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Author: Marie Jones

  • Showa Denko Announces 2021 2Q Consolidated Financial Results

    TOKYO, Aug 10, 2021 – (JCN Newswire) – Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004) today announced its 2021 2Q consolidated financial results.

    2021 Second Quarter Consolidated Financial Statements and Summary
    – https://www.sdk.co.jp/assets/files/english/ir/library/fss2021-2q.pdf

    About Showa Denko K.K.

    Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004, ADR:SHWDY) is a major manufacturer of chemical products serving from heavy industry to computers and electronics. The Petrochemicals Sector provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene, the Chemicals Sector provides industrial, high-performance and high-purity gases and chemicals for semicon and other industries, the Inorganics Sector provides ceramic products, such as alumina, abrasives, refractory/graphite electrodes and fine carbon products. The Aluminum Sector provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum, the Electronics Sector provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high bright LEDs, and rare earth magnetic alloys, and the Advanced Battery Materials Department (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. For more information, visit www.sdk.co.jp/english/.

    Contact:
    Showa Denko K.K., IR Office, Finance & Accounting Department, Tel: 81-3-5470-3323

  • Elegance Optical subscribes 50% of the enlarged issued share capital of the Target Company for China’s Yantai Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal Project investment

    Elegance Optical subscribes 50% of the enlarged issued share capital of the Target Company for China’s Yantai Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal Project investment

    Elegance Optical International Holdings Limited (The Company) is pleased to announce that Green Source Global Limited (the Subscriber), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has entered into the agreement with H. Sterling LNG Terminal Holding Limited (Target Company) and the Existing Shareholder (Existing Shareholder), pursuant to which the Subscriber has conditionally agreed to subscribe for, and the Target Company has conditionally agreed to issue and allot, 10,000 subscription shares, representing 50% of the issued share capital of the Target Company as enlarged at the subscription price of RMB223 million, to be settled in cash (the Agreement).

    Completion of the subscription shall take place on the 30th business day after all the conditions precedent under the Agreement having been fulfilled or waived (or such other date as the parties to the Agreement may agree).

    Upon the completion, the Company will indirectly own 50% equity interest of the Target Company, representing approximately 10.5% equivalent interest in Yantai LNG Terminal Project Company of which 21.0% equivalent interests is held by the Target Company.

    The directors of the Group are optimistic about the prospects of the Yantai LNG Terminal Project that its annual income is estimated at approximately RMB2.5 billion by the top management of the Group. The Yantai LNG Terminal Project is listed as 2021 China’s major project in Shandong Province and will be the 23rd LNG terminal in China. As of now, China has 22 LNG terminals, in which 15 of are owned and operated by government-owned enterprises.

    The subscription is in line with the investment strategy of the Group and will allow the Group to diversify its income stream and investment portfolio. The Group will explore opportunities to cooperate on the whole value chain of the natural gas sector covering production, supply, storage and distribution, to further enhance the Company’s foundation in respect of international trade of liquefied natural gas.

    Media inquiries:
    New Smile Strategic IR & PR Consultancy Tel: +852 2126 7076
    Jenny Lai jenny.lai@newsmilehk.com
    Jenny Cheung jenny.cheung@newsmilehk.com

    Notes to editors:

    INFORMATION OF THE COMPANY
    Elegance Optical International Holdings Limited is principally engaged in the manufacture and trading of optical frames and sunglasses, property investment, investment in debts and securities, film investment and distribution businesses and energy business. The Group refers to the Company and its subsidiaries.

    INFORMATION OF EXISTING SHAREHOLDER AND THE TARGET COMPANY
    The Existing Shareholder is Zheng Fang, a PRC resident and a merchant. The Target Company refers to H. Sterling LNG Terminal Holding Limited, an investment holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands with limited liability and is wholly-owned by the Existing Shareholder as at the date of the agreement.

    INFORMATION OF THE SUBSCRIBER
    Green Source Global Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands with limited liability, is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

    INFORMATION OF YANTAI LNG TERMINAL PROJECT COMPANY
    Yantai LNG Terminal Project Company is principally engaged in the gas operation, import and export of goods and technology and import and export agency services, and is a project company established to implement the Yantai LNG Terminal Project.

    INFORMATION OF THE YANTAI LNG TERMINAL PROJECT
    The Yantai LNG Terminal Project aims to invest in and construct the Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal in Yantai Port in Shandong. It is expected that the Yantai LNG Terminal Project will commence operation in 2023, and will have an operation period of 25 years. The Yantai LNG Terminal Project was formally approved by the National Development and Reform Commission of the PRC in January 2020, and is currently in the phase of port construction.

  • Seedo Subsidiary Awarded Grant from Israeli innovation Authority

    Seedo Subsidiary Awarded Grant from Israeli innovation Authority

    Seedo Corp. (saffron-tech.ag) (OTC: SEDO) subsidiary has been awarded a $1,000,000 (One Million) grant from the Israeli Innovation Authority. The new grant will allow the AgTech company to accelerate its R&D program building on its groundbreaking development of the protocols for growing saffron using vertical farming technology. The funds will be allocated to enable the company expand its facilities, allowing it to grow more saffron for commercial use. This will bring the company closer than ever to achieving its mission to revolutionize the billion-dollar saffron market by bringing a large-scale supply of the spice to the market. The Israel Innovation Authority is an independent publicly funded agency created to provide funding platforms aimed at effectively addressing innovation ecosystems. This grant demonstrates the Israel Innovation Authority recognition of the innovation and potential of the company’s technology and solutions.

    “We are very proud to receive this funding from the Israeli Innovation Authority,” says David Freidenberg, CEO, Seedo Corp. “In this new era of agriculture that incorporates innovative technology to the cultivation process, it makes sense that the Israeli Innovation Authority would support Seedo’s forward-thinking endeavor. Saffron is just the start and this generous grant will help us advance further in our business plans. The Israeli Innovation Authority reviews thousands of new and innovative science companies in determining which ones not only have disruptive science, but also the stability and practicality to function in the open market environment, so this is truly a badge of honor”.

    Seedo Corp. and its subsidiary recently invested in state-of-the-art equipment featuring the latest software designed to create the precise growing conditions to deliver superior quality saffron suited for a variety of applications. The company has already successfully harvested two cycles of saffron in its indoor growing lab. Traditional agriculture only produces saffron once annually. The company is now designing conditions which it believes will enable it to produce a third cycle, Tripling the amount of saffron available to the marketplace.

    About Seedo

    Seedo Corp. (OTC: SEDO) is an AgTech company that focuses on the research, development, and commercialization of agriculture products that are high in demand but are hindered by the low yields and specifications required by traditional farming. Seedo’s technology is aimed at offering a responsible and sustainable way to grow crops in a world confronted by environmental challenges and dwindling earth reserves, diminishing water sources and unstable weather conditions.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This letter contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to our ability to successfully execute a smooth transition of CFO functions as well as our ability to retain and recruit qualified executives; uncertainties related to, and failure to achieve, the potential benefits and success of our senior management team and organizational structure; our ability to successfully compete in the marketplace; our substantial indebtedness, which may limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, engage in additional transactions or make new investments; compliance, regulatory and litigation matters; other financial and economic risks; and other factors discussed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements.” Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

    Contact:
    David Freidenberg,
    Chief Executive Officer
    info@saffron.ag
    +1 (800) 608-6432

    Source: Plato Data Intelligence

  • Motul supported teams revved up for title fight after MotoGP summer break

    The MotoGP is considered the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, featuring the best riders and manufacturers of 2-wheel motorsports. Having completed 9 rounds, the competition moves into the second half of the season where the championship fight is guaranteed to get more exciting. MotoGP finally returns after a 5-week summer break, with back-to-back race weekends at the famous Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. The Michelin® Grand Prix of Styria will be the first race of the Austrian double-header, kicking off with free practice on Friday.

    Team Suzuki have scored solid points in the first half of the season

    Motul, the Official Lubricant Partner of 2 top teams on the MotoGP roster, Team Suzuki and Pramac Racing, has enjoyed a successful first half of the season. Having secured a podium finish in all but 2 races so far, Motul has really showcased their technical prowess with racing grade lubricants. Being an integral part of the competition’s illustrious history, the French oil manufacturer continues to develop specialized lubricants designed to work in harmony with the high performance engines used in the MotoGP. The grueling nature associated with this discipline provides a vital test bench for Motul’s motorcycle lubricants.

    Reigning champions, Team Suzuki has been working alongside Motul since the 1988 season to keep their MotoGP bikes reliable with top racing lubricants. Being the designated lubricant partner of the team, Motul products keep the Suzuki GSX-RR in prime condition for the duration of the competition. This collaboration of more than three decades is the perfect example of Motul’s commitment to innovation and development of their products in conjunction with the best factory teams around the world. Motul’s technical experts have been able to forge an excellent partnership with the Suzuki factory team, achieving championship success in multiple seasons. The knowledge from this engagement has played a monumental role in the development of Motul’s Factory Line lubricants which are used by racing teams in numerous competitions globally.

    Pramac Racing has seen a significant improvement in performance as compared to the 2020 season. The Ducati Desmosedici has proved to be more competitive and achieved spectacular results. At the start of the season Pramac Racing announced that they would be extending their partnership with Motul for three more years, reiterating their faith in Motul lubricants. Motul has developed engine oils specifically engineered for the Ducati engine which responds to the extreme conditions and mechanical restraints presented in the MotoGP competition. The technical research and development from track applications has been incorporated into Motul’s commercial products that bring top tier racing technology to everyday consumers.

    The 2021 Styrian GP will get underway with the main race being held on the 8th of August (Sunday) at the Red Bull Ring. The famous circuit, nestled in the Styrian hills, has a reputation for providing some enthralling racing action due to the flat out nature of the circuit. Its 4.3km track features 10 medium to high speed corners allowing the MotoGP riders to push the limit of their bikes’ top speed. Teams are gearing up for a significantly tougher race with predictions of thunderstorms all week. Racing fans however, can be certain to expect edge-of-the-seat track battles and top-notch driver ability. Pramac Racing’s Johann Zarco currently sits in P2 and Team Suzuki’s Joan Mir occupies P4 in the championship standings. With more than half the season still left to go, the competition is far from decided and will further heat up towards the pointy end of year. MotoGP fans can follow the live racing action on the MotoGP website (https://www.motogp.com/en) and on the teams’ social media channels.

    Motul bids farewell to The Doctor, MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi at the end of this season. GRAZIE VALE!

    2021 MotoGP Michelin® Grand Prix of Styria Schedule (all times in GMT+2)

    6 August 2021 (Friday)
    0955 – 1040: Free Practice 1
    1410 – 1455: Free Practice 2

    7 August 2021 (Saturday)
    0955 – 1040: Free Practice 3
    1330 – 1400: Free Practice 4
    1410 – 1425: Qualifying 1
    1435 – 1450: Qualifying 2

    8 August (Sunday)
    0940 – 1000: Warm Up
    1400: MotoGP Race Start

    About Motul

    Motul is a world-class French company specialised in the formulation, production and distribution of high-tech engine lubricants (two-wheelers, cars and other vehicles) as well as lubricants for industry via its Motul Tech activity.

    Unanimously recognised for more than 150 years for the quality of its products, innovation capacity and involvement in the field of competition, Motul is also recognised as a specialist in synthetic lubricants. As early as 1971, Motul was the first lubricant manufacturer to pioneer the formulation of a 100% synthetic lubricant, issued from the aeronautical industry, making use of esters technology: 300V lubricant. 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the Motul 300V.

    Motul is a partner to many manufacturers and racing teams in order to further their technological development in motorsports. It has invested in many international competitions as an official supplier for teams in: Road racing, Trials, Enduro, Endurance, Superbike, Supercross, Rallycross, World GT1, 24 Hours of Le Mans (cars and motorcycles), 24 Hours of Spa, Le Mans Series, Andros Trophy, Paris-Dakar, 8 Hours of Suzuka, Bol d’Or, Daytona 200-mile motorcycle race.

    MOTUL Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd
    1A International Business Park, #06-03
    Singapore 609933
    www.motul.com

  • NFT Genius Premier Event, The NFT Experience, Is Back; This Time With Mark Cuban

    NFT Genius Premier Event, The NFT Experience, Is Back; This Time With Mark Cuban

    The NFT Experience is the premier event put on yearly by major NFT production house, NFT Genius. This year’s virtual event will include Mark Cuban discussing why he is picking winners and losers in the NFT space, making comparisons to Web 1.0, and what he is looking for in future NFT investments. Roham Gharegozlou of Dapper Labs will be discussing NBA Top Shot and how to break into the NFT Market.

    NFT Experience

    Mark Cuban

    With 40 other panelists that work in the NFT industry other topics include:
    – NFTs and Hollywood
    – NFTs and Mainstream Culture
    – Play-To-Earn Gaming and Beyond
    – Can NFTs Power the Future of Commerce and Business?
    – NFTs: The New Sports Trading Card

    “As NFTs continue dominating both mainstream and crypto media, it’s hard to imagine a time when they never existed. During The NFT Experience, we will journey back through the history of NFTs to understand how they originated, how they’ve changed, and how they’ll continue radically innovating the future of digital technology,” says Jeremy Born, CEO of NFT Genius.

    The event will be held online Wednesday, August 11th, and Thursday August 12th. The event is free to attend. There is also a $100 VIP ticket option which will earn you NFTs from the NFT Genius collection, like those from their internal property Bitcoin Origins, which is built on the Wax Blockchain.

    Visit TheNFTExp.com to register for the event and learn more about the topics.

    Unique NFT projects are arising every day, disrupting unexpected markets, and supplying new streams of revenue for creators around the world. But what will the rapidly evolving space look like in a year, let alone five or ten years? Join these experts in the space as they discuss their viewpoints on how NFTs will evolve, what industries they will enter next, and if the NFT “bubble” will ever reach its breaking point.

    NFT Genius is a leading digital production company transforming the way in which brands connect and interact with their customers. With utility and experiential design at its core, NFT Genius is radically changing the world of digital collectibles, one meaningful experience at a time.

    Contact:
    Charles Adkins
    Marketing Director- NFT Genius
    charles@nftgenius.com

  • Hydrogel holds life-giving cells longer

    • An injection made of a hydrogel containing stem cells could treat damaged tissue following a heart attack.

    Heart muscle becomes damaged and cardiac function is affected when blood vessels feeding the heart are blocked. A new stem-cell-carrying hydrogel helps mice recover from this condition, called myocardial infarction, by stimulating formation of new blood vessels. Developed by a team of scientists at Kansai University in Japan, the stem cell delivery system is described in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.

    The hydrogel acts as a scaffold that holds the stem cells in place at the site of injection and keeps them alive for longer. The stem cells produce cytokines that stimulate the formation of blood vessels to help the heart recover. The gel is biodegradable, so it eventually dissolves and is removed by the body.
    The team used stem cells derived from fat tissue in their application. These so-called ‘adipose-derived stem cells’ have already been investigated for treating damaged cardiac tissue from reduced blood flow to the heart, known as myocardial ischemia. The idea is that the stem cells will release stimulating factors to regenerate blood vessels once injected into damaged heart tissue. The problem, though, is that they can’t be retained or survive in the tissue long enough. In other studies, scientists have found that injecting cell-free biodegradable hydrogels into damaged heart tissue helps partial recovery of heart functions.

    Kansai University bioengineer Yuichi Ohya and his colleagues mixed the two techniques together.

    Firstly, they developed hydrogel formulas that can hold stem cells in place for longer periods of time at the site of tissue damage. These hydrogels start off as a solution when they are at room temperature. This makes it easy to mix in the stem cells. When the solution is injected into an organ, it warms to body temperature, triggering its transformation into a gel.

    One of their hydrogels was especially good at staying in its gel state. It was made with a combination of molecules, called tri-PCG, with acrolyl groups attached to them. The tri-PCG-acryl was then mixed with a polythiol derivative.

    The team added adipose-derived stem cells to the hydrogel and observed, both in petri dishes and inside mouse heart tissue, how long the cells lived and what kinds of genes and substances were produced by the cells.

    “The stem cells were able to survive in our injectable hydrogel and released molecules that stimulate blood vessel formation, improving heart function and making it effective for treatment of ischemic heart,” says Ohya.

    The team next plans to test their therapy on larger animals after confirming its safety, and then to conduct clinical studies in humans. They also plan to investigate using their injectable hydrogel to deliver immune cells to treat cancer or in vaccines to protect against viral infections.

    Further information
    Yuichi Ohya
    Kansai University
    Email: yohya@kansai-u.ac.jp

    Paper: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14686996.2021.1938212%40tsta20.2021.22.issue-BioJ

    About Science and Technology of Advanced Materials Journal
    Open access journal STAM publishes outstanding research articles across all aspects of materials science, including functional and structural materials, theoretical analyses, and properties of materials. https://www.tandfonline.com/STAM

    Dr. Yoshikazu Shinohara
    STAM Publishing Director
    Email: SHINOHARA.Yoshikazu@nims.go.jp

    Press release distributed by ResearchSEA for Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.

  • TIENS Group Initiates Post-Pandemic Forum on Global Health

    TIENS Group Initiates Post-Pandemic Forum on Global Health

    TIENS Group hosted the One Belt One Road: Health Industry Development Forum for the Post-Pandemic Era on August 3, 2021.

    The forum acted as a platform for industry leaders and stakeholders from different sectors to meet up and delve into health industry challenges, addressing them in turn for the post-pandemic era.

    Later, the guests debated innovation, reform and improvement in the global health industry. China, which has become a stern yet exemplary leader in the world’s post-pandemic era, is leading the movement of change in the health industry. Global health sectors, especially in Asia, have benefited greatly from China’s supply chain model and the innovation brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative.

    TIENS Group plays a representative role in China’s health care industry, a major reason for its steady growth. Li Jinyuan, Chairman of TIENS Group, delivered the hallmark mentioning design and efficiency in the health industry today and spoke of his Group’s endeavours and the support they have received from Chinese Belt and Road policy. A strong advocate of the Belt and Road Initiative, TIENS Group makes no secret of this progress helping them.

    The global progress of Chinese enterprises means keeping abreast of the times. TIENS Group enjoys an excellent reputation in today’s market and proudly carries the “Made in China” label on all its great health products. Currently, its business has expanded to Europe, Asia, Germany, Russia, Africa, and other regions around the globe. The Group has its own logistics in many countries as it covers the world through its own expanding operations.

    TIENS Group has been engaged in the larger health industry for 26 years. It has accumulated profound experience in the domestic and foreign markets, setting up solid supply channels, accumulating growing numbers of customers, and building a well-known brand. As a result, it holds the balance in the health industry both at home and abroad.

    The TIENS Group aims to strengthen its exchange and cooperation with domestic and foreign enterprises over this broad platform, jointly promoting the development of the health industry with others, and making a greater contribution to the health of the world’s citizenry. Please visit the company’s website at https://www.tiens.com/.

    Media contact:
    Yukai Wang, TIENS Group
    E: zcfw@tiens.com
    U: https://www.tiens.com/

    SOURCE: TIENS Group

  • World-Renowned Photographer Christina Jansen to Release First Muhammad Ali Digital Collectibles with dMerch.io

    World-Renowned Photographer Christina Jansen to Release First Muhammad Ali Digital Collectibles with dMerch.io

    The Worldwide Asset eXchange (WAX) is partnering with world-renowned photographer Christina Jansen and Dublin-based NFT agency, dMerch.io to bring to life the Muhammad Ali Series 1 digital collection. The collection contains 136 unique digital collectables, all showcasing the vibrant personality of Ali himself and will be available on WAX blockchain starting on August 10, 2021 at 1pm EST / 10 am PST.

    Christina Jansen

    Throughout his iconic 21-year professional career, Ali was unconventional and incredible for the world to watch. He was an Olympic gold medalist, accumulated 56 victories, and was the first boxer in history to claim the heavyweight championship belt three times.

    In 1986, Jansen and Ali met for the first time at a commercial shoot at Fulham Studios. Instantaneously, the duo connected, and Jansen admired Ali’s humble nature. Since her encounter with Ali, Jansen has gone on to photograph celebrities, athletes, and fashion icons.

    “Photographing Muhammad Ali was one of the most inspiring jobs I have ever had. Over a period of two weeks on and off the set I witnessed how he treated everyone who approached him the same. It didn’t matter to Ali where you came from or what you did. I felt so blessed to have the chance to talk to him and get to know this great man like a close friend. Ali told me his Philosophy in life – If you reach for the moon you might end up next door, but if you reach for the stars you will get to the moon. He encouraged me and others to reach for their goals and not be afraid to take risks in life,” said Jansen.

    Adam Bouktila, COO for dMerch, praised Christina’s photographs which have not been seen by a wider audience:

    “This collection is amazing for the close connection between Ali and his photographer. These are not paparazzi shots taken at random. These are beautifully crafted images taken over a two-week period where subject and artist forged a close and powerful connection. The connection makes the images come alive.

    “And with NFT technology we can now share these images with the world. As a Mohammed Ali fan this is a huge privilege for me to be involved in this project.”

    Since his passing in 2016, Ali’s life and love for mentoring others will be revealed through Jansen’s intimate, never-before-seen photographs for fans to collect and enjoy as digital collectibles on the WAX Blockchain. In her very first WAX collection, Jansen will offer the proceeds of an extremely special “Boxing Futures” pack featuring a single, ultra-rare Muhamad Ali digital photograph to aid Boxing Futures, an organization that aims to help disadvantaged youth by providing a safe space for them to improve their physical and mental health through boxing all while learning to build relationships and find motivation.

    “This collection is both a personal and professional triumph that allows us to give back to a deserving group and pay homage to Muhammad Ali’s legacy,” says Jansen.

    The intimate photos of the boxing superstar will be available in six (6) ring-worthy rarities, including:
    – Classic
    – Negative
    – Gallery
    – Photographer
    – Championship
    – Behind the scenes

    As a special thank you for their support of the collection, Championship card buyers will be automatically entered into a randomized drawing for a chance to claim one (1) of (3) unique physical prints.

    The Muhammad Ali Series 1 digital collection will feature 5,000 Classic Packs, 3,000 Photographer Packs, and 1,000 Boxing Futures Packs and are available in the following sizes:
    – Classic Packs containing 5 digital collectibles for $19.99
    – Photographer Packs containing 25 digital collectibles for $49.99
    – Boxing Futures containing 1 digital collectible for $9.99

    There will be a “stress test” prior to the official launch day on August 9 at 1pm EST / 10 am PST. Fans can sign-up through the official WAX Discord and will receive a free promo-pack as a “thank you” for participating.

    About WAX

    The Worldwide Asset eXchange (WAX), is the world’s #1 blockchain, as measured by number of users and transactions, according to Dappradar.com. WAX’s mission is to bring digital collectibles to the mass market in the safest, most secure, environmentally friendly, and easy-to-use marketplace in the world. WAX is also the leading entertainment digital collectibles network — in 2018, WAX introduced vIRLs’, giving consumer product companies the ability to directly link digital collectibles to physical consumer products. Co-founded in 2017 by William E. Quigley and Jonathan Yantis, WAX has facilitated the trade of more than 100 million digital collectables including Major League Baseball (via Topps MLB collectables), Capcom’s “Street Fighter,” and world-renowned entertainers Deadmau5 and Weezer. For more information, please visit https://wax.io and follow along on Twitter and Discord.

    About Boxing Futures

    Boxing Futures is a dynamic charity which works to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of disadvantaged young people. We empower young people by building positive relationships, developing core soft skills and increasing confidence and motivation.

    Media Contact:
    wax@bhimpact.com

  • Following Series A Financing, Scivita Medical Completes Series B Financing of Nearly RMB0.4 Billion to Accelerate the Strategic Layout of Globalization

    Following Series A Financing, Scivita Medical Completes Series B Financing of Nearly RMB0.4 Billion to Accelerate the Strategic Layout of Globalization

    Following the completion of series A round financing, with the acceleration of the research and development and commercialization of endoscopy product, Scivita Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (Scivita Medical) announced today that it has received nearly RMB0.4 Billion in Series B financing, with new investors such as Hudson Bay Capital Management and Prime Capital, as well as continuous support from existing shareholders such as GL Ventures, Lilly Asia Ventures and Matrix Partners China.

    This round of financing will continue to be used for research and development, capacity expansion, and domestic and international commercialization of innovative products in endoscopy and related fields.

    Since its inception, Scivita Medical has taken globalization as an important strategy and has set up R&D centers in Suzhou, China and Tokyo, Japan to promote simultaneous global R&D, patent application, registration and commercialization of its products, and strives to building a global leading platform for innovative products in endoscopy and related fields. The successful completion of this round of financing fully reflects the recognition of the new investors and the existing shareholders for the future development potential and the expectation of the sustainable development of Scivita Medical.

    Driven by factors such as the promotion of graded treatment, the development of minimally invasive surgery and the aging population, the market demand and configuration rate of endoscopes are rising rapidly. Scivita Medical has a comprehensive product line covering both rigid and flexible endoscopes, reusable endoscopes, single-use endoscopes, white light endoscopes, fluorescent endoscopes, etc. Currently, Scivita Medical’s commercialized products include3D Visualization System, 4K UHD Camera System, 4K-3D Camera System, 4K Sinoscope, 4K Arthroscope, Single-use Hystero Videoscope, Single-use Urology Videoscope, Single-use Broncho Videoscope, etc. In the future, Scivita Medical will continue to launch new products while promoting the simultaneous certification of related products in China, the United States, Japan, Europe and other countries and regions, and continue to promote the products to the global market.

    Scivita Medical’s innovation has been ahead of the market with industry leading position, which reflects Scivita Medical’s R&D strength and confidence. Scivita Medical has global cutting-edge technologies, including ultra-high-definition visualization technology (such as 4K UHD visualization), 3D visualization technology(including monocular 3D and binocular 3D), single-use technology, special light visualization technology (such as fluorescence visualization), and ultra-fine endoscopic technology. In the future, Scivita Medical will also integrate the existing technologies to form a diversified product matrix such as 4K fluorescence and 3D fluorescence.

    Scivita Medical aims at solving clinical pain points through technological innovation and developing high quality products that suit the needs of clinicians. For example, in the development process of4K UHD visualization, through cooperation between medical staff and the industry, Scivita Medical learned the pain points in laparoscopy such as “endoscope fogging” or “smoke interference”, and successfully developed the lens tip heating feature, effectively avoiding fogging caused by temperature differences. The signal processing technology enables the one-key fogging removal function on the camera, which effectively removes smoke interference and improve the efficiency of surgery. In addition to effectively solving the problem of cross-contamination, the single-use endoscopes independently developed by Scivita Medical also enables the image quality to reach the standard of reusable endoscope. In addition, Scivita Medical has fully considered the ergonomics in product development process, and its single-use endoscopes not only allow clinicians to control flexibly with both left and right hands, but also meet the needs of clinicians in different scenarios of standing or sitting diagnosis, effectively alleviating clinicians’ operational fatigue and improving diagnosis and treatment efficiency for the benefit of more patients.

    In terms of imaging clarity, color reproduction, or operability, conductivity, and insertion of endoscope, the clinical evaluation of Scivita Medical’s products have reached the international first-class level. In the past few years, most of the terminal hospitals where Scivita Medical’s products are sold in China are the tertiary hospitals represented by domestic tertiary Grade A hospitals, and the products are on par with major international brand products in terms of product quality and effect. In the future, in addition to insisting on the strategic goal of making high-end Made-in-China products, Scivita Medical will also launch generic endoscope systems for hospitals at all levels, and benefit hospitals at all levels with products of international leading level.

    In the future, Scivita Medical will continue to implement the strategy of globalization, deepen its focus on clinical needs and pain points, and work together with global clinical experts to promote the development of the endoscopy industry and enhance the level of safety, effectiveness and accuracy of treatments, thereby benefiting patients around the world.

  • Habitat for Humanity to hold Asia-Pacific Housing Forum in Thailand for the third time

    Habitat for Humanity to hold Asia-Pacific Housing Forum in Thailand for the third time

    Habitat for Humanity announced that the eighth Asia-Pacific Housing Forum with the theme, “Building forward better for inclusive housing”, will be held in Bangkok from December 7 to 9. This will be the third time that the affordable housing forum will be held in Thailand. The strategic location of the country, presence of a strong and vibrant international development community in Bangkok, and Habitat for Humanity’s 23-year history of building homes in Thailand, were the key considerations for the choice of venue for the biennial event.

    Participants at the seventh Asia-Pacific Housing Forum in 2019 held in Bangkok (Habitat for Humanity).

    “The focus for this year’s Asia-Pacific Housing Forum centers on how affordable and sustainable housing solutions can bring an inclusive future for vulnerable and low-income families through greener, safer, and more resilient approaches,” said Luis Noda, area vice president of Habitat for Humanity in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Globally, the health and economic impacts of the ongoing pandemic have exacerbated the housing crisis and made clear how crucial having safe, secure, and adequate housing is to one’s health, wellbeing, and even survival.

    Around the world, approximately 1.6 billion people live without adequate shelter. In the Asia-Pacific region, an estimated one-third of urban dwellers live in slums or slum-like conditions. In Thailand, for instance, the slum and squatter population has continued to increase, with a majority of them in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. The nation’s urban population is approximately 35.29 million in 2019 (Statista.com). From 2018 to 2019, the poverty rate dropped to 6.2%, according to the World Bank. However, in 2020, the poverty rate increased to 8.8% due to the effects brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Some of the main speakers of the Asia-Pacific Housing Forum include Maimunah Mohd Sharif, executive director of United Nations Human Settlements Programme, and Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International.

    Co-organized by Habitat for Humanity and the EU-funded SWITCH-Asia programme, with the support of other partners, the Forum brings together industry leaders, innovators, policy experts, and various stakeholders to inspire a new vision for more inclusive, healthy, and resilient cities and communities. It serves as a multi-sectoral platform to build collaboration among like-minded organization to create impact at scale for low-cost, affordable technologies across the Asia-Pacific region.

    The importance of housing as a driver of economic growth and sustainability in human settlements will be one of the central discussions during the Forum. It also aims to strengthen the regional community’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and align climate change initiatives with national priorities.

    The Asia-Pacific Housing Forum, which has been attended by more than 7,200 participants since its inaugural conference in 2007, is supported by The Hilti Foundation, Whirlpool, Agence Francaise de Developpement, and Somfy Foundation. Other partners include UN-Habitat, Cities Alliance, and Total Quality PR.

    The Forum will adopt a hybrid format, with limited in-person participation in accordance with government-mandated health and safety guidelines. However, with the fluid situation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers are continuously monitoring the situation with a pivot strategy in place for an enhanced fully virtual experience. Register at aphousingforum.org and find out more about the forum program, tracks and side events.

    About Habitat for Humanity

    Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort and has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. In the Asia Pacific region since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported millions of people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org/asiapacific

    About EU SWITCH-Asia programme

    Launched in 2007, the SWITCH-Asia programme is the largest European Union-funded programme promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) supporting 24 countries in Asia and Central Asia. The programme has funded around 130 projects, supporting over 500 Asian and European non-for-profit partners, about 100 private sector associations and 80.000 Asian MSMEs. The SCP Facility, one of SWITCH-Asia Components, aims at strengthening the implementation of SCP policies at the national level, facilitating the coordination of all components of the programme through information sharing. In addition, it carries out analyses on the results of the pilot projects and supports dialogue with stakeholders.

    Media contact:
    Maetavarin Maneekulpan
    +66-2260-5820
    mae@tqpr.com