded HMTL notifications on all devices; empowers users to report suspicious messages directly from the email warning tags, even from mobile devices.

- Cultural Assessment: Available in Q3 2022, this assessment enables CISOs and security leaders to benchmark their organization's security culture by evaluating their employees' attitudes to cybersecurity in the workplace. Insights from the cultural assessment can be used to optimize their organization's program and drive behavior change.

Proofpoint Information and Cloud Security Platform brings together unique context across content, behavior and threats for people-centric insights into and prevention of data loss and insider threats. Our solutions are trusted by customers as diverse as a top five automotive manufacturer, a global pharmaceutical company with 100,000 seats and a Fortune 500 fintech services firm with 62,000 seats; several of which were migrations from legacy DLP vendors.

- Intelligent Classification & Protection: Available now, our AI-powered classification offers increased visibility to sensitive data in cloud and on-premises repositories to accelerate DLP deployment. Includes custom-tailored dictionaries, automated policy recommendations and file labeling via the integration with Microsoft Information Protection.

- Data Privacy and Masking: Address data privacy and compliance needs by masking PII data in forensics information and controlling access to functionality and data in the console with role-based or other attribute-based policies, enabling safe and seamless collaboration between teams and business units.

- Cloud Risk Explorer (Beta): Available this quarter, our Cloud Risk Explorer simplifies cloud governance and compliance efforts with more dynamic prioritization and comprehensive discovery of cloud and web apps. This includes dynamic intelligence around sensitive data, user privileges and user behavior patterns in each cloud app on top of known vulnerabilities. In addition, Proofpoint CASB customers can discover shadow IT apps more easily than before by surfacing visibility into URLs accessed via their existing Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection and Browser Isolation products without the need for traditional firewall and web gateway log analysis.

- Data Security Reports: Available this quarter, these provide an executive overview of data security and risk, including the effectiveness of DLP policies, coverage across channels and historical trends. They also offer insights into data loss risk posed by users engaged in undesirable behaviors when handling sensitive data across various channels.

Proofpoint Intelligent Compliance Platform provides ML and AI innovation to quickly solve the most sophisticated regulatory compliance and corporate legal challenges, with over 45 petabytes of data under management - a 39% year-over-year growth.

- Flag Deduplication: Available this quarter, flag deduplication allows customers to significantly reduce the amount of content for review by avoiding original content that has already been flagged, such as replies and forwards. Using Proofpoint's ML engine, this has driven an 84% reduction in false positives during data supervisory, reporting, and review.

- Video Analysis: Available now, this feature leverages modern compliance architecture and machine learning to help customers analyze video imagery and transcribe audio to identify compliance violations.

- Proofpoint Capture for Text: Available in Q3 2022, Proofpoint will add Capture and Patrol for text messaging. Content exchanged in the texts are directly integrated to Proofpoint's machine learning engine to be scanned and evaluated against hundreds of regulatory and corporate compliance policies.

For more on Proofpoint's Information Protection solutions, please visit:
https://www.proofpoint.com/us/products/information-protection

To learn more about Proofpoint's Protect 2022 customer conference, please visit:
https://www.proofpoint.com/us/events/protect.

About Proofpoint, Inc.

Proofpoint, Inc. is a leading cybersecurity and compliance company that protects organizations' greatest assets and biggest risks: their people. With an integrated suite of cloud-based solutions, Proofpoint helps companies around the world stop targeted threats, safeguard their data, and make their users more resilient against cyber attacks. Leading organizations of all sizes, including 75 percent of the Fortune 100, rely on Proofpoint for people-centric security and compliance solutions that mitigate their most critical risks across email, the cloud, social media, and the web. More information is available at www.proofpoint.com.

Connect with Proofpoint:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/proofpoint
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proofpoint
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proofpoint
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIvtJgsrUzFo90NKeiVozhQ

Proofpoint is a registered trademark or tradename of Proofpoint, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

PROOFPOINT MEDIA CONTACTS:
Zeno Group on behalf of Proofpoint
ProofpointSG@zenogroup.com

Sharmin Jassal
Proofpoint, Inc.
pr@proofpoint.com

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

source https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/75268/

5/17/22

富士通、AWSと金融業界および小売業界のDX加速に向けて戦略的協業

TOKYO, May 18, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - 当社は、Amazon Web Services(注1)(以下、AWS)と金融および小売業界のデジタルトランスフォーメーション(以下、DX)加速に向けて、戦略的協業に合意しました。

本協業では、当社の同業界向けソリューションを核にした新たなサービスをAWSクラウド上で開発・展開し、それらをAWS Marketplace(注2)を通じて国内外に提供します。また、AWSのプロフェッショナルサービス(注3)を活用し、システム開発・運用や既存システムのモダナイゼーションの支援、そして当社の同業界担当のシステムエンジニアに対しAWS認定資格保有者を増強する人材育成を実施し、3年間で600人の増員を目指します。

これにより、これまで培ってきた当社の業種・業務の技術やシステム開発のノウハウを活かしてお客様のAWSクラウド活用を支援します。また、当社の金融および小売業界向けデジタルサービスのビジネス拡大、多様なニーズに対応できる人材の増強を実現し、同業界のDXの加速とビジネス変革を強力に推進します。

本協業は、2021年5月にAWSと締結したモビリティ業界での協業(注4)から金融および小売業界へ領域を拡張するものであり、他業界にも順次拡張予定です。

当社は、サステナブルな世界の実現を目指す「Fujitsu Uvance」のもと、デジタルインフラで世界をシームレスに繋げる「Hybrid IT」におけるクラウドサービスの一環として、多様なお客様のニーズに対応し、最適なIT環境とソリューションを提供していきます。

背景

近年、金融および小売業界においては、ニューノーマル時代の行動変容により、非対面・非接触サービスによる価値提供へビジネスモデルが大きく変化しています。そのため、既存システムのモダナイゼーションや基幹システムの効率化を進める一方、新たなサービスやビジネスの迅速な立ち上げによるDXが強く求められています。さらに、小売をはじめとする様々な事業者が提供するアプリケーションに金融機能が組み込まれるサービスが急速に普及しており、金融と小売のクロスインダストリーなシナジー効果が期待されています。これらを実現するため、クラウド活用による新サービスの迅速な立ち上げや、サービス利用の手軽さ、利便性がますます重要になっています。

当社は、これまでもAWSとの連携により、AWSクラウドを活用して当社の高品質サポートが受けられる「FUJITSU Hybrid IT Service for AWS」を提供してきましたが、同業界におけるビジネス変革の加速と多様なクラウド活用のニーズ拡大を受け、このたび、モビリティ業界に続き、金融および小売業界におけるAWSとの戦略的協業を締結するものです。

協業の概要

本協業では、当社が金融および小売業界で培ってきた技術やシステム開発のノウハウと、AWSクラウドを活用した以下の取り組みにより、同業界のDX加速とビジネス変革を支援します。

1.ニューノーマル時代に対応した金融および小売業界向けのフルマネージドサービスの開発と展開
当社が提供するニューノーマル時代の行動変容に対応した金融ソリューション 「Finplex(フィンプレックス)」や小売業界向けDX支援サービス「Brainforce(ブレインフォース)」などを核として、クラウド基盤からサービスまで、すべてパッケージされたフルマネージドサービスを、AWSクラウドを活用し開発します。また、開発したサービスは当社からの提供に加え、AWS Marketplaceを通じて、国内外に3年間で10件のソリューションを目標に展開していきます。

2.AWSクラウドやコンサルティングサービスを活用した基幹業務システムの開発・運用サービスを提供
AWSクラウドを導入済、または新しくAWSクラウドを導入する金融および小売業界の企業に対して、当社のシステムエンジニアがAWSのソリューションアーキテクト、プロフェッショナルサービスと連携し、基幹業務システムの開発・運用を推進し、既存システムのモダナイゼーションおよび内製化支援サービスを順次提供します。

3.AWS認定資格の保有者育成による、AWSクラウドを活用したシステム開発体制の強化
当社の金融および小売業界を担当するシステムエンジニアを対象に、現状約280名のAWS認定資格保有者を、3年間で新たに600名育成し、AWSクラウドを活用したシステム開発体制を強化します。AWSクラウドにおけるシステム開発のプロフェッショナルを増強することにより、DXを実現するシステム提供を加速します。

富士通・AWSの役割

富士通
「Finplex」、「Brainforce」を核に新しい金融および小売業界向けフルマネージドサービスの開発と提供を行います。また、AWSクラウドを活用するお客様の基幹業務システムの開発・運用や既存システムのモダナイゼーションを担います。

AWS
富士通が提供する金融および小売業界向けソリューションやシステム開発に対し、AWSクラウドにおいて最適なアーキテクチャの設計やフルマネージド化設計をサポートします。

富士通株式会社 執行役員 Executive Vice President 山口裕久のコメント
AWSとの戦略的協業の拡張により、当社が金融および小売業界で培ってきた技術・ノウハウをスピーディーにクラウドサービス化することが可能になります。また、金融および小売業界の多様なクラウドニーズに「Fujitsu Uvance」の「Hybrid IT」におけるクラウドサービスの一環として、最適なIT環境とソリューションを提供できるものと考えます。今後は、金融と小売業界で生み出されたサービスを様々な市場に提供することで、お客様企業のDX変革に貢献していきます。

アマゾン ウェブ サービス ジャパン合同会社 執行役員 パートナーアライアンス統括本部長 渡邉宗行様のコメント
富士通とAWSは2012年から連携し、AWSのクラウドサービスを活用して国内外のお客様のビジネスポテンシャルの最大化に取り組んでまいりました。このたびの戦略的協業の締結は、グローバルで競争が激化する金融および小売業界のお客様のビジネス変革を支援し、その先の利用者の利便性を飛躍的に向上させるための大きな一歩となります。AWSを活用したソリューションの開発、サービスメニューの拡充において富士通様とご一緒できることを心より楽しみにしております。

本リリースの詳細は下記をご参照ください。
https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/2022/05/18.html

概要: 富士通株式会社

詳細は http://jp.fujitsu.com/ をご覧ください。


Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Via JCN Newswire https://ift.tt/WbAVqZI

NEC、杉並区の安全・安心なまちづくりに向けてAI技術を活用し交通流・人流を分析する実証実験を実施

TOKYO, May 18, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - NECと杉並区は、安全・安心なまちづくりの実現に向けた行政DXの取り組みの一環として、AI技術を活用して道路灯へ設置したカメラ映像から交通流や人流を分析する実証実験を、本年2月14日から4月28日まで実施しました。本実証を踏まえ、杉並区は交通安全の対策に向けて区内の車道や歩道における利用者の安全確保、まちの再整備を進めていきます。

近年、自治体の政策の立案・実行に向け、EBPM(Evidence-based Policy Making:証拠に基づく政策立案)に使用する客観的データの収集が重要になっています。杉並区ではデータに基づいた安全・安心でウォーカブルなまちづくりを目指し、これまでも人手による交通流や人流のデータを把握するために測定を実施してきました。一方で、人手による測定は、目視によるカウントなどの労力、費用、時間を要することから調査期間・時間が限定されるとともに、収集できるデータの種類の少なさや精度の偏りなどが課題となっていました。

こうした中、杉並区は、安全・安心なまちづくりと業務効率化を実現するため、NECとともに2019年に「スマート街路灯」を活用した街路灯の管理効率化、河川監視の実証を実施し(注1)、その評価・検証を踏まえ、2021年8月からはリアルタイムな河川監視・道路冠水の把握のための「IoT街路灯システム」を運用開始しています(注2)。

今回の実証では、杉並区の国指定史跡「荻外荘」(荻窪二丁目43番19号先)付近にある区所有の道路灯に設置したカメラの映像から、NECソリューションイノベータ株式会社の車両を中心としたシーン分析エンジン「FieldAnalyst for Vehicles(注3)」を用いて分析し、交通流・人流を匿名化し統計データとして可視化しました。通行する車両数や歩行者数のデータだけではなく、車種(普通車/トラック/バス/バイク/自転車)や速度、移動方向、車線はみだし等の詳細データを常時収集可能となり、車道や歩道整備のポイントを明確化することができました。これにより、分析データに基づいて道路の整備・工事計画を立案することが可能になるとともに、これまでの人手によるデータ収集および分析時に比べ、業務時間を90%以上削減できることを確認しました。また、これまでは数年に1回(1日12時間)の測定実施が、日程・時間にとらわれることなく実施することが可能となりました。

なお、NECが本実証実験においてカメラで撮影した映像は本実証におけるデータ分析のみに活用し、分析後に破棄しました。また、NECの「映像クラウドサービス」(注4)を活用することにより、カメラ設置時に必要となる、導入容易性(設置機器の最小化、設定作業の容易化)、プライバシー保護やセキュリティを考慮したデータ送信、遠隔地の機器動作状態を把握する稼働管理などを実現しています。

NECは、デジタル化社会におけるまちづくりのDX化に向けて、カメラ映像データを行政課題解決型データとして活用し自治体の安全・安心なまちづくりを支援するとともに、「NEC Smart Connectivity」(注5)のデータコネクトサービス(注6)の活用を推進していきます。

本リリースの詳細は下記をご参照ください。
https://jpn.nec.com/press/202205/20220518_01.html

概要:日本電気株式会社(NEC)

詳細は www.nec.co.jp をご覧ください。


Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Via JCN Newswire https://ift.tt/WbAVqZI

NEC、国内企業で最大規模となるAI研究用スーパーコンピュータの構築を開始

TOKYO, May 17, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - NECは、AIの世界的な開発競争が激化する中で優位性を維持・強化するため、AI研究用スーパーコンピュータの構築を開始し、2023年3月に国内企業で最大規模(注1)の580PFLOPS(注2)超となるシステムの稼働を予定しています。既に一部のシステム(100PFLOPS)についてNECの数百名のAI研究者が利用を開始しており、今後構築する480PFLPOSのシステムを加え国内最高峰のAIに特化した研究開発環境による、より高度な先進AIの迅速な開発に役立てます。また将来的には、お客様やパートナーとの共創により先進的な社会価値を産み出すAI研究のセンター・オブ・エクセレンスの実現を目指します。

近年、AIのコアテクノロジーであるディープラーニングが急激に進化し活用領域が広がっています。またディープラーニングの開発に必要な演算量も拡大の一途を辿っており、社会全体のDXを進めるには多様な先進AIを迅速に創出できる大規模な計算資源が求められます。

NECは、自社の数百名のAI研究者が利用できるAIスーパーコンピュータを、数十億円を投じて設計・構築します。本システムは、1ノード当たり8基のハイエンドGPU「NVIDIA A100 80GB Tensor コア GPU」を搭載した最新GPUサーバー116台(スーパーマイクロ社製)と、16PB超のEXAScaler高性能並列ファイルシステム(データダイレクト・ネットワークス社製)を搭載したストレージアプライアンスで構成されます。理論上の処理性能は580 PFLOPS超となり、数千万枚の画像を数分間で学習可能になります。またネットワークには、高速イーサネットスイッチ「NVIDIA Spectrum SN3700」を採用し、全サーバーを200GbEで接続してRoCE(RDMA over Converged Ethernet、注3)v2により超高速・低遅延での通信を行うことで、高速な分散学習を実現します。

NECはオープンソースのコンテナ管理技術であるKubernetes(注4)を中核とした独自の構築技術によりこれらの先端ハードウェアとソフトウェア群を密に結合することで、高性能かつ利便性の高いシステムを実現します。

NECは、VUCA(注5)の時代の社会課題にリアルタイム・ダイナミックに対処する先進AIを開発し、社会のDX、人間活動の知的・身体的な創造性や生産性の向上、持続可能な地球環境の実現を目指しています。このために、本システムを活用してお客様やパートナーとNECのAI研究者が集い先進的な社会価値を共創するAI研究のセンター・オブ・エクセレンスを実現します。NECは、2025中期経営計画で注力事業に定めたデジタル・ガバメント/デジタル・ファイナンス、グローバル5G、コア DXの各領域で安全・安心・公平・効率の社会価値を創造するとともに、未来の社会像であるNEC 2030VISIONを実現する次の柱となる成長事業を創出していきます。

本件に対するコメントは以下のとおりです。

先進AIの研究開発において計算資源は競争力の源泉です。NEC様のAIスーパーコンピュータにご採用いただいたNVIDIA GPU とインターコネクトにより、大規模な計算処理を加速させることができます。社会の最重要課題に取り組む研究者が、この最新鋭のAIスーパーコンピュータを活用することで、AIの社会実装を躍進させることができると確信しております。
エヌビディア 日本代表 兼 米国本社副社長 大崎 真孝様

NECは、世界最高水準の生体認証技術をはじめ、画像・映像認識、データ分析、制御技術など、様々な先進AI技術を保有しています。国内企業で最大規模のAIスーパーコンピュータを構築することで競争優位性を維持・強化し、お客様やパートナーとの共創により先進的な社会価値を創出します。
NEC 執行役員 兼 研究開発部門長 山田 昭雄

本リリースの詳細は下記をご参照ください。
https://jpn.nec.com/press/202205/20220517_02.html

概要:日本電気株式会社(NEC)

詳細は www.nec.co.jp をご覧ください。


Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Via JCN Newswire https://ift.tt/dbkwHyX

5/16/22

Yew Lee Pacific Group Berhad Launches Prospectus for ACE Market IPO

KUALA LUMPUR, May 17, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Yew Lee Pacific Group Berhad (YLPG), an established manufacturer principally involved in the manufacturing of industrial brushes as well as the trading of machinery parts and industrial hardware, launched the Company's prospectus today for an initial public offering (IPO) leading to a listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad.

MR. LEE YOKE WAH, Associate Director of Corporate Finance, M&A Securities; MR. GARY TING, Head of Corporate Finance; MS. ANG POH YEE, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director, YLPG; DATUK BILL TAN, Managing Director of Corporate Finance, M&A Securities; EN. MAHDZIR BIN OTHMAN, Independent Non-Executive Chairman, YLPG; MR. ANG LEE LEONG, Managing Director; MR. DANNY WONG, Deputy Head of Corporate Finance, M&A Securities; MR. KELVIN KHOO, Managing Director, Eco Asia Capital Advisory [L-R]

The Company's IPO involves the issue of 133.10 million new shares to be issued at RM0.28 sen per share and an offer for sale of 26.62 million existing shares by way of private placement to selected investors. The public issue shares will be made available for application in the following manner:

Public issue
- 26.62 million new shares made available for application to the Malaysian public
- 15.97 million new shares allocated for application by eligible directors and employees
- 23.96 million new shares by way of private placement to selected investors
- 66.55 million new shares by way of private placement to identified bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)

The IPO is expected to raise gross proceeds of RM37.27 million to be utilised in the following manner:

Utilisation of proceeds
- RM10.90 million for purchase of machinery and equipment
- RM7.30 million for construction of warehouse facility and office building
- RM1.80 million for renovation of office building
- RM8.90 million for repayment of bank borrowings
- RM4.57 million for working capital
- RM3.80 million for listing expenses

Managing Director of YLPG, Mr. Ang Lee Leong, said: "The launch of this Prospectus is an important milestone for us as it marks the fruits of our labour from when we first started operations in 2004. As an established producer of industrial brushes, we embarked on this IPO to raise funding for our growth plans and elevate our profile in the industry."

"To maintain sustainable growth and create long-term shareholder value, we have plans to expand manufacturing capacity and increase automation which the proceeds from the IPO enables us to implement. We are also constructing warehouse and office facilities as the current facilities are needed for the expansion of the Group's manufacturing activities and also to cater for future business growth."

YLPG produces industrial and technical brushes for various manufacturing industries including glove, industrial, electrical and electronic, industrial and commercial cleaning providers as well as glass and wood producers. For the financial year ended 31 December 2021 (FY2021), 76.8% of the Group's total revenue was mainly derived from Malaysia while the remaining 23.2% was derived from the overseas market primarily located in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Taiwan, representing approximately 7.0%, 5.8%, 3.3% and 5.8% respectively.

Deputy Head of Corporate Finance, M&A Securities Sdn Bhd, Mr. Danny Wong said: "The proceeds from the IPO will allow YLPG to increase its manufacturing capacity in order to support its expansion plans and capitalise on the post Covid demand recovery. As such, we are confident that Yew Lee's shares will be well received upon IPO."

M&A Securities is the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Underwriter and Placement Agent for YLPG's IPO while Eco Asia Capital Advisory Sdn Bhd is the Financial Adviser.

Yew Lee Pacific Group Bhd: https://yewlee.com.my/

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

source https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/75240/

コインスター、兵庫県初・広島県では2店舗目のマシン設置

TOKYO, May 17, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - 貯まった硬貨を店舗でのお買い物などに利用できるサービスを展開するコインスター株式会社(以下、コインスター、当社)は、中国、四国、九州を中心に総合スーパー事業を展開する株式会社イズミ(以下、イズミ)が運営する兵庫県の商業施設ゆめタウン姫路(5月12日設置)、広島県の商業施設ゆめタウン安古市(5月16日設置)にコインスター・マシンを設置しましたのでお知らせいたします。兵庫県では初、広島県では2店舗目のマシン設置となり、昨年の広島県の商業施設LECT(レクト)を含め、イズミが運営する店舗でのコインスター・マシン設置は順調に拡大しています。

イズミは、中国・四国・九州地方を中心に100店舗のショッピングセンターやスーパーマーケットを運営しており、ゆめタウンは地域の方々が集い、楽しみ、つながる総合生活拠点をコンセプトにした大型ショッピングセンターです。コインスター・マシンの設置場所について、ゆめタウン姫路はメインの入り口付近、ゆめタウン安古市はサービスカウンター付近に、どちらもお客様のアクセスが便利な場所に設置されます。

最近は硬貨取扱いにかかる利用手数料についてコインスターの経済性が広く認知されると同時に、近隣のスーパーマーケットなどで手軽に交換できる利便性が評価され、コインスター・マシンの利用者および利用額は急速に伸びており、2022年年初以来6~8割のご利用の伸長を記録しています。

コインスターは、欧米では大手スーパーマーケットを中心に広がり、現在は世界で約24,000台のマシンが稼働しています。日本ではスーパーチェーンを中心に現在までに約270台を導入しました。

コインスター・マシンを導入する小売店舗には設置料が支払われます。マシンを利用する消費者は手数料を支払いますが、投入枚数ではなく投入金額の9.9%と金額ベースで計算する仕組みとなっています。少額のコインであればあるほどその経済性が評価され、利用者がコインスター・マシンの設置されている店舗に好んで来店する傾向にあります。小売店では消費者が換金した引換券での買い物による売上増が期待できます。こうして、小銭の回収が進むことから、小売業界や消費者のデジタル化の推進にもつながっています。

コインスターの日本カントリー・マネジャーである宇佐美航は次のように述べています。「昨今、コインスター・マシン設置に対する需要が高まっています。そのような中で、ゆめタウンのような地域に根差した大型の商業施設にコインスター・マシンを導入し、多くの皆さまに当社のサービスを体験頂けることは光栄なことです。今後もより多くの皆さまにコインスターのサービスをご利用いただけるよう、マシンの導入を推進して参ります」。

全国のマシン導入店舗はこちらで検索いただけます。 https://www.coinstar.jp/machine-locator

コインスター・マシンの利用方法は簡単

コインスター・マシンに硬貨を投入すると硬貨の枚数と金額を素早く算出し、画面に表示された合計を確認した後、引換券が発行されそのまま店舗で商品の購入に使用するか紙幣などに交換することができます。*1日常、買い物に訪れるスーパーマーケットなどで手軽に利用できることが利点です。

画像: http://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/Multimedia/Coinstar202205.jpg

*1 引換券の利用方法は設置店・流通企業により異なります。

コインスターについて

1991年に米国で創業。本社は米ワシントン州ベルビュー。コインスター・マシンの設置を通じて家庭に眠る硬貨を店舗で利用できる引換券に交換するサービスを展開している。1992年にサンフランシスコに一号機を設置した。米国ではウォルマート、クローガー、セーフウェイ、欧州ではテスコ、セインズベリー、アスダ、カルフールなど主に大手小売チェーンが導入。現在、欧米市場におけるコインスター・マシンの導入台数は24,000台以上に達している。世界で年間約430億枚の硬貨がコインスター・マシンで換金されており、金額にすると総額3,450億円の硬貨を回収している。1997年にナスダック市場に上場後、2016年に米投資会社アポロ・グローバル・マネジメントの傘下で非公開会社となった。現在、世界9か国で事業を展開している。2018年1月にはアジアで初めてとなる日本にコインスター株式会社を設立。ウェブサイト https://www.coinstar.jp/ 

イズミについて

1961年10月に「株式会社いづみ」を設立し、1号店となるいづみ八丁堀店をオープン。衣料品及び住居関連品、食料品の販売を開始。本社は広島県広島市。1980年に「株式会社イズミ」に社名変更。1987年に東証一部に上場。2018年にセブン&アイ・ホールディングスと業務提携。ショッピングセンター等の業態による衣料品、住居関連品、食料品の小売事業及びクレジット取扱業務などの小売周辺事業を展開している。現在、中国・四国・九州地方を中心に100店舗のショッピングセンター「ゆめタウン」、スーパーマーケット「ゆめマート」を運営している。ウェブサイト https://www.izumi.co.jp/


Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Via JCN Newswire https://ift.tt/dbkwHyX

コインスター、兵庫県初・広島県では2店舗目のマシン設置

東京, 2022年5月17日 - (JCN Newswire) - 貯まった硬貨を店舗でのお買い物などに利用できるサービスを展開するコインスター株式会社(以下、コインスター、当社)は、中国、四国、九州を中心に総合スーパー事業を展開する株式会社イズミ(以下、イズミ)が運営する兵庫県の商業施設ゆめタウン姫路(5月12日設置)、広島県の商業施設ゆめタウン安古市(5月16日設置)にコインスター・マシンを設置しましたのでお知らせいたします。兵庫県では初、広島県では2店舗目のマシン設置となり、昨年の広島県の商業施設LECT(レクト)を含め、イズミが運営する店舗でのコインスター・マシン設置は順調に拡大しています。

イズミは、中国・四国・九州地方を中心に100店舗のショッピングセンターやスーパーマーケットを運営しており、ゆめタウンは地域の方々が集い、楽しみ、つながる総合生活拠点をコンセプトにした大型ショッピングセンターです。コインスター・マシンの設置場所について、ゆめタウン姫路はメインの入り口付近、ゆめタウン安古市はサービスカウンター付近に、どちらもお客様のアクセスが便利な場所に設置されます。

最近は硬貨取扱いにかかる利用手数料についてコインスターの経済性が広く認知されると同時に、近隣のスーパーマーケットなどで手軽に交換できる利便性が評価され、コインスター・マシンの利用者および利用額は急速に伸びており、2022年年初以来6~8割のご利用の伸長を記録しています。

コインスターは、欧米では大手スーパーマーケットを中心に広がり、現在は世界で約24,000台のマシンが稼働しています。日本ではスーパーチェーンを中心に現在までに約270台を導入しました。

コインスター・マシンを導入する小売店舗には設置料が支払われます。マシンを利用する消費者は手数料を支払いますが、投入枚数ではなく投入金額の9.9%と金額ベースで計算する仕組みとなっています。少額のコインであればあるほどその経済性が評価され、利用者がコインスター・マシンの設置されている店舗に好んで来店する傾向にあります。小売店では消費者が換金した引換券での買い物による売上増が期待できます。こうして、小銭の回収が進むことから、小売業界や消費者のデジタル化の推進にもつながっています。

コインスターの日本カントリー・マネジャーである宇佐美航は次のように述べています。「昨今、コインスター・マシン設置に対する需要が高まっています。そのような中で、ゆめタウンのような地域に根差した大型の商業施設にコインスター・マシンを導入し、多くの皆さまに当社のサービスを体験頂けることは光栄なことです。今後もより多くの皆さまにコインスターのサービスをご利用いただけるよう、マシンの導入を推進して参ります」。

全国のマシン導入店舗はこちらで検索いただけます。

コインスター・マシンの利用方法は簡単

コインスター・マシンに硬貨を投入すると硬貨の枚数と金額を素早く算出し、画面に表示された合計を確認した後、引換券が発行されそのまま店舗で商品の購入に使用するか紙幣などに交換することができます。*1日常、買い物に訪れるスーパーマーケットなどで手軽に利用できることが利点です。

*1 引換券の利用方法は設置店・流通企業により異なります。

コインスターについて

1991年に米国で創業。本社は米ワシントン州ベルビュー。コインスター・マシンの設置を通じて家庭に眠る硬貨を店舗で利用できる引換券に交換するサービスを展開している。1992年にサンフランシスコに一号機を設置した。米国ではウォルマート、クローガー、セーフウェイ、欧州ではテスコ、セインズベリー、アスダ、カルフールなど主に大手小売チェーンが導入。現在、欧米市場におけるコインスター・マシンの導入台数は24,000台以上に達している。世界で年間約430億枚の硬貨がコインスター・マシンで換金されており、金額にすると総額3,450億円の硬貨を回収している。1997年にナスダック市場に上場後、2016年に米投資会社アポロ・グローバル・マネジメントの傘下で非公開会社となった。現在、世界9か国で事業を展開している。2018年1月にはアジアで初めてとなる日本にコインスター株式会社を設立。ウェブサイト https://www.coinstar.jp/ 

イズミについて

1961年10月に「株式会社いづみ」を設立し、1号店となるいづみ八丁堀店をオープン。衣料品及び住居関連品、食料品の販売を開始。本社は広島県広島市。1980年に「株式会社イズミ」に社名変更。1987年に東証一部に上場。2018年にセブン&アイ・ホールディングスと業務提携。ショッピングセンター等の業態による衣料品、住居関連品、食料品の小売事業及びクレジット取扱業務などの小売周辺事業を展開している。現在、中国・四国・九州地方を中心に100店舗のショッピングセンター「ゆめタウン」、スーパーマーケット「ゆめマート」を運営している。ウェブサイト https://www.izumi.co.jp/




Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Via JCN Newswire https://ift.tt/dbkwHyX

Insights from Davos: Web3 Consolidation Underway, Meta Alliance Launch, Web3 Reserve System

LONDON, May 17, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - A consensus is emerging from multiple Davos insiders that the next wave of consolidation is about to hit the Crypto Markets as awareness of Web3 Applications continue to drive volume, growth and outlook. Despite the recent crypto market crash this month, M&A is again on the rise as the Volume of Deals increased 50X over the past year to $55 billion.


"Since Web3 is the precursor to Metaverse market, our team has come up with a way for communities to combat some of the inherent volatility via the creation of a Reserve System for hedging NFT and digital assets," stated Edward Musinski, Founder of the Web3 Reserve System which is backed by Metabook.

"We help NFT owners and large enterprises to scale their digital asset initiatives by building another layer of Hedged Trust, Meta Alliance and Telewellness," UK founder Edward Musinski proclaimed. "We have built a highly efficient hedging solution, backed by a pool of NFT and tokens and governed via the Metabook DAO."

The Reserve pool is key to the growth of value, when innovations are shared with the community, and driven by influencers, like in www.Metabook.digital case (beta version).

The Metabook Reserve pool will be comprised of partners' tokens with such utility as health, by health data exchange Aimedis, or XR promo, by Arcona.

The shared creative power of community will drive the mass adoption of blockchain, Metaverse and web3 solutions of Metabook DAO partners.

Plato Partnership. Connecting Web3 Applications with the Metaverse

We are pleased to announce our new partnership with Plato that is opening up the opportunity for some healthy community consolidation. Plato is an open intelligence repository and platform that unlocks the power of Vertical Search in a highly secure and scalable way. The platform is designed to provide an ultra-safe and secure environment to consume sector-specific real-time data intelligence while its interface allows used to seamlessly connect to web3 applications. We are pleased to make this announcement as a preview of what we are seeing in Davos this year.

About Metabook

Metabook by Meta Alliance is a B2B2C platform for mass adoption of web3 Innovation and the first decentralized MetaMarketing leadgen platform. For more information, visit https://metabook.digital.

About Platoblockchain

Platoblockchain is the cross-chain Gateway to the world of Decentralized Gaming, Streaming, Metaverse experience. For more information, visit https://platoblockchain.com.

Source: Plato Data Intelligence

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

source https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/75232/

Insights from Davos: Web3 Consolidation Underway, Meta Alliance Launch, Web3 Reserve System

LONDON, May 17, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - A consensus is emerging from multiple Davos insiders that the next wave of consolidation is about to hit the Crypto Markets as awareness of Web3 Applications continue to drive volume, growth and outlook. Despite the recent crypto market crash this month, M&A is again on the rise as the Volume of Deals increased 50X over the past year to $55 billion.

"Since Web3 is the precursor to Metaverse market, our team has come up with a way for communities to combat some of the inherent volatility via the creation of a Reserve System for hedging NFT and digital assets," stated Edward Musinski, Founder of the Web3 Reserve System which is backed by Metabook.

"We help NFT owners and large enterprises to scale their digital asset initiatives by building another layer of Hedged Trust, Meta Alliance and Telewellness," UK founder Edward Musinski proclaimed. "We have built a highly efficient hedging solution, backed by a pool of NFT and tokens and governed via the Metabook DAO."

The Reserve pool is key to the growth of value, when innovations are shared with the community, and driven by influencers, like in www.Metabook.digital case (beta version).

The Metabook Reserve pool will be comprised of partners' tokens with such utility as health, by health data exchange Aimedis, or XR promo, by Arcona.

The shared creative power of community will drive the mass adoption of blockchain, Metaverse and web3 solutions of Metabook DAO partners.

Plato Partnership. Connecting Web3 Applications with the Metaverse

We are pleased to announce our new partnership with Plato that is opening up the opportunity for some healthy community consolidation. Plato is an open intelligence repository and platform that unlocks the power of Vertical Search in a highly secure and scalable way. The platform is designed to provide an ultra-safe and secure environment to consume sector-specific real-time data intelligence while its interface allows used to seamlessly connect to web3 applications. We are pleased to make this announcement as a preview of what we are seeing in Davos this year.

About Metabook

Metabook by Meta Alliance is a B2B2C platform for mass adoption of web3 Innovation and the first decentralized MetaMarketing leadgen platform. For more information, visit https://metabook.digital.

About Platoblockchain

Platoblockchain is the cross-chain Gateway to the world of Decentralized Gaming, Streaming, Metaverse experience. For more information, visit https://platoblockchain.com.

Source: Plato Data Intelligence


Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Via JCN Newswire https://ift.tt/dbkwHyX

5/15/22

El Salvador's Ambassador to the United States to Represent the El Salvador People at GBA's Blockchain & Sustainable Economic Growth Conference

Washington, D.C., May 16, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - Milena Mayorga, El Salvador's ambassador to the United States, will represent her nation and government at this year's Blockchain & Sustainable Economic Growth Conference organized by the Government Blockchain Association.

The conference will focus on blockchain technology in business and government. It will include presentations from experts in the field and a Pitch Competition, Job Fair, and Art Show.

H.E. Ambassador Mayorga is a former deputy to the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador and a former model who represented El Salvador in the Miss Universe 1996 pageant. On September 24, 2020, President Nayib Bukele appointed her as Ambassador to the United States.

On May 25-27, the GBA will host the Blockchain & Sustainable Economic Growth Conference at the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. For more information, please click here: https://gbaglobal.org/blockchain-sustainable-economic-growth/.

The Government Blockchain Association is an industry group devoted to educating and encouraging the usage of blockchain technology across the world.

Despite international criticism, President Nayib Bukele's forward-thinking government legalized bitcoin in late 2021, making it the first nation to do so.

Source: Platoblockchain.com (https://platoblockchain.com)


Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Via JCN Newswire https://ift.tt/yp3etlG

TJI Achieves a Successful Leap to International Market

HONG KONG, May 16, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Tam Jai International Co. Limited ("TJI" or the "Company", and together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; HKEX stock code: 2217), a leading and renowned mixian-specialised fast casual restaurant chain, announced its first annual results after its listing in Hong Kong. Revenue of the Group saw a notable year-on-year increase of 26.8% to HK$2,275.3 million for the year ended 31 March 2022 ("FY2022"), despite the 5th wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong in the last quarter of FY2022. Excluding one-off listing expenses and government subsidies in relation to COVID-19, its adjusted profit for the year rose by 17.8% to HK$165.5 million in FY2022.

Highlights
Prominent Performance in FY2022
-- Revenue increased by 26.8% to HK$2,275.3 million year-on-year, mainly attributable to the increased number of restaurants in operation and growth in comparable restaurants revenue
-- Operating profit of restaurant operations increased by 38.2% to HK$476.7 million
-- Operating profit margin up by 1.7 percentage points to 20.9%
-- Excluding the one-off listing expenses and government subsidies in relation to COVID-19, adjusted profit for the year increased by 17.8% to HK$165.5 million

Expanding Restaurant Network
-- The unique and authentic TamJai tastes were successfully brought to different regions. The responses the Group has received from Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Tokyo were instantaneous and overwhelming
-- As at 31 March 2022, there were 175 restaurants in operation across Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore and Japan, a net increase of 28 restaurants as compared to 31 March 2021
-- Eight restaurants were opened in the Mainland China and the first restaurant in Japan was met with a rapturous reception
-- TJI aims to further expand its restaurant network in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, Singapore and Japan, with two more restaurants planned to open in Kichijoji and Ebisu in Tokyo, Japan in the first quarter of FY2023

Revenue of TJI's Hong Kong restaurants saw a speedy and strong recovery to the pre-COVID-19 level during the first three quarters of FY2022 as the pandemic eased. This was due to the support of a community of loyal customers as it consistently delivers quality food with a variety of options and exceptional service. While the entire catering industry in Hong Kong was reeling from the impact of COVID-19 outbreak in the fourth quarter of FY2022, the Group managed to stay afloat thanks to its wide brand recognition, great success of the introduction of premium toppings, snacks and new products, and the continued support from its loyal customers.

The rise in revenue in FY2022 was mainly attributable to the increase in the number of restaurants in operation, and the steady growth in comparable restaurants revenue in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, operating profit increased by 38.2% to HK$476.7 million, with operating profit margin improving by 1.7 percentage points to 20.9%. This was due to the decrease in staff costs as a percentage of revenue attributable to the improvement of manpower efficiency, and the decrease in depreciation of right-of-use assets, rental and related expenses as a percentage of revenue, attributable to the improvement in its restaurant performance. The Group also continued to achieve a healthy financial position and had cash and cash equivalents of HK$1,365.2 million as at 31 March 2022.

The Board recommends paying a final dividend of HK11.4 cents per share for FY2022, or approximately HK$152.4 million in total.

Business Review
Steady comparable restaurants revenue growth despite 5th wave of COVID-19 outbreak
As part of its strategies in menu design, TJI has launched more than two dozen new products in FY2022 including toppings, soup base, snacks and beverages. The introduction of premium toppings and snacks, combined with successful marketing campaigns as well as a menu price adjustment in February 2022, resulted in an across-the-board increase in the average spending per customer, and the average daily number of bowls served per seat.

During the first three quarters of FY2022, the comparable revenue of TJI's Hong Kong restaurants had recovered to the pre-COVID-19 level. To mitigate the impact of the 5th wave of COVID-19 outbreak in the last quarter of FY2022, the Group had quickly boosted its takeaway/food delivery capacity, by offering takeaway promotions and maintaining a strong partnership with third-party delivery platforms. It has also carefully managed its supply chain and workforce to minimise service interruptions amid the pandemic. The decrease in dine-in revenue in the last quarter of FY2022 was partially offset by the increase in proportion of takeaway/food delivery revenue.

Striving for improvements
Despite global logistics interruptions, and the upward pressure on the cost of food and beverages consumed in face of the ongoing pandemic, the Group managed to mitigate general cost inflation through supply chain management, and product substitution or upgrade. The integration of the central kitchens of TamJai Yunnan Mixian ("TamJai") and TamJai SamGor Mixian ("SamGor") brands also contributed to the reduction in the costs in facilities, enhancement in efficiency, and optimisation of food production. New supply chain management systems were also set up to optimise cost control and to enhance production planning process.

In addition, a Smart Rostering was implemented to help maintain the right level of frontline staff and productivity, and thereby optimise labour costs, as business volume fluctuates in tandem with the pandemic situation. It also made swift decisions regarding restaurant operating hours, renovation projects and restaurant opening schedule by re-assessing the market needs.

Expansion of restaurant network
As of 31 March 2022, TJI operates a total of 175 restaurants, with geographical presence expanding to Japan on 31 March 2022, in addition to the existing markets of Hong Kong, Mainland China and Singapore. The responses it has received from its first restaurant in Japan were overwhelming: hundreds of customers queued for hours outside its Shinjuku restaurant in Tokyo, eager to be among the first to enjoy a steaming noodle bowl packed with Hong Kong flavours and culture. There is clearly an international appetite for authentic Hong Kong food experience. And this has encouraged TJI to continue looking for new global avenues to bring the perfect taste abroad.

In Hong Kong, the Group operates 81 TamJai restaurants, and 81 SamGor restaurants. Its expanding restaurant network is complementary to the delivery service coverage throughout the city, as it is aware of the importance of takeaway and delivery in the industry amid the ongoing pandemic.

In Mainland China, the Group has opened eight restaurants in total under TamJai brand for FY2022, including six in Shenzhen, and two in Guangzhou. In the financial year ending 31 March 2023 ("FY2023"), it plans to open more restaurants in the Greater Bay Area as strategies are being put in place to drive both dine-in and takeaway turnovers.

In Singapore, one new restaurant was opened in March 2022, and some locations of new restaurants have been confirmed in the pipeline for FY2023.

TJI also opened its first restaurant in Shinjuku, Japan on 31 March 2022, and plans to open two more restaurants located in Kichijoji and Ebisu in Tokyo in the first quarter of FY2023.

Prospects
While the past year has been a bumpy ride, TJI has demonstrated resilience and agility in face of unanticipated situations. As the pandemic enters its third year, the Group is optimistic that social restrictions will be lifted gradually, and its growth momentum should resume in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the overseas markets.

In tune with the fast-changing customer behaviour in tandem with the pandemic's development, the Group is investing in further enhancing its restaurant-level efficiency in serving dine-in, takeaway and delivery orders. It is also implementing new supply chain management systems in Hong Kong and other markets to optimise cost control and enhance production planning process, which would help cushion itself against logistics hiccoughs and changes in COVID-related policies on movements and mobility.

For the Mainland China market, the initial revenue and customers responses of the new restaurants in Shenzhen and Guangzhou had been favourable, and the business is expected to pick up as soon as the social activities resume.

Riding on the strong rebound in the Singapore market since November 2021, the Group will resume new restaurant opening activities, and adapt its business model to capitalise on the revived consumer sentiment and increase profitability. Besides, it has been encouraged by the rapturous reception of its first restaurant in Tokyo. As market activities have started picking up again in Japan, TJI will keep expanding its network healthily to capture the market momentum with the robust support of its controlling shareholder, Toridoll Holdings Corporation.

Mr. Daren Lau, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of TJI, said, "We are very pleased to have navigated through the challenges posed by the pandemic in FY2022 with great agility and resilience as we continued to grow our revenue and operating profit margin. The encouraging results have proved our competitive advantages in food and service quality, restaurant operations and supply chain management. On the back of our successful listing in Hong Kong in October 2021, we will further expand our market presence, and bring our one-of-a-kind chain restaurant dining experience and distinctive 'TamJai Tastes' all over the world."

About Tam Jai International Co. Limited (HKEX: 2217)
TJI has been listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (stock code: 02217.HK) since October 2021. It is one of the largest and most popular fast casual resturant chains and the No.1 Asian noodle specialty restaurant operator in Hong Kong.* It primarily operates the TamJai Yunnan Mixian and TamJai SamGor Mixian brands, with operations in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore and Japan. As at 31 March 2022, the Group operated a total of 175 restaurants. With the first TamJai Yunnan Mixian restaurant and the first TamJai SamGor Mixian restaurant opened in 1996 and 2008 in Hong Kong respectively, it has pioneered and popularised the new mixian trend in Hong Kong.

*In terms of both revenue and number of restaurants in 2020, according to Euromonitor


Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

source https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/75202/

The Executive Talk: Kerry Express (Thailand) PCL (SET: KEX)

BANGKOK, May 16, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - Kerry Express (Thailand) PCL (SET: KEX) Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alex Ng discusses the company's strategy behind its achievement as the leading express parcel delivery in the country in The Executive Talk (TET) by ShareInvestor.

1. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic massively affected the economy. How has it challenged your business, and how did you cope with it?

Many people understand that Kerry must benefit from COVID-19 because more and more people shop online during the lockdown. Therefore, we have to deliver these parcels to their homes. So yes, in terms of business growth, we have experienced recorded high business growth in the past couple of years. But generally speaking, we do not like Covid-19. It disturbed our daily operations in a very big way. The supply of manpower, truck movement, and resource management planning got very difficult. Therefore, we all hope that the Covid-19 crisis will end soon.

However, I must admit that we managed the crisis very well while many transportation, logistics, and express companies did not effectively plan or overprepare for the situation. You may have read on the news that some companies got disrupted. Some had to suspend their sorting processes, while others even had to close their warehouses. But Kerry maintained very good continuity during COVID-19. It is payback for our dedication and well-plan. We now work 24-7, 365 days, and have no holidays.

2. What do you think has proved your market-leading position in Thailand?

First of all, we are the listed company with strong capital. As many logistics companies struggle with financial difficulties, Kerry Express focuses on improving our operations, such as business strategy and human development. So, we are more focused. At the same time, we are not very bureaucratic. While many listed companies or large corporations can be very bureaucratic, Kerry is an entrepreneurial organization with high mobility and flexibility, which is one of our strengths. However, the most important thing for me is that Kerry Express is very customer addicted. If you sit in any of our meetings, we always talk about how to make our customers happier and happier, how to make our great operations even better. We always want to be a better person, better company than yesterday.

3. What do you see as the major threats these days?

As you know, we are in wartime. Indeed, the oil price does not affect us very much. On the contrary, we spend less on fuel costs because of our reengineering, making our delivery and transportation more efficient. But if oil prices continue to increase, it will probably bring high pressure on our finances and operation sooner or later. Therefore, we are working very hard to be more efficient and rely less on fuel.

In addition, another issue for Thailand and this region is human capital. Today it is getting harder to find the right talent to work for a corporation. It's not because they're not smart or young people are not hard-working or progressive. But today, it's very dynamic, and the working culture is different from ten years or two decades ago. So, I think a corporation like Kerry needs to change to a new paradigm. It seems employees embrace much more individuality than they were twenty years ago. The relationship between employer and employee becomes more parallelly. Consequently, we have tried to adjust ourselves, such as a friendly workplace. We try to make our office and working environment much happier for the employees so that we get the best talents in the country and the region. People are our only asset, I would say.

4. How would you enlarge your business ecosystem? Will any new services be coming this year or in 2023?

We will never stop developing new products and services. Express and parcel delivery remains our core business. But the expansion of new services will bring more users and sticky users. You would have heard that we're launching a new service that delivers frozen and chilled products called "Kerry Cool." No one is doing it seriously in the country. And most recently, we have just announced a new service with Central Group, "Kerry XL." We are moving larger items like furniture and gym devices. So, we are creating a new delivery platform that does not overlap with our existing service.

Furthermore, we are also developing a non-delivery platform rapidly. We have built a new payment platform called "Kerry Wallet" that combines various payment methods, including credit cards, top-up wallets, and PromptPay's QR Code system. Because during the Covid-19, a number of users have turned to cashless payment. We are happy to contain these users within Kerry Wallet, so they enjoy better and more convenience.

5. How have you prepared to enter digital technology dynamics?

From my perspective, preparing for the digital economy is not one of the exercises. Indeed, Kerry has never stopped digitalizing since day one. Can you imagine we were the first to invent cash-on-delivery in Thailand? And it's us again who started the QR Code payment on delivery. We doubt many people know, but our frequent customers have gradually turned to this payment method. We are a very innovative company. We will not announce it as a showcase because this kind of thing is not a showcase but a real necessity for the company's development.

6. Can you tell us about "HI-STEP", Kerry Express's core value?

"HI-STEP" is our motto, not created by the management but by most employees about eight years ago in the workshop. H stands for honesty, I for innovation, S for service mind, T for teamwork, E for execution, and last but not least, P stands for positivity because we want our people to be positive-minded, not negative-minded. These are elements or core competence that we believe Kerry people shall possess. They even composed a song about it. You can listen on YouTube. ( https://youtu.be/pi32iVaCdvs )

About The Executive Q&A Series

The Executive Q&A Series is presented by ShareInvestor, Asia's leading financial internet media and technology company and the largest investor relations network in the region. For more information, email admin.th@shareinvestor.com. Website: www.ShareInvestorThailand.com


Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Via JCN Newswire https://ift.tt/yp3etlG

The Executive Talk: Kerry Express (Thailand) PCL (SET: KEX)

BANGKOK, May 16, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Kerry Express (Thailand) PCL (SET: KEX) Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alex Ng discusses the company's strategy behind its achievement as the leading express parcel delivery in the country in The Executive Talk (TET) by ShareInvestor.

1. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic massively affected the economy. How has it challenged your business, and how did you cope with it?

Many people understand that Kerry must benefit from COVID-19 because more and more people shop online during the lockdown. Therefore, we have to deliver these parcels to their homes. So yes, in terms of business growth, we have experienced recorded high business growth in the past couple of years. But generally speaking, we do not like Covid-19. It disturbed our daily operations in a very big way. The supply of manpower, truck movement, and resource management planning got very difficult. Therefore, we all hope that the Covid-19 crisis will end soon.

However, I must admit that we managed the crisis very well while many transportation, logistics, and express companies did not effectively plan or overprepare for the situation. You may have read on the news that some companies got disrupted. Some had to suspend their sorting processes, while others even had to close their warehouses. But Kerry maintained very good continuity during COVID-19. It is payback for our dedication and well-plan. We now work 24-7, 365 days, and have no holidays.

2. What do you think has proved your market-leading position in Thailand?

First of all, we are the listed company with strong capital. As many logistics companies struggle with financial difficulties, Kerry Express focuses on improving our operations, such as business strategy and human development. So, we are more focused. At the same time, we are not very bureaucratic. While many listed companies or large corporations can be very bureaucratic, Kerry is an entrepreneurial organization with high mobility and flexibility, which is one of our strengths. However, the most important thing for me is that Kerry Express is very customer addicted. If you sit in any of our meetings, we always talk about how to make our customers happier and happier, how to make our great operations even better. We always want to be a better person, better company than yesterday.

3. What do you see as the major threats these days?

As you know, we are in wartime. Indeed, the oil price does not affect us very much. On the contrary, we spend less on fuel costs because of our reengineering, making our delivery and transportation more efficient. But if oil prices continue to increase, it will probably bring high pressure on our finances and operation sooner or later. Therefore, we are working very hard to be more efficient and rely less on fuel.

In addition, another issue for Thailand and this region is human capital. Today it is getting harder to find the right talent to work for a corporation. It's not because they're not smart or young people are not hard-working or progressive. But today, it's very dynamic, and the working culture is different from ten years or two decades ago. So, I think a corporation like Kerry needs to change to a new paradigm. It seems employees embrace much more individuality than they were twenty years ago. The relationship between employer and employee becomes more parallelly. Consequently, we have tried to adjust ourselves, such as a friendly workplace. We try to make our office and working environment much happier for the employees so that we get the best talents in the country and the region. People are our only asset, I would say.

4. How would you enlarge your business ecosystem? Will any new services be coming this year or in 2023?

We will never stop developing new products and services. Express and parcel delivery remains our core business. But the expansion of new services will bring more users and sticky users. You would have heard that we're launching a new service that delivers frozen and chilled products called "Kerry Cool." No one is doing it seriously in the country. And most recently, we have just announced a new service with Central Group, "Kerry XL." We are moving larger items like furniture and gym devices. So, we are creating a new delivery platform that does not overlap with our existing service.

Furthermore, we are also developing a non-delivery platform rapidly. We have built a new payment platform called "Kerry Wallet" that combines various payment methods, including credit cards, top-up wallets, and PromptPay's QR Code system. Because during the Covid-19, a number of users have turned to cashless payment. We are happy to contain these users within Kerry Wallet, so they enjoy better and more convenience.

5. How have you prepared to enter digital technology dynamics?

From my perspective, preparing for the digital economy is not one of the exercises. Indeed, Kerry has never stopped digitalizing since day one. Can you imagine we were the first to invent cash-on-delivery in Thailand? And it's us again who started the QR Code payment on delivery. We doubt many people know, but our frequent customers have gradually turned to this payment method. We are a very innovative company. We will not announce it as a showcase because this kind of thing is not a showcase but a real necessity for the company's development.

6. Can you tell us about "HI-STEP", Kerry Express's core value?

"HI-STEP" is our motto, not created by the management but by most employees about eight years ago in the workshop. H stands for honesty, I for innovation, S for service mind, T for teamwork, E for execution, and last but not least, P stands for positivity because we want our people to be positive-minded, not negative-minded. These are elements or core competence that we believe Kerry people shall possess. They even composed a song about it. You can listen on YouTube. ( https://youtu.be/pi32iVaCdvs )

About The Executive Q&A Series

The Executive Q&A Series is presented by ShareInvestor, Asia's leading financial internet media and technology company and the largest investor relations network in the region. For more information, email admin.th@shareinvestor.com. Website: www.ShareInvestorThailand.com

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

source https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/75199/

Solve.Care Foundation CEO Pradeep Goel to Speak about Blockchain Technology in Healthcare at GBA's Blockchain & Sustainable Economic Growth Conference

Washington, D.C., May 16, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - Government Blockchain Association is proud to announce that Pradeep Goel, CEO of Solve.Care Foundation, will speak about blockchain technology in healthcare at the upcoming GBA Blockchain & Sustainable Economic Growth Conference (https://gbaglobal.org/2022-bcseg-tickets/) on May 25-27, 2022 at Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.

Mr. Goel is a healthcare executive with a relentless focus on improving healthcare administration, coordination, quality, and efficiency by using blockchain in healthcare today.

With 25 years of expertise in the health sector as a CEO, COO, CIO, and CTO in insurance, benefits administration, and public programs, Mr. Goel is the ideal individual to discuss the implementation of blockchain in healthcare today

Furthermore, Mr. Goel will describe how he stayed in Ukraine after the country's illegal occupation by Russia began and how he and his Solve.Care team created nine refugee shelters for displaced Ukrainians who had lost their homes due to Russia's invasion of their homeland.

His talk will be immensely informative for all those attending the conference, so don't miss out and register today. Don't pass up the chance to hear from one of the world's foremost blockchain healthcare experts.

Please register today and join us at the GBA Blockchain & Sustainable Economic Growth Conference to learn more about how blockchain technology is implemented globally in healthcare systems. You won't regret it!

The Government Blockchain Association is an industry association dedicated to the education and ethical adoption of blockchain-based solutions globally.

Solve.Care Foundation is a blockchain-powered platform that allows for a more cost-effective, coordinated, and patient-centric healthcare delivery. Its mission is to make access to quality healthcare a fundamental human right by leveraging the power of blockchain technology.

Source: Platoblockchain.com (https://platoblockchain.com)


Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Via JCN Newswire https://ift.tt/yp3etlG

Solve.Care Foundation CEO Pradeep Goel to Speak about Blockchain Technology in Healthcare at GBA's Blockchain & Sustainable Economic Growth Conference

Washington, D.C., May 16, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Government Blockchain Association is proud to announce that Pradeep Goel, CEO of Solve.Care Foundation, will speak about blockchain technology in healthcare at the upcoming GBA Blockchain & Sustainable Economic Growth Conference (https://gbaglobal.org/2022-bcseg-tickets/) on May 25-27, 2022 at Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.

Pradeep Goel, CEO of Solve.Care Foundation


Mr. Goel is a healthcare executive with a relentless focus on improving healthcare administration, coordination, quality, and efficiency by using blockchain in healthcare today.

With 25 years of expertise in the health sector as a CEO, COO, CIO, and CTO in insurance, benefits administration, and public programs, Mr. Goel is the ideal individual to discuss the implementation of blockchain in healthcare today

Furthermore, Mr. Goel will describe how he stayed in Ukraine after the country's illegal occupation by Russia began and how he and his Solve.Care team created nine refugee shelters for displaced Ukrainians who had lost their homes due to Russia's invasion of their homeland.

His talk will be immensely informative for all those attending the conference, so don't miss out and register today. Don't pass up the chance to hear from one of the world's foremost blockchain healthcare experts.

Please register today and join us at the GBA Blockchain & Sustainable Economic Growth Conference to learn more about how blockchain technology is implemented globally in healthcare systems. You won't regret it!

The Government Blockchain Association is an industry association dedicated to the education and ethical adoption of blockchain-based solutions globally.

Solve.Care Foundation is a blockchain-powered platform that allows for a more cost-effective, coordinated, and patient-centric healthcare delivery. Its mission is to make access to quality healthcare a fundamental human right by leveraging the power of blockchain technology.

Source: Platoblockchain.com (https://platoblockchain.com)

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

source https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/75196/

5/12/22

Nissin Foods Achieves Steady 2022 Q1 Financial Results

HONG KONG, May 13, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Nissin Foods Company Limited ("Nissin Foods" or the "Company", and together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; Stock code: 1475) today announced its unaudited first quarter financial information for the three months ended 31 March 2022 ("the Reporting Period").

The Group's revenue increased by 10.1% year-on-year ("YoY") from HK$964.5 million to HK$1,061.8 million. Gross profit grew 7.4% YoY to HK$332.8 million (2021: HK$309.9 million). Gross profit margin was 31.3% (2021: 32.1%), mainly a result of the increased prices of raw materials and other production costs. Profit attributable to owners of the Company was HK$90.3 million (2021: HK$93.2 million).

Revenue from Hong Kong operations increased by 6.6% YoY to HK$357.9 million due to a surge in demand of bag-type instant noodles. As for Mainland China operations, having taken steps to expand its geographical sales territories and strengthen its "Cup Noodles" brand in the Reporting Period, revenue increased by 11.9% (in local currency: 8.6%) to HK$703.9 million, mainly contributed by the growth in sales volume of cup-type instant noodles.

Mr Kiyotaka ANDO, Executive Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nissin Foods, said, "With the COVID-19 epidemic prevailing, people's livelihood and economic recovery have been surrounded with uncertainties. Although the business environment has been challenging, we are committed to ensuring stable supply of quality and safe products to our customers and, to sustain profit growth. We will continue to enhance production efficiency by improving our capabilities and implementing cost-saving measures. In line with the Company's strategic direction, we will also continue to enhance our product portfolio so as to strengthen overall competitiveness and create sustainable value for all stakeholders."

For details, please refer to the announcement:
https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2022/0513/2022051300230.pdf

About Nissin Foods Company Limited
Nissin Foods Company Limited (The "Group"; Stock code: 1475) is a renowned food company in Hong Kong and Mainland China with a diversified portfolio of well-known and highly popular brands and the largest instant noodle company in Hong Kong. The Group officially established its presence in Hong Kong in 1984. The Group primarily manufactures and sells instant noodles, frozen foods and other food products under its two core corporate brands, namely "NISSIN" and "DOLL" together with a diversified portfolio of iconic household premium food brands. The Group's five flagship product brands, namely "Cup Noodles", "Demae Iccho", "Doll Instant Noodle", "Doll Dim Sum" and "Fuku" are also among the most popular choices in their respective food product categories in Hong Kong. In the Mainland China market, the Group has introduced technology innovation through the "ECO Cup" concept and primarily focuses its sales efforts in first-and second-tier cities.

Nissin Foods is a constituent of eight Hang Seng Indexes, namely: Hang Seng Composite Index, Hang Seng Consumer Goods & Services Index, Hang Seng Stock Connect Hong Kong Index, Hang Seng Stock Connect Hong Kong MidCap & SmallCap Index, Hang Seng Stock Connect Hong Kong SmallCap Index, Hang Seng SCHK Mainland China Companies Index, Hang Seng SCHK ex-AH Companies Index, and Hang Seng Small Cap (Investable) Index. For more information, please visit www.nissingroup.com.hk.


Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

source https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/75179/

Hua Medicine Published Two Peer-Reviewed Papers in Nature Medicine, an International Top Medical Journal, on the Results of the Phase III Research of Dorzagliatin, a First-In-Class Investigational Diabetes Drug of Hua Medicine

SHANGHAI, CHINA, May 13, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Hua Medicine (the "Company", stock code on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 2552.HK) today announces that, two peer-reviewed papers on the Phase III clinical trial results of dorzagliatin, a glucokinase activator (GKA) and first-in-class investigational drug of the Company for the treatment of diabetes, were published online simultaneously by Nature Medicine, an international top medical journal. These two papers described and analyzed the clinical efficacy and safety characteristics of dorzagliatin monotherapy (SEED) in drug-naive Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients and the combination therapy of dorzagliatin and metformin (DAWN) in patients who failed in metformin adequacy therapy for the treatment of T2D respectively.



It was the first time for Nature Medicine to publish the results of Phase III trials of a GKA, representing the results of large registered clinical studies in China. Dorzagliatin is a new first-in-class GKA antidiabetic drug to successfully complete the Phase III registered clinical study in the world, which was led by Chinese researchers. The two papers are also the first to be published in Nature Medicine with Chinese researchers as the first and corresponding authors of a novel mechanism for treatment of diabetes. Both studies demonstrated that by addressing the defect of the glucose sensor function of glucokinase (GK), dorzagliatin is able to continuously and effectively reduce HbA1c in patients with T2D, and significantly reduce post-meal glucose (2h-PPG) during the treatment period. The percentage of patients admninistered dorzagliatin achieving standard glycemic blood glucose control was demonstrated to be high and with low hypoglycemia incidences. It was also shown that dorzagliatin has good safety and tolerability. In addition, it can continuously improve beta-cell function and reduce insulin resistance.

Dorzagliatin is the first-in-class oral drug developed by Hua Medicine for the treatment of T2D after 10 years of independent research and development, which identifies GK as a therapeutic target. GK plays a critical role in maintaining blood glucose homeostasis in human body, serving as a glucose sensor to sense changes of the blood glucose, and timely stimulates glucose control organs to secrete insulin, GLP-1 or glucagon, so as to effectively regulate blood glucose level and maintain blood glucose homeostasis (4-6.5 mmol/L). Impaired sensitivity of glucose, mainly manifested as impaired glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) function of pancreatic beta-cells and rise of FPG level blood sugar fluctuations, is the root cause of T2D. Dorzagliatin can act on GK in glucose control organs such as pancreas, liver and intestine. By restoring GK activity in T2D patients, it helps restore the sensitivity of the human body to blood glucose changes, and thus improves the early phase insulin secretion and beta-cell function. In this way, blood glucose homeostasis can be rebuilt to control or delay the progression of T2D, and fundamentally treat diabetes and discontinue medication. Hua Medicine has published over 10 papers on the results of basic and clinical studies to continually elaborate its scientific concept of "restoring sensitivity, rebuilding homeostasis, and treating diabetes at its source". The results of the Phase III trial published by Nature Medicine are the clinical validation of this innovative concept. In March 2021, Hua Medicine submitted the new drug application (NDA) of dorzagliatin to the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for T2D treatment, which was accepted in April. Currently, the NDA of dorzagliatin is under active review by the NMPA. Hua Medicine is fully supporting this process to obtain the approval of dorzagliatin as early as possible.

Nature Medicine is a top journal, focusing on the field of biomedicine. It mainly publishes original research papers that "demonstrate novel insight into disease processes, with direct evidence of the physiological relevance of the results", and has begun to focus on publishing papers of large clinical research in recent years. The impact factor of Nature Medicine has been on the rise. With a 2-year impact factor of 53.44, it has surpassed Nature to be one of the top five medical journals, also including The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), The Lancet, The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and The British Medical Journal (BMJ), known traditionally as four medical journals. Since 2009, Franz Matschinsky, the father of GK, first reported the research and development of GKA in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, the theoretical research and drug research and development results related to GKA have drawn worldwide attention, and have been highly valued by the international academic and clinical medical communities. Before, the results of the Phase II clinical trial of dorzagliatin were published in the advanced medical journal The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. Since 2014, Hua Medicine has been presenting the results of basic researches and clinical studies of dorzagliatin at the world's largest and most important diabetes conference - the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions every year. It was through the ADA Scientific Sessions that the editors of Nature Medicine noticed the innovativeness and breakthrough nature of dorzagliatin, and took the initiative to make an appointment with Hua Medicine for scripts. These two newly published papers present the Phase III results of the SEED study and the DAWN study of dorzagliatin, respectively.

The SEED study is a study of dorzagliatin monotherapy. It is a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled Phase III registered clinical study in drug naive T2D patients. The study was conducted among 463 T2D patients. The first 24 weeks were randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled treatment, designed to evaluate the primary efficacy and safety endpoints of dorzagliatin. The subsequent 28 weeks were open-label period for dorzagliatin, designed to continuously observe and evaluate the safety of dorzagliatin. The SEED study was led by Professor Dalong Zhu, the President of the Chinese Diabetes Society, and Director of Medical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Gulou Hospital, affiliated to Medical College of Nanjing University. This study showed that dorzagliatin can effectively reduce the blood glucose of drug naive T2D patients, with good safety and tolerability. The main conclusions of the SEED study include:

Significant and long-lasting efficacy:
-- There was a 1.07% HbA1c reduction from baseline in 24 weeks, significantly better than that of the placebo treated group (p<0.001)
-- The standard-reaching rate of HbA1c was 42.5% in 24 weeks, significantly higher than that of the placebo treated group (p<0.001)
-- Significantly improved beta cell function, with a 3.28 increase in HOMA2-beta in 24 weeks compared with the placebo treated group
-- The 2h-PPG observably decreased by 2.33mmol/L compared with the placebo treated group in 24 weeks
-- The FPG observably decreased by 0.33mmol/L compared with the placebo treated group in 24 weeks
-- The HbA1c continued to remain steady in 52 weeks

Good tolerability and safety:
-- The hypoglycemia (<3mmol/L) incidence rate was less than 1% in 24 weeks, and there was no severe hypoglycemia reported
-- The hypoglycemia (<3mmol/L) incidence rate was less than 1% in 52 weeks, and there was no severe hypoglycemia reported
-- In 52 weeks, there was no drug-related SAE

The DAWN study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III study among 767 patients, which uses dorzagliatin combined with metformin to treat T2D patients who failed in metformin adequacy therapy. The first 24 weeks were randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled treatment, designed to evaluate the primary efficacy and safety endpoints of dorzagliatin. The subsequent 28 weeks were open-label period for dorzagliatin, designed to continuously observe and evaluate the safety of dorzagliatin. The DAWN study was led by Professor Wenying Yang at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, who is the former President of the Chinese Diabetes Society and present Vice President of the Asian Diabetes Association. This study showed that dorzagliatin can effectively reduce the blood glucose of T2D patients who failed in metformin adequacy therapy, with good safety and tolerability. The main conclusions of the DAWN study include:

Significant and long-lasting efficacy:
-- The HbA1c reduction was 1.02% from baseline, significantly better than that of the placebo treated group in 24 weeks
-- The standard-reaching rate of HbA1c was 44.4% in 24 weeks, significantly higher than 10.7%(p<0.0001) in the placebo treated group
-- Significantly improved beta cell function and HOMA2-beta increased by 2.43 compared with the placebo treated group in 24 weeks
-- The 2h-PPG observably decreased by 2.48mmol/L compared with the placebo treated group in 24 weeks
-- The FPG observably decreased by 0.38mmol/L compared with the placebo treated group in 24 weeks
-- The HbA1c continued to remain steady in 52 weeks

Good tolerability and safety:
-- The hypoglycemia (<3mmol/L) incidence rate is less than 1% in 24 weeks, and there was no severe hypoglycemia reported
-- The hypoglycemia (<3mmol/L) incidence was less than 1% in 52 weeks, and there was no severe hypoglycemia reported
-- In 52 weeks, there was no drug-related SAE

Professor Dalong Zhu, the first author of the paper on SEED, said, "The investigator team of dorzagliatin and the R&D team of Hua Medicine have always focused on the clinical needs of patients and adhered to scientific rigor to successfully develop this first-in-class new drug together. The publication of the results of the two Phase III clinical studies on Nature Medicine is another proof of the international academic community recognizing China's new drug development capabilities. As a clinical investigator, I feel very proud and confident about the future of innovative drug development in China. In clinical trials, dorzagliatin has demonstrated long-lasting and stable efficacy, as well as good safety and tolerability. In the meanwhile, it showed significant potentiation in combination trials with SGLT-2 inhibitors and DPP-4 inhibitors. I am very much looking forward to bringing new treatment options with dorzagliatin to Chinese T2D patients soon."

Professor Xiaoying Li, the co-corresponding author of the paper and Director of the Department of Endocrinology at Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, said, "Nature Medicine is a top journal with a high impact factor. The clinical trial of dorzagliatin is designed in line with the standards of international multinational companies. All the investigators and developers followed a high bar of standards and quality, which led to the creation of such a high-value breakthrough drug. I'm very proud and excited about this achievement. Type 2 diabetes is a critical threat to human health. As clinicians, our involvement in the clinical development of dorzagliatin has given us the opportunity to review the regulating mechanisms of glucose homeostasis and to better understand the process and characteristics of the progression of type 2 diabetes. "

Professor Wenying Yang, the first author of the DAWN paper, said, "I am very excited and happy! Before, the results of Phase II clinical study of dorzagliatin were published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, and now the results of Phase III clinical study were published in Nature Medicine. Such achievements are completely on par with the first-in-class diabetes drugs developed by multinational pharmaceutical companies. This is a great recognition on Chinese innovative drugs, the best return to Hua Medicine and Dr. Chen Li's 10 years of hard work, and the most memorable experience for us as clinical investigators. We are fortunate to meet such a good pioneer. I look forward to the launch of dorzagliatin soon!"

Dr. Yi Zhang, Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President of Pharma Development of Hua Medicine and the head of clinical development for dorzagliatin, said, "The publication of the results of the two clinical studies, i.e., the SEED study and the DAWN study, on Nature Medicine fully demonstrated the scientific research capabilities of Chinese clinical researchers and Hua Medicine's innovative R&D strengths as a China-based biopharmaceutical company. The Phase III clinical trial of dorzagliatin is the first confirmatory clinical study of GKA drugs completed worldwide. It is also the first clinical trial of a first-in-class investigational diabetes drug led by a Chinese clinical team with Chinese subjects as the research objects. We are very grateful to all clinical researchers for their unremitting efforts and hard work. In the future, Hua Medicine is confident to join hands with partners in various clinical fields to make new breakthroughs in the field of Type 2 diabetes and the whole metabolic diseases."

Dr. Li Chen, Founder, CEO, Chief Scientific Officer of Hua Medicine and corresponding author of both papers, said, "We are very pleased to collaborate with Jennifer Sargent, Editor-in-Chief, to publish the clinical research results of dorzagliatin in Nature Medicine. This illustrates the strong interest and attention of the international medical community on the GK mechanism and GKA drugs. In 1968, Professor Franz Matschinsky, the father of glucokinase, discovered the critical role of GK in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and proposed glucokinase as a diabetes gene and glucose sensor. The drug development of glucokinase activators has, since then, undergone numerous difficulties and failures. More than 50 years later, I am very pleased to see that Hua Medicine R&D team and Chinese clinical experts, after ten years of hard work, have overcome many R&D difficulties and greatly improved the understanding of glucokinase's role in the regulation of blood glucose homeostasis and diabetes treatment, established the world's leading scientific concept of diabetes treatment, and successfully transformed it into the breakthrough new drug dorzagliatin. The recently results of the DREAM study, further elucidates that dorzagliatin can fundamentally treat T2D and achieve diabetes remission without any glucose-lowering medication after the completion of the SEED study. Hua Medicine is proactively supporting the NMPA approval process to bring this innovative drug to the benefit of Chinese type 2 diabetes patients as soon as possible."

Design of the SEED study
The SEED study is a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled Phase III study conducted in 463 drug naive T2D patients. The whole study lasted for 53 weeks, including 52 weeks of treatment and 1 week of safety follow-up. The first 24 weeks were randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled to assess the efficacy and safety of dorzagliatin. Patients were treated with twice-daily doses of dorzagliatin (75mg) or placebo, randomized 2:1. The subsequent 28-week were the open-label treatment period, during which all subjects were treated with twice-daily doses of dorzagliatin (75mg). The study was conducted at 40 clinical sites across China led by Professor Dalong Zhu, the President of the Chinese Diabetes Society, Director of Medical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Gulou Hospital, affiliated to Medical College of Nanjing University. (Clinical study registration number: NCT03173391)

Design of the DAWN study
The DAWN study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III study in 767 Type 2 diabetes patients, which uses dorzagliatin combined with metformin to treat patients who failed in metformin adequacy therapy. During the first 24 weeks of double-blinded treatment, subjects were treated with metformin (Glucophage) at 1,500mg/day as the basic therapy, and they were given twice-daily doses of dorzagliatin (75mg) or placebo, randomized on a 1:1 ratio. During the subsequent 28-week open-label treatment period, all subjects received dorzagliatin 75mg twice daily and 1500mg/day of metformin (Glucophage). The trial was conducted in 72 clinical sites across China led by Professor Wenying Yang of China-Japan Friendship Hospital, the former President of the Chinese Diabetes Society and present Vice President of the Asian Diabetes Association. (Clinical study registration number: NCT03141073)

About Dorzagliatin
Dorzagliatin is an investigational first-in-class, dual-acting glucokinase activator, designed to control the progressive and degenerative nature of diabetes by restoring glucose homeostasis in patients with Type 2 diabetes. By fixing the defect of the glucose sensor function of glucokinase, dorzagliatin has the potential to restore the impaired insulin and GLP-1 secretion of patients with Type 2 diabetes and serve as a cornerstone therapy targeting the root cause of the disease. Two Phase III registered trials for dorzagliatin monotherapy and the combination of dorzagliatin and metformin respectively have been completed in China, as well as the studies on drug mechanism synergy with sitagliptin (DPP-4 inhibitor) and empagliflozin (SGLT-2 inhibitor). In an investigator-initiated study named as DREAM, a 65.2% diabetes remission rate was observed without any antidiabetes medication during the 52-week study period. The Company has obtained the "Drug Manufacturing Permit" of dorzagliatin issued by the Shanghai Municipal Drug Administrative Bureau, and has submitted its NDA to the National Medical Products Administration in order to realize the "First in Global, Start from China" mission for the benefits of diabetic patients worldwide.

About Hua Medicine

Hua Medicine is an innovative drug development company in China focused on developing novel therapies for patients worldwide with unmet medical needs. Hua Medicine teams up with global high caliber people and integrates global resources to explore breakthrough technologies and products and accelerate global innovation in diabetes care. Targeting the glucose sensor glucokinase, dorzagliatin, a novel oral diabetes drug restoring glucose sensitivity in T2D patients, has completed SEED and DAWN registration trials, and filed NDA in China. This global first-in-class glucokinase activator (GKA) has demonstrated its potential of achieving diabetes remission to help millions of diabetic patients around the world.

For more information
Hua Medicine
Website: www.huamedicine.com

Investors
Email: ir@huamedicine.com

Media
Email: pr@huamedicine.com


Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

source https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/75175/

NEC、SISと共に提供する為替BPOサービスが全国44信用金庫1033店舗で稼働

TOKYO, May 13, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - NECは、2021年3月より株式会社しんきん情報サービス(本社:東京都港区、代表取締役社長:馬場 英一 以下、SIS)と協業し、自動化機能を備えた為替BPOサービス(注1)を提供しています。順次展開を始めており、城北信用金庫や巣鴨信用金庫、さわやか信用金庫、北上信用金庫、熊本中央信用金庫などBPOサービスの新規加入を含めた全国44信用金庫1,033店舗で稼働を開始し、2023年3月には84信用金庫2,100店舗での稼働を予定しています。

本サービスは、特性の異なる2つのOCR(注2)を用いて手書きの振込依頼書の文字を読み取り、金融業界では初めてシステム入力までを自動化する機能(特許出願中)を備えており、人を介す機会を減らすことで⼈為ミスの削減と事務作業の効率化を実現しております。

現在稼働している1,033店舗からは、月間47万件、ピーク時には1日6万件の振込依頼を受け付けており、登録式連記帳票では70%以上、全体でも約60%を自動で処理することで、トータルコストの削減を実現しております。今後、自動処理機能の性能を高めながら年間1,000万件の為替振込処理に対応していく予定です。

これまでNECやSISのそれぞれの既存ユーザの移行を中心に対応してきましたが、今月より未加入の信用金庫の利用に向け準備を開始すると共に、地方銀行などさまざまな金融機関への拡大を目指します。また環境負荷の軽減にも取り組んでおり、BPOセンターに集約することによるサーバやPCの効率的な運用や、自動処理を推進することによるPC稼働率の抑制で消費電力を削減するなど、持続可能な社会の実現とSDGsの達成に貢献します。

背景

金融業界では、膨大なバックオフィス業務に正確性とスピードが求められ、ICTを活用したデジタル化による業務改革の推進が喫緊の課題となっています。そうした中、NECとSISは、NECのデジタル技術および多くの金融機関でのバックオフィス業務システム構築実績と、SISの多くの信用金庫への為替集中サービス導入実績・ノウハウ、それぞれの強みとスケールメリットを活かし、為替振込の自動処理機能を備えた新たなBPOサービスを開発しました。

サービス概要

本サービスは、手書きの振込依頼書を特性が異なる2つのOCRエンジンで読み取り、さらに振込先などの過去の取引データを自動で参照(注3)することで、判別しにくい文字の読み取りを補助します。また、振込金額や振込指定日など、過去の実績を参照できない情報については、NECとSISが共同で出願済みの特許を用いて、2つのOCRエンジンが読み取った結果を独自の方法で相関チェックし、誤読を防止した上で自動発信処理を実行します。機械が判定できない項目のみ人手で入力し、効率化した作業で業務全体を支えます。今後、AIを用いて制定帳票だけではなく私製帳票にも対応した自動処理機能を実装していく予定です。

NECは、AIをはじめとする先進技術を活用し、安全で快適な金融サービスを、あらゆる人と産業へ届けるための取り組みを推進します。これにより、人やモノ、プロセスの情報・状態をバリューチェーン全体で共有し、新たな価値を生み出す「NEC Value Chain Innovation」(注4)をお客さまと共に実現していきます。

本リリースの詳細は下記をご参照ください。
https://jpn.nec.com/press/202205/20220513_01.html

概要:日本電気株式会社(NEC)

詳細は www.nec.co.jp をご覧ください。


Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Via JCN Newswire https://ift.tt/yXd4oJ6

Soluna Raises $35M from Spring Lane Capital to Build Green Data Centers for Crypto, Machine Learning

ALBANY, NY, May 12, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Soluna Holdings, Inc. ("SHI" or the "Company"), (NASDAQ: SLNH), the parent company of Soluna Computing, Inc. ("SCI"), secured $35 million in project financing to develop green data centers co-located with renewable energy assets. Spring Lane Capital, a private equity firm, invested private funds in Soluna as a part of their strategy focused on hybrid project capital for sustainability solutions in the energy, food, water, waste and transportation industries. The capital will help develop three behind-the-meter (BTM) projects designed to convert wasted renewable energy into clean computing services such as bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence.

"Soluna is the only true green bitcoin company we've yet seen," said Rob Day, Spring Lane Capital Partner and Co-Founder. "Going after wasted renewable energy 'spilled power' is a compelling solution and fixes both bitcoin's climate problem and wind power's grid problem."

Michael Toporek, CEO of Soluna Holdings, Inc. said, "Consistent with our previously articulated strategy, we continue to pursue opportunities that we believe enable us to optimize our cost of capital. The Spring Lane Capital approach helps us develop a mature repeatable model that can be scaled."

The first of the three projects, Dorothy, named in honor of African American mathematician and human computer Dorothy Vaughan, is expected to be energized later this summer and coincide with the launch of a local STEM program. The Dorothy project is a 100 MW data center with a 50 MW initial phase, connected to a Texas wind farm that produces more electricity than the grid can consume. Soluna's data center is currently estimated to create between 25 to 50 highly skilled jobs for technicians, security and electrical staff.

The other two projects funded by the new capital will come from Soluna's robust pipeline.

John Belizaire, CEO of Soluna Computing, Inc., said, "We are honored to have a pioneering sustainability project finance firm like Spring Lane Capital back our vision. Our model of leveraging excess clean energy to generate low-cost computing is the future of green bitcoin mining and green data centers."

Spring Lane Capital has a successful track record helping sustainable technology companies raise capital to build flagship projects. Their 'hybrid project capital' approach provides project equity along with additional growth capital.

Added Day: "Soluna is driving demand for clean power by giving a floor price and improving the bottom line of the renewable power partners they work with. The ultimate result is more wind farms and solar farms that would not otherwise be built."

At power plants like the wind farm where the Dorothy project is under construction, excess energy is wasted when the grid becomes overloaded or demand is too low. Soluna's scalable solution allows every excess megawatt to be used for batch-oriented, computing-intensive processes, such as cryptocurrency mining and machine learning. Additionally, flexible demand consumers help stabilize the grid by preventing power overload, which can otherwise lead to blackouts and grid malfunction.

Last month, Soluna Holdings (SCI's Computing's parent company), sold its Albany-based MTI Instruments subsidiary for $10.75 million, expanding its focus on helping the modern grid absorb more renewable energy through flexible green data centers.

About Soluna Holdings, Inc.

Soluna Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLNH), which operates through its subsidiary, Soluna Computing, Inc. is the leading developer of green data centers that convert excess renewable energy into global computing resources. Soluna builds modular, scalable data centers for computing-intensive, batchable applications such as cryptocurrency mining, AI and machine learning. Soluna provides a cost-effective alternative to battery storage or transmission lines. Up to 30% of the power of renewable energy projects can go to waste. Soluna's data centers enable clean electricity asset owners to 'Sell. Every. Megawatt.' For more information about Soluna, please visit solunacomputing.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Investor Relations:
Kirin Smith, President
PCG Advisory, Inc.
646.823.8656
Ksmith@pcgadvisory.com

Media contact:
Bridgette Borst Ombres, Tigercomm
(304) 546-3788
bombres@tigercomm.us

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

source https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/75141/

Soluna Raises $35M from Spring Lane Capital to Build Green Data Centers for Crypto, Machine Learning

ALBANY, NY, May 12, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - Soluna Holdings, Inc. ("SHI" or the "Company"), (NASDAQ: SLNH), the parent company of Soluna Computing, Inc. ("SCI"), secured $35 million in project financing to develop green data centers co-located with renewable energy assets. Spring Lane Capital, a private equity firm, invested private funds in Soluna as a part of their strategy focused on hybrid project capital for sustainability solutions in the energy, food, water, waste and transportation industries. The capital will help develop three behind-the-meter (BTM) projects designed to convert wasted renewable energy into clean computing services such as bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence.

"Soluna is the only true green bitcoin company we've yet seen," said Rob Day, Spring Lane Capital Partner and Co-Founder. "Going after wasted renewable energy 'spilled power' is a compelling solution and fixes both bitcoin's climate problem and wind power's grid problem."

Michael Toporek, CEO of Soluna Holdings, Inc. said, "Consistent with our previously articulated strategy, we continue to pursue opportunities that we believe enable us to optimize our cost of capital. The Spring Lane Capital approach helps us develop a mature repeatable model that can be scaled."

The first of the three projects, Dorothy, named in honor of African American mathematician and human computer Dorothy Vaughan, is expected to be energized later this summer and coincide with the launch of a local STEM program. The Dorothy project is a 100 MW data center with a 50 MW initial phase, connected to a Texas wind farm that produces more electricity than the grid can consume. Soluna's data center is currently estimated to create between 25 to 50 highly skilled jobs for technicians, security and electrical staff.

The other two projects funded by the new capital will come from Soluna's robust pipeline.

John Belizaire, CEO of Soluna Computing, Inc., said, "We are honored to have a pioneering sustainability project finance firm like Spring Lane Capital back our vision. Our model of leveraging excess clean energy to generate low-cost computing is the future of green bitcoin mining and green data centers."

Spring Lane Capital has a successful track record helping sustainable technology companies raise capital to build flagship projects. Their 'hybrid project capital' approach provides project equity along with additional growth capital.

Added Day: "Soluna is driving demand for clean power by giving a floor price and improving the bottom line of the renewable power partners they work with. The ultimate result is more wind farms and solar farms that would not otherwise be built."

At power plants like the wind farm where the Dorothy project is under construction, excess energy is wasted when the grid becomes overloaded or demand is too low. Soluna's scalable solution allows every excess megawatt to be used for batch-oriented, computing-intensive processes, such as cryptocurrency mining and machine learning. Additionally, flexible demand consumers help stabilize the grid by preventing power overload, which can otherwise lead to blackouts and grid malfunction.

Last month, Soluna Holdings (SCI's Computing's parent company), sold its Albany-based MTI Instruments subsidiary for $10.75 million, expanding its focus on helping the modern grid absorb more renewable energy through flexible green data centers.

About Soluna Holdings, Inc.

Soluna Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLNH), which operates through its subsidiary, Soluna Computing, Inc. is the leading developer of green data centers that convert excess renewable energy into global computing resources. Soluna builds modular, scalable data centers for computing-intensive, batchable applications such as cryptocurrency mining, AI and machine learning. Soluna provides a cost-effective alternative to battery storage or transmission lines. Up to 30% of the power of renewable energy projects can go to waste. Soluna's data centers enable clean electricity asset owners to 'Sell. Every. Megawatt.' For more information about Soluna, please visit solunacomputing.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Investor Relations:
Kirin Smith, President
PCG Advisory, Inc.
646.823.8656
Ksmith@pcgadvisory.com

Media contact:
Bridgette Borst Ombres, Tigercomm
(304) 546-3788
bombres@tigercomm.us


Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Via JCN Newswire https://ift.tt/yXd4oJ6