Month: March 2022

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Junshi Biosciences Announces Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Updates

-Tackling the COVID-19 pandemic challenge with multi-pronged strategies

– Pipeline progressed and expanded substantially

SHANGHAI, China, March 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co., Ltd (“Junshi Biosciences,” HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180), a leading innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies, today announced financial results for the full year 2021 and provided corporate updates.

Full Year 2020 Financial Highlights

  • Total revenue reached RMB 4,025 million in 2021, representing an increase of 152% compared to the year 2020. Revenue from out-licensing significantly increased to RMB3,341 million, which is based on two cooperation projects: 1) the research collaboration and license agreement with Lilly and Company (“Lilly”); 2) the license and commercialization agreement with Coherus BioSciences, Inc. (“Coherus”). Sales of toripalimab was RMB 412 million for the year. The decrease was mainly due to a 60% reduction in reimbursement price of toripalimab in 2021 and the adjustment of the value of wholesalers’ inventories. With a new sales leadership and strategy and additional approved indications, the company is confident that it can gain market share in the approved indications that have been included in NRDL.
  • Total research and development (“R&D”) expenses were RMB2,069 million, representing an increase of 16% compared to the prior year. The increase in R&D expenses was mainly due to: 1) continuous increasing R&D investment, continuous diversification and expansion of product pipelines; 2) the acceleration of the development of existing clinical projects; and 3) expansion of the R&D team and investment in attracting and retaining personnel.
  • Total comprehensive expense was RMB719 million, representing a decrease of 57% compared to the prior year. The decrease was mainly attributable to the increase of revenue from out-licensing, partially offset by the increasing R&D expenses, administrative expenses and selling and distribution expenses.
  • Net cash from financing activities was RMB2,666 million, which was mainly attributable to the successful placing of the company’s new H shares on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”) on 23 June 2021 with net cash inflows of RMB2,105 million and receipts of capital contribution from external investors to Shanghai JunTop Biosciences Co., Ltd. (“JunTop Biosciences”), a non-wholly owned subsidiary with net cash inflows of RMB895 million. This cash inflow fully covered the cash used in operating and investing activities, leading to an increase of RMB120 million in cash and cash equivalents.
  • Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021 were approximately RMB3,505 million. In March 2022, the Board passed a resolution and proposed to issue 70 million A Shares to target subscribers, and the total proceeds are expected to be approximately RMB3,980 million.

Business Highlights

During the year 2021 and 2022 to date, Junshi Biosciences continuously adhered to the strategic plan of “International layout with a base in China,” and has achieved significant growth in operating income, which gradually demonstrated its “income generation” capability. In addition, several of its R&D pipelines have reached key milestones. Junshi has also achieved progress with respect to product commercialization, clinical trials and pipeline expansion, including the following achievements and milestones:

  • Advancement in pipeline: The company’s innovative R&D field has expanded from monoclonal antibodies to the development of more drug modalities, including small molecules, polypeptide drugs, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), bi-specific or multi-specific antibodies and nucleic acid drugs, as well as the exploration of next-generation innovative therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Product pipelines cover 5 major therapeutic areas including malignant tumors, autoimmune diseases, chronic metabolic diseases, neurologic diseases and infectious diseases. There are 3 assets (toripalimab, etesevimab and adalimumab) under commercialization, 23 assets under clinical trials with ongericimab, VV116, bevacizumab, and PARP inhibitor under Phase III clinical trials, and over 25 drug candidates under pre-clinical drug development.
    • In January 2021, toripalimab for the first-line treatment of mucosal melanoma was granted the Fast Track Designation by the United States Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”). Meanwhile, the FDA also approved the Investigational New Drug (“IND”) application for an immediate Phase III clinical trial of toripalimab in combination with axitinib for the first-line treatment of mucosal melanoma. In March 2021, the indication was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (“BTD”) by the National Medical Products Administration of China (the “NMPA”).
    • In February 2021, Junshi Biosciences entered into an Exclusive License and Commercialization Agreement with Coherus. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company granted Coherus an exclusive license for toripalimab and two option programs (if exercised) in the Coherus Territory, as well as the right of first negotiation for two early-stage checkpoint inhibitor antibodies, and may receive up to an aggregate of US$1.11 billion of upfront payment, exercise fee and milestone payments. Coherus made a one-time upfront payment of US$150 million to the Company.
    • In February 2021, the supplemental new drug application (“sNDA”) for toripalimab in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine as the first-line treatment for patients with locally recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (“NPC”) was accepted by the NMPA. In November 2021, the indication was approved by the NMPA.
    • In February 2021, the sNDA for toripalimab for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic NPC after failure of at least two lines of prior systemic therapy was granted conditional approval by the NMPA.
    • In January and February 2021, TAB006/JS006 (recombinant humanized anti-TIGIT monoclonal antibody) received IND approval from the NMPA and the FDA, respectively.
    • In February 2021, the IND applications for JS110 (XPO1 inhibitor) and JS111 (EGFR exon20 insertion and other uncommon mutation inhibitor) jointly developed by Junshi Biosciences and Wigen Biomedicine Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Wigen Biomedicine”) were accepted by the NMPA, and the company received IND approvals in April 2021.
    • In February 2021, the IND application for the drug candidate JS201 (anti-PD-1/TGF-β bifunctional fusion protein) was accepted by the NMPA, and the company received IND approval in May 2021.
    • In March 2021, TopAlliance Biosciences, Inc. (“TopAlliance”), the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, initiated the rolling submission of Biologics License Application (“BLA”) for toripalimab to the FDA for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic NPC, and obtained a rolling review. Toripalimab has become the first domestic anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody to submit a BLA to the FDA. In August 2021, toripalimab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin for the first-line treatment for patients with advanced recurrent or metastatic NPC was granted a BTD by the FDA. In September 2021, the company completed the rolling submission of BLA for the above two indications. At the end of October 2021, BLA for the above two indications was accepted by the FDA. According to the acceptance letter, the FDA has granted priority review designation for the BLA and indicated that it does not plan to hold an advisory committee meeting for the BLA. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (the “PDUFA”) action date is set on or around April 2022.
    • In March 2021, the IND application for JS103 (pegylated uricase derivative) was accepted by the NMPA, and the company received IND approval in May 2021.
    • In March 2021, the IND application for JS007 (recombinant humanized anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody) was accepted by the NMPA, and the company received IND approval in June 2021.
    • In April 2021, the sNDA for toripalimab for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (“UC”) who failed platinum-containing chemotherapy or progressed within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant platinum-containing chemotherapy was granted conditional approval by the NMPA.
    • In April 2021, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (“IDMC”) determined that toripalimab in combination with paclitaxel/cisplatin as the first-line treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (“ESCC”) had reached its pre-specified primary endpoints of Progression Free Survival (“PFS”) and Overall Survival (“OS”) at the interim analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, Phase III clinical study (“JUPITER-06 study”, NCT03829969).
    • In June 2021, the IND application for JS014 (recombinant IL-21 – a nanobody fusion protein of anti-human serum albumin (HSA)) was accepted by the NMPA, and the company received IND approval in August 2021.
    • In July 2021, the sNDA for toripalimab in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as the first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic ESCC was accepted by the NMPA.
    • In August 2021, the IND application for UBP1213sc (recombinant humanized anti-B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) monoclonal antibody) was accepted by the NMPA, and the company received IND approval in November 2021.
    • In September 2021, the IND application for JS012 (recombinant humanized anti-Claudin18.2 monoclonal antibody) was accepted by the NMPA. It was later approved in November 2021.
    • In October 2021, the IND application for JS019 (recombinant fully human anti- CD39 monoclonal antibody) jointly developed by Junshi Biosciences and Beijing Eirene Biotech Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Eirene”) was accepted by the NMPA. It was later approved in December 2021.
    • In October 2021, the IND application for JS026 (recombinant fully human monoclonal antibody for treatment of COVID-19) was accepted by the NMPA. It was later approved in November 2021.
    • In November 2021, the IND application for JS112 (Aurora A inhibitor) was accepted by the NMPA. It was later approved in February 2022.
    • In December 2021, the IND application for JS107 (recombinant humanized anti- Claudin18.2 monoclonal antibody – MMAE conjugate) was accepted by the NMPA. It was later approved in March 2022.
    • In December 2021, the IND application for JS001sc (a subcutaneous injection formulation developed on the basis of toripalimab) was accepted by the NMPA. It was later approved in March 2022.
    • In December 2021, the sNDA of toripalimab in combination with standard first-line chemotherapy for untreated, driver-negative advanced non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”) was accepted by the NMPA.
    • In January 2022, based on the Exclusive License and Commercialization Agreement Junshi Biosciences entered into with Coherus in February 2021, Coherus initiated the procedure for exercising the option of TAB006/JS006, one of the option programs, to be licensed to develop TAB006/JS006 or any product containing TAB006/JS006 in the Coherus Territory for the treatment or prevention of human disease. Coherus will pay Junshi a one-time execution fee of US$35 million and cumulative milestone payment of up to US$255 million upon reaching the corresponding milestones, plus 18% royalty on the annual net sales of any product that contains TAB006/JS006 in the Coherus Territory.
    • In February 2022, the dosing of the first patient was completed in the Phase III clinical trial of toripalimab in combination with standard chemotherapy as the adjuvant treatment after radical resection of gastric or esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (JUPITER-15 study, NCT05180734).
    • In March 2022, the marketing of adalimumab (Commercial name in China: Junmaikang) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis was approved by the NMPA.
    • In March 2022, the IND application for JS105 (PI3K-α inhibitor) jointly developed by the company and Risen (Suzhou) Biosciences Co., Ltd. was accepted by the NMPA.
    • In March 2022, Junshi Biosciences entered into a licensing and cooperation agreement with Wigen Biomedicine to introduce four small molecule anti-tumor drugs, namely JS120 (second-generation irreversible IDH1 inhibitor), JS121 (SHP2 inhibitor), JS122 (second-generation irreversible FGFR2 selective inhibitor) and JS123 (ATR inhibitor), thus further enriching the pipeline in cancer therapy.
  • Tackling the COVID-19 Challenge: In the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”), Junshi Biosciences responded swiftly and cooperated with domestic and foreign scientific research institutions and enterprises to jointly develop a variety of drug candidates for the treatment of the COVID-19, and took the initiative to undertake the social responsibility of Chinese pharmaceutical companies by prioritizing and accelerating COVID-19 R&D. The company has made significant progress.
    • Etesevimab (JS016/LY-CoV016): In early 2020, Junshi Biosciences jointly developed etesevimab with the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (the “IMCAS”). Lilly licensed the rights and interests of etesevimab from the Company outside the greater China territories (including mainland China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Taiwan region), and Junshi continued to lead the development of the drug in the greater China territories. In February 2021, the FDA granted Lilly the Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) for etesevimab 1,400 mg and bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555) 700 mg together (the “dual antibody therapy”) for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 aged 12 and above who were at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. In September 2021, the FDA granted the EUA for the dual antibody therapy for the application of treatment for high-risk individuals 12 years of age and older who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or are not expected to mount an adequate immune response to complete vaccination, and have been exposed to someone infected with SARS-CoV-2 or who are at high risk of exposure in an institutional setting, including a nursing home or prison. In December 2021, the scope of EUA was newly extended to include treatment and post-exposure prevention of mild to moderate COVID-19 for specific high-risk pediatric populations (from infant to child aged under 12). As of the end of 2021, the dual antibody therapy has been granted the EUA in more than 15 countries and regions around the world, and more than 700,000 patients have received the dual antibody therapy or bamlanivimab treatment, potentially preventing more than 35,000 hospitalizations and at least 14,000 deaths during the worst period of the pandemic.
    • VV116 (JT001): In September 2021, JunTop Biosciences, a subsidiary of the Company, partnered with Suzhou Vigonvita Biomedical Co., Ltd. (“Vigonvita”) to jointly undertake the clinical development and commercialization of VV116, an oral nucleoside anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug, in the collaboration territory, being the whole world except for the following four territories, namely the five Central Asian countries, Russia, North Africa and the Middle East. VV116 was approved for the treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19 patients in Uzbekistan (not within the collaboration territory) in late 2021. The Company was conducting an international multi-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled phase III clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VV116 versus standard treatments in subjects with moderate to severe COVID-19. The enrollment and dosing of the first patient has been completed. In addition, for mild to moderate COVID-19, the Company has also initiated an international multi-center, double- blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase II/III clinical study (NCT05242042) to evaluate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of VV116 for early treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. The study has completed the enrollment and dosing of the first patient in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and is in progress in multiple centers around the world.
    • VV993 (JT003): In January 2022, JunTop Biosciences partnered with Vigonvita to jointly undertake the research, production and commercialization of VV993, a new oral anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug candidate targeting 3CL protease, in the collaboration territory.
  • Platform Expansion: Apart from developing drug candidates on Junshi Biosciences’ own technology platforms, the company has also actively collaborated with outstanding domestic and overseas biotechnology companies to further expand its product pipeline, deploy the next-generation innovative drug technology platform and enrich drug combination therapies.
    • In July 2021, Junshi Biosciences and Immorna (Hangzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (“Immorna”) entered into an agreement to start a JV, which will mainly engage in the R&D, clinical research, application for approval, production and commercialization of product development projects in the fields of tumors, infectious diseases, rare diseases and other diseases agreed by both parties on the mRNA technology platform globally. The jointly formed company will be owned 50% by the Company and 50% by Immorna upon its formation. The establishment of the jointly formed company can complement each party’s technological advantages, capitalize the strengths of the mRNA general platform technology in tumor immunotherapy, infectious disease prevention and other fields in a more efficient manner, and continuously explore new directions of application.
  • Update on commercialization
    • Additional Indications included in NDRL: Toripalimab continued to be included in Category B in the National Drug List for Basic Medical Insurance, Work-Related Injury Insurance and Maternity Insurance (2021 Edition) (“NRDL”)). It was approved for two additional indications of the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic NPC after failure of at least two lines of prior systemic therapy as well as the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who failed platinum-containing chemotherapy or progressed within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant platinum-containing chemotherapy, and became the only anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of melanoma and nasopharyngeal cancer in the NRDL, which filled the gaps in immunotherapy for patients with advanced NPC and non-selective patients with advanced UC in the NRDL, and became the only anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of melanoma and nasopharyngeal cancer in the NRDL.
    • Toripalimab achieved sales of RMB412 million in 2021. After the official implementation of the 2020 NRDL in March 2021, the terminal pricing of toripalimab dropped by over 60% compared to the initial pricing in 2020. Moreover, after the continued inclusion in the 2021 NRDL and further price reduction of toripalimab at the end of 2021, the company compensated the price difference for the entire inventory of the distributors, which also had a certain impact on the recognition of product revenue for the current period. 2021 was also a relatively turbulent year for the commercialization team. The team underwent several rounds of adjustment in regards to commercialization managers and internal marketers. In November 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company appoint Mr. Cong Li as a co-chief executive officer to be fully responsible for commercialization-related activities. All necessary adjustments to the commercialization team have been made, and Mr. Cong Li has completed the establishment and restoration of the marketing regional team and also supplemented the core market personnel. In December 2021, after friendly negotiation, the company withdrew the promotion rights agreed in the agreement with AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., (“AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical”) that the company’s commercialization team would be independently responsible for all promotion activities of toripalimab in mainland China. Through urban commercial insurance across the country, out-of-pocket expenses on the indications of toripalimab included in the NRDL were entitled to supplementary reimbursement under the NRDL in 102 cities, and the newly approved first-line treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer indication in November 2021 has entered the medical insurance catalogues in 11 cities, for which supplementary medical insurance could be obtained in 51 cities, thus reducing the burden on patients. After the recovery of toripalimab outsourced indications and promotion right in wide market from AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical, and the inclusion of toripalimab in the NRDL for treatment of melanoma, nasopharyngeal and urothelial cancer, commercial team members have also regained their confidence. The sales activities of toripalimab in the domestic market bounced back to normal levels. A series of marketing campaigns had commenced, aiming to reshape the market image of the company and toripalimab. Junshi Biosciences is optimistic that it can gain market share in those tumor types that had been included in NRDL indications. More large indications of toripalimab have completed the Phase III registration clinical trials and entered the commercial approval stage. With the gradual realization of the prospective layout advantages of multi-indication perioperative clinical research as well as the upgrade in production capacity of commercial production batches of the company’s production base, Junshi Biosciences is very optimistic about the long-term commercial opportunity of toripalimab in the domestic market.
    • In March 2022, Shanghai Junshi Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (“Junshi Biotechnology”), the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, passed the drug GMP compliance inspection, indicating that the production base in Lingang, Shanghai (the “Lingang Production Base”) fully met the conditions to formally produce commercial batches of toripalimab. The Lingang Production Base in Shanghai was constructed in accordance with the cGMP standard, with a production capacity of 30,000L in the first phase of the project. By virtue of economies of scale, the expansion of production capacity brought by the Lingang Production Base in Shanghai will enable the Company to gain the advantage of a more competitive production cost.
  • Financing activity highlights: In order to optimize the capital structure, focus more on the development of the principal business, improve operating efficiency, increase investment in R&D and better serve technological innovation, Junshi Biosciences has carried out the following financing activities:
    • In June 2021, the company successfully allotted and issued an aggregate of 36,549,200 new H Shares at the placing price of HK$70.18 per H Share to no less than six placees (the “Placing”). The net proceeds from the Placing were approximately RMB2,105 million. The proceeds from the Placing were intended to be used toward the R&D of drugs and pipeline expansion, expansion of the commercialization team, domestic and overseas investment, mergers and acquisitions, and business development, and general corporate purposes.
    • In December 2021, JunTop Biosciences implemented the series A financing, with 14 series A investors subscribing for the new registered capital of JunTop Biosciences at a total consideration of RMB1.275 billion. The proceeds will be used to finance the R&D and production of vaccine and anti-infective drug pipelines of JunTop Biosciences.
    • In March 2022, the Board of Directors approved a proposal to issue about 70 million A Shares to target subscribers under the General Mandate. The proceeds are expected to be approximately RMB3.98 billion, which will be used for R&D projects of innovative drugs and company headquarters and R&D base project. The issuance is still subject to the approval of shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholders”) at the EGM, the approval of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the approval of registration from the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

About Junshi Biosciences
Founded in December 2012, Junshi Biosciences (HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180) is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics. The company has established a diversified R & D pipeline comprising over 50 drug candidates, with five therapeutic focus areas covering cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, neurological, and infectious diseases. Junshi Biosciences was the first Chinese pharmaceutical company that obtained marketing approval for anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in China. Its first-in-human anti-BTLA antibody for solid tumors was the first in the world to be approved for clinical trials by the FDA and NMPA and has since entered Phase Ib/II trials in both China and the US. Its anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody was the first in China to be approved for clinical trials by the NMPA.

In the face of the pandemic, Junshi Biosciences’ response was strong and immediate, joining forces with Chinese and international scientific research institutions and enterprises to develop an arsenal of drug candidates to combat COVID-19, taking the initiative to shoulder the social responsibility of Chinese pharmaceutical companies by prioritizing and accelerating COVID-19 R&D. Among the many drug candidates is JS016 (etesevimab), China’s first neutralizing fully human monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 and the result of the combined efforts of Junshi Biosciences, the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Science and Lilly. JS016 administered with bamlanivimab has been granted Emergency Use Authorizations (“EUA”) in over 15 countries and regions worldwide. Meanwhile, VV116, a new oral nucleoside analog anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug designed to hinder virus replication, is in global Phase III clinical trials. The JS016 and VV116 programs are a part of the company’s continuous innovation for disease control and prevention of the global pandemic.

Junshi Biosciences has over 2,800 employees in the United States (San Francisco and Maryland) and China (Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing and Guangzhou). For more information, please visit: http://junshipharma.com.

Junshi Biosciences Contact Information
IR Team:
Junshi Biosciences
info@junshipharma.com 
+ 86 021-2250 0300

Goby Global
Bob Ai
bai@gobyglobal.com
+ 1 646-389-6658

PR Team:
Junshi Biosciences
Zhi Li
zhi_li@junshipharma.com
+ 86 021-6105 8800

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Vista strengthens its global and U.S. leadership with the acquisition of Jet Edge’s platform

Vista acquisition — Jet Edge

Jet Edge, hangar

VISTA STRENGTHENS ITS GLOBAL AND U.S. LEADERSHIP
WITH THE ACQUISITION OF JET EDGE’S PLATFORM

  • Acquisition of the private aviation services platform of Jet Edge, the fastest-growing North American charter operator, significantly scales up Vista’s U.S. presence;
  • The acquisition provides additional flexibility, infrastructure and scale to support its growing client base and demand across North America;
  • Vista clients to access 100 additional aircraft , including the largest charter fleet of Gulfstream jets in the U.S.;
  • Jet Edge Reserve Members and Aircraft Owners will benefit significantly from Vista’s broader global fleet and platform;
  • Bill Papariella, Jet Edge CEO, to join Vista’s executive team as Chief Business Officer and Jet Edge’s experienced management team remaining in place, in accordance with U.S. DOT requirements;
  • Transaction expected to complete in the second quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions;
  • Follows the recent successful integrations of Red Wing Aviation, Apollo Jets and Talon Air into Vista’s ecosystem and AIR HAMBURG acquisition announcement.
Vista acquisition — Jet Edge

Jet Edge, tails

Dubai, March 31, 2022: Vista Global Holding (Vista), the world’s leading private aviation group, announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the private aviation services platform of Jet Edge, the fastest-growing North American charter operator.

Founded in 2011, Jet Edge is an integrated charter, management and brokerage platform and a leading U.S. provider of large cabin and super-midsize private jet charter and aircraft management services. At the time of this announcement, Jet Edge has a run rate of 60,000+ yearly flight hours, exclusively in the large-cabin and super-midsize category. Following the completion of the transaction in Q2 2022 Vista expects its fleet availability to expand to approximately 350 aircraft.

The move highlights Vista’s continued investment into the U.S., the largest and fastest-growing region, and follows the recent announcement of a deal with AIR HAMBURG, balancing its fleet to respond to the significant demand it experienced across the two the largest aviation markets.

Thomas Flohr, Vista’s Founder and Chairman, said: “Vista’s commitment is to provide the most comprehensive range of flying solutions in private aviation. Today’s announcement brings significant value to our clients, with access to a further 100 aircraft, expanding our fleet at a time of unprecedented demand for business aviation services.

“Our vision is to provide the best services, anytime and anywhere, for every client. Bringing Jet Edge, the fastest-growing large-cabin and super-mid on demand company in the U.S., into the Group scales up our presence in North America, giving Vista the opportunity to turbocharge growth in the most dynamic business aviation market. It also means expanding our offering and presenting our Members with the chance to fly on the largest fleet of Gulfstream aircraft available for charter.

“I am also delighted to welcome Bill Papariella to Vista’s executive team as Chief Business Officer. As we continue to revolutionize the private aviation market, we are ready to integrate the extensive expertise of our new colleagues across the whole Jet Edge family. This acquisition is the latest example of Vista’s ability to capitalize on key opportunities in the highly fragmented and fast-growing business aviation world.”

Bill Papariella, Jet Edge’s CEO, said: “Vista is, without a doubt, the best operational platform in private aviation, and it aligns with our company’s promise of safe operational service and a superior flight experience. Thanks to industry-leading technology, the most coveted global fleet and the personal expertise of everyone on the team, this merger takes the Jet Edge platform to the next level overnight. Our Members will now get access to an extensive global fleet, programs, services and a network able to fly them anywhere in the world. Our Aircraft Owners will be able to take advantage of the enormous charter demand, global infrastructure and procurement advantages that Vista generates via its iconic brands VistaJet and XO.

“We are proud of the personal relationships we have built with each one of our Reserve Members and our Aircraft Owners — this has been the main driver behind our tremendous growth in the past few years, at a time when aircraft availability was at a historical minimum. We cannot wait to be able to offer them additional value through our integration with Vista. I couldn’t be more proud of the hard work of our teams, and I am excited about our long future together as a Vista company”.

The values of maximum safety and customer service excellence are critical for both organizations and the acquisition of the private aviation services platform of Jet Edge is the latest chapter of a longstanding partnership between the company and XO, VistaJet and Apollo Jets. The acquisition brings together two long-established companies with the shared vision of delivering the best flying solutions and experiences to their Members.

The merger is the latest step in Vista’s relentless transformation of the highly fragmented business aviation ecosystem. Vista’s maintenance services in North America will expand with the acquisition of Jet Edge’s Part 145 maintenance facility, located strategically on the West Coast. It will provide a full suite of maintenance services to a wide range of aircraft types, augmenting the maintenance capacity across the U.S. and securing better access to parts. The acquisition will also provide two branded lounges in Van Nuys and Teterboro, ready to welcome all guests departing from these strategic terminals.

In accord with U.S. DOT requirements, Vista will acquire Jet Edge aircraft, hospitality and maintenance facilities, while its U.S. strategic operating partner XOJET Aviation will acquire a majority stake of the Part 135 certificates of Jet Select and Western Air Charter.

— Ends —

About Vista
Vista Global Holding’s (Vista) subsidiaries provide worldwide business flight services. A global group headquartered at the DIFC in Dubai, Vista integrates a unique portfolio of companies offering asset-free services to cover all key aspects of business aviation: guaranteed and on demand global flight coverage; subscription and Membership solutions; and cutting-edge mobility technology. The Group’s mission is to lead the change to provide clients with the most advanced flying services at the very best value, anytime, anywhere around the world. Vista’s knowledge and understanding of all facets of the industry deliver the best end-to-end offering and technology to all business aviation clients through its VistaJet and XO branded services and duly licensed carriers. Vista is not a direct air carrier and does not operate or charter flights.
More Vista information and news at www.vistaglobal.com

About Jet Edge
Jet Edge is a leader in full-service global private aviation. As an integrated super-midsize and large cabin management operator and maintenance provider, Jet Edge services aircraft owners and charter flyers with a world-class operational platform. Jet Edge extends individual clients and corporations 365-day-a-year access to one of the most well-appointed aircraft fleets in the world. Backed by award-winning safety programs and overseen by a leadership team with wide-ranging experience in commercial and private aviation operations and management, Jet Edge delivers excellence in aircraft management, charter management, on-demand charter, aircraft sales, and maintenance. More information can be found at www.flyjetedge.com

Contacts
press@vistaglobal.com

Vista Global Holding Limited (“Vista”) does not own or operate any aircraft. All flights are performed by FAA-licensed/DOT-registered EASA or U.S. certified Vista group direct air carriers and/or partner operators. Vista holds non-controlling minority stakes in XOJET Aviation, GMJ Air Shuttle, Red Wing Aviation and Talon Air.

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Philips adds to its cardiology suite of solutions at ACC 2022 with innovations to help improve patient outcomes, experiences, and care pathway effectiveness

March 31, 2022

Innovations designed to seamlessly work together, strengthen clinical confidence, build efficiency throughout the care pathway, and improve cardiac care experiences

Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced new additions to its innovative integrated portfolio of cardiology solutions at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session & Expo (ACC 2022). Philips’ cardiology portfolio offers solutions for coronary artery disease, structural heart disease, arrhythmia and heart failure. It integrates diagnostic and interventional imaging, treatment devices, and cardiac patient monitoring solutions at each point in the patient journey with the aim to improve clinical outcomes, patient and staff experiences, and care pathway effectiveness.  

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one healthcare challenge globally and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide [1]. The costs associated with cardiovascular diseases are rising significantly, with an expected growth in cost of 101% by 2035 [2]. Worldwide, clinicians need to balance the delivery of high-quality care for a growing volume of complex patients with constantly improving departmental efficiency.

Adding to the strength and depth of its cardiology portfolio, at ACC.22 Philips is launching two major innovations. Philips Ultrasound Workspace, an industry leading vendor-neutral echocardiography image analysis and reporting solution that can be accessed via the web, allows clinicians to create seamless diagnostic workflows from the ultrasound exam room to the reporting room and beyond. Philips also announced the global availability of a new Ambient Experience solution connecting to Philips Image Guided Therapy System – Azurion, which aims to reduce patient anxiety during interventional procedures. Ambient Experience with FlexVision display offers patients a calming multi-sensory experience while staff prepare them for their procedure.

Philips Ultrasound Workspace: Next generation echocardiography solution
By offering cardiologists a consistent set of AI-driven automated image analysis and quantification tools for use at any point in the care pathway, together with the ability to perform longitudinal patient studies, Philips Ultrasound Workspace helps to improve productivity and consistency while also enhancing diagnostic quality. Irrespective of location [3], with Ultrasound Workspace, the same user interface and AI-enabled image analysis and quantification tools are now accessible to help speed up quantitative measurements such as left ventricular ejection fraction, increase diagnostic confidence, and improve inter-observer and intra-observer variability.

Introducing the Philips Ambient Experience to interventional rooms
Debuting at ACC.22 is Ambient Experience with FlexVision display. It offers patients undergoing an interventional procedure a calming multi-sensory experience while staff prepare them for their procedure, prior to the display being used for the actual intervention. It also allows patients and interventional team members to adapt the room’s ambient lighting and sound to add to the overall feeling of calm, especially during the patient entry and preparation phases of procedures. Aimed at reducing patient anxiety during interventional procedures, Ambient Experience, leveraging the Azurion’s FlexVision display, has the potential to improve the patient and staff experience, positively impact outcomes, and enhance workflows and productivity.

At ACC, Philips will also spotlight the latest cardiovascular features to Enterprise Performance Analytics – Performance Bridge – giving cardiovascular service line managers access to near real-time data on departmental performance through easy-to-use interactive vendor-neutral dashboards.

With these newest enhancements, users now have access to critical metrics to support operational performance monitoring in a minimally invasive procedural setting such as the interventional suite, providing data on procedure volumes, room utilization, procedure duration and lab turnaround time. Users can also access key metrics designed to support operational performance monitoring in a non-invasive procedural setting such as cardiac imaging suites, most notably echocardiography, with access to data on procedure volumes, modality/machine utilization, study type counts and report turnaround time.

This newest release further demonstrates Philips’ commitment working closely together with healthcare providers to bring together the right combination of services and tools to measure and monitor key areas to help drive continuous improvement, optimized operations, enhanced workflow efficiencies and improved patient outcomes.

Also highlighted at ACC.22 is Philips Image-Guided Therapy System – Azurion, the company’s advanced image-guided therapy platform that supports providers in performing procedures easily and confidently with a unique user experience.

Philips is also showcasing its complete portfolio of ambulatory cardiac diagnostic and monitoring services, as well as stroke care solutions, that provide industry-leading data analysis and management to help make care delivery more comprehensive, accurate and efficient.

New late-breaking clinical session on CIED patient care
On Sunday, April 3 at 13:15-13:25 ET in Main Tent | Hall D, Sean Pokorney, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine (USA) and member of the Duke Clinical Research Institute, will present on low rates of guideline-directed care associated with higher mortality in patients with infection of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Philips supports physicians with Lead Management solutions through a broad portfolio of tools designed for safety and predictability, including both laser and mechanical lead extraction devices.

To connect with experts and learn more about the Philips cardiology solutions that strengthen clinical confidence and build efficiency throughout the care pathway stop by Philips booth #1121. For a full calendar of events, as well as general information about Philips’ presence at the show, visit www.philips.com/ACC. Visit the Philips Industry Hub to experience innovative cardiac solutions and follow the #ACC2022 conversation on @PhilipsLiveFrom throughout the event.

[1] European Cardiovascular Disease Statistics 2017.
[2] RTI International for the American Heart Association. Projections of Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence and Costs: 2015–2035.
[3] Remote access requires a secure VPN connection.

For further information, please contact:

Joost Maltha
Philips Global Press Office
Tel: +31 6 10 55 8116
Email: joost.maltha@philips.com

Fabienne van der Feer
Philips Image Guided Therapy
Tel: + 31 622 698 001
E-mail: fabienne.van.der.feer@philips.com

About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum – from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2020 sales of EUR 17.3 billion and employs approximately 77,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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The Metals Company and Allseas Announce Successful North Sea Drive Test of Pilot Nodule Collector Vehicle

Pilot polymetallic nodule collector

Engineers inspect the tracks of the pilot nodule collector vehicle

  • Following earlier harbor wet-testing, the Allseas-designed pilot nodule collector vehicle was deployed from the Hidden Gem and lowered to the seafloor in open sea conditions
  • A range of critical drive functions were successfully tested, confirming the collector’s capability to manoeuvre forwards and backwards at various speeds and in different directions, as well as to lower and raise the nodule collector heads
  • Allseas engineers successfully tested dynamic positioning systems aboard the Hidden Gem confirming the vessel’s ability to adjust speed and heading as the collector drives across the seafloor.
  • Upcoming trials in TMC’s NORI-D contract area are expected to include deployment of a four-kilometer-long riser, an umbilical that provides power and control during seafloor operations, and a 500-meter-long flexible jumper hose to connect to the collector vehicle

NEW YORK, March 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) (“TMC” or the “Company”), an explorer of the world’s largest estimated undeveloped source of critical battery metals, today announced the successful completion of its North Sea drive test program for the robotic polymetallic nodule collector vehicle designed by the Company’s strategic partner and shareholder, Allseas Group S.A. (“Allseas”).

During the drive test program performed in the Dutch Sector of the North Sea, the Allseas-designed collector vehicle underwent extensive testing of critical mobility and all systems were shown to be functional. Covering a distance of 4,533 meters, Allseas engineers put the collector vehicle through its paces, driving it forwards and backwards at various speeds, and in different directions. In addition, tests were undertaken to raise and lower the vehicle’s adjustable collector heads – another critical function.

“This North Sea drive test is a key milestone that not only shows that our collector can be remotely operated in open seas but that it can do so in parallel motion with the Hidden Gem’s dynamic positioning system,” said Gerard Barron, CEO & Chairman of The Metals Company. “The tests show that the collector can be controlled with a very high level of accuracy that will enable us to build and execute detailed mine plans that respect the bathymetry, sediment characteristics and ecology of the deep seafloor. These trials are proving what we always knew about Allseas, that they take on every engineering task with an unsurpassed attention to detail and this is why they have the highest level of success in the offshore industry.”

The accurate positioning and coordinated movement of the collector vehicle and Hidden Gem will be vital for planned future offshore operations and engineers successfully completed a variety of tests of the vessel’s dynamic positioning system, confirming its ability to adjust speed and heading as the collector drives across the seafloor.

Earlier this month, TMC and Allseas announced the successful wet-testing of the polymetallic nodule collector vehicle and, with this latest round of system tests now complete, Allseas engineers will begin preparations for full pilot nodule collection trials over an 8 km2 section of the NORI-D contract area in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean later this year. These trials are an integral part of the International Seabed Authority’s regulatory and permitting process and the environmental impact data collected both during and after this nodule collection test work will form the basis of the application for an exploitation contract by TMC’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI).

Since 2019, Allseas and TMC have been working together to develop a pilot system to responsibly collect unattached polymetallic nodules from the seafloor and lift them to the surface for transportation to shore. Nodules contain high grades of nickel, manganese, copper and cobalt — key metals required for building electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies.

Development of technologies to collect polymetallic nodules first began in the 1970s when oil, gas and mining majors including Shell, Rio Tinto (Kennecott) and Sumitomo successfully conducted pilot test work in the CCZ, recovering over ten thousand tons of nodules. In the decades since, the ISA was established to develop the regulatory framework to govern mineral extraction in the high seas while technology development efforts have largely focused on scaling proven nodule collection technologies and optimizing for minimal seafloor disturbance and environmental impact.

About The Metals Company

TMC the metals company Inc. (The Metals Company) is an explorer of lower-impact battery metals from seafloor polymetallic nodules, on a dual mission: (1) supply metals for the clean energy transition with the least possible negative environmental and social impact and (2) accelerate the transition to a circular metal economy. The company through its subsidiaries holds exploration rights to three polymetallic nodule contract areas in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean regulated by the International Seabed Authority and sponsored by the governments of Nauru, Kiribati and the Kingdom of Tonga. More information is available at www.metals.co.

About Allseas

Allseas is a world-leading contractor in the offshore energy market, with dynamism, rapid progress and pioneering spirit at its core. Allseas specialise in offshore pipeline installation, heavy lift and subsea construction. The company employs over 4000 people worldwide and operates a versatile fleet of specialised heavy-lift, pipelay and support vessels, designed and developed in-house.

More information about Allseas is available at www.allseas.com

More Info

Media | media@metals.co
Investors | investors@metals.co

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, including related to upcoming trials in TMC’s NORI-D contract area and future offshore operations. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside TMC’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: Allseas ability to conduct a full pilot nodule collection trial in the Clarion Clipperton Zone; TMC’s ability to enter into definitive agreement(s) with Allseas with respect to the proposed strategic alliance to develop and operate a commercial collection system on terms and conditionals substantially similar to those set forth in the non-binding terms sheet; the successful completion of the pilot collection tests; TMC’s ability to obtain exploitation contracts for its areas in the CCZ; regulatory uncertainties and the impact of government regulation and political instability on TMC’s resource activities; changes to any of the laws, rules, regulations or policies to which TMC is subject; the impact of extensive and costly environmental requirements on TMC’s operations; environmental liabilities; the impact of polymetallic nodule collection on biodiversity in the CCZ and recovery rates of impacted ecosystems; TMC’s ability to develop minerals in sufficient grade or quantities to justify commercial operations; the lack of development of seafloor polymetallic nodule deposit; uncertainty in the estimates for mineral resource calculations from certain contract areas and for the grade and quality of polymetallic nodule deposits; risks associated with natural hazards; uncertainty with respect to the specialized treatment and processing of polymetallic nodules that TMC may recover; risks associated with collective, development and processing operations; fluctuations in transportation costs; testing and manufacturing of equipment; risks associated with TMC’s limited operating history; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; risks associated with TMC’s intellectual property; and other risks and uncertainties, including those under Item 1A “Risk Factors” in TMC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, filed by TMC with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 15, 2021, and in TMC’s other future filings with the SEC. TMC cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. TMC cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. TMC does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based except as required by law.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/daa001c7-4980-4269-b505-016453f1695d

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Philips enables seamless echocardiography workflows with the launch of Ultrasound Workspace at ACC 2022

March 31, 2022

  • Industry leading vendor-neutral solution for automated 2D and 3D quantification for browser-accessible echocardiography analysis and reporting
  • New solution provides seamless diagnostic workflows and identical applications, on and off the ultrasound cart
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) driven automated image analysis and quantification features help increase efficiency and diagnostic quality

Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced the launch of Ultrasound Workspace [OLK1] at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session & Expo (ACC 2022). Philips Ultrasound Workspace [1] is an industry leading vendor-neutral echocardiography image analysis and reporting solution that can be accessed remotely via a browser. Clinicians can now leverage seamless diagnostic workflows from the ultrasound exam room to the reporting room and beyond, wherever echocardiography data needs to be reviewed and analyzed.

By offering cardiologists a consistent set of on and off cart AI-driven image analysis and quantification tools, this next-generation echocardiography solution helps to improve productivity and consistency while also enhancing diagnostic quality. Access to archived legacy data, combined with off cart vendor neutral analysis capabilities, further enhances consistent quantification across all echo labs at all locations.

“With its new remote, browser-based accessibility, Philips Ultrasound Workspace is the first advanced vendor-neutral 2D/3D echocardiography viewing, analysis, and reporting system that extends the superior user experience of Philips’ cardiac ultrasound system EPIQ CVx into multiple connected environments,” said Jeff Cohen, General Manager of Ultrasound at Philips. “We have combined the power of AI with deep clinical knowledge to create a solution that integrates into the workflows of healthcare providers to help drive efficient clinical decision-making. With Ultrasound Workspace, our customers can experience a whole new world of echocardiography workflow to help improve both the patient and staff experience.”

Irrespective of location [2], with Ultrasound Workspace, the same user interface and AI-enabled image analysis and quantification tools are now accessible to help speed up quantitative measurements such as left ventricular ejection fraction, increase diagnostic confidence, and improve inter-observer and intra-observer consistency. In addition to extending the user experience of Philips’ Ultrasound System – EPIQ CVx – Ultrasound Workspace also features vendor-neutral application and data source capabilities.

“Philips has been instrumental in moving the field of 3D echocardiography forward. Their software, which is consistently developed with input from physicians, has been a true help for the echo community in general,” said Roberto M. Lang, MD, Director, Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging Laboratories at University of Chicago Medical Center, who has published multiple papers on the use of AI and machine learning in echocardiography.

Philips Ultrasound Workspace is a holistic, scalable, cardiovascular viewing, analysis and reporting system that enables greater efficiency by giving care teams the flexibility to adopt workflows based on their individual needs. Leveraging AI for speed and diagnostic confidence and capable of analyzing vendor-agnostic data, it offers an agile technology platform, flexible licensing for small- to large-scale organizations, and comprehensive application support. It also incorporates quality assessment capabilities on American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) standards. Ultrasound Workspace can be deployed either stand-alone or deeply integrated into PACS and EMR echocardiography reading workflows.

For more information on Philips Ultrasound Workspace and other new cardiology solutions designed to strengthen clinical confidence, build efficiency and help improve cardiac care experiences, visit Philips at ACC 2022 (April 2 – 4, Washington, DC) and follow @PhilipsLiveFrom for #ACC22 updates throughout the event.

[1] Ultrasound Workspace is the commercial name of TOMTEC-ARENA software developed by TOMTEC Imaging Systems GmbH – a company that Philips acquired in 2017. Ultrasound Workspace replaces Philips’ existing QLAB cardiovascular ultrasound quantification software. TOMTEC-ARENA is a trademark of TOMTEC Imaging Systems GmbH.
[2] Remote access requires a secure VPN connection.

For further information, please contact:

Kathy O’Reilly
Philips Global Press Office
Tel.: +1 978-221-8919
E-mail : kathy.oreilly@philips.com
Twitter: @kathyoreilly

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum – from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2021 sales of EUR 17.2 billion and employs approximately 78,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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Businesses aren’t getting the message: new report finds brands are leaving customers frustrated by failing to reply

CX-report-2022–PR

Businesses aren’t getting the message: new report finds brands are leaving customers frustrated by failing to reply

Over half of consumers express frustration, shop elsewhere, when their responses to brand messages go unanswered

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, and ATLANTA — March 31, 2022 — Consumers are being unintentionally ignored by businesses, according to a new study of almost 3,000 consumers across 15 countries, commissioned by Sinch (Sinch AB (publ) – XSTO: SINCH). The study found 89% of people want to initiate and reply to two-way conversations with businesses, via multiple mobile and social channels. However, over half (53%) recalled a frustrating time when they discovered they could not reply to a mobile message sent from a business, for example to ask a question, receive an update or complete an action, such as scheduling an appointment. Download the full report here.

Delayed Responses Mean Dissatisfaction
Even brands that have deployed some two-way communication are struggling to meet consumers’ expectations, the report found. When asked how long it typically takes to get a response from a brand on social media, nearly one in four people claimed it takes a day or longer. Most respondents said they’d be less likely to buy from a brand given these unreasonable wait times. Scaling two-way messaging across mobile channels to deliver the immediacy customers expect requires greater attention and tools that can efficiently come via a top CPaaS platform.

AI in Team?
The study found 70% of people had interacted with an AI-powered chatbot at least once – but what happens when a live service agent needs to step in? A resounding 95% of respondents desired to be instantly handed off to a live agent in these situations — a stark contrast to the 35% of businesses currently enabling this, according to a recent IDC white paper.

The study amplifies the imbalance between consumers’ desire for more intimate digital brand interactions and the limitations of brands’ current one-way messaging realities.

“Our research shows that customers are ready to take their relationships with brands to the next level, with two-way messaging across channels that gives them the freedom to shape the conversation to their needs,” said Jonathan Bean, CMO of Sinch. “However, because many brands aren’t yet equipped to provide this enhanced conversational experience, customers are being unintentionally ignored, which can lead them to abandon a business altogether. Activating omnichannel two-way messaging is a critical way of boosting the customer experience and forging more loyal, satisfied relationships with consumers.”

The online study of 2,980 consumers across 15 countries was conducted by Ravn Research in October 2021. To read the full report, visit here.

About Sinch
Sinch’s leading cloud communications platform lets businesses reach everyone on the planet, in seconds or less, through mobile messaging, email, voice and video. More than 150,000 businesses, including many of the world’s largest companies and mobile operators, use Sinch’s advanced technology platform to engage with their customers. Sinch has been profitable and fast-growing since its foundation in 2008. It is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a local presence in more than 50 countries. Shares are traded at NASDAQ Stockholm: XSTO:SINCH. Visit us at sinch.com.

For further information, please contact:

Jeff Hasen
Vice President, Communications
jeff.hasen@sinch.com

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New Guinness® World Record – World’s Biggest Bug Hotel

World Record Bug Hotel Certificate

Highland Titles – World Record Holders

DUROR, Scotland, March 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Monday 28th March 2022, conservation company Highland Titles achieved a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD® for the world’s biggest bug/insect hotel, which means Highland Titles are “Officially Amazing!”®

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c6d0e716-dbd2-4737-934d-660fac898b70

The 199.9 cubic metre structure is located on the Highland Titles Nature Reserve at Duror in the Scottish Highlands and already houses a variety of species. It breaks the previous world record of 89.37 cubic metres, which was held by the Polish Association of Developers in Warsaw, Poland.

The world record-breaking bug hotel was made using felled sitka spruce from the nature reserve, masonry bricks, bamboo canes, wood chips, forest bark, wildflower seeds, clay pipes and strawberry netting.

World Record Bug Hotel

The World Record Bug Hotel is 199.9 cubic metres

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8f7ca5a3-5c5c-4d71-a475-daceb2ca6aff

“This record-breaking initiative is about the environmental message,” says Douglas Wilson, CEO of Highland Titles. “We bought this land in 2006 when it was a poorly performing commercial forestry plantation of non-native Sitka Spruce.

“Like much of the Highlands, it was inappropriately planted in the late 1980s with no thought or consideration given to biodiversity. Using these same trees for something that puts nature first symbolises that the world has changed, and we hope our efforts will inspire others. We’d be delighted if someone beat our record in the future!”

Nature Reserve Manager, Stewart Borland, was part of a team of 7 who were involved in its construction which started in September 2021 and was completed in early March 2022. In addition to the environmental message, Mr Borland hopes that it encourages people to visit:

“In 2019, we had more than 10,000 visitors to the nature reserve from all over the world. The pandemic really put a dent in our visitor numbers, so we hope that this – together with the new track which is adored by cyclists – will encourage people to visit now that travel is opening up again. The more visitors we get, the more people can see the work that we’re doing.”

About Highland Titles

Highland Titles began in 2006 with a mission to conserve Scotland, one square foot at a time. The conservation project – now encompassing 5 nature reserves and over 800 acres of Scottish wilderness – is funded by selling gift-sized souvenir plots of land.

The Highland Titles community of souvenir plot owners are invited to style themselves as the Lords and Ladies of Glencoe™. Over 300,000 plots of land have been sold to date.

The Highland Titles Nature Reserve near Glencoe is an official 4* tourist attraction and, according to Trip Advisor, one of the most popular nature reserves in the country.

Resources

For more information on the World’s Biggest Bug Hotel, visit here

For more photographs or video content, please email support@highlandtitles.com with your email address, name and phone number

Contact

Douglas Wilson, CEO
douglas@highlandtitles.com

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Kither Biotech announces publication of new data in Science Translational Medicine

Kither Biotech announces publication of new data in Science Translational Medicine

Data support the use of Kither Biotech’s lead asset, KIT2014, in obstructive airway diseases

KIT2014 demonstrated a triple mechanism of action in reversing disease pathogenesis: enhancing functionality of CFTR channels and reducing bronchoconstriction and inflammation

Adds to evidence supporting the use of KIT2014 as a potential add-on therapy to current cystic fibrosis standard of care

Turin, Italy, 31 2022 – Kither Biotech (“Kither” or “the Company”), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for rare respiratory diseases, today announces the publication of a study in Science Translational Medicine describing the mechanism of action of its lead asset, KIT2014, and proof-of-concept data for its use for the treatment of chronic obstructive airway diseases (Sci. Transl. Med., 14 (638), eabl6328. • DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abl6328).

KIT2014 is a novel, cell-permeable peptide currently being investigated for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) that works to modulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels inside cells. Increasing cAMP can reduce mucus accumulation, inflammation, and bronchoconstriction, issues that are inherent to cystic fibrosis. KIT2014 is currently being developed as an add-on to the current standard of care enabling improved efficacy by directly focusing on the most significant ailments of CF patients, delivered directly to the lungs as an inhaled therapy. The Company expects to begin a Phase 1/2A clinical trial of KIT2014 in 2023.

The data demonstrate the therapeutic potential of inhaled KIT2014 (referred to as PI3Kγ MP in the publication) to increase cAMP levels in pulmonary cells, alleviating the pathogenesis of several obstructive airway diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma and COPD, through a triple mechanism of action: promoting bronchodilation, reducing lung inflammation, and enhancing the activity of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the channel that triggers mucus hydration and clearance. In airway cells from patients with cystic fibrosis, a disease where CFTR dysfunction is particularly critical, KIT2014 was reported to enhance the effects of existing CFTR modulators by up to 80%.

Vincent Metzler, CEO at Kither Biotech, commented: “The publication of these data in a prominent peer-reviewed journal represents an important step as we advance the development of KIT2014 for the treatment of cystic fibrosis as an add-on therapy to CFTR modulators. We are preparing for our Phase 1/2A clinical trial of KIT2014, as we move one step closer to potentially bringing this innovative therapy to patients with unmet need.”

Alessandra Ghigo, scientific co-founder at Kither Biotech and lead investigator, said: “These new data validate KIT2014’s ability to modulate cAMP signal transduction in the lungs, increasing the functionality of CFTR channels, as well as reducing inflammation and bronchoconstriction, properties which are potentially highly beneficial to patients with cystic fibrosis and other diseases like COPD and asthma. We are looking forward to commencing clinical trials for KIT2014.”

Emilio Hirsch, scientific co-founder at Kither Biotech and last author, added: “Our data of KIT2014 showing an enhancement of the effect of existing CFTR modulators by 80% demonstrate the potential of this peptide, when administered as an inhalation therapy, to improve the condition of many patients still suffering from CF or other respiratory diseases.”

ENDS

About Kither Biotech
Kither Biotech is a biopharma company founded by Prof. Alessandra Ghigo, Prof. Emilio Hirsch, Prof. Alberto Bardelli and Marco Kevin Malisani. The company aims to identify and develop new drug candidates for the treatment of rare pulmonary diseases, with specific focus on cystic fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Kither Biotech is a spin-off from the University of Turin and actively collaborates with the Molecular Biotechnology Center (University of Turin) and other research centres in the world. The company developed a pipeline of treatments currently under preclinical development, with programs in cystic fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory diseases. |www.kitherbiotech.com

About KIT2014

KIT2014 is a cell-permeable cAMP modulating peptide that disrupts the interaction of PI3Kgamma with its partner, protein kinase A (PKA), leading to type 3 and 4 phosphodiesterases (PDE3/4) inhibition and, in turn, to enhanced cAMP responses within the cell. KIT2014 is currently being investigated for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) as an add-on inhalation therapy to the current standard of care, enabling improved efficacy by directly impacting mucus hypersecretion, airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction, the most significant ailments of CF patients. When inhaled, KIT2014 increases cAMP locally in bronchial epithelial cells to promote the opening of CFTR chloride channels, which are key to mucus hydration, while in lung smooth muscle and immune cells cAMP elevation limits bronchoconstriction and neutrophil infiltration. In CF patients, treatment with KIT2014 is believed to restore the function of CFTR mutants by potentiating the effects of CFTR modulators (Ghigo et al., Science Translational Medicine, in press).

For more information please contact:

Consilium Srategic Communications
Matthew Cole / Davide Salvi / Lucie Foster
KitherBiotech@consilium-comms.com		 Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700

Click HERE for the Italian version of the release